Prince Valium (continued)

What else can you do? You shoot him before he attacks you.

The report of the gun rings in your ears and leaves your entire body vibrating, and it takes you a moment to realize that you hit just where you were aiming. Prince Valiant slowly sinks to the floor, dropping his sword and his jaw in the process.

For a moment, you worry about the castle residents, but they remain asleep, unhearing and unseeing. No witnesses, except for the squire.

Only,...

...where is the squire?

A soft footfall sounds behind you, and you turn around just in time to see the bottom of an iron pan close in on you--black, looming, and very...