Mount Rapuzia was a fairly gentle mountain. One could easily ride a horse about halfway up, before the path became too narrow for one. But Sir Isaac didn't know just where the dragon was living, so he left his horse behind with Numnir, who had promised to take good care of him. In his pack, he carried several loaves of bread, hunks of cheese, and apples – and a goodly-sized bottle of wine. (Numnir had insisted on this – you never knew when a little wine would come in handy, especially if you couldn't find a mountain spring.)
He walked all day, until the sun was sinking in the west, but he found no place where a dragon might hide. Just before darkness fell, he found a small cave opening – too small for a dragon.
This is just the thing, Isaac thought. He got on all fours and crawled inside.
It proved to be a passage of slight length, and so tight he couldn't stand up, once inside. He hesitated when he smelled smoke.... But, he thought, if this is a pathway to the dragon, he can't fit to follow me. I'll just stay quiet and go unnoticed. He cinched his baggage a little tighter, so it wouldn't drag, and crawled onwards. The passage turned abruptly and he saw the glow of firelight ahead. He slowed down and tried to see without being seen.
The passageway didn't open up very much – enough for a few men to stand in, but certainly no dragon. A young woman was sitting by a small fire, holding her hands over it and shivering. She looked up when Isaac cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, madam,” said Isaac, “I didn't mean to frighten you.”
“You didn't,” said the woman, attempting to look serene. “Are you a traveler, taking the mountain pass?”
“Not quite,” said Isaac, “but I can go no further tonight. If you don't mind company, may I share your cavern, but a few hours? I can offer you provisions in return,” he added, noticing she had no pack with her.
“Very well,” said the woman, a hungry gleam in her eye.
“Thank you, madam.” Isaac stood up in the cavern, then crouched again because the gathering smoke stung his eyes. “A pity we can't leave that fire burning all night.”
“Indeed,” said the woman, pulling her thick chestnut hair behind her shoulders. “I was hoping it would at least make the cave comfortable before bedtime. What have you got to eat?”