Chapter Fifteen
The Lair of the Dragon
The voice was deep and guttural. The very sound of it brought a feeling of evil to the mind. It came from a large, deep pit in the very bowels of the underground chambers of the castle. It was powerful, insistent, and angry.
“Let me out! Let me out and I will find her!”
Two men stood on a small ledge that ran around the top of the pit, staring down. One man was dressed in the clothes of a Knight of the Royal Court, the blue chevron and lion, the crest of the L’Hage family on his breastplate. He was tall, with jet-black hair and black eyes. He was bearded and his eyes blazed as he stared down at the occupant of the pit.
“Let you out? You must think us to be simple-minded!” he scoffed. “I would rather stick my head in your mouth! And me thinks that letting you out would amount to the same decision!”
“She saw me! She knows me! Let me out!”
The second man turned to the first. He was shorter and heavier. He had a round face with receding hair, his clothes were rich and colourful, and he looked agitated and worried. “What should we do, L’Roth?” he pleaded.
L’Roth was dismissive. “So what if one Destroyer has been seen by another? Why should this concern us? Do you think she will run to the King and tell him?”
“But there maybe other Destroyers in the forest. I’ve lost three men already. What if they attack again?”
“Then we will kill them, and take great pleasure in doing it. No, Sir Henry, we do nothing. Least of all unleash your pet. She stays in the pit.”
The voice was even angrier and filled with malevolence. “You are a fool, Le-Roth! The Insiders will not be so easy to slay. Let me out. It is better to attack than defend. I can lead you to them. I can smell them and the path they take. Let me out! Together we can defeat them!”
L’Roth’s reply was filled with sarcasm. “Yes, and after our great victory we can celebrate by dining together, only we will be on the menu. You stay in the pit, and if you argue anymore, I will see to it that you are not fed tonight.”
The voice now became openly hostile. “This pit will not keep me contained for long! There will come a time when I will indeed have your head in my mouth, and you will regret your words!”
Lord L’Roth took one of the flaming torches from the wall and threw it into the pit. “Insolent bitch! Remember your place!”
There was a deep growl from the depths of the pit.
Sir Henry L’Crieff looked angrily at L’Roth. “Don’t anger her so!” he shouted at him. “Her insolence and punishment are my concern, not yours! Now leave us!”
L’Roth looked unconcerned by his companion’s words. “As you wish,” he said derisively. He smiled at Sir Henry and added, “I wouldn’t want to come between a man and his true love.” He bowed gracefully and left, laughing as he walked down the dimly lit corridors.
Sir Henry watched him leave. He waited until the echoes of L’Roth’s laughter had faded before he turned quickly and knelt at the edge of the pit, looking down anxiously.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Your concern pleases me,” the voice purred. “I am unharmed, but angered. Le-Roth despises me, as I despise him. I will not share with him what I share with you. He knows this. It divides you, and there will come a time when he sides with those against you. Be prepared for this, my love.”
Sir Henry waved aside her warning. “Let me worry about L’Roth. He talks bravely, but he’s like all the others. He doesn’t truly understand. And by the time he does, it will be too late.”
There was a scrabbling sound from the pit, as sharp claws raked against stone. It was accompanied by deep, throaty breaths.
“You are wise, my love. But my hunger burns within me. When shall I be fed again?”
Sir Henry moved closer to the edge of the pit and reached down, patting and stroking. “Be patient, Gil-Yan. I have a little meat for you tonight. But when others come from the other side, then you will be able to fill your belly once more.”
The pit was filled with the sound of deep purring, and Sir Henry smiled.