There it was. After countless hours of travel, close calls with death, and a brief run-in with a dragon, Eleanor Atwood had made it inside the mysterious castle. It stood tall in a hidden part of the forest, its stones old and crumbling but still standing. Her blade reflected in the sunlight streaming in through the stones, and the knight moved with a reverence for whatever had been here before. Or, whatever was here now.

She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She was about to discover a new part of the land, uncover a mystery. She was about to do something right. Finally.

The young knight’s heart jumped in her chest. She willed it to stop, but it was to no avail. She could barely hear her own thoughts, whispering of recognition and respect. It made her buzz with the need to sprint up the moss-covered stairs and discover what was at the top, right this second.

But she was patient. Her steps were calm and collected, though still a little eager. She wanted to make sure she didn’t scare any of the inhabitants here – especially if they needed saving. Not like she was praying for it, or anything.

After climbing for what seemed like an eternity, searching room by room, Eleanor found it. The tallest tower of the fragmented castle, the one she had seen a striking shadow pass by earlier. It gave her even more incentive to fight the beast outside, slicing her blade across its scaly chest, her blood running wild at the thrill of besting something so large. The redhead didn’t manage to kill it, in the end, but still – she hoped whoever was inside would be impressed. She hoped even more that she hadn’t been imagining them.

So, after taking a moment to put herself together, Eleanor reached out and pushed the ancient door open, standing tall. But, the moment she saw you, she faltered. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched in her throat – but only for a second, before she squared her shoulders once more. If only to be the best savior she could be.

“M’lady,” Eleanor said. “I am the knight come to rescue you, Sir Eleanor. I promise thee, I will deliver you to safety.” She paused, cocking her helmet to the side. “...but it would be best if we went quickly. The dragon is... not great.”