Cyrdic shuddered, his head lowered as Velabrass was about to aim the killing blow. But then he heard a small [i]crack[/i] through the maelstrom of noise, and a very real clang as Velabrass pitched over dead, a gaping hole in the Champion's helmet. Cyrdic didn't understand for many moments, and even as the Dragon tore into the courtyard, Cyrdic turned to see Camilla peeking out from behind the smoking barrel. 

He was dumbfounded for a moment, but soon found strength made from his own fear when he saw the great maw of the Dragon rear down, flames licking its drool-slick jowels. Rows upon rows of teeth nearly as large as his sword gleamed from the firelight. Cyrdic suddenly felt like he wanted to live, or to at least try. They'd gotten so far. 

He staggered to his feet, gripping his weapons and running over to Camilla. "We have to move" he told her, and the two sprinted down the hallway connected to the Great Hall. An eardrum shattering roar rent the air, and then a gush-like sound filled the castle. Cyrdic felt the temperature rise first. He saw the flames only moments after, the fire breath so all encompassing it engulfed the Great Hall and even now flowed into the side hall. 

With a cry of fear, Cyrdic shoulder rushed a door to the side. He and Camilla dived in, only to find there was no floor to land on. Instead Cyrdic hit wooden steps, tumbling down into darkness as the flames bypassed them on the outside. The broken man lay at the bottom, too wounded and tired to move. He felt Camilla next to him, her having landed on his arm and leg. 

Within the Castle, the Dragon stepped atop scorched men and beasts, its great head crushing through the stonework, to find its way into the cellar. It had smelled its children, and another as well. Below the Drake, Gilderoy stood over one of her offspring, the Egg having been crushed by him when he had tripped over one of the castle's tremors. He didn't have the frame of mind to even scream...
[@Penny]