Contest Entry: Default Quest

My entry for 's contest for   The theme of the contest was a "quest". 

At the most basic level, a standard fantasy quest only requires three components.  A brave night, a captive princess, and a fire breathing dragon.  Unfortunately for these two, when magic and curses are involved, its also important to determine which role in the quest you will be playing, and if you will be ending up in the same part you started as...

I had a lot of fun on this and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  I wanted to play around with the concept a bit, and am pretty happy with the result.  Thanks for the opportunity!

Story below.

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Erick the Brave, mused the lad as he proudly strode through the town center, his newly acquired sword hanging from his belt.  His victory over the goblin raiders and the discovery of the magical weapon had gone to the stableboy's head, giving him a level of smug confidence as he set off on his journey as an adventurer.  His first (and so far only) quest had gained him a small fortune in gold coins, and he had set off to the city in search of a quest worthy of his self-declared skills.  Despite the continued threat of the goblins outside his village, he felt he deserved a better and more exciting challenge to begin his journey, and he had settled on the perfect quest to make his name. 

"I plan to slay the mighty dragon and rescue the princess!  She will be so impressed with my bravery and skill, she will have no choice but to marry me.  I'll be living like a prince in a marvelous castle."  He bragged to any who would listen at the tavern. 
"Not sure how you plan on doing that, kid." another warrior, battle scarred from a lifetime of warfare.  "There hasn't been a dragon in these parts for years.  Now, I hear there's a bandit camp just north of..."
"There's no glory in roughing up some bandits, old timer.  My quest needs just two things.  A beautiful princess and a dragon.  Anything else just won't do."

A few hours later, Erick stood before the doors of the adventurer's guild, his new armour gleaming as he pushed through the doors.  With a confident stride, he pushed his way to the front of the line, cutting in front of several other adventurers.  The guild member behind the desk, a young witch frowned, looking up and down the fighter with disapproval.
"Sir, there is a line."
"Lines don't concern me, wench.  I am Erick the Brave, slayer of the goblin horde and wielder of the magic sword.  I demand a quest worthy of my skill and prowess." He puffed out his chest. 
"Well, Sir Erick, there are plenty of quests in the kingdom, but you should wait your turn.  Some of these adventurers have been here for much longer than you." 
"And let them take the good stuff.  Not going to happen.  I have the magic sword of prophecy.  What do these losers have compared to that."
The witch scowled, glancing at her books.
"Well, there is some work killing all the rats in the cellars of the local inn.  It sounds simple, but..."
"Not for me.  If it doesn't end with a dragon and the hand of a princess, I have no interest.  Make it happen, wench."
The witch flipped through her book once more, her annoyance flickering over her features.
"I don't think we have anything like that.  It's a very popular quest.  Do you have the registration fee?"
Erick fumbled in his gold pouch, revealing a small amount of coins.  He had spent more on the armor than he had planned, and on drinks to impress the other guests of the tavern.  The goblin horde hadn't gone as far as he had planned. 
The witch placed the coins on the scale, frowning. "This isn't nearly enough.  Its only about 2/3 of the fee."
Erick placed his gauntleted hand on the table, towering over the smaller woman.  "Listen toots, maybe you didn't get it that I'm a big deal.  I don't sweat the small stuff like that.  That's for losers like you and these idiots.  You'll take the money and like it.  I want something with dragons and princesses, and I'm not leaving until I get it. 
The witch frowned, looking up at the big warrior and the sword at his side.  Then she smiled.  "Well, you are the wielder of the sword of prophecy.  I may have just the thing for you..."

Erick set out upon his quest to a far off castle.  Using his sword as leverage, he stayed in the finest inns along the way, commandeering carts to travel during the day.  He thought little of the people he met on the journey, turning down requests for help and expecting the royal treatment.  After all, he mused, I should get used to the royal treatment once I find the princess.  After several days journey, he reached the castle, a small keep on a craggy rock rising from the forest.  Donning his armor and magic sword, Erick stormed the fortress, meeting little resistance.  He reached the final door, smashing it down.  Behind it, a beautiful woman in a pink dress and glittering crown sat by the window.

"Milady, your hero is here to rescue you!"
The princess blinked, unsure of how to respond.  "I'm sorry?"
"I am the hero of prophecy, and here to save you.  I know you must be in shock, being so frail and fair.  Soon we will be wed, and it will all be over."
"I don't need saving, and I certainly won't be marrying you.  My kingdom is being threatened by the dark lord of the northern wastes.  The deal I made was for power to stop him, not for..." she looked Erick up and down "This.  But, I won't turn down aid.  The dark lord marches..."
Erick cut her off. "I didn't sign up for anything like that.  I've fulfilled my part of the quest, so its time to fulfill yours, princess."
"What are you talking about?" the princess responded, anger rising in her eyes. "My kingdom is in a time of great need!"
"Pretty basic.  Knight defeats the dragon, gets the girl." 
"Did you defeat a dragon?"
"Details" Erick scoffed "Not my problem if it ran away like a coward at my approach.  I did the important part."
"It doesn't sound like you did much of anything."
"Listen, I'm not leaving until I see a dragon or get the hand of a princess."

The door swung shut with a crash, startling the pair.  The air began swirling with magical energy.  Erick panicked and tried to pull at the door, but it was stuck shut, as if a great weight was preventing it from budging.  His body began to tingle, his skin feeling prickly.  He turned to find another way out, coming face to face with the princess.  She was staring at her hand as her fingernails sharpened into claws, a green tint spreading over her hands.  Scaly patches began to appear over her skin.  Her teeth sharpened to points, her ears pressing backwards.  Behind her crown, the beginnings of a pair of horns emerged.  Erick drew his sword in a fluid movement.  His armor felt tight and restrictive, the sword heavier than he remembered.  He swung at the girl, still transfixed in shock at her transformation.
"Aha!  You reveal yourself foul beast!"  The odd imbalance of his sword caused him to miss by an fraction of an inch, the princess leaping backwards out of the path of the sharpened steel.  She fell to the floor, her dress tearing as it was caught by the sword, revealing the green scales spreading over her legs.  Her feet ripped through her shoes, claws making quick work of the fabric. 
Fire burned behind the princess's eyes as Erick raised his sword. "What are you doing!"
Erick's sword came crashing down as the princess rolled out of the way.  A great pressure began to press against her as her changing form strained against the dress.  Erick stopped suddenly watching his hand in transfixed horror.  His gauntlet seemed to melt away, replaced by a silken glove.  His thick fingers, calloused from work, grew slender beneath the garment.  He felt his arms and legs slimming down, struggling to stay upright.  The princess watched, her anger still rising as she circled the room to the other side.  Her face began to stretch out as her horns grew larger.  Out of Erick's range, she doubled over, a pair of wings shredding the back of her dress, spreading out behind her and sending the tattered cloth flying.  Erick's heels pushed upwards and the warrior had difficulty remaining upright.  His features were becoming softer, his black hair growing out beneath his helmet.  He glanced down, unable to comprehend the changes overcoming him.  The rigidity of his armor began to give way, the steel shifting into soft cloth.  He screamed, his deep voice taking on a higher pitch.  For a moment, he blacked out as shock overcame him. 
    Erick's eyes shot open a short time later.  Only a moment had passed, but it felt longer.  The armor continued to vanish, replaced by a formal gown, the helmet becoming a golden crown.  Erick looked over his chest, swelling against the cloth as the steel of her breastplate became cloth.  Her mind was confused, unprepared for what was happening.   He blinked, trying to regain composure, his hand instinctively drawn to the swelling breasts, confirming they were real before his hand made a panicked move lower, confirming her fears.  This couldn't be happening.  Her mind raced in a confused jumble as she tried to make sense of the situation.  Wasn't she the hero of legend?   That felt so familiar, but yet not quite right.  Her eyes moved across the room.  The dragoness spread her wings, shaking off bits of tattered pink cloth.  She flexed her clawed hand with a satisfied look in her eyes. 
"I was promised power to destroy my enemies."  Her words had an unnatural rumble to them as she moved with grace across the room.  "I'll admit, this isn't what I had in mind, but it will certainly do the trick."
Wimpering, the girl dropped to her knees as the dragoness turned her attention to the new princess.  "And what to do with you.  I don't take kindly to people trying to kill me, but it seems that danger has passed.  What is your name."
The new princess blinked in confusion.  ."Eric...a?"
The dragoness scoffed, a puff of smoke emerging from her nostrils as she surveyed the girl.  "I suppose you got your wish.  The hand of a princess.  I can't have you running off and causing more trouble for me.  You'll remain here as my prisoner for now until I've made up my mind."
Erica gave a frightened curtsey as the dragoness turned her attention to the lands stretching beyond the castle.

The scene faded into swirling smoke as the witch smiled, the magic on her scrying crystal fading.  With a smile she returned to her books and added a new quest.  "Available now!  A classic quest of princesses and dragons!"