A Team Effort
Brunhilde was very still while Sir Marrek worked. He examined the post where her tail was stuck. He pulled at one of the fence rails, gently. He thought.
"If you turn slightly to your left," he said, "and I lift this top rail, your tail might go through."
Brunhilde turned slightly to her left. Sir Marrek lifted the top rail. Brunhilde's tail did not come through.
"More to your left."
"I am as left as I can be."
"Hmm."
Sir Marrek thought again.
"What if I take the post out of the ground?"
"Then you would have to put it back in."
"True."
"What about — could you breathe a small flame to soften the wood?"
"I cannot aim a small flame. I can only aim a large flame. The fence and several cows would burn."
"Right. No flame."
The villagers were starting to come out and watch. The cows were watching too. The sheep that Brunhilde had originally been after had gone home.
Sir Marrek sat back. He thought.
"Right," he said. "We need leverage. Brunhilde, when I pull this post backwards — using my horse to help — will you push your tail forwards through the gap?"
"Yes."
Sir Marrek tied a rope from his horse to the fence post. He counted to three. The horse pulled. The post leaned. The gap opened. Brunhilde slid her tail through.
Brunhilde was free.
The villagers cheered, very mildly. Cheering for the rescue of a dragon was new for them.
Sir Marrek untied the rope. He patted