Embers

I emerged in a hallway, smooth floor made by polished stone. This was no longer the rough cave I had woken up with, this corridor had emerged from the toils of builders and artisans. The red light reflected along the walls, from further down the hall.

I walked that direction in even pace. My bare feet made prints in the fine stone dust that covered the floor. As I walked, I felt a rage slowly build in my breast.

Someone had dared covering up the door. Someone had dared standing between me and my purpose.

Would be that I ever came upon them, that I could show them the futility of such an act.

the hallway brought me to a small spiral staircase, which in turn led me down to another hallway, wide than the first one. Long ago rotted doors would once had barred that passage, but now only the stone remained. Occasionally I came upon doorways leading left or right, but I never entered them. My path was towards the light.

The worn floor was laid in mosaic, and on the walls were the remains of paintings in expensive frames. Once this would have been a place of splendour. I could imagine the tripping feet of servants, murmur of voices, an occasional sound of laughter or a curse as the people of the castle lived their life - as they worked and plotted and loved and despaired and died, all under this roof.

Now there was no one left except me.

Just the princess.

And the beast.

Just my echoing footsteps.

And the distant sound of oh so slow breathing signalling that I was not the only living thing in this castle.

I smiled.

A large staircase opened up to the right and I descended it, my feet casually kicking aside the brittle bones that covered it. I entered a large chamber, rich furniture in various stage of decay suggesting it might once had been used for gatherings. Fine wine and food. Musicians and jesting.

I walked up to the small podium in the middle of the room, and eyed the source of light that resided on it.

A sword, long as an arm, thin as a needle and sharp as light, glowing dull red.

I took the sword in my hand. It felt right. It felt like it belonged there.

With even pace I walk on through the other end of the chamber.

Time to seek out the dragon.