Chapter 3

Chapter 3 "I wish we could go into the king's castle and spy on the knights. Then maybe we could find out where they spotted that old unicorn," Dribble said as he trudged along tiredly. "We sure haven't seen any sign of him." The princess and her pals had been walking quite a while, carefully remaining hidden in the bushes and trees so no one caught sight of Fortune as they searched for the old unicorn. From the top of the steepest hill they could see King Harvey's castle in the distance.

Princess Pulverizer knew the knights in that castle were probably busy planning their next move. But she also knew that wasn't going to be any help to them. "No way we're getting in there," she replied. "The guards would stop us immediately. You can't enter a castle unless you work there, or you're really famous." "Or if you're a member of a royal family," Lucas reminded her. "Which is how we're going to get in there."

Dribble gave him a confused look. "We are?" "Well, not you and me," Lucas corrected himself. "Only her." Princess Pulverizer gave him a look. "Her who?" she asked. "Her you," Lucas replied. "The guards would surely welcome Princess Serena of Empiria." "Great idea, little buddy!" Dribble cheered his pal. "It's not a great idea," Princess Pulverizer insisted. "Why not?" Lucas asked. "Because being Princess Serena was awful," she replied. "Do you have any idea how boring life is when the biggest decision you make all day is whether or not to wear a tiara? That's not me. I'm not serene. I'm a Pulverizer! Which is why I changed my name." "Do it for Fortune," Dribble pleaded. "That old unicorn is part of his family."

Fortune looked up at Princess Pulverizer and batted his long lashes. That isn't fair. The princess wanted to help. But there had to be another way. "No! No! No!" Princess Pulverizer repeated. "I've been working really hard learning how to swish a sword, aim an arrow, and hold a jousting lance. I don't want to go back to curtsying and remembering how to hold my pinky when I drink tea."

"Every knight has special, unique skills," Dribble told her calmly. "In your case, those skills include knowing how princesses are supposed to act." "You're really Princess Pulverizer," Lucas added. "You'll just use the name Serena to get into that castle and spy on the knights." "Your given name is just another weapon," Dribble assured her. "Like a sword, or an arrow." "Fine," Princess Pulverizer huffed. "I'll be Princess Serena. But just this once." She began stomping back toward Leononia. "Whoa. Wait a minute," Dribble called out. The princess stopped. "What now?" "You're not getting into any castle dressed like that," the dragon said. "You need a gown." That was true. "You're right! Let's come up with a new plan," the princess said—a bit too happily. "We don't need a new plan," Dribble replied. "You just need a new dress."

"Royal gowns are sewn by royal tailors," Princess Pulverizer argued. "Who work inside castles. We are outside the castle. So..." "I thought it was such a good idea." Lucas patted Fortune on the head. "It is a good idea," Dribble insisted. "But Princess Pulverizer said...," Lucas began. "I heard," Dribble said. "She will have royal tailors. You and I are going to create a dress fit for a princess—or at least this princess." "You need cloth to make a gown," Princess Pulverizer reminded him. Dribble looked at Lucas. "Don't you have a red-and-white cloth in the bottom of your knapsack?" "How did you see my blankie... I mean, blanket?!" Lucas yelped. "It was hidden." "You left your bag open one day," Dribble said. "I looked in there for some cheese. You've been carrying that blanket for a long time. It must be getting heavy."