The Jewel and the Dragon

Every kingdom has one thing it cannot afford to lose. Here it is a jewel, older than the town walls, kept out where everyone can see it and guarded by nothing but the habit of never having needed a guard. Once a year the fires go up in the square and the whole town dances around it. This year the dancing goes on a little too long. When the smoke clears the jewel is gone, and the thing that took it is already far off in the dark, on wings.

So the town goes after it. The kingdom sends its heroes, and everyone else who can walk goes with them, because a kingdom without its heart does not stay a kingdom for long. There is a night near the end of the road when they stop, and go quiet, and say what they need to say to whoever might be listening. Then the road turns, and the lair is right there.

How it ends is the part you come to see.