A RANGER IS BORN

The tunnel was about thirty feet tall, twenty-five, or so wide, and continued straight for only twenty feet. The rock was smooth and rounded as though it had been worn by water, or maybe melted.... Beyond this short tunnel, a great cavern could be seen to open out to the left. The dimensions of this chamber were difficult to estimate in the dull red light which illuminated the area from around corner. Even from here, at the entrance, could be seen a vast array of treasures. Mound upon mound of coinage, objects of art, weapons, armor, gems and chests. Also, visible, was one arm of the beast. It was resting in a relaxed manner, over a mound of coins.

With utmost care, Crentar inched his way to the corner where the cavern opened out. There, the dragon was displayed in its awesome entirety. It was curled in a half circle, much like a sleeping dog; the tail tucked under the chin of the gigantic head. A dim red glow could be seen in the beasts nostrils; a clue as to the fires within. Every few seconds, there would be a low rumble as the dragon breathed. I've never seen anything so big in my life, Crentar thought as he watched the guards approach the end of the tunnel. The guards, just now realizing the magnitude of their task, lined up in the cave mouth. The captain motion needlessly for silence and pantomimed loading a weapon. Every guard carefully pulled back their crossbow strings and placed a bolt in the receiver. Crentar edged further to the left into the lair to give them a clear shot. One crossbow made a faint click as it was drawn back. Everybody froze, looking at the dragon.

Crentar, who was studying every portion of the mighty dragon at the time, saw the left eye flicker at the sound. Quick thoughts flashed through his mind as his body took action. Jump. Away from the sound. Into the lair, the fire'll blast down the hallway like a funnel. The world erupted in flame. The dragon had moved so suddenly and quickly, that nobody but Crentar had even moved. The waves of heat from the backlash caught Crentar as he dove into the lair, propelling him forward in his dive. The heat singed his hair and stung his eyes. I must be on fire! The roar of the flames drowned out all other sounds. When he landed, Crentar continued to tumble along the wall at an amazing rate. Finally coming to rest in a pile of gold.

The dragon, having disposed of the intruders at the door, continued to spew fire as it brought its head around in a long sweep to bear on Crentar. Seeing him in among the treasures, the dragon cut short the fiery breath and began a lunge at Crentar. It must not want to destroy its treasures. That's right! Dragons LOVE treasure more than anything! He won't hurt it! Maybe I can use that! Here it comes! Crentar searched with his eyes for a place of safety as the dragons head hurled toward him. He settled for jumping further into the lair. Like an immense dog chasing its tail, the dragon spun in a tight circle in an attempt to catch the elusive man. In a desperate move, he dove onto the dragons tail and clung tight, hoping to catch the beast off guard by such an insane move. It worked. The dragons jaws snapped shut with a huge clack behind him.

Crentar realized, just in time, that although the dragon could reach his tail to bit him, that it was not. Instead, the tail was rising from among the treasures toward the ceiling. Terrified beyond rational thought, only his instincts saved him. Crentar, with a lift from the dragons tail, leaped onto its back, slid down the side, and landed to his amazement, in a chest of jewels, about fifteen feet from the still glowing exit.

The dragon began to spin around its great bulk to squash him. Without knowing why, Crentar scooped a handful of jewels on his way to the exit. Putting on his best show as a sprinter, Crentar dashed down the tunnel. He hardly felt the leather of his boots get hot enough to smoke. Such petty concerns as pain were totally beyond him. In a moment, he was through the tunnel and into the open spaces. In a panic, he continued straight ahead, forgetting about the fissure to his left. Behind him, he could hear the dragon coming out of its lair.

He cleared the lip of the bowl and slid down the steep escarpment. After only twenty feet or so, he tripped on a rock and began to tumble out of control. Rocks and dust followed his progress down the slope. He had no idea where the dragon was and didn't care. Right now, he could only hope he didn't break his neck. A sharp rock struck him in the shin. The sky spun crazily, and he caught a glimpse of forest which spun off to the left. He crashed through brush then over a small drop. He landed flat on his back with his head facing down-slope. The wind rushed out of him and his legs went up and over, continuing his fall. A rock smashed him in the ribs causing great pain. Broken rib, said a dispassionate voice in his head. A small fir tree blocked his path and crunched flat as he crashed over it. Pain shot through his right arm. Broken arm, the voice catalogued. The slope suddenly dropped out from under him and for a moment, he flew through the air.

---To Be Continued in Chapter 10---