I was driven along a deserted, used road. Low hills alternated with deep ravines overgrown with thorny, inhospitable bushes. We only encountered a shallow, dying river with muddy, lifeless water once on our path. The area through which we moved seemed deserted.
No matter how much I looked, I saw no villages, no plowed fields, no well-groomed gardens. On the side of the dusty road lay many bones of horned animals, and sometimes human ones. Tearful rains washed them and the merciless sun dried them.
However, I noticed that the herd of emaciated bulls was now accompanied by many more guards than when leaving the city. Where they came from was unclear to me.
Soon, another one joined our caravan. And if our caravan was dominated by horned animals, then the second caravan consisted only of people. Men, women, and children. If the ages of men and women ranged from middle to young, then I would give the children only five to six years.
“Why and where do they lead people?” — I asked Tarnis. A person studying the behavior of dragons should know. Or heard something. My travel companion shook his head.
“I don’t know. I’ve heard that someone takes children from their parents. Although I’ve never seen it with my own eyes. And why young men and women are taken to the Lair, I can’t even imagine. Maybe they, too, have done something wrong before the dragon’s servants.”
“How can I get rid of these chains?” I shook the golden shackles. — “They hold me in place.”
One day, when my friends, tired of long conversations, were resting, I tried to cast my favorite spell and light a fire in my hand. After I cast the spell, a small flame burst out of my palm, like a disposable lighter. I was disappointed. If I can’t use a flamethrower, what happens to my other abilities?
One of the peaceful moments of magic is the creation of a lark. But no matter how hard I tried, nothing worked. The gold chains placed on me were not mere ornaments. They were probably created with the help of the spells of a powerful wizard, whose invisible presence was felt in everything. These chains were not just a means of restraint — they blocked my magical abilities and suppressed the will to freedom. Each link was imbued with powerful spells, which, in contact with my skin, suppressed thoughts of escape, of the desire to be free. I was exhausted not only physically but also mentally.
The dusty road led our caravan to the mountains. By my standards, the rocky cliffs hanging over our heads could not be called mountains. They were simply piles of tall stone cliffs with sharp peaks and sheer slopes, like lifeless sentinels keeping their dark secrets. These mountains looked frightening and mysterious. The lack of vegetation made them even more threatening. Not a single tree, not a bush — just bare stone. Even the birds did not dare to fly over these gloomy peaks, as if avoiding a mysterious threat hidden in their depths. The absence of vegetation and flying birds created a feeling of complete solitude and unsuitability for human habitation. There was no room for minerals here, just lifeless stone. Most likely, these mountains could serve as a haven for dark forces, which is why dragons chose them as their habitat.
With every meter we walked, we felt something strange, difficult to describe in words. It was rather vibrations like waves, fluids of depression and oppression as if something elusive and powerful was trying to suppress our will on the way to the Lair, make us feel fear, accustom us to submission.
I, feeling very excited, turned to Tarnis:
“It’s time for you to leave. Take the kids and go meet Yurion.”
“I will stay with you until the end.”
“To what end, Tarnis? Do you want to see my execution?! ”
My travel companion was confused:
“Sorry, that’s not what I wanted to say. We should be together all the time, this way it will be easier to overcome the difficulties that have arisen.”
“Tarnis, it will be easier for me if I know that you are safe. I have some abilities, after all, I am a wizard’s apprentice.”
“I watched you try to create something. These chains are a lock on your abilities. How will you escape if they are constantly on you?”
Tina approached my skinned wrists and licked my wounds with her small tongue. For a while, I felt relief. Smiling at the little furry for her desire to ease my suffering, I very cheerfully replied:
“One day they will be removed. Just one moment is enough for me. I’ll just imagine Elfric’s forest village, and soon I’ll find myself there. Touche and Yurion know the way, I’ll be waiting for you there.”
It turned out to be very difficult to persuade, first Tarnis, and then a little fluffy fellow traveler. I explained, persuaded, and even threatened a little. My friends didn’t want to leave me. Daylight dimmed, replaced by the shadow of gloomy rocks. With every passing meter, the stone cliffs loomed over us more and more, their dark bulk filling the horizon. Soon they closed, forming a huge passage gaping with black darkness — the entrance to the cave. The air here seemed thick and viscous with inky darkness as if the darkness itself were a tangible substance that absorbed light and hope.
The first to be driven into the cave were the people chained together. The screams and cries of children and young women filled the air. The darkness scared everyone, without exception. Even more terrible were the guards guarding the entrance to the cave — two ugly monsters, one look at which chilled you to the bone. They emitted such waves of fear that the horned animals backed away, and the dragon’s servants shook their heads. These monsters seemed to be the embodiment of horror. Their ominous auras made the heart clench in the chest and the legs give way from fear. The dragon's servants led me deeper into the cave, and it was time for me to say goodbye to my friends. Tarnis, Tush, and Tina stood nearby, their faces expressing a mixture of sadness and concern. I took a deep breath, trying to capture the faces of my fellow travelers as I saw them now.
Tarnis approached me first. He squeezed my hand, and I felt strength and support in his gesture.
“We will meet again, my friend,” he said, his voice trembling. “I believe it. Take care of yourself.”
“Thank you, Tarnis,” I replied, trying not to show my emotions. “You act like a loyal friend. Even though I’ve only known you for a few days. Don’t lose hope.”
Touche and Tina surrounded me. Tina pressed herself against my leg, Touche, out of habit, sat on my shoulder. Little ursies hugged me as if they would never see me again. Touche looked into my eyes with his small, sparkling eyes.
“We will always be with you in our thoughts, no matter what happens,” he said. Having hugged my neck, the little fluffy didn’t want to let me go for a long time.
“Thank you, Touche. And you, Tina. You have given me so much joy and support. Take care of yourself,” I replied, feeling tears welling in my eyes. I tried not to blink so that tears would not flow down my cheeks.
Tina squeaked, and I realized that this was her way of saying goodbye.
I looked back at my friends again, trying to remember every detail. Then the guards dragged me further into the cave. My heart sank in pain, although I was not afraid for myself. Who will protect my little friends? Will tiny warm paws hug me just one more time?
“See you later, friends,” My emotions were rushing out, I had to turn away to hide the salty tears running down my cheeks.
The cart passed gigantic monsters — guards, sparkling eyes, and baring teeth. They growled softly, demonstrating their evil nature. I thought:
“Tarnis and Maleus state that it is impossible to kill dragons. If their assumptions are correct, then from whom do the guards guard the entrance to the Lair? How do the dragons themselves get into their home? Do they crawl over stones on their bellies?"
The cart rolled for some time in complete darkness. Then, as soon as we turned the corner, I saw daylight. It turned out that the cave was a passageway; it led us to a huge dragon city. I counted several large houses with huge openings instead of doors. Apparently, the Pyronax family rested in these houses at night.
Many dragon servants filled the city, moving from one place to another. At first glance, the Servus moved, killing time. Inspecting, I noticed I was mistaken. Here are a dozen servants carrying pieces of raw meat into the largest house. Another dozen have surrounded a group of small children and are trying to take them somewhere.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
While I was looking at the Lair, someone stopped the cart and pulled me out, placing me on the ground. A giant Servus approached us. After examining me carefully, he asked:
“They call you the Dragon Slayer?”
Instead of answering, I shrugged:
“Think of me what you want.”
“Follow me, little man. And don’t even think about running away — you will be executed without a fair trial by Vulgaris.”
“Oh! Will there be a trial?” — I was sincerely surprised. — “It turns out that dragons have a concept of justice. I wonder which house they keep Dionela, my forest nymph?”
I didn’t have time to ask my guard because we arrived at the courthouse. That’s what I thought at first. But it turned out that Vulgaris, Pyronax’s uncle, lived in the house.
The house in which the dragon lived was majestic and terrifying at the same time. Located deep inside the mountain, it was a huge hall, the vault of which was painted with golden colors, sparkling in the dim light of the torches.
Upon entering the house, the air became cold and damp, and it seemed as if darkness itself permeated every corner. In the center of the hall, on a raised platform, stood a massive stone bed, covered with precious furs and pillows, on which the dragon Vulgaris rested.
The walls of the cave were decorated with ancient paintings telling stories of victories and battles of dragons. Along the walls, there were huge chests and heaps of treasures: piles of copper coins, precious stones, beautiful, I would even say exquisite weapons, collected by dragons over the centuries.
The floor was covered with a mosaic of precious stones, depicting scenes from the life of dragons. In one corner of the cave, there was a huge stone table on which servants were cutting up the carcasses of horned animals. Raw meat is the dragon’s favorite food.
At the far end of the cave was a huge passage leading to other rooms and vaults.
Despite all this luxury and grandeur, the dragon’s house felt cold and unwelcoming. There was no room for human warmth or comfort here. This was the realm of the dragon, where every breath was a reminder of his power and might.
Vulgaris, an enormous dragon with scales that flickered in the dim torchlight, sparkling eyes, and powerful claws, lay on his stone bed in the center of the cave. Most of the hall was occupied by his massive body, and the walls reflected his breath, which sounded like an echoing roar. When they brought me to him, he stood up, flashing his golden eyes full of arrogant interest.
The dragon’s servants pushed me forward until I found myself in front of Vulgaris, whose presence was overwhelming and threatening. His massive head lowered towards me, and I felt the heat of his breath.
“So this is the Dragon Slayer?” — Vulgaris’s voice was deep, echoing throughout the cave. “My name is Vulgaris, and in my house, I am the judge and executioner of those who dare to challenge our family.”
He looked at me with a disdainful glance, his eyes searching my face for answers to his unasked questions. I felt him scanning my soul, trying to penetrate my thoughts.
“Dragon Slayer,” he said, with obvious contempt in his eyes. “With what contempt you people throw around loud titles. Tell me, mortal, why were you given this title? How many of my kind have you killed? How many dragons have fallen under your sword?”
I stood up straight, despite the pain and fear, trying not to show my weakness in front of this majestic creature. The gold chains still hung on my hands. I was surprised when the dragon spoke ordinary, human words, and I understood him. Without my little translator. I was asked a question, and I answered,
“My title, Vulgaris,” I said, gathering all my strength, “is not empty praise. I received it by winning a competition at the city fair. I do not give names to titles. It was not an easy competition. I had to defeat five contenders for this title. My fifth opponent was your commander, Trot. Why don’t I see him among the defendants?”
Vulgaris raised his massive head, pondering my words. Then he laughed, his laughter echoing throughout the cave, causing the walls to shake.
“People always find excuses for their actions,” he said with a grin. “But remember, mortal, here in my home, your exploits mean nothing. Yes, Trot is my commander. But you are not here for the title. You were brought to the dragons’ den for another reason, and now your life is in my claws. “Will we show you mercy, or will you fall here among the bones of those who defied our family?”
I was silent, realizing that any of my words could only aggravate the situation. Vulgaris looked at me carefully again, as if weighing his further actions.
“We will see what you stand for, Dragon Slayer,” he said at last. “But don’t hope for an easy fate. Here, among dragons, there is no place for the weak and cowardly. Bring a witness here!”
With these words, he rose and returned to his stone bed, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears.
I touched the burn on my hand, hoping that my strength would increase so that I could break the chains. However, my expectations were in vain. The spell cast on the chains suppressed any magical ability.
Vulgaris listened attentively, without interrupting the witness’s story. The seller of the giant from Yellow Gables, stuttering with fear and constantly looking around in my direction, continued his accusatory monologue.
“I was going to the city for a fair,” he said in a trembling voice, “and suddenly I heard plaintive screams. Creeping up to the place of massacre, I saw Oris beating the unfortunate servants of the wisest Vulgaris.”
The salesman paused, clearly enjoying the moment, as the entire audience held their breath.
“Then, this creature,” the vile seller pointed his finger in my direction, “not paying attention to the groans and requests to spare the servants, with a cry — I am the Dragon Slayer! — killed the unfortunate ones and buried their bodies in the ground. I showed your soldiers, Where are the bodies.”
Vulgaris listened to the witness without interrupting once. Only at the mention of the moans of the unfortunate servants, the dragon’s eyes narrow predatory, radiating anger.
Unable to cope with weakness, I simply sat down on the cool and beautiful floor. The servants rushed towards me, wanting to rectify the situation, but Vulgaris stopped them with a wave of his clawed paw.
“Well, Dragon Slayer,” said Vulgaris, his voice sounding like thunder, “do you have anything to say in your defense? Or are you really so cruel to my unfortunate soldiers?”
I looked at Vulgaris, feeling his gaze on me.
“Vulgaris, I don’t kill without a reason,” I began, gathering the last of my courage. “I saw a trade caravan in which my friends were plundered and destroyed. The caravan was plundered, and they tried to sell people at the fair. I was only protecting my friends.”
The dragon bowed his head, his eyes flashing with a dangerous fire.
“Are you saying you acted in self-defense? Perhaps you are right," Vulgaris said, his voice becoming cold and cruel. “But now I am not interested in your motives. I don’t care about your caravan or your friends. I don’t feel sorry for the soldiers who dared to lose to the boy. Your fault is that you dared to accept a loud, provoking title, and this is an encroachment on our authority and power. We dragons are invulnerable, and whoever dares to take on such a title must be punished. You called yourself a Dragon Slayer, and for this, you will be executed. Your execution will comprise being devoured by my old mother, Laverna. My mother is ancient, so she feeds only on people, young ones.”
As the dragon announced his verdict, every muscle in my body trembled with tension. At that moment, I realized where the group of young men and women was being led. Their fate was sealed — they would become food for Laverna. We were all doomed, and my chances of survival were diminishing.
Laverna. [https://i.imgur.com/HGCI7KA.png]