The 'Arrangement'

Albrecht's page boy vaulted the short wall and ran to him. "Sire, please, let me help you."

Albrecht stood and wiped the blood from his face, before sighing heavily. "Boy, you will have to come with me now."

Everyone looked quizzically at Albrecht. "Sire?"

"I did not come here to slay the Dragon. I came here to retire."

"Sire? I. I don't understand! Did you mean to let the Dragon kill you?"

"Hah!" Bellowed Albrecht. "No. There is an 'arrangement' that the elder slayers have with this Dragon."

Behind him there was a groan, followed by the scraping of masonry.