by Liara Woo
Dang it! Now what? "Uh, um, well, I'm a powerful sorceress," Katie made up, as bravely as she could. "Watch this. Celed Vorello!" Lightning shot from her fingertips and struck a nearby tree, sending it bursting into flames in an instant.
"Very nice," the dragon purred delightedly. "You can do griffin magic. What else can you do?"
"I can speak to animals and I can do dragon magic," Katie tried, thinking of anything that would sound impressive. Her heart was pounding in her throat, making it difficult to speak.
The dragon looked her in the eye. "Interesting. I think I'll keep you alive for entertainment."
"That's better than being eaten," she whispered faintly, her head pounding. The dragon unfolded its wings and stretched, yawning widely.
"Come with me. If you refuse, I will eat you. My lair is not far."
"Good," Katie said, starting to feel dizzy. She followed the dragon through the forest, being careful not to get in the way of the beast's massive paws.
"Katie!" a familiar voice hissed. She spun around wildly at the sound, relieved beyond measure to see Halthren following the dragon's path, half-concealed by bushes. He beckoned to her.
As she kept walking, Katie shook her head and tried to signal with her hands that the dragon would eat her if she tried to leave him. She pointed at the dragon, then at herself, and mimicked chewing on something. Halthren clenched his teeth, his brow furrowed. Katie faced forward again, not wanting to alert the dragon to her friend's presence. Some dragons eat elves, she remembered Loriina saying.
Several moments later she heard Halthren's voice again, barely a whisper. "Can you use any of your powers to render the beast unconscious while we escape?"
Katie shook her head. "It's so big… I don't think lightning would have an effect, and I'd have to be a dragon myself to have enough dragon magic to confront it."
Halthren bit his lip, his dark blue eyes full of regret. "You shouldn't have followed me. This is my fault—I'm so sorry, Katie."
But his voice had gotten too loud. The dragon noticed. It turned its massive head around and stopped walking, yellow eyes widening as its gaze rested on Halthren.
"An elf!" the beast thundered. "Such a delicious delicacy!"
"Run!" Katie exclaimed. Halthren shook his head, his intent clear: I won't leave you!
She was powerless to help as the dragon's foreleg swooped down. Before Halthren had a chance to draw his sword it grabbed his torso; then, holding the elf as one would a percussion mallet, the monster hit Halthren's head on the ground twice. With a hoarse groan, Halthren's eyes rolled back and his head lolled on his shoulders. He was out cold.
Katie was mortified. She gaped at the dragon in horror and screamed as it lifted her in its free paw. She twisted and kicked violently, pounding on the hard scales with her fists. "Let me go!"
"You have provided me with a fine supper, little entertainer, and thusly you have prolonged your life by at least a month."
It sneered; the yellowed, rotting fangs glistened with saliva only a few feet from her face. Terror sent a shiver down her spine, stealing her strength and numbing her mind. "Understand this," the dragon growled. "I know that this elfling was trying to help you escape. If you try another stunt like that, I will eat you whole without boiling you or smoking you or roasting you or anything."
Katie gulped. Her pulse was skyrocketing. "You're disgusting," she whimpered breathlessly.
"Why, thank you," the dragon smiled. The thundering voice hurt her ears, sending painful vibrations through them.
The beast stomped through the jungle, kicking down trees and smashing flat bushes and vines. Katie knew that if Halthren had been conscious, he would have wept because of the violent destruction of life. In a matter of minutes, the massive dragon reached what appeared to be a charred gray crater at least a mile wide. In the center was a hole much larger than Loriina's, without a boulder blocking the rim. The dragon stomped closer and tossed its prisoners inside.
Katie screamed as she went down face first, her heart beating like a snare drum, although she was relieved, deep down, that the hole sloped gently downwards instead of plunging straight down. Struggling with her limbs and torso, she managed to right herself before the ground levelled out. Dizzily she got to her feet and looked around, finding herself in a massive cavern—the largest she'd ever seen. There were stalagmites rising from the ground in one corner like claws on an upturned paw, and in the center was a burning fire. Two vast poles, notched at the top, had been stabbed into the ground on either side of the flames, and across them laid a third pole. Hanging from it was a large black cauldron.
Katie turned away from the fire and looked back at Halthren. He was lying at the bottom of the tunnel, his eyes closed and his mouth slightly ajar. She knelt beside him, trying not to look at the nasty purple bruise on his forehead. "Come on, Halthren. Wake up. You have to wake up. Please!"
"Get away from him!" the dragon's voice thundered from the tunnel, so loud that Katie screamed and clapped her hands over her ears. "Get away or I'll eat him slowly and painfully!"
Katie felt sick. Her hands still over her ears, she stood and backed away from her friend, just as the dragon entered the cavern. The green scales shone a furious orange color in the angry, dancing light of the flames.
The beast cackled, taking Halthren in one paw again. Katie tensed. "Please don't do this," she begged, unable to keep the desperation from her voice.
"Too bad," the dragon growled, opening his mouth.
"No!" Katie screamed. She couldn't help taking a step forward. The dragon's tongue flicked out as it licked Halthren's face, neck, and hands.
"Hmmm," the dragon thundered. "It'll taste fantastic if it's boiled…but it wouldn't be bad roasted, either. Choices, choices…"
Katie backed away, her heart in her throat. "M-maybe you could keep him alive…elves can do better magic than I can…he'd be great at entertainment!"
The dragon laughed. "Elves are too tasty to be kept as pets. It's like a dwarf keeping a chicken alive just because it can do a few worthless tricks. Useless! Get into the birdcage, entertainer, before I roast you. You aren't fireproof; I can tell."
Katie swallowed nervously. How do we get out? How do I save Halthren? How can we escape?
Her heart sank as she accepted the bitter truth. There was no escape.
She turned away and walked towards the oversized birdcage on the other side of the bonfire, opening the door and letting herself in. Then, facing the fire, she saw that the dragon had transformed into a human. He had a leathery tunic and pants the color and texture of his scales, along with narrow golden eyes and a black beard. In one of his hairy hands he held a shining silver key, and before she had the chance to do anything he'd locked her in and haughtily sauntered away.
Katie took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Calm down. Have hope. Remember the flowers? Cheerful and strong despite the evil around them. I can do this; I can be strong and get us out.
Breathing deeply, she studied the bars. They weren't made out of metal; in fact, the entire cage had been fashioned out of dry vines woven together. If I can burn it down, I can escape, she realized with a gleam of hope. And once I'm free I can get Loriina, and the two of us can free Halthren. Hopefully I won't be too late…
Raising her hand and pointing at the bars, she channeled the magic of her Stone through her fingertips, shooting flames at one of the dry bars. To her relief it burned instantly, and the fire quickly spread down the surrounding vines as well. She let it burn for several moments before putting out the flames with a jet of water. Then, since several of the bars were greatly weakened at that point, she kicked them down and squeezed out of the cage. She could see the tunnel leading up—and out—on the other side of the fire. I can do this. Remember the flowers. Be strong. Holding her breath, she began inching towards it.
Meanwhile the dragon had reverted to his larger form. He paced his cavern, seeming undecided about what to do with his quarry. "Well, I can't ha
ve it escaping on me," he muttered. "I'll just have to hang it from something…"
Katie saw what he intended to do before he actually did it. There was only one stalactite in the entire cave, and it hung directly over the cauldron. Nicks and grooves had been carved into it, perfect for tying a rope around.
"Aha!" the dragon exclaimed, making the ground tremble. Katie stiffened, her heart pulsing furiously in her chest, as if trying to escape. The beast transformed again into a human and carefully removed and unlaced Halthren's boots. Stealing the laces, he reverted to dragon form and used them to tie the elf's bare feet to the stalactite. He threw the boots into the fire and laughed at his ingenuity. "I am a clever one," he congratulated himself, admiring his handiwork. Katie, hidden in his shadow, edged even closer to the exit tunnel. The dragon huffed. "There's still the problem of how to cook it. Perhaps I should get some spices. No, that's a terrible idea. I could spear a spit through it and roast it over the fire…but too much blood would go to waste."
Katie tried to block out the words, a difficult task since his voice was so very loud. She was shuddering when she reached the exit tunnel, and without bothering to look behind her she raced up the slope as fast as her legs could carry her. When she reached the top, out of breath, she came face to face with the most welcome sight in the whole world: Loriina.
"How did…you…find us?" she panted.
"I smelled you out," Loriina answered with a casual shrug that belied the rage and fear revealed by her next words. "What on Allagandria were you doing here?! This is the lair of Shrikirlych the Terrible! And where's Halthren?!"
Quickly Katie explained why she'd left Loriina's lair and what Halthren's intentions had been. Then she told what had happened afterwards.
"Fool," Loriina seethed. "How could he hope to survive? Did he hear anything I told him?"
Katie shrugged, her eyes wide and frantic. "I don't know; let's just go in there and get him out!"
"We need a plan first," Loriina growled. "Shrikirlych is a true monster. He's fascinated by pain, and he devours everything limb by limb. Sometimes he even eats parts of a limb at a time just to bring his victim anguish. Curses! Why did that elf have to get stuck here of all places?!"
"You're right; it's because he's cursed," Katie muttered, wringing her hands. "But I think I have an idea. I could distract Shrikirlych with lightning bolts and you could fly around behind him and hit him in the head with a rock. Then at least he'd be unconscious and we could escape with Halthren."
Loriina nodded in agreement. "Are there rocks in his lair?"
"Not really… but there are a lot of stalagmites in one corner," Katie remembered.
"I'll break one off and hit him with it," Loriina decided, punching the ground decisively. "Let's go."
They crept back down the tunnel. Shrikirlych had evidently decided to boil the elf in a soup; steam rose from the black kettle. Halthren was still unconscious, and the bruise on his forehead looked even worse that it had only minutes ago. Sweat gleamed on his forehead and neck from the steam rising into his face as Shrikirlych reached up and tore the sword of the Great Elves from his hips, purring with delight. "This will look excellent in my hoard." He tossed it over his shoulder where it landed on the ground with a metallic clatter. Katie's eyes followed it to the ground.
"Loriina," she breathed. "I have to get that sword. Halthren needs it."
Loriina, as a human, bit her lip nervously. "Fine," she responded, her voice barely audible. "But hurry!"
Katie promised she would, swallowing the lump of nervousness in her throat. Once more she began to sidle along the edge of the cavern. Shrikirlych, oblivious to the invaders, ripped Halthren's tunic away from his lean, muscular body and tossed it into the fire. "I won't be eating that," he growled with a snort of disgust. Katie felt her cheeks grow warm, and it had nothing to do with the roaring fire. Oh, wow, he really works out!
"Isn't that water boiled yet?" the dragon asked himself, peering into the kettle. "Just a few more minutes to go…"
Loriina, on the other side of the cavern, was edging closer to the group of stalagmites. As Katie watched, she reached them and crouched down, safely hidden.
"I'm ready to hear some squealing," Shrikirlych thundered. He raised one of his massive paws and clenched it into a fist the size of a boulder. Then, extending what would have been his pointer finger if he'd been a human, he shot a jet of ice-cold water out of his claw and hit Halthren in the stomach with it. Katie grimaced; it probably felt like a fire hose. Halthren grunted in pain and his eyes fluttered open. He seemed incredibly confused to find himself upside down, dripping wet, with his feet tied to a stalactite and his tunic gone.
Shrikirlych cackled maliciously. The sound was almost theatrical. It's like a play, Katie thought. A play that he puts on for his victims. Disgusting. "Do you know how you got here, dessert?"
"I'm guessing you brought me here," Halthren answered faintly.
"Yes," Shrikirlych responded in a booming roar. Katie clapped her hands over her ears and tensed for a moment. "Before you die, I want you to realize something. I want you to realize that you are an insignificant mouse and I am the imperial cat. You exist simply to satisfy my hunger. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Halthren responded. "Now can we get on with this, please? I hate to suffer, and it's been a long time since I've seen my parents, and if you kill me I'll be reunited with them, so…"
Shrikirlych burst out laughing. "Hah! I've reduced you to a gibbering idiot! All tremble before me!"
Katie took the sword in her hands. Halthren looked annoyed; he crossed his arms over his muscular chest and glared at the dragon. Dangling upside down, with his long hair hanging straight down from his head, he looked surprisingly comical. "Actually, I've not been reduced to a 'gibbering idiot,' as you say. When I die I will be a part of the same world as my parents, and so I'll get to be with them for the rest of eternity. Now can you please hurry up with this?"
"No; the water isn't boiled yet. But I can still have some fun."
"Wha…what?"
"I'll cut you down anyway. Just for a few seconds." He raised his claw. Halthren blanched.
"No, don't!" he exclaimed. Shrikirlych grinned widely and cut through the ropes. With a cry Halthren tumbled into the steaming liquid. Katie pressed her hands over her ears once more, trying to block out her friend's yells of anguish and the dragon's terrible laughter. After precisely two seconds Shrikirlych reached in and pulled Halthren out, slapping him against the floor. He was too far for Katie to reach him. And even if I could, what could I do?
Desperately Halthren stumbled to his feet despite the newly forming burns on his flesh and began running towards the exit tunnel. Shrikirlych roared in fury and raised his paw to smash him flat. Acting on instinct, Katie shouted, "Celed Vorello!" and shot lightning at the paw. The dragon howled in fury, abandoning its quarry. His smoldering gaze fell upon Katie. Halthren stopped running, looking anxiously at her. Even with escape so close, he refused to leave her. If she hadn't been so afraid for his safety, she would have been deeply touched by his loyalty.
"You!" Shrikirlych roared. "Did I not show you mercy? How is this showing gratitude?" With a terrible bellow of anger, he leaped forward. Terror shot through her as abruptly as the lightning had shot through the dragon, and her heart in her throat for the umpteenth time that day, she turned tail and began to run.
"Hurry, Loriina!" she yelled, sprinting as fast as she could with the sword in her hands. She looked over her shoulder, and to her surprise and relief Shrikirlych had stopped chasing her.
"I'm not stupid," he snarled. "You can't go anywhere. I'll eat this one first. Then I'll have you." He slammed Halthren to the ground again and lifted him in his paw. Halthren forced his stare to be challenging, struggling to hide the terror roiling around within him—somehow this gargantuan dragon threatening to eat him was more frightening than Blacknack and his tortures.
And he was so far up from the ground…
"Let hi
m go!" Katie shrieked. Where's Loriina?! Shrikirlych was positioned directly in front of the stalagmites, hiding Loriina from view.
"If you try to run again, I'll rip your legs off and eat them raw," Shrikirlych threatened Halthren. Katie shot another lightning bolt at him, but she missed and hit the ceiling instead. A few rocks tumbled to the ground, but the massive dragon didn't notice. He bent Halthren's broken arm backwards with two claws. The elf's mouth gaped in a high-pitched cry of pain. Katie couldn't stand it any longer. Fiery anger and a desire to save her friend raced through her veins, melting away all of her fear.
"You cowardly, loathsome, vile lizard!" she screamed, striding confidently towards him, her eyes narrowed. "Let him go or face the consequences!"
Shrikirlych was so surprised that his jaw dropped. Then his own eyes narrowed with anger. "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!" he hollered. "GET BACK IN YOUR CAGE, YOU LITTLE BEAST! YOU LITTLE COCKROACH!"