Page Four

"Aria, let's go." The sound resonated through the cavern, making the girls usually sweet voice take on the harsh sound of porcelain smashing against glass. Aria wasn't sure, but it looked as if the dragon cringed.

Ilyria recieved her rebutle, and her comfort in the squeeze of her hand. Aria kept her eyes locked with the lovely Melkira. The dragon's beauty simply went unmatched. Though, it wasn't as if Aria had seen many dragons in her time. But still, Melkira had a beautifully feline quality, her frame sleek for such an incredibly large creature.

Melkira's attentions shifted to the smaller child. So calm, thought Aria... Ilyria was a fool to fear this marvelous creation. Was that a grin? It was hard to tell if the ridges of the dragon's maw had formed a smile.

"Come, children. I've not had visitors in such a long time. Let me see what I have."

The dragon turned with a flick of her tail, the bronze scales catching meager light and throwing it about to pebble the girls' skin. Melkira then exhaled, a whoosh of flames escaping as she clambered further into the cavern.

Aria was the first to react. She lowered herself over the ledge and searched for footholds as she scaled down the cliff-side. When she reached the bottom, she realized Ilyria had not followed.

"Well?" It was little more than a whisper, but Aria had learned it could travel to her sister's ear.

"I am not going down!" was the stubborn reply. Unfortunatly, Ilyria would not quiet, and again the dragon flinched. But Melkira kept quiet, only swiveling her swan-like neck to peer at the duo. Aria was red-faced.

"Well, you can stay up there if you want, but I won't show you the way back."

Aria was satisfied to see a small head appear over the ledge. A whimper accompnied the appearance.

"You don't mean that, do you?" This time, Ilyria's voice was small. Good. She wouldn't disturb the dragon.

"Yes, I do." Aria replied sternly. She knew Ilyria couldn't find her way back by herself. This knowledge was rewarded by the scurrying of the girl down the sloping ledge.

When both were on the cavern floor, on the same level with the dragon, it was no surprise that a string of fear tugged briefly at Aria's soul. The dragon was even taller when you stood at her feet! But she was again soothed by the Dragon's musical speakings.

"Well, I do have something to show you. Walk around." The dragon motioned to her hoard, and both girls followed, though Ilyria was more reluctant.

They moved into view of a mound set behind the hoard. Aria, always curious, started to approach the pile of dirt, but was stopped as a sudden hiss escaped the large creature's teeth. Melkira's forked tongue flickered into view a moment, and Aria stepped back. And then, the dragon reached gingerly forward, brushing the top layer of dirt away to barely reveal the shape of two eggs. Aria's gaze shifted from dragon to eggs. Melkira seemed so proud at that moment, so maternal..

Her thoughts were broken by another mental calling. "I need to ask of you a favor, my friends." Two pairs of eyes were instantly on Melkira. What could she ask of them?

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