Dragon Child: The Journey Begins

Chapter 28

Well, now. I wonder what this is. I highly doubt a dragon lives here, although it does sort of look like a dragon den. However, the opening is too small. It does have these neat little pillars with fire on top of them. They are placed at either side of the opening.

Now I bet you are wondering what I'm talking about. Well, you see, I am now standing in front of a large cave. It does not look like a natural cave, what with the pillars of fire and all.  At my sides are Hanna and the others.  We are currently staring at the opening.

You see, after we woke up this morning, we went to a nearby village and left the torture chamber with the prey at a building. Afterwards, I was dragged into the nearby forest until we reached this cave. And back to the present.

"Um, so why are we here? And what is this place, anyway?" I couldn't help but to ask.

"Hmph. Don't worry a bit. You're precious cargo after all. Wouldn't want my gold to die on me! Hahaha!" Hmmm. That somehow sounded a bit ominous.  Hanna, can you please try to sound less scary?

"This is a dungeon." George said.

"Hmm, okay. What's a dungeon?" I asked.

Why are they all just staring at me? I mean, it's starting to make me a bit nervous!  Will someone say something, please?  This tense atmosphere is nerve wracking!

"Don't tell me, you don't know what a dungeon is?!"  James asked.

"Nope." I said. What? Like I need to know what a dungeon is?  From what I can tell, it's a den like place. I'm not stupid. I just wasn't sure what exactly it was, is all.

"Hmph. Well look who's a sheltered little privileged child.  A dungeon is a very dangerous place.  Adventurers are periodically sent to clear dungeons. That's because if they are left alone for too long, the monsters begin to overflow and can create panic amongst the masses.  Does that answer your question?" Hanna said to me.

I mean, yeah it does. But then, it also doesn't.  I mean, "Why are we here, though?"

"It's a shortcut to Amberwood." George stated.

Oh. Okay. Well, I guess anything that can get me out of that torture device sooner is a good thing.

"What are we waiting for? Let's get this over with.  And you!" Hanna turned towards me.  "Don't stray away from me. I need to protect the merchandise."

Um, not sure what she means by that, but I'm all for getting to our destination faster.  The sooner we get there, the sooner I can get away from this crazy scary female.

I wonder if all females in every species are crazy like her.  All the females I've met so far seem to fit that description.  Ah, but don't tell mother I thought that!  Who knows what she would do to me if she found out!

We walked inside the cave, er, I mean dungeon.  I swear, I'm learning all sorts of new words. Although, this one seems vaguely familiar.  Perhaps I've learned it in passing?

Anyway, I followed the other four into the dungeon. I wasn't sure what to expect.  It was very dark, although George was holding a light in the front.  I was definitely following behind at the very edges of the light. 

That's okay, though. I've grown up in the dark so my night vision is actually pretty well developed.  Actually, I think that my night vision has improved significantly.   Hmm.  Could it be because of that egg shell I ate the other day?  I do feel closer to the darkness. It's a comfortable feeling, to be honest.

"Papa! I wanna play!" Umbra's voice suddenly shouted out in my mind.

'Stay in the shadow, my child! Don't come out yet! We are surrounded by humans at the moment. I know that you want to play and come outside, but Papa needs you to endure it for now.' I thought to her urgently. You never know what that crazy Hanna would do if she found out about my dragon baby.