Sheth led the way, trying to assess whether the rock was loose and would certainly support the extra weight. It seemed that everything was going according to plan.
When they were roughly halfway up the cliff, the rest of their group began to descend onto the first, wide ledge and cautiously make their way along the next shelf, which was wide enough to walk along with their backs to the rock face.
Draco did his best to support the goblin, but he also had time to watch how the troll was faring on the rock face. He had to admit that he envied the agility and confidence with which Sheth moved. He’d previously thought he was quite good himself, but now he realised that when climbing, he relied solely on his strength, rather than on technique or instinct.
As they neared the other side of the chasm, the troll took an extra rope from his back and began to climb up to secure it. Draco and Warren were just a few metres short of the end point. The dragon watched as the self-assured Sheth untied the belay rope from himself, tied the end of the new spool to it, and began to climb upwards. The speed with which he did all this clearly demonstrated the vast experience he possessed. Just as he was almost at the very top of the wall, the dragon heard a crackling sound.
In the space of a single heartbeat, Draco lost his footing. The rock face suddenly sped past before his eyes; he felt the rush of air. At the very last second, he clenched his hand involuntarily. The jolt could have torn a man’s arm right off. The dragon didn’t even have time to utter a single curse, however, as another jolt threatened to dislocate both his shoulders and tear off his fingers. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, waiting for the swaying to subside so he could do something.
Draco looked up first. He was hanging from one arm at a slightly odd angle. He had no way of finding a
