A Passage of Fear

The squire snuffed his torch, and hugged the right side of the wall. He edged forward, fearing a sudden drop in the floor. The slope of the floor was downward, but it was gradual. The squire was beset by doubts. He now felt that this exploration had not been a good idea, and that he had been too rash, but he did not have the will to turn back. The voices had died out, and he was left without any guide, except for something new.

He had advanced in darkness for some time, and now he was seeing what may have been an illusion. Ahead was an orange-red light, very dim, but just bright enough where he could thought that see the walls of the cave. The superstitious squire thought that he might be approaching the gates of Hell, but if that were the case, Fred would need him more than ever. He prayed to the Virgin, and hoped that she would protect him from what was to come, and, in his words, "perhaps grant him just a little more wisdom and courage, if she would not mind."

He advanced further. The light was not an illusion. The red light was real, and getting somewhat brighter. Although the caves were somewhat cool, sweat now soaked the squire's armpits and hair. He tried chasing away his fear by imagining a meeting with his master, who, in his mind would praise him for his initiative and allow him to join his quest.

The squire now froze. In the unearthly red light, he saw a form. He darted back into the shadow, hoping that whatever it was did not see him. As he was enveloped in the darkness, it was indeed likely that he had not been seen. He crept forward. He saw the form of

1. the dragon! Minestus had retired, and changed into his native form.
2. an old man, leaning over something. The squire had found Belboz.
3. his master, caught in a huge net.
4. a beautiful, though plump, lady, caught in a huge net.
5. what looked to him like a huge bat, with its wings hiding its body, caught in a huge net.

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