Dragonsong Book 1

Chapter Two

I reached the base of the mountain after about twenty minutes. I hopped off my black horse and examined the base. It was steep, but the cave was only thirty feet up, and there were a lot of ledges between the opening and where I stood. I grabbed on and started to climb. It only took about ten minutes. This is too easy I thought, edging my way to the opening. It had to be harder. I entered and saw a ton of random objects that were probably disabled traps; a rope, an axe, a log, a net, and a severed hand.
I stopped when I reached a cave with stalactites and stalagmites covering half the place. The only light came from luminous crystals. Just enough to see where to go. I heard beautiful music coming from a little ways down the passage. There were no crystals in this area. I was slowly moving through the darkness and I could see nothing ahead of me. I was worried there was no end to the tunnel, but then an eerie blue glow made me realize where I was; the dragon's cave. My mother told me that no one— absolutely no one— had ever found the way inside.
I was getting scared now. I didn't know if I should go inside. This is my dream; to see the dragon up close from the time I knew it was real. But now I regret stepping inside this cave.
Would the dragon eat me?
How big is it?
Should I leave immediately?
A shiver ran down my spine. I edged towards the opening, being extra careful as to not make any noise. I leaned against the walls. My hand trembled as I sneaked a peek, hiding behind an ice-cold wall. What I saw was incredible.
A beautiful emerald green dragon was sitting at the peak. It's magenta wings glistened in the dimly lit cave, and it's black horns appeared to be encrusted in rubies. Running down his spine were blue crystal-like spines, reflecting light onto the walls of the cave.
The dragon's head turned towards me. Everyone said that the dragon was evil, but it's yellow-cat like eyes seemed to be filled with wisdom and intelligence, not anger and revenge. The dragon spoke, but when he did it seemed more like it was coming from inside my head than from his mouth.
"I have waited a long time for you to come, Isabell." He said. His teeth were as white as the clouds.
"Me?" I said, "how do you know my name?"
"I have been watching you." The dragon said, gesturing with his head to a crystal ball beside him. His voice sounded like that of a teenager, but still sounded wise.
"Come." He said, patting the ground beside him with a talon. On four legs, he was not much taller than me.
"You aren't going to eat me, right?" I asked, feeling drowsy.
"No, I promise." The dragon said, giggling. I sat down next to him.
"You need rest. I will find you something." The dragon flew upwards to a ledge in the cavernous ceiling. He returned with a frayed pillow and blanket. He propped the pillow up near him and nudged the blanket to me. I lay down on the pillow and sleep swiftly came.