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Bardon stepped over the sleeping head and joined Regidor in his defense against the still-active, stronger head. The effects of the collision between heads had worn off this one. Instead of dazed, the creature was enraged.

It repeatedly thrust its open mouth at the two-legged warriors, snapping and snarling and keeping Regidor and Bardon jumping. The men made numerous hits. They battered the dragon with their swords, leaving bloody marks on its face and neck. But the wounds did not inhibit the dragon’s fury.

“Aim for its eyes and the inside of its mouth,” suggested Bardon.

“I am aiming for those tender spots. I believe this beast has a few more years of fighting experience than we do. Ouch!”

Bardon glanced at his comrade. Regidor’s foreleg bled from a straight-line wound. It didn’t look like the jagged tear teeth would make.

“He bit you?” asked Bardon.

“No! The confounded animal slapped my own sword against my foreleg.”

“Not a good idea, Reg. We’re having enough trouble subduing this beast without your loaning him the use of your weapon.”

Bardon felt something painful clamp down on his calf. He looked to see that the ugly half was awake and active and biting his leg.

The few teeth this head had left were sharp, and they penetrated the leather of his boot, pricking his leg. He had half a moment to think he was glad it wasn’t the other head holding his leg. When he attempted to strike a blow, the animal hoisted him in the air and swung him over Regidor’s head. The more attractive head took affront at his recovered partner getting in the way. It swung to the side, slamming into Bardon and the mouth holding him upside down.

An opening in the dragon’s defense allowed Regidor an opportunity to attack. He flipped into the air. As he somersaulted over the rounder, crested head, he slashed downward, slicing the creature’s eye. The meech landed on the weaker head and managed a deep thrust through the eye into the brain. The beast jerked, letting go of its prize.

Bardon sailed up toward the ceiling. He landed with a whump on a ledge and rolled onto his stomach to peer over the edge. His sword lay on the floor below. He pulled out his darts and began menacing the brighter head of the dragon while his meech friend dealt with the other. Bardon aimed his darts at the eyes.

Regidor withdrew his sword from the other head and stabbed again. The snake dragon thrashed, trying to dislodge the awful attacker. Regidor slid down the neck, taking his sword with him. When he reached the back, Regidor turned and lifted the underdeveloped wing. He thrust his sword into the tender flesh beneath. Another thrust, and blood spurted. He’d hit a main artery.

Bardon ran out of darts and sat up. He realized a section of the wall behind him opened into another room. One look caused his heart to race. He turned back to shout to Regidor, but his friend still needed to administer the killing blow.

The meech pushed the dragon’s head back and exposed its neck. With the point of his blade, he pierced the jugular vein. He moved to the other lethargic head and did the same. Then he backed away from the snake dragon and let it die. When the beast shuddered and expelled its last breath, Regidor gazed up to where Bardon sat on the edge of a lip of stone.

Bardon grinned. “Good work, Reg.”

“Enjoying the view?” asked Regidor. He looked with disgust at the blood soaking the front of his cape, shirt, and pants.

“Yes,” answered Bardon. “And I’ve made the most wonderful discovery up here.”

Regidor looked up again, tilted his head, and cocked the ridge over one eye.

“A hole,” Bardon answered the unasked question.

“A hole?”

“More like a doorway.”

“A doorway?”

Bardon nodded. “To a room.”

Regidor sighed noisily. “A room?”

Bardon smiled. “Filled with lightrocks and…sleeping knights.”

41

A CASTLE

Even before they entered the chamber, Bardon heard the roar of falling water. Once inside the stone room, the noise drowned out every other sound. Draperies in rich, dark burgundy covered the windows,