King's Quest

CHAPTER 3: THE MAGIC MIRROR

In the distance Graham sees something that nearly takes his breath away and he hastens to it. In the middle of the ground is a properly constructed well. Thirst plagues him now more than it previously had and he rushes to the side of the construct to look into the bucket the is fully reeled in there.

It's empty, but this does not stave his fervor and with great speed, he lowers the bucket via the crank deep into the well.

Once he had extends the rope to its limit he reels it in again. With great delight Graham tips the bucket and is doused by the cold, air? The bucket is empty and his heart sinks.

"Is there no water to be had?" he wonders aloud.

Prying loose a small stone from the well's wall, Graham drops it and listens for the splash. He does indeed hear it, but it's a ways down.

"Perhaps the rope does not dip deep enough," he further ponders.

The thirst is getting to him and half mad, he endeavors to go down and look for himself.

He lowers the rope once again, till it's fully extended and deciding to put his more martial skills to the test, he climbs down the braided fibers. They are dry and therefore easy to climb down, till his feet touch water and he lift them up and thrust them into the bucket.

He can see nothing, the only light source is far above and it does not seep down far enough to assist him. Suddenly, Graham feels something give and his body falls into the water below.

It seems the rope is not as strong as it appears. His body plunges deep into the water and he feels something snag his leg.

Fearing for his life, Graham claws his way to the surface. Once he breaks free he breathes the plentiful air trying to steady himself and he reaches for his foot where he finds something still clinging.

He unhooks the object and brings it to bear. It's the well bucket and its was now full of water. He lays the bucket on solid ground before pulling himself free.

Graham raises the bucket and takes a long pull of water. He's just about to take another when his nostrils catch a strange scent. He sniffs again. It smells like smoke. He peers into the darkness and sees flames rising from what appear to be teeth.

"If those are teeth," he whispers to himself. "Then that means a mouth. And a mouth that breathes fire usually means, a dragon." He cautiously approaches trying to get a better look.

A billow of flame produces a visage that sets his knees knocking. Indeed it is a dragon, a very big one, though small by dragon's standards. Graham hadn't the proper equipment, if indeed any existed, to deal with such a creature, but he doubts he could leave the way he came. There is only one course of action.

Graham throws the water from the bucket at the rising flame and turns to reload, but with the fire extinguished so went his only source of light. Then a sort of whimper rises and loud scraping floods the room with a faint light, but enough to illuminate the subterranean cave and the retreating lizard as it wriggles out and is soon gone from view.

"Was that really all it took?" Graham speaks aloud.

Quickly, he ducks his head as if expecting something to get him. Nothing does and he uses the light to survey the dragons lair. There's nothing of interest save for a proper looking mirror leaning against the wall.

"Could it be?!" Graham exclaims as he dashes to it.

He looks over the polished surface and peers into its surface. His own reflection stares back wearing a crown.

"Either this is it," Graham chides his image. "Or I'm being duped by a clever duplicate."

Graham hoists the magnificent mirror which is nearly his height and proceeds out of the cave. Light floods his eyes and for a moment he is blinded. His sight soon returns and he lugs the mirror away.

"What do I do with this?" he wonders.