The village square buzzes with confused joy and optimism.
Vuvi stands at the center, hand on her hip, chin held high, her voice ringing out loud and proud:
"We'll take care of your dragon problem. We'll find it, fight it, and slay it."
The gathered crowd gasps as one.
"No!" dozens of villagers shout simultaneously.
Vuvi blinks. "Uh… what?"
"You mustn't hurt her!" an old man cries, clutching his walking stick.
"She's precious!" wails a young woman with flowers in her hair.
"She's ours!" says a third, hugging her satchel of turnips tightly.
Vuvi's confident stance falters. She exchanges looks with Veena, Penelo, and Pip.
Penelo tilts her head. "Wait… her?"
A short, silver-haired woman shuffles forward, raising both her hands like a conductor about to lead a choir.
"You see," she begins, "the dragon isn't a monster. She's one of us. Or at least… she was."
The woman turns to the crowd. "All together now."
The villagers nod, inhale, and in perfect chorus, say:
