Azure bonds - Kate Novak [21]
As quietly as possible, she secured a rope to a stalagmite on the ledge where she stood. She kept herself facing the dragon as much as possible as she climbed down, using only her arm muscles, not daring to push against the wall to break her descent for fear of setting loose rock clattering down. A few ravens spied her and retreated to the roof, but others continued scavenging on the dragon's hide.
Slipping warily between the piles of treasure, Alias checked the ground carefully so she didn't accidentally crunch her foot down on a dry bone and tested her footing lightly so she didn't slip on any loose stacks of coins. She threw off the temptation creeping over her to grab something valuable and flee. She was here for one thing only. Once that had been secured, well… maybe on the way out she might manage a few sacks of gold.
She tiptoed up the stairs leading to the altar. The cavern air was filled with the wheeze of the dragon's breathing, the splash of the waterfall, and the occasional croak of a raven. Not until she'd reached the top did Alias take her eyes from the floor and study the cage. It was sloppily lashed but quite sturdy. A small form lay in its center, balled up tightly in a cloak of expensive, gaudy brocade. Alias spied a plait of fire-red hair fastened with a green bow.
Damned mage. He should have checked more closely. This is a little girl, not a bard. I've risked all this for nothing. Ruskettle is no doubt already residing in the dragon's belly, to make room for this new toy.
The swordswoman was so angry that she spun about, intent on leaving that very instant, but she turned back to face the cage. She would rescue the prisoner anyway, not from any sentiment or human kindness, but just for the pleasure of shaking the child in Akabar's face and proving to him what a fool he was. Sliding her sword between the bars, she gently poked the cloaked bundle.
The brocade-wrapped form turned over rapidly, causing the cage to groan slightly where the ropes held its timbers in place. The package opened to reveal not a child, but a small creature dressed in garb that made Akabar's crimson and white robes seem conservative. A creature without footgear, but long, curly red hair on her hands and feet that matched the mop on her head. A halfling! Alias whined silently. And a female halfling at that.
"Rescue at last!" cheered the halfling in a happy whisper.
"Shh!" warned Alias. Why did it have to be a halfling? How come no one mentioned Ruskettle was a halfling? Or even that Ruskettle was a she?
Suddenly, Alias sensed the deadly quiet. The stream spattered on, but the dragon's regular breathing and the crows' occasional caws had stopped. The halfling's eyes widened, transfixed by something behind and above Alias. Something horrible cleared its throat with a cough like a bag of lead coins dropped off a tower.
With a sigh of resignation, Alias turned around slowly.
"Looking for something in particular?" asked the dragon. "Or are we just browsing?"
5
Mist
The dragon, though she had not bothered to rise, was no longer balled up like a cute kitten by a fireside. Her front paws curled beneath her bulk, her body rested comfortably below the level of her rear haunches, and her neck curved in a relaxed S-shape. Even seated in this way, her jaws hung twice as far above the ground as Alias's perch on the raised altar, and her reptilian golden eyes looked down from another ten feet higher than that.
From what little Alias could see of her belly, it was a twisted mass of scarred, purple and violet scales. Several of the scars were still fresh and oozing-compliments of the adventuring party that had tried to defeat her but failed.
With those long tendrils hanging down from her chin and face, Alias thought, she looks like a cat. I guess that makes me the mouse. Then the swordswoman noticed, tucked behind the monster's left ear, a raven regarding her with a stare as unblinking as the dragon's-the only one that had not retreated to the ceiling.