"How are you enjoying this?"

Devin glanced over at Conor, who was swaying ever so slightly, his face going green. Just as he looked over, Conor had shut his eyes tight, gripping his knees. "Not a fan of heights?" he asked teasingly.

"Definitely not a fan," Conor answered. It was hard to hear each other over the constant rush of wind slapping their faces and the flap of massive wings on either side.

Devin shrugged. It didn't bother him too much anymore. For someone who had studied dragons his entire life, who had defended them every time they were called monsters, this was practically a dream come true... even if there was a terrible danger at the end of the ride. He craned his neck over Lynvok's body, watching as the fields and lakes and towns they had rode by for the previous days rapidly flash by. If he were down there right now, he knew he would be nothing more than a speck. It was oddly humbling.

He missed his horse though. He hoped Heron was okay.

Lynvok suddenly let out another distressed noise. Devin blinked, then roughly patted the dragon's shoulder blade, seriously doubting it could feel the action. "You're doing great, old friend," he yelled ahead.

Little to Devin's knowledge, Lynvok did indeed feel the pat and hear the encouragement, and it greatly appreciated it at that moment.

Devin nestled in for the ride. It would not take too long to get to Trunswick at the speed Lynvok was flying, but it was just enough time for him to rest his tired eyes.

Trunswick.

Devin felt a nervous lump in his throat form. He hadn't seen his home in weeks. Truthfully, he had been trying to block out the fact that if they weren't fast enough, it was possible that it could have already been burnt to a crisp with all of his family inside.

He couldn't really hear the commotion below, but he saw the way the town panicked at the sight of the grand creature above, pointing and hiding and dropping to the ground.

Devin raised his eyes from them, squinting at the horizon. There was a blurry shape. He dropped his hand above his eyes, blocking out the worst of the evening sun. Oh, no. He looked over at Conor, who had seemed to notice the danger as well.

There was another dragon, and its fiery red scales gleamed dangerously in the fading sun.

"Lynvok!"

The dragon grunted in response.

"Land by the central gate, if you will!" Devin shouted. "The city needs to be evacuated."

Lynvok began a slow descent towards the patch of field beyond the central gate. Devin grappled at the rough scales of the dragon's back, watching Conor with concern. He realized the adventurer hadn't said much solely because he was focusing on not vomiting.

Finally, Lynvok's big feet touched the ground and it lowered itself, allowing the two boys to shimmy off of it. Devin and Conor both nodded appreciatively at it, and it let out something that sounded like a dragon's version of a purr. Then, it was off again, probably to await the arrival of the dragon on the horizon.

"Alright," Devin said, his tone sharpening. "Here's the plan. I'll speak to the stragglers and tell them to evacuate, and to spread the word whenever they're able to. You are going to do something very important for me," he said, beginning to walk briskly as he spoke. Conor matched his pace, expression more solemn than Devin had ever seen it.

"And that is?" Conor pressed.

Devin ignored a gasp of recognition as someone obviously realized he was back. "Find Dawson," he said softly, "tell him to round up our family and meet everyone by the edge of the woods to the west. They're going to try and take every last valuable with them. Tell him to not let them."

Conor nodded. Then, with a weak smile, he saluted half-heartedly. "At once, Your Highness," he joked, before running towards the castle atop the hill.

Devin watched him go, nervousness twisting in his gut. He heard a raspy noise from above him just as a shadow fell over him. Lynvok glanced down at him. Perhaps that was a dragon's way of giving encouragement.

He nodded, running off towards the town square. Several more people noticed him. All the better, he thought as he leapt up the steps to the platform in which all ceremonies and announcements were performed from.

Raising his fingers to his lips, he blew out a sharp whistle. He didn't expect it to work, but perhaps the people needed some figure of authority at the moment. The square became quiet, others trembling as they joined the gathering of people.

"I have no time to explain," Devin began with a loud voice, "but I need all of you and your families to evacuate the city at once. Danger lurks on our horizon, and I'll not have a single soul in this city stand in the middle of it. Gather at the edge of the woods to the west. Do not stop for your valuables or livestock." He gave the last order sharply.

There were several loud protests.

"Must I repeat myself?" he snapped, eyes cold. The protests quieted. "Go!" he yelled. Immediately, the square sprang into action, shoving past each other towards the nearest gates. As they went along, they began spreading the word as far as they could, just as Devin had hoped they would.

The prince stood alone for a moment, letting the wind ruffle his hair and clothes. Then, he turned his head towards the Trunswick Castle. Signs of panic were present from the outside already. Windows going dark as candles were swiftly put out, servants running out of any exit they could find. It appeared Conor had done his job well.

Devin made a mental note to properly appreciate his friend later. Because now, he was confident there would be a later.

Rushing people out of a city was like herding sheep, Devin was quickly realizing. You tell them to go one way and they freak out and go the opposite way. The only hope then is to chase them and redirect them.

Devin paused for a moment, out and breath and wheezing. A woman gave him a concerned look as she passed by, gripping her daughter's hand tightly. He took a swig from his half empty canteen, then continued on his way. This was incredibly difficult. He was tempted to just leave and let everyone fend for themselves.

No. He wouldn't do that. In the past week, he had been drugged, nearly swallowed by a rough river, been in the presence of an angry dragon, and he was fully prepared to show an entire city exactly why he had survived this long.

Picking his feet up off the ground, he continued his work until the dragon on the horizon was dangerously close and the streets were virtually empty. Then, he ran and he ran for that gate and out towards the woods.