Disclaimer: the world of Dragonlance is copyright to Wizards of the Coast.
Author Note: appologies for the short begining, I'll do better in future chapters.
Their faces covered with thick scarves and wearing goggles to protect them against the acrid gasses of the volcano on whose flank they were walking, the slow movements and occasional stumble made the exhaustion of each member of the team of hunters. Nearly all wore the marks of the recent battle, visible in the state of their clothes and armor, or more severely-- in their injuries.
There was not a single one of the hunters that was not suffering from burns, wounds or twisted-- even broken limbs. Worst off however, was the elven white robed wizard in their group, barely conscious and with severe burns on head and arms, he had to be carried by two of his comerades. But the hunters were still content, they had survived the task they had been hired for. Though there was still one thing left to do, they would soon be able to collect the payment.
As for their proof of their success lay in the form of the hulking form of the red dragon further up the side of the volcano, and in the massive tongue and teeth carried by some of the hunters. Now only the matter of the dragon's clutch remained, said to have been kept deep within the mountain by the young female they had been hired to slay. Hopefully, it could be reached through a narrow crack in the mountain just below them, only just wide enough to admit one person at the time...
Until the dragonlings had been slain, had they emerged from their eggs, their task wouldn't be complete. If the eggs had not hatched however, a few could certainly be collected and sold to any wizard willing to pay them the price they demanded. Suddenly a shout of warning caused most of the hunters to skid to a halt, and though it took them a few precious seconds to locate the reason for the shout, most were quite surprised at what they saw.
Having inched her way out of the crack as the hunters approached, a young woman looked up at them with wide eyes, and though she wore a scarf wrapped around her head-- her face left little doubt about an elven ancestor. Seconds later however, the worry of being caught got the better of her, and she whirled around to flee down the mountain. Fairly rested, she was able to put quite a distance between herself and them despite of the load she was carrying, before any thoughts of pursuing entered the tired hunters minds.
It had been impossible to miss what she was carrying though, despite that she had partially wrapped it in a piece of cloth. The bright red shell quite visible against her dull brown clothes, the dragon egg in her arms had been quite visible...