HotXbun: Happy anniversary! It's been TWO YEARS since I first posted this story. Thank you so much to everybody who has read it so far.

Chapter 8 Downed Dragon, Dead Dragon

Mal's POV

That Night

All the dragon hunter trainees and Auntie Grim were roasting marshmallows over a fire while the latter told us the story of how she lost her hand and foot.

"And with one twist, he took my hand and swallowed it whole", she revealed. "And I saw the look on his face: I was delicious. He must have passed the word, because it wasn't a month before another one of them took my leg."

"Isn't it weird to think that your hand was inside a dragon", Jay asked. "Like, if your mind was still in control of it, you could have killed the dragon from the inside by…crushing his heart, or something."

"I swear", Chad started changing the subject. "I'm so angry right now! I'll avenge your beautiful hand and your beautiful foot! I'll chop off the legs of every dragon I fight! With my face!"

"How can you cut of a dragon's leg with your face", Audrey asked.

"Besides", Auntie Grim started changing the subject. "It's the wings and the tails you really want."

After Auntie Grim said this, I proceeded to choke on my s'more!

"You okay M", Evie asked in concern.

"I'm fine", I replied as I managed to get the s'more down. "Auntie Grim?"

"Yes", said person asked, confused at my sudden outburst.

"Um…", I started. "Why do you say that you should go for the wings or the tails?"

"Finally taking dragon hunting seriously", Auntie Grim misinterpreted. "That's good! Well, you see, it's actually quite simple my dear. If a dragon can't fly, it can't get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon."

Hearing this did not make me happy.

But…Malory can't fly.

"You okay M", Evie asked again, noticing that I had become sad.

"Huh", I said snapping out of it. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Alright", Auntie Grim started changing the subject. "I'm off to bed. You all should do the same. Tomorrow we get to the big boys. Slowly, but surely making our way up to the monstrous Unum. But who will win the honour of killing it?"

"Definitely Ben", Audrey stated. "I mean, he is the best dragon hunter out of all of us."

"Well", Ben started. "I'm still in training."

"But you'll totally get to kill the Unum", Audrey stated. "I know you will!"

"Thanks Audrey", Ben said. "Well, I'm off to bed. 'Night everybody."

With that, everybody left.

I was about to leave too, but Evie stopped me by grabbing onto my upper arm.

"Okay M", she started. "Start talking. Something's bothering you."

With that, I took a deep breath.

Evie was my best friend. I could trust her. And…maybe she could help me?

"Can…can you come with to the forrest tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"I want to introduce you to my new friend."