Dragon Dreams

dragon dreams

a young mage

hunts for a book

"An old book is never worth losing your life over." Alexis thought as she crept close to an old cave. Her hands shook and her belly gurgled like an old witch's brew. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her blue mage robe. "Being an apprentice for Master Puggins is such a drag." She thought. "His homework assignments are going to get me killed." She sighed and shook her head.

The entrance of the cave was a big, black hole. Alexis spied a broken branch near the side of the cave and picked it up with her left hand. Pointing at it with her right forefinger, she mumbled an incantation. The top of the branch exploded into a flower of flame that burned with a magical light.

Alexis trembled, and her heart beat fast like a fluttering robin. A trickle of sweat ran down her rosy and youthful cheeks. She wiped the sweat off and brushed her blonde hair to the side. Then she gripped her torch and held it close to her as she peered into its depths. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the cave and looked around.

Rubble lay scattered all over the floor, and steam gushed forth from broken cracks in the walls and ground. Alexis wrinkled her nose. She almost gagged as a stinky rotten egg smell invaded her nostrils. Holding her breath, she drew the shape of a rose in midair with her right forefinger, as she muttered another incantation in her head. Suddenly, the air smelled like rosy perfume, a fragrant smell that had the freshness of Spring in it. Alexis smiled and nodded her head. Now at least, she would not have to smell stinky things as she explored the cave. She crept deeper into the darkness, her blue eyes scanning the walls as she strained to hear any noises ahead of her.

The air grew warmer, and the darkness slowly gave way to light. Alexis trembled and a wave of warmth flooded her body. She felt she was near her goal. The old book that Master Puggins wanted her to find must be nearby. She hurried her steps as she rounded a corner.

Around the corner lay a huge black dragon in deep slumber. Alexis gasped, and held her right hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. Fear flooded her eyes as she stared at the sleeping dragon. 

"Why, it must be as tall as a mountain!" She thought as her eyes raced up and down its huge form. "How am I ever going to get the book from that thing?" She dropped her torch and braced herself to run.

Suddenly, the dragon's eyes popped open. Its great red eyes glinted in the darkness like rubies. It's voice rumbled as thunder.

"Stop right there, puny thing. You run, and I roast you in flame." Again, it rumbled, its voice booming like a bass drum as its laughter shook the walls of the cave.

Alexis felt like an icy hand had closed around her heart. She gulped and her body shook like a tottering tree. Her eyes widened and her breath came in quick gasps. Holding a hand over her beating heart, she stammered:

"Please don't hurt me. I just....wanted to see you!" She gasped as sweat dripped down her forehead.

The laughing stopped. The dragon stared at her, its great eyes narrowing to slits. "To see me?" It hissed.

"Yes, g...great dragon. I only wanted to..."

"You wanted!?" The dragon glared at her as it stood to its full height. "No one steals from Thraxxus!" It roared as it blew a huge fireball straight at her.

Alexis saw it coming. Her muscles froze, and she tried to squeak out a counter-spell to deflect the flame. The seconds seemed to crawl as the fireball crept closer. She screamed.

To be continued...