In Princess Flame's bedroom, Solder had tied the length of bed sheets to the ceiling and was tugging on them to test their strength.

'Solder, really!' said Flame. 'Even if it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, surely running away would be a better solution.'

'Where to?' said Solder. 'There is no happiness for me without him.'

'Then take him with you!'

Solder stopped what she was doing, and looked thoughtful. 'Hmm…'

There came a knock at the door. Flame went to answer it, keeping her eyes on Solder and the sheets for as long as she could. When she opened the door, Cinder and Clinker were standing there wearing a dirty coat, and holding a booklet and quill.

'We're taking bets on who's going to slay the monster,' Cinder said brightly. 'We'll give you four to one on Sir Piston, two to one on Squire Flicker and seventeen to one on Sir Loungelot.'

'Three to two on Sir Loungelot saying he did it,' Clinker added.

'You mean you've noticed?' asked Flame.

'Oh yes,' said Cinder. 'Between us, we see more or less everything that goes on around here.'

'Six to one on Count Geoffrey,' Clinker added.

'Count Geoffrey?' said Flame. 'Oh, for goodness' sake!'

'Who's Count Geoffrey?' asked Solder, appearing at Flame's side. 'What are you two doing, anyway? Taking bets on my future? Don't give more than two to one that I'll die of a broken heart.'

'May I see that, Cinder and Clinker?' asked Flame, holding out her hand.

Cinder and Clinker looked at each other, shrugged and handed over their booklet.

'Well,' said Flame, 'this is most illuminating. Sir Blaze and Sir Burnevere have both bet on Flicker! Stepmother Griddle bet on Loungelot, of course, and Father… Goodness! He bet on Sir Piston!'

'Oh no!' cried Solder. 'I simply couldn't bear it!'

'He may not be right, Solder,' said Flame. 'Well, well, well. I wonder why he didn't bet on Sir Loungelot.'

'He thought about it,' said Cinder.

'He was in an agony of indecision,' said Clinker.

'So,' said Cinder, 'what'll it be, Your Highness? Can I put you down for a purse of silver on Squire Flicker?'

'No,' said Flame. 'This time, I don't think it's going to be Flicker. I'll tell you what. I'll bet one afternoon of your chores against you putting in a good word for Flicker with my father. How about that?'

'Unconventional,' said Cinder, as Clinker scribbled in the notebook, 'but you are the Princess. So, Your Highness, who's it to be?'

Flame stooped down and whispered something into their ears.

Sir Loungelot was finding Singetagel Castle to be very much to his liking. Down in the kitchen, he nodded in approval at the vast array of food that had been left half-prepared all over the table. Clearly this place had been abandoned in a hurry. Once he'd had his fill of the sight, Loungelot turned and made his way up the stairs. He emerged into a corridor, where he found himself face to face with Sir Piston.

'Piston?' he said. 'What are you doing here?'

'I had to get something,' said Piston. 'My squire forgot it.'

'Then why not send your squire?'

'Because he's such a fool he doesn't know where it is. I live here, Loungelot. What's your excuse?'

Loungelot frowned, but didn't falter. 'I was getting my bearings. I will slay that manticore, Piston.'

'That what?'

'So, Singetagel's bravest knight doesn't even know what he's up against! Well, as it happens, I know exactly how to kill it. I was just looking for something that I need.'

'Oh?' said Piston. 'And what might that be?'

'Never you mind. I'm not having you stealing my methods.'

Sir Loungelot puffed out his chest, held his head up high and swept off down the corridor.

When Flicker reached the bottom of the cliff, he found Wick there, staring at the sleeping manticore.

'Oh,' said Flicker, putting down the weapons case. 'Hello, Wick.'

Wick turned round. 'Hi, Flicker. Sir Loungelot not with you?'

'Er… no.'

'Right, I see. Well.' He turned back to the monster. 'I was just wondering what to do about this manticore. It doesn't seem right to kill it while it's asleep.'

'No,' said Flicker, 'it's not. King Allfire's Code of Chivalry clearly states: "A dragon knight must never attack an enemy whose defences are down."'

'Well,' said Wick, 'there you are, then.'

'Wick,' said Flicker. 'I must ask you something. Do you want to marry Princess Solder?'

Wick looked at him, startled. 'Oh, well, I… I shouldn't say…'

'Come on, Wick, you can tell me.'

'Oh, all right,' said Wick. 'Yes, I do.'

'And does she want to marry you?'

'I don't know. I think so, but… well, if she doesn't, I'll kill myself,' and he looked up at the cliff top in a suicidal way.

'Oh,' said Flicker, not at all sure what he ought to say. 'Well then, Princess Solder can't lose either way, can she? You must be the one to slay the monster, Wick.'

'I don't know, Flicker,' said Wick. 'If I kill it, Solder will have to marry Sir Piston, and she can't stand him.'

'She won't have to marry him. I'll back you up.'

'King Spark would never believe a squire he doesn't even know, or even one he does. Not over Sir Piston.'

Flicker frowned. 'The glass is always half-empty with you, isn't it, Wick? Look, don't worry about Sir Piston. I'll think of something. You just find a way to kill the - oh, for goodness' sake! That's all we need.'

Coming down the cliff path were Count Geoffrey and his Evil Knights.

'Who's that?' asked Wick.

'Count Geoffrey and his Evil Knights,' said Flicker. 'I'd better get rid of them.'

As he spoke, the sleeping manticore began to shift and snuffle. Flicker made his way back up the cliff path, and met Count Geoffrey halfway.

'What on earth are you doing here?' Flicker asked. 'You don't want to marry Princess Solder, do you?'

'Not really,' said Geoffrey, 'but she does live in a very nice castle. Get out of my way, dragon.'

Count Geoffrey drew his sword. Flicker, having no weapon on him, shot a blast of fiery breath at Geoffrey and his Evil Knights. They stood, stunned and scorched, but Geoffrey took only a moment to recover.

'All right,' he said, raising his sword, as an enormous shadow began to fall over the small gathering. 'You asked for - eek!'

'Flicker!' shouted Wick. 'Look out!'

Flicker turned, and ducked out of the way just as a huge mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth snapped shut where he had been standing. Evil Knights Numbers One, Two and Three screamed, turned and ran up the cliff path.

'Come back, you fools!' yelled Count Geoffrey. Then he too had to dive aside as the manticore went for him. He landed on top of Flicker.

'Good going,' said Geoffrey. 'Now you've gone and woken it up.'

'Were you just going to kill it while it slept?' asked Flicker. 'For shame, Count Geoffrey. Look out!'

They flew apart as, once again, the manticore's fearsome jaws snapped over them.

'Here!' Wick was flying close to the cliff top, waving his arms. 'Take me, oh hideous beast! I have nothing to live for without her!'

But the manticore was not interested. It decided to go after Count Geoffrey. Geoffrey screamed, ran and managed to hide in a convenient cave cut into the cliff face, but the monster was not to be deterred. A long, thin tongue snaked out of its mouth and wormed its way into the cave.

'All right, Merle.' Geoffrey produced Merle's bottle from somewhere inside his armour. 'This had better work!'

He opened the bottle and threw it into the manticore's mouth. The monster withdrew, choking and spluttering, and out of its mouth flew hundreds of tiny insects.

'Fleas?' said Count Geoffrey, peering out from his hiding place. 'What's that supposed to do? MERLE!'

There was a puff of smoke, and Merle appeared beside Geoffrey.

'Hey, Geoff,' she said. 'Did the fleas work?'

'See for yourself.'

They stepped outside the cave, and saw that the manticore was scratching furiously with its back legs.

'They were only supposed to be a diversion,' said Merle. 'Now get over there and kill the stupid thing!'

'Um…'

Count Geoffrey began edging towards the beast, his sword raised. As he approached, the manticore caught sight of him. It snarled, and moved into a crouching position.

'You know,' said Count Geoffrey, 'Singetagel really isn't as nice as Camelhot. I'm not so sure I really want to… to… MERLE!'

Merle appeared beside him. Geoffrey leapt onto her back, and they both vanished.

By now, Flicker was hovering near the top of the cliff with Wick.

'See what that fool has done!' cried Flicker. 'Now it's hungry and itchy!'

'A deadly combination,' said Wick. 'But I think I have an idea. We just need to get it onto the cliff top, or even better, one of those towers.'

'Shouldn't be a problem,' said Flicker, his voice a little higher than normal, as the manticore dug its great lion claws into the cliff face and began to climb.

Wick's face broke into a triumphant smile. 'Brilliant!'

He flew higher, and the monster pursued him. It climbed up the side of the castle, its claws cutting into the stone walls with ease. Flicker landed on the cliff edge and watched as Wick led the monster higher and higher, until it was perched precariously on the turrets of a tall, narrow tower.

Flicker took flight once again, reached the tower and hovered behind Wick, who was digging around inside his clothing. The creature was beginning to find its balance, and was watching Wick with hunger in its eyes.

'Wick, hurry!' cried Flicker.

'Aha!' said Wick, and he whipped out Flicker's can spray. He shook it up, and then aimed it straight at the manticore's eyes.

The creature roared in pain, and swiped at the air. Blinded, covered with fleas and writhing in fury, it fell from the turrets and landed with an almighty crash at the bottom of the cliff.

'Gosh,' said Flicker. 'You actually killed it.'

'That's what you told me to do, isn't it?' said Wick.

'Well, yes, I suppose I did. It's just that, at Camelhot, we normally find out monsters aren't really so bad, and -'

'Oh look, right on time as usual.'

The triumph had gone from Wick's eyes, and his tone was despondent. Flicker tore his eyes away from the slain monster and followed his companion's gaze. Sir Piston was making his way down the cliff path.

'Fly down there and keep him talking,' said Flicker, 'just for a minute.'

Wick gave him a questioning look, but did as he was told. Flicker watched until he had engaged Sir Piston in conversation, and then flew down to the manticore's body.

Sir Loungelot met Flicker as he was leaving Singetagel Castle.

'Not a bad place, this,' said Loungelot. 'I could enjoy living here.'

'Sorry, Milord,' said Flicker, wobbling under the weight of the weapons case. 'I couldn't kill the monster for you. Someone else got there first.'

'Did they indeed?' said Loungelot. 'Well, perhaps we're not ready for such a drastic change just yet, Flicker. I really haven't milked Camelhot for all it's worth. Queen Griddle will be pleased to keep me, at any rate.'

'Milord,' said Flicker, 'if I may, we must make haste back to the castle.'

'Quite, Flicker,' said Loungelot. 'Mustn't keep the old battleaxe waiting, must we?'

As night fell over Camelhot, Flame found her father sitting on his throne, his chin in his hand and a glum look on his face. Filled with concern, she went over to him.

'Are you all right, Daddy?' she asked.

'What's that, Puff?' Allfire looked up. 'Oh yes, I'm fine. Just wondering whether I backed the right dragon in Cinder and Clinker's little game. Have they been on at you about that?'

'Yes,' said Flame. 'Father, why did you bet against Sir Loungelot?'

'Well,' said Allfire, 'I was going to bet on Loungelot, of course. But then I found I was having my doubts. It seems rather a long time since he actually did anything.'

'Yes,' said Flame, her face brightening, 'it does, doesn't it?'

'I just don't know what Camelhot is coming to, Puff. Sir Hotbreath and Sir Galahot out questing for such a long time, and now Sir Loungelot…'

'Yes?'

'Well,' said Allfire, 'I mean to say, he…'

He stopped when he heard the drawbridge being lowered, and a fanfare announcing the arrival of the victor.

'Hark!' Allfire jumped to his feet and cupped his hand to his ear. 'Someone has returned with the head of the beast. We must go and congratulate him.'

Sir Piston stood framed in the doorway, the manticore's head raised above him, a triumphant smile upon his face.

'See!' cried Piston. 'I, Sir Piston, bring you the head of the terrible beast!'

'Manticore,' Wick said quietly, behind him.

All of Camelhot and their guests had assembled to greet the victor. Princess Solder burst into tears. Flame put her arm around her and said, 'I'm sorry, Solder. I don't know what to say. I've never known Flicker to fail before!'

'I don't believe it!' said Allfire, clapping his hands together with joy. 'I won the bet!'

'Sir Piston!' said King Spark. 'I knew you could do it! Now, as promised, I give you my daughter -'

'WAIT!'

Everyone looked up as Flicker streaked over the drawbridge, skidded to a halt in the centre of the crowd and stood there, panting. He put down the case of weapons as Sir Loungelot entered the courtyard at a more leisurely pace.

'Flicker!' said Flame. She nudged Solder. 'There you are, you see, I told you so.'

'It isn't true,' said Flicker. 'Sir Piston didn't kill the monster.'

Everyone in the room gave a collective gasp.

'What?' cried Sir Piston. 'This is an outrage! Your Majesties, I demand that this boy be flogged for his insolence!'

'Quite right,' said King Spark. 'Guards, take him away!'

He looked at Cinder and Clinker, who stayed quite still. Flame opened her mouth to speak, but King Allfire got there first.

'Perhaps you had better explain yourself, squire,' he said. 'If Sir Piston didn't slay the beast, then who did?'

'It was Wick, My Liege,' said Flicker. 'Sir Piston's squire.'

Most of the ensemble gasped again. Solder looked at Flicker through her fingers, tears spilling down the backs of her hands.

'Oh boy!' said Cinder. 'We won't have to pay out after all!'

'Jackpot,' said Clinker, and they high-fived across their body.

'Preposterous!' cried Sir Piston.

'Have you any proof, squire?' asked King Allfire.

'Yes, My Liege.' Flicker began digging around in the case, and pulled out a huge pink tongue, still gleaming with saliva.

'Ewwww!' cried everyone, reeling back in disgust.

'Yes, quite,' said Flicker, putting down the tongue and wiping his hand on his armour. 'But the point is this. I must have seen who slew the beast, as I have the tongue!'

He looked around for everyone's reaction, and was disappointed. Most of the dragons were scratching their heads, trying to reason this out.

'Oh, come on!' cried Flame. 'Anyone could take the head after the tongue has been removed, but not the other way around!'

'She's right!' said Solder. She turned pleading eyes onto King Spark. 'Father…'

'Is this true, squire?' asked King Spark.

'Yes, My Liege,' said Wick. 'It is true.'

King Spark turned to his champion. 'Sir Piston?'

'Well,' said Sir Piston, 'I… er…'

'Never,' said King Spark, 'in all my days as king, have I heard of anything so odious and contemptible! You are hereby stripped of all your titles, and never again may you return to Singetagel! And as for you, my boy.' He turned to Wick. 'You have won my daughter's hand.'

'Oh, Wick!' cried Solder, rushing over to Wick and flinging her arms around his neck.

'Solder!' cried Wick. Then he turned to Flicker and said, 'Flicker, I don't know how I can ever thank -'

'Back to Singetagel Castle!' cried King Spark. 'Let this young man be knighted and married to my daughter as soon as possible! Good show! Bye then, Allfire. Thanks for the food and everything.'

With that, King Spark grabbed his daughter and soon-to-be-son-in-law by the wrists, and dragged them over the open drawbridge. Sir Piston was nowhere to be seen; he had presumably slunk off somewhere.

As Cinder and Clinker went to close up for the night, Flame caught them and said, 'Take that tongue away, will you? And don't forget my prize for winning the bet!'

'No fear, Your Highness,' said Clinker.

'We'll be onto it as soon as we can!' said Cinder.

Satisfied with this, Flame made her way through the chattering crowd until she found Sir Loungelot, who was about the only one not joining in the rush of conversation.

'Did you see that, Sir Loungelot?' asked Flame.

'Of course I saw it,' said Loungelot. 'I'm not blind!'

He was scowling, but his expression changed to one of alarm when he heard Queen Griddle clearing her throat behind him. He turned, prostrated himself before her and said, 'My Lady!'

'What on earth is the matter with you, Loungelot?' said Griddle. 'Why didn't you kill the beast? The embarrassment of some silly swineherd getting the better of Camelhot's champion…'

'Milady,' said Loungelot, 'if I have caused you embarrassment, I am distraught. But you see, I could not bring myself to perform the deed that would tie me to another lady than your great and beauteous self, Majesty.'

'Oooh, Loungelot!' Griddle gushed, holding out her hand, which Loungelot at once took and began to kiss noisily.

Flame raised her eyes to the heavens, then set off in search of Flicker, who had begun to lug Sir Loungelot's weapons inside.

'Flicker!' she called.

Flicker stopped, put down the case and turned to look at her. 'Hello, Flame. It all seems to have turned out all right, doesn't it?'

'Yes,' said Flame. 'Flicker, I suppose Wick really did kill the beast?'

'As opposed to…?'

'Well, you.'

'Flame, really,' said Flicker. 'I wouldn't make up a thing like that. The Code of Chivalry clearly states: "A dragon knight will not tell porky pies." It also states, just as clearly, "A dragon knight will not insult another's honour." No one but Wick was ever supposed to slay that manticore and marry Princess Solder. I only thought of taking the tongue to prove it was him.'

'Oh, Flicker,' said Flame. 'Why will you never do anything like that for yourself?'

'I've told you before, Flame,' said Flicker. 'The Code of Chivalry clearly states: "A dragon knight will never blow his own horn," and, "A good deed is its own reward," and -'

'Flicker,' said Flame. 'Shut up a minute and listen to me. You have got to start putting yourself forward, just a little bit. I think I know why Loungelot was so keen to leave Camelhot and get in with King Spark. He's worried because my father is starting to see through him. Don't you see? Maybe it's because there aren't as many knights taking the focus away from you. Goodness knows, I hope Sir Galahot and Sir Hotbreath are all right, but while they're away can't you just take the opportunity to -'

She was cut off as the drawbridge clattered to the ground, and the sky outside was lit up by a fiery belch. Everyone stopped talking and looked up, hardly daring to believe it. Two dragons stood silhouetted in the doorway, one tall and wide, the other short and stocky.

'I don't believe it!' said King Allfire. 'Can it be…?'

The two dragons stepped into the light, and the larger one spoke.

'We're back, sir!'