AVALON - Thousands are mourning the loss of The Blue Knight today. He has been hailed as a defender of the realm, upholder of justice, slayer of burninators, benefactor of peasants, beguiler of damsels, and a great dancer. His exploits have been the subject of many bards' tales and minstrels' songs, heard far and wide by both nobles and farmers alike. He organized the drinking group known as "The Beer Knights" and took a hands-on approach to spreading its values of nobility, decency, respect, and responsible inebriation. Although some deemed him hero, he saw himself as no more than a servant of the public good.

On this dark day, however, he met an enemy his formidable skills were not able to overcome. While riding through the countryside of Queen Mary's Land, he chanced to hear the screaming of a damsel through the woods. He spurred his stallion to a charge and burst into a clearing to find the largest dragon in the realm, Trogdor The Burninator, terrorizing a family of peasants who had stumbled upon his lair while gathering berries. The father lay mortally wounded, a claw puncture through his lung, and watched helplessly as The Burninator toyed with his wife and daughter, as a cat toys with mice. The maidens' backs were to the cliffside, giving them nowhere to run. So overtaken were they by the Dragonfear that they merely clung to each other, weeping, and screaming when they found the breath among their ragged sobs. Trogdor's cruel face was twisted in a malevolent grin, bearing all of his arm-long, razor teeth. His eyes glowed an evil red that burned through the tendrils of smoke curling from his pointed snout. This game of his would soon be at an end.

Without a second thought, The Blue Knight spurred his stallion toward the beast, leapt from the saddle and drew his mighty blade and kite shield in the same motion. Interposing himself between dragon and damsels, he assumed a low, defensive stance. "Begone, Burninator! These maidens are under my protection!" he bellowed.

Trogdor, unaccustomed to such bravery, was momentarily taken aback by the Knight's actions. A flash of uncertainty flickered across his wicked countenance. But years of cruelty and burninating lesser knights assured him that he could erradicate this being where he stood, regardless of his daring actions. The dragon raised a gigantic foreclaw and slashed through the air, aiming for The Blue Knight's heart.

Battling the Dragonfear that assaults all who stand in the presence of such overawing creatures, the Knight parried the blow with a downward swing of his sword and then spun to slash at the scaled forearm on the upstroke. A spray of black blood painted the ground as Trogdor howled in pain and anger! How dare this pitiful thing! This miniscule flea! The dragon drew back his lacerated appendage and decided to end this fight quickly.

He began to inhale, preparing to bathe both Knight and damsels in a cloud of roaring flame. The wife gripped the Knight's arm, begging him to run before the blast was released. But The Blue Knight gently shook her off. "When he begins to breathe, run! His vision will be blocked by the flames so that you and your daughter will be able to flee without notice. I will make my stand here and absorb as much of the Dragonfire as I can to cover your escape."

"But...but you shall die, Sir Knight," stammered the lovely daughter.

The Blue Knight turned a determined face to her and spake, "Having laid eyes on such a beautiful maiden as yourself, I feel there is nothing left for me in this life to achieve."

With that, he directed all of his attention to the Burninator and braced himself for the molten onslaught to come. With an ungodly rushing of air, The Burninator unleashed a hellish gout of flame at the three humans. The Blue Knight's will was true and his shield strong. He deflected the fires to either side, creating a small, tenuous pocket of safety for the damsels and himself.

"GO!" the Knight roared over the deafening Dragonbreath. The wife immediately ran toward safety. The daughter, filled with adoration for the daring Knight, allowed her gaze to linger for a brief moment before she was away. "I shall always remember you, Good Sir," she whispered as she bounded toward a hidden burrow where her mother had found refuge.

The Dragonfire came on and on, unrelenting as The Burninator reveled in his superiority. His flames could melt stone! His lungs held hours worth of fiery breath! This armor-clad peon was hopeless against him!

Meanwhile, The Blue Knight was holding back the fire with all of his might. His shield glowed orange from the heat, but still he kept it raised, ensuring that the maidens had every chance to reach safety. His time, however, was running out. Reaching its limits, the stalwart shield began to melt before his eyes. Small spurts of flame were burning through, scorching his cheek and arm. He had to be sure the damsels were safe! Had he given them enough time?

The Blue Knight, engulfed in Dragonfire and unsure whether the fair maidens were safe or not, decided that this evil creature would never harm a peasant again. A stone look of defiant determination overcame his face. As the last remnants of his shield burst into flame and his skin began to boil and peel, he put all the power and strength of his noble vow to protect the innocent into one final gambit to end this Burninator. His dying breath was a valiant yell of sacrifice.

The dragon, vision obscured with the cloud of fire, heard the Knight's final defiant cry and his eyes narrowed in wicked cruelty. He knew his enemy was dead. But now he wanted to eliminate the Knight irrevocably by continuing his attack until not even charred flesh remained. His victory, however, did not last long. Through the wall of flame, spinning end over end, The Blue Knight's giant blade hurled with the force of holy wrath. Trogdor's eyes instantly went from smokey slits of evil joy to wide-open shock. The sword, white-hot from the Dragonfire it traversed, twisted through the burning air with the speed of lightning. The Burninator did not even have time to blink before the weapon split his skull from snout to spine. As the halves of his cloven head fell to either side, Dragonfire rushed from the exposed throat as his serpentine neck flailed in the throes of agony. Finally, he lay still.

The damsels, safe in hiding, saw the events unfold and wept for the loss of their savior. Returning to the site of the battle, they searched the blackened strip where The Blue Knight had made his stand against the violent Burninator. They found nothing. No body, no bones, no armor...not even dust that might once have been a brave soul.

There will be no funeral nor wake, but memorials will be held in every Kingdom across the land over the coming months. The Blue Knight's sword, amazingly unscathed from its noble deed, will be interred with a mythical creature that resides in the Western part of the new Kingdom of York amidst huge festivities in the month of July.

This reporter would just like to give a final thanks to The Blue Knight for all he has done for the realm. You were an honorable and noble man who shall be spoken of for ages to come. With luck, others will come forward who have been inspired by your adventures to defend the population and ensure we are able to live our lives in peace. Even if they are mere shadows of you, we shall consider ourselves lucky beyond measure.

Farewell, good Knight.