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The warmth rising up from the deep was intense, and so too could Audrey smell the dragon’s scent, and the deep earthy smell of minerals below. No doubt the creature lived quite comfortably down here, where the water came up from the depths in steaming pools, and there was plenty to feed upon in the surround lands, still largely untamed. The cavern expanded as she made way deeper, until it opened up into a massive chamber, where the brown stone on the caverns floor was faintly illuminated by light from far above, which shone like a sun in the subterranean chamber, and yet only faintly illuminated the lower stone. Pools of water lined the expanse of the cavern floor, gently steaming and glimmering where a ripple caught the light.

There, in the center of this massive chamber, in the largest pool of the steaming water, lay a massive dark violet beast. Draconic and humanoid in shape, she lay laxly in the water, her legs extended far before herself, and her chest turned away from the entrance. She was at least thirty yards in length, and when she stirred, just slightly, a deep rumbling could be heard. Her scales scraped the brown rock as she shifted for comfort. Audrey was filled with awe at the sight of her, and moved with great slowness and caution as she put herself behind a stalagmite, and observed. The dragoness, while as large and terrifying as she had been described, was far more human and feminine in shape than the drakes and beasts the dame had hunted before.

This dragon was clearly a being of powerful magic, or some entity with a dark intelligence beyond the typical gold hoarding lizard. Audrey lay in wait for some time, strategizing her approach. If the dragoness was sleeping down, or simply in a deep state of relaxation, then an approach could be attempted. She did not seem likely to turn and catch the dame, unless she inadvertently let a sound escape. ‘

All along the giant dragoness’ form, fine scales of deep purple and black lined her. She had a softness despite her tremendously dangerous build, wherein those parts of her about the back and legs seemed lightly armored, and so vulnerable, wherein other portions of her featured deep scales and plating that would surely withstand any blow the same could strike. To go for the throat would be ideal, as Audrey could end the strife with one strike there, and need only get close enough.

She emerged gradually from her place of hiding, moving with great caution as she approached, and often ducked back behind another outcropping of stone. She imagined she could lower herself into a pool of water to hide her presence as she came nearer, but the splash of the water could just as easily give her away. Eventually, she reached the last suitable hiding place before she would need make her approach in earnest.

As she prepared to move in, calculating her swiftness as she judged how she might maximize the distance she could travel before the dragoness could react, she eased out from behind the rock. Then, with a great echoing grunt, the dragoness began to roll over.

Audrey rushed back to the presumed safety of the stone that had hidden her, and heard the dragoness utter a soft hum, a noise of uncertainty or inquiry. Her heart jumped in her throat as she began to access her surrounds for potential paths of escape, should the dragoness encroach upon her hiding place.  She waited for a time, daring not to so much as peek out toward the dragoness. Soon, the voice of the being echoed through the chamber, as she spoke with great suave assurance to the suspected intruder.

“Oh… I’ve not had many guests, you know,” The dragoness said, her words soft and gently teasing, although Audrey was not distracted from the predatory threat. “Won’t you come and say hello? Don’t make me come over to you.”

Audrey breathed heavily in and out through her nose, slowly drawing her sword. She scanned the dark before herself, wondering how she might weave between the obstacles between her and the dragoness and make an escape. It was either this, or wait for the dragon to near, and attempt an all-or-nothing lunge for her vitals. This was not the optimal position for the drake-slayer, who would have preferred to have the drop on such an advantaged foe. She knew then that she must stall for time, to better judge how the dragoness would make her advance. So too could she pretend to be a lesser threat, as a being like this may be more inclined to play with an intruder than to dispatch of them immediately, if they perceived some potential for fun in it. She leaned out slowly, attempting to get an eyeful of the other first, although she knew the dragoness’ gaze would be affixed upon her.

Now the massive scaled being lay on her side facing the entrance of the cavern. Audrey could not help but be impressed by the grand and curvaceous form of the one she meant to slay, who now supported herself with an arm and showed off her womanly features to the dame’s attentive gaze. The dragoness had weighty breasts of a softer violet than the rest of her form, and was adorned only in a few chains of glimmering gold. Although the links were heavy, it was but a necklace on her. Her wings were furled behind herself, but Audrey could see their golden color, and the spikes affixed to the top of each. The only effort of modesty came in the golden scaled mail loincloth that hid the dragoness’ sex, but did nothing to hide her rear or thighs.

“Do you fancy these treasures?” The dragoness inquired softly, watching the tiny dame’s features from across the cavern, and knowing that she was being studied. The cavern rumbled as the great dragoness rose slowly to stand in the waters. Her towering form sent a wave of intimidation through the dame, as the steaming water cascaded off of the dragoness’ scales.

Audrey cleared her throat, stepping out from behind the stone with her sword turned down at her side, in clear view of the dragoness. She almost stumbled as the cavern trembled with each step of the greater being. “It is not for your treasures that I have come,” she declared with as much power behind her voice as she could muster. The treasures would have been a fortune, to be sure, but her task was beyond a simple heist. The dragoness beheld her dented and scorched armor, sizing her up with a mild curiosity, as the dame was regarded as far from being a threat.

“Not for gold? Nor gems, or scales? I have seen you knights parading in dragonhide armor.” The dragoness leaned forward, watching Audrey with half-lidded eyes, and then extending her black tongue to lick upon her lips. “No… you just mean to be a hero. Or perhaps you imagine you can steal my power away.”

Audrey paused as she pondered the dragons statement. If the dragoness had access to powerful magics or enchantments, it would be another threat to the dame. She thought of how she might stall the dragoness, as she discovered the nature of the power she referred to. “No, great dragoness. I have not fancied myself a hero. I have come instead to bargain.” She tried her best to sound convincing as she declared this, but the dragon’s expression changed, as she seemed to become suspicious.

“You’ve come down here… to trade? You must know there is little that dragons desire, which humans can provide. Tell me, then, what is it you want from me, that you should risk becoming a snack for it?” The dragoness moved forward as she asked this, and Audrey dare not attempt to flee in that moment, knowing that the monstrous woman would be quick to react.

“I need that which only your great draconic magics can do. A wish, as you may call it, in exchange for a tremendous wealth of gold.” Audrey choose her words carefully, hoping that the dragoness might betray more of a hint of her power in the response she choose. Clever as these monsters could be, it was possible that the dragoness did not have the enormous power she claimed to possess, and was simply inordinately large and curvaceous. The cavern here, while expansive in size, had few treasures other than those the dragoness wore upon herself. She must be wanting for something to decorate her lair.

“A wish. I like that. And a wealth of gold? Seeing as it’s not on your person, I suspect there is a catch.” The great dragoness stood up to her full height and hooked her fingers around the golden chains that dangled over her chest, allowing them to fall beneath her chest. “I have thought to add some length to my necklace, or perhaps forge for myself a few more rings to wear on my toes.” She tugged against the golden chains so that her breasts were lifted by the metal, and showed them off to the knight without great subtlety. Audrey huffed to herself, distracted by the strange and alluring behavior. It made her even more on-guard, as she knew the dragoness might attempt to pacify or sedate her through some means before making a move.

“There is a catch. I must leave here alive. And so you may only know of the location of the gold cache… when our deal is concluded.”

The dragoness raised a brow at her, stepping out from the pool and moving nearer to the dame. She stopped and lowered herself until her great knee impacted the rock some yards before Audrey, and leaned in to examine her.

“I do not care for deals like this, dame, wherein I must put all my trust in a stranger. And yet you are surely unwilling to bear some of the burden of trust, despite coming here with blade in hand, and encroaching upon me unaware.”

Audrey tensed up, eying the dragoness neck as she calculated her position, and how she might leap and strike, should her hand be forced. The dragoness’ massive breasts hung from her chest as she crawled on all fours, her shadow engulfing the dame below.

“You seem distracted, little knight. Perhaps I should make the deals…,” the dragoness said, starting to reach down toward the dame with a massive clawed hand…

 

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