The cavern was one hundred and fifty feet across and with an
opening to the west directly across from where he stood. The ovoid
area extended about a hundred feet to both the left and right.
A massive red dragon sat upon a pile of treasure on the northern
wall. The dragon slept.
Knuth edged along the far side of the cavern and eventually
reached the far passage. He could see that it extended one hundred
and twenty-five feet and ended in elaborate doors. There was a
passage to the south at fifty feet. He went forward and saw that this
passage extended upward as far as the eye could see. He detected
no activity in the passage. He went on to the doors and listened. He
heard deep voices- male and female, Ice Giant and Red Giant, and
young and old- and could not risk opening the door.
He sneaked back to the cavern. The red dragon stretched and
looked about the cavern. She gulped down a huge titanosteer carcass
in a single bite. The old wyrm sent a chill down Knuth’s spine.
A lesser man would have yielded to the effects of the Fear Spell
emanated by the ancient evil dragon.
Knuth had never looked upon such a formidable foe.
He froze.
He gingerly drank a green potion and minimized his body: smaller
was probably better. The dragon turned rapidly, stared at the
opening where Knuth stood, and sniffed.
Knuth ran as fast as his little legs could carry him away from the
opening. The massive red dragon thundered across the cavern and
looked into the passage.