Ashalan looked at the map on her arm and set off in the direction ahead.

She heard horses behind her. Startled, she quickly jumped into the bushes to hide. Peering out, she saw Nighlon and some of the clan's men were with him.

“Princess! Don't be afraid. It is I, Nighlon of the Bruesalis clan. We have come to take you safely to the Kingdom of Sarau.”

Ashalan contemplated keeping still but realised if she moved they would see her anyway and if she stayed in place she would experience the transformation right beside them.

“Nighlon.” She said as she rose to her feet. “You must take your men and head back. It is not safe for you to be around me at this time. I am able to fend for myself.”

“My sister told me that you needed to travel alone – don't worry she was very loyal. I had to prise the information out of her. She was concerned for your safety and ours, but our father insisted that we accompany you due to his friendship with yours.” Nighlon explained, as he walked over to her.

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Ashalan sighed.

“Nighlon please you have to listen to me, you are in danger around me. You and your men must go before sunrise.” As she said the words, she looked up to see that it was too late. Sun rays started to beam through the canopy in streaks of light. She pushed Nighlon away from her.

“You must run, run now.” Ashalan yelled.

Nighlon and his men stood aghast before her and she could see their faces turn to disbelief as the sunlight hit her skin, changing it’s colour to an orangey red. The men started yelling and running in fear as she began to change in front of them. Throwing her head back, Ashalan roared as the pain ate at her muscles and skin. She frantically looked down at the map on her arm in hope that it remained, but she saw that her dragon skin had already pushed the ink out and it was flowing down her arm, scales taking it's place.

She tried to calm her mind to memorise the various paths but the beast was already starting to take control. She roared again and looked back at Nighlon. He stood his ground with his sword up while his men jumped into bushes and hid behind the trees around him.

Ashalan quickly tore her clothes off so that they didn't constrict her change. She saw Nighlon’s eyes flick over her nakedness but she was too consumed to care about her nudity.

Red fury covered her vision then he was gone.