“Hey, you two!” Lina called out to the two men cowering in fear. They snapped to attention, both men’s nerves had been shot after their near death experience and were shaking violently. Without any tact or patience, Lina started questioning the two men.

“Where did you see them? What did they look like? Did they have any weapons? Do you know where they are now?” The men gaped as Lina assaulted them with questions. They looked at each other, wondering which one of them would answer the questions. The man that seemed to have it all together slowly answered all of Lina’s questions.

“They appeared just outside the swamp to the west. We couldn’t see anything above their knees. I don’t think they had any weapons on them. And…” the man paused, uncertain if he should continue. He’d heard the giants say something, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell the young redhead the information. He’d feel horrible if she went off after them and got killed. Lina got tired of waiting and let out an impatient growl, baring the teeth she’d used to chew Gourry last night. Sighing, the man answered the last question.

“I heard one of them say that they’d be camped out at Mount Tolken in the west. It’s a two day hike from here and you’ll never make it in time if you go any way. So, forget about going after those giants, please. It’s suicide.” The man grabbed his friend and walked away, leaving Lina and her group to think long and hard. Most of them gave up right away, knowing that they’d never reach the mountain in time. However, Lina was slowly starting to formulate a plan.

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“You want me to what!” Filia screamed. An excited Lina had led her and the rest of the group out of town in a hurry. She claimed to have the perfect idea about how to reach Mount Tolken. Once away from the town, Lina explained her plan and got nothing, but arguments from everyone. Lifting her hand to silence everyone, Lina explained again.

“I know we can’t ride on your back when you’re a dragon because there’s not enough air when you fly high, but inside you there is plenty of oxygen. I’ll turn your digestive juices then you can swallow all of us and fly to Mount Tolken. For you, a flight like that would only take hours. I don’t see what the big deal is,” Lina said with a shrug. Everyone looked between each other, they’d all been in Lina before and that had been only mildly disturbing, and it was bound to be at least roomier in Filia then in Lina. Everyone came around except for one person, the very person that would be acting as a ride for everyone.

“Absolutely not, no way, you can forget. I have never eaten anyone and I’m not going to start now.” Filia crossed her arms over her chest and looked up in distain. She was a gold dragon, an herbivore at that. How could they think that she’d just open her mouth and let them ride around in her stomach like a taxi.

“Please, Filia. If you don’t the giants will escape justice,” Amelia pleaded with her big puppy dog eyes. Filia huffed and looked away, not swayed by the begging.

“Maybe your just worried that you’ll like the taste of people?” Lina suggested with a wink. She could understand Filia’s reluctance if that was the case. Humans were very delicious, she knew.

Filia frowned and closed her eyes to think. Maybe she was worried about enjoying the taste of her friends too much? It was a scary thought, but Filia had heard of peaceful dragons getting one taste of human flesh and then losing themselves. Filia really had to ask herself if she was willing to risk that to help her friends.