Thirty-Three:

On Day Zero, at High Noon, the Minotaur arrived at Castle Manchego.

"I believe I'm expected," said the Minotaur.

"...ribbit." At the gate stood a kindergartener. "...ribbit." Instead of leading him through the main corridor, she began to run freely around the tiny living areas of the castle reserved for the coupon fairies. The bumping and crunching and stomping of the Minotaur could be heard throughout the castle. Finally, however, the Minotaur carried the exhausted child into the main hall, where waited Mimbleshaw, Eliza, Brian, and Spot cloaked in his princely form.

"I seek to duel the King's champion," said the Minotaur.

"No, Monsieur le Cow Head," said Spot. "I dare you to fight me for Mademoiselle Princess, whom you have taken hostage diabolically."

"Don't be ridiculous," said the Minotaur. "Why should I agree to your dare? What's in it for me?"

"Myself," said Spot. "And the crown. That is what you want, no?"

"Very well, I accept," said the Minotaur. "Since the crown is part of your stake in this duel, losing the match if you use it is only fair."

"Very well," said Spot.

"Excuse me, Eliza," said the Minotaur. "Could I bother you for some water and baking soda? I'll need it later."

"You want a bicarbonate soda?" said Eliza. "You show up and ask for things easy enough."

"Consider how small a privilege for accepting a dare a soda makes," said the Minotaur.

"Alright, alright," said Eliza.

"More than the upset stomach waits for you." Spot turned into a giant octopus. "I squeeze the breath out of you as the giant calamari, no?" The Minotaur grabbed Spot's cloak. But Spot turned into a mouse. "Ha ha, I am too small and too fast for you to catch now."

"Drink." The Minotaur gave the girl the soda.

"Ker-B-E-E-E-ELCH." The frog escaped from Agnes's throat.

"—le cat." Caught by surprise, Spot the mouse ran too close to the Minotaur, and swiftly found itself bouncing around inside the glass Agnes drained.

"Do you yield the match?" said the Minotaur.

"—no," said Spot.

"Very well." The Minotaur refilled the glass. Brian took the crown and the little dog tumbled from the bag soaked not in water, but in tears.