The Swordsmith and the Dragon continued

Ham took the rope from his pack and attached it to a strong pine growing near the top of the mountain. He strapped the sword to his back and started climbing down to the lair. He hoped he could get in and out with Olivia before Kliban returned.
He could smell the sulphurous odor of the dragon’s dung and knew he was getting close to the entrance. He hated to think of his sweet little Olivia trapped in here for so long but he hoped with all of his heart, that he would find her still trapped. He jumped down into the mouth of the cave. He waited while his eyes adjusted to the gloom and his nose became accustomed to the strong odor of the dragon’s lair.
He stepped further inside, calling for Olivia. His voice echoed from every direction for the cave was immense; its ceiling disappeared up into darkness. The dragon’s treasure was staggering; it laid piled high and ran the entire width of the cave. Thin shafts of sunlight filtered through the foul air, to pick out certain jewels or coins upon which it would sparkle and dance. More to come on my next posting...