dragon’s lair was. They tethered the horses to nearby trees and led by Sir Abscon, ascended to where they discovered the entrance. Everyone was noticeably nervous with the exception of Machvell who was second in line followed by Maydon while Timor came last. Once at the entrance of the dragons cave, May’s heart fell. It did not look at all what she imagined it to be and the smell was absolutely hideous! How could she be expected to go in there!?
Seeing the fear in her Machvell signalled once more to Prince Timor who simply took her hands and giving her his most charming smile, winked at her at which time Machvell gently but firmly pushed her forward. May stopped, staring into the dark passage way before her. In the end it was not the prince’s charms or the potion laced water that got her to walk down that dark, dismal passage. It was solely the belief that what she was doing was for the benefit of the village and more importantly, her parents. This thought alone she held onto as she entered the darkness.
The final part of the plan was at last underway and lucky for the others they did not see the smile of pure evil that was now on Machvell’s face.
They had only gone as far as needed to ensure that Maydon continued on and then quickly returned to wait just outside the entrance. They anticipated that it would not take long for as soon as the dragon saw her, being unable to resist such a temptation, would quickly consume her along with the amulet filled with poison. Once the poison worked its magic, they were free to take the treasure all for themselves.
“And what if the poison doesn’t knock the dragon out?” asked Abscon back when they were making the final arrangements, always thinking of the what-ifs.
“Then it will at least incapacitate him enough for us to get away.” Machvell did not tell them about worst case scenario – the dragon merely got sick and still came after them. For that he had prepared other magic amulets which unbeknownst to his companions, were slipped into their pockets. This was his personal backup plan. Should the dragon come after them, he would ensure those two were caught first believing that even the strongest of dragons would surely succumb to three times the poison. Now you see how truly devious and self-serving Machvell really was for he reasoned with himself that this is how it should be. After all, it was he who discovered the dragon and its locale and he that devised the plan of incapacitating the dragon and created the poison needed. If he was the only survivor and only beneficiary of this adventure, then he felt justified in that.
Maydon in the meantime continued to walk down the passage believing the others were still close behind and even fancied that she could hear them occasionally which provided some comfort. Alas, the other footsteps she thought she heard were but the echoes of her own for she was truly alone. She was now in a tunnel whose walls and floor had been worn smooth over the years by the dragon's continual passing so despite the ever increasing darkness, she at least had no fear of tripping on a rough path. It continued in a fairly straight line until coming to a sharp bend she turned the corner and found herself in a large cavern lit by a dull, far away light. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to this new sight and at first she could not really make out anything but piles of rocks. Then a movement caught her attention and with absolute dismay she realized the largest pile of rocks was in fact the dragon’s body and she had to look up – way up to see its head! Never had she imagined such a thing. The beast was huge and it amazed her that she did not see it the moment she turned the corner. But despite knowing she was looking for a dragon she could not fathom the sheer size and therefore was not looking for something that large! Once again her heart fell and she froze in terror unable and unwilling to move.
Dragon
Now don't think that the dragon was caught off guard by May's arrival for he was purposely waiting for her in his front chamber. You see four days previous while lounging in one of his lower chambers, he heard a noise just outside the entrance to his home. It was only the subtlest of sounds; the quiet footfall of a two legged creature and nothing more, but it was enough to rouse him from his semi slumber. By the time he made his way to the upper chambers and finally to the entrance, the trespasser was gone but had left the distinct odor of human scent behind. He listened and smelled the air to ascertain no one was in the immediate vicinity before coming outside. He didn't go far for he quickly picked up on the sounds of horses riding away from his hillside; three horses to be exact and he could tell by the sound of their movements they were being guided. Yes, his hearing was that good. He lay there and continued to listen for if he knew anything about humans they do not go long without talking. However by the time the trio did begin speaking, they were too far away for him to catch more than the first few words regarding 'dragon's treat' which was enough for him to know that there would be a return visit.
It had been a very long time since humans had sought him out and he was rather annoyed at being bothered at all. "Why, oh why", he lamented to himself, "don't they just leave me alone? After all, I stay out of their way, why can't they do the same for me?" Well there was nothing to be done now but wait and see what these fools were up to.
He remained in the chamber closest to the entrance which was also the least comfortable of all his rooms; purposely kept this way to discourage unwelcomed visitors from traversing any further into his dwelling. He knew he wouldn't have to wait long and sure enough two days later he heard tramping about the area the same trio as before. This time they did not venture within sight of his lair for, as Machvell explained to his companions, they must work out the next part carefully and could not afford to be overheard by either villagers or the dragon. He wrongly assumed that because they were out of sight of the dragon, they were also out of his hearing range. So though the dragon could not see them, he could hear them. He lay at the entrance to his home listening as they discussed the means in which to lure a young maiden into their service and what they purposed to do with her and of course how they planned on making good their escape. In this way, he discovered all that he really needed to know; this was not a plot by the village and these three men were of extremely low character even for humans.
He really had doubted their ability to lure a maiden into helping them but he waited none the less and was a bit surprised when four people returned the next day. Once again he lay at the entrance and listened while the wizard explained to the young female that now accompanied them what she must do and what they were going to do. Liars and fools! He thought to himself. How could she possibly believe them and why would she agree to such a ludicrous plan? Well, if nothing else, he would at least find out what truly compelled her to agree to be part of such a foolish plot.
“Well” the dragon finally said, voice booming and echoing in the tunnel “why are you here?” with these words he lowered his massive head and looked straight at her.
Maydon mumbled something wondering where the others were and looking desperately around while trying not to look behind her. No one came and in absolute fear she held up the amulet hanging around her neck, squinting her eyes closed, too afraid to look while waiting for it to take hold on the dragon.
The dragon made a noise that might have been laughter but could just as easily been disgust. Lying completely down on the floor he said “Put that down, it will not help you foolish girl!” The amulet fell back to her chest. She took a step back and this time did not hide her movements as she looked around hoping to spot the others. “They will not help you either for they are not here. In fact they never came in with you and only went as far as they needed to ensure that you would continue and not turn back.”
“You’re lying!” she cried before she even realized what she was saying. It couldn’t be true!
“And what makes you think I’m lying?” he asked.
Not knowing what else to say, she responded “Because my parents taught me not to believe everything I was told!”
“Yet,” growled the dragon “you believed the lies of three cowards and let them lead you into a dragon’s lair!”
Maydon was not only
terrified but was now very, very bewildered as she stood silent and alone.
“So, they thought to send you in as a decoy? Or is that is what they told you?” He asked. “Then what? One would save you, while the other two slay me? I would very much like to know how they convinced you to be part of this absurd plan.”
They say that a dragon’s will is very strong and when they exert that will, others do as directed by them so that is perhaps why Maydon suddenly began telling the dragon everything about her misguided adventure. She omitted nothing from the story including all the different conversations and discussions and even her own misgivings about the whole affair. She finished her tale by telling him about the amulet which was supposed to render him immobile and then at the wizard's signal, the prince would take her out of harm’s way so the knight could slay him. Hanging her head, in a whispered voice more to herself than to the dragon she said “I really only wanted to help my mother and father and my village.”
The dragon showed neither anger nor pity toward the frightened girl but instead asked what she thought an odd question. “Did they offer you anything to eat?”