The Unfortunate Slave Master by Phillip Hill

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The dark gave way to a dim glow that seemed to come from lichens on the walls. He carefully searched the ground ahead of him, skillfully selecting each step. He knew that patience would be his salvation and haste his demise. He entered a narrower tunnel that was littered with debris. Closer inspection in the poor lighting revealed the debris to be the bones of animals and humans. The hair on Enos' neck prickled. Again and again he purposely selected his next footstep. Thinking at first that it was his imagination, he heard what sounded like the pulsating roar of a far away ocean. It grew louder as he made his way forward. Soon he could distinguish an opening ahead. The tunnel gave way to a large cavern with a domed ceiling that made it look like a cathedral. There in the center atop a huge mound lay the source of the noise: it was the slow steady respiration of an enormous firedrake.

It's body coiled around the mound on which it slept, the tail resting alongside the head. Enos' legs began to quiver. He felt fear as he had only known in dreams. The great worm's body rose and fell with each breath. From snout to tail it was completely black. The claws at the ends of its fingers and toes looked like eight-inch long blades. It scales resembled polished obsidian.

It stirred. Enos could not move. He felt his wits begin to slip away. Moments passed but Enos was unaware of them. He did not know what made him take the next step, but take it he did. And then another. Soon he was close enough to get a better look at the mound on which the sleeping drake lay; it was a pile of jewels, gold, and silver larger than the worm himself. There was armor of all description. Daggers with egg sized rubies on their pommels. Swords, shields, and bows. Spears and lances. Cups. Plate. Gold and silver coins by the barrel. There were even mysterious items that cast a light of their own.

Enos was wise for his age. Greed had killed many men in the village and this lesson had not been lost on him. A golden, gem encrusted chalice sparkled even in the dim light. Carefully, with all the caution the life of a slave could give a man, Enos lifted the chalice. The firedrake remained motionless. Knowing that this was no time to relax his caution, he waited before he took a step. After waiting yet again, another step was ventured. So began the slow journey to the entrance. As he made his way Enos began to imagine his return to the village. He would have to enter at night. As a runaway slave there would be a reward for his return. Only the goldsmith would be in posession of enough money to meet his needs. Enos would sell him one of the jewels in the chalice. He would have to give the goldsmith a large profit to seal his lips against any tale of slaves and treasure. He would buy his freedom and then bargain for horses and enough food for a journey to the city of Arioch. A loud crack echoed throughout the tunnel entrance as a bone gave way underfoot.

The sound of the firedrakes' breathing stopped. Without thought Enos sped out of the entrance and onto the plain. The ground shook with the advancing footsteps of the beast.