The Marakese

A dragon's den

There! said Ilvandir as the goats glided down from the skies to the ground. Amidst the thick covered fog was a large den, enough to accommodate a hundred dragons. The flying goats stopped just before the den and the dwarves got down. "Ilkir they said" stay here. As he tried to make his case for an encounter with a dragon, they convinced otherwise. "Do not wander too far along" said Ilvandir. The dwarves lit their flames and walked into the fire breathing cave. The dark embers of the caves welcomed the mighty dwarves. With flames in one hand and axe in the other thomped ahead. Ilvandir lead the way shining his light everywhere he went. The rest of them, looked only ahead. Too afraid to look in the corners of the cave. What dangerous creatures slept there? and there was a news of a large wolf that guarded the den. Isn;t there a wolf that we need to be afraid of ? asked Buskar. Yes, the wolf shall meet the blades of my axe, he grinned. " This for a man that has never set his foot on a battlefield" murmured Borkir. 

Looks like this den would never end, said Buskar. How else would you expect a dragons lair to be, a home for a dwarf? asked Ilvandir. The footsteps of the lofty dwarf was creating ripples across the den. Winged creatures of the night flew around everywhere almost blinding them. "Wretched creatures" quipped Borkir. We are near the dragon, said Ilvandir as though he was a master charter of dens. The other tow dwarf held their axe in such a way, waiting for battle. A dragon or a wolf do we expect? they asked between themselves. Come what may, we shall see its end, replied Ilvandir. There was no growling sound, but the footsteps of a man. "Hold your position' said Borkir. The dwarves in the vast emptiness of the caves stood still as they waited for the enemy to show up. Ilvandir was ready to strike upon anything that came around the corner. The footsteps drew louder and closer, and the gripping anticipation began to take over them. Bokrir slid around the corner and Ilvandir took his position behind him and then last was Buksar. The man was almost there, a whiff away from where they stood. The fear grew larger in their eyes, and the grip grew tighter. 

Bokrir swung his axe on the man who passed them. The rather large man dodged their attacks and stomped Borkir to the ground. Next it was Ilvandir who went flying to the other side. Buskar with all his might tried to land a blow, and he too met the same fate. His arm was almost crushed at the landing. The thomping continued. The dwarves did not stand a chance, as they were swung around the corners of the cave. The bare minimum of light that they had was also gone. "You killed my son, now you will kill me too" he shouted at Dragon head. There was no mercy from him, he send them flying. They were smeared and speared on the ground as they tried to dodge the attack of dragon head in the darkness. "You are a monster" said Buskar. as he tried to reach the corner of the caves. He was dragged without mercy and beaten to a pulp. There was a glimmer of light that approached them from far away. No! shouted Bokrir as he sprouted blood. Ilkir ran at them and dragon head caught him by his neck and lifted him up. "Spare him" said Ilvandir. Please leave him, cried Buskar!

Let him live! pleaded Borkir. Who are you and why do you want to kill us? asked dragon head as he still held the throat of Ilkir with a tight grip. Take our life, but spare his life! said them all. Afterall he is just a child! Who are you all ? asked Dragon head. You don't remember us? they asked him. I don't! replied dragon head. We are the dwarves who your dragon smeared into the ground." You don't remember these eyes, that ran into death, Burning! asked them all. Dragon head, put the boy down. He picked the flames up and threw light on everyone there. You sure are dwarves! he said, but I don't know you all. Your dragon, it lives here? they asked him. Yes, he replied. But he wasn't the one that burnt your home, nor was I riding one, that did.Then who was it? asked Ilvandir with fire in his eyes. If it was not you, nor the dragon, then who was it ? he said Coming closer to dragonhead. Then who burnt our homes to the ground, who killed my son? he asked dragonhead. I don't know, replied dragonhead shining the flames on the dwarf. Is this the only dragon in all of the lands? he asked the dwarf. Yes, replied Ilvandir. The only one, the other one not even born when we were attacked. Ilkir was not willing to listen any further. He ran towards dragon head with his blades.