What Happened To Mason

      With an ear-splitting roar, the dragon opened her mouth wide and dropped towards Mason.  He yelled in anger as he thrust his sword upwards to meet her.

      Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a man he knew well.  Vane.  He wasn't fleeing down the mountain to safety.  Instead, he was moving up the slope, farther up the mountain.

      But why would he be going upwards?  How would that help him?  And why was he not running?

      These thoughts flashed through Mason's mind faster than lightning and were gone again.  His focus on the white teeth and open mouth plunging towards him.

      He locked his arms into place, holding his sword high over his head, and closed his eyes tight.  A moment later, he felt the jerk as his sword made contact with something, but he was immediately surrounded by warmth and darkness.