Blood of Four Dragons Read Free Page A

create only destroy. The dragon stood on all four legs with its wings tucked; neck extended and mouth open as if it was frozen right before beginning to spew fire, it did not look happy. There was a huge triangular ruby in its chest the size of a large boulder. Even as veteran excavating dwarves who have both seen and mined many large and varied gems, the size of this ruby was beyond any of our imaginings. We were stunned as we were unaware gems that large even existed, though our halls are studded with precious gems. The ruby had not turned to stone; it remained a blood red, glowing so deep it appeared to pulsate.
    The complete excavation around the great statue of the dragon took five days. The engineers were very concerned with preservation of the artifact for study, great care was ensured not a single speck of stone was chipped from the dragon. What a magnificent sight when uncovered and lit up, again I must ask myself, who or what could have made this and placed it this far underground if not us dwarves? For the next eighteen days our scientists and engineers ran tests upon the dragon and the ruby. Strange vibrations would interfere with the various instruments the engineers were using. On the nineteenth day the engineers concluded the ruby could be removed from the statue and indeed it should be removed for scientific examination and to add to the already bulging treasury. We knew this could not be one of the four sleeping dragon lords poisoned by Zangonath and laid to slumber until the madness passes by the God Xamuiez, as they are in the very far north and we are excavating in the deepest south. Still, this could be one of the dragon’s offspring frozen long ago, if this is one of their progeny I never want to meet its parent until we are assured the curse is completely over. The sheer size of this statue makes it hard to believe a creature so large could ever have truly existed, yet here it is staring into infinity. The engineers began the process of placing scaffolding and machinery around the statue to remove the ruby.
    Eight dwarven engineers were on a large metal scaffold surrounding the ruby in the center of the great stone dragon’s chest. Inserting their metal removing bars on each side of the octagonal ruby, the command was given and the eight gave a great push and heave removing the jewel from its socket. The ruby was then gently eased forward and harnessed, being taken by steam crane to a prepared resting area before transportation. A large cushioned box had been prepared to safeguard the jewel. Everyone began to notice this jewel would vibrate on its own from an unknown energy source as it was sitting alone. The depth of its redness was impossible to imagine and it kept gaining different dimensions of shade. The jewel was taken to the royal chambers where it was of course presented to the king. 
     
    Lavish feasts, extended games and celebrations had been planned since hearing of the discovery of the dragon statue and its ruby. The trip from the dig site to the throne room was very long and would give ample time for the servants to prepare for the festivities. Upon delivery of the ruby to the throne room the celebrations were reaching their apex. The current under the mountain king Gorv sat upon his stone throne downing mug after mug of dark ale. Huge tables of stone had been setup all around the hall for the nobility of the city. Covered with fine silks and now overflowing with food, drink and merriment. The dwarven band played off to the side their string and stone instruments humming as the light from the crystals placed strategically around the hall illuminated the unfolding feast. No one could ever mistake Gorv for a genius, nor was he a particularly good king. What he lacked in intelligence he made up for with brutality. Even among the cutthroat world of under mountain dwarven politics Gorv was considered especially ruthless and brutal. Having all his siblings down to the last cousin murdered upon