Novel by Barbara Hambly in which rural laird Jon Aversin, the only surviving Dragon slayer in the kingdom is called on to deal with a troublesome dragon.
Jon is no romantic hero. He's a farmer, who'd rather not abandon his responsibilities to the people who rely on him to go off on heroic quests. He is prosaic about the mechanics of killing a dragon, and he is not what the romantic young Gareth who has come to bring him the king is expecting at all. Nor is his wife, witch Jenny Waynest. But then, the problem isn't what it first appears either.....
This is a stand-alone fantasy novel, full of warmth, humanity and humour, the characterisation is brilliant and the twists in the plot are fascinating. Thoroughly recommended.