A Life For A Life

      Ilona was still as she watched the entrance to the tunnel.  Her heart was racing, and her mind was spinning.  Something wasn't right.  Why would Pierce Vane lie about a tunnel being a dead end and then bring the men back to the cave through it?  And how could they have defeated the dragon so quickly?  It was farther away and in a spot that was harder to reach.  Surely they hadn't been able to defeat it so fast.

      No, something was definitely wrong.

      As they watched the tunnel entrance, a moment later, men began to stream out of it.  The third man to come out was Charlie, a huge smile on his face and wickedness in his eyes.

      "Good evening, Captain," his voice boomed through the cave.  He made a show of bowing low to her, "I hope we're not interrupting anything."

      His gaze moved over Ilona and the others, all standing facing the group, their hands on their swords.