by S. G. Harsha

Created on: August 29, 2011

Watermelon sized spiders scurried away as Drasler cut the leads to their giant weavings. The webs covered the inside of the ancient cavern and Drasler could see why. Humanoid carcasses littered the floor in artistic patterns only arachnids could accomplish. Some hung from the ceiling, arms dangling as if, in death, attempting to escape their prisons of silk. These humanoids were small, and their rusted metal picks gave away their lineage. They were hermit gremlins. Known for their willingness to tread dangerous caverns but not known for their intelligence.

One large spider, half the size of Drasler, jumped down from the ceiling over a carcass too large to be a gremlin.  It raised its forelegs defensively to protect its possession.  Drasler lowered the doubler lens of his helmet light effectively blinding the daring spider.  Two slices cut the legs of the creature out from under it and a final jab dispatched the creature completely.

The body was a long dead human.  Though all the gear on the body were rusted, tattered or broken, around the neck was a golden watch dangling from a silvery chain.  Drasler took hold of it and pulled it from the neck of the body.  It was cold to the touch and no longer turned.  He put it around his neck over his steel breastplate and smiled happily at his lucky find.

After ten yards the corridor and the spider webs disappeared.  The walls gouged, as if giant clawed hands had attempted to tear open the hallway.  Another ten yards and the corridor opened up into a frozen cavern. Piles of Ice covered the ground in stalagmite formations.

Suddenly a giant gust of freezing wind pummeled Drasler from behind and the Scraping sound of metal on rock assaulted his ears.  When the wind stopped and he was able to open his eyes to the cold air again, Drasler cursed and tensed his sword hand defensively in front of him. There, blocking his way out, stood the Ice dragon in all its frozen glory!

“Ah! Lucky day!” The dragon’s voice boomed, “You’ve brought my watch. Hahaha!”

The dragon lounged forward, it’s maw as large as Drasler’s body, opened with fangs like daggers.  Drasler swung his blade and screamed. The frozen watch fell to the frozen floor.

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