The Dragon Appraises a Spear

Checkers knew that she could not defeat the dragon. She had no weapons and no support. She thought about three alternatives - fly up to the tunnel, extinguish the light and hide, or stay still and hope that the dragon would dismiss her as non-threatening. She knew that the first was unlikely, as he wing still hurt. She was weighing the second and the third options when the dragon spoke.

"Are you missing something?" asked the dragon, in a low, rumbling voice.

Checkers did not know what to say. She simply shook her head to indicate "no", and continued to stare, while looking at the edge of her field of vision for hiding places.

"The spear is about five of your winglengths behind you, and to your left, if that is what you are looking for. I would advise you not to make a dash for it, though. I am afraid that would confirm that you are hostile, and I would have to make an end to you. I have not seen one of you in ages, and none of you has ever visited me in my lair. I wish that you had let me know that you were coming. I could have prepared for you."

"Why do you not kill me?"

The dragon turned up its forepaws. "Boredom, perhaps? An idle curiosity? Perhaps something more."

The dragon suddenly lunged and unexpectedly swept its tail toward Checkers, forcing her to jump to her right to avoid being knocked over. She was lucky to avoid being burnt by the oil splashing out of the lantern as the flame sputtered wildly. The dragon was now between her and the spear. Checkers decided that she could not realistically reach the ladder before the dragon's attention was on her again, but she darted toward the barrels, hoping that she could hide. The dragon reached out for the spear with his tail and rolled it in toward his body. Checkers could hear the rattle of her spear clattering across the cave floor, and then a silence as the dragon picked it up with his forepaws.

The dragon scrutinized the spear, as that of an afficianado on Glider weaponry. "Hmm. The workmanship is good -- it would easily rate second out of the five classes. Softwood, light grained, good feel. I would say it is a ceremonial spear from the South Central Dolomite range, the Seven Boar Valley area, or possibly from around Lightning Pass. It is hard to tell without the city crest or family band, which are oddly enough, missing." Checkers tried to ignore the subtle taunt that reminded her that she was currently a Glider without a country. "An excellent carving of a pig and bear. The dragon is not quite as realistic. That's a pity. It looks used, but the owner has taken good care of it. Would you be willing to sell it?"

This was another insult, smoothly delivered. A Glider would never sell a ceremonial spear. Checkers was now crouched behind a barrel. It would not provide much protection from a determined attack by the dragon, but somehow not being in his direct view seemed to provide a sense of security, however false.

1. Checkers rifled through her pouch, looking for anything that might help her out of this situation.
2. Checkers extinguished the light, hoping the dragon would not be able to see her.

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