Chapter Five.
Rebecca’s Patience

“How long is he going to sleep?” Rebecca asked as she poked at the chicken in her lap. “And when will you give me another egg? Truly it is probably time to make a dinner out of you.”

The chicken, now aggravated with Rebecca’s poking, ruffled her feathers and jumped from Rebecca’s lap to scratch in the dirt at her feet.

“He has been ill, let him sleep if he wishes,” Wendy said from her perch upon the northern most ramparts. “You were not pleased when I invited him here yesterday, why are you so worried about him now child?”

“I am not worried about him,” Rebecca said as she stood and brushed dirt from her skirts. “I’m just hoping he will leave soon as he awakens. We do not have the extra meat right now to feed him and I do not wish to go hunting and leave him here alone.” Rebecca paused for a moment and gasped. “What if he is really a bandit? And he robs us while we are away?”

“What will he rob from us?” Wendy asked. “The few pieces of jewelry you have, you always wear. I have no riches or gold, I am not that kind of dragon. He may snatch your only other dress and take the last chicken as well.”

“He can have the chicken,” Rebecca said kicking lightly at the bird, the chicken hopped away clucking as if laughing at her. “But my dress, perhaps I should hide it.”

“Or perhaps,” Wendy said as she snaked down the wall of the rampart. “You should go check on the vegetables you tossed in the pot this morning and take a bowl to his room so when he awakens he can eat without having to disturb you by asking for food. And do not worry about the empty pantry, I am going hunting on my own today.”

“And l