The mine cart rounded another sharp bend, and the space ahead opened up.
A blast of hot air hit them, carrying the smells of sulfur, rust, and the musk left by some large animal that had lived there for years. The track jutted out from the edge of a cliff and crossed a vast underground cavern.
A Fire Dragon lay in the middle of the cavern.
Its body took up nearly half the open space. The silver-gray scales that should have covered it had lost their luster, and old wounds scarred its back. Each hind leg was shackled with an iron chain. The thick rings had sunk deep beneath its scales, rubbing the exposed flesh raw and dark red.
The Fire Dragon heard the cart approaching and jerked its head up.
Clouded eyes turned toward the track, and a dull red glow kindled deep in its throat.
Cordelia's grip on Gavin's arm tightened abruptly.
The Goblin took a set of metal clappers from beneath its seat.
It did not strike them at once. Only when the Fire Dragon took a step toward them did it bring a short stick down hard.
Clang!
The piercing metallic sound exploded through the cavern.
The Fire Dragon recoiled as if whipped. Its enormous body shrank back, and it spread its wings to shield its head. The glow in its throat quickly died, leaving only a stifled growl.
The Goblin struck the clappers three times in succession.
The Fire Dragon retreated all the way to the stone wall. Its chains pulled taut, and another ring of blood seeped from beneath its scales.
The cart rolled past it.
Cordelia looked back for a long time. Only when the Fire Dragon disappeared behind a stone wall did she slowly release Gavin's arm.
"Is this how you've always