Pryce stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the rough wooden floor. The sound cut through the conversation, drawing all eyes to him. "I have to check on him."

Kai pushed back from the table. "I'll go with you."

A muscle in Tyler's jaw twitched visibly. "Be careful out there, boys. The night holds more dangers than you know."

Ana leaned forward. "Watch for shadow cats. They're not as big as the stories say, but they're quick and silent. You won't hear them coming."

"And keep an ear out for the Thornveil Wolf," Jack added, his fingers drumming nervously on the table. "Its howl can freeze the blood in your veins."

"Don't forget the will-o'-the-wisps," Declan said softly. "They'll lead you astray if you're not careful."

Pryce rolled his eyes, trying not to show how irritated he felt at their obvious attempts to frighten him. He grabbed a torch from the wall, its flame sputtering to life as he lit it. "I wish I had my bow. You know, in case I run into any of those terrifying shadow cats or blood-freezing wolves you're all so worried about."

As Pryce and Kai stepped outside, the cool night air washed over them. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the scent of distant smoke. The moon peeked through gaps in the clouds, casting a silvery light over the abandoned outpost.

They set off toward Stormwing's cell, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path.

"Do you think Stormwing's in pain?" Kai asked.

"I don't know. But those whimpers . . . they sounded desperate."

They walked in silence. The waves lapped gently against the shore as a distant owl hooted mournfully.

"You know," Kai said suddenly, "this whole dragon thing . . . it's pretty incredible. I always thought of you as more of a gentle bookworm, not someone who'd be wrestling with dragons and diving into lakes to save them. I'm impressed."

Pryce glanced at his friend, surprised by the admission. "Thanks . . . I guess. I thought you thought I was crazy."

Kai chuckled. "Oh, I still think you're crazy."

As they approached the cell, Stormwing was there, seemingly unharmed. The dragon's blue eyes fixed on Pryce, and it let out a low, rumbling sound that was almost . . . welcoming?

They entered the cell and Kai watched as Stormwing approached Pryce. "You know, I think he might just be lonely. Look at how he's coming to you."

Pryce reached out, his hand finding the smooth scales of Stormwing's snout. The dragon leaned into his touch, and the whimpering they'd heard earlier ceased.

"I think you might be right." Pryce ran his hand along Stormwing's neck, feeling the powerful muscles beneath the scales. "Hey there, big guy. Did you just want some company?"

Kai checked the food and water troughs. "Everything looks fine here. We should probably head back before the others start to worry."

Pryce nodded, but he couldn't bring himself to leave just yet. He continued to stroke Stormwing's snout, murmuring soft words of comfort. The dragon's eyes began to droop, and Pryce could feel some of the tension leaving its body.

Finally, with a last pat, Pryce stepped back. "I'll be back in the morning," he promised Stormwing.

As they exited the cell, Pryce pulled the heavy door shut behind them. The clang of metal on metal echoed in the night, making both boys jump.

They had only taken a few steps back toward the barracks when a sound reached their ears. It was faint at first, barely distinguishable from the night sounds around them. But as they listened, it grew louder, more distinct.

It was a low, guttural growl, unlike anything Pryce had ever heard before.

"Did you hear that?" Kai whispered.

Pryce nodded, his mouth suddenly too dry to speak. They picked up their pace, the torch in Pryce's hand flickering wildly as they moved.

The sound came again, closer this time. It was a mix between a growl and a hiss.

Without a word, both boys broke into a run. The ground blurred beneath their feet as they sprinted toward the barracks, the terrifying sound seeming to chase them through the night.

They burst through the barracks door, slamming it shut behind them. Pryce leaned against it, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Kai slumped to the floor, his face pale in the lamplight.

The others jumped to their feet, startled by their sudden entrance.

Tyler rushed up to Pryce. "What happened? Are you boys alright?"

Pryce nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "There . . . there was something out there. Something chasing us."

"What was it?" Ana asked, her hand instinctively moving to the knife at her belt. "What did you see?"

Kai shook his head. "We didn't see anything, but we heard it."

"I think . . ." Pryce hesitated, looking at Kai for confirmation. "I think it might have been a pack of shadow cats."

A tense silence fell over the room. Then, Ana moved to the window, peering out into the darkness.

"Boys," Ana said, turning back to the group, "I think I've found your fearsome shadow cats."

Pryce pushed himself off the door and joined her at the window. There, illuminated by the moonlight, sat a small, ordinary-looking feline. Its fur was a mottled gray.

"That's . . . that's just a mouser," Pryce said, using the Shorling term for the small cats that kept rodents at bay in their village.

The tension in the room broke, replaced by laughter.

Jack slapped his knee. "Oh, lads, you should see your faces!"

Even Tyler cracked a smile. "Looks like our brave dragon trainer was bested by a little mouser," he teased.

Pryce felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment. He glanced at Kai, who looked equally mortified.

"It must have been left behind when the Oceanriders abandoned the outpost." Declan wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.

Pryce looked out the window again, studying the innocent-looking cat. Its tail flicked lazily as it watched a moth flutter by, completely oblivious to the commotion it had caused.

"Alright, alright," Tyler said, his voice still tinged with amusement. "That's enough excitement for one night. We need to get some sleep. We're heading back to Crystal Shores first thing in the morning."

As the others settled back into their makeshift beds, still chuckling and trading jokes at Pryce and Kai's expense, Pryce couldn't shake the feeling that what they'd heard was more than just the mouser. He lay down on his thin, lumpy mattress, and exhaustion began to overtake him.

***

The first rays of dawn crept through the cracks in the barracks' walls, casting long shadows across the room. Pryce stirred in his sleep, the lumpy mattress doing little to ease the ache in his back. A musty odor permeated the air. Suddenly, a hand shook his shoulder, jolting him awake.

"Rise and shine, lad," Old Man Finnegan's gravelly voice pierced through the fog of sleep. "We've got a dragon to tend to before we set sail."

Pryce rubbed his eyes. He sat up, wincing at his stiff muscles. "What time is it?"

Finnegan chuckled, his weathered face creasing with amusement. "Early enough for the fish to still be yawning. Now, up you get."

As Pryce stumbled to his feet, he noticed the others already gathered around the makeshift table. The clatter of utensils against tin plates filled the air as they finished their breakfast. Declan stood at the rusty sink, scrubbing dishes with a grimace.

"Son," Tyler called out. "We're shoving off soon. Best make haste with that dragon of yours."

Pryce nodded, grabbing a piece of hardtack from the table and shoving it into his mouth. The bread was tough and bland. He motioned to Kai, who was mid-yawn, his hair sticking up at odd angles. "Come on, Frostborne. Dragon duty calls."

They stepped outside into the cool morning air. Dew clung to the overgrown grass, soaking the hem of Pryce's trousers as they made their way to Stormwing's cell. Finnegan hobbled along behind them, a weathered leather satchel slung over his shoulder.

"Found this old doctor's kit in the barracks," Finnegan said, patting the bag. "Might come in handy."

As they approached the cell, a low rumble greeted them. Stormwing's eyes lit up at the sight of Pryce. The dragon pressed its snout against the bars, a puff of warm air ruffling Pryce's hair.

"Hey there, big guy," Pryce said softly, reaching through to stroke Stormwing's scales. They felt smooth beneath his fingers, like polished river stones. "Did you miss me?"

Kai opened the cell door with a rusty creak and moved to the water trough, refilling it from a nearby barrel. "At least someone's happy to see us this early."

Finnegan circled the dragon, his keen eyes taking in every detail. The dragon's wing dragged along the ground, and the dragon let out a pitiful whine.

"Hmm." Finnegan reached into his satchel. He pulled out a strange-looking instrument, all brass and leather. "Let's have a look at that wing, shall we?"

As Finnegan approached, Stormwing tensed, muscles rippling beneath its scales. Pryce moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on the dragon's neck. "It's okay, Storm. He's here to help."

With surprising gentleness, Finnegan manipulated the wing. Stormwing flinched but didn't pull away. After a few moments, Finnegan stepped back.

"Well, I'll be a barnacle's uncle," Finnegan said, scratching his chin. "That wing's not broken at all. Just a sprain, I'd wager. It'll heal up right quick on its own."

Kai's eyebrows shot up. "You mean it was all an act?"

Finnegan nodded with amusement. "Seems our scaly friend here has a flair for the dramatic. Been playing up that injury for a bit of extra attention, I'd say." He paused, studying Stormwing more closely. "And I'll tell you something else—this dragon's a sheila, not a fella."

Pryce blinked in surprise. "A sheila? You mean Stormwing's a girl?"

"Aye, lad. As sure as the tide rises and falls."

Kai burst out laughing, the sound echoing off the cell walls. "I knew it! You big drama queen."

As if on cue, Stormwing straightened her wing, the movement smooth and seemingly painless. The dragon's eyes darted to Pryce with what could only be described as a sheepish grin.

Pryce couldn't help but smile. He placed both hands on either side of Stormwing's face, looking directly into her eyes with affection. "You little trickster," he said with amusement. "I'm not mad, you know. But I do have to leave for a while."

A soft whine escaped Stormwing's throat.

"I know, I know," Pryce soothed, running his hand along the dragon's neck. "But I promise I'll be back soon. You be good while I'm gone, okay?"

As if understanding every word, Stormwing nuzzled against Pryce's chest, nearly knocking him over. The dragon's scales were warm now, and Pryce could feel the steady thrum of her heartbeat. He wrapped his arms around Stormwing's neck.

"Well, I'll be," Finnegan said, watching the exchange with wonder. "In all my years, I've never seen anything quite like this."

Kai nodded in agreement. "Looks like you've got yourself a friend for life, Pryce."