You wander into a dark part of the forest.

Two days pass in relative peacefulness. You and Tara don't talk much as both of you are nearly constantly on alert. The two of you split watches and you're thankful that you hopefully won't be spending much time here. Your body has become a bit fatigued and it feels as if you over the last couple of night. Even when you weren't on watch. There were always noises coming from the darkness. You imagined wolves and worse just beyond your vision and a few times you even spotted the shining of golden eyes staring at you from out of the darkness.

The second day went along much like the first, but in the morning both you and Tara wake to a surprise. Despite it being morning, the area you have chosen to camp in was still as dark as twilight. You may have been able to notice that the night before, but back then it was twilight and It never crossed either of your minds that you have wandered into a darker portion of the forest. However, the disparity was now as clear as day...or twilight as the case may be.

You notice Tara stiffer and more wary than usual at breakfast, "What's wrong?"

"We should...Turn back and take a detour." she mutters. Her eyes darting around suspiciously.

You look at her with confusion, "Wouldn't that take us back to your house? I can't imagine that we're more than a day's travel from the edge of the forest. If we go back and around, it will delay us for another day. That would increase the likelihood of us encountering trouble, would it not?"

"It would, but I think continuing forward will result in the same. These dark parts of the forest. They are the most dangerous regions. We're almost guaranteed to run into something?" She continues to carefully eat.

Your eyes now wander the edge of your line of sight anxiously. "What could we encounter?"

she shrugs, "For one? Dragons."

"Dragons?" You are quite surprised by this revelation. Dragons, True Dragons are rare in Itheria. Although Dragon-kin are more common due to the fact that the ancient draconic Arxkesttelgdn Empire once ruled this entire region.

Tara attempts to allay your fears, "Not big dragons and they rarely leave the forest. The forests are too dangerous and claustrophobic to harbor a healthy dragon population, but It is a good place for them to settle down. The largest dragon I've seen in here probably wouldn't threaten the smallest human village."

Thinking about it, you don't think you have ever really learned too much about dragons outside of what they look like and history lessons, "what do you know about dragons?"

She sets her food down, "Well, I'm sure you know the basics. Dragons are large, flying magical beings that can breathe fire and other various things depending on what kind of dragon. I hesitate to call them beasts or creatures, because they are intelligent and most of them can carry on a conversation. When they first hatch, they are probably about as large as a small dog, but from there they never stop growing. Fortunately, large and ancient dragons are rare. Even where they are more common. Males are aggressive and greedy and lustful and will typically let those traits get the better of them before they become very large."

"What about females?" You ask.

"Females are far more proud than their male kin. They can still show the traits that define their race, but their pride tapers their mood. For example, You would possibly be able to have a friendly conversation with a female dragon, if you discussed a topic that interested them. They're also very selective of their partner. They'll rarely take a male they don't believe is worthy and almost never of a different species. If you ask a dragon-kin about their draconic ancestry. It will almost always be from a male. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it would have to be someone very dear to them, or royalty for them to even consider it." she looks up at you as if to emphasize the royalty part.

You shrug "I don't think I would even consider it..."

"Well, I was just saying...Anyway. I still suggest we turn around, but I will go along with you if you wish to continue. You are right that turning back would hold its own risks."