Dri watched numbly as the dragon made its way to the shore. Part of her couldn't believe what she was seeing. The dragon, here, in Cassardis! She didn't even react as a chunk of wood, propelled forward by one of the dragon's wings, flew and landed on the beach. It then ricocheted into one of Cassardis' walls, sending people scurrying. All she could think about was how massive the scarlet dragon was as he hovered above the docks and roared. It was only when he landed onto the docks, and her boat, that she snapped out of it.

Great, really freaking great…It took me forever to save up for that boat. I am going to KILL that dragon. She turned, and saw most of the people running away from the shore, the duke's soldiers with them. So much for being brave and fighting the scary dragon. She ran from the shore back into the town square for two reasons. First, to make sure Quina was safe. After she saw that Quina was okay and comforting the little girl Dri saw earlier, she focused on her second reason. Hopefully one of the cowardly soldiers dropped his swords while he was turning tail. Glancing around, she eventually found one on the ground. She grabbed it, and ran back for the shore.

Stupid freaking dragon! I said I would kill the thing, and I will! No one harms my town, and no one smashes my damn new boat! The dragon had moved onto the shoreline now, glowing and growling at the few people left on the beach. Dri wasn't sure, but it looked like embers were coming from his mouth, while his eyes and ears continued to glow as if he was sitting in front of a fire. Please, please don't let him breathe fire. That's the last thing I need today.

That prayer went unanswered as the dragon let loose a jet of fire from his mouth, killing all those who were on the beach. Everyone, except Dri. Dri's anger and determination to see this thing dead gave her the courage to run up to the dragon and start attacking it with the sword. After a few swipes on his legs, and even a couple on his belly, having no effect, Dri circled around, looking for a weak spot. She watched as the dragon covered his sides with his wings, when it hit her. Wings! I bet if I climb on him and get his wings, he'll be in a world of hurt!

With that thought, she sheathed the sword in her belt and ran up to the dragon's back right leg. Dri jumped on and began to climb. As soon as she was under his wing joint, she started to cut through it with the sword. The dragon noticed and tried to shake her loose. Dri lost her balance and fell off, landing in the soft sand. She quickly stood up, sword in hand, as the dragon's claws came at her. She stabbed the sword in his foreclaw, but it had no effect on the dragon's swing. Dri was vaulted backward, even bouncing off of the beach a few times, until she stopped in the shallow water.

Dri tried holding on to her consciousness, but the pain made it almost impossible. She felt as if every bone in her body had been bruised, if not broken, by that swing. She lay there, trying to get up, all the while admonishing herself for being so reckless. Really great time to start doing that Dri. Let's wait for the self-reprimanding AFTER the dragon eats us, okay?

She heard the dragon walking closer to her, growling and roaring the entire time. This is it, I'm going to die. At least I'll see Mama and Papa again. Instead of the imminent death she was expecting, she heard the dragon speak in a foreign tongue. What's he telling me? You look yummy, thanks for being my first course?

She opened her eyes then, getting more confused by the minute, and saw one of the dragon's huge claws coming at her chest. She was scared, trapped in a body that wouldn't let her move an inch. The next thing she knew, the dragon's claw had punctured her chest, pulling her off of the shore. She watched as the dragon ate her heart, but not before speaking more in his foreign tongue. Dri tried to reach out to her heart, thinking I'll be damned if the only man in my life to have my heart is a fucking dragon! The last thing she saw before blacking out was the smug grin on the dragon's face as he swallowed her heart.

A/N: If you haven't noticed, I like cliffhangers. MUHAHAHAHA!