Clouds slither over the midday sky, casting shadows across the treetops. The dragon swoops lower. Branches bending in the wind, creaking and groaning like an ancient hag's fingers. They draw closer to her former home, and fear digs its claws deeper into Aveline's gut. Her field of vision narrows and the harness rattles in her trembling hands. The recall of huge fists flying towards her face flood her mind and her muscles clench at the remembered pain.
