“Ye fear me?”
Darkfest let his gaze wander slowly over the charred skeletons scattered on the valley floor. “Aye.”
“I give ye my word ye 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. “Ye are a wise wizard. I shall do nothing to harm ye or the woman.”
~ * ~
“Are ye sure tis safe?” Channa Leigh asked, trepidation clear in her voice. “How do ye know ye 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 silent screams of terror.
The dragon awaited them, an enormous beast with thick scales and feet armed with claws as long as a battle lance. 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. “Ye may refresh yerselves 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 boots, and massaged her feet.
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.”
“Ye 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.
