https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/822892163146437916/

Letting out a rueful laugh at that, Gregor could well imagine her wrath, when he felt a sharp stab of pain at the back of his mind. Sarsonel’s words a sharp hiss of annoyance, “watch your thoughts, my dear champion, I would not wish any real harm to befall you.”

Head shaking from side to side, he thought back, “course not, I would not wish to upset the Lady of Sorcery.”

Her tinkling laughter was full of amusement as she faded away again. Left with another decision to make, Gregor again took in each one of the tiles, before he took a step forward. The soft click under his foot seemingly triggered nothing, and yet he couldn’t help but hold his breath as he hopped over to the next. It was only after he reached the other side and stood in front of the dragon’s open maw that Gregor released a sigh of relief.

But before he could even have time to appreciate his victory, he could see the jaws of the dragon closing shut, heard a creak from above him, and looked up to see a spiked ceiling coming down.

Breathless with terror as he realized he must have done something wrong, he leaped into the dragon’s jaw, the cold immediately seeping into his bones as he landed on a frozen tongue made of ice. Seeing a gaping hole at the back of its throat, Gregor again rushed forward and ducked his head back out. There in the dark opening of another cavern, he let out a choked wince as he saw the gigantic rib cage that surrounded him.

Gazing all around him in wonder, he couldn’t help but think that the dragon had been alive at one point, and was somehow used to create this doorway. If so, it would take a being of unimaginable power, not to mention cruelty to imprison a dragon-like so. Better to just slay it, and give it a merciful death. But as he stared up at the gigantic bones that dwarfed over his head, he had to admit this creature was still a wonder to behold. Its strength, power, and size, exuded such a majestic aura, he could barely take his eyes off it as he followed the tailbone out.

The square chamber he entered next was made of polished jade stone that covered the walls, ceiling, and ground, and had a mural of a dragon breathing fire underneath his feet.

With such vast quantities of jade used, Gregor did not know so much existed in the world as he stared at strange weapons that hung on the walls, saw tables laden with alien equipment, and dozens of weapon and armor cases. It was like he had entered a whole new dimension.

Feeling his heart quicken at such a sight, he couldn't help but think. Now, this was a proper treasure horde, and he moved to inspect what he had found.

But after hearing a light cough from off to the side, he looked down to discover a trail of blood specks that led to Leyora. The lizard shaman, and leader of the exiles, lay pressed up against the wall, clutching a bloody wound in her abdomen. Sensing him though, her eyes flickered open, and after a moment once she recognized him, she coughed out, “A part of me knew that it would be you that found me.” Hacking up a spurt of blood, she laughed, “although I also can not help but blame you for all that has occurred. My people will die and all because a stranger came to our doorstep. It is amusing to think that all it takes to shake the world is a few words. But there it is.”

His hand moved to clean the blood from her mouth, Gregor asked, “Is there anything that I can do for you?”

Her head shaking from side to side, she replied, “no, there is nothing left for me to do, but to die. But before you venture on, there is one thing I would ask of you. Give me a merciful death. Please, I do not wish to linger here any longer, it hurts, it hurts too much.”

Staring down into her eyes that slowly changed colors, Gregor knew that there was indeed nothing that he could do for her. She would die soon, but not before enduring more pain. Half sensing movement behind him, he spun about to see Kira, her silver eyes wet with tears as she gazed down at the lizard in sympathy. Her words, a soft murmur, “you have to help her.”

But what else could Gregor do?

His hand moving to clasp the dagger at his belt, he slowly slid it out, placed it against Leyora’s heart, and with a quick thrust ended her life. The last embers of her soul somehow forced him to look at her as she died with a smile on her lips.

Leaning back as he panted for breath that suddenly seemed hard to come by, Gregor sensed Kira circle around him, and kneel. Closing shut Leyora’s eyelids, she murmured, “May the mother bless you, and shelter you in her palm. Go to her, and we shall see each other again.” The soft prayer, somehow reminded him of Caroline, who although not religious herself, would often pray for her fallen warriors in the field. And whenever he asked her why she would do it, she would simply shrug, and say, “it’s what they would have wanted in life. Am I supposed to begrudge them that gift, because I do not believe? I am many things, but I can put aside my ego once in a while.”

Half chuckling to himself at the fond memory, Kira looked back at him in confusion. “Do you remember what Caroline used to say we should do if she ever died?”

Her mouth crinkled into a warm smile as tears glittered in her eyes, Kira replied, “She said we should go to the nearest Inn, drink the place dry, start a bunch of fights, and lay the corpses of those you had killed down beside her. Better to die with company, rather than go off alone into the darkness with no one.”

But as the amusement began to fade from her expression, she spoke in a serious tone. “I remember everything, Gregor, and while I do appreciate you coming to find me. I had hoped that you would go back, that you would stop searching for me. No prize in this world is worth dying down here for.”

“Then you don’t quite remember everything, girl. Otherwise, you’d know me better than that.”

Her head shaking from side to side, she stood up and gazed down at her feet. “I am afraid that you don’t quite know me anymore either–”

“--Nonsense–”

“I have done terrible things, Gregor, evil things, things that I am ashamed of. I can not go back. The Surface World is not for me anymore.”

Releasing a heavy sigh as he scrubbed the back of his neck, he took in the dim lighting, and replied, “Then we stay here. I suppose I could get used to this world.”

Her eyes wide with disbelief, Gregor shook his head, and smiled, “we all do things we might not like sometimes, but that doesn’t mean we can not make amends for them. And besides, Caroline would have my head if I didn’t bring you back.”

Born of stubbornness much like himself, Gregor thought for sure that Kira would continue to argue with him, before she shook her head again, and smiled. “Fine, I wouldn’t want you to get killed on my behalf.”

“Killed? No, girl, Caroline would torture me for years before she ever gave me that pleasure.”

Sharing a laugh for what seemed like an age, Gregor surveyed the armory, and wondered what had killed the lizard. “Now come on, girl, what is the first thing I taught you about going into strange new places?”

Shortsword springing out of its sheath, Kira nodded her head. “Never let your guard down, and always be ready for trouble.”

“Good, now by the looks of this place, I would say it has been abandoned, but see that layer of dust over there, it’s much thinner. It’s been moved, and recently too. I would hazard a guess that Leyora was not wounded by that trap back there, but by something else that doesn’t want us here. Now tell me, what else do you see?”

~*~

Comforted by the sound of Gregor’s familiar voice, Kira breathed in the sweet stench of decay, the dust particles that tickled the back of her throat, and took a closer note of the weapons on the walls. Having studied a little of dwarven inventions, gnomish designs, and the suncasters, she thought these weapons resembled them much in the same way with a long tube out in front, a handle or grip, and a way to spark it into action. They also came in different shapes and sizes and were organized from small to big. “By their weapons, I would say they were an advanced race, but none that I recognize.”

His head nodded in agreement, Gregor smiled, “Good, what else do you see?”

Studying the tables laden with strange equipment and tools, she surmised that they were miners of some kind with pickaxes, shovels, torches, and odd implements that also looked like they would be used to dig underground. As for the tapestries that hung on the walls, they depicted insect-like creatures that walked on two legs, much like a bear would, but with black outer carapaces, thick heavy mandibles, and antennas on their heads. They also wore pieces of armor strapped to their bodies, gauntleted blades, and big round eyes. Having seen most of the dekaram that dwelt in the Underworld, she was fairly certain that this race, whoever they were, were not among their number. “From the tapestries and equipment, I would say that they were the original inhabitants of the Underworld.”

Feeling a touch of warmth as Gregor nodded and smiled again, he drew his greatsword and pointed to the stone floor in front of them. “You see those tiny pinpricks in the ground, and in the walls too.”

Her attention turned towards them, Kira saw small circular gaps that seemed far too unnatural to be made by time. The dragon's body which spread out across the jade stone floor was filled with hundreds of them, well concealed among its scales. “Traps?” she asked.

“That would be my guess. Whoever built this place didn’t want any intruders getting out of here with their weapons. So the question is how did they pass through this place unscathed?”

Note to Readers: Apologies again for the delays, I found myself re-writing this section a few times or getting stuck. In any case for those who enjoy gamebooks, I have released another Contract on Amazon for you to play and enjoy.

Description:

Hired on as a caravan guard, Gregor must travel the inhospitable deserts of the Red Lands, survive the blistering heat of the four suns, and ensure the survival of Halthane, a gnomish merchant.

A mini gamebook, you must uncover new secrets, stand for what is right and good, or become the villain. Either way become the mercenary you were born to be. https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0BN95XC9J