Prologue
Sir Tomas Javelaxe steadied his horse, and adjusted his visor. His silver armour glinted in the mid-day sun, sending rainbow shards of light in every direction.
He gulped as he took in the cavernous mouth of the cave. Stalactites hanging from the top like teeth. He turned his head with a squeal of metal on metal, so he could see the distant shadow of the hill town. They were all counting on him, and he knew it. Sighing he kicked his mount forward.
The cave loomed towards him, the horse started to shy and wicker nervously. Sir Tomas pulled hard on the reins and brought his mount to a halt on the very edge of the cave.
"Steady boy, you stay out here, I'll be back soon." He murmured quietly as he dismounted. He patted the white stallion's neck before drawing his sword and advancing into the cave. The darkness swallowed him, the bright sunlight instantly gone, the cave was cold and bleak. Slime dripped down the walls and the squeak of bats high above his head unnerved Sir Tomas.
He had fought many enemies, and had taken part in countless battles, but he had never faced anything like what he saw sleeping at the back of the cave.
The beast lay curled tightly in a ball, its tail touching its long, scaly snout. Its loud, slow breathing filled the cavern, and steam billowed from its nostrils, which glowed inside like hot embers. Sharp vicious looking talons protruded from its humongous paws, and great leathery wings were folded carefully along its back.
Sir Tomas stood shaking in his boots, the sword clanging slightly as it hit his metal suit. Pull yourself together Tomas, he thought to himself, you have a duty to fulfil. He gingerly stepped forward and raised the sword above his head. He took a deep breath and was about to strike, when suddenly the monster lifted its head and yawned widely, displaying two glittering rows of teeth.
Sir Tomas looked down the throat of the gigantic beast and lost his nerve completely. Shrieking, he ran from the cave, dropping his sword on the way. It fell to the floor with a loud clang that echoed off the walls of the cave, followed swiftly by the sound of Sir Tomas' retreating hoof beats.
The beast blinked and stared after the strange, little man. It shook its head slightly and then curled back up before going back to sleep.