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Ilyria nervously followed Aria into the cave mouth and down a
long, dark
tunnel. At the end they found a huge cavern, the ceiling and floor
of which were covered with stalactites and stalagmites, and in the
ground was a large, still, silver lake which reflected bright light all
around.
They stood still for a while before Aria pointed to a corner of the enormous room with her staff, and Ilyria looked over in the direction her sister was pointing and gasped. Lying curled in the corner was a huge, sleeping copper Dragon, atop a tremendous pile of gold, silver, jewels and treasure of all sorts. With every outward breath it sent out a stream of golden fire through it's nostrils, and it's stomach heaved up and down. As it dreamt it's tail flicked slightly, clacking against the stone floor. Suddenly Ilyria lost her footing on the smooth, steep slate cave entrance. She managed to grab onto Aria's sleeve, but sent a small amount of shale cascading down onto the cavern floor. The sliding stones made a huge grating noise in the empty cavern, and the sound bounced off the walls for what seemed an eternity. Both the girls held their breath as the echoes died away. Once it was again silent they both started to leave, but heard a clinking noise and turned back to look. There they stood frozen to the spot as the huge head of the Dragon was lifted from it's paws. It first lifted it's head and sniffed the air, and then stood slowly to all four paws. It stretched it's front legs, and then it's back legs, and then it's gigantic wings, and then took in a deep breath, expelling it in a huge burst of flame. Even where they stood at the opposite side of the cavern the girls were almost knocked over by the heat, and the whole room was lit up with gold and orange light. Every movement it made sent large quantities of gold coins and trinkets sliding down the side of it's hoard. Then it stopped flaming, and slowly turned around. Soon it was standing facing the two sisters, and it's sharp silver eyes stared directly at them. Striding over the huge cavern floor in a matter of seconds, it
stood right in front of them and opened it's mouth. It had a long,
black tongue and countless numbers of knife-like teeth. Aria felt
the hot breath on her face and closed her eyes tightly. She waited
silently and bravely for the roaring flames to engulf her and her
sister, but instead of sending out the expected fire, the Dragon
spoke...
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Back to the Saga!