The red fire dragon is sat in it’s cave, golden diamonds and jewels all around it. Her wings, black as coal flap to deter the intruder. She roars a thunderous roar! She snarls a menacing snarl! She breathes hot, wet, lava-like breath at the unwanted visitor.

Her three babies step forth, baring their teeth. The first, a white ice dragon, the second, a brown earth dragon, the third, a blue lightning dragon. They try to intimidate the interloper, to scare them from the cave with their elemental powers.

The cave smells damp and oddly metallic, the floor feels slippery like wet river rocks, tinged with algae. The roof has stalactites, threatening to fall onto the infiltrator’s unwitting head. The torch beam picks out sparkling crystals, embedded in the walls and the floor beneath them.

The minacious red dragon, inches forward. The three babies follow, not far behind. Their breath is despair, it is devastation, destruction. The air is thick with fear and hunger. The trespasser is mesmerised by the pearly white teeth of the babies. So fresh and untarnished by time…

The red dragon grows closer, opening her moist leather mouth. Her lips curling upward like a threatening pitbull, rabid and cornered. The three babies follow, learning their craft. Their sharp, pointy tails, trailing on the floor behind them. Twitching. Swishing.

The invader turns terrified, fleeing for their life. Sadly that invader was me…