INT. CASTLE ARENA - SERVICE TUNNEL - MORNING
June stands in polished handler's armor with cue cards and ceremonial reins. Cal, an enormous dragon billed as the Terror of the Eastern Watch, has folded himself behind a curtain too small to hide his tail.
Cal
Tell them the dragon is unavailable. Fever, royal emergency, sudden migration. Choose one with dignity.
June
They can see your tail under the curtain, Cal. It is blocking the musicians' entrance.
Cal
They can see a decorative rope with excellent scales. I am elsewhere.
June
Your decorative rope just knocked over three helmets and saluted the pastry table.
Cal
The rope rejects helmets. The pastries were giving orders.
June
In three minutes, the herald says your name and I open that gate.
Cal
Then the herald has three minutes to learn a different name.
June
Cal, you flew the whole routine yesterday. Landing mark, royal bow, flame circle, final roar.
Cal
I practiced for six sheep, two gardeners, and a statue. None of them applauded with hands.
June
You roared at the pantry door because it squeaked after supper.
Cal
The pantry did not chant Terror of the Eastern Watch until my stomach tried to leave.
June
Are you telling me the most feared dragon in the kingdom has stage fright?
Cal
I am declining an inaccurate diagnosis made by someone whose knees are making percussion.
June
Teeth checked, wings stretched, fire glands warm. Nothing is injured.
Cal
My dignity has suffered repeated poking. Otherwise, all parts remain impressively operational.
June
The royal family, the council, and nine hundred schoolchildren are waiting. This is my first exhibition as lead handler.
Cal
Exactly. They were promised a beast who darkens noon. I would prefer a quiet breakfast.
June
You are feared. You melted a siege shield by sneezing near it.
Cal
Your hands are shaking.
June
The ceremonial reins are cold. Metal does that in a draft.
Cal
We are underground. There is no wind, and the reins are not attached to me.
June
I am prepared. I know every cue, every safety call, and all fourteen emergency exits.
Cal
This morning you introduced the mop as Her Majesty and bowed until your helmet fell off.
June
That mop has a severe expression. Anyone could have made the same mistake in poor light.
Cal
I will not cross the curtain until you tell me the truth.
June
What truth? I have reported your breakfast, temperature, wingspan, mood, and unusual interest in curtains.
Cal
Why does your heart sound like a rabbit running down stairs in armor?
June
You can hear my heartbeat from there?
Cal
I am a dragon. The crowd sounds like rain on a roof. Yours sounds like someone hammering from inside a locked room.
June
I am responsible for keeping you calm. My feelings are not on the exhibition schedule.
Cal
Responsible is not the opposite of afraid. Sometimes it is afraid with a clipboard.
June
If we fail, Master Handler Venn sends me back to hatchling duty before lunch.
Cal
You like hatchlings. You let the green one sleep in your boot.
June
I love them. But my family crossed half the kingdom so I could train here. I am the first of us appointed. Going back means I was not ready.
Cal
So you need me to look fearless in front of everyone, because then you can look fearless beside me.
June
Yes. I am terrified. I forgot my own name at rehearsal, and when that gate rattles, every lesson disappears except do not faint near fire.
Cal
Thank you. I am also terrified.
June
You? You slept through a thunder cannon and ate the warning flag.
Cal
Flags are soft. Faces are different. When they chant for a monster, I worry a monster is all they will let me be.
June looks at the painted flame cues on her cards, tears the stack cleanly in half, and drops both pieces into a scorch-proof bucket.
June
Then we change the act.
June
No hoop, no chains, no fake attack. We walk out, stop at the sun mark, breathe once, and bow.
Cal
What if I sneeze on the royal balcony?
June unbuckles Cal's spiked display collar and lays the ceremonial reins across the discarded cue cards. The crowd begins a rhythmic chant beyond the curtain.
June
Aim upward and call it ceremonial weather.
Cal
Will you stand beside me? Not behind the safety wall with the long hook?
June
Beside you. I am your handler because I know what you need, and today you need a partner.
Cal
What about the grand finale? They paid extra for terror.
The gate rises. June's hand shakes; Cal lowers one wing, and she rests her palm against it. They step into the arena together. Cal exhales a tiny smoke ring that floats above the front row. After one suspended beat, applause swells. June and Cal exchange a startled smile and bow.
June
One honest breath, one bow, and whatever flame arrives. We do not owe them fear.