It was always cold in the tower, even when it was summer outside. A narrow window high in the wall let in only a sliver of light, and the days blended into one another. The guards came only for a moment, quickly set down their food, and disappeared again, always with fear in their eyes. Because of him. The red dragon lay curled up in the corner like a living wall. They said he was protecting you. That the princess had to be safe. But you knew better, protection and imprisonment were sometimes the same thing. You had tried to escape many times before. A knife, broken stones, even a rope made of sheets. He had blocked your path every time. He had never hurt you. He just wouldn’t let you leave. Tonight a storm raged, and you decided to try to escape this tower again.