All they could see was an orange light emanating from the marble cave far away. It was only instinct now - to run to fire. It did not take long for the group of them -around 30- to get to the white stone cave, with no gift in hand. Running was easy for them now, they had had much practice. It seemed, though, that they had forgotten the rules of hospitality. A homeowner must allow a guest into their home, but the guest must bring a gift. The men arrived at the open entrance of the dragon’s home. “Let us enter,” one of the men said, facing the rest. “We do not have a gift, but we have nothing. Perhaps he who lives here will offer us sanctuary.” The men agreed, and entered the cave. Onward they kept, for hours. The long cave’s walls began to grow narrower as they walked, until they spotted the shimmering scales. Some of them knew who the scales were from, but none said anything. They approached the dragon, curled in his sleep, his thunderous breaths disrupting nervous air. The crew crept around, keeping silent for fear of their lives. Suddenly, one of the soldiers whimpered audibly. The men rushed to cover his mouth, but it was too late. The dragon grabbed the man from his comrade’s grip, crushing his bones with sharp white
All they could see was an orange light emanating from the marble cave far away. It was only instinct now - to run to fire. It did not take long for the group of them -around 30- to get to the white stone cave, with no gift in hand. Running was easy for them now, they had had much practice. It seemed, though, that they had forgotten the rules of hospitality. A homeowner must allow a guest into their home, but the guest must bring a gift. The men arrived at the open entrance of the dragon’s home. “Let us enter,” one of the men said, facing the rest. “We do not have a gift, but we have nothing. Perhaps he who lives here will offer us sanctuary.” The men agreed, and entered the cave. Onward they kept, for hours. The long cave’s walls began to grow narrower as they walked, until they spotted the shimmering scales. Some of them knew who the scales were from, but none said anything. They approached the dragon, curled in his sleep, his thunderous breaths disrupting nervous air. The crew crept around, keeping silent for fear of their lives. Suddenly, one of the soldiers whimpered audibly. The men rushed to cover his mouth, but it was too late. The dragon grabbed the man from his comrade’s grip, crushing his bones with sharp white