**Chapter 42: The Dragon's Celebration**

As the party walked towards the city, the sounds of laughter and music grew louder, mingling with the scent of roasting meats and freshly baked bread. The air was alive with excitement, and the party couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as they approached the city gates. As they entered the city, they were immediately struck by the vibrant colors and lively atmosphere. People of all ages were gathered in the streets, dressed in their finest attire, and the party soon realized that they had stumbled upon a grand festival. Eira's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the sights and sounds, while Finnley's gaze narrowed, ever vigilant for potential threats. Valoric, still walking alongside Scorch, felt a sense of unease growing within him. He glanced at his companion, and his heart sank as he realized that the citizens were staring at Scorch with a mix of fascination and fear. The dragonwoman's scales glistened in the fading light, and her wings, though folded against her back, seemed to radiate an aura of power. The party followed the crowd to the city square, where a massive stone statue of a dragon towered above the festivities. The dragon's eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce inner light, and its wings were outstretched, as if in mid-flight. Eira read the inscription on the pedestal, her brow furrowing in surprise. "This is the statue of Tharros, the dragon who saved this city from destruction over seven hundred years ago," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The people of this city revere him as a hero." As the party listened, a group of elderly men began to tell the story of Tharros, their voices filled with reverence and awe. They spoke of how the dragon had swooped down from the skies to deflect a catastrophic earthquake, saving the city from certain destruction. The crowd listened with rapt attention, their faces filled with gratitude. But as the storytellers' words washed over Scorch, she felt a sense of discomfort growing within her. She knew that she was not like Tharros, the legendary dragon. She was a creature of chaos, a being of fire and fury. And yet, as she looked around at the faces of the citizens, she saw something in their eyes that gave her pause. They saw her as a dragon, a creature of myth and legend. And in that moment, Scorch realized that she was both feared and revered, her presence stirring a mix of emotions within the crowd. Valoric, sensing her unease, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch a gentle reminder that she was not alone. As the festival continued, the party watched in wonder, taking in the sights and sounds of the celebration. But Scorch couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that the citizens were waiting for her to prove herself worthy of their reverence. And as the night wore on, she began to wonder what the consequences would be if she failed to live up to their expectations.