***
After Nishga had disappeared a debate had begun of how best to deal with the Dragon.
Andreas had picked up a stick and began to sketch out a plan on the sandy earth.
“Look this is the Dragon, when we find a weakness,” said Andreas. “Two of us can attack from the rear and the other two can strike from both flanks, here and here.”
Achil snatched the stick away from him, “That’s all very well, if the Dragon obliges us by remaining still, but I don’t think it's going to be so accommodating, from what you’ve told me this is a very smart creature. It has for years fought against men, so I think it understands man very well. It has already killed armies and by all accounts, if it’s the same creature as the King of the Underlings spoke of, it's also destroyed a mighty civilisation.”
“It can’t be the same beast,” said Andreas. “You heard the King, what happened to this land occurred in another age, this has to be a different animal.”
“We do not know that, how can we, no one knows the lifetime of such creatures,” reminded Achil.
Andreas irritably shook his head, and seized back the stick, annoyed by the way his suggestion had been so easily dismissed.
The discussion went on for a couple of hours until there was a cold silence, as none could agree on a course of action that might have some remote chance of success. Achil decided to leave them, and picking up his bow he wandered beyond the rocky outcrop. Not far from where they were hiding were some deer tracks only recently made. Following them, he caught up to the herd, grazing further over at the foot of the mountain. He began to stalk them, seeking a vantage point from where to strike, moving ever closer, he found a prime position from behind a group of large pumice stones which were piled one on top of the other. Just as he pulled back his bow string, wolves leapt out of nowhere and began chasing a large stag. There were about twenty of them in the attack, which was brutal, savage, and frenzied. As large as the Stag was, it was no match for such a well organised and cunning foe. It was brought down, set upon, and savagely ripped apart.
Achil seeing the attack, and how the Stag had come to its end, gave him an idea, he realised a way to trap the Dragon. Slowly Achil backed away, hoping to retreat from the danger without being noticed. As he turned round, to his stunned surprise, there facing him was a large wolf. And growling in the background was the pack feasting on their well-earned kill. The Wolf unafraid walked slowly passed him and off to join his kin, while Achil stood stationary; not wishing to show the fear he felt. Wolves were impressive creatures thought Achil; the pack had such unity, a true community, relying on each other for survival, for companionship and at the core loyalty. Anyone at any time could challenge to be leader and only the most worthy were. In many respects they had characteristics that men would be proud of. Achil, without a single look back hurried away. When he arrived back Nishga was there telling the others of what she had found. She told them of the large hall, and that the mountain had been previously occupied. They recalled that the King of the Underlings had told them of the civilization that had lived within and beyond Ruin Mountain the one the Dragon was said to have destroyed. Nishga showed them some of the scrolls that she had discovered. They looked them over trying to understand the people that had lived there. One other thing, the King of the Underlings had stressed was that his knowledge regarding the people of Ruin Mountain was limited, just extracts from his Orb. The four of them studied the scrolls, each offering an insight into their understanding of them. Once the sun set they made their way out of the outcrop of rocks and on to the mountain proper. Nishga led them to the opening she had discovered and the great hall. Achil took the key from her, and asked the others to remain where they were, while he searched for the door that the key belonged to. He climbed the stair trying any door that was locked as he went; but finding only disappointment. There was nothing there that indicated anything other than that the place had long since been deserted. Nishga had been right; most of the rooms were empty shells. He had hoped a more thorough look would discover something her eyes might have missed; unfortunately that was not the case.
He returned to the others disgruntled by his lack of success, only to find that the heated debate over how best to confront the Dragon was still continuing, but this time with Nishga disagreeing with Andreas. Nicholas saw Achil approach and just shrugged, walked passed him picked up one of the chairs that was still intact, sat back on it, put his feet up on what was left of the table and decided to stare up at the ceiling.
Andreas was throwing his arms in the air in an animated perplexed fashion that neither helped nor hindered his arguments.
"What about a less direct approach?” suggested Andreas.
Nishga tried to resist the desire of stating the obvious but she was beginning to get frustrated by his reckless overzealous attitude.
“We are up against a creature that knows this mountain, we do not,” replied Nishga. “If we are not successful in defeating the Dragon then think of the havoc it would wreak upon every living thing from here to your city.”
“This disunity isn’t going to help us,” growled Achil. “We have come this far, surely one of us can come up with a better plan than walking up to the creature and asking it if it wouldn’t mind falling on our swords!”
There was an uncomfortable silence from Andreas, while Nishga just glared irritated by his lack of an initiative.
“And what do you have in mind Achil.” said Nishga, “If at first you don’t succeed then just keep knocking it on its head. And as for you Nicholas can't you think of anything better to do than stare up at the ceiling"
“No actually I can't, and besides Andreas is the one being obdurate not me,” replied Nicholas with a smug grin.
“Good word,” said Achil.
“Thanks,” replied Nicholas proudly, “I was going to use it earlier but hadn’t thought of it in time.”
There was a sudden rumbling sound as the floor began to quake. They all jumped for cover. But as quickly as it had started, it stopped. Each appeared from where they had hid, a little sheepishly that they had so easily acquiesced to the mountains rumbling. Achil pointed to where one of the tapestries had been. It had fallen revealing a door that had obviously not seen the light of day for many a year.
Achil turned and gave his friends a quizzical look and then strode over to it. Taking the key from his pocket he placed it in the lock and attempted to turn it; it was stiff at first, but with a little encouragement it moved. The handle too was rigid and only yielded after much assistance, Achil pulled at the door the rusted hinges seemed unwilling to give way, Andreas joined him and tried to wedge his sword in the small crack that had appeared, the door opened enough for the two of them to get their fingers within the gap, Nicholas seeing the door begin to capitulate hurried to help. Eventually with the three of them hauling together, the door opened. They all entered the small chamber, what had once been a guard room. There were chain mail coats, swords, shields, spears. Most were tainted, rusted, aged. But there were some coats of mail and shields that were just covered in dust undamaged by time; they recognised the armour as that which would provide protection against the Dragon. The only one who did not change into any mail was Nishga. Who felt her cloak was protection enough. Andreas and Nicholas took long shields for themselves: they all then made their way into the great hall and from there, back out into the open air. And so began their steady trek round and up the mountain. Although it was dark and the path they were on was difficult to make out, they all decided that Nishga should not use her Crystal to light the way. All was still, and there was a strange foreboding in the air, perhaps it was an expectation of the battle to come. Soon they came upon some tracks that Andreas and Nicholas recognised as belonging to the Dragon. Quietly they followed them up to a large opening. What they assumed must have led into the Dragons lair.
Nishga stirred in the dark and was about to wrap the cloak around her, when Achil put out a hand and stopped her.
 
; “What do you think you're doing?” asked Achil.
“Exactly what I'm supposed to,” whispered Nishga. “I’m the only one that can enter in there without being seen, or frankly smelt. So if you don’t mind.”
Nishga shrugged off Achil’s hand and made for the entrance to the lair. Achil quickly took up a position at its opening as Nishga entered. Andreas and Nicholas crept hurriedly across to the other side. In the cavern it was so dark that Nishga stumbled over a boulder, and fell with a yelp, she landed banging her head on a rock. She lay there in shock, not daring to move, expecting the Dragon at any moment to be on her, but instead there was a glaring silence. Gaining back her composure and courage she slowly raised her head and peered into the cold embracing dark. The Dragon was not there. Nishga rose to her feet and realising that she was alone called out for the others to join her. They rushed in shouting and hollering thinking that Nishga’s need was desperate.
They all stopped short, perplexed to see a whole, uneaten Nishga in front of them, arms folded and with a broad smile.
“There’s nothing here,” said Nishga.
She took out her crystal and illuminated the entire cavern. The rugged walls were a sharp contrast to the hall they had just left, craggy, hard and cold, what was more there was an awful smell of death about the place. At the back of the Cavern were the remains of the Dragons latest kill's piles of bones, of Bison, Deer and even Wild Men. They began searching for any clue to where it could be.
Achil called them all together. “The Dragon was recently here, perhaps only a few hours ago.”
"How could it have passed us by without being seen?" stormed Andreas.
"It did just that, probably while we were bickering down below as to how to kill it. And besides you should be relieved, that it did not spy us," said Achil.
"It would not think to look for an enemy so close to home, it is that, that's probably saved us," said Nishga.
"If it's gone hunting then it may not be back for days, especially if it's gone far," rasped Achil.
When Achil said that, Andreas and Nicholas had a collective shudder, ‘gone far,’ could mean that it might menace their city.
Achil seeing the concern on their faces felt a pang of regret for what he had just said.
“For all we know it may return at any moment,” said Achil. “We need to prepare.”
“What do you suggest?” asked Andreas, now too despondent to propose anything.
Achil gestured to the opening of the cavern.
“First things first,” said Achil. “We build a barricade. Secondly, thirdly and fourthly we must find a way to ensnare the creature.”
“I don’t know whether that will work,” said Nicholas. “As you’re aware we’ve set traps before. It was cunning enough to see through them.”
“Then we had better make sure we do better this time,” said Achil confidently. “Otherwise if we don’t, trying to trap the creature will probably be the last thing we ever do.”
They set to work, rolling boulders to the entrance building them up, one on top of the other, to create a barricade. Achil sent Nicholas back to the armoury to see if there was anything he could find; that they had not already taken that might be used against the creature. Nishga found a stair at the rear of the cavern leading up to what was the pulley room. They cannibalised chains and some of the pulley wheels that were up there and took them back to the lair, so as to better ensnare the creature. The pulleys enabled them to lift large boulders to the ceiling. They also took spear heads from the armoury and thrust them into wooden panels, to impale the creature with. And still the Dragon did not return. They had decided to build pyres that would burn near the entrance; so Nicholas once more returned to the hall, where he began to haul up some of the broken chairs, and parts of the long table to use as fire wood. Two days had passed and still the Dragon had not returned. By the end of the third day their preparations were complete, and all that was left was the pause before the storm.
“Where do you think the Dragons gone?” asked Nicholas, repeating his earlier concern for his city.
Achil looked out over the barricade they had built. The sun wearily descended toward the horizon. From such a high point he could see well beyond the swamp.
“I don’t know,” replied Achil thoughtfully. “There’re a few possibilities, it could still be hunting, or this is just one of its lairs and it could have gone elsewhere. You never know, someone could have killed it.”
Nicholas and Andreas gave him a disbelieving look.
“Perhaps it's abandoned this place for good, knowing that four fearsome warriors are tracking it,” continued Achil, he looked back and pointed at Nishga before lowering his voice to a whisper. “Well three and a half at least.”
The view of Osgaroth from where they were was stunning. It looked greener than they had thought it was, even the swamp did not seem so ominous from up there. In the distance they could just make out the ruined Pyramid of the Mirkoid standing above the canopy of trees. The swamp seemed to join with the great densely strangled impenetrable forest of Wormwood.
Andreas broke some of the bread given to them by the Underlings, and passed some to Achil.
“It’s a bit dry, but at least we have something to eat,” said Andreas. “Strange the land seems at peace, not what you‘d expect from a country ravaged by a Dragon.”
Achil nodded. “Yes, it goes to show that when you’re in the midst of danger, you can be influenced into believing things are far worse than they actually are, and it also shows how easy it is to misinterpret a situation. I have no doubt that we have a few more surprises in store for us before the end.”
“In some instances that maybe true, I think in this case the Dragons intention for my people are quite clear,” said Andreas.
“Yes,” replied Achil. “And our intentions for the Dragon are also clear.”
Andreas climbed up on top of the barricade they had built, his legs hanging down swinging back and forth.
“I guess our quest will soon end one way or another,” said Andreas. “I wonder at what point our mission changed from tracking the Beast to confronting it.”
Achil remained watching the horizon, his hand shielding his eyes from the glare of the Sun.
“Did you really think,” replied Achil. “We were going to come all this way. Face as many dangers as we have done. Just to watch its movements. Our quest has always been to deal with the Dragon. We all understood from the beginning what was being asked of us, and what we had to do.”
Achil turned round to see Nishga coming toward him.
“I’ve an idea,” said Nishga. “I would like to try the Orb and look to see if I can contact the Dragon.”
She shivered slightly as she spoke; Achil wondered if that was due to fear or the chill mountain air.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” said Achil. “Your previous attempts weren’t as successful as we would have hoped. In fact, if I recall, you felt that the Dragon could see you.”
Nishga put her hand up stopping Achil in mid-sentence.
“That’s the point,” said Nishga. “If the Dragon can see me, then it will know where we are, and it would certainly come. This serves two purposes, firstly that we won’t be surprised when it comes, and secondly, we can actually surprise it.”
Achil smiled grimly, “Okay, good idea, just be careful. When you're ready to proceed I would like to be there.”
Nishga turned to go, “Give me five minutes to get ready and then join me over there.”
She pointed to a corner of the cavern that was at least dry, and had no bony remains.
Before sitting down on the hard ground she placed a blanket beneath her for some comfort. Achil watched her prepare herself, seeing she was ready, he joined her. Nishga held the Orb in her hands. It began to glow, within it, there was a swirling storm, as though at its heart was a typhoon, her eyes fixed, her pupils dilated, and her mind began descending to unknown places.
As the Orb cleared
the Dragon loomed large within it. Bewildered and in pain, it was being chained to the ground by men. No doubt these were the original people of the Ruin Mountain; it appeared that compassion was not one of their strongest traits. They were holding the creature captive; it struggled to free itself unsuccessfully. She sensed again that the people were cold hard. By their sides instead of swords were whips, they were savage looking with metal claws running along them. When the creature did not obey they took their whips, and struck the creature with them. Nishga could not only here it shrieking, she felt also its pain. It was being driven insane with it. It was forced to haul the pulley system. It was on a large rotating wooden circular wheel. Struggling and tired its tongue hanging out of a large metal muzzle, it would roar in agony and shame; a tear slipped from one eye. Soon there was just a muffled screech that barely could be heard through the muzzle it wore, its masters would then whip it until it was silent. This torture went on until it had finished what the men had wanted it to do. Then its chains would be fastened down again. It was a miserable existence for any creature, but for one so proud, so intelligent, it was terrible. Then within the Orb, there was a swirling cloud, which was replaced by a sight of the mountain caving in, being shaken to its raging heart. The Dragon was free its chains loosened by the sudden movement of the mountain. It fought to remove its muzzle breaking it off with its talons and then it sort vengeance. Wreaking havoc upon the men that had held it captive, until all of that race were destroyed, everywhere. Once revenged it had for the first time since it was born peace and it slept, hibernating for an age, until it woke to find that men were once more threatening its domain.
Nishga stopped for a moment.
“Achil this is not some mindless beast it has been reacting this way because of how badly it was treated,” said Nishga.
“What do you mean?" asked Achil.
Nishga looked up at him. “I mean this creature was enslaved and tortured by men. The Dragon is reacting the way that servant in the story you told me reacted, the difference being the Dragon was treated a lot more harshly."
Nishga went on to tell of what she had seen in the Orb.
After she had recounted in detail what had happened to the beast, Achil stood motionless, he hesitated before speaking, so that he could choose his words carefully, he understood what Nishga had alluded to. Perhaps the creature was responding to its maltreatment, and normally that would be something to consider, but at that moment, the Dragon could be upon them, there was no time for soulful distractions.
“There’s nothing we can do about that now,” said Achil. “The likelihood is that the creatures vengeful and has been consumed by hate. That’s why it has been a scourge on the Dragon people and everyone else in these parts. It probably has a deep rooted loathing of men. And from what you've see and told me, I don’t blame it. It is the same as with any creature that has felt injustice. It is exceptionally angry and mindful of those that punished it. In this circumstance it was man. This creature only knew slavery from an early age, it must be filled with contempt and loathing. I do not think because we understand the cause of its behaviour our position should alter. We still must kill it.”
Nishga felt perplexed by Achil’s response.
“I feel uncomfortable with that,” replied Nishga. “Tell me, what is it truly guilty of? Even Dragons like men, can be driven to dark places. And if this Dragon has its demons, those demons were the men that enslaved it.”
“Look,” said Achil, not liking the fact that he had to defend his position. “What would you have us do, reason with it. And how would we do that?”
Nishga seemed hurt by Achil’s sharpness.
“All I’m saying,” replied Nishga. “Is that there must be another way that we haven’t considered, a better way.”
She looked for any sign that Achil might contemplate an alternative direction, other than the destruction of the Dragon; but his mind was set, his resolve unwavering, almost stubborn. Nishga looked back into the Orb and this time as it cleared she saw the Dragon as it was today. It was high up in the swamp, on top of the Pyramid. It had just fought with the Mirkoid, and was resting, nursing its wounds. Nishga lifted the Orb up concentrating even harder: the Dragon was again aroused to her presence.
She heard words in her mind. “Who is it that disturbs my rest?”
Nishga felt the words, shrill, hard, cold, unfeeling, and perhaps even malevolent. So was Achil right, the Creature was beyond saving.
“I am Nishga. See me.”
As she stared at the Dragon it directed its gaze back at her. She felt a sudden surge of rage.
“You have invaded my home!”
Nishga was now beyond being afraid.
“As you have invaded ours,” replied Nishga.
The eyes of the Dragon narrowed. “How many of you are there?”
Taking care not to show fear, her response was self-assured.
“Enough.”
“Enough for what?” replied the Dragon, and then its eyes widened in understanding and anger.
The Dragon let out a roar and began to climb into the air.
“It comes,” cried Nishga, losing her connection to the creature. “Prepare yourselves. It comes.”
She repeated the words with more urgency, an urgency deepened by fear.
Achil leapt to his feet and grabbing his bow, he ran to the barricade. Nicholas was pointing toward the Pyramid where he could see a creature rise, circle round and race toward them.
As Achil joined Andreas he began to attach an arrow to his bow string.
“Everyone brace yourselves,” said Andreas. “It will come upon us like a tempest.”
The dot in the distance was growing, taking shape; it seemed at first to be a wisp of a cloud that was growing before their eyes into a mighty roaring raging hurricane.