Embellishing the Truth a Little - Well, Quite a Lot, Really

"Uh, I suppose not. But hadn't we better climb down there, and check on the young maidens? It's just possible that one or two of them might have survived."

"Yes, I suppose that we should. Also there's the Dragon's hoard to consider. I came on this quest for honour and glory rather than for riches, of course. Even so, taking a few gold ingots wouldn't hurt. You haven't got a pack in which to take anything yourself, Velus, but I'll let you have one of my ingots when we get home. That should be enough to make you a rich man."

"Thank you, Lord Fred," Velus said, wondering if his silence was being bought.

They scrambled down to where the dead Dragon lay half-buried, being careful not to set off any further avalanche in the process. It was quickly apparent that all of the maidens had perished. An area around the Dragon's tail had been left comparatively clear, however, which enabled Fred to collect sufficient gold ingots and other precious items to fill his pack.

Then Fred and Velus retraced their steps to where Princess Exotica was still chained to the tunnel wall.

"Great news, Princess!" Fred said. "I have killed the Dragon!"

"Well done!" she said. "So this handsome young man with you must be the restored Velus." Her eyes lingered on the naked boy for a moment, and he blushed.

Exotica went on; "But where are the other eight young maidens?"

"I'm afraid that in a fit of rage the Dragon killed them all before I could rescue them," Fred lied.

Velus tried to keep his face expressionless. Exotica looked on the verge of tears. "That's terrible!" she said. "I had come to know them well, and regarded them as my friends."

"I'm very sorry," Fred responded. "There was nothing that I could do. Now I must free you without further delay. Since the Dragon's enchantment on the chains has presumably ceased, my sword should be able to cut through them." And it no longer matters if I damage my sword in the process, he thought, but decided it would be more tactful not to say out loud.

Soon Exotica was free, though still with a short length of chain attached to each wrist. She rubbed some life back into her stiff arms, and then the threesome continued to where Astra was similarly enchained and freed her too.

The party of four made their way towards the exit. Fred occasionally looked ruefully at the badly notched blade of his sword, for the chains had been substantial enough to damage it even though no longer enchanted.

1. They reached the exit without any difficulty.
2. Leaving the caverns proved to be far less straightforward than they had anticipated.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree