[Fallinel]

Rhysdan was close enough to recognize the two figures as his son Elian, and niece Elanor, and was relieved that they had avoided the dragon as it wreaked havok among the farms. The teenagers were climbing up some of the larger boulders, and appeared to be trying to gain a vantage point on the scene below. Rhysdan was proud that the two youngsters had the intelligence and maturity to avoid a dangerous situation, and to instead retreat and assess their options. He cried out a "Halloooo" to the teenagers, and called Hawkweed to his side as he began his rapid descent into the valley where the farms of Dale lay nestled.

As Rhysdan reached the outer circle of farms and fields, he could see evidence of the beast's rampage, but no sign of the dragon itself. The thatched roof of one large livestock shed on the Fairlake farm was aflame, and Rhysdan could hear the panicked screams of trapped horses and cattle in the burning structure. The Fairlakes were an older couple, whose daughters had left to help their husbands establish homesteads; it would not be possible for either Fairlake to rescue their animals, assuming that both man and wife were still alive.

Rhysdan ran quickly to the opening of the livestock shed, where he found Meryn Fairlake sobbing hysterically, "Please, help them!" Rhysdan commanded Hawkweed to stay outside, and ran into the breezeway between the stalls, shirt held over his mouth to cut out some of the smoke. Fortunately, most of the smoke and heat was rising away from the animals, and Rhysdan was able to free the majority of the cows and horses by simply unlatching the stall doors and slapping the beasts on the rump to send them out the breezeway to safety. One young colt, however, was panicked and frozen with fear and confusion in his stall, the furthest from the door. Rhysdan grabbed a halter and lead rope, as well as a large cloth used for rubbing down horses after a workout, and entered the colt's stall. He threw the cloth over the animal's head and eyes, and the horse immediately stopped rearing and struggling. Rhysdan fastened the halter on the colt, and led him out of the burning shed, just as some of the beams in the roof began to collapse.

Camon Fairlake had joined his wife, and the two had managed to divert their rescued livestock into a small safe paddock. The old farmer took the colt's lead rope and brought him to the paddock with the other animals, while Rhysdan sat on the ground and coughed for awhile from the inhaled smoke. Camon brought him a pail of cool water and a mug, and Hawkweed nuzzled against his master and wagged his tail.

"Meryn and I can't thank you enough for what you did, Rhysdan," said Camon, "but I expect that you'll be wanting to get back to your farm and family as soon as you catch your breath." Rhysdan drank some water, and got to his feet. He shook the old farmer's hand, and said, "None of us can fight this monster alone. We must meet and discuss the situation before the dragon returns. I expect that it has headed back to the Mountain to seek a hiding place or den. For now, Hawkweed and I will hurry off to our farm-I've seen Elian and Elanor up on the hill, but I'm desperately worried about my wife and daughter."