Knight Eyck

As Geralt and the others grappled with their predicament at the broken bridge, Knight Eyck, leading the way, had already forged ahead across the hillside and arrived at a small, flower-strewn meadow.

Contemplating his next move—whether to traverse the open expanse and pursue an alternate path to the cave atop the mountain—Knight Eyck was suddenly interrupted by a resonant sound akin to a brass horn.

"Knight Eyck of Denesle, I am Villentretenmerth," boomed a voice, as a colossal golden creature descended from the heavens and alighted gracefully amid the meadow, mere meters away from the knight. Extending its wings and adopting a dignified stance, the creature continued to speak.

"I implore you to proceed no further," it declared. "At the end of this path lies the cave where my beloved resides. As her guardian, it is my solemn duty to protect her."

"Anyone who ventures forth shall be deemed my adversary. In defense of my kin, I will engage them in honorable knightly combat, using only traditional weaponry—no magic. We shall duel until one yields."

"Knight Eyck, I beseech you to reconsider your course of action. Will you forsake this endeavor?"

Knight Eyck, taken aback by the telepathic communication and the unprecedented sight before him, found himself momentarily bewildered. In his two decades of monster-hunting, he had never encountered a dragon adorned in resplendent golden scales, nor had he encountered a creature of such refined eloquence.

Yet, his momentary bewilderment swiftly gave way to resolute conviction. Pushing back his visor to reveal his determined countenance, the towering knight in heavy plate armor bellowed to the golden dragon:

"Evil dragon, before you stands Eyck of Denesle. I am the instrument of the gods' will. My mission is to slay the dragon and safeguard the innocents here."

"Since you have chosen to defend your mate, I shall not yield. We shall engage in a noble knightly duel."

The golden dragon, emitting a sigh that sounded strangely human, swiftly assumed an offensive stance, its golden-scaled form poised for combat. With a subtle horn-like sound resonating through the air once more, it addressed Ike:

"Respected Knight Eyck, I commend your valor. All preparations have been made. Let this illustrious duel commence."

On the battlefield, Eyck wasted no time. He fervently invoked the gods he revered, entreating their divine blessings, while simultaneously raising his spear in a gesture of respect toward the golden dragon.

This was to be a duel of honor—a testament to chivalry and bravery, regardless of its outcome. Wayne, observing from his concealed vantage point on another hill, couldn't help but marvel. This was a knight of unwavering faith, embodying the true essence of knighthood, far surpassing those who lacked honor.

With his prayers concluded, Eyck lowered his visor, fixing his gaze upon the massive golden dragon through the narrow slit. Adjusting his breathing, he urged his steed onward, gripping the reins tightly as he leaned forward, spear pointed ahead and charged towards the formidable beast with unbridled determination.

The horse surged forward with remarkable speed, its heavy form clad in armor resembling a metallic juggernaut in motion. With a single rider and horse, Eyck bore down upon the golden dragon with unstoppable momentum.

Yet, to Eyck's astonishment, the golden dragon did not retreat or attempt to evade his formidable assault. Instead, it met his charge head-on, hurtling towards him with equal fervor.

Observing the situation unfold, Eyck swiftly altered his course at the final moment, raising his lance high above the horse's head as he soared past the dragon while standing on the stirrups. With all his strength, he thrust the spear toward the giant beast's head, aiming to deliver a fatal blow and end the terrifying monster with a single strike.

However, the massive golden dragon displayed an unexpected burst of agility, swiftly veering sideways to evade the stab with impeccable precision. With graceful movements akin to a whip, its colossal form arched back, slicing open the belly of Eyck's mount with a devastating swipe. The horse let out a pained whinny as it stumbled and fell, unable to withstand the force of the attack.

Undeterred, Eyck maintained his grip on the spear even as he was dismounted. With a deft motion, the dragon's claw plucked him from the saddle, launching him into the air. The harsh sound of his armored body colliding with the ground echoed across the battlefield, even reaching Wayne's ears from several hundred meters away.

Such a high-altitude fall would be challenging for anyone to endure, let alone a knight encased in heavy plate armor. Eyck suffered severe injuries upon impact, with his legs twisted unnaturally beneath him, bones shattered and protruding through his flesh. Despite the excruciating pain, he refused to cry out or plead for mercy, instead staring blankly at the sky and muttering to himself incoherently.

With Eyck incapacitated, the golden dragon ruthlessly turned its attention to his fallen steed. Pinning the horse beneath its massive paws, the dragon tore away its armor with powerful jaws, rending flesh and bone with sharp fangs until the horse's agonized cries ceased, swallowed whole by the voracious creature.

.......

Upon reaching the hilltop, Yennefer, Geralt, and Jaskier, who had followed her, were met with the unexpected sight of Knight Eyck's valiant challenge against the golden dragon. Witnessing the formidable knight being tossed into the air like a mere plaything by the monstrous creature left them all in a state of solemnity and awe.

Unlike the legendary green dragon they had anticipated, this golden dragon exceeded all expectations. Not only was it several times larger, but its movements were far from the clumsy portrayal of dragons in myths; instead, it displayed a deadly elegance akin to a seasoned warrior.

As they grappled with the shock of the scene before them, Dorregarey, using his magical prowess, joined them on the other side of the stone bridge. Upon witnessing the golden dragon devouring Eyck's warhorse, the mage's reaction was unexpected. Disregarding Eyck's fate, Dorregarey's gaze was fixated on the magnificent creature below, marveling at its beauty and uniqueness.

"It's so beautiful. This is the only golden dragon in the world. It's a living golden dragon. Only great nature can create such a beautiful and elegant creature."

With unwavering confidence, Dorregarey turned to Yennefer, Geralt, and Jaskier, issuing a firm command. He declared his intent to protect the golden dragon, adamant that such a rare and majestic creature should not fall victim to their ambitions.

"Listen carefully, in front of us stands a golden dragon, perhaps the only one left due to your cruelty and folly. The legend should not be killed. I will not allow you to touch this dragon. Understood? Give up your intentions and prepare to leave."

However, Yennefer, driven by her singular obsession with restoring her fertility, remained indifferent to Dorregarey's proclamation. Her focus remained solely on her original target—the green dragon. The appearance of the golden dragon was inconsequential to her; dead dragons were all the same in her eyes.

At this moment, a voice like a bronze horn directly passed into the brains of the four people on the hillside.

"Ladies and Gentlemen across the way, Knight Eycj is a worthy opponent. If any of you can treat him, please come down and help him. Don't worry, I'm a dragon who values honor, and I won't attack you all of a sudden."

Hearing this voice, everyone on the hillside, including Yennefer, looked at the golden dragon below involuntarily. Borch nodded gracefully to them, then waved his wings, flew directly away from the place where the battle took place, and retreated to a small hill a few hundred meters away.