"My lord?"
"Dinna fret, lass. All is well. We will reach the valley of the dragon on the morrow."
CHAPTER 12
They reached the home of the dragon late in the afternoon the following day.
Dismounting, Darkfest stared down into the valley that so many had entered and from which none had returned.
He had thought they would have to hunt for the dragon, but Blackencrill was there for all to see, his deep green scales shining iridescent in the sunlight. Small puffs of smoke wafted from his nostrils as he slept, his long body curled around a shining blue castle that shimmered like an enormous sapphire. Trees, shrubs, and grass all wore the scorch marks of the dragon's breath. The remains of charred skeletons, both man and animal alike, were scattered across the valley floor.
The dragon stirred, a low rumble of pain issuing from his throat, along with a short burst of flame. Lifting his great horned head, he took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring.
It was then that Darkfest saw the hilt of the sword protruding from the dragon's flesh. Embedded in the dragon's massive neck, the weapon looked no larger than a woman's embroidery needle.
"Who goes there?" The voice of the dragon was as the sound of a rusty saw being dragged over stone.
"My lord—"
"Be silent, Channa Leigh. Dinna move. He canna see you."
Gathering his courage, Darkfest moved away from where she sat her horse. Walking slowly, he descended several yards, then came to a stop. The scent of smoke and charred flesh filled the air.
"I am Darkfest, master of fire and flame."
What might have been a laugh filled the valley, followed by a great whoosh of orange flame that incinerated a nearby tree. "Thou? Master of fire and flame?" Another laugh as the dragon sent a tongue of flame arcing toward him.
Gathering his power around him, Darkfest summoned a ball of dark blue fire and flung it out to meet that of the dragon. There was a great fiery explosion as the flames met in midair. Sparks of blue and orange rained down on the ground.
"Who art thou?" demanded the dragon. His tone now carried a faint note of respect.
"I am Darkfest, wizard of the north. The name of Blackencrill is known throughout the land and I have come seeking a boon at thy hand."
"A boon? Of me? What is it you seek?"
"A drop of thy blood."
"And what will you give me in return?"
"I will remove that sword from thy flesh and heal thy wound."
"Who is the woman that awaits thee?"
"My betrothed."
"And if I want the woman?"
"Ye cannot have her. She is mine."
"What need have you of my blood?"
"It is to restore her sight."
"You intrigue me, wizard of the north. Come closer."
"Do I look a fool?"
"You fear me?"
Darkfest let his gaze wander slowly over the charred skeletons scattered on the valley floor. "Aye."
"I give you my word you may enter my valley in safety."
"And my woman?"
"And the woman."
"Did these others also have thy word?"
"They did not think to ask."
"And when we wish to leave?"
A low rumble of laughter rocked the valley floor. "You are a wise wizard. I shall do nothing to harm you or the woman."
"Are you sure 'tis safe?" Channa Leigh asked, trepidation clear in her voice. "How do you know you can trust this dragon?"
" 'Tis a chance we'll have to take."
She lifted her head as they rode across the charred valley floor. "I smell… death."
"Aye, lass," Darkfest replied, and for once he was glad she could not see the destruction that surrounded them. What he had seen at a distance was far worse seen up close. Skulls leered at him, their mouths open in screams of terror.
The dragon awaited them, an enormous beast with thick scales and feet armed with claws as long as battle lances. His eyes were large and black, and watched, unblinking, as they approached.
Dismounting, Darkfest lifted Channa Leigh from the saddle. He could feel her trembling.
"My woman is weary from the journey."
The dragon nodded in the direction of the castle. "You may refresh yourselves inside."
With a nod, Darkfest led Channa Leigh into the castle. It was bigger than any dwelling he had ever seen, with ceilings a hundred feet high. The floors were made of translucent crystal, the walls of jade. The hearth was large enough to roast a dozen oxen at one time. The furniture was of gigantic proportions.
The first door off the main hall was a bedchamber. A wave of his hand brought a fire to life in the hearth. He settled Channa Leigh in a chair, removed her shoes.
He found a ewer filled with water, as well as a bar of fragrant soap and a bit of toweling. He warmed the water in the ewer with a glance.
"There is water to bathe with," he told her. "Have ye need of anything else?"
"Nay, my lord."
"I will return as soon as I can."
"You will be careful!"
"Aye, lass."
"I dinna trust that dragon."
"Nor I." Placing his hands on her shoulders, he drew her up against him. "I will not be long," he promised, and kissed her gently.
Her arms went round his neck and she pressed herself to him. "Hurry back to me, my lord."
With a nod, he kissed her again. Then, taking a cup he found next to the bed, he went out to gather the dragon's blood.
"The castle is to your liking?" the dragon asked as Darkfest emerged.
"Aye. Who dwells there?"
"Only the memory of the creature who once tried to enslave me."
"What happened to him?"
The dragon flashed a smile amid a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth. "What think you?"
"I think I would rather not know." He looked up, his gaze meeting that of Blackencrill. "Will ye now keep your word?"
"Think you I would not?"
"I think I would not like to meet the fate of the giant."
A low chuckle stirred the air above Darkfest's head. "Indeed, you would not." The dragon lowered his head, putting the hilt of the sword within Darkfest's reach. "Pull it out."
Darkfest wiped his hands on his trousers. The sword had obviously been embedded in the dragon's flesh for some time. The skin around the blade was black and putrid, the smell overwhelming.
" 'Tis likely to hurt."
"Do you think it doesn't hurt now?" the dragon roared. "Remove it!"