His broad, armored shoulders fell and he shook his head. “No guardian, I cannot. Yet I must obey the orders of the King that God has appointed over me. He has given a command that I must obey. My feelings matter little in the decision.”

Kyria turned toward the dragon, who still watched everything with a great sadness in his eyes. Yet there was something else in those eyes – something that might be hope, joy or both. She waved her hand in front of the drake.

The motion was apparently some sort of signal, for the golden scaled creature lifted itself off the ground and turned toward the cave entrance. With a final, quick glance back, the drake moved inside its cavernous lair. Within moments, the hulking girth of the animal disappeared into the tunnel of rock.

The angel turned back toward Caleb and spoke again. It is a three day journey to your kingdom. When you arrive, inform your ruler that the dragon is dead, for by the time you return your statement will be true. Consider your mission accomplished.

With that, the blonde haired guardian faded from view. Her spotless white robe diminished with a flash of light. His encounter with her left him feeling light headed. Kyria was hauntingly beautiful, yet he felt no lust or desire for her, only a sense of tranquility and awe.

Three days later, Caleb reported to his King that the dragon was dead. He gave no details on how his encounter unfolded. But, then again, he didn’t have to. His word was as certain as the granite bricks which paved the streets of the kingdom. If he said the dragon was dead, then it most certainly was.

After his report to the King, the paladin rode off into the countryside. He had a modest ranch house and an extensive stretch of land on which he raised horses, all of which were the same breed as his stallion, Midnight. The war horse was glad to be home as well. Midnight ran to greet his equine friends and family. A bucket of oats and barley waited in his stall as a reward for their safe return journey.

That night, as Caleb prepared for bed, he considered everything that had happened over the past few days. There were questions in his heart, but he reminded himself that if one knew all the answers then faith would be unnecessary. He sat on the side of his bed and looked at the wooden rack at the far corner of his room. The holy Armor of God hung on a specially made stand.

The Judaic runes inscribed on each piece of armor had served him well in battle. They had withstood hordes of demons, atheistic barbarians, heathen idol worshipers, and many other evil antagonists. He wondered how it would’ve held up against dragon fire. Not that it mattered now, but he wondered all the same.

His eyes widened as the ancient runes on each piece of his armor began radiating luminescence. Normally they only lit up when the Holy Spirit fell on him. However, this was the first time he’d seen the armor glow without actually wearing it. He felt a presence manifest within the divine metal. Soon, he saw Kyria’s ethereal form materialize out of thin air.

Peace be upon you, Paladin Nazareth.

Caleb sat on the side of his bed and looked up at her, no less astonished to see her now than at any time in the past. “You honor me with your presence, guardian. How may I be of service?”

I come to bring service, not to request it. You have questions in your heart. Because of your faithful obedience to our heavenly King, God has given me authority to reveal His plan – the purpose of which has now been fulfilled.”