Nothing to say. Bye now.

Not A Dragon, Continued

Kel and Neal backed away in shock, gagging from the stench that came in waves from the monster. It shambled farther out of the gaping hole, its feet making screeching sounds on the stone floor, and allowing the knights to see it clearly from the mossy glow on the walls.

The thing was built like a lizard – low to the ground, on legs that were proportionally too little for its body, but in actuality were over ten feet high. The body and head alone were over forty feet long. It dragged its stomach along the ground as it shuffled, supporting the bulk of its body. Foot long, razor-sharp teeth dripped a liquid that burned and hissed when it touched the ground. The tail faded into the gloom behind it, but what she could see was thin and whiplike, looking dangerous as it whirled behind the animal.

A horrible screeching sound combined with a high pitched whistle filled the cavern whenever it moved, and looking closer, Kel saw that the screech was caused by huge plates of armor on the creature's back rubbing together as it walked. The armor covered the entire animal, so Kel couldn't see what its back was like, but the skin she could see was deathly white.

Armor? thought Kel, astounded. How could a creature that huge have armor? The armor was dented, but it fit over the animal's body closely, leaving no vulnerable space. It even had a makeshift helmet coming down over its snout.

Focusing on the whistle, she noticed with shock that the monster's tail was built like a flute, and as it swept back and forth to help keep balance, a reedy cry was produced. As her gaze swept once more over the animal, she saw that its eyes were the pure white that comes with blindness.

Which of the Gods' minds spawned this beast? Kel thought, dumbfounded. Then she glanced down and saw that that the creature's claws were silver. Silver.

"Neal," she whispered instantly. "It's an immortal!"

The creature spun its head rapidly towards her voice. So, it said mildly. I have visitors.

Kel and Neal cried out and bent to the ground. The creature's voice beat inside their heads in waves of red-hot pain, as a voice just sort of appeared in their minds. The voice was sibilant and slightly hissy, and somehow feminine.

I wonder how long you will last? she hissed. My last ones were barely a heartbeat.

Kel beat back the pain, using all her training and skill to focus. "Your voice hurts us!"

My apologies, little one. I had forgotten what it is like to converse with mortals. The pain suddenly lessened, and although it left behind a sharp headache, it was nothing compared with the agony before.

" And what last ones?" she cried.

My last humans, little one. They were louder than you, though, and you seem less trouble already. But they brought me a pretty bauble. She swung her tail towards them. On the tip, Kel saw a Stone that must be the Fourth.

Beside her, she heard Neal moan, "What are you?"

The Last. My kin are gone from this world; They have moved on to the next one. I am the Last.

"The Last what?"

I am the Last Shrillskin. But leave some questions for later, little ones. You will have much time to ask them.

"What do you mean?" Kel said, a faint panic rising in her throat.

You will be with me for many years. I miss companionship; you will stay with me for the rest of your time on this world. I am entertained by you mortals.

Kel's eyes widened. She looked over at Neal, horrified. But Neal was gesturing at the passage behind them, knowing that any sound would be picked up by the Shrillskin's sharp ears. On three, he mouthed. Kel nodded. He held up his fist. One finger . . . two . . . three!

They spun and sprinted back the way they had come, the moss leading their way. Loose rocks scrunched under their feet as hurried feet disturbed them.

An angry hiss followed them, and faster than lightning, the Shrillskin turned and whipped its tail around with an eerie shriek, catching both of them together in cordlike coils. The tail lifted them off the ground and brought them back in front of her. The Fourth was only inches away from her hand, but Kel couldn't move her arm those inches to save her life.

Did you really think you could get away, mortals? You must think me a fool. I have not lived a thousand years without learning about your petty race. The immortal's voice was colder and less lenient that it was a few minutes before. You should give up trying to leave. It only raises false hopes.

The tail released them, than swung behind them, pushing them forward into the steep drop. With a sinking heart, Kel walked forward, following the immortal into her lair. She noticed that the drop was not as steep as she had thought, but that the way the passage was built made it look like a hole.

Without a light, the going was tough. Both knights tripped and fell more than once in the first five minutes. Shortly, the tail picked them up again. Perhaps this will be faster, she suggested.

The Shrillskin walked for a only a short while before the setting them down and pushing forward again. By the air on her face, Kel could tell they had entered an open space, but it was still pitch black.

So, little ones, what do you think? The condescending tone was back in the immortal's voice.

"It's . . . um . . . sort of dark," Neal said hesitantly.

My apologies – again. I forgot. She swung her tail above them in an intricate arrangement. The tail glowed, and light flowed in gentle waves from the whistle holes to certain points in the cave, and lodged themselves, casting a steady glow over the area.

The glow illuminated an immense cave, strung with stalagmites and stalactites. Gray stones had been stacked up against the wall, and before the pile was another group of stones arranged in an complex design. A small heap of broken armor and weaponry was assembled along the wall near to them. There was a water pool in the back of the glow that reflected a silver light onto the walls of the cave.

"What are those?" Neal pointed at the stones.

I assume you mean my Game. The way she said it sounded like a capital letter. It is something I play to amuse myself when the time grows long without liveliness. It takes many years to learn, and many more to play. But fear not, little ones. You shall play with me before you pass.

"Mm-hmm. And what do you eat?" Neal continued. Kel shot him a look, but he ignored her.

You forget, I have no need of food or water. However, if you wonder what you will eat, there are fish in that pool, as well as a great quantity of water.

"Mm-hmm. And why and how do you wear armor?"

It is part of our being. We make it as a symbol of our rise to maturity – from metal seen no longer on this earth. Once we wear it, it never leaves us.

"Mm-hmm. And what are those?"

Once again, I can only assume what you point at. Is it the heap of junk you call armor?

"It seems to be, yes."

Those are the remains of my last guests.

"I see. Did you know that a sword in there is seeping with magic?"

I did. Would you like it?

"Yes, I would. May I take the other magicked sword as well?"

Of course. You pose no threat to me, and you will never leave, so to endanger anyone else.

"Thank you." Neal strode over to the pile of armor and rooted through it for a moment before straightening up holding two swords. He unbuckled his own sword and let it fall, then clipped the new one on. He threw the second one to Kel, who caught it off-balance.

"Neal!" she hissed under her breath. "What are you doing?!"

"I don't think we'll be staying here for very long," he answered in normal tones. Appalled, Kel shot a look at the Shrillskin, than glared at Neal.

"Do you really think it matters if we whisper or not? She can hear us no matter what," he told her. There was an arrogant tone in his voice that she did not like.

You are insolent, little one, even if you speak truth. And you will not be escaping. Find yourselves beds. I grow weary of your confidence. Perhaps when you wake you will see sense.

"Don't tell me you're going to sleep, Lady Shrillskin. Don't you think we'll get out?" Neal said contemptuously.

The murderous tail whipped through the air and lashed him across the back, leaving an angry bleeding welt. Neal cried out and arched his back in pain.

A little reminder, mortal. I am larger, stronger, older, and smarter than you will ever be. Don't think to cross me. Now find your bed, before I really lose my temper.

The temper that got lost was Kel's.

"What are you doing?" she shouted furiously, forgetting the immortal for a few seconds. "Do you want to be killed? First you're curious and nice, and then you change and are totally asinine! What is wrong with you?"

Neal smiled through the pain. "Just keeping her on her toes."

Kel groaned, exasperated, and bent to cover his wound. Then, they curled up next to each other, propped against a pile of rocks.

Just as Kel was finally drifting off, her body caught some signal and was suddenly alert. She sat bolt upright, and nudged Neal, who was sleeping. He came awake instantly and silently.

Kel stared at the passage from which they had come. She squinted, her eyes fighting the natural gloom of the cave, even when lit by the moss. Was the passage getting lighter?

"Is it getting —" Neal was cut off as a trilling shriek came from the passage. The two knights stared as a burning fireball shot down the passage, coming to a halt above their heads. For a few seconds, the form of a bird was visible before being covered in a radiant light. The light was too bright to look at at all, and Kel and Neal shielded their eyes from the brilliance.

An earthshaking roar came from behind them. The Shrillskin fought to cover her eyes, accustomed to darkness for hundreds of years. Neal shoved Kel roughly. "Go, go, go!"

She stumbled to her feet and tore down the exit. Neal yelled, "Byrn! The Fourth!" Kel halted and turned, holding up her hand to sheild her eyes. She watched the fireball dip and weave, avoiding the tail that whipped furiously in vain to try and hit her. Suddenly, she dove downwards, than resurfaced. Another cry came from the Shrillskin, this time one of rage. Byrn swooped towards them, her light throwing the passage into high relief as they ran up the steep hill.

They felt the ground shake as the Shrillskin began to pursue them. Kel and Neal raced for the exit. Kel stumbled and almost fell, but was caught and yanked upwards by Neal, almost pulling her arm out of her socket.

The breath came short in Kel's lungs, and her legs felt on fire. They had passed the end of the moss long ago, and Kel was beginning to think they had taken a wrong turn. She could feel the Shrillskin gaining on them, and they couldn't keep running forever. Then she squinted, panting for breath. Was the passage getting lighter? Really getting lighter?

It was. They shot out of the cave mouth and took off down the rocky slope, pausing only seconds to grab their horses' reins and lead them down as well. The ground stopped shaking, and they heard a cry of deep anguish and sorrow. They never looked back.

Finally, they slowed down. Kel's calves cramped, and pain shot through her side. She wheezed. Neal, beside her, stood with his hands on his head. Byrn hovered in front of them. She opened her silver claws, and a small grubby stone with a runic four fell from them to land on the ground in front of the two knights.

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW. please.

*CONTEST* I need a name for a ship. If you give me a name for a ship, I might use it, and that would be cool. So help me think of a name for a ship!