The Dragon Killer

The Dwarf King

"What do you mean 'protected by magic?' " I asked him.

The dwarf laughed. "Many centuries ago, even before the dragons arrived here, my people built the first halls of the mountain. This specific hall," he made a gesture with his hand. "was meant for our king. At the time, many rival clans wished to assassinate our king for reasons unknown. For that reason, our earliest magicians cast a spell on this hall; a spell to make it invisible. The only ways to find this place are by already knowing where it is or by someone telling you exactly where it is."

The dwarf paused. "Please, ask me any questions you have. I can see that your mind is filled to the brim."

I thought for a moment. Of course my mind was filling with questions, but which to ask. After some time, a question finally came to me.

"You said this hall was meant for kings, so does that mean-"

The dwarf laughed, cutting me off. "To be honest, I am surprised it took you so long to find that out. Yes, I am the king."

I felt a sudden urge to bow. This is one of the three kings I had learned about as a child: the King of the Mountain.

The king waved his hand. "Do not bow. I should be bowing to you, Dragon Master."

I hesitated a moment, unsure of what to do. "If I may ask, sir, can you help me. I am lost. I was told someone would take me to my chambers, but I can't find her."

The dwarf king nodded as if he heard this every day. "I will have one of my guards accompany you." he paused for a moment. "He will be here any minute."

As if on cue, a dwarf came running up the hallway. A few seconds later, the echoes of his footfall died down. The dwarf bowed deeply to his king.

"Parlan," the dwarf king coughed. "I would like you to take the Dragon Master to his chambers."

The dwarf, Parlan, bowed again. "Of course, mi' lord." The dwarf had a heavy accent I hadn't heard with any of the others.

The dwarf led me through tunnel after tunnel. Eventually, we ended up in the hallway I had first woken in. The dwarf pointed out what door I was supposed to go through, then left.

I entered the dark room, unable to see anything. From the light the door let in, I could just make out the bed I had slept in the previous night.

I began shuffling forward when I heard someone breathing. My foot landed on the stone ground with a loud thump.

"Huh?" It was Katherine's voice, which seemed strange compared to the soft voices of the elves and the rugged voices of the dwarfs. "Oh, Terrowin." She yawned. "Where have you been? I must have fallen asleep waiting for you."

"Why are you here?" I asked her. "Don't you have your own chambers?"

"I do," she paused. "They just aren't as nice as yours. I have to share them with my three brothers and one sister."

"You have siblings?" I asked her. I hadn't ever thought she might have a family before. I sat on the bed, assumably next to her.

"Yes," her voice sounded strained. "I prefer not to talk about them. Do you have any siblings?"

I shook my head, though I knew she couldn't see me. "No, I was the first and last child in my family." I suddenly felt uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Do you know where Miramel is?" I felt guilty to admit it, but I hadn't thought of the dragon once since we were separated.

"Yes, of course." Katherine stood up. "Well lets go."

"Where?"

I could sense her rolling her eyes. "For you to visit your dragon. Where else?"

I stood up as well. I felt both excited and nervous. I was, of course, glad to see Miramel, but I'm not sure I wanted to hear what she had to say. I just now realized that a wave of exhaustion had crept over me. But I wouldn't be able to use that as an excuse for not going to see her. "Alright," I said. "Let's go."

We walked through the stone halls for what must have been an hour at the least. We paused in front of a wooden door that a dragon quadruple the size of Miramel could have fit through with ease. The moment it was forced open by two bearded guards-both of whom bowed to me-I felt the dragon's consciousness brush up against mine.

The door led to a large hall, wide and high enough that a dragon could fly down from multiple sections of carved in wall. The lower inlets were small, likely met for a younger dragon. The higher up they were, the bigger they became, the largest of which were twice the size of a house. Miriel glided down from one of the highest, her claws digging into the stone floor when she landed.

Terrowin! She cried, rubbing her head into my chest. The scales on her head tore open my tunic in several large gashes. I missed you so much! It has been so lonely and quiet here! All the people who bring me food just keep their distance.

Katherine interrupted with a slight cough. "If you missed your dragon, you could stay in here tonight. Back when riders still traveled between the lands, many did just that, according to the elves."

"Um, alright, I guess." I stared at the holes in the walls. They looked hard and uncomfortable. "Care to take me up, Miriel?"

Might as well, she replied. Good night, Katherine.

I climbed onto Miriel's back before she leaped off the ground up to the third row of holes. Instead of flying, she jumped up to the next row on the other side of the hall. She entered the nearest hole and set me down. It had a worn down cot residing on the far wall. I grinned at Miriel before settling down.