Chapter 4

Chapter 4 "There!" Dribble said, admiring his work. "The dress is perfect." "Perfect?" Princess Pulverizer repeated. "Are you kidding? One sleeve's too short. The other's too long. Plus, the hem's crooked." "Details," Dribble replied. "No one will notice."

"They better not," Princess Pulverizer huffed. She began fastening her belt around her waist. "Stop!" Dribble exclaimed. "What are you doing?" "Putting on my sheath," Princess Pulverizer said. "How else am I going to carry my sword?" "You can't carry a sword," Dribble said. "Why not?" Princess Pulverizer asked. "It's not like it's going to ruin the look of this gown." "Nope. No sword," Dribble insisted. "Otherwise you'd be giving yourself away." Princess Pulverizer scowled. Boy, did she hate it when that dragon was right! "Be careful with it," she said as she handed Dribble her sword. "I'm aware of its truth-telling magic," Dribble assured her. "I'll keep it safe." "Okay then," Princess Pulverizer said. "I'll be going."

"Not so fast," Dribble said. "What now?" the princess demanded. "You can't bring any arrows, either," Dribble said. "But this is the magical arrow that points the holder toward home!" she replied. Dribble shook his head. "Nope." "You can wear your ruby ring," Lucas said, trying to cheer her up. "The one that lets the wearer walk in silence."

"That could come in handy," Princess Pulverizer agreed. "Especially since I'm wearing my heavy boots." "And you have the hand mirror the good witch of Starats gave you," Lucas continued. "The one that predicts the future." "I'll even let you borrow my magic handkerchief," Dribble said. "The one that lets you smell things far, far away." Wow. Dribble really valued that handkerchief. It was very generous of him to let her borrow it. Still... "I don't think it's a good idea to go into that castle without a sword or arrows," Princess Pulverizer insisted. "What if I find myself in danger?" "We'll be nearby," Lucas promised. "We can rescue you." Rescue her! Grrr. She wasn't some damsel in distress. She was the mighty Princess Pulverizer!

Still, she couldn't just stand here arguing with Dribble and Lucas. There wasn't time. Princess Pulverizer was going into that castle, alone—with nothing but her wits to protect her. "You remember the signal?" Dribble asked as they hid behind some trees not far from the castle walls. Princess Pulverizer nodded. "The trill of a nightingale." She let out a whistle that sounded more like the squawk of a crow.

"Close enough," Dribble said. "It won't alert anyone but us. Just another bird in the night. No one will notice anything odd. When we hear it, we will come." "Off I go," Princess Pulverizer said, trying not to sound as nervous as she felt. "Wish me luck." "Halt in the name of King Harvey the Lion- Hearted! Who goes there?"