Around the time you get to the bridge with the dragon you will have an opportunity to do a small exp trick so long as the dragon doesn't disappear. First you run down the bridge and stay to the right and you'll see a stair case. go down the stair case, now don't leave the room. go left and into the door to find a ladder going down. touch it to make it accessible now go down it to find a bonfire you've seen before. Touch the bonfire to reset the enemies. Now go back up the ladder then up the stairs to the bridge and the dragon and soldiers should still be there. Now walk on to the bridge enough where the dragon will breath fire and kill the soldiers. At this time you run back down the stairs and gain 300 souls. Go back down the ladder and touch the bonfire to reset the enemies and repeat. This method works for awhile but once your level gets so high it won't be worth the effort anymore though at the start its great.