We descend down wide spiral staircase that hugs this big rock atop of which is the Mountain King’s tomb.

After a few turns around the rock, we see a large open space.

It is an underground valley with glowing shrooms growing everywhere light the area. Little critters walk the cavern floor, which is a slick stone with some grassy overgrowth, by the shallow stream at the bottom of a waterfall.

The strangest sight of all is the dragon and the Twins who are approaching it.

We rush down the stairs chasing after the girls.

The dragon rests on its side. Green blood flows out of a large open wound cut from the neck to the base of its tail. Much of the blood has dried.

It is the largest creature I have ever seen. The head alone is as big as a barn and it has teeth like spears showing through a slightly open maw.

The long, thick neck is covered with scales of a deep red hue as crimson as human blood, its wide leather wings have been shorn off and now lie as decaying flesh.

The neck, body and tail are in chains. The thick metal chains burrow into the ground rooting the dragon to its spot. Its head is by the waterfall and tail far away. The dragon is at least half a mile long, if not a mile.

The sheer mass of the dragon and its beautiful scales is awe-inspiring. I am glad to be alive if only to witness the majesty of this creature.

"Look." Says Gareth.

"I do see it, you know."

"Not the Dragon, the girls!"

"Damn it."

At the bottom of the staircase now we start to sprint over the small blades of grass growing at the edge of the stream.

"They are already talking to it. Greeting one another." Gareth says each word between gulps of air as we keep running at full speed, my pace slowing from the exertion.

Gareth pulls ahead magically augmented and I signal to keep going as I follow a few feet behind. As we approach, sweat pours off my body and sticks to my clothes even with the damp, cool air of the cave.

The feel of the air itself changes as with every breath the dragon blows warm air. The ground as well is warmer from the heat rolling off the majestic creature.

"I sought to do harm against the ones who caught me. Who deceived me into believing my friends had returned from their long sleep. What a fool I have been. I apologise for the undead, feline two legs. I hope you can forgive my transgression upon your companions." Says the Dragon as I approach.

"Of course, Noble Dragon" promises Subia in a solemn tone and a low bow.

"Take it. It is a dragon tooth blade left as a warning. One of the few blades capable of piercing our scales. Use it. End my suffering, I beg of you."

"As you command, mighty one." Intones Subia looking into the Dragon’s now open eyes blue like the sea.

"Pierce my heart. By my front leg."

Subia follows the command.

I protest and Gareth tries to grab her but Lovia blocks his path without saying a word. He tries to push her to the side but she pushes back. Whether by surprise or hidden strength he stubbles back but keeps his footing.

"Use my child’s tooth, my last remembrance’s of him. Ease a Mother's suffering.”

Raising the blade with the point to the heart's place she thrusts the sword piercing through the scales.

She gives out a grunt and her face goes red with the exertion as she pushes the blade through. She stops her arm fully inside.

"I bless you as Subia Dragonslayer. May blue skies and a bright starlight your path." She lets out a few gasping breaths struggling to form more words. "Keep the blade may it serve you well. Thank you."

The Dragon left out a final breath and closes its eyes for the last time.

Subia is silent for a long while.

It takes a few moments but Gareth and I start speaking trying to work out what had just occurred.

I grab some of the dragon scales peeled off by Lovia's blow earlier each is the size of my chest or a shield. I manage to grab two. One in each hand.

"We should head back." Lovia speaks up.

We all turn to look at her.

"It has been a long day, nothing has gone as you said and we almost died so many times and now my sister is a Dragonslayer. I would like to go back now."

"I…of course." Stammers Gareth.

"Right away." I look around, far to our left I see a steep slope where a natural staircase has formed. "Over there." I say and point. "A difficult climb but not too dangerous."

"Can we not just turn back?" asks Lovia she looks pale and her eyes dart to Subia who remains quiet.

"I know it has been a long day of many surprises." Says Gareth looking at the Dragon on the word surprises.

"Just a little further, I think it is a safe escape, most miners leave at least one other exit in case of cave-ins."

"Okay." She answers softly looking to the ground she walks over and grabs hold of my arm and clings to it.

In a more social setting, I might be drunk with arrogance from the attention of a lovely woman. But, this seems more like the clinging shield wall after a day's battle. Clinging to that thin sense of protection against a world of danger.

"I lead." Gareth says with a half-smile, a narrowing of the eyes.

"Of course." I say and we follow at a slow walk behind.

We follow the tunnel carved into the mountain and held up by wooden beams. It is a curving path but a single line we walk in silence and we drop down at the end with Gareth going first and giving the okay.

Subia jumps after and I go together with Lovia. It is a good ten feet distance and I hit the soft ground still with a shock and painful jolting up my legs.

Looking around we seem to be outside the crypt, out past even the graves near the road in a hidden away emergency exit.

We make the walk back to the Outpost, our stomachs rumbling and the stench of sweat thick enough that we are dulled to it. The Outpost Master waits outside and raises a hand greeting our approach.

"We found the dragon. She killed it." Says Gareth pointing to Subia who clutches the dragontooth sword to her chest.

"Sure you did." Replies the Outpost Master sceptically.

I drop the two dragon scales at their feet. "It is at the bottom of the crypt if the scales and dragon tooth she holds is not sufficient proof."

They look uncertain "I can arrange a confirmation mission."

"She finished it by it by request, and she has the dragon blessing. Whoever grounded it was not around."

"We will report back to your reward once confirmation has been checked and not before." He replies with a smile hiding many intentions. For good or ill, I am too sleepy and hungry to work out.

"We will sleep here and head back to Athfen we are staying at the Fluffy Duckling if you need to find us."

"I will note it down, come along hot food is waiting."

We eat in sullen silence, devouring the food with the hunger of homeless beggars of Athfen. Dead on our feet, we collapse in bed and I drift into a dreamless sleep.