Chapter Four.
After traversing down to the bowels of the Earth, they find a highly polished shield sitting on a ledge surrounded by a multitude of skulls and skeletons. Trudii just freezes.
“Grab the shield,” Drakon encourages. But Trudii just stands there paralysed. “Grab it, man, and let’s go.”
Reluctantly, Trudii picks up the shield and they continue their vigil along the corridor. As they walk, they meet fearsome creatures, but upon one look at Drakon, they disappear. Eventually, they come to Medusa’s abode. She’s in a state of repose. Trudii takes one look at the monster and cries, “I can’t do this,” and freezes again.
“We have come this far, you have to.” Drakon tries to be quiet, but he’s not very successful.
The creature awakens and the snakes begin swirling in all directions as they sense the intruders. Medusa raises herself to her full height and surveys her visitors, the golden sword behind her.
The two combatants retreat from her chamber and Drakon grabs Trudii by the arm. “Now you’re on your own from here on in. Remember, under no circumstances look directly at Medusa, and use your shield. But I’ll use my fire to dispel the monster, God be with you.”
Trudii takes one deep breath and steps in to confront the creature as Drakon opens his mouth to release a ball of fire, He battles Medusa for some ten minutes until he realizes something more drastic is needed. He lets Medusa believe she has the advantage. When it seems all is lost, he opens his mouth and lets out one ungodly ball of fire. This takes Medusa completely off guard and she retreats to the far end of her abode.
Drakon shouts, “The sword.”
Trudii drops his shield and runs to grab the sword, and both race out of the cave. As they reach the shoreline, both clerics are on their knees in prayer. Drakon hollers, “Get out of here!”
They jump up and join their comrades in their frenzy down to the ship. The two clerics grab Trudii and the sword and toss both to the bottom of the ship and climb aboard. Drakon uses two of his tentacles to push the ship out to sea and the rest he uses as paddles. They turn and look back at the shoreline black with Medusa and her cohorts.
On the second day at sea, they let the wind carry them along and Drakon seemingly floats atop the waves and sings shanty songs to the joy of everyone. Out of the blue, the waves part company and Neptune and his small armada appear on the seascape. He draws alongside their ship. As the trio realizes their company, they bow their heads in reverent servitude acknowledging the debt of their gratitude.
“I see you made it,” he bellows.
Trudii, usually quiet but overjoyed by his success, shouts, “I didn’t do anything. iI was Drakon who won the day. I can never repay him.” He holds aloft the golden sword.
“He’s a handy fellow to have around, but god help you if you get on the wrong side of him.”
Drakon begins to relate their encounter with Medusa. “She’s a monstrosity, that one, and has taken many a good soul to their grave, and she was once a beautiful woman.”
“So what are you doing now, Drakon?”
“Oh, I’d like to escort these people back to their home, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, see me when you get back.” With that, the sea lord shouts, “Let’s be gone,” and everyone disappears beneath the waves.
