The Dream Dragon of Archon

Her arms shackled to the stone floor
and her wings constricted by leather bindings
the heat of her breath a lovers caress
or a candle to close to the curtain
How many before and how many again
a riddle of scales a riddle of time
the puzzle unlocked with only a glance
a slumber of ages awoken

What does this all mean? I can't stand games and puzzles,
let alone this dank pit of a cave
How long have we been travelling anyway?

"Patience"

Why?

"tsk, my young apprentice"

He had almost forgotten his Master's words
when a chill passed over his skin
his spine more aware and signaled his hair
and he stood as a statue within shallow breath

Something about the room had changed
subtle yet real in the moment his memories came
now his mind's eye searched and tried to compile
the moment of now and the moment of trial

smoke and mirrors . . .
smoke and mirrors . . .
smoke and mirrors . . .
the thought rained through his mind and coursed through his blood
He lept behind a stalagmite and not a second too soon
one moment more and he would have been cooked in his boots

"WAIT" he yelled from behind the stones
as another flash of fire licked at the moss and granite
"I've come to save you!"

"Save me?" she hissed
he peeked around the rock only to see red glowing eyes in the shadows
"Save me?"
Then she laughed, but not a wicked laugh, a sweet enchanting laugh.
"What are you laughing at . . . ?" came the reply tinged with hurt feelings
Another burst of flames licked at his cape as he ducked behind the rocks
"I'm companion of the Wizard Atraighties"
A hiss and a silence followed.
Then there was only the darkess