Dev nodded, but instead of going to the river, he went over to the slain dragon and peered up its nostril. He could see the end of Florence’s arrow way up there. Though Dev didn’t want to take any of Florence’s unused magical arrows that remained in her quiver or had been scattered about, he didn’t think she’d mind if he borrowed one that had already been shot. But that would mean he’d have to stick his arm far inside the dead dragon’s nose. The thought made him queasy, but he steeled himself for the task. “If you want to get fish, I’ll try to collect the sack of spells. I’ve got an idea.”

“Deal.” Fifer glanced worriedly at the bloody spots on Dev’s shirt. But she’d asked him multiple times if he was okay, and each time he blew off her concerns. He was going to do what he wanted to do, and Fifer would treat his new injuries tonight. They really did need those components. “Wait. What are you doing?”

“I’m going to retrieve this arrow.” He took off his shirt and tossed it on the ground.

“Oh, that is so disgusting. I’m out.” Shaking her head, Fifer went to the river.

Dev reached into the dragon’s sticky nostril up to his shoulder. He gagged once reflexively, then closed his eyes and felt around. His fingers landed on the nock end of the arrow. He pinched it between his thumb and forefinger and tried to get a better grip to pull it, but his arm was in as far as it could go. Wiggling the arrow loosened it, and soon Dev could feel the point give a little. He climbed up on top of the dragon’s snout to get a better angle and shoved his arm in again, until the ridge of the nostril was touching his neck. He grasped the arrow in his hand and yanked it with all his might.

With a gurgling slurp, the point of the arrow let loose from the dragon’s brain. Dev pulled the arrow out and scrambled away as gooey sludge rushed from the dragon’s nose.

Trying not to think about what he’d just done, Dev grabbed his shirt with his clean hand and took the arrow to the river. “I got it,” he said to Fifer.

Fifer choked at the stench and refused to look. “I can’t believe you did that! You know, Florence shot one arrow and missed. We could have looked for that in the yard.”

“I still plan to,” said Dev, leaning so his whole arm submerged in the water. He scrubbed vigorously. “But I figured she could use that one again, and I didn’t want to ruin it.”