Dragon Father did not return quickly once he disappeared from the deck, leaving Princess Marianne and Dragon Little alone together.

“What is there to do here?” Princess Marianne asked.

“Do you want to play games?”

The Princess shook her head.

“Do you want to climb the mast?”

“I realllly want your dad to come back.”

“I can teach you to fly the ship.”

“I reeeeeeeaaaaallly want your dad to come back. When is he coming back?”

After a few more suggestions from Dragon Little and getting the same response, Dragon Little just turned away from her. “I’m going to play. You stay here.”

“No, no, don’t leave me alone! I’ve never been alone my entire life!”

Dragon Little turned around, making a face. She looked at the Princess and suddenly her face changed.

“I want to show you something,” Dragon Little said. “Come on. It’s interesting.”

Princess Marianne nodded.

Dragon Little led Princess Marianne down the stairs next to her cabin, the stairs that led to The Infinite Corridor. After a few steps, they left my sight. But a dragon’s hearing is better than any creature’s, even from my faraway hiding place.

I heard them walk down the stairs. I heard Dragon Little take the big iron keys that open and close the steel bars of each prison.

“This way, this way.” Dragon Little said.

“Who are all these creatures?”

“This way.”

After a few minutes, I heard an iron door swing open.

“Get in. It’s really interesting,” I heard my Dragon Little say.

I heard a few light steps, and then the iron door swing shut quickly. I heard the keys in the lock turn.

“What?! What are you doing?! Little girl! What are you doing?!”

I heard Dragon Little’s steps walk closer to the exit even as the Princess’ screams became stronger. I heard some villains laugh, particularly Richard the Tiger Hearted who has just been imprisoned for imprisoning the Princess.

I heard the keys being rehung in their place.

Dragon Little emerged on the deck, and in spite of the princess’ loud protests, went into her cabin and fell asleep.

—Told by The Red Dragon

See how I came up with the idea: