"Everyone stay where you are!" one of the guards shouted. "This is a raid!"
Yara's heart skipped a beat. A cold, sinking feeling washed over her. Not now. Not when we're so close. "We need to move, now," she hissed to the dragon and Kieran.
The dragon stood up, his eyes blazing. "Stay close," he growled, grabbing Yara's arm. The hatchling clung to his leg silently, its eyes wide with fear.
"You brought trouble with you," Kieran cursed under his breath, pulling a dagger from his belt. His eyes darted around the room, calculating their escape. "Follow me," he commanded, leading them towards a back exit.
The tavern erupted into chaos as patrons scrambled to escape. Yara and the dragon followed Kieran through a narrow hallway, dodging tables and chairs overturned in the rush. The sounds of shouting and clashing weapons filled the air, adding to the commotion.
