After everyone's done, I get vines and tie everyone into a long line (by the wrists, and the knots are loose and there's quite enough slack.) I explain that it's so no one gets lost.

I get people to carry the stretchers.

A bunch of strong people get the stretchers.

Everyone agrees to the vines except a few soldiers, who want to be by sons or fathers or brothers sides, without having a vine between them. That way they can react faster to danger.

I ask them if they'll at least hold a vine in their hands. Ends of a vine, tied to the main string, with them the only ones on it.

They agreed and Fleck ties up the sting.

Jade finished making a huge vine.

*Thank you, Jade and Fleck. You two are so helpful! What would I do without you?*

I start tying everyone in by their non-dominant hands.
I tie myself in front.

*After some time of walking like this, we'll need to do it different. This would be easier in the day. Also, when we do it different, we'll need to start moving in a different direction.*

You wouldnt do a lot.

Everyone agreed.

I start walking into the forest.

Everyone followed.

After a long while, when the moon had risen to its highest, everyone was tired, hungry, and thirsty, but too scared to say anything.

You all suddenly heard a loud roar in the forest, followed by a quiet chitter that sounded like a bat. Then a large crunch, and ripping.

Bones breaking. Flesh ripping.

Something was feeding.

Something big.

Small children began to cry, and fathers and brothers shushed the quickly, but the damage was done. The sounds had stopped, listening. Then loud, strange noises shook the trees. Snorting. Hissing.

Sniffing.

Hunting.

She glanced back at the dragon.
"Do you know who that is..?"

The dragon was listening, entranced.