Despite the soldier's words, Esme drew closer too frightened of the dragon not to, and she rested, leaned, her slender body against a tree to catch her breath which fell in ragged pants. She shook her head.  “She is right,” Esme said, her voice but a mere whisper in the quietness of the forest, and beyond that towards the road, the outbursts of shouts from soldiers and snorts from the dragon could be heard.  “all of us must move on or be devoured by the foul beast, and I guarantee it shall not be a gleeful experience if we become a tasty morsel for it!” Esme stated most dramatically, and took further steps into the wood. She looked at the woman whom she recognized from the caravan, a luscious beauty in her own right, and she offered her a quaint smile.  “I think a powerful man such as yourself, a true soldier, should lead us fair maidens to safety deeper into the woods! I implore you, please!” Esme said fully believing she and the other woman could overpower this despicable soldier, either though their united force or by seduction, and render him unconscious with a rock so they could further their escape. She only hoped the other woman was equally as cunning in thought.