"Two Yards of Dragon" by L. Sprague de Camp (1976)

Originally appeared in Flashing Swords #3 edited by Lin Carter for Dell Books 1976.

Plot: Eudoric and his man-servant Jillo go to far Pathenia to hunt a dragon so Eudoric can marry the sweet Lusina. At first they have no success, losing Eudoric's destrier, then attempting to kill the beast with a gunpowder gun. By accident the gunpowder explodes and blows the dragon's stomach out. Forest wardens arrest Eudoric and Jillo for hunting out of season without a licence. They are taken to prison in a stagecoach. Eudoric is sentenced to a year and a day. In an attempt buy his way out of prison he tells gives Master Baldonius' friend, the wizard Raspiudus, a power of attorney to fetch his belongings. The old miser keeps the money. Eudoic is released when a new king is crowned and a general amnesty is given. To get his horses and money back, Eudoric disguises himself as Baldonius and Jillo as his consort. They trick their way into Raspiudus's home and knock him out. They take back their belongigs as well as the dragon's hide. Returning home, Eudoric finds Lusina has run off with an actor. Instead of the girl he sells the dragon hide to Baldonius for a steep price so he can start a stagecoach business of his own.

Monsters:

Dragons - are a protected species in Pathenia. They can only be hunted in season with a licence.

History: Humorous S&S begins with stories like this one. De Camp's style is light and fun. Craig Shaw Gardner most likely was influenced by this story. Unfortunately humorous Fantasy will degenerate into the Xanth novels in 1980s.

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