Huddy's eyes brightened up. "Can you?"
Lyra stiffened. "How did you know about that? That we were searching for the second map piece?"
"I didn't mean to but I heard when you are Huddy conversed about it. In fact-"
"Don't say it, Arin" Eryndor persuades but Arin spills what he knows nevertheless.
"In fact we've seen it"
Lyra's jaw drops. "You've seen the second piece of the map?"
"Seen it. Touched it. Smelt it. Felt it." Arin says proudly.
"Well, where is it now?" Huddy inquires, his curiosity increasing while munching on the bear meat in his hands.
"Long story short, it's in a dragon's lair"
Silence fills the table before Lyra inquires. "You're kidding, right?"
"He's not" Eryndor declares. "He's telling the truth"
"May I ask what you guys were doing in a dragon's lair?"
"We are hunters, Lyra"
"So I assumed you went in there to hunt...dragons?"
"We didn't know we'd walked into a dragon's lair" Arin dictates. "We'd walked in and saw these giant eggs and thought it'd make a good dinner"
"The dragon mother woke up giving us a hot chase. I hadn't realized the second piece of the map was missing until we'd returned back home" Arin continues.
"What makes you certain that the second piece is in the dragon's lair?" Lyra questions. "For all we know it could be anywhere"
"We call it a 'Hunter's hunch' " Eryndor explains.
"So Huddy and I are just going to walk into some dragon's lair based on some hunch?"
"You did lead us out of the village to Mount Fugji based on your hunch" Huddy counters.
"Huddy!"
Huddy looked apologetic. "Sorry"
"Look, whatever you want to do is totally up to you" Eryndor states. "You're the one who wants to retrieve the map's second piece"
"But if you do decide to go into the dragon's lair" Eryndor continues. "My brother and I will accompany you--just to make sure you two are safe--"
Lyra didn't want to state the obvious but she was moved by Eryndor's words. "Why would you do that for us?"
Eryndor shrugs. "I just don't want to hear any funny stories about us leading you to your demise"
"Plus" Eryndor continued. "My brother seems pretty eager to join you on your 'quest'. If not, he wouldn't have spilled out any information about the map's second piece"
"You bet I am" Arin states, rising up to his feet as he begins to clear the table. "I suggest we go take a nap right now so that we can be able to set out before first light tomorrow morning"
"Hey, I was still eating" Huddy whines as his plate is being cleared off the table by Arin.
"Don't worry, you can have more of where this came from tomorrow. Now off to bed" Arin states ushering Lyra and Huddy to their rooms but Lyra doesn't leave just yet.
She waited until Huddy was out of earshot before asking a question that bothered her. "Are you certain you two don't need the ancient powers for yourself?"
"We don't" Eryndor replies curtly. "We're quite happy with our lives as is"
Lyra shakes her head. "I'm sorry if I appear too doubtful"
"Don't be" Arin assures. "If we were in your shoes, we'd do the same."
Arin clears his throat. "And may I ask what you need the ancient powers for?"
"I need to restore Eldrado. I belive there's a way. I mean, if the map does exist as per the tales then it should definitely lead to something even if it isn't the ancient power"
"You're right" Arin agrees. "I just hope you don't get disappointed by whatever is at the end of this map's location"
"Alright, that's enough chatting if we know we want to head out before sunrise" Eryndor states, moving to his room. "I'm off to bed"
"Why do we need to leave before sunrise?" Lyra inquires.
"Because that's when the dragon is asleep" Arin replies with a knowing smile.
The following morning, the quad got up early before sunrise and headed straight for the dragon's lair.
The pace they at which they arrived was faster than normal as the hunter brothers had mastered the trail.
Now standing in front of a cave that looked completely dark within, Arin announced."We're here people; The dragon lair"
"Everyone stick with one another" Eryndor advises as the quad ventures their way into the dragon's lair.
The interior was dark and shady as creepy creeping insects could be seen crawling across the wall and floor.
Chuck whimpers in fear. An action Eryndor couldn't condone. "Ensure to keep Chuck silent" Eryndor whispers to Huddy. "You don't want to wake up the dragon"
Huddy nods and instantly places his hands over Chuck's mouth.
How long further do we have to walk into this lair?" Lyra inquires from Eryndor in a low tone that came out as barely whispers.
"We're almost there" Arin assures Lyra. "Just watch your step and don't touch anything"
Lyra nods as she complies with Arin advise. But just as soon as those words had come out of Arin's mouth, Huddy had stepped on a twig.
Each one of them stilled as if awaiting something but nothing happened.
Eryndor let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "That was clos-"
A loud roar cut Eryndor short of words followed by the appearance of a large creature with a majestic body and serpentine in shape with golden scales shimering from the tip of it's well sharp horns to the sole of it's clawed feets.
Bright golden wings flapped gracefully behind it's back as it lets out yet another loud roar causing flames of fire to erupt from it's mouth. It's green eyes burned with inner fire.
Chuck barks loudly at the dragon as if setting a challenge. One the dragon doesn't hesistate to accept.
Instantly it launches itself at the quad but the hunter brothers were quick to push Lyra and Huddy out of the way.
"You two go find the second map piece" Arin advises while Eryndor throws on a brave fight against the dragon. "Eryndor and I will take care of things here"