Goodluck getting something he doesn’t already have, Alpha.
ZADOK
“Leave me alone!” The Sirion screeched as I dragged it to the entrance of the cave.
“Wrong answer,” I said, brimming with anger. “You are going to tell me how to get back into this cave and rescue my partner from that dragon, or I swear it, you will breathe your last today.”
The Sirion struggled from my hold to no avail. One thing about the Sirion was that it was powerless against people.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Its power lies in its knowledge and ability to transform into anything. It was a very rare being that used its knowledge to preserve its life in dire situations.
Everyone needed a Sirion at some point due to its rareness and wisdom. People tended to keep it hostage and force it to serve their purposes. Over time, things changed, and for a mysterious reason, The Sirions received the ability to escape from the hands of their captor after answering a question as decided by the captor.
“You already know the truth. There’s no going back in the dark forest, Just going forward.” It snapped.
However, I wasn’t satisfied. “The same way you will not escape my hands today,” I promised, and my claws elongated, as did my fangs.
“Wait! Please don’t kill me!” The Sirion reacted when it saw I was serious with my threats.
Kir was inside my head, badgering and causing a ruckus, wanting to be released.
“I don’t have time for jokes. Get to it already.” I snarled and nudged the sealed cave door. “How do I get in there and get her back?” I asked desperation in my tone.
“There is only one way. But that is near impossible, so you might as well forget about her.”
My hands found their way to the neck of the Sirion and tightened around it. I watched as the beast turned blue, gasping for air.
“I didn’t hear you correctly,” I said, pressing harder.
I let go of him when he raised his hands in surrender, seeking an audience.
“I’ll tell you,” It coughed, “There’s only one way to get her back. You must exchange her for a more precious gift – a gift more precious than the one she broke.”
“And how do I get back in there?”
“Simple. Get the gift, and the dragon will naturally open the doors of his cave.” It breathed, “The dragon is greedy and the cave’s guardian. Only he can grant entrance back into the cave, and the only way to trick it into doing that is by bearing something of value.”
I nodded my head, deep in thought. “Good luck getting something he doesn’t already have, Alpha.” The Sirion said in a mocking tone and immediately disappeared.
“Shit.” I cursed when I realised it was gone. Its last words rang in my head as I looked over the empty lands before me.
What would I get in place of Ithra?
******
The Sirion’s words proved to be true. I scoured the lands around the cave – searching for something presentable and precious enough in place for the broken enchanted mirror, but to no avail.
The scorching sun placed me in a terrible mood, and my failure to secure something became a sore in my mind.
I couldn’t let Ithra die. Leaving her in the hands of the dragon was tantamount to leaving her for death. My stomach grumbled, and a biting pain followed it.
Hunger ate at the pit of my stomach, and I couldn’t even find a bunny around to quench it. Suddenly, I heard the sound of rushing water and followed it.
Soon enough, I squatted on the bank of a flowing river, scooping up water and drinking it – effectively quenching my thirst. I filled some reserve for the journey ahead and lay on the bank of the river, hoping an idea would hit me on what to do.
A few minutes after I laid down with my thoughts, I heard the bushes shake, and my fist covered the helm of my sword – ready for any unpleasant surprises.
Just when I wanted to seek out the traitor in the bushes, it hopped out, and I nearly laughed at the innocence of the rabbit that would serve as my lunch and dinner.
I watched the unsuspecting animal drink from the river bank, and when it was ready to leave, I was there in time to end its life. I took a good look at the kill.
“Shame it isn’t presentable enough for the dragon. However, it will do just fine in satiating the hunger in my stomach.” I thought, picking it up and placing it in a bag.
Soon enough, I started a fire and roasted the meat till it was edible. Settling down by the closed cave, I ate part of the meal, keeping some for Ithra.
I left my things by the closed cave and headed for the river. While I approached the river, a beautiful sight caught my eye.
I saw the back of a caped person with a pointy ear, but that was beside the point. I was more interested in the object in his hands. A golden globe enclosed in a glass shell.
My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets when I watched the person quickly put the globe by the side and pour out the contents of a backpack it carried.
The floor shone as various precious stones poured to the ground, shining as light.
Unconsciously, I moved forward, trying to get a better look at the items on the floor, but ended up kicking a stone and drawing attention to myself.
The person turned around immediately, eyes searching the area until he met with mine. With an alarmed look, the goblin picked up the sack and quickly started putting all the items, but he was too late.
I caught him by the neck, and in one powerful push, he fell face-first on the floor, leaving me with his bag of treasures. “Let me go! Those do not belong to you!” The goblin cried, but I didn’t care.
The goblin must have stolen the items. “Neither is it yours,” I growled, and its eyes widened.
My gaze altered between him and the cave, and everything suddenly made sense. He stole these items. What better way to satiate a dragon than recovering his stolen possessions and handing over a peace offering as a bonus?