To Blaria the ride back seemed to take longer than the ride they had taken to the town. But it was no different, and in time they made it back.

Blaria had packed her things and was ready to go by the next morning. Derken had bid her farewell and had given her a small pouch filled with golden coins.

Blaria's rode south on Fiorlix. It was decided that Spire would stay behind. As she passed through Hillingston people spoke amongst themselves and pointed at the dragon.

When Blaria finally left Hillingston far behind she set up camp on the edge of the road, on the other side of a cliff, just far enough back that she was out of sight. After gathering wood for a fire, she took her flint and steel from her shoulder bag and struck them against each other, a small spark started but never took root. She tried again, nothing. After five more tries she got mad and gave up.

Fiorelix made a gentle noise in the back of her throat.

"What?" Blaria asked angrily, "do you have some brilliant idea."

Fiorelix breathed a flame, setting the dry wood on fire.

"Oh, right you can breath fire." Blaria said slipping the flint and steel into her bag, "thanks girl."

The fire slowly burned away as Blaria and Fiorlix slept. Fiorlix grunted and rolled over.

Blaria was woken in the morning by loud shouting.

"If this beast doesn't move I'll slice it's tale off!"

Blaria sat up the cold earth below her. She couldn't see Fiorelix. Blaria ran towrds the road. And the yelling. To her relief Fiorelix lay sprawled across the small dirt road, her tail hanging off the cliff. Fiorelix let out a loud snort. The angry man dropped his hand to his sword. Blaria ran out in front of him.

"Stop!" She yelled, holding her hands up above her.

"Get out of my way girl. I must slay this dragon."

"No!" Blaria cried, then after a deep breath, more calmly repeated, "no, you can't slay her. She is my friend."

"Then get this devil out of my way so I may continue on my journey." The man scoffed.

Blaria relaxed, leaning her back on Fiorelix. "Why didn't you just go around her?"

The man gestured towards the cliff, "I would've fallen."

Blaria smirked, "no I mean the other way around."

"The beasts head is there, if it woke I'd be a goner."

Blaria walked around to Fiorliex's head and whispered in her ear. After a minute the dragon lifted it's head and followed as Blaria lead her back to camp. As Blaria walked away she waved a farewell to the shocked man on the trail.