THE MOMENT
"Are you sure you're capable?" Vivianne asked again. They were yards from the cave entrance when the beautiful vampire woman repeated the question. She'd been asking since they left the village three nights ago. She wasn't like the other monsters Leeson slayed; he was almost willing to believe she had a soul. She showed her trust by allowing him to protect her during the day, and he in turn let her wander closer and closer each night they traveled together. This time, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to ask the question. "My kind know what you're capable of. This is a dragon, none of us will think less of you. We will abide by the agreement for all you've done already," she added.
The entire contract involved rescuing a vampire princess and slaying the dragon. If he did them that favor, the forces of darkness would leave his home village alone, and even rise to protect it should the occasion` call. Luckily, the princess was kept somewhere else and once Lesson freed her, she informed them where the dragon slept while she returned home safe and sound. But, Vivianne's constant doubts only made him want to prove her wrong.
"I've handled demons," Leeson nodded with a rugged smile. "A dragon won't be that much of a challenge." He drew his enchanted sword and encouraged Vivianne to stay hidden as he moved toward the mouth of the cave. It was a dark, moonless night outside; but, he saw a faint orange glow coming from deep in the cave. He entered and warm air washed over him as he left the cold night.
Leeson made his way through the narrow, uncomplicated cave. It seemed to be a straight line toward the back, which matched the info given by the vampire princess. It still struck him odd that the princess was left in an unguarded tower a full night away from the Dragon's cave. But, this was going to be his first dragon kill and he wasn't going to make assumptions about how dragons thought. The accuracy of the princess' information was all the proof he needed. The orange light and heat grew brighter and hotter as he made his way and by the time he reached the opening to a cavern, he was drenched with sweat. The princess warned him that the dragon used a molten lake to hide from his foes and that it would be helpful to keep himself between the dragon and the lake.
A bright orange lake took up the back half of the cavern and Leeson found the man-shaped dragon exactly like the princess described. The old, boney man with a fine black mustache and goatee sat some distance from it on a throne made of gold and bones. But, as soon as Leeson spotted him, the elder man looked up from his thoughts, then he jumped to his feet with a smile.
"It's about time!" the man said with a strong voice that echoed around the cavern. "I expected you earlier."
"What do you mean?" Leeson kept his guard up and paced into the cavern. He positioned himself purposefully in front of the lava lake.
"I mean...," the man tilted his head at Leeson with amusement. "...you're later than I anticipated," he clarified. "You are the hunter that's been slaughtering the local vampires and demons, aren't you?" He asked the question; but, as soon as it was out, the man turned slightly to look at the cavern opening again. "Ah, there you are, Vivianne, this is the gentleman in question, correct?" the man asked.
"Vivianne??" Leeson suddenly felt uneasy.
"This is him, Master Coronado," She nodded at the dragon without turning to meet Leeson's gaze.
"Really, this is your own fault," Coronado chuckled at Leeson as wisps of black smoke began to take shape above his head. "What were you thinking taking a job from the same people you've been murdering for over a decade?" he grinned.
"I'LL DEAL WITH HER LATER!" Leeson charged forward with his glowing sword ready.
"Oh, go jump in the lake," Coronado dismissed with a casual wave of his wrist. Leeson stopped running, then dropped his sword. Something about the dragon's words wormed into his mind and try as he might; he could not find a single reason to not do it. It honestly felt like the best idea he'd ever had.
"Right away Master Coronado!" Leeson nodded, then turned to sprint toward the bright orange lake.