Fin stood holding the sword, blood dripping off, as the dragon seemed to be heaving in pain, dying. Without thinking about it, Fin took another step away from the dragon. He knew he'd done what needed doing, but it didn't make it any easier. Another hour and the dragon would have destroyed everything that was pure and good. It wasn't fair, though, to have to be the being to kill such a magnificent creature. He couldn't fathom how the dragon had been turned so evil. Shaking his head, he turned his back on the beast, wanting to get as far from the scene as he could before the villagers caught up. He knew a taint would follow him, the result of killing something so legendary. But human-kind, as well as all of the other creatures in the realm would survive. His little shack stood lonely against the mountainside at the edge of the county. Walking inside, he realized the change would haunt him forever.