| Downstream... |
| You decide to follow the river...after all, if it didn't lead out somewhere, you'd probabley be drowning even now. You move close to the river's edge, and begin to pick your way along the slippery stones. A short distance from your entrance, you see a flip of a tail, and peeking into the water spot a little red fish. You make a move to grab it, thinking you're about ready for a bite to eat, but the creature--who you'd swear was downright cheerful--easily avoids your grasp, leaping into the air and twisting before diving back under the surface with a splash. You sigh and pluck some of the nearby plants you recognize as edible to chew on. |
 |
| had wings so you might just fly out of this place and get someplace you can rest. You're about ready for a good, solid nap. You shake your head, and remember the proverb your mother always told you. 'If wishes were fishes, we'd walk on the sea,' she always told you. You groan a little, thinking that you'd have a little fuller stomach, too. You realize you're making idle wishes again, and force yourself to coninue on your trek. As you journeyed, you had noticed that the ground was sloping more and more, and now the angle is quite steep. When you finally exit the cave, you walk about a half-hour more, then find that the river does indeed exit the mountain...by way of a huge waterfall cascading wildly over a sheer cliff before meandering out to the sea. You groan and feel like cursing, or maybe just hitting something really hard, but instead try to satisfy yourself by hurling stones into the river and off the cliff. You've continued this passtime for several minutes, trying to think what to do next, when you hear a voice booming from below. You edge nearer to the drop, and see a large, scaled head craning on a long neck to look up at you. *A water dragon!* you think eagerly, recalling that while rare, these creatures are known for wisdom, sound advice, and kindness to other creatures. |
 |
| The cavern seems to be even larger then it first appeared, and you are very tired indeed when you finally see the end of the open space about a half-hour's walk away. You glance at the sky above where the waterfall comes crashing down, and idly wish you |
| "Hello!" you call down eagerly, noting the strange beauty of the creature. The dragon inclines his head in brief acknowledgement, and encouraged, you continue. "I became lost in an avalance early this morning, and I wondered if you, in your wisdom, could advise me of the way back to the settlements of my kind," you shout over the roar of the falls. The dragon ponders for a momment, then speaks. "You could return the way you came, for upriver there are several tunnels that lead out. I am also leaving my den, to visit my homelands. If you are able to answer a riddle, you may ride upon my back, and I will set you at the base of the mountain, or, if you wish, I can take you to The Nameless Forest." You can't help but groan. Great. So this dragon is mischevious. You hesitate briefly, then decide you have nothing to lose by at least finding out the question. You ask the dragon about the riddle. "This thing all things devours; Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws irons, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, and beats the high mountain down." You think for a momment, and decide what you want to do. |
| Go Back the way you came Go to the Nameless Forest Tell the dragon the Answer Note: To answer, clear your address bar and type www.geocities.com/sionacharda/???.html with ??? as the answer. |
| Fish and dragon images both copyright The Nameless Forest |