Aster fought back angry tears as she stomped down to the village they had just fooled. She drew out her purse and realized that there were only a few coins left in the bottom; enough for dinner and maybe one night in an inn.

She sighed and made for the market. But trumpets sounded before she had taken two steps, and she turned to witness a band of the king's riders descend into the valley.

She watched with mild interest as they entered the town. Shrugging it off, she looked to the west and thought she saw something dive behind a mountain.

Probably just a bird playing tricks on my eyes…

She blinked and did a double take. Draco and Bowen! They had returned! She watched as Bowen rode his horse closer and closer, while Draco settled down in a field of tall grass to hide.

She put on a blank face as Bowen approached her. But what he said astounded Aster so much, she couldn't help but grin.

"I want you to come back with us. I don't want to give up such a good cook as you and Draco was angry with me the minute I told him. Please come back," he said so quickly, it sounded like one sentence.

But her grin dissipated and she gave him a mysterious smile. "You looked into his eyes, didn't you?"

He nodded. "I saw what you were talking about. I realize that I may have spent more time with him than you have, but you seem to understand him more that I ever will. Now come back with us and let's be off to the next town!" Bowen declared, moving up in the saddle to make room for her.

Aster grinned and started to climb up, but the sounds of shrieks and cries of pain instantly filled the air.

They turned to see a lord reading off an official-looking scroll. "By the power of King Einon, this land will be cleared for a summer-castle for his lordship. All occupants are asked to leave peaceably and quickly, lest they be removed from the area by force." The lord grinned at the sight of knights attacking the unarmed villagers, killing right and left. "So sorry to have informed you so late…"

Aster and Bowen stared for a moment at the horrific sight. "Come on, we have to fight!" Aster demanded of the man. He nodded and drew his sword. Charging into battle, he let fly a war cry so terrifying that it sent chills down Aster's spine.

The girl herself wielded a small dagger she found attached to Bowen's saddle. With it, she lashed out at foot soldiers, slicing open whatever unprotected flesh she could.

With a roar, Draco was among them, spouting fireballs at groups of knights. He reared up and crushed the lord with his claws.

"Well, now we know where all those dead bodies came from!" he raged, slashing at attackers.

Bowen pointed to a white-clad figure riding on a cream-colored horse. "Einon!" he shouted. Draco noticed him too and flew over, planting himself between the fighting and the king.

Glaring at the cowering redheaded ruler, Draco lifted the scale covering the old scar over his heart. Bowen grinned, watching Einon, knowing the outcome that would pass from this. The king would be terribly frightened and run off.

But Einon wasn't backing down. He sneered at the dragon, drawing an arrow from his pouch. But only Aster saw him place the arrow on the throng of his bow, trying to hide the loaded weapon from view.

She realized what was going to happen and acted.