Summary

In Chapter 8, Peril regains consciousness in the water. She sees dragons running, screaming, and rolling in the river. There are small fires all around the area. Peril's scales are impervious to fire but she is in pain on a level she has never experienced because there are spines from the cactus embedded in her scales. Her first thought is how to make it stop. Turtle joins her and they swim a short distance away. Peril is in agony. Turtle is not sure how to get the scales out but he then sees that they are beginning to burn themselves away. Though Peril is still in pain, these wounds are better than the embedded spines. Peril looks back toward the smoke and tries to ask a question. Turtle realizes what she wants to know and says he does not believe anyone died. Peril looks...