Ellie’s lungs burned as she coughed, trying to clear the dust and debris from her throat. The air was thick with choking particles, making it hard to breathe. She sank to her knees, realizing the gravity of her situation. Trapped inside a collapsing dragon’s lair with no way out. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. “This can’t be happening.”
As Ellie struggled to catch her breath, a low, rumbling sound echoed through the cavern. Aurathorn was stirring. The dragon’s massive form shifted, its tail sweeping aside boulders as if they were mere pebbles. The crash of stone against stone reverberated through the chamber. The last thing she needed was for the dragon to spot her. Through the clouded light of the crystals, she frantically searched for any nook or cranny to hide in. She dove behind a towering pile of rocks, pressing herself against the cold, jagged surface.
Aurathorn lumbered into the chamber, his colossal body moving with a terrifying grace. The ground shook with each of his steps.
Ellie held her breath, willing herself to remain perfectly still. Every muscle in her body was tense, coiled like a spring ready to snap. She watched as Aurathorn moved closer, his massive head swinging from side to side as he searched for the source of the disturbance. The dragon’s nostrils flared, and a low growl rumbled from deep within his chest.
Ellie waited, praying that Aurathorn wouldn’t discover her. The dragon paused, sniffing the air, and for a terrifying moment, Ellie thought he had caught her scent.
“Who dares disturb my slumber?” Aurathorn roared.
“Over here, you overgrown lizard!”
There, at the far end of the chamber, stood Pipwhistle, his cloak fluttering in the draft.
Aurathorn whirled around. He snarled when he spotted Pipwhistle. “You!” he bellowed, lunging towards the tiny creature. “You dare return to my lair, you insolent thief?”
Pipwhistle dodged the dragon’s attack with surprising agility, his bells jingling merrily as he darted out of reach. “Now, now, Aurathorn. Let’s not resort to violence. I have something for you, a peace offering of sorts.”
Reaching into his pocket, Pipwhistle pulled out a glittering object, holding it up for the dragon to see.
“What is this?” Aurathorn’s curiosity was piqued despite his anger. “A trick? A trap?”
“A token of my esteem, mighty Aurathorn. A small gift for your troubles, a trifle really, but one I hope you will accept.”
With a flick of his wrist, Pipwhistle tossed the object towards the dragon. Aurathorn’s claws shot out, snatching the item from the air. He brought it close to his face, examining it closely. It was a small, jeweled box.
“Hmm.” Aurathorn turned the box over in his claws.
“A gift from the Queen of the Fae herself,” Pipwhistle said. “She heard of your great wisdom and power, and she wished to pay her respects. It is said that the pearl within has the power to grant the deepest desires of one’s heart.”
Aurathorn’s eyes widened at the mention of the Fae Queen. She was a powerful being, one even he dared not cross, and her gifts were not to be taken lightly. With a careful motion, he opened the box, revealing a pearl nestled in a bed of the finest velvet.
A satisfied growl rumbled in the dragon’s throat as he gazed upon the treasure. “Very well. You may pass, but be warned. If you linger in my domain or if I discover anything amiss, I will not hesitate to roast you alive. Now, begone!”
Pipwhistle bowed, his bells jingling as he swept his cloak out in a grand flourish. “Thank you, mighty Aurathorn. We shall be on our way, and you have my word that we shall not tarry.”
With that, Pipwhistle scampered towards Ellie, who had been watching the exchange. “Come on,” he whispered urgently, grabbing her hand. “We need to go, now.”
Ellie didn’t need to be told twice. With a final glance at Aurathorn, who was returning to his place of slumber, she allowed Pipwhistle to lead her toward the exit.
Ellie and Pipwhistle made their way through the narrow and winding passage, venturing deeper into the heart of the mountain. The air grew increasingly hot and stifling, making it difficult to breathe. Moisture clung to the walls, creating a slick and treacherous surface that made their progress slow and arduous. They had to contort their bodies to squeeze through tight spaces, scraping against the rough stone, and carefully scramble over loose rocks that threatened to give way beneath their feet.
As they pressed on, Ellie couldn’t help but question Pipwhistle. “Why did you leave me alone back there? I thought you had abandoned me.”
Pipwhistle’s ears drooped as he turned to face Ellie. “I didn’t leave you, Ellie. I was scouting ahead, trying to find an alternative escape route. I would never abandon you.”
Ellie raised an eyebrow. “By disappearing into thin air?”
“Disappearing is a knack I have, my dear. A Quibnocket’s little trick. One of many, I might add.”
‟I see.”
“Invisibility is a handy skill for avoiding all sorts of trouble. Grumpy dragons, nosy bog dwellers, you name it. When you’re as small as I am, sometimes the best defense is not being seen at all.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s a clever trick, and I can see how it would come in handy. But next time, a little warning would be appreciated before you vanish into thin air, okay?”
“Duly noted, my dear Ellie. I shall endeavor to keep you informed of my comings and goings, visible or otherwise. A Quibnocket’s word is his bond, after all.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Ellie said, shaking her head in amusement. “The last thing I need is to be wandering through these caves, talking to myself like a madwoman because you’ve gone invisible on me.”
“Perish the thought!” Pipwhistle said, clutching a hand to his chest in feigned horror. “I would never dream of subjecting you to such a fate. From now on, I shall be the very model of transparency, even when I’m not.”
Ellie couldn’t help but laugh at Pipwhistle’s antics. “I appreciate that. Now, let’s keep moving. We’ve got a long way to go, and I don’t want to spend any more time in these caves than we have to . . . an aftershock could occur ant any moment.”
“Agreed. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.” He glanced around, taking in the narrow passage and the distant sound of rushing water. “Stick close, Ellie-belly. Since we can´t go out the front door, we´ll need to find another. I have a feeling this journey is far from over.”
As they continued their travel, Ellie’s gaze fell upon Pipwhistle’s bulging pockets. “Pip, you shouldn’t take any of the dragon’s treasure. If Aurathorn discovers anything missing, he’ll destroy Crystal Shores.”
Pipwhistle shrugged. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m not planning on going to Crystal Shores then. It should be safe. But Quibnocket’s gotta do what a Quibnocket’s gotta do.” He patted his overfilled pockets, causing their contents to clink and rattle. “Just a few trinkets. Nothing that old Aurathorn will miss, I assure you.”
Ellie sighed, knowing there was little she could do to change Pipwhistle’s mind. She focused on navigating the treacherous path ahead. The passage narrowed even further, forcing them to crawl on their hands and knees. Sharp rocks dug into her palms, and jagged protrusions snagged at her clothes. The heat was oppressive, and sweat poured down Ellie´s face, stinging her eyes.
As Ellie and Pipwhistle made their way through the winding passages, they suddenly found themselves at the edge of a gaping chasm. The path abruptly ended, dropping off into a void of darkness. The roar of rushing water echoed from the depths below, and Ellie could feel the cold spray on her face, sending a shiver down her spine.
Pipwhistle leaped across the gap with ease, his cloak billowing behind him like a pair of wings. He landed gracefully on the other side.
Ellie, however, hesitated as she peered over the edge. The chasm seemed to stretch on forever. “Pip, I don’t know about this. It’s a long way down, and I’m not sure I can make it.”
“Nonsense, my dear! It’s just a little hop. You’ve faced far greater dangers than this.”
Ellie bit her lip, still uncertain. “Easy for you to say, Pip. You practically flew across like it was nothing. I’m not exactly built for leaping, you know.”
“Nonsense!” Pipwhistle waved a hand dismissively. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. And besides, I’m here to catch you if you need me.”
“But what if I fall?”
“Then you’ll have a grand adventure with the river sprites, of course! They’re always looking for new playmates.”
Ellie realized that there was no other way forward. She slipped the pack containing the Dragonscale Moss from her shoulders and tossed it across the chasm to Pipwhistle. “Here, take this. If I don’t make it, at least the moss will be safe.”
Pipwhistle caught the pack, slinging it over his own shoulder. “You’re going to make it, Ellie. Now, take a deep breath, focus on where you want to land, and trust yourself.”
Ellie took a few steps back, giving herself room to build up speed. With a deep breath, she ran forward, her feet pounding against the rocky ground. As she reached the edge of the chasm, she pushed off with all her might, launching herself into the air.
For a heart-stopping moment, Ellie felt like she was suspended in nothingness. She stretched out her arms, reaching for the other side, praying that she had enough momentum to carry her across.
Just as she thought she might fall short, Ellie’s fingers caught the edge of the ledge. She scrabbled for purchase, her feet kicking against the rock face as she tried to pull herself up. But the stone was slick with moisture, and she could feel her grip slipping.
