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toward the assembly of knights. “We march, men!” the general called out, gripping his sword by the copper-toned hilt carved in the shape of a serpent. He raised it above his head, “Make way for the kingdom of Mirion!”
    To the far right of their narrow span of sight, Thomas and Kale could see someone wearing flowing black robes approach the general. His long, pale fingers clutched a rod topped with a red banner. They could only assume he had been cowering in safety for what he thought was going to be a grand battle against a fierce beast.
    “Do not worry, General—we will find the dragon,” he spoke in a low, dark tone. “Although gone, the smell remains.” Hidden beneath the darkness of his hooded robe, they could hear someone—or some thing take in a long whiff of air. “I will not forget the beast’s scent.”
    Thomas quickly realized the man in black was a figure who he had heard about from Rogerick. As he could recall, General Jedah found him, starving, weak, and alone. As Rogerick had explained, the origin of the being was unknown, but it was rumored he was an outstanding hunter and had an exceptional sense of smell that could not be matched. It was said Jedah only rescued the being in order to bind him to an oath—taking on the role as a servant, answering to every demand, and executing his abilities to carry out both the righteous and immoral requests of the general—until all dragons were slain.
    Thomas closed his eyes, hoping the man—or being , in black would not capture the scent of his perspiration. He watched silently in relief as they made way for the forest. The plan worked. Thomas was proud he managed to conjure the spell with enough time for them to seek refuge within the cave walls. As the final knight’s footsteps echoed upon his exit, Kale and Thomas breathed heavily—the air felt exhilarating as it filled their lungs.
    The two remained cautious, holding their bodies  uncomfortably still for what felt like hours, expecting General Jedah to surprise them with a sudden ambush. Finally, the cave grew dark, filling them with the confidence that nightfall had washed over the blue skies, and it would be safe to emerge from the crevice. They each stretched their achy limbs, throbbing from being held in awkward positions for such a prolonged duration.
    Kale had been so focused on recent events with General Jedah’s army he had nearly forgotten the life-altering change which occurred earlier. As he shook his tingling arm, pressed between his body and stone for the past hours, reality struck him.
    “Oh no... No, no, no.” He glared angrily at Thomas. “All right, we’re safe—now turn me back!”
    Thomas shook his head. “If I were to do that, Kale, you would be dead within the week—at most. The general’s army will not rest until they find the black dragon, Firehart, and slay him. Besides...” he looked down. “The book containing this spell did not say how to reverse the process. I only know how to transform a dragon into a human—not the other way around.”
    “Ugh!” Kale tugged at his black hair in frustration. “Hair... Great—just great, I’m hairy now too!” His eyes fixated downward, as he investigated his new body in better detail. “What in Pan’s name is wrong with this body?!” He pointed downward.
    Thomas placed a hand upon his stomach as it pulsed with laughter. “I see we’re going to have quite a bit of work ahead of us with getting you used to your new body.”
    “New body? This body? I don’t think so, Thomas! I’d rather have died earlier than to be stuck within this flesh for the rest of my life. To live among humans...” Kale’s face cringed in disgust. “No way. I’m not staying like this, so I suggest you start looking for ways to change me back. I’ll go to the frozen island of Sundra—I’ll go anywhere you want me to, as long as you return me to my former self.”
    Thomas held a hand up, motioning Kale to stop carrying on about