***
Sometime had past, as they sat in the cold gloom which was only brought to life by the dancing shadows of flames, Achil, sensing something was wrong, turned to look for Nishga, and realised what it was, she was nowhere to be seen, once more she had gone off on her own, so being both annoyed and concerned, he called out. She was actually standing close by, but as she was wearing her cloak he had simply missed seeing her.
“How long have you been there, or did you slip away once more?” asked Achil.
Nishga was disappointed; she still felt uncomfortable with how things were proceeding, there had to be better way to deal with their current dilemma.
“Actually I did, as you say, slip away, I have been searching for the Creature,” said Nishga. “After all we do not wish to be trapped between a fire, and a large monstrous Dragon.”
Achil could see the dissatisfaction on her face, it was a look he had seen often enough recently, but he knew that if they were involved in another argument about whether or not they should kill the beast, as Andreas frequently referred to it as; it would prove to be another distraction that they could ill afford.
“That’s a good idea,” said Achil gesturing toward the cave entrance. “The fire's more smoke than flame; and since we haven't seen the Dragon I think it's had the desired effect, that of deterring it from a frontal assault.”
Nishga was still not satisfied with that answer, “Yes, a frontal assault may not now occur, but as you well know the craft of this creature should not be underestimated, if we haven't heard from it, then the likelihood is, that its coming at us, from another road."
“To second guess what such a creature intends would be wrong,” replied Achil.
The two of them fell silent and just glared at one another. Achil sat back, watching the flames, his eyes were fixed toward the entrance, mindful of the fact that he needed to act, and slowly the fires began to mellow. A vale of night seemed to douse the flames, they would surely soon find out what else the creature had planned for them.
After listening to the compelling arguments of Nishga, which seemed to carry on even after her voice had fallen silent, everyone gathered together to discuss their next step. Achil decided that it was time to take control of the situation rather than let the situation control him. He would find another way to attack the Dragon. Leaving Nishga and the others to argue over what to do next, he silently crept through the pulley room and onto the rear of the landing they were close to, and then out onto the stair at the other end and began his ascent. Once at the top, he turned into the last room, to the rear of which was a large shutter. Darkness filtered through the opening as Achil pushed against it, and climbed out onto the mountain. This time he would get close enough with his bow so as not to miss. From that steep climb he had an unencumbered view of the mountain top, but there was no sign of the Dragon. Achil climbed as far up the mountain as he could go, in hope more than expectation that he might spy the Dragon. The creature could after all be anywhere. Achil reached a high ledge. Stars lit up the night sky, Achil paused and gazed in awe at them, they seemed so bright almost within reach; from horizon to horizon they flickered in the black mantle of night, how vast eternity was, and how small and insignificant he was in comparison. Remembering the reason why he was there, and that there was no time for such distractions. He began to scour around for any signs of the Dragon. But there was nothing, he was just about to move off when a hand reached out across his mouth preventing him from letting out a cry should he have wished to. It was Nishga, who seeing him disappear into the pulley room, had followed quietly behind.
“What are you doing here?” asked Achil sharply.
“I thought I could be of help,” replied Nishga. “So when I saw you leaving, I told Andreas and Nicholas that I would go after you, besides I have discovered where the Dragon is. Lucky for me I cannot be seen, and lucky for you I came.”
Achil nodded calmly.
“Where is it?” he said with a deliberate tone.
Nishga slowly moved off, crouching down, she signalled for Achil to follow her. Step by step they crept round the mountain, trying not to fall over loose rocks that might announce their presence; but even though they were being careful Achil still managed to stumble on some stones, knocking them off the precipice and over the side. They stopped a moment, fearful that they might have been overheard, barely daring to breath, they waited for the Dragon to come down upon them, but nothing happened.
“Could you be anymore clumsy,” said Nishga. “Why don’t you just ring a bell, and announce our coming.”
“It was an accident,” said Achil.
“Oh, an accident," replied Nishga. “People die from such accidents, so try not to make any, it's as though you're inviting the creature to eat us, and I for one don't wish to be its next meal."
They continued on more cautiously than ever, along jagged rock, beneath desperate jutting stony outcrop, and across treacherous path, until Nishga gestured to an opening that was within easy reach. Achil’s eyes had adapted better to the dark, and just where Nishga had said it was, the Dragon or more precisely its tail lay. It had three horns on the end of it, as it hung loosely out of a cave swinging slowly from side to side. Achil was just about to use his bow, when it disappeared into the mountain. He gestured that he was going to follow it. Nishga vigorously shook her head.
“Are you insane?" she remonstrated.
“We’re about to find out,” replied Achil with a smile.
Ignoring her protestations, he made his way down. The darkness was too deep for his eyes to penetrate. So he took a deep breath and entered.
“We’re about to find out," said Nishga, repeating Achil’s words as though she could not quite believe them, or what she was about to do, which was following him.
Achil could not see the Dragon so ventured further in, where he found three large tunnels. Hearing movement down one of them he drew his sword, and began to creep forward; just as he was about to do so, Nishga appeared next to him.
“This is not a good idea please reconsider,” said Nishga softly. “You won't have enough room to fight, the tunnels too narrow.”
Achil brushed her hand away.
“Then the Dragon won’t have room to turn and see what’s coming,” growled Achil.
Nishga folded her arms: she was truly staggered by his foolhardy behaviour.
“You can’t do that,” said Nishga. “The great and noble Achil should not be killing such a creature with a stab in the back.”
Achil looked irritated, “I don't think it will mind too much, after all, it hasn't exactly been playing fair has it."
Nishga annoyed by his sharp repost was still unwilling to let up.
“It’s wrong, the creature has suffered enough,” cried Nishga.
“Yes and now I’m going to put it out of its misery,” barked Achil. “It has passed that point where it can be saved, and now it is nothing more than a beast. Nishga this is not the time to debate this. Accept the fact that a decisions been made, and it's final.”
Nishga felt the reverse was true.
“When I had a connection with the Dragon,” said Nishga. “I could hear more than its thoughts in my head. I felt its pain. How much it was forced to endure. If you had felt that, you too would not wish to harm it any more than it already has been harmed. You should think more on this. Hasn‘t it been punished enough.”
Achil’s eyes seemed to glisten in the dark, he knew what was needed to be done, but still his tone softened to appease his companion.
“I see, sometimes Nishga we do things because there is no other choice, and afterwards the only thing that’s left is the regret we have, for what we’ve done;” said Achil. “People's lives are in very real danger. What we do now will save lives, so no matter how cruel you think this act is. It is designed to save lives.”
Achil gently brushed Nishga aside and continued forward. He could see she was not satisfied with such an explanation but he did not have time to talk more
. Now was a time for action. He raced down the tunnel after the Dragon. Nishga stayed behind a moment surprised by his view; perhaps Achil was not so different from the Nashvilly after all. She shook her head sadly, and followed him.