TR&W Issue 20

the occasional cinder. Rough, black skin covered its body, wrinkled like the bark on an ancient tree. Its eyes were closed, with heavy lids drawn down. Skater remembered the drawings in the guide. A dragon’s weakest point was underneath its chin, where the head met the neck. Clutching his dagger, he edged forwards. The beast rolled slightly to one side and its neck was exposed. As he picked his way across the pile of treasure, Skater’s attention focused on making sure that he did not make a sound and he failed to notice the flicker of a greedy eye glint. With a might roar, the beast opened its jaws and one gigantic leg reached out to pin Skater down. But the dragon had not paid enough attention to Safia, whose arrow thudded into the beast’s neck. The dragon tore at the wound as a second arrow found its home. It reared up, roared once more and then its head crashed down scattering diamonds, amulets and bowls of elvish silver. The great body gave one last sigh; its eyes closed for a final time. With his leather bag full of rare gemstones, Skater bid Safia goodbye and slipped back through the hidden doorway. A moment later, he stepped out of the mirror into the crystal chamber. Jeremiah Valjean-Krakanova was waiting for him. “So, you survived your encounter with Thunder?” he cackled, rubbing his hands together. “After his last visit, and the unfortunate events in Pudding Lane, someone had to deal with him. I thought you might be the one.” Jeremiah cracked his knuckles and grinned. “And I see, you had the foresight not to return empty-handed. In which case, we might just be able to forget that regrettable incident in the marketplace where you made the mistake of putting light fingers where they should not have been!” Skater gritted his teeth. One step forwards had become another backwards. But the mirror beckoned. © Pie Corbett 2024 “Entering a dragon’s lair is not without its risks” T E ACH I NG T E CHN I QUE S www.teachwire.net | 43