The Blackroot Forest's twisted trees were howling as the wind carried the scent of damp earth and something much more sinister. Kaelin's breath came in short, sharp bursts as she tightened her grip on the hilt of her dagger. The shadow wolves' growling grew louder behind her. She had spent hours running. As she jumped over a gnarled root, she murmured, "This wasn't supposed to happen." The foolish, deceptive map had promised a clear route to Eldermere. Instead, she had stumbled into a group of the most vicious predators in the forest. The shadow wolf's dark fur blended in with the darkness as it lunged from the underbrush. Kaelin twisted in mid-stride and slashed across its muzzle with her dagger. The beast let out a yelp before being replaced by three more. "Great. It's all great. Her boots slipped on the wet leaves as she ran ahead. Her surroundings appeared to be encircled by the trees, their branches resembling skeletal hands reaching out to grab her. The ground then vanished beneath her feet without warning. As she rolled through mud and thorny bushes before landing hard on her back, Kaelin yelled as she fell down a steep slope. She gasped as she looked up at the sky, or at least where it should have been. She instead found herself gazing at a rough stone ceiling. A cave.

She was informed that the wolves had not given up by the above snarl. With her dagger raised, she sprinted to her feet, but the beasts paused at the edge of the slope, their yellow eyes shining with something resembling... fear. That's when she first heard it. a low, brisk "thumping" that sounds like the heartbeat of a giant. Kaelin made a slow turn. The cave was not deserted. A massive form with scales that looked like polished obsidian and wings that were folded tightly against its body was at the far end, half-hidden in shadow. an eagle. Additionally, it was extremely alert. "Well, now I've really got nowhere to go," Kaelin murmured. The slit-puffed dragon's eyes were fixed on her. A speck of smoke curled from its nostrils as it exhaled. Even a very enraged goose and bandits had been encountered by Kaelin, but a dragon? That was novel. "Uh... pretty dragon?" She tried, slowly reversing. "I was just about to leave - " She had no idea how fast the beast could move. It was across the cave one second, and then its massive head was inches from her face, blowing hot breath over her. It hissed, "Thief," its voice like a hammer. Kaelin felt sick to her stomach. "Thief? Me? No, no, a mistake has been made - " A small, glowing stone was attached to a pouch on her belt when the dragon's claw flickered toward it. The Sunstone the one that she had technically taken from the Duke's safe. without question. She admitted, "Okay, maybe I took it." "However, in my defense, he was going to use it to power a machine that would kill!" The dragon's eyes got smaller. "Liar."

"No, seriously! The Duke is a witch! He commands an undead army - " She was cut off by a roar from above. The shadow wolves were running down the slope with more confidence. The dragon turned to look at them, then back at Kaelin. It growled, "You bring hunters to my den." "Not intentionally!" The dragon spent a terrifyingly long time staring at her. It then made a turn toward the wolves, almost like a sigh, with that sound. It commanded, "Leave." The leading wolf showed its teeth. A bad move. The beasts flew as the dragon's tail snapped like a whip. The remainder fled screaming into the night. Kaelin exhaled with trembling hands. "Thanks?"

The dragon returned its attention to her. "The rock. Why do you possess it?

She took a breath. "The Duke is planning something bad, as I said. I was bringing it to the Mage's Circle to prevent him." The dragon's nostrils popped open. "You put a lot at risk for thieves,"

Kaelin muttered, "Not a thief." "More of a... independent liberator." The dragon felt a rumble - was that a laugh? - in his chest. It then lowered its head, shocking her. "Climb."

"What?"

"The Duke will arrive if he seeks the stone. He cannot take it from me. And you will assist."

Kaelin was hesitant. She then sheathed her dagger and smiled. "Thanks, dragon. Save the world, let's go." She realized that she did indeed have a destination as she climbed onto its back. Right into combat.