After a little while, the air pressure around us shifts as the monster moves from above us, revealing a part of the red-glowing sky. A puff of breeze drifts through the cave, and even though it was warm, the temperature drops slightly, bringing some relief from the trapped hot air and removing some of the stench of the heated minerals.
Elan cranes her neck, looking at the hole. I wish I could see the stars. I miss them already.
Expelling a sigh, I breathe. “Me too. What do you think the lava monster’s doing?”
I don't know, but if that hole remains open, I think I'm going to try to fly out eventually. I’ll wait and see. Hearing her voice inside my head brings me comfort, and my spirit soars over the thought of escape. Hiding my emotions takes an effort. The last thing we need is for the monster holding us captive to be able to read my body language.
Elan rests her head back on her front talons, her eyes trained on the hole. The problem is I can't see if the lava monster is hanging around the outside or if it's gone.
I pick lightly at the edge of one of the scales on her front leg. “That could be a problem.”
We remain huddled together, and the ground beneath us vibrates slightly while rocks tumble from the sides of the cave above us. Our attention is pulled from the gloomy redness illuminating the hole to the cave, and Elan instantly shelters me with her wing. The ground and cave shake in rhythms different from the walking of the lava monster. The ache in my head is almost gone, only to be brought back with each vibration. My weapons rattle against my back, and the ground shakes so much that I have to stand to avert the pain in my bony backside.
With a question in my eyes, I gaze at Elan.
I have no idea. But the closer it seems to be and the more it seems to vibrate, the more I think it's the pace of a giant’s footsteps.
A shudder runs down my spine. “Great! Just what we need.”
The shaking of the ground continues, and I pay attention to the tempo. Elan could be right. It could easily be the even pace of large giant footsteps, except these seem heavier, with a longer time between them than the footsteps of the frost giants we met in Jotunheim.
With wide eyes, I meet Elan’s gaze. “How big would the giant be to make footsteps that far apart and that heavy?”
I don't know. Even in my head, Elan’s voice is a hushed whisper. I thought the lava giant was big enough. These footsteps seem heavier somehow.
Larger rocks clatter off the cave interior and drop down, one narrowly missing my hand resting on a tall boulder. I yank it away and snuggle closer to Elan and the protection she offers with her wing. She wraps her wing around me, tucking me close to her hard scales. The heavier the footsteps become, the larger the rocks that topple from the cave’s sides, some of them half the size of a human. I fret for Elan. Even with her tough scales, if they fell on her, they could still cause her harm.
As I peer out from under her wing, I spot a large human-sized boulder toppling toward us, and I send out a bolt of magic, shattering it and sending slivers of black rock shooting in the opposite direction. I’m tempted to hold the rocks in place with magic, but I want to leave as much of my magic stores as possible ready for whatever is coming. Elan’s wing tightens closer around me, squishing me against her body and tucking me slightly underneath her.
Unable to see much through the tiny crack she has left, I duck under her body and peer from under her forelegs. “I can't imagine something causing this much destruction to the ground is going to bring us good news.”
We will take this as it comes. We have been through much together and will work out how to get through this.
I press against one of her large golden forelegs and inspect the hole above. The slow and steady footsteps approach until, eventually, something passes over. I brace myself, standing under Elan’s huge form with my feet hip-width apart and hands balled into fists as the thing passes over. Something long and about the width of two of my arms curves in a seemingly never-ending loop. I haven’t seen the beginning or the end. Eventually, it leads to something denser, blocking out the red glow in the sky. I squint, trying to work out what it is until one glowing red eye peers down at us, followed closely by another. The scrutinizing stare ties my stomach in knots. Some pupils wouldn’t go amiss on these creatures with lava-filled eye sockets. The face alone tells me that this monster is even larger than the lava monster that left us here.
As an automatic response, I reach for the sword strapped under my quiver on my back. The scraping steel groans its protest, echoing through the cave as I yank it from its sheath and fling it upward. The metal gleams golden against the light of the lava, aiming straight for the hole, point first. With my magic, I guide the tip true to the target. At the same time, I grasp my bow and nock an arrow then send it directly at whatever is peering into this cave.
The thing moves, swatting my sword toward the burning lava river as though it was a fly. I call my sword with my magic, coaxing it to use its wings and return to me. I trust this will work as the arrow aims straight at the monster's eye. The monster swipes again, this time missing the target. The giant monster grumbles, and its eyes narrow as it pulls back, allowing the arrow to pass unhindered. A rumbling sound tumbles into the cave, resembling laughter drowned in lava.
Elan lowers her backside and braces her front legs as she roars the loudest and most impressive roar I’ve heard from her. It echoes up the cave and out of the tunnel. I wait, hoping this will have some effect on the monster. It does, but not the kind I was hoping for. The beast throws its head back, and explosive laughter thunders through the air.
Elan tilts her head to the side. Dragon scales! What is this thing?
“I have no idea.” I wrap an arm around her front leg. “But clearly, it doesn't take us seriously.”
Elan exposes her teeth in a silent snarl. I know. How insulting!
Despite myself, I can see the funny side and cackle briefly, receiving a glare from Elan. I shrug. “This thing is huge. How could it be threatened by something as small as us? It could swallow the two of us in one mouthful. Like we think we have a chance against this.” I pull away the long dark strands of hair sticking to my sweaty neck. “It was quite pathetic of us.”
My humor dissipates as the giant monster raises a sword engulfed in flames.
- Chapter Four -
* * *
Distracted by the flaming sword, I almost miss my sword's singing as the magical wings bring it back to me. A high-pitched whistle grabs my attention, and I catch it a split second before it collides with me. Clasping the hilt, I hold it across my front, poised and ready, even if the gesture is useless. I’m never giving up without a fight.
I set my jaw and fix determined eyes on the monstrous beast peering down at us.
Illuminated by the flaming sword, a malicious grin spreads across its face, and its glowing insides shine past a surprisingly broad array of sharp teeth. The head tilts to one side, and an eye narrows at us, having a closer look before pulling away. The added distance exposes the long, curving thing's identity as an enormous horn curling down the massive form to the waist. Several smaller horns, which resemble the impressive horns of a large goat, protrude from the head around the larger one. Exposed, impressively broad shoulders top a bare muscled chest and protruding pecs that would leave any warrior envious. I hoped this was a male, as the chest defined, and the largest of the creatures of this wretched realm.