Chapter 17
The next evening, after an entire day of gruelling training, Ben went to the tower alone. He looked down at the thin ribbon of the grey city wall below him, and beyond the city he could see the surrounding forests and fields. The winding streets below were deserted, and glimmering candles from the houses shone like pinpricks as the evening grew dark. Behind Ben, the dragon towered over the perimeter like a stone statue, but made occasional scraping noises with its claws. A few minutes later, Maya arrived.
“The nights are getting pretty chilly. Aren’t you cold?” asked Maya, stepping onto the parapet. She was shivering and pulled the cloak she was wearing tighter around her.
Ben shook his head. “I’m fine.”
They stood next to each other and studied the horizon, but their though
