Instantly swallowed up by the darkness in the cave, Aribelle could only rely on the sound of Mia's frantic footsteps to find Mia. Calling to the child, she tried to steady her voice through puffs of breath. The echo reverberated, making it obvious that she was not entirely successful in sounding reassuring.
Aribelle placed a hand on the ridged cave wall, using it to guide her deeper inside. Her weakened legs almost giving way when, Mia collided with her. The girl caught her leg in a hurried embrace. Panicked tears streaming down her small round face. Unsettled by the atmosphere, Aribelle stared back into the blackness of the cavern with dread.
They did not have time to get much further, when their progress was halted by a giant scaly tale. Violently it crashed down only a few steps behind them. Barring the exit, it sent a tremendous shake throughout the cave. Shielding the girl from the raining rubble Aribelle bent over Mia. Rocks pelleting her back, she gritted her teeth against the pain.
Once the vibrations had ceased. Aribelle was hit by an intense heat, before she gazed directly into massive blazing eyes of a dragon.
The shock and terror from the ferocity of its glare made the remainder of her strength flee. Nails digging into her clenched palms. Knees shaking like a newborn deer Aribelle manage to remain standing.
"I'm sowry Awrie! I'm sowry, I just wanted to see the sprites." Mia cried, still adhering closely to her. Aribelle forced a feeble smile. Taking in a deep inhalation, she summoned enough courage to speak "It's okay Mia," she consoled, "what matters is that you're safe."
"But the drawgon…" her little voice trailed off into sobs, as she spoke into the course linen of her frock.
Whilst this particular dragon was created purely to trigger the series of trials a for events that acted as a catalyst for the main couple's love story. It did share a few paltry facts about its origin in the novel. Namely, that it had been drawn from the North Frascia Pass. Disturbed from an 800-year slumber by the Prince's hunting party, the creature had been so petty, that in a fit of rage it torched the southern facing quarter of Valletta. An act, which in turn rekindles the feud with the kingdom of Dryden, known to be descendants of the Dragon Lord Raytheon.
The rest of Aribelle's knowledge about dragons came from the minstrels and travelers' tales of this world. Dragons seldom seen most verged on myth rather than fact, speaking of powerful elder dragons that could shapeshift and speak in multiple tongues. Cunning dragons of old did not seclude themselves from humans, and often used their wits and magic to amass great fortunes. Many greedy humans who flocked to them, made deals with them in order to fulfill their desires. However, deals with dragons were binding and usually did not end well for the human protagonists of these fables. Aribelle had often thought these to be a cautionary tales, told in order to steer the listener away from the vice of greed. Now, she hoped that they held some truth.
Unwilling to look away for fear or awe, her eyes were still locked with the overwhelmingly oppressive gaze of the beast. "Please, let us go." She said, "We're a meager meal and have nothing of value to offer you." The plea a desperate last-ditch effort, it sounded unconvincing even to herself.
'Hmm, that's not the way I see it human.' Replied a deep and husky voice. The words penetrating her mind. Its sudden intrusion into her thoughts made her heart faulter. It quickened in her chest pounding so hard that she was sure that it was determined to flee her body and escape without her.
Feeling the pressure if the dragon's eyes sizing them up, Aribelle hastily uttered her next words. "Then just be satisfied with me." Her words were rushed, but surprisingly firm as they spilled from her lips. "You can have me, just let the kid go."
An amused smirk formed on his devious mouth. Follow soon after came a low chuckle, that travelled menacingly through her mind as it spoke. 'Very well. Am I to understand that you offer yourself in return for the child's life?'
"Yes, just mine." She replied. Once voicing her agreement, Aribelle felt a wave of heat sweep over her. Sending her head reeling, it seemed to consume even the oxygen in her lungs, leaving her gasping.
Stunned that her offer, which deprived the dragon of one of his meals had been considered, much less agreed to; Aribelle was almost immediately remorseful that she hadn't upped the stakes for her life. However, these regrets were interrupted by the creature's instructions.
'Return here tomorrow. Although your contract with me cannot be broken, leave something here that will ensure your return.'
Aribelle pondered for a moment. All that she had, aside from her dress and shoes, was a small clear stone the size of a peddle that hung by a cord around her neck. It had been a gift from her father before his passing. Although as worthless as any stone one might pick up in the forest, it held great sentimental value to her. Untying it from around her thin neck, Aribelle regarded it sadly. Extending it out towards the dragon she stated, "This is something that holds a lot of meaning for me. Nothing will prevent me from retrieving it."
The creature's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the trinket and its owner. In truth, this had been what he had been referring to originally. Hungry, he had intended to eat them until he sensed vague amounts of magic radiating from the tiny stone the delicate human possessed. This could be used as a medium to aid in his recovery after having been driven into a blind fury by the Vallettine intruders.
Indeed, Cassius could have expedited the process with violence. However, the situation had played out even better than he had planned. The woman's clumsy promise providing him with two prizes rather than one. It was worth the exchange of an easy meal. His hunger could later be better satisfied by a passing dear or boar after all.
The dragon inclined his head nearer to her. Inadvertently revealing a wound on his shoulder. Aribelle's eyes drifted towards it subconsciously. Difficult to make out in the minimal light the glistening stream of blood had snagged her attention. Noticing that her distraction had also been observed by the dragon, Aribelle's eyes darted away swiftly. The human's embarrassment at having been caught amusing him, Cassius gave a nod of acceptance.
Grinning slyly, he issued one last parting threat 'Return here by sunset tomorrow or I'll be tempted to make another bonfire.'