Dragon Knight Prophecy - Original series

[omnixius]

An original series written by a total amateur set in a fantasy world where Dragons and myths and men march to war.
Low use of magic, deeply developed world with a pantheon of gods and lost history. Story is essentially a love story written because my wife was dying and I needed and outlet for my pain. Thankfully she survived, but a lot of the emotion of those early days is poured into these chapters.

As of right now I am writing book 8 of this series. Most books have 25ish chapters and average about 5k words a chapter, though some are much longer.

You can read the full story here, or you can ask me things on discord.
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If you like what see so far, please let me know and I will post more here.
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Dragon Knight prophecy Book 1 Chapter 1 To save an empire


Carefully he hid a dull, leather pack in the crevice of the stone. The sun was still low in the morning sky; its orange glow barely visible over the mountains. He thought of the journey ahead and if he would be back before nightfall. Why was he still concerned about having enough time to get back? He wasn't coming back.

His armor shifted as he stood, the metal plates polished to a glistening sheen. The right shoulder was trimmed in gold and decorated with a sunburst. Two white diamonds were painted over it as symbols of his rank and burden. The red star of Astikar, the symbol of his God, was emblazoned on the left of his breastplate.

He was a soldier and a commander here to do the impossible. A task made all the more difficult by the fact that he was alone. Over a month ago, he set out with thirty men on a quest to change the fate of a war and the despair of a people.

He traveled east away from the war, covering as much ground as he could by pushing men and horses to their limits. By the second week, they had crossed the common lands and entered the eastern provinces. These were a loose collection of petty kingdoms with weak kings and rulers. He pushed on through these lands driving for the dense forests that lay beyond.

When they reached the vast forest known to the locals as the Greenwall, his men had to slow down. These lands were sparsely populated, and the forest became dense and hilly.

The only humans who traveled into these lands were loggers. Several rare varieties of trees grew in the Greenwall. Some of them were ancient and highly prized by the lands further west. White knotted oaks, and the impossibly beautiful black onyx maple were hidden in the dense woods. The logging paths were all they had to travel on now, and these were little more than overgrown, muddy trails.

If he had been further north, he could take the farm roads in and avoided the dense forest for another five days. Easier as it may have been, he feared to take that route. Too many eyes would see him pass, and too many questions would be raised. Better to head directly west through the sparsely populated farmlands and go through the forest.

A week into the forest and he made camp on a hill in the center of a meadow. He posted guards as always since the woods were home to wild animals and beasts. He didn't expect any trouble as most animals avoided a large force. The real danger was in the west beyond the green plains, but that was many weeks away. This far from the bloody battlefields, he should be able to find peace. The enemy, with any luck, had no idea he was not present on the front lines. By the time they knew, it would be too late, and their fate would be sealed.

Deep into the darkness of the night, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling of this tent. When the first howls split the air, his shock and disbelief held him in place. Fear and panic gripped him as he fought the sensation aside and rose to his feet.

They swarmed over the camp in a wave of flailing death. His men were not expecting a battle, so armor and weapons were stacked neatly outside tents. They struggled to grab sword and shield to stand in bare feet against the onrushing tide. They were scattered and out of formation, easy pickings for the dark forms that now raced around them. Gersius reacted as only he could, drawing his sword and charged into the fight in little more than his pants.

Despite being caught off guard, Gersius managed to gather a dozen of his men. They formed a tight circle, creating a perimeter in the center of the camp. Around him, he could hear men screaming in the darkness as they were ripped apart. They called his name, begging him to save them from the doom that had come on them.

All of these men were volunteers, eager to accompany him. They jumped at the chance to follow a hero of the war on a daring mission. Their heads filled with dreams of fame and glory that would inevitably follow in his wake. Now they screamed like frightened children as they were slaughtered.

The battle raged in bloody chaos for another four hours, the ring of men growing smaller as they fell. They stepped backward over the dying men, shortening the distance and closing the gaps. To leave an opening would spell the doom of them all, but that meant the wounded and dying had to be abandoned. If they could find just a moment to drop their guard, they could save some of these men. They could heal them and stand them up, but the wall of death around them would lash out if they dared.

One by one, they fell, but so too did the enemy. His men took a terrible toll on the black forms that raced around them. For every man that fell, five or more of the monsters went with them. As the sun's rays crept over the horizon, two men still stood. Just five of the dark forms remained; the rest laying in heaps about them. Exhausted and driven mad with rage the men fought on until, by mercy and grace, they still stood when all else were slain.

The mission was over, and with it, the hopes and dreams of his people. All that he gambled on had failed, and with it came the shame of defeat. He couldn't understand how any of this had happened. These were his men! They believed in him, they trusted him, and now they lay in pieces all around, their trust in him misplaced.

His brothers needed to know of this disaster, so he penned a letter and handed it to his only surviving soldier. The foul beasts had slaughtered the horses in the night, so the man with a trembling salute took the letters and vanished into the forest on foot, promising to make haste back to Calathen.

Calathen seemed like another world away. It was the largest city in what was once an empire. Its massive stone walls ringed a small mountain that stood in the middle of the rolling plains. The city itself was built around the base of the mountain with the old buildings that once made up the Emperor's palace at the top. The empire had lasted but ten years, formed in an act of desperation when the lands faced certain defeat. It fell to ruin when the man who united it was slain. Assassinated some say, but the true story of what happened was lost to time and history.

The lands may have fractured, but the people still remembered the stories of the once glorious empire. Tales told of the heroics of its champions and of dragons who aided men. It was for Calathen and the people who made up the lost empire that he'd come all this way. He considered every person from every province to be his people, and all of them were threatened by war. A war that came out of the night with no warning or mercy. It was these people he failed.

Now he stood alone surveying the result of his decisions. Never had he felt such pain and turmoil in his life. Never had he been crippled by such indecision. The path before him now went in only two directions. Return in disgrace and accept judgment for his failure, or press on and meet his fate. Die a hero in one final battle against a foe he could not possibly hope to defeat. He made his choice and picked up his gear, heading deeper into the forest.

For three days, he walked through the forest alone. He found the farm road that ran from the north on the morning of the fourth day and followed it south, deeper into the Greenwall. The road quickly faded to a muddy track, and then an overgrown trail before vanishing completely.

Days later, he found the fern-covered glen and the stream. A large rock leaned out over a small patch of gravel, providing a crude shelter. It was in the shade of this rock he had made his camp. He was close enough now to the mountains that their shadow cast over him in the morning. He spent another four days searching the base of the mountains for a passage. When he found the cave, he knew that this was his way inside. One last night of rest, and he would set out in the morning. He would face his fate like a man, uttering one last cry of battle and glory, and die trying to complete his mission.

The morning had come, and despite his foreknowledge, he still prepared as if he was coming back. He wasn't coming back.

With resignation, he took up his sword. It was a typical sword of his order. A straight blade nearly as long as his legs. The crossguard was a red star with its points radiating out. On the pommel was a golden stone to symbolize the sunburst, the dawn of mercy, and grace to man through his god.

Over his back, he threw his cloak and adjusted its fit around his neck. He lifted his helmet and turned it over in his hands. It was a simple metal cone rounded on the top and crested with the red star of his god. It fully enclosed his face except for a slit for his eyes. Its edges were decorated in golden coils to symbolize his rank and to make him stand out among his men. He carefully lifted it over his head and slid it down. When he opened his eyes, he saw the world through the familiar window of his armor. A sense of protection and invulnerability enveloped him. With determination, he pushed forward, beginning the final steps of his life.

He trudged up the broken slopes of the hills at the base of the mountain. The ground here was uneven and treacherous, but the cave above was the only way he had found so far that might lead within. Somewhere deep inside these mountains was a valley, and in that valley was his last chance to die a hero, and avoid the shame that awaited him back home.

He stood outside the cave, breathing heavily under the weight of his armor. He brought with him two torches and again chuckled at the pointlessness of it. One torch was to get him into the valley; the other was for when he came back. He wasn't coming back.

He lit the torch and made his way into the darkness of the cave. He felt like a man lost in a storm who knew he would never find his way home. He could see but a dozen feet at best in a light that offered little detail. Beyond that was a pitch blackness that threatened to swallow him. With determination, he pushed on. There was only one purpose in his life now, and that purpose lay somewhere ahead.

Slowly he descended into the darkness, the light of his torch his only companion. It reflected off his armor of polished metal plates that acted like mirrors for the dancing flame. The metal of his boots clanked on the uneven stone floor with each step. He felt confined in his armor and wanted to remove his helmet to be free from its restrictive embrace. He didn't dare, not when death could be a step away. He tried to steady his breathing as he fought the urge to flee. Someplace beyond these tunnels was his fate.

Each long moment of slow progress felt like a lifetime, the twisting cave making his passage a labor of doom. He lamented the fact that he was alone, his mission failed. So much was riding on him, and he was the only one left to face a foe that would rend him limb from limb.

Still, he continued, pushing forward against all logic. For an hour, he walked his course, winding his way through the empty tunnels of the Ice fang peaks. Now and then, his cloak would sway, and the torch flicker as if in a breeze. He could feel a cold breath on the skin around his eyes; its touch was a welcomed relief.

Still, he had to wonder how far these tunnels went? When did they open into the valley and the lair of the beast who lived there? He found only one report of the creature from many years ago. Some additional writings indicated that others had gone out to verify it, but none had ever returned.

That was all the proof he needed, and he argued with his superiors for permission to come here. They mocked his evidence and cited that even if it was true, he would only add to the list of failed missions. How prophetic those words seemed to him now.

He knew he wasn't the first to make this journey, and probably wouldn't be the last. He shuddered at the thought that his death was waiting for him. The fear of it weighed down his feet and almost froze his heart. He thought in those brief moments of how he would never see peace in his land. Never know the glory of the empire reborn. Never have a wife or family.

Family was all that truly mattered to him. For years he dreamed of laying down his sword and position in his faith. He yearned for a home and a warm pair of arms to hold him and help him raise a child or two.

Time and time again, he set those dreams aside. His faith called him to duty and service, and he always answered the call. He always set aside the desires of his heart to serve the God he loved. Now his service would end and with it those fleeting dreams of warm arms, and a child's love.

His eyes caught the glint of light as the tunnel grew brighter ahead. A soft, cold light filled the air just around the next bend. The kiss of a cool breeze blew through the narrow slit of his helmet. He savored the sensation, closing his eyes to bask in its touch. It helped to relieve the heat and discomfort of his armor. How many hours had he suffered under this armor's oppressive weight? How many times did he wish to be rid of it, perhaps the death that awaited him wasn't a doom, maybe it was a blessing. He opened his eyes, and the breeze grew stronger as he moved toward the brightness.

"This is it," he thought as he pressed on toward the light.

The tunnel opened into the cold air of a mountain valley. Steep rocky walls rose on all sides, hemming in a rolling floor that was barely a few miles across and perhaps twice as long. The cliff walls were crowned with snow and ice that glistened in the sunlight. In the distance came a faint rumbling like the charge of a hundred horses.

Further away were mountain peaks, covered in white and soaring so high they pierced the clouds. To his left was a distant cliff face with a narrow waterfall spilling from an ice-capped ledge. It crashed some sixty meters to the valley floor, causing a spray of mist and foam. Besides the falls, some twenty meters up the cliff was a dark opening to another cave. The report mentioned the waterfall, saying the beast came out of a cave nearby.

Gersius eyed the cave opening with dread. That had to be the lair and his prey and his death. With a tremble, he cast the torch aside and drew his sword. He turned the blade over in his hand, looking at the shine of the metal in the soft light.

"Many battles have you, and I come through," he said to his blade nervously. "Let us go and have our last."

The floor of the valley was barren, comprised of loose gravel, and the occasional larger stones. Nothing grew here except a hardy yellow scrub grass that clung to the poor soil in clumps.

Near the far edge of the valley was a stream fed by the falls. It meandered across the valley in a stony bed and exited in a canyon on the southern tip. The valley floor was relatively level around the stream but rolled and dipped in hills further away from the water.

It all had a serene, peaceful beauty, but felt lifeless and barren, chilled by the cold mountain air. During the last few days, he felt alone, but here he felt truly isolated. Cut off from the world where no one would find his body.

He made his way to the water's edge, a wary eye always on the distant cave. The stream flowed across stones polished smooth by ages of flowing water. It was pure as the rain and clear as the sky, and he couldn't help but cast his helmet aside and cup his hands to drink.

He allowed himself to pause and marvel at the beauty around him while thinking of happier moments. He knew he was stalling, afraid of what could be moments ahead. He splashed his face with the icy water before putting his helmet back on. He beat back the foolish desire to throw it aside; he would need it for the danger ahead.

His gaze turned from the stream and looked over the rolling hills of gravel and scrub grass. Carefully he picked his way across the open ground, eyeing the cave as he went. Each step forward felt more difficult to make. The beast was here; he could feel it. That sense of impending doom that was common to the men of his order. That guiding feeling from the divine that warned them when danger was close.

He steadied himself and pushed on, ignoring the fear. He didn't consider himself a brave man. He only did what needed doing, and he did what was right. He hoped to bring back a miracle, that he could save the people of the old empire. They were the ones who needed hope now. The war was lost, and the people driven further and further back. The towns and cities not yet overrun by the enemy were overrun with refugees. Good people fleeing an enemy that came on relentlessly.

In a daring move, he led an army out to meet the enemy. He shattered their force and drove them back nearly a hundred miles. It was then to his great shock he discovered the enemy had three armies and several smaller battle groups. He realized his army was overstretched and vastly outnumbered. He had to fall back with haste or risk being encircled and destroyed.

It all came down to numbers now. He didn't have enough men to mount an offensive against so many. He needed the kingdoms of the old empire to unite and combine their armies, but the kings that made up Delvarium were fractured and dived. The lords were not willing to work together and put a unified front before the enemy. All of them sent token forces, a gesture of support, but kept the bulk of their armies inside their borders for "self-defense."

Without those men, he would have to wage a defensive war using the protection of the hills, and the border keeps to make his smaller numbers more effective. He knew a defensive war was a losing war and struggled to convince the Lords of the surrounding lands. None of them could see the danger or understood the need.

The people of the west, known as the Doan, were assembling and marching in great numbers. They came in vast hoards and drove monsters before them. The same monsters that attacked his men in the forest. They overran the green fields between the river and hills, burning the towns in their path. The only large city in the region fell, far quicker than he believed possible, inflicting a wound that pierced his heart.

This drove him to strike back, and ravage the enemy while they were complacently looting the city. He gave them no quarter and slammed into their lines with great vengeance. He won, but the Doan fought with a level of organization they had never before possessed, and his losses had been higher than expected.

Then his scouts discovered the other armies. He knew they were in danger of being encircled and destroyed, so he fled with all the speed he could muster. He retreated to the border keeps, giving up the ground he'd won. It was time for a new plan, with a new objective, if only the order had understood.

The Doan wouldn't risk a direct attack on the fortified hills of the border keeps. They paused a safe distance away, regrouping the shattered army. Every day his scouts reported their numbers growing as they massed for the final assault. He hoped it would be two months before they moved forward again. He left instructions to other commanders on how to harass and delay them. He wanted to buy as much time as he could to complete his mission.

All of it was futile now. His men were dead, and his mission was over. What hope did he have of completing this task alone? He thought of his homeland and his people. He thought of his dreams and hopes for the future. He thought of the family he would never have.

He could not go back and bear the shame of failing. He could not go back and watch the lands be overrun and burned. If all was lost, then at the very least, he could die honorably in one last battle to try and save them all.

A sudden roar filled his ears, freezing him on the spot. His eyes darted to the dark cave, certain the beast would be there but saw nothing but shadow. His heart raced as he watched the tunnel, thinking perhaps it was just inside. He began to take note of just how large the cave actually was. Ten men could easily walk side by side through that opening, and the ceiling was taller than it was wide. He wondered how large the beast really was. Certainly large enough to crush him in a single clawed hand.

Another cry echoed off the valley walls, muffled by the sound of the falling water. There was still no movement in the cave, so he began to walk, looking all around. His eyes scanned every rock, hill, and cliff face; nothing moved, but the occasional wisp of snow blowing in the wind from above.

He forced himself to move forward, lifting feet that wanted to flee. Knowing the beast was here, but not being able to see it only terrified him more. He resorted to the one sense that could detect the monster, his ears focusing on any sound they heard. Slowly he began to hear more, but it wasn't the roar of a deadly beast, or the growl of death by tooth and claw, no; it was crying.

He ducked low to crawl up a hill of stones and dead grass to see into the depression beyond. His breath caught in his throat as his limbs trembled. His eyes went wide as they gazed on the creature below, and he knew death now hung over his head.

Its body was covered in deep blue scales that faded to white at the tips. Its head at the end of a long serpent neck sprouted blue crystalline horns from its jawbones and had a small row of spikes down the center. Two larger horns as long as his arm grew from the back of its head and curled gently downward. The face was reptilian, with a long, cruel-looking jaw full of teeth that made his heart race. It had eyes of pure blue that seemed to glow with a light that danced on the surface like a flame.

It was twice as large as a covered wagon, nearly the size of a small house. It looked lean and muscular, with arms that resembled those of a human if not for the scales the mighty clawed hands.

It lay on its side, all four of its powerful limbs trembling, and its bluish-black claws dug deep in the stone. A long tail thrashed behind it, almost writhing as if in terrible anger. It had great leathery wings with scaled blue arms and a white membrane. They were twisted and torn, bent at odd angles, and broken. It was then that he finally noticed the blood. Everywhere from the end of its tail to the nose of its snout was a dark, almost black liquid. It stained the rocks and spotted its wings. There were deep gashes on its side and what looked like punctures on its neck.

His mind struggled to understand what he was seeing. This dragon was no fierce angel of death. Instead, this dragon was on death's very door.

He watched in despair as it tried to pull itself along with one arm and let out a deep, stuttering cry of pain.

"No, no, no!" He cried out in absolute shock at the site. He forgot himself and abandoned his hiding spot on the hill.

The beast reacted to the noise with a sudden twitching terror. Its head struggled to face him, and a mouth of teeth reared up. With a sobbing gurgle, it gasped at him and then fell to the ground, curling into a ball as best it could. The effort caused renewed pain in its broken body, and it began to cry again.

Everything he had worked for these past weeks was burning before his very eyes. Not only had he failed his mission, now he had failed to die.

'I came all this way for this?' he screamed in his head. 'A dying dragon!'

He staggered over the ground toward it as the dragon continued to sob. He needed to unite the kingdoms. He needed to rally his people. He needed one final heroic battle so he could die honorably. He needed a LIVING dragon!

The creature saw his approach and screamed like a helpless animal caught in a trap. It was helpless before him, unable to offer him any threat.

In all the dark moments of the past weeks and all his grim thoughts, he never imagined this. A thousand possible outcomes played out in his mind, most of them ending with his death, but never had he imagined this.

As the dragon's tail lashed vainly about, he realized it wasn't angry, it was in pain, great and terrible pain. His face went pale as he turned his head, searching the scene for some glimmer of hope. Everything he had done these past weeks was now in vain. Risks had been taken, lives lost and time, precious time wasted.

Furiously his mind worked at a solution; there had to be a way to salvage this mission. He realized in a moment of desperation that he had only one option, one thing worth trying, but he doubted it would work. Still, it offered a new path, a glimmer of hope where there had previously been none. He didn't have time to consider the long-term consequences; he either took his chance now or missed it forever.

Slowly he bent down, lowering his arms to the ground where the dragon could see him. Carefully he placed the sword on the ground at his feet and stood up with his hands open.

The dragon's gaze followed every movement, eyeing him with suspicion, then to his utter surprise, it spoke.

"Kill me and be done with it," it wheezed in pain. "I have nothing left to live for." Its voice was higher pitched than he expected. It crackled and was full of pain, but it had a strong quality to it. It strangely seemed to echo as if there were two speaking.

He took a step away from the sword and lifted his hands to his helmet. He wanted to show the creature he meant it no harm and to see who he was.

The helm came away, revealing his shaven face, and deep brown eyes. His sandy brown hair was roughly cut and fell to his shoulders in wild tufts. He had strength in his eyes and a jaw to match, always appearing to be a man who bore burdens. He dropped his arm, tossing the helmet aside as he prepared to bargain. With what measure of calm he could muster, he stared into those eyes of blue fire, meeting the dragon face to face.

"You can speak? You can understand me then?" he asked.

"I understand what you want!" it spat in an angry gasp. "But you are too late. He has already taken my hoard!" it added, beginning to cry again. "My treasure is gone, gone!"

"Your hoard?" He replied, never taking his eyes away. "I have not come here for your treasure," he added as he took a cautious step toward the beast.

"A trophy then, come to hack off my head and mount it on your wall!" it cried. "Why? Why has this happened to me?"

He continued to slowly walk toward the beast, his hands out to his sides and held open.

"If I had come here to kill you, I would not have put down my sword."

"Then why are you here? To gloat? To watch me die?"

"I have not come all this way to watch anybody die," he said, still advancing. "I came here to find you because I need your help."

The creature shuddered as it tried to laugh. "Too late for that! Not that I would have helped you, even if I wasn't about to die."

"I have come a very long way to find you. I hoped I could persuade you to help me, but I was willing to use force if necessary," he said, his eyes fixed on the beasts.

"So you would have tried to kill me too? How many more dragon slayers are behind you? Why has fate decreed that I must die?"

"I did not want to kill you. I wanted you to help me."

"Why should I help you, dragon slayer?"

The strain of marching to his death, coupled with the failure of his mission, boiled up from inside. The dragon's condition and its insults ignited that strain, causing an outburst.

"I am no dragon slayer!" he shouted back. "I am Gersius, Knight captain of the Brothers Militarus of the order of Astikar. I am a battle priest of the God of mercy! Holy knight of his truth." He paused a moment to see if the beast had any biting remarks to make. "I came here because I had to. I need you. I need your help."

"Ha, you need my gold!"

"I need you to keep silent! Right now, I have the only thing you need!" he said angrily, emphasizing the word you.

"And what is that?" the dragon spat in anger.

"Mercy," he said, finally arriving within a few steps of the beast.

The dragon eyed him cautiously as he stood before it.

"What mercy do you speak of?" it asked in a voice full of pain and contempt.

"The mercy of help, the mercy of healing. I am a priest. I can heal some of your wounds and save you from death."

He wondered just how true those words were. He was a powerful healer able to save men from even mortal wounds, but this was a dragon. It was much larger than a man, and its injuries were many and fatal. The power he would need to draw on would be enormous. He doubted he had the strength to heal it completely.

The beast glared at him with suspicion struggling to breathe. It felt fear as it looked at the man in armor, why was this rodent offering it help, what did it want? The rodents offer offended the dragon's pride, but was pride too high a price to pay for living?

"What do you want in exchange for this help?" the dragon asked.

"I need you to come with me to Calathen and fight by my side."

"You want me to go with you to one of your hives?"

"Yes, to Calathen, I need your help there."

"That is all you need from me?"

"And to stay a while to fight by my side," Gersius reminded.

The dragon's eyes narrowed as it considered the offer.

"I agree. Heal me, and I will go with you to fight by your side," the beast said too quickly.

Gersius was no fool. The dragon would tell him what he wanted to hear. When it was healed, it would kill him without a second thought. There was only one way to ensure the dragon upheld its end of the bargain.

"I need to know your name first," Gersius said firmly.

The dragon's eyes narrowed, and its mouth curled into a snarl.

"Never!" it roared with the first true display of power. "Never will I tell you my name!" It struggled to reach out with a trembling arm and dig its claws into the stony soil. With great effort, it tried to pull itself away from Gersius. The strain made the dragon cry out in pain and frustration.

"Just kill me," it sobbed, curling back into a ball. "Please, just kill me and end my pain."

Gersius felt pity as he watched this once high and mighty creature beg to killed. It curled into a ball like a wounded animal who had finally resigned itself to its fate. He struggled to contain his spinning thoughts as the situation changed. He wasn't going to die here, his mission might still be saved, but he needed this dragon to live. He needed it to understand he meant it no harm and trust him.

"Listen to me," he said to the creature as it hid its face. "I need your help." He squatted down so he could look into the ball of scales to try and make eye contact. "I came here to save my people, to save my country. I need your help to do that. I do not wish to harm you in any way. I will not force you to tell me your name, but I cannot trust you unless you do."

"You will bind me!" the dragon cried from inside its ball of scales.

"I am sorry I must. I need to be sure I can trust you," Gersius said in a soothing voice.

"I don't want to be bound. Kill me, please kill me," it cried.

Gersius searched his mind and heart for what to say. To be bound was an ancient magic that tied the being's soul to another and rendered them helpless before the master. It could only be used if you knew the true name of the being to be bound. He knew what he was asking of the dragon, and knew it would prefer death to being bound.

"I give you my word as a knight of Astikar that I will treat you with respect and dignity." He paused and listened, hoping that would make some difference. When he got only low sobs from the ball of scales, he spoke again. "Please, you are dying, our time grows short," he implored the broken dragon.

"Then I will finally be free!" it sobbed.

"A year and a day," he said in a sudden burst of inspiration. "I swear on my honor as a priest of Astikar to limit your binding to a year and a day."

"A year and a day?" came a feeble voice from within.

"On my honor, as a priest of Astikar," he repeated.

There was a long pause, then the dragon spoke.

"You must swear to never reveal my name to any other!" it wailed.

"Agreed, I will never reveal your name to another, I will never utter your true name where anyone can hear it," he added.

"You will not renew my bind after the year and the day?"

"I make an oath to you that after the year and a day, you may return here, and I will trouble you no more. I vow not to renew your bind."

The sobbing inside turned into a long wailing sound.

"Please, time is short," he pressed.

"Azure," the voice broke off in another cry.

"Azure?" he asked, hopefully. "Your name is Azure?"

"Azurastra," came the pained voice. "My name is Azurastra."

"Thank you," he said, standing back up. "Please be strong, Azurastra. I know how much this must frighten you."

He closed his eyes and began to recite the ancient spell of binding. As he chanted, Azurastra began to wail and call out, asking again why had this happened. The weave of power began to encircle the dragon in a red band as the spell formed, and he started to speak conditions into its power. True to his word, he wove a limitation into the spell, binding Azurastra for only a year and a day.

He lowered his hands and looked down at the crying, shaking beast before him. Its wings shattered and broken, its body battered and torn.

The binding gave him a connection to the dragon. He could feel it now, feel faint echoes of the pain as the binding took hold. There was fear and hatred as well, and a sincere desire to die. He felt tremendous sorrow for the dragon. He had dedicated his life to mercy, and it wounded him to see anyone, even this dragon, suffering like this.

"It is done," he said gently. He lifted his hands as he walked closer to the creature. "Now, let me help you. Let me show you mercy."

He placed his hands on its shivering hide and closed his eyes. He was struck at how strong the scales felt, each as big as his hand and like a plate of armor. He put the marvel of those scales aside to focus on the task at hand, calling out to Astikar while opening his heart. The familiar flow of divine power that all true priests knew coursed through him. He was bathed in its embrace as he established the link between the immortal and mortal.

He channeled that power, concentrating it by chanting the tones that shaped the healing. His body became alive with a tingling sensation that felt like a wind rushing through him as it flowed through his soul. He focused it into the dying form of Azurastra, and a golden light covered the scales of the dragon's hide.

Azurastra shook and called out as if in pain. A snapping noise was heard as a bone in a leg suddenly straightened. Cracking sounds were heard as ribs healed back straight. All across the dragon's body, numerous gashes and holes began to close, ceasing the flow of blood.

Gersius struggled to maintain the healing. The dragon was so much larger than a man and was so severely wounded. To heal a man of injuries this severe would have been difficult. To heal the dragon was like healing thirty men near to death.

The large gaping wound in the dragon's side closed, and scales began to regrow. A second snapping noise was heard as a back leg suddenly straightened out.

His body began to ache, as his mind filled with pain. He held on as long as he could, channeling every last bit of divine power his body would tolerate. He felt his very skin start to burn as the great beast demanded more and more. Never had he channeled so much and felt such terrible agony. It was the price of going beyond your limits, pushing to where men were not meant to go. The priest could press on, but they exchanged their own life to maintain the channel, often absorbing the wound back on themselves.

There was a sudden series of pops and cracks, and the dragon shook as its tail went limp. The holes in its neck were gone, and its great head fell to the ground.

He gritted his teeth as the pain became unbearable. Through the channel of healing, he could sense the body on the other side. He felt the dragon's injuries still and knew it needed more, but he was beyond his limit. Everything he did from here was a risk to himself. With a cry of pain, he stumbled away, falling on his back, gasping rapidly for air as his hands shook.

He gave the dragon everything he could and more, spending every last shred of his power. He would need a full night of rest before he could heal more than a scratch. He took a moment to catch his breath before finally looking to Azurastra.

The dragon moved slowly, carefully. It leaned on its forearms, then carefully tested its hind legs. It trembled as if unsure but finally managed to stand on all four limbs. He caught a glimpse of its eyes to see tears running down its fearsome face.

Hope stirred in his heart as the dragon rose to its full height. He did it! He saved the dragon from dying and, by extension, saved his people. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, praising Astikar for his mercy.

"My wings!" came a horrified wail. "My beautiful wings!"

He fought to sit up and see what the problem was, and his heart sank. The body was whole, but the dragon's wings were still broken and torn. He hadn't been strong enough to restore such a large creature with so many injuries.

"My wings!" it cried fresh tears streaming from its eyes. It looked up at the sky as if longing to soar up. It fell back to the ground and curled back into a ball. "I can't fly!" it wailed. "I can't fly! What point is there to live if I can't fly!"

"I am so sorry. I was not strong enough," he said, trying to crawl towards the beast.
.
"I want my wings back!" it wailed. "I want to fly again! Please, I am a dragon! It is my birthright to soar in the skies! You can not take this away from me!"

He wasn't sure what to do. He wasn't strong enough to heal the dragon fully alone. He needed more brothers to work together, channeling divine power. His power would slowly recover, but not in time. Not soon enough to make another attempt.

He gazed on the wings as his hopes fled again. They were a twisted and broken mess that would drag on the ground and get under foot. Not only was this dragon unable to fly, but it was crippled on the ground.

"My gold is gone, I am bound to a rodent, and I can't fly!" it cried. "Why didn't you kill me as I asked?"

Gersius wondered if, in the name of mercy, that might have been a better fate. He forced his need on this poor creature, and now it was a crippled shadow of its former self. He needed the dragon, and the hope it would inspire, but it would take him months to march a crippled creature back to Calathen. He simply didn't have the time. His mission had failed, after all.

"I am truly sorry," he said, walking to stand beside the sobbing beast. "I did all I could." He didn't know what to do, so he did the only thing he could do. He knelt beside it and put his hand to its side to steady it and let it cry.

For an hour the creature sobbed and pleaded for him to restore its wings. It tried several times to move them as if maybe they would straighten out. Each effort brought renewed tears and cries of "I can't fly."

When at last, it settled down and started to breathe normally, Gersius spoke to it.

"What happened here? What happened to you?"

"He came and took my gold," it said.

Who came?" Gersius asked.

"The red dragon of the black spires," it sobbed. "He came here and tried to make me join his cause." It paused to struggle with a series of deep sobs. "When I refused, he broke my wings and my legs. He took my gold and left me to die."

"The red dragon of the black spires was here?" Gersius said in shock.

"Yes," it replied in a broken wail.

"Why? Why would he do this to you? You are a dragon?"

"I am a blue, an ice dragon. He thinks he is superior to me, to all dragons. He demanded to know my name so his master could bind me," Azurastra said. "He said all dragons would come to serve the Goramogoth."

Gersius didn't recognize the name. He struggled to remember if he had ever heard it before, but his mind was blank. He did, however, know of the red. When he searched for a dragon to hunt the red was the first one he found. It lived in the mountains far to the west behind the marching armies of the Doan.

He decided to put his thoughts on the scene before him and what it meant. His eyes took in the crippled form of the dragon that could no longer fly. He was never going to be able to complete his mission now; he'd failed.

"Then I have failed," Gersius said. "I have come all this way and failed." He walked away and fell to his knees. "I have lost my men, the hope for my country, my people. I have left you crippled, unable to fly. How much more can I possibly fail?" he said. "You can not travel like this. You can not fly; you will barely be able to walk."

"You should have killed me," Azurastra cried.

"I did what I thought was right. I did what I felt needed to be done," he said. "Never have I sought to harm someone, out of malice or spite." He shook his head as if he couldn't believe this moment had come. "Only in protection and defense have I raised my weapon." He threw his face to the heavens and called out in a loud voice. "What do I do now?"

The rumble of the distant waterfall answered him, and he felt a drop of water on his face. With eyes closed, he listened to that rumble, and took a deep breath, smelling the scent of water in the air. Here so far from men and war, he should know peace, but the weight of duty, of devotion, prevented him from seeing the beauty around him anymore.

He knelt there on the stony ground with a head cast down, his heart heavy with sorrow. His thoughts tormented him, causing his head to shake as if to deny them. Tears welled in his eyes at thoughts of his country burning, and the people being enslaved. He had time to save them, but where could he find another dragon? The red dragon was out of his reach. Only this blue was within his grasp.

Azurastra watched the man kneeling in the stone, shaking his head. He called out to the skies and was answered with silence, as his shoulders sank. He sat there saying nothing for longer than it wished to wait.

"Do you plan to kneel there all day?" the dragon said in a tense voice.

"I do not," he said in reply.

Slowly he got up and looked across the ground to his helm and weapon.

"I must return to Calathen," he said after a moment. "I will join my brothers and die battling the armies of the Doan." He didn't turn, didn't look at Azurastra only spoke as if saying his final words. "You will stay here and live out your life..." He paused a look of pain on his face. "As best you can."

Azurastra realized it was being abandoned to live a crippled, flightless life. In a panic, it thought of an option, but quickly dismissed it and went to guilt the priest instead.

"I am bound to you, priest!" Azurastra yelled. "You can't leave me here."

"You can not travel with broken wings," he argued back. "I do not have months to limp along the road with you. I am needed back as quickly as I can get there."

Azurastra realized it had no choice. It would have to humiliate itself even more.
A long moment of silence passed then Azurastra spoke.

"I can walk."

Gersius became irritated and turned to face the dragon. "How? How can you walk?" He gestured to the twisted wings. "You will trip on those with every step, and the pain will slow you down even more."

The Dragon cast its head down, unable to hold his gaze.

"I can walk," it said again.

"How?" he demanded.

With a sniffle, the dragon stood, groaning is it shifted its broken wings. A white mist suddenly crawled across its body, shrouding it from his sight. The mist billowed out, forming a great swirling cloud completely engulfing the dragon's form.

Gersius heard a rustling noise like leaves blowing in the wind. He shielded his eyes for a second when an intense flash of light escaped from the cloud of mist. Then all at once, the sound was gone, as the mist ceased its motion.

"Azurastra?" he called as the fog began to dissipate.

A shape moved in the cloud and out stepped a woman. Tall and lithe, with blue eyes that glowed with fire. Her hair was smooth and silky, a bluish silver in color, and it washed down her back, collecting at her waist. Her skin was pale, and strange blue tattoos of interwoven lines ran across her shoulders and down her back.

She stepped out of the cloud naked with her arms folded over her chest, trembling before him.

"Azurastra?" he questioned, unable to believe what he was seeing.

"I told you I can walk."

---

Feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for reading. I may have written this to cope with my fear and pain but once I was over that I discovered just how much I wanted to share. Also please point out grammar errors. I really want to try and clean this up.

 

[omnixius]

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Dragon Knight prophecy Book 1 Chapter 2 I wish I could fly



Gersius stood motionless with raised brows, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"You? You are a woman. A human woman?" he finally managed to stammer out.

"I am female if that is what you mean," she said, turning her head and trying not to look at him. "But I am no human." Her words came out as if the term human was filthy in her mouth.

"I had no idea dragons could take a human form."
"We all can, though we seldom choose to do it," she said while rubbing her nose and brushing tears from her eyes.

"We all can, though we seldom choose to do it," she said while rubbing her nose and brushing tears from her eyes.

"But you are so..." he caught himself before finishing the sentence. He stared for a long moment, unable to believe what he was seeing. Was this Azurastra? Was this the dragon he saw a moment ago? She shook from head to toe as tears welled up in her eyes only to be brushed away with her hand. Her shame was apparent in the way she turned her head, avoiding his gaze.

"We must find you something to wear," he said after a long pause. "You can not travel like that. You must be cold."

"I am an ice dragon. It doesn't matter what form I choose to take; I don't feel the cold."

"Still, where I need to take you a naked woman will lead to trouble."

It was then she seemed to understand and glanced at his eyes for a second before clutching her arms even more tightly over her body.

"Stop staring at me!" she demanded. "How much humiliation must you make me endure?"

His face flushed with embarrassment as he averted his eyes. Quickly he reached for the clasps of his cloak, pulling it free and walking around her. "Here, this will help," he said, wrapping it around her shaking form. "This will do until we get back to where I camped. I have an extra shirt and pants in my pack."

Her hands carefully grabbed at the edges of the cloak, pulling it tightly around herself. A slight cry escaped her trembling lips, and she had to wipe her nose again.

He paused to consider his next words. She was emotionally devastated and needed some time to heal, but time wasn't something they had. The war would not wait for this dragon to recover; he needed to move now. He ran his fingers through his wild hair and reluctantly pressured her to move.

"We should begin walking. The sooner we get to camp, the sooner we can get you something to wear," he said, holding out his hand only to be swatted away in irritation.

"I don't need your help," she spat, voice strained and full of pain.

"I did not mean to insult you."

"Everything you have done to me is an insult," she cried. "You bound me. Left me a cripple, and forced me to take this inferior form."

"I was not trying to insult you. I was trying to help you."

"You call this help?"

"My lady, please, we do not have time for this."

"I am not your lady," she barked at him, her voice going thin. "I am your slave."

He wasn't sure what to say to her to calm her down. She had been through much suffering, and the binding was probably the greatest of them. She was a dragon, a creature of majestic might and power, and she was now bound and helpless to a man. She was magically sealed and forced to serve his will. She would not be able to raise so much as a finger against him. That didn't include swatting his hand, he mused.

"Please, we have to go," he said regretfully.

She took a long forlorn look at the cave beside the waterfall tears pouring down her cheeks. He understood the pain she was feeling and wanted to offer some measure of comfort.

"I promise you will come back. I will make sure you come home again."

She choked on a cry and shook her head. "There is nothing for me to come back to."

With a sigh, he struggled with his feelings. He'd come all this way to find a dragon and save a people, but now he felt like a monster, tearing a woman from her home and marching her into slavery. If he abandoned her, she would languish here, crippled and alone. If he took her with, he was using her to unite an empire she cared nothing about. Neither choice was good, but he consoled himself in the knowledge that he hadn't done this. Another dragon was to blame for her condition, and he tried his best to right the situation. Maybe if he could get her to Calathen? He shook that thought away and focused on what had to be done, even though he hated doing it.

"Please," he said again, motioning her forward. "This way."

She took one trembling step and then another. Her sobs renewed as she slowly began to walk.

They traveled across the lonely valley her gentle sobs the only sound made between them. Her arms stretched across her chest, clutching the cloak over her shoulders, while her head was cast down, staring at the ground like a broken soul with nothing left to live for.

When they reached the cave, he lit the second torch carefully leading the way. He watched as she followed, taking small steps, and always looking down. He made sure he didn't get ahead to keep her within the light of the torch. He noted the blue light in her eyes and the occasional flicker of blue flame that danced on their surface. Even her tears glowed briefly as they rolled down her cheeks. He began to wonder if she needed the light, perhaps her eyes could see better in the dark than his.

He tried to speak with her, but she never responded. She kept her head cast down, looking at the floor and gently sobbed. When they finally reached the cave opening on the other side, he offered to help her negotiate the rocky slope, but she refused.

Twice she stumbled and fell, but refused his assistance. When she slipped and hurt her knee, she screamed at how weak and frail this form was.

"How do you stand it?" she cried. "How do you rodents endure being so weak?"

He knelt beside her and laid his hand on her knee, offering another prayer. The strain to heal even this minor scratch was exhausting and forced him to test his limits again. Until he had time to rest and pray, this would be all he could do. A soft golden light spread across her skin, and her wound faded away.

He had to take a few minutes to catch his breath and shake away the sapping pain that he felt inside. He prayed they would need no more healing until he recovered. When he felt strong enough to continue, he looked at her as she sat huddled on the ground.

Gersius offered her his hand to help her up, and for the first time, she took it. He looked down at her blazing eyes, and she quickly looked away as if ashamed of what she was doing. He helped her to her feet and helped her negotiate the rocky slope of the mountain until they reached the flatter ground. Even here, there were many large boulders and stones, forcing them to choose a careful path.

They traveled an hour as the world around them slipped deeper into darkness. The sun was low, and he realized the campsite was still over an hour away. Looking at Azurastra, he felt his heart sink. She stepped carefully over the broken ground, her bare feet testing each step. She was moving too slowly, and they were never going to reach camp by nightfall.

"My lady," he said as she stepped over a large rock.

She glanced up at him with red-rimmed eyes.

"My lady, the sun is setting. We must reach camp before nightfall."

She didn't respond only continued to pick her way across the broken ground.

"Azurastra," he said in a stronger voice. This time she stopped and looked right at him.

"We have to go faster. Come, let me carry you," he said, holding his arms open.

"Never!" she hissed, sounding more like a dragon than a human.

"We have to go faster. There are wolves in the woods," he argued.

"Let them eat me then! I don't want any more of your help!"

He understood her suffering and how fresh the wounds were, but his nerves and patience were growing thin. He desperately needed to get to camp where he could rest and clear his mind. There was only one way they were going to get there in time.

"Azurastra," he said again, this time more commanding. "Come here. I will carry you."

She glared at him and resisted the command, but the binding compelled her. She felt the chains of the bind tearing at her mind forcing her to want to obey him. She picked her way over to him, shuttering with each step as she tried to resist the impulse.

"How dare you command me!" she hissed at him again.

"I tried to ask your permission," he said, wrapping his arms around her and scooped her up. "I have no choice. The hills are too dangerous at night. We must reach the camp."

She shook he cradled her to his chest, using the cloak as a cushion between her and his armor. She let out a quiet sob as she shrunk inward, pulling into a tight ball as if to crawl away from him.

He carried her over the rocks into the nearby trees that dotted the landscape. As he held her quietly sobbing form to his chest, he wondered if this was really a dragon. This broken, crying creature lacked the ferocity and terror that a dragon inspired. Even now, he could feel her gasping sobs in his arms though she struggled to make them silent.

The trees grew denser as he carried her on. The smell of earth and wood came to his senses as he picked his way through the mossy trunks. Fallen leaves, and the needles of pine littered the ground, crunching beneath his feet. He had to lift her to carry her over brambles and thorns and struggled to hold his balance when he had to descend a steep hill.

Finally, he passed through the wall of trees into the meadow where the camp was hidden. He spotted the nearby stream and followed it to the rocky outcropping. There, hidden in the shadow of the rock, was his backpack and bedroll. Carefully he set her down and set about digging in his pack. Around them, the land was a sea of shadows. The colors dark and muted as the sun's rays began to dip behind the mountains.

"Here," he said, handing her a simple wool shirt and brown pants. "Put these on." He paused until she began to look at the clothing. "I will wait on the other side of the rock until you finish," he added, walking off to give her some privacy.

She waited until he was out of sight before dropping the cloak from her shoulders. Slowly she struggled to get into the pants and shirt. She fought with the shirt making several attempts and growing frustrated. She briefly considered tearing it to shreds instead of trying to wear it. She had to hold the garment up and look it over carefully to understand. She tried twice more before finally getting it right. The pants were much easier but far too large. She had to hold a handful of the material at her waist to keep them on, and even then, they looked like she had bags on each leg. She was not at all comfortable in the clothing, and pulled at the material, trying to make it feel better.

"Are you done?" he called from the far side of the rock.

"Yes," was all she said.

He came back around to see her standing there, a shirt three times her size draped over her like a sheet, and a pair of pants so loose and poorly fitting that even a beggar wouldn't have worn them.

"Why do I have to wear this?" she asked with contempt.

"It is only to preserve your modesty. I will get you something more appropriate when I can."

"What is modesty?" she asked.

"In this human form, you are naked. You cannot go into human lands like this. People will immediately take notice of you, and it will attract attention. When we get to the towns and cities, I need you to pass through safe and unnoticed. You will most assuredly not be safe if you are naked."

"You rodents don't even have the good sense to grow enough hair to cover yourselves when you clearly want to be covered," she said insultingly.

"I need you to wear those until I can get you clothing that fits," he said, growing tired of her complaints.

She tugged at the hem of the pants to show him how poorly they did fit. "How am I supposed to walk in this?" she demanded to know.

"I have a belt," he said, reaching back into his pack. He produced a leather strap and walked toward her. "Hold of the hem with both hands," he instructed her.

She did as she was told, and he wrapped the leather band around her waist twice. He seemed to struggle with it when he realized just how much belt he had leftover.

"You are a very thin human for such a big dragon," he said, puzzling the solution out.

"My human form mirrors my solus," she said.

"What is a solus?" Gersius asked, confused.

"You rodents know nothing of the spirit world," she said irritated. "It is my life force, my energy, it is a reflection of who I am," she stated as she struggled to hold up the pants.

Gersius was pleased that she was talking with more strength and fewer tears. Insulting and belittling the "rodents," as she called them, seemed to bring her new life.

"My form is a reflection of what my solus energy looks like," she clarified.

Gersius listened as he struggled but finally gave up with the belt.

"This is not going to work."

He went back to his pack and discarded the belt. He turned the pack to the side to reveal a small loop of rope strapped to it. He pulled it free and walked back with the rope in hand.

She shook, and her eyes went wide as she watched him he approach with the rope. Her mouth fell open, and she reached up with one hand as if to push him away.

"You have my soul bound!" she pleaded. "You don't need to tie me!"

He stopped in his steps and looked at her with a stone expression. "This is not to tie you," he said, shaking the rope in his hands. "I just need something I can cut to make you a smaller belt."

His explanation didn't seem to help, and she looked down at the rope again.

"What is a belt?"

He sighed. "Let me show you."

She continued to shake as he wrapped the cord around her waist and pulled it tight. He measured a foot more than was required and cut it with a knife from his waist. Pulling the rope, he tied it in a knot at her stomach and stepped back.

"There, that should hold until I can find something more suitable."

She let go of the hem carefully, and the pants slid down her hips a little, but the rope held it firmly in place. She went to walk, but several inches of the material now dragged on the ground around her feet.

"There's only one solution for that," he said while pulling his knife back out. He cut the excess material away, exposing her feet below the ankles. "I am going to have to find you some shoes," he said, looking at her feet. "I can not carry you all the way to Calathen."

"I never asked you to carry me," she said with an angry tone.

"A few long days of walking on your bare feet, and you will," he said, moving away from her.

She went silent at his words and suddenly felt frightened. She hurriedly picked up the discarded cloak, wrapping herself in it and pulling it closed.

"Are you cold?" he asked when he noticed what she was doing.

"I told you I don't get cold! Why do I have to repeat myself to you?" Her voice was strained but had more strength in it.

Gersius shrugged and walked to his pack. Behind it was a pile of sticks and branches, he had prepared beforehand. He began pulling them out and stacking them in a neat pile. He knelt before the sticks and took up a small stone, clasping it between his palms. He whispered to it and quickly opened his hands to drop the stone into the pile of sticks. It began to change colors, glowing with orange light. The sticks around it began to smoke and smolder. In an instant, a flame appeared, and the sticks started to burn.

"You are a fire shaper?" Azurastra asked, watching him from the side.

"It is a small blessing of warmth," he said, not bothering to look at her. "If you channel the warmth into something tiny and strong, like a stone, for example, you can cause it to become hot enough to burn."

"But that is fire shaping," she said more insistent.

"That is a divine blessing. I told you I am a priest," he said, a firm tone in his voice. "I am not a shaper or a weaver. I do not force magic to do what I want; I pray for blessings."

"And the divines force magic to do what you want for you," she said mockingly.

He eyed her with contempt and shook his head. He knew she was only lashing out, but his god was everything to him, and such words dug to his core. He focused his attention on the fire instead, feeding larger branches into the flames to build it up. Satisfied with the fire, he busied himself with removing his heavy armor. Buckles came loose, and the cool night air rushed in as the breastplate was removed. Carefully he set it down on the ground and started on the buckles on his legs. He glanced at her only briefly to see her watching him through the glare of the campfire, her blue eyes glowing with a pale light,

He cast his armor aside piece by piece until he stood there dressed in only his shirt and pants. She sat there, quietly watching him as he stacked it neatly beside his pack.

At first, she didn't understand what the rodent was doing, then realized the metal skin came off. It seemed a silly thing to take such a protective layer away. Why make yourself more vulnerable? If she had her way, she would never wear this pathetic rodent form. Why did dragons even have this curse? What dragon would want to discard strong scales for weak rodent flesh?

Now that the metal was off, she saw what was underneath. He wore the same things she had on, but now understood how they were supposed to fit. She held up her arms and looked down at the billowing material realizing she looked foolish.

His motion caught her attention, and she looked up again. He now stood rolling the muscles in his back as he pulled the shirt away, hanging it over the top of his armor. The firelight glinted off the worked muscles of his upper body. He looked healthy, she guessed, though she had little to compare him with. His body was broad, well defined, and dotted in places by marks, and scars from wounds long since healed.

He reached into his pack and took out a thick rag and walked past the fire toward the stream.

"Where are you going?" she asked as he walked into the darkness beyond.

"I want to wash. Wearing armor all day is hot and uncomfortable," he replied as he walked away.

She watched him go and then sat alone by the fire. What was going to happen to her? How would she ever be happy again? Why hadn't he just killed her like she asked? Alone with her thoughts, she began to cry as her eyes looked up to the night sky, she would never fly again.

Gersius knelt at the shore of the stream, cupping his hands in the water. He threw the water in his face and let its refreshing cool bite soothe his skin. Again he splashed himself imagining the worries he now carried washing away with the sweat.

He thought of the disaster that was his mission, and the men who paid the price for it. The leadership argued against it, citing he was needed for the war. He insulted them all buy invoking a sacred right as a knight captain and demanded the men and time to quest for his god.

The leadership sneered and called for condemnation. Gersius was risking his entire career on this one bold move, so sure it was the right thing to do. When they continued to stand against them, he went a step further, calling them weak and unfit for their positions. He pointed out the law was established by Astikar himself, and they had no authority to deny him.

At last, the highest member of their order, a man who carried the title of Father Abbot, spoke. He silenced the councils and leaders, granting Gersius his demand. It was a half victory, however, and when Gersius provided a list of men, he was flatly refused. The couldn't deny him his right to go, but they could choose who he could take. They restricted the choice to new men who had barely completed their training, and then, only if they volunteered.

Gersius was enraged at the decision. Without veterans, the mission would be far more challenging. He rebuked them publicly, causing some to call for his dismissal. The Father Abbot weighed in again, calming the assembly of leaders. He explained to Gersius that the war was the most pressing matter, and the veterans were needed on the front lines. Surely if Astikar meant for him to go on this quest, he would bless Gersius's efforts, and green soldiers would not hinder him. He added a last remark that struck him as a veiled insult, citing the real fighting would be waiting for him when he returned.

Unhappy with the men he was given, he set out. He took a route that carried him far to the south away from the main roads. He didn't want to be seen in any major towns or cities where spies of the enemy might report his position. Whenever possible, they traveled cross country and made directly for the forest of the Greenwall.

He came to know the men and grow fond of them as they traveled. Every one of them was young and hopeful, not yet tainted by the strife or war. To them, this was an adventure, following in the wake of a hero of the order. He spent the nights in camp telling them stories of his campaigns and encouraging their hearts for Astikar. He knew so long as they had pure intentions and strong hearts, they would be successful.

His eyes looked deep into the dark water of the stream as he let out a long sigh. They were all dead, and he felt the loss profoundly in his soul. It was a deep guilt that haunted him whenever he had a moment to think about it. Even now, he could hear those screams in the night begging him to save them.

Another man would have given up and gone back, to terrified to go on. Another might have fled to try and hide from the responsibility. He chose to go on, determined to do what he set out to do. He told himself it was for Astikar and the safety of the people. He tried to convince himself that he was brave, but he knew the truth. He went on because of cowardice.

He shook his head as he laughed at the irony of facing a dragon out of cowardice. He faced that dragon because he feared the shame of defeat more than death. If he had returned defeated, the leadership would have torn him to shreds. Mocking him and making a spectacle of his failure. He would lose everything, his rank, his command, his reputation. Even his family would be dishonored by the time they were done with him.

He stared into the dark water, shedding tears of his own. The pressure was on him, and he did what he always did, swallowing the pain, refusing to show weakness. He stole a glance at the camp to see Azurastra squatting down, playing with something on the ground beside the fire.

He shook his head, trying to justify what he was doing. Was going on just furthering his cowardice? Was he justified in taking her away from her home? As he asked these questions, he saw what would happen if he didn't. His people would be slaughtered, and his homelands burned. Everyone he knew and loved dead or worse as the Doan swept across all he knew. Even his faith was at risk, the heart of Astikar's faith was spread across the old empire. The Doan would sweep it aside, burning the temples and killing the priests. It would be a catastrophe on a scale he feared to imagine.

He glanced at Azurastra again, watching as she huddled in his cloak, her eyes red with tears she could no longer cry. She was the price of his people's salvation, this shattered creature crying by the fire.

"What am I going to do now?" he whispered as he watched her. He was alone and alive despite his hopes at death. He found his dragon after all, but she turned out to be a symbol of his own tragic life. A crippled dragon so broken it could no longer fly and begged him to kill it."

Had he but five of his brothers, they could have combined their healing power, and the dragon would be whole. Her wounds were far too great for one man, and soon too much time would pass to heal them. They would forever be beyond any mortal power to restore. It wouldn't matter if he tried again; his power was spent. Healing the small scrape on her knee had been exhausting, and the blessing of warmth had hurt. By the time he had the strength to try again, it would be too late.

It was a moment of supreme arrogance to believe he could heal her fully. He doubted it from the moment he suggested he could but held on to hope. Was this his cowardice again? Did he think he could return with his dragon after all? Be the symbol the people and the shattered kingdoms needed to unit them all, and give them the will to fight?

He threw more water in his face shaking his head to throw the excess off. He was a fool, and he knew it. He couldn't heal a dragon, especially one that size with such terrible wounds. It was a miracle her legs healed, and the bleeding stopped. Even he wasn't sure how he managed that much.

He should have killed her, ended her torment, but no. He saw some chance to redeem himself and return a hero. He saw a chance to avoid the shame of defeat and the scorn of his leadership. There would still be some questions raised over the loss of his men, but a dragon would mean victory.

He looked over his shoulder again at his broken dragon. What victory was his leadership going to see in her? What heroic symbol were the people going to rally behind? When she crawled through the golden gates of Calathen crying as she dragged her mangled wings, what triumph was he going to claim? When he saw those wings and realized she was never going to be the dragon he needed, he tried to abandon her. He would run away and forget his failure to return home to face his shame anyway.

He wasn't prepared for what happened next. He had no idea dragons could change from, let alone take one that was human. When she changed, his spinning mind grasped at a new hope. Could he bring her back instead?

He took a few deep breaths before dipping his cloth into the stream. He used it to wipe his arms and shoulders, desperate to cast away the sweat and shame.

He went for a dragon and instead found a broken woman who hated him. How was he going to return with her? What was he going to tell the Father Abbot? This frail, crying child of a woman was his dragon?

He was sure she could change back, and he tried to comfort himself with that. But what would they think when they saw a dragon with twisted and mangled wings? What would they think when she cried before them? She would never be the symbol of strength and hope the people needed. He would never be the hero that delivered it. He shook his head and fought back a wave of frustration. He had to try, though, had to try and make something of this dragon.

The trees rustled as a breeze descended from the peaks above, blanketing the clearing in a cool alpine breeze. Gersius closed his eyes and let his mind go blank to enjoy the soothing gift.

Could he make something of her, or was this more of his stupidity? Was he piling mistakes on top of his mistakes compounding his troubles? Was bringing her back a symbol of his desperation and his fear? All he had were questions. Questions he could not answer because he no longer trusted his own judgment. He knew only one thing for sure. He had gone into that valley to die, and even in this task, he had failed.

He walked back to camp, his mind troubled by what he was doing. Azurastra had moved away from the fire and was now sitting on the rock above it, looking at the sky. As he entered the light of the fire, she glanced at him and then hurriedly looked away.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

She sniffled and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I used to be able to fly," she said. "I want to fly again." She descended into low deep sobs and covered her face with her hands.

He shook his head at the futility of it all. He should have gone back when his men were killed. He should have ended her life and returned to face judgment. He should have never gone on this fool's quest in the first place!

He sat down, leaning against the rock and listened to her cry. His own eyes wet with tears at the sound as he closed them and settled in to rest. He briefly thought about food but decided he wasn't hungry, all that mattered now was sleep.

"I am so sorry my brothers, I am so sorry my people, and I am so sorry, Azurastra," he said under his breath as his weary eyes began to find the blissful peace of sleep.

He awoke when the first rays of the sun crept across the meadow. With a yawn, he stretched his limbs in the morning cold and slowly got to his feet. He looked around for Azurastra and found her still atop the rock curled in a ball in his cloak sound asleep. He sighed when he saw her eyes were still red from labored crying.

He took a deep breath as he walked out of the camp, crossed the stream, and headed up the hill on the far side. He was looking for a place to be alone and open his heart. He needed to be connected and feel the warm embrace of his faith.

Yesterday had been a trial of faith and will, for what purpose he did not know. All he knew was his emotions were too close to the surface, and his temper was short. The pain of his failures clawed at the back of his mind keeping him on edge. If Azurastra added to those frustrations, he worried he would break.

He needed to clear his mind and recover his balance. The night's rest had restored some of his strength, opening his heart to his god would restore more. Through prayer, the power of the divine flowed through him and restored what was lost. It would still be a few days before he was fully recovered, but he felt less vulnerable. He picked a spot on the hill that was clear of brush and sank to his knees.

Azurastra awoke to the sound of a distant chant on the wind. She lifted her head and looked out over the meadow. There she saw Gersius kneeling in the grass his head back his arms held out with palms turned up. He was chanting in a language she did not understand. His voice clear and strong carried a strange power across the open expanse.

He was the source of all her pain now, and she glared at him in rage. He should have finished her off and ended her suffering. He offered her hope instead, saying he was a priest, who could help her. In a moment of weakness, she gave him her true name of power, and he bound her with it.

Even now, she could feel something of him stirring inside. It was his control, the chains of the bind sapping her will with a presence in her mind. When he commanded her to walk to him, she felt the bind take over. Even as her rational mind screamed no, an intense desire to obey him washed over her, feeling the need to do as he said and went right to his arms. What limit did such power have? What command would she not follow? What might he ask her to do? She folded her arms about herself, rocking back and forth at the disturbing image.


She was bound to a rodent who promised to heal her and failed. Her beautiful wings were still mangled and torn, aching whenever she tried to move them. She would never fly again and know the freedom of the open sky. The thought brought renewed tears as the memory of what she once was flooded her heart. Her life was meaningless now, devoid of any purpose or joy. Dragons prided themselves on ruling the skies, flying above the world like royalty. It was her birthright to soar through the kingdom of the sky. Now she was a worm, doomed to crawl in the mud like the rodent who enslaved her.

When he saw the broken wings, he tried to abandon her. She was of no value to him, just a hindrance that would slow him down. In a moment of weakness, she revealed to him her shiva, her human shape, and he changed his mind. She regretted it now, regretted ever having believed a word he had said. He intended to march her across the lands as a prize, a living trophy of his conquests. She knew the other rodents would mock her and throw stones. She would be helpless to defend herself bound to him as she was. He would use the bind to command her to perform for them, and she would be sickened as it made her desire to do so.

Far off, his voice picked up a new tempo and snapped her out of her angry thoughts. There was a magic in the rhythm of it, a harmony of divine power. She scowled at the thought of it as the anger returned. She was power manifest, an ice dragon, worthy of being feared and worshiped alike. Still, she was surprised his voice which sounded coarse and rough, could hold such a rhythmic smoothness. It held a beauty she had never encountered before and was perhaps the first thing about him she begrudgingly liked.

A tear dripped from her eye as she huddled back into his cloak. For some reason, she felt some measure of security in it. She closed her eyes and sniffed as she wrapped it around herself like she would her wings, covering herself and keeping safe.

As she huddled there, listening to the tones of his voice, her mind began to wander. She was in this horribly low position because of another dragon. A dragon who arrogantly demanded her loyalty and her name, then attacked her when she refused. The savageness of that attack took her completely by surprise and immediately played into his hands. He beat her, breaking her wings, her tail, and all but one of her legs. He mocked her as she crawled in the dirt, dying at his feet, then flew to the cave to steal her hoard. She was helpless to stop him, and he took from her all that mattered in this world, her hoard.

Gersius's voice changed again, his song weaving in and out of tones of power. She looked up for only a moment before continuing her thoughts. All of this pain and humiliation she now endured was that dragon's fault. Her mind fixated on his image, burning it into her memory. If she had her wings and her freedom, she would hunt him down and kill him

It was only as she shook with rage that she noticed the chanting had stopped. She looked out over the meadow and saw him walking along the stream, a long stick in his hands. He speared the water a time or two, and she wondered what he was doing. Eventually, he pulled his stick out to reveal a large fish flapping at its end. He cast it aside and worked at the water again, stabbing and cursing from the sound of it as he tried to catch more. Once he had three, he returned to the camp and set them aside, before working to rekindle the fire.

"I see you are awake," he said as she crawled down from her roost above him. "I hope you had a good night's sleep."

Once he had the fire going, he picked up the fish and started to work on them with his knife.

"Is that for," she started to say and hesitated. "Is any of that for me?"

"Are you hungry?" he asked, turning to look at her with a slight smile on his lips. "You did not think I could eat three fish, did you?"

She looked down at the fish on the rock between them.

"So I can have one?" she asked timidly.

"Of course, just let me—" but he never finished his words.

She reached out and took hold of a fish with both hands and hungrily sank her teeth into it.

"What are you doing?" Gersius said, surprised.

She looked up at him with a mouth full of fish. "You said I could haff one."

"Yes, but the fish is raw," he said. "I have not even gutted it yet."

She took another bite and hungrily chewed it. "What is raw?"

Gersius almost laughed at the sight of her. "We humans prefer to cook our fish before we eat them."

"Why?" she said, taking another bite.

"Because we are not dragons, I suppose," he said, holding out his hand. "Here, give it to me; let me show you."

"You said I could have one," she replied, clutching the fish to her chest.

"I just want to show you what I mean. You can still have the fish."

She took another bite, unwilling to part with it.

"Fine, I will cook the other two and let you try one of those," he said with a wave of his hand and turned away from her shaking his head.

She watched as he scraped the fish removing the scales. She had to admit that they were sticking in her teeth and crunched uncomfortably in her mouth. He then cut them open and removed the organs and cast them aside. She wondered if he would mind if she ate them since he wasn't going to.

He rested the split fish halves on a stick and hung it over the low fire. She didn't understand what he was trying to do as the fish sizzled in the heat. She looked back at him as she began to struggle with the bones of the fish she had. Her jaws were human, not those of a dragon, and the bones resisted her ability to chew them.

"How do you weaklings eat?" she said, pulling a bone from her mouth.

"I was trying to tell you earlier," he answered while shuffling through his backpack.

"Your kind can't even chew its food."

"We do not eat the bones," Gersius said, taking a small jar from his pack.

"What a waste," she added, tossing another bone aside.

"I see you are in better spirits this morning."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she said.

"There is more fire in your belly," he said, bending over the fish and sprinkling something on them.

"There is no fire in my belly. I am an ice dragon," she said in a mocking tone.

"It is an expression. It means you are more alive, more energetic."

"I had a good sleep," she said, casting her eyes down. She shuffled her feet and glanced back up. "What are you doing to those fish?"

"I am cooking them."

"Why?" she asked again.

He looked as if he was unsure how to answer, then motioned with his hand for her to come forward. "Come here."

She stepped forward slowly and walked closer to the fire.

"Use your nose, and take a deep breath, fill it with the smoke."

She looked at him uncertain but did as she was told and leaned a little closer. She took a long, deep inhale and filled her nose with a pleasing scent. She had never smelled anything like it before, and she suddenly felt even more hungry.

She looked down at the fish and knew the pleasing scent was coming from them. She realized she wanted to eat a cooked one, and she lost control of herself. She reached down and grabbed a fish over the fire. With a cry of pain, she dropped the fish into the coals and staggered back, shaking her hand up and down.

"Ow!" she screamed, stumbling away.

Gersius scrambled after her trying to grab hold of her hand.

"My hand!" she wailed tears coming to her eyes.

Gersius tried to take her hand to heal the burn, but she fought with him and pushed him away.

"Give me your hand, you fool girl!" Gersius shouted, his temper finally breaking.

She flailed about forcing him to grab her and fight her for the hand.

"My hand is burned!" she cried.

"Shhhh," he said to her pressing her hand between his.

His voice descended into a low intonation like the chant on the hill. She felt a warm tingling spread through her hand, and the pain subsided. When he stopped chanting, she quickly pulled her hand away and turned it over before her eyes. It was just her hand, no burn, no marks.

"You are like a child!" came a harsh voice snapping her out of her examination.

She looked up to see anger on the face of Gersius, and the look made her uncomfortable.

"You behave like a foolish little girl," he said again, turning to see if he could salvage the fish dropped in the fire.

"How dare you talk to me like that rodent!" she yelled back angrily. "I am above you, high and mighty! I am an ice dragon, I am—" she never finished her words as Gersius whirled around and raced toward her. The look of anger on his face made her stagger back, but she hit the rock wall. He grabbed her by the collar of her shirt, gathering the material into his fist until it was choking her.

He dragged her off, marching her past the fire and down the hill to the stream. He stopped at the edge and forced her down, leaning her face over the water.

"Look down there, what do you see?" he demanded. "Do you see a dragon or a fool girl?"

She looked down into the water and saw her reflection on its surface. She had a panicked look on her face, and her eyes were full of fear. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to see or say, so she did the only thing that made sense and started to cry again.

Gersius held her over the water and thought about throwing her in. His anger boiled to the surface as his pain threatened to overwhelm him, but then he heard her start to cry. He realized he'd gone too far, that he had overreacted. The pain and frustration of his failures had come rushing out, and she had born the brunt of it. He loosed his grip and gently pulled her away from the water.

"I, I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you."

She wrapped her arms around herself and continued to cry.

"Look, there is still a fish left. I will show you how to eat it, so you do not get burned," he said, trying to soothe her.

"I don't want the fish!" she wailed her mouth open in uncontrolled sobs. "I want to go home. I just want to fly home!" she cried, falling to her knees.

Gersius knelt beside her and looked out over the water. He struggled to think of something to say. Even here, he had failed. He had allowed his pain to cloud his mind and make him angry. He realized that he blamed her for not being the dragon he needed. He realized he was not the man he thought he was. There were no words of comfort he could offer her, but at the very least, he could share her pain.

"I wish I knew what it was like to fly," he said softly. "We humans always look up at the birds and wonder what it must be like, to soar through the heavens."

She descended into short gasping wails as he spoke.

"It must be amazing to see the world from above, to look down on it all. I wish I knew, wish I could appreciate it as you do." He paused and gave her time to breathe. "I am just a man. I can not see the world through your eyes, or appreciate the loss you must feel. Still, I can see the pain of it clearly on your face. I can understand that you are hurting in a way that can not be described in words." He paused again and listened to her struggling to control her gasps.

"I am sorry, Azurastra. I am so very sorry I yelled at you. I am not like you, not strong and sure. I let my fears and worries cloud my thoughts, and I took them out on you."

He waited as her breathing started to smooth, and her sobbing grew farther apart.

"There is only one thing I can do for you," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her to him and held her fast to his chest. He did the only thing he could think to do and held her.

"I am so sorry," he said, his own eyes tearing up.

Her mind was too lost in sorrow to fight him, and this rodent form too weak to resist. She struggled to control her sobs as her body trembled in rage and sorrow. Her mind implored her to scream at him and beg him one final time to kill her. As she worked up the will to beg him to end her suffering, she felt something wet on her head. She wiped her eyes and sniffed as she got control and finally heard him crying.

Minutes passed as he held her, his tears gently falling into her hair. She felt such a swell of emotions, rage mixed with fear forming a toxic poison. She wanted to go home, wanted to spread her wings, and fly away. Everything that mattered to her was gone, even her freedom, but what had he said? He said he was sorry for frightening her, and took the blame for what happened. He also said he wished he could know what it was like to fly?

She felt something deep inside, something of him something new. It came from the chains of the bind, forcing her to share this moment with him somehow. Whatever this feeling was, it was entirely new for her, and she could not resist it. She didn't even mind his arm holding her, instead feeling a strange sense of comfort in it. Again she thought of his words, how he wished to know what it was like to fly.

"It is the most amazing thing," she said in a strained voice.

He lifted his head when she spoke. "What is?" he asked.

"Flying," she said. "To feel the wind on your wings, and see the earth passing by in a blur." She rubbed her nose and took a staggered breath. "I liked... I liked the clouds. When you get above them, and they block your view of the ground. It's as if there is nothing but endless sky." She sobbed as she remembered it, and he held her until she could continue. "I would fly for hours, just to be free and feel alive. It is a dragon's birthright to rule the sky, to fly and soar above it all. I have no reason to live without my wings. I don't want to live," she said, breaking down into sobs again.

"Shhh," Gersius said, rocking her in his arms. "I do not know why any of this happened to you, and I hate what I must do. I hate that I must take you away from your home."

She pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes. She saw that his eyes now were rimmed with tears, tears for her, for her loss. She decided to ask him the question that burned in her heart.

"Why didn't you heal my wings?"

"Because I was not strong enough," he answered. He put his hands to her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "If I could heal your wings, I swear to you I would. I would never have left you like this if I could have prevented it. When one channels the power of divine healing, the power focuses on the most critical injuries first, the life-threatening ones. The more injured a person is, the more power a priest has to channel. It takes a toll on the priest. There is only so much one priest can do, to push beyond those limits, is to risk death."

"Can you try again? Can you do it now?" she pleaded with him desperately.

"Azurastra, the healing has to be done when the wounds are fresh. Once the body begins to set, the healing will not see it as an injury. We can not regrow a lost limb, or a blinded eye if the injury is even a few hours old. I am afraid too much time has already passed."

"I want my wings back," she whimpered, looking away.

"I want you to have your wings back," he said, still holding her shoulders. "But I do not know how to give them to you, maybe there—" He paused, not wanting to give her hope where there might be none. Still, he knew there might be a way. If he could get her to his brothers at the temple in Calathen. It was a chance, but he didn't dare tell her, not yet.

He looked at the sun as it began to climb the sky. "I am sorry I shouted at you. I am sorry I have to drag you away from your home, and I am sorry any of this happened to you." He took a deep breath. "I do what I must do, what duty demands, and duty demands that I bring you to Calathen. We cannot stay here much longer. We have to be on the road soon."

"Why?" she asked, still not looking at him.

"Because I need you in Calathen," was all he said.

Slowly he stood and held his hand down to her. She took it begrudgingly, and he helped her up. She walked back up the hill trailing behind him with her eyes cast down, her breath still quiet sobs.

He packed his backpack and stomped out the fire. The fish on the stick had blackened in the heat, and neither one of them touched it. He glanced again at the sun as it made its way across the sky and then looked out into the trees.

"We need to head west through the forest for the better part of the day. We should reach the logging road before sundown," he said, not looking back at her.

He then turned and started to put his armor back on, working his way up from his boots to his helmet.

She watched him as he worked to put the armor in place and then picked up his sword. It was a long straight blade with a red star at the base and a black handle. She couldn't see the blade itself as it was hidden inside a leather case that he fastened to his belt. He left his helmet off, putting it in his backpack instead. His pack went over his back, and he pulled the straps tight.

"I am sorry, but we have to be going," he said.

She stood there, her eyes still cast down, her toe pushing a small stone across the ground.

"You are very brave," she said, not looking up.

"Why do you say that?" he asked as he turned to face her.

"Coming after a dragon alone," she said in a quiet tone.

He made a snorting noise and shook his head. "I did not come alone," he said, his voice full of pain as he walked off.

 

[omnixius]

Azurastra followed as he picked his way through the forest. For hours he kept his back to her saying nothing, as if angry again. She wondered if somehow she had caused it, made him angry with what she said. His mood became dark and distant when she called him brave for coming alone. She even felt something of it over the bind, a sort of coldness that faded away as if fleeing her.

She spent the first few hours wondering if he would ever speak to her again. To break the tension and fear, she began to look around, taking notice of where she was and was swept away.

The forest was a realm of wonder and magic. All her life, she flew above them, seeing them as oceans of green leaves that raced by. Not once in all her years had she walked beneath those green waves to discover the world beneath.

Everything felt new as if she had never been out of her cave. There were scents carried on gentle breezes that filled her with wonder. Some were earthy and strong, others delicate and sweet. Scents came and went in tiny waves that teased her senses.

There was a whole myriad of noises as well. Creaks, snaps, bird songs, and the calls of distant animals echoed from places deep beyond the trees, hidden from sight as if secretly watching them pass. Even the trees sang groaning songs as their branches swayed in the breeze above. She never paid much attention to trees, none of them grew in the valley, and the one time she tried to walk through them while hunting, she found them a hassle. Her dragon form was too large for the forest, but this human form could slip through easily, passing through a world of green and shadow.

She paused when things caught her attention, like when the branches swayed, and golden rays of light spilled down around her like rain. She stopped to stick a hand in one of the rays, marveling at the kiss of the sun and why it felt warmer in this form.

It must be a rodent thing, she decided. Something her superior dragon form had no need of, or simply could not feel. She tried to cling to that thought, but her curiosity wouldn't allow it. All around her was a world full of things to explore, and she wanted to see all of it.

The forest itself was continually changing, at one point, the passing was easy, the trees towering above and the ground clear of brush. In others, the ground was covered in thick growths of green plants that caught on her garments or tangled her feet. She dared to let her fingertips touch some of them, testing the feel of the leaves. She touched the trees as well, running her hand over the rough bark, amazed at how sensitive her rodent touch was. When a branch hung low and dangled its leaves before her, she reached up and rubbed one between her fingers.

Even the floor of the forest was a new sensation. Her dragon feet could crush rocks, but her rodent feet felt the damp warmth underneath. Her steps often crunched or snapped as twigs broke under her weight. Occasionally she stepped on something that hurt, but she quickly stepped away and continued.

She tried to let the magic of all these new experiences sweep her away and occupy her mind. For a brief moment, it worked, but then a little creature flew right before her face. It had yellow and golden wings that fluttered in the most unusual way, darting up and down as it danced before her eyes. She tried to hold on to the magic, but the little creature reminded her of her desire to fly home. As the sadness returned, she wrapped herself in the cloak Gersius gave her, seeking its comfort.

"How could this have happened to me?" she said to herself in her moment of pity.

Gersius didn't seem to notice, or maybe he didn't care. He kept on walking, leading the way through the maze of wood and leaf. She let the sad thought of flying home echo in her head over and over. She trembled when she thought about being bound and looked up at her captor with regret.

She played the moment again in her head, how the great red had come, and demanded to know her true name and serve his master. When she refused, he did something she could not believe. He viciously attacked her. He left her broken and bleeding, dying for refusing to be bound. Then along comes a man who offers to heal her if she would be bound to him instead. Be bound or die, die, or be bound. She'd chosen death, begged him to kill her, but then he made an offer she did not expect. He promised to limit her binding to a year and a day, a meaningless period of time to a dragon. To her, such a period was like a season, a moment that comes and quickly fades away.

With much trembling, she agreed. Remembering how afraid she was at that moment made her stomach turn. Before that day, she had never known fear. She was a dragon, defiant and majestic, a creature of legendary power who inspired fear in others, not felt herself.

What was she now? She looked at her human hands. This form was so weak, so frail. She flopped around like a pet behind him, draped in clothes that hung off her like her useless wings. She was a captive, a slave, doomed to serve the rodent who snared her.

She lifted her head when a bird called someplace in the trees above. The forest floor was dark, but up past the swaying branches, she could see them. White clouds drifting by the world below, uncaring and free, like she used to be. She lowered her head, unable to stand the sight as she struggled to hold in tears.

It was from this point of view that something caught her eye. The path before them entered a relatively flat area. The trees opened up, allowing the sunlight to bathe a little field full of blue plants. Gersius walked into the strange blue shapes that reached to his knees; the tender green stems easily brushed aside as he passed. They swayed in the wind, rippling like water in a pond. She was fascinated by the color she was so accustomed to seeing in the sky. It was like a second magical sky, hidden below the green clouds of the forest.

She followed into the waves of color and had to stop. She'd never seen such things before and desperately wanted to touch one. Carefully she knelt and ran a fingertip over a blue petal feeling a softness like never before.

"What are you doing?" came a questioning voice.

Azurastra jump up, startled by the first words spoken in hours.

"They, they were. I wanted to touch one," she blurted out uncertain if she'd done something wrong.

"Do you not know what those are?" he questioned, walking towards her.

"It is a plant," she said defiantly.

"It is called a flower," he said, smiling for a change. "You really have no idea what these are?" he added, sweeping his arms to take in the blue all around them.

"A flower?" she said, looking back at them.

"Go ahead, touch one," he said. "There is no danger in it. They will not harm you."

She looked unsure but knelt to look closely at the blue things growing around her. She reached out a hand again and gently ran a fingertip over one.

"This is," she paused to think of the words. "Different."

"Different?" Gersius said, coming to stand beside her.

"I can't feel things like this as a dragon. I can't feel things."

"You mean cannot feel soft things," he replied.

"This rodent form can feel things I could never feel as a dragon."

"There is more," he said, kneeling beside her. "Smell it."

"Smell it?" she said questioningly.

"Trust me, just smell it," he said encouragingly.

She looked away from him and back to the flower. It swayed gently in a breeze, and a single drop of dew glistened on a petal. Slowly she bent over and closed her eyes. She took a deep inhale and filled her nose with a scent, unlike anything she had ever known. It washed over her and defied her ability to describe it. She leaned back and opened her eyes, looking back to Gersius.

"It smells. I can smell it. It smells," she stumbled, trying to think of the words.

"It smells beautiful," he said, filling in the blank for her.

"Beautiful?" she repeated.

For the first time she saw something in his face she hadn't seen before. She had no word for it either, but it felt warm and made her feel at ease.

"Here," he said, reaching out into the blue canopy. He gently grabbed hold of a stem and plucked a blue flower, handing it to her so she could hold it. Gently she cupped it in her hands and smelled it again.

"Flower," she said.

Gersius smiled as she said the word. "Not just any flower," he added, looking into her eyes. "There are many kinds of flowers, each one has its own name, much like you, and I have our own names. I am a human, but my name is Gersius. You are a dragon, but your name is Azurastra. This is a flower, but its name is..." Gersius paused as if unsure how to continue.

"Tell me, what is its name?" she implored him holding the flower up between them.

"Dragons tears," he replied.

She looked down at the pretty little blue flower she cupped in her hands. "Dragons tears," she said as she considered the name. She felt a sort of pain inside, distant and sad, almost as if it was something long forgotten.

"Here now, let me show you something else," he said, reaching into the plants. Carefully he plucked one and then another until he a dozen or more. He began to twist the stems together, weaving them until he had a band of blue flowers all in a row.

"My sister showed me how to do this," he said as he worked. "We had many kinds of flowers in the gardens where I grew up." He worked at them a moment more until the band was three flowers wide.

"Now," he said as he reached up with both hands and placed the band on her head, tucking it behind her ears. "A crown of blue flowers for the queen of ice."

She twisted around, trying to see the band of flowers on her head, then reached a hand up and felt for it gently. Her fingers glided over the soft petals, causing a golden shower of pollen that carried the sweet scent to her nose. She felt something else. It was inside again, a pressure, a twisting. It was another mystery she didn't have a word for. It pulled at her as if from far away, like a memory straining to be remembered.

"They smell..." she hesitated again. "Beautiful?"

"They do," he said.

"Your sister taught you how to make the flower crowns?"

"She did," he replied, seeming to draw away.

"Where is your sister now?"

A dark look of pain passed over his face, and his eyes glistened.

"Come, we must keep going," he said, standing up and turning away.

A cold emptiness replaced the twisting. It surged up and then seemed to draw away as if fleeing from her. She looked at Gersius as he walked off the coldness retreating with him.

She stood to follow, but in her heart, she wanted to stay with the flowers. She held the one in her hand to her face again and smelled it. "Dragons tears," she whispered as if talking to the flower.

They walked on for several hours, the sun climbing high in the sky before he stopped again. He took a strange bottle from his pack and opened it. He tipped it back, and water poured into his mouth. She eyed the bottle hungrily, not having realized how thirsty she was.

He glanced at her as he drank and put his arm down.

"Are you thirsty?" he asked her.

She nodded her head.

"Here," he said, holding the bottle out to her.

She carefully took it from his hands and clutched it to her chest. She sniffed at the opening and smelled the water inside. She had never seen such a thing before, but she saw how he used it. Tilting it back, she poured the water into her mouth and over her face, choking as she drowned herself.

"Careful," Gersius cautioned as he took the bottle from her hands.

She staggered back coughing and wheezing.

He gave her a moment to cough it back up and get control of herself.

She shot him an angry look as if her current state was his fault.

"You have to tip the bottle slowly so that the water trickles out just enough to fill your mouth."

Her glare told him she didn't believe him.

"Here, watch me," he said, taking another drink. She watched him intently as he pressed the bottle to his lips and lifted it back with a slight tilt of his head. He pulled the bottle away and smiled while holding it out to her. "Take it," he said when she hesitated.

Slowly she took it and eyed it like she was holding a snake.

"Now place it to your lips like I did and tip it slowly until you feel the water just start to flow," he suggested.

She did as he instructed slowly raising the bottle until she felt the water flow over her lips, she dropped her hands quickly getting little more than a few drops into her mouth.

"Good, now try again, but this time wait until you have enough in your mouth to swallow."

She wanted to throw the bottle at him, but her thirst implored her to drink. Carefully she tipped it back, taking several tried before she finally got a good mouth full. She still poured a little down her chin, but manage to swallow without drowning.

"See, it is not so hard," he said, taking the bottle back and put it in his pack. "Another hour or so and we should find the old log road. If we follow it north, we will reach a small collection of farms." He looked out through the trees as if trying to see them. "I should have come in this way. It would have made travel far easier, but it would have added nearly a week to my trip, and my passage would not have gone unnoticed."

He turned around to look at her again and looked down. "How are your feet?" he asked.

She paused to consider the question. What was wrong with her feet? She looked down at them and lifted one to look at it. "They are right there," she responded, unsure of what he wanted.

"I meant do they hurt, are they sore?"

She shook her head no; her feet were not sore. She had occasionally stepped on a stone or twig, but her feet felt fine to her.

Gersius looked at her suddenly with his brows creasing deeply and his mouth coming open slightly. "Your eyes, what has happened to your eyes?" he said, startled and leaned in closer to her.

Her hands went to her face and felt for her eyes as if they were missing.

"They are here; I still have them," she said, frightened.

"No, I mean the light, the blue glow is gone," he said, looking into one eye and then the other.

She jerked away from his fingers as he tried to touch her face.

"I don't know. I didn't know there was a light," she said.

"It was there when you transformed, a blue light that burned in your eyes."

"I told you I don't know," she said, more irritated.

Gersius took a moment to consider it. Had it been gone all morning? Was it there when they woke up? Was it there when he held her over the stream? He felt a shudder to remember his behavior this morning and moved on.

"It must fade over time," he said, leaning back. "The light must be something of your dragon nature, that fades the longer you are human. How do you not know these things?" he asked her genuinely puzzled.

"I don't choose to walk around in this weak, rodent form," she spat, becoming angry. "I have only taken this form a few times and never for longer than a moment. I used it once to reach a coin that had fallen into a tight space. I used it another time to pick my silver coins out of my gold ones. You rodents make the coins so small they are hard to sort with my dragon hands."

"So you can change back then?" he asked her.

"Of course, I can change back! I can change anytime I want to," she said, her frustration rising in her voice.

"Good," he replied with a nod of his head.

"Did you think I couldn't change back?" she asked him in a sarcastic tone.

"I did not know you could change at all," he answered her, mirroring her tone. "I did not want to make any more assumptions."

She felt a sudden surge of anger at his lack of understanding. She hated having to explain anything to him, and she hated being in her human form.

"If I was stuck in this weak, pathetic form, I would have thrown myself from a cliff by now," she yelled, feeling her anger and emotions start to boil. She tore at the clothes she was wearing and stomped a foot. "I hate being like this! I must look stupid to you! I am joke now, a fool to be made fun of!"

"Azurastra, please calm down," he said, trying to soothe her. The use of her name only made it worse.

"Stop using my name and reminding me I am bound to you!" she wailed as her emotions ran wild again. She turned away and started stomping back and forth as her anger boiled out.

He let her pace about a bit with her hands clenched tightly until she stopped and looked down.

"Are you done?" he asked her as she seethed with rage.

She paused and considered his words. She folded her arms over her chest and looked away, saying nothing.

He let her pout a moment more and then spoke to her.

"I call you that because I do not know what else to call you, not because I want to torment you," he said soothingly. "What should I call you then? What name do you go by?"

She sat there silently for a few moments before responding.

"I don't know what you should call me." She paused and took a breath. "I have never spoken to one of your kind before. I have seen your kind but never spoken. I did not have a use for names."

"You mean you do not have a regular name?" he said, genuinely shocked.

"I never needed one!" she shouted back.

"But what about other dragons, surely you have spoken to them."

"We dragons are not social like you rodents are. We don't live in big nests with dozens of you scurrying about." She sighed and looked around. "We hardly ever meet and only for specific purposes. In the last hundred of your years, I have seen my kind only twice, and one of those two visits was the red."

"So, you have no order or society? How do you reproduce if you never meet?"

"We don't need a society! We are solitary and have been since the begining. When we want to," she paused, looking for the right words. "When we want to mate, a female will seek out a male."

"Have you ever sought out a male?" he asked her.

"That is none of your concern!" she shouted.

"So how did you learn to speak?" he asked her with a look of skepticism on his face.

"My mother taught me," she said, looking away.

"Your mother?"

"Yes, my mother!" She turned now to face him standing so she could look him in the eyes. "A dragon brood is always raised by its mother. She is the one who takes care of them and teaches them."

"And what of the males? What of your father?"

"Bah, males. They have no more involvement than breeding. Once they have bred a female, they hardly care if she exists anymore. They only seem to mind if she nests too close to one of them and competes for food. Then they drive her away."

"So you do not know who your father is?" he asked.

"No! I do not," she said, looking down and folding her arms over her chest again. "I don't care who he is."

"So you do not know anything about people. You do not know who your father is, and you do not have a name?" he said, summarizing the past few moments.

"I told you I—" she tried to say, but he finished her sentence.

"Never needed one, yes, I know." He shook his head in frustration. "Well, you need one now. So what shall we call you?"

"I don't; I don't know," she said, looking around awkwardly.

It was as she turned her head he noticed the crown of blue flowers.

"How about we name you after one of those," he suggested, pointing to her head.

"You want to call me dragons tears?" she said, sounding insulted.

"No, not that flower, another flower. You thought the flowers were beautiful, did you not?"

"I thought they smelled beautiful?" she said, irritated.

"A thing can smell beautiful. It can look beautiful. It can sound beautiful," he said, walking to her as his voice became gentle. "I know a flower that grows in the hills of Tarashan. It has long delicate petals that start out the deepest blues but fade to the color of the sky at its middle, and white at the tips."

The softness of his words washed over her as he described the colors of the flower. It reminded her of her dragon scales as he evoked a sense of great beauty with his description. He was being very strange all of a sudden, his harsh voice was tender, lacking any threat or demand. Across the bind, she felt a pressure, something pushing, something of him. She tried to grasp at the sensation, but it was no clearer than before and eluded her ability to understand. His face looked soft as well as if he was glad to see her. She was so awash in the moment she almost forgot to respond when he stopped speaking.

"And this flower is beautiful?" she asked.

"It is very beautiful," he said, walking right up to her and taking both her hands in his.

She flinched at the touch and glanced at his hands, frowning. Why was the rodent touching her?

"What is this flower called?" she asked, tugging her hands away. She felt no malice in the touch but saw no reason for it.

"It is called a Lilly," he replied, stepping back with a shake of his head.

"A Lilly?" she asked, rubbing her hands as if to wash off his touch.

"Do you like the name?" he asked her. "Can I call you Lilly?"

"Lilly," she said to herself as she pondered the word. "I accept it."

"Then it is settled," he said, smiling at her. "My lady Lilly, shall we continue?" He added a slight bow and a sweep of his hand.

Her mind suddenly felt heavy. Her thoughts were labored, and her emotions were spinning around her. Inside anger mixed with confusion as the twisting in her stomach returned. Even her hands felt strange now. They tingled where he'd touched them as if something of him had rubbed off. She didn't know how to answer him beyond a simple nod.

"Good," he said, turning to push on into the forest.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he led the way. She might be a dragon, but in her current form, she was little more than a human child. A child so ignorant of the world and its people it surprised him. She had the biting tone of an adult, but her ignorance of humans and their ways was going to be a problem. He would have to watch her when they started to meet other people. He would have to be a father to her, guiding her by the hand through the world. He cursed his luck and pressed on determined to complete his goal.

Another hour passed as the forest thinned, and they found the logging road.

"This is the road we want. From here, we go north," Gerisus said, pointing down the muddy track that was nearly overgrown with weeds. "With any luck, we will reach some of the farms before nightfall."

"There will be more rodents there?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, there will be more people there," he said. "Just stay with me, and remember your name is Lilly."

"My name is Lilly," she repeated.

The road was much easier going, and they traveled faster than in the forest. He asked several times about her feet as if expecting them to fall off. Every time she told him they were fine, though, in truth, they were starting to feel tired. It was well after noon when they crested a small hill and looked down into a dark, densely forested valley. A frown crawled across his face as he studied the distant trees. Something pushed at her across the bind, something sharp and unpleasant.

"Lilly," he said. "I want you to stay close to me. Do not wander more than five feet away," he said in a deadly serious tone.

"Why?" she asked with her usual lack of understanding.

He shook his head again and cursed his luck. "Please, I have a sense for such things. Just promise me you will stay close to me."

"You could command me to do it," she replied angrily.

"I could, or I could treat you with respect and dignity and ask you instead."

She went to argue but understood the meaning of his words. He was giving her the freedom to choose when he didn't have to. All her bitter words would do is make him angry again, and he was scary when he was angry.

"I, I will stay close," she said with a defeated look on her face. "I promise."

He took off his pack and dug his helmet out, firmly placing it on his head. "Can you carry this?" he said, holding the pack out to her.

"I can," she said with no argument and took it from his hands. It was heavier than expected, but she managed to hold it up.

He nodded his head in approval, his eyes full of worry.

"Just until we clear the trees," he said as he started to move forward again. This feeling worried him because he'd felt it before and failed to act on it. Several times on his trip to find Lilly, this sensation crawled through his mind, especially the night his men were attacked. He wouldn't ignore it this time, though he hoped it would pass. He prayed it was only his nerves, or perhaps his guilt playing tricks on him

The forest was unnaturally quiet as if every animal had hidden or fled. This only added to his anxiety as it was a sure sign a predator was about. He crawled forward with Lilly close behind his eyes, searching the treeline and every dark shadow. Something was here, watching from just beyond his sight. The sense of dread in the back of mind became intense as a faint smell caught his nose. He turned on Lilly, chanting in a strong, commanding voice, praying there was enough time.

"What are you doing?" Lilly asked, suddenly frightened.

Gersius kept chanting, his eyes closed as he called in song to the power of the divine. Around them, she heard sudden noises, yipping sounds, and the breaking of branches. A savage growl echoed form someplace to her right, causing her to turn about.

"What are those noises?" she demanded.

He threw his hands out to either side of her and spoke the final word of command. A red light formed in a circle around her, touching the inside of his hands. He pulled his hands away, and the ring fell, forming a circle about her feet that pulsed with magical power. He opened his eyes and looked directly at her. "Do not leave the circle," he commanded.

She felt the compulsion to do as he had said, the binding forcing her to stand right where she was. She wanted to argue, but his eyes were angry again, and their gaze only added to her fear.

A howl split the air as a dark form flew from the trees behind him. He turned, and a sword flashed, filling the air with a different howl, this one of pain as the form fell into the trees on the other side.

Gersius put his back to her, his sword in right hand standing defiantly between her and the enemy. He was like a statue of metal plates, unmoving moving except for a trickle of blood running down the blade of his sword.

Another howl filled the air, and a dark form bolted from the nearby forest. It was as large as a man with dark black fur over its entire body. Its head looked wolfish except for a pair of large tusks that jutted out from either side of its jaws, forming a pincer. Its body was hunched over, the fur over it's back was patchy and filthy. Its spine arched so that you could see its path through its horrid skin. Its hands were three short fingers ending in a terrible black claw. It walked on all of hits limbs like a dragon did. Its front legs were lean and long while its hind legs curled up behind it like it wanted to leap. A second creature like the first broke cover and rushed at him from his right.

Lilly shrieked, dropping his pack and cloak at its sudden appearance, but Gersius never seemed to flinch. In a swift motion, he turned, meeting the new beast head-on, his sword slashing across its body. Another horrible howl split the air as it fell to the dirt flailing. Another one charged at his back and was met with a plated fist. It stumbled past him, and he quickly followed it with a thrusting blade.

Around her, the forest came alive with black forms, howling, snarling, and rushing in. Lilly wanted to run, no she wanted to fly away, to take to the air and leave this nightmare behind. She implored her legs to move, but the command had been given, she couldn't leave the circle.

"Gersius!" she screamed as dark shapes raced in all around her. He was a whirlwind of flashing steel and death. Creatures leaped at him from every side, but he always turned to face them sword leading the way. Already there were more than a dozen dead around him, as he tore through them.

Then her view was blocked as one of the creatures stood between them. It reared up on its legs and glared down at her with violent yellow eyes. She felt panic rising in her heart, and it suddenly lashed out at her. She heard a crackling sound, and the monster jumped back. Smoke wafted off its burned fur as it howled in fury. Another one lashed at her from behind with the same results, the magic circle preventing them from reaching her.

She shrunk to the center of the circle in fear as more surrounded her. Time and time again, they lashed out at her, terrifying her but always the circle held, throwing them back in pain and smoking fur. Someplace beyond the wall of terror, she could hear savage roars as Gersius fought on. Somehow he was protecting her, but for how long, and why did he leave her trapped?

She called out for him, but her voice was lost in the howls and shrieks. All around, monstrous faces glared and threatened her with death. Her fear and rage welled up, and she screamed back at them, causing them to lash out, burning once again.

Gersius struggled to keep his footing. There were too many, far too many. Slowly he was being pushed away from Lilly, the gap growing by the second. He glanced at her and saw a wall of bandersooks between them. He heard the ward snapping angrily as Lilly screa
med his name. It would keep them at bay until the time ran out, or he died. A clawed hand crashed into his chest, stumbling him back, the third blow since the fight had started. He was losing ground, taking blows that thankfully his armor was absorbing, but sooner or later, they would overwhelm him.

He had to stay on his feet and keep moving. They were animals, not smart enough to work together. Any coordination on their part was pure luck, but given the numbers, luck was on their side. There were so many of them now that he couldn't keep turning to meet them all. Another sword thrust another kill, but a clawed hand landed on his thigh, glancing off the metal plate and tearing a leather strap.

It was only a matter of time now, and he worked feverishly to figure out a plan. How had so many of these creatures traveled this far east? These were beasts of the western crags. Monstrous hunters who skulked in the dark places along the borderlands. How had they found him again? He struggled to keep his mind clear. There was only one way he could hope to fight this many. He would have to call on divine power, but he was still weak from healing Azurastra. He would last only a few minutes and then be as drained as he was when she skinned her knee.

He reached out for his faith, the power rushing in. He spun his sword in a full circle creating a ring of glowing orange light that raced outward, throwing the creatures immediately around him away, but more poured in.

He turned to kick one rushing in from the side while his sword cut down the one in front. His armor absorbed another impact this time on his back that drove him forward and nearly off his feet. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the white mist spreading out around Lilly.

He turned and cut, his blade dancing as he'd been trained. Another beast fell twitching to the ground, but his timing had been misjudged. A creature lunged, catching his arm with its jaws, locking the pincers in place. The metal of his armor protected him, be he lost the freedom of mobility. The monster tugged and thrashed, pulling him as he tried to turn and cut it down. A second beast leaped on his back, knocking him to the ground and the sword from his hand.

He shouted a divine command, and an orange light burst forth in his hand. The light rapidly stretched, forming into the shape of a holy weapon, a hammer of faith. He twisted, swatting the beast from his back with a loud crack. With another word of power, he called for divine strength, his muscles surging with holy might. He wrenched his arm free, tearing the pincers from the jaws of his captor. He quickly finished the beast with the hammer before turning to meet more. Another rushed in and took a punch backed by holy might, caving its jaws in and throwing it to the ground. He stepped forward to finish it off but was staggered by a blow to the head that tore his helmet free.

Dazed and confused, he struggled to hold his feet. The blow so rattled his head that his vision blurred for a second, and the world seemed to slow. The creatures closed in from all sides, slowly advancing like a tide of darkness. He set his feet as the monsters rushed about him, howling for blood. Gersius knew this was it, he was outnumbered fifty to one, and everywhere he looked, he saw more. Then to his utter amazement, they even started to rain out of the sky.

A roar filled his ears as the ground shook. The wall of darkness before him flew into the air as a tree trunk plowed through them. Gersius looked up from his daze to see a raging blue dragon towering over the monsters.

"Insects!" she yelled while smashing more with an uprooted tree. "I refuse to be frightened by you, insects!" She swung wildly and struck a larger tree shattering the one she was using as a weapon in a hail of fragments. She threw the remaining piece at the scurrying forms as they raced about her. One of the beasts leaped on her back and tore at her wings. She wailed in pain, a maddened look coming into her eyes. Her head whipped around on a long neck, massive jaws closing over the beast. With a snap of her neck, she threw it thirty feet into the forest. She was too large for the circle now, and the monsters flooded in on her. As they packed up in a tight mass, she took a deep breath, her blue eyes glowing brightly.

Gersius had to cover his face as the forest before him suddenly froze in a torrent of ice and snow. Trees snapped as they were flash-frozen, and Bandersnooks caught directly in the path fell over solid as stone. Screams and wails filled the air as black forms ran in all directions. Their howls filled the forest as they fled, growing ever distant as their terror drove them away.

He lowered his arm just enough to look at her. She was taller than the trees, her blue scales glistening in the sun. Around her, the forest was a scene of death and destruction. A dozen bandersooks lay mangled at her feet. Two dozen more were twisted and broken where she had thrown them, and twice that many were locked in an icy grave. Everything was encased in white ice like the worst winter he had ever known. She heaved with her breathing, her eyes glowing a fierce bluish white. Her hands dripped with blood, twitching in rage as she looked for more prey to kill.

"You fool rodent!" she roared when she saw Gersius standing there. "Release me from your stupid command."

Gersius lowered his arm all the way and nodded his head. It was only then that he noticed she was standing one foot atop the other still in the center of the circle. Regardless of her size, she was still bound to the command.

"Lilly, I release you from my command. You can leave the circle," he said.

She shifted her feet, planting them firmly before lowering herself to stand on all fours. The movement shifted her broken wings, the pain evident on her face.

"Why didn't you ask me for help?" she roared.

"Because I did not think you could help," he said softly. He was awestruck by the use of her breath and the devastation it wrought. Even more, she now towered over him, her eyes blazing with anger as they glared down on him. He felt small and insignificant, like a mouse standing before a hungry lion.

"Did you forget I was a dragon?" she demanded. "Or am I the stupid girl to you?"

"I am sorry, I did not think," he stammered, struggling to get control of himself.

"No, you did not!" she said, her long neck lowering until they were no more than a meter apart. Her blue eyes narrowed, causing the fire that burned in them to dance as she stared down the helpless mouse. "What would have happened if you had died?"

He felt the cold of her breath biting at his face like a gale-force wind in the deep of winter. Her jaws dripped with the blood of her kills, and the appearance filled him with fear. He had to struggle to make his mouth move to answer her question.

"You would have been free. My death would have released you from your bind."

"That's not what I meant," she said, looking through him. She pulled her head away and settled herself. "Are we safe?"

He struggled to get his senses back in order and looked around. All the Bandersooks he could see were dead, and the howls in the forest were becoming distant and scattered.

"For now," he said, nodding his head as if agreeing with his own assessment.

Azurastra looked over her shoulders at her back and futilely tried to lift one of her wings. She attempted to walk, dragging a broken wing along the ground, the pain evident on her face. A tear ran down the side of her cheek as a white mist began to gather around her. It billowed out, becoming a swirling cloud that completely hid her form. He had to cover his eyes again as a flash of light stung them. He blinked a few times as the mist began to thin, and out of it stepped Lilly covering her naked form as much as she could with her hands.

"I tore my clothes," she said with tears in her eyes.

Gersius noticed the blue light danced in her eyes again. It was indeed something of her dragon nature that lingered in this form. Noting her shame, he looked around and found the shredded garments in the circle.

"These will do you no good," he said, tossing them aside. He looked up at Lilly, who was struggling to hold in tears and trying desperately to cover her body with her arms and hands. He found his pack tossed to the side and his cloak beside it.

"We still have this," he said, wrapping the cloak around her.

"I want my clothes back," she said, sniffling.

"I will get you new clothes. Those did not fit you anyway."

"I don't like being naked and weak like this," she said, pulling the cloak tightly about her. "I want my scales. I want my strength."

"I understand you hate this form, but you can not travel as a dragon," he said. "I promise I will get you something soon."

She closed her eyes and looked away, but nodded her understanding.

"Lilly, thank you for saving me," he said.

"You're welcome," she said quietly while never looking at him.

Gersius quickly gathered his gear and shouldered the pack. He returned to Lilly, who was standing as still as a stone, clutching the cloak for modesties sake. She stared at the shattered remains of the monsters around her as if trying to work something out.

"What were these things?" she asked.

"We call them bandersooks where I am from. Further north, they call them howlers," he said.

"I didn't know such horrible things existed."

"I regret to say that worse things than this stalk the world," he told her. "Come, we need to get as far from here as we can before nightfall."

She nodded and followed him away, heading further away from home and into the unknown.

 

[omnixius]

He stood tall and straight, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out the window. From his office in the temple of Astikar, he could see into the courtyard below. Brothers of the faith ran about on their various chores and tasks. All of them were busy these days as the war dragged on, and the reports grew dire. There were calls for reinforcements from every fort in the hills, assuring him they didn't have the men to hold on for long.

There were no more men to send except those still in training. Already the temples across the old empire were pressed into supplying men. In some cases, temples had only three priests out of twenty left to maintain order.

Some of the bishops were beginning to complain about Gersius and the men with him. There were suggestions that he should be recalled and his men sent to the front where they could do some real good. There was also a rumor that they would challenge his decision to let Gersius go as if they had any ground to stand on. Gersius turned the order on its head by challenging them directly and demanding his right to go. Not one of them could deny Gersius, least of all him.

Now the war had become one of stagnation and defense. The various commanders were hesitant to take the offense without Gersius present on the front. Instead, they filled reports asking for men and materials in an effort to make up for lack of experience with numbers. He read the reports and the sealed letter that arrived by special messenger. Everything was on hold until Gersius crawled out of whatever dark hole he managed to get lost in.

His gaze went out beyond the walls of the monastery to the city of Kingsbridge. It was a far cry from the splendor of Calathen, but it had significant holdings for the order of Astikar. He moved his office and staff to this city after Gersius left. He wanted to be closer in the event that things did not go according to plan.

He hoped to find some word of Gersius's passing, but the people of the city had nothing to say. Gersius hadn't come through Kingsbridge, nor was he seen on any of the roads to the north. That could only mean Gersius was trying to remain hidden and traveling an unconventional route. Why was he going to great lengths to hide his passing? What was the man planning?


Another mystery was that Gersius had met with key friends an allies before leaving. None of them would reveal what those meetings entailed, and would only suggest that it was advice on how to keep the Doan at bay. He suspected otherwise but could not take stronger action to get the truth. Gersius was a hero of the order and had the support of many of his subordinates. Such action would raise too many eyebrows, and uncomfortable questions would be asked. What had this hero told them before running after his dragon? What plans were laid within plans by the order's greatest strategist?

A knock on the door brought him back to the office around him.

"Do come in," he called with a smooth voice turning to face the doorway of his study.

"Father Abbot," came the dull voice of a man with short black hair. He entered the room, briefly falling to one knee in supplication. He was a giant of a man, garbed in nearly black armor, with red trims. On his breastplate was the red star of Astikar, and on his shoulder a red ravens head.

"Has there been news of the expedition?" he asked, hopeful that something had finally been discovered.

"There is news," the man said, getting up and walking calmly across the red rug covered floor. "There was a slaughter deep in the Greenwall south of Connersdell," he said, coming to a red cushioned chair of polished wood that sat before an ornate desk. He casually took a seat struggling slightly to bend in his armor. He then looked up at the Father Abbot, an overconfident smile on his face.

"A hundred bandersooks dead, the forest was littered with bodies," he said, taking a sudden interest in his fingernails.

"And the brothers, have they been located?" the father asked, growing impatient.

"All dead," the man said, picking at a finger with his other hand.

"Astikar be merciful," The Father Abbot said, going pale. "Poor Gersius, he was so sure."

"Gersius wasn't among them," the man added in his dull voice.

"You just told me all the brothers were dead!" the Father Abbot growled his voice growing agitated. His aged but strong face was narrow, his brows were high on his head, and his eyes were focused and piercing. He wore the layers of red and white robes that befit his station with the red star of Astikar emblazoned on every surface.

"All the brothers are dead. The fool Gersius is not a brother as far as I am concerned."

"Your concerns are not part of this conversation. I asked you to find Gersius and the host he leads," the Father Abbot said, slamming a fist on the desk. "Our situation in the war in tenuous. We cannot allow a variable like Gersius to go uncounted for." He accentuated his point by pointing a long finger right at the armored man.

"You were the one who allowed him to go. There were those who objected to his fool's errand."

"You watch your tongue brother Dellain," the Father Abbot said, leaning over the desk. "I allow you freedom of mannerisms because I value your ability to get the job done. But do not think I will tolerate you throwing daggers at me. Gersius evoked his right as a knight captain to demand men; none of us could deny him." He took a moment to study Dellain's face and straightened up, standing tall with his head thrown back and looking down his nose at the man. "Gersius is one of the greatest of the battle priests, and his victories are legend. If he still lives, then there is still hope."

"As you say."

"I do say," the man yelled, cutting him off. He turned and walked back to the window, watching the clergy below run about again.

"This really has you upset, then?" Dellain asked.

The Father Abbot folded his hands behind his back and turned to glare at Dellain.

"There is the prophecy to contend with. You know what it says."

Dellain shook his head. "How is Gersius twice blessed? Where is the so-called daughter of the harvest who cries black tears? Where is the daughter of the silver moon? When was he ever rescued by the vengeful blue lover? And where in all the land is the queen of the red star?"

The Father Abbot continued to look out the window. "There are many signs of the prophecy. Just because we cannot attribute them to him yet does not mean he will not achieve them."

"The queen of the red star can only mean a priestess of Astikar. There are no priestesses of Astikar."

"That we know of," the tall man at the window said.

"What about 'he will stand against the father and hurl accusations?' Dellain said. "That can only mean he will come to face you?"

"If that is the proper interpretation, then yes, he will."

"He won't set foot in Calathen again. He has failed his mission and will run like a coward."

The man at the window turned. His eyes glaring at Dellain with disgust. "A coward? Gersius? This is the man who defeated the ettins and battled through the gates of Holdiheim to capture the city. Did he run from the armies of Duke Granor? Did he run from his posting on the front? No brother Dellain, Gersius, is still alive and on his mission. If he failed to find a dragon, then I can assure you he is looking for another."

"Maybe the dragon killed him. The fool probably went on alone and was eaten," Dellain suggested.

The Father Abbot nodded. "I have reason to believe he is still alive. And as such is probably scouring the towns looking for information on a second dragon."

"Why wouldn't he capture the first one?" Dellain asked.

"Because he can't!" the Father Abbot shouted. He looked at Dellain with a tense gaze and shook his head. "Find Millin, Storick, and Jessivel. I will give you a message for each of them. Tell them to search the eastern towns along the ice fangs, and find Gersius," he said in an even voice.

"I can find him with a little more time," Dellain volunteered.

"No brother Dellain, I have a new task for you," the Father Abbot said. Yes, a new plan of action was called for here, the loss of so many brothers, even young recruits, was a devastating blow, but one he had planned for. Gersius not being lost with them, well, a change of plans was needed.

---

Gersius and Lilly hurried down the muddy road, eager to be away. They spent a tense night camped in the woods, but thankfully the bandersooks had not reappeared. Lilly insisted on being in her dragon form through the night feeling vulnerable in her human form. They set out early the next day and pushed hard to gain ground. Gersius frequently stopped to search the surroundings and listen to the woods. Only when he was satisfied there was no danger did he press on.

Lilly was a little more talkative though she mostly spoke about wanting to fly. He felt pity for her and the condition of her wings. He could tell they meant everything to her and was terribly hurt over their loss. There was a slim chance at hope waiting for her in Calathen.
It was an act of desperation he knew, but if it worked, it would solve both their problems. He would have the dragon he needed, and she would have her wings back. There was a great deal of doubt attached to it all, however, not the least of which was she was a dragon.

The thought plagued his mind all day as they walked. The road eventually became broader, and the woods started to give way to large patches of dense green grassland. A few hours more and the sun began to dip low in the sky, painting the clouds in reds and oranges. He knew there were perhaps two hours of light left, and the first farms were easily that far away.

It was near dusk when they finally walked into open fields planted in oats and wheat. Over the hill, he could see the distant smoke of chimney fires.

"Another half an hour and we should reach the closest farm," he said as they walked down the road.

"Will there be other rodents there?" Lilly asked, looking unsure.

"I am going to the first house we find and see if they have someplace, we can sleep for the night, and maybe something for you to wear." He ignored her question. It was the fifth time she'd asked it in the last hour. She already knew the answer, and he didn't know how to reassure her. When the first house came into sight, she slowed as if trying to delay the coming encounter.

It was a small farmhouse of no more than two or three rooms. It sat off the road by maybe fifty paces with a low fence of stones that separated the yard from the road. The walls were made mostly of stone and mortar, and rough wood beams that had long since gone gray with age. Its roof was finished off in a yellowing thatch that dipped slightly in the center and was thinning on one side. Smoke drifted lazily from a chimney of stone, and a dim light could be seen through the only tiny window it had. There were three other buildings in the yard of various sizes. He guessed these were probably barns and perhaps a workshop, indicating a busy farm.

"Wait here," he told her as they approached the walkway of rocks and moss that led to the door. "Let me talk to them first."

Lilly nodded her consent and waited by the roadside, happy to not get any closer. She watched him go toward the building, his armor rustling as he walked. He reached a wooden rectangle made a loud tapping sound when he struck it with his hand. A moment later, it cracked open, a beam of yellow falling into the yard. A tall, thin man in a dirty white shirt appeared in the entrance. He was bathed in the light from beyond the door, and Lilly was transfixed by the sight. Gersius and the man started talking, but she could not hear what they were saying. She felt uncomfortable waiting in the shadows by the roadside wearing nothing but his cloak. She blinked her eyes to adjust them to the dark, and the scene lit up nearly as bright as day. At least she still had her dragon sight, and could now clearly see the land all around them.

Gersius turned and pointed in her direction, and the man leaned out as if looking to see. They were talking about her, she fumed. The conversation went on for a few more minutes before Gersius finally pulled his pack off and fished around inside it. He handed the man something that he shook before nodding his head. Gersius waved and turned, walking back to where she waited.



"The farm is owned by a couple and their three children," he said. "They are going to let us into the house for a meal, while the farmer and the oldest boy clean out a room in the barn."

"There are five rodents in there?" she asked, looking concerned.

"There are four, one of them is away. I told them that I rescued you just this morning from a slaver who used magic to charm you."

"Why would you tell them that?" she asked, annoyed.

"So, I did not have to explain why you were naked and why your eyes are glowing."

"My eyes are glowing?" she said as she lifted her hands to her face. She held her hands close to her eyes and saw the blue light reflected faintly on her skin. "I never realized they did that. I don't even notice it."

"They have already eaten supper, but he says there is plenty of soup left and will reheat it for us. The eldest daughter is away, and the youngest daughter is in bed. So you should not be surrounded by people if that helps you feel more comfortable."

Lilly looked down and pursed her lips as she gave him a little nod.

"The farmer's wife is digging through her eldest daughter's old clothes to see if she can find you something to wear," he added.

"They believe what you say about me?" she asked.

Gersius went to put a hand on her shoulder, but she recoiled, so he settled for just having her attention. "Lilly, under normal circumstances, I would never lie to anybody," he said, looking at her directly. "But in this case, I must in order to protect you. These people will see your eyes and ask questions I do not want to answer. If we raise the alarm, things could become more difficult for us."

"I am frightened of this. I don't know if I can go in there," she said, gesturing to the house.

Gersius thought of his earlier observations. He was going to have to lead her through this like a father leads a young daughter. She was a grown woman in body and had a tongue as sharp as an angry mother, but her understanding of human interactions was woefully lacking. She was frightened even to be around them.

"Do you trust me?" he asked her.

She looked at him, puzzled. "No," she said.

"You do not trust me?" he asked with surprise.

"I am your slave," she said with disgust. "I have to follow your commands and do what you say. That is hardly a reason to trust you."

He nodded his head. "I hoped you would start to see I am trying to be kind to you."'

"You're being kind to me? How is not knowing why you bound me or where you're taking me kind? To me, all your doing is dragging me away from my home."

"I am sorry. I sometimes struggle to understand," he started to say.

"Where is Calathen? How far away is it? Why are you taking me there?

"This is not the time or place for this conversation," he told her, looking her in the eyes.

"Are you taking me there to sell me? Are you going to parade me around like a trophy? Are you going to—" She turned her face away from his with a look of disgust.

"Lilly," he said, finally grabbing her shoulders to get her attention. "I swore to you I would treat you with honor and respect. I swore to limit your binding to a year and a day. I also swore never to reveal your true name to anyone." His voice was dark, and his eyes burned with an intensity that made her wish she could step back. "Never would I sell you. Never would I treat you like some trophy or prize. Never would I take anything from you against your will."

"Except my freedom," she said

He closed his eyes and nodded his head. This was another of his mistakes. He was rushing her into a world she knew nothing about. He treated her like a child because she was ignorant of human ways, but she wasn't a child, she wasn't even human, and she was paying careful attention. He took his hands away to avoid making her feel forced in any way.

"Lilly," he said softly. "When I found you not two days ago, you were battered, broken, and in no position to resist me."

"Yes, and you took advantage of that and forced me into servitude," she said angrily.

"Did I?" he said, stepping back to give her more room. "Tell me, what did I say?"

"I don't remember," she said, growing angrier.

"It was just the other day, girl!" he barked, then took a breath and steadied his voice. "Tell me, what did I say?"

Lilly looked dejected and angry. Her eyes darted from side to side as if searching for a way out of the conversation.

"Lilly!" he demanded again.

"You said you would not bind me against my will."

"You were in no condition to resist me. There were other ways I could have gotten your name out of you. I could have lied to you about the year and the day. I could have lied to you about how I would treat you," he said, his voice growing stern, but also pained. "I did as I promised and wove the limit into the binding, and I have honestly tried to treat you with the dignity you deserve. I know I have failed once or twice, and I will fail again, but I meant what I told you."

"How have you treated me with dignity?" she demanded.

He put his hands to his smooth face as if to wipe away his frustration and calmed his voice. "I could have commanded you to do as I said. We could be in there right now regardless of how you feel about it."

"Yes," she had to admit. "You could have." She realized he was truthful, and his logic could not be countered. He had treated her fairly.

She thought of the field of flowers and how he had made the crown of dragons tears. She thought of how he described the lily flower and how its colors were beautiful like hers. He asked for her permission to call her Lilly instead of forcing it on her. When he wanted her to stay close, he asked her to do it. He even tried to protect her in the forest, putting her inside a warding circle. Foolish as the gesture was, he still put her life before his.

"I, I'm sorry." she stammered out.

"You are what?" he asked in disbelief.

"I said I was sorry! Do not make me say it again!" she spat angrily.

"I am sorry, too," he said to her. "I have kept too much from you. You have many doubts and worries, and I have done nothing to try and soothe them. I promise I will fix that mistake, now come, let us go inside. I will stand by your side the entire time and guide you through everything."

His face softened, and his manner was strange again. Inside something tugged at her as she looked down to see him holding out his hand.

"Take my hand. It will help you."

"I do not need you to touch me," she said, her face twisted in a scowl.

"Lilly, you recoil from me every time I try to comfort you, but that is all it is. I know you have no idea what to do, so let me help you."

"But why do you need to touch me?" she asked.

He sighed and considered it himself. He didn't want to say because he thought of her as a child. She wasn't a child, and he realized he needed to stop treating her as such. Still, he needed some way to convey that he was there for her without words. Some way that wouldn't allow nearby ears to understand there was something off about her.

"Humans sometimes use touch to convey a deeper meaning. I admit I am too free with it. It is fairly common for people of my land to touch a hand, wrist, or shoulder to convey certain meanings. I am sorry, I forget you are not human and are not accustomed to such things."

She looked at his face as he spoke and then glanced back to his hand.

"So, this is to help me?"

"On the battlefield, I would stand beside a frightened soldier and put a hand to his back to stand him firm. To reassure him that I was with him, and he had the strength to face the challenge ahead. You are a woman and not a solider. It is more appropriate to convey that meaning by holding your hand."

She lifted her hand briefly and glanced at it.

"If you are worried or upset, you can squeeze my hand to make me aware of it. I will squeeze you back to let you know there is nothing to be upset about."

Again his manner was strange, and she felt him across the bind. There was a twisting inside, a sensation she had no word for. It almost felt as if he was pleading with her in some way through the connection. She looked down at his hand and frowned.

"Fine," she said, taking a breath and putting her hand in his.

He folded his hand over hers and looked her in the eyes. "When we are alone tonight, we will talk. You will ask your questions, and I will answer them honestly," he told her. "We should also talk about you," he said more sternly. "I have to admit I have let my judgment of you be clouded by your current appearance. We need to spend some time talking about the real you, not the form you hide in."

"I would like that," she said to him in a quiet tone.

He smiled, but she hardly noticed it. His touch on her hand caused the stirring inside to become a storm. She knew it was the bind and could feel the chains of it rattling in her heart. She felt a sudden rush of feelings that were so foreign to her; they almost made her faint. She went to say something, but a voice suddenly stole her attention.

"Oh dear me, the poor lass is too ashamed to come into the house," came a shrill voice that surprised them both. They looked up and saw the farmer's wife hurrying up the path with a garment in her hands.

Lilly looked directly at Gersius, her eyes wide and head shaking side to side.

"It is alright," he said to her, reassuringly squeezing her hand.

"What do I do?" she whispered loudly.

"Just stand still. She will not harm you."

Lilly turned to watch the woman with dread as she arrived.

"Oh, the poor thing has been crying, truly it was an ordeal you been through," the woman said.

"Mrs Garandel, May I present to you the Lady, Lilly," Gersius said with a bow.

"Oh sur'n she is a pretty thing, and oh her eyes! The monster must have put a terrible spell on her," she said, noting the light that burned in them.

Mrs Garandel, was a short, plump woman who ran at them in layers of coats and skirts. She wore her dark hair up in a net, and her gentle face was creased and weathered by years of working in the sun. She held a long brown dress with a cream top in her hands and held the garment to Lilly to see if it would fit as Lilly flinched and squirmed away.

"She's so tall," the kindly woman said. "Thankfully, my Linda is a tall one, gets it from her father, certainly not me."

Lilly started to back away as the woman came at her but felt a warm touch as Gersius squeezed her hand again. She looked at him, and he smiled at her.

"It is safe, trust me," he said.

She scowled at him for suggesting she trust him again, especially when he held her hand, preventing her escape.

"It's a shame what happened to you, dear," Mrs Garandel went on as she pressed the Garment over Lilly. "But then a knight comes running to your rescue; it's like a storybook it is." She seemed satisfied with the size and took a step back. "Well, let's get you dressed and into the house for some warm food."

"Dressed?"

Gersius leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"She wants you to put those clothes on. They will fit you much better than what I gave you." He saw the unhappy look on her face and softened his voice. "Please, Lilly, let her help you get them on."

Lilly was angry, but she nodded her consent as Gersius released her hand, leaving her to the clutches of the Mrs Garandel.

Gersius turned his back as Mrs Garandel fitted the dress around Lilly, who flinched and trembled at every touch.

"My word, look at those marks, all across your shoulders and down your back?" she said, noticing Lilly's tattoos. "Well, they look good on you, lass, gods know I wouldn't be brave enough to let somebody come at me with a needle like that. Hold yer arms up, that's a good lass, A little loose in the tummy, and a tad tight in the chest, my Linda would wish to have your proportions."

Lilly heard Gersius snicker, and her scowl for him deepened.

"Now we just lace you up here and your snug and dressed like a proper lady. Oh, but look at your feet!" she cried, turning to address Gersius. "Have you been walking this poor lady barefoot down a country lane?"

"Yes, he has," Lilly said, suddenly finding her voice.

"Oh, but a knight should know better," she said, swatting his arm.

"Hey now," Gersius tried to protest.

"He should have carried ya or let you ride his horse," she went on, ignoring him completely.

Gersius turned around and looked at Lilly to see her frowning deeply. She stood with her arms up while Mrs Garandel fluttered about pulling at the dress and sleeves. She looked snug indeed in her new clothes, and the soft leather wrap on her stomach made her curves all the more noticeable.

Gersius smiled as he took in her new appearance. She was indeed a beautiful woman with her blazing blue eyes and silver-blue hair. She had delicate but defined facial features with a strong mouth of full lips. The outfit was a simple dress with a slight ruffle along the collar that left her shoulders bare, revealing the strange blue markings. It was held in place by a wide belt that covered her entire stomach and tied with laces in the back. The belt pulled the dress tight around her narrow waist, making her shape striking. Only the look of death on her face darkened her otherwise beautiful appearance.

"Oh, the color of your hair! Is it silver or blue? I can't rightly tell in this light. Let's get you inside so I can see you better," Mrs Garandel said as she tottered off, leading them to the house talking the whole way.

"You look pretty," he said, stumbling on the word as he slowly walked to Lilly.

Lilly didn't respond. She just stood there, holding up her arms, scowling at him.

"You can put your arms down now," he said with a smile.

"I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do," she said angrily. "Are all rodent women like that?"

"Some of them are," Gersius said. "Women are a lot like flowers. They come in all shapes and colors."

"You seem to know a lot about flowers."

"Lilly, you did well, and you look good. Now, let us go inside and have something to eat."

"Alright, but don't allow that woman to assault me again," she said, lowering her voice. She twisted her shoulders a bit and pulled at the material around her waist. It did fit nicer, and she liked the freedom of movement for her legs. It felt comfortable, a word she knew but never had a use for. She gathered up handfuls of the material that hung from her waist to see her feet again. "Why am I wearing this?" she asked, shaking it.

"It is what women wear," Gersius said, not sure how to answer.

"Why is it not like yours?"

"Men wear pants mostly for work reasons, I suppose. Women wear what you have on now. We call that a dress."

"Why do women not wear pants?"

Gersius smiled at the simple question. "Some do, but most women prefer dresses, gowns, and other things. When I get you to a city, you will be amazed by what women wear." She nodded slightly at the comment, but he could see she was hesitating. "Lilly, come, it is time to go in," he said, holding out his hand again. She looked down at it, and he whispered, "Please Lilly,"

Slowly she put her hand into his and let him wrap around it. She gritted her teeth as the sensations of the bind returned, and with it the unknown twistings.

He led her down the path to the door that Mrs Garandel had left open for them.

"Oh, here she is," came Mrs Garandel's voice as they walked in.

The surprisingly large room was warm and inviting. A low fired burned in the hearth to their right, a dark pot hanging from a hook right above. Wisps of steam rose from inside, drifting into the room as the soup boiled inside. The walls were remarkably white and bare of decoration, the floors made of polished flagstone, and neatly swept. Above their heads were stout oak beams, roughly hewn and fitted into place.

One wall was lined with cupboards and small tables with shelves above. These were covered in jars of jam, honey, and pickled fruits as well as baskets full of recently harvested vegetables. A single door stood just barely cracked, hinting as the deeper chambers beyond.

A thick heavy table dominated the whole of the main room. It was nicked and marked by years of family use, but sturdy and polished to perfection. Long benches of the same wood ran down either side, providing a comfortable place to sit.

The air was heavy with a scent that was a mixture of smoke and something pleasant. Lilly had never known this scent before, and the more she smelled it, the hungrier she became.

To Gersius, this was a paradise; a simple life lived with love and family. To Lilly, this was a place of wonder where everything was new and mysterious.

"The soups on," called Mrs Garandel as she busied herself, digging something out of a cupboard.

"So, this is what the inside of one of your nests looks like?" Lilly said as her eyes looked at everything.

"This is called a farmhouse," Gersius said.

"You live inside these?" she whispered to him.

"Some people do, but there are many more styles of house," he whispered back.

"So, this is the rodent woman's lair?"

"Lilly, call her a human at least, and no, this belongs to her and her husband, and they have three children."

Lilly glanced around the room quickly.

"I only see her."

"The husband and eldest boy are outside, getting our room ready. The youngest is in bed already, and the eldest is away," he repeated.

"Sit," called Mrs Garandel as she fussed in the cupboard, "Sit yourselves down at the table."

Gersius led her by the hand to the table before releasing her to take off his armor. He set it aside in a neat pile before taking a good long stretch, glad to be free of the weight. When he looked back, Lilly was standing exactly where he put her, uncertain of what to do.

"Watch me," Gersius said, and he sat down at the table. "Sit here," he said, patting the bench next to him.

She had trouble getting her leg over with the skirt, but Gersius told her to lift it with her hands, which made it much easier. She sat down next to him as her eyes continued to wander the room.

Mrs Garandel set a kettle into the coals before busying herself with the pot hanging from the hook. She stirred the contents while talking to herself about knights and ladies.

Lilly felt nervous but strangely safe. The room was warm, and the fire lit everything with a soft orange glow. She groped for his hand, eager for the reassurance, and was rewarded by his touch. As much as she hated the twisting that came with touching him, she did feel better knowing he was there. Then something touched her other hand, and she flinched in alarm. She turned to look into the eyes of a small rodent.

"Gersius," she cried, leaning away from it. "What is that?"

"Maisy darling, don't be bothering the young lady," Mrs Garandel called from the fire.

Gersius leaned back to look around Lilly and smiled. "That is a human child," he said.

Lilly let the shock pass as she looked at the small child standing on the bench beside her with wonder. She was barely four feet tall with long golden hair that hung straight down her back. Her eyes were large and brown with a tiny little nose and mouth. In one arm, she clutched a ball of cloth and patches.

"Your eyes are pretty," her tiny voice said.

"My eyes are pretty?" Lilly said, not sure what to do.

Maisy nodded her head in a rapid up and down motion.

Lilly felt Gersius squeeze her hand, and he whispered in her ear.

"Tell her that her that her eyes are pretty too," he said.

Lilly wasn't sure what that was supposed to do but did as he said. "Your eyes are pretty too."

"Momma says I have big beautiful eyes," Maisy said, starting to sway back and forth.

Gersius looked at her and spoke. "What is that you have there?"

Maisy took the object out of her arms and held it up with both hands.

"She's my best friend," Maisy said, holding the small object of cloth out. It was a crude little animal sewn out of different scraps of cloth with a long spotted tail.

"This thing is your best friend?" Lilly asked while looking at the curious object that was presented before her.

"Ah, huh, she goes to bed with me and keeps me safe all night," Maisy said.

"She?" Lilly asked, confused. "What is she?"

"She's a dragon," Maisy said, holding it up higher.

"She's a dragon?"

Lilly felt a squeeze at her hand, and she turned to look at Gersius, who whispered in her ear. "It is called a toy. Children often play with them. They pretend they are other things that are special to them."

Lilly pondered what play meant as she looked back to Maisy, who had returned to cradling her dragon in her arms.

"Why do you have a dragon?" Lilly asked as she watched the child clutch the toy.

"Because dragons are big and strong and not afraid of anything," the little girl replied.

"Yes," Lilly said, looking lost in thought. "Yes, they are."

"Maisy child, I told you to stop bothering the lovely lady," said Mrs Garandel as she walked by and swept the child off the bench. Lilly watched her go, resting her tiny head on her mother's shoulder. She closed her eyes and put a thumb in her mouth, in her other hand, dangled her dragon.

Lilly could only watch mesmerized as the child was carried through the doorway. She never knew the rodents could be so small and so frail. How the child seemed at peace in the older rodent's arms made her suddenly think of her own mother. Had her relationship with her been so gentle?

Mrs Garandel returned a few moments later and set two large wooden bowls and spoons down before them. She trotted off to the fire and used a hook to collect the pot.

"Soups a bit hot, you might need to let it sit a bit," she said while carrying it over.

"Thank you, Mrs Garandel," Gersius said as she set it down and ladled the vegetable-laden broth into the bowls.

Lilly looked at the golden liquid before her in wonder. It had a rich scent that drifted up on tiny wisps of steam, teasing her nose with things she had no words for.

"What? What is this?" Lilly said when the woman left and vanished through the door in the back of the room.

"I believe it is chicken soup," Gersius said.

"It is hot?" Lilly asked, warily feeling the heat on her face as she leaned over it.

Gersius understood what she was getting at and gave her hand another squeeze before letting it go.

"It is hot, but do not worry, I will show you how to eat it safely. First, you need one of these," he said, reaching down and taking a spoon. He smiled as she looked at the object like she had never seen one before. "Go ahead and pick yours up," he said, nodding his head at the one next to her bowl.

Lilly looked to the object and carefully picked it up, She fumbled with it a moment, and he had to help her get it right.

"Now, this is the easy part; you just dip it into the soup like this."

She watched as the spoon disappeared into the golden liquid and came back with chunks of food swimming in the broth.

"All you have to do to cool it down is blow on it gently." He blew a few times until the steam rising off of it vanished. "Now it is ready to eat," he added and put the spoonful in his mouth. "Go ahead, you try it," he said while chewing.

Lilly looked down at the bowl and tried to mimic what he did. She dipped her spoon and dumped the contents a few times before getting it right. When she finally had a spoonful, she held it up and blew on it gently.

"A little harder," he said, "You want to make sure you cool it."

She shot him a sideways glance and blew much harder. The broth froze solid, and frost ran up the spoon as a freezing air blew from her lips.

Gersius jumped and dropped his spoon. He quickly batted at her hands and hid them under the table as Mrs Garandel returned to the table with a small wooden plate and some bread.

"Everything alright?" she asked, noticing the strange looks they both had on their faces.

"Everything is fine, thank you, Mrs Garandel," Gersius said, taking his hands away from Lilly.

She set the plate down and walked away, muttering something about strange people and strange ways.

"Why did you do that?" Gersius whispered when Mrs Garandel was far enough away.

"You told me to blow on it," Lilly said in a tense voice.

"I wanted you to cool it off, not freeze it solid."

"I didn't even know I could do that," Lilly shot back.

"You need to be more careful," he said, picking her spoon up. The food was frozen in a lump of ice, but Gersius had an idea. "Put it back in your soup and stir it," he said. When it was clear, she didn't fully understand he showed her with his spoon. "This will thaw the spoon, and cool the soup," he said.

Lilly did as she was told, stirring the spoon slowly in the soup until it thawed.

"Try it now," Gersius said.

Carefully she took another spoonful and held it to her lips, she blew on it gently once and then slowly put it in her mouth. She looked at Gersius as she pulled the spoon back out.

"Well?" he said, not able to read her expression.

"I like it," was all she managed to say before getting another spoonful.

Gersius decided it was safe to let her continue unsupervised, and went back to his bowl.

Lilly ate rapidly, shoving one spoonful in before she had managed to swallow the one before it. She couldn't believe the flavors of this substance called soup and hungrily devoured it.

Gersius shook his head, laughing as droplets of soup ran down her chin.

"Are you waffing at me?" she asked with a mouth full of food.

"I am," he said, still smiling.

"Why?"

"Slow down a little. Finish one mouthful before getting another. You do not have to eat so quickly."

She sat back and looked down at her spoon halfway to her already full mouth. She made the loudest swallowing sound Gersius ever heard as she downed a full mouth in one go.

"Alright," she said, then continued eating.

"Perhaps you would like to try the bread?" he asked her.

"What is bread?" she replied, now hunched over her bowl to shorten the distance her spoon had to travel.

"This, my Lady Lilly, is bread," he said, reaching to the plate. He pushed the two slices aside and was pleased to discover a small blob of whipped butter and a knife. "And this is what is known as butter." He took the knife and scooped up a bit of butter and gently spread it across a thick slice of crusty white bread.

Lilly watched every movement intently, forgetting the spoon that dangled just above the soup.

"Here you go," he said, holding the slice before her face. "Try this."

She dropped the spoon into the soup and reached up with both hands for the bread spreading the butter through her fingers. She sniffed at it and found the scent pleasing, so she took a large firm bite.

For a moment, she looked shocked, and Gersius was sure she didn't like it, but then she closed her eyes and began to chew, making a slight humming sound. To his surprise, she ate slowly as if savoring the flavor.

"I take you like the bread?"

"This is," she paused to search for the right words. "beautiful?" she said questioningly.

"With flavors, one might say, this is wonderful, or this is delicious," he said, correcting her.

"This is delicious," she said again, closing her eyes. She chewed for a bit and then opened them to look at Gersius. "Why did you not tell me about this?" she said, annoyed.

"Why did I not tell you about bread?"

"I thought my life with you was going to be misery after misery, but this." She took another bite and hummed. "This is pleasing."

"I am glad to know you had such high expectations for your time with me," he chuckled.

She looked at him with a sideways glance and returned to her bread.

They continued to eat, enjoying the food, and making small remarks when Mrs Garandel returned with another basket.

"I made a big batch of these the other morning, but they are still good, and it isn't often one gets to feed a knight and his lady."

"Actually, I am a Battle Priest," Gersius said as she set the basket down.

"Knight, priest, don't make no matter to me," she said, trotting off.

"I thought you were a Knight-Captain?" Lilly asked.

"That is my rank in the order of Astikar. But I am a battle priest. A true knight is often a special soldier in a noble's house. We do not refer to ourselves as knights. Sometimes we even call the rank Lord Captain instead."

Lilly shrugged at the explanation and returned to the food.

"What are those?" she said, looking into the basket.

Gersius looked down and saw a half dozen small round cakes with a soft golden color.

"That looks like a tart of some kind. You should try one," he suggested.

Lilly reached out a buttery hand and took one of the little tarts. She sniffed it to discover a sweet scent that teased her senses and made her crave it. She gave it a gentle squeeze, feeling the soft texture the readily deformed in her grasp. She took a little bite and looked at Gersius, a crumb falling from her lip as she chewed impossibly slowly. She took another slow, deliberate bite, never taking her eyes off him.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"This is the best thing I have ever tasted," she said, looking down at the tart in her hand. She quickly stuffed the rest into her mouth and looked to him. "Can I have another?" she asked, even as she chewed the first one.

"I believe she gave us the basket so we could have as many as we wanted," he told her.

She ate another tart, then another. Gersius finally decided to try one before they were gone and took a bite.

"Ahh, an apple tart, very delicious."

"Apple tart," Lilly repeated as she ate another.

When the meal was over Mrs, Garandel returned with a large wooden tub.

"Time we did something about those poor feet of yours," she said, putting the tub on the floor before Lilly.

Lilly felt panic rising again and looked to Gersius for support. "What does she want to do to my feet?" she asked him when the woman walked away.

"I believe she wants to wash them," he told her.

"Wash them?" Lilly repeated, unsure.

"I have a suspicion that you are going to like this," he said, a smile on his face. He told her to turn around and pull the hem of the skirt over her knees. He then instructed her to put her feet in the tub and wait. As she did Mrs, Garandel came back with a bucket of water in her hands.

"Lift your feet a moment dear and keep them up," she said and then poured the water into the tub.

Lilly held her feet over the water and looked at Gersius again. A familiar squeeze came to her hand, and he whispered in her ear. "She is paying you a tremendous honor. Washing a stranger's feet is considered a great act of kindness," he said.

Lilly nodded, but in truth, she wasn't sure what he meant.

Mrs Garandel went to the fireplace and, with a bundle of cloth, picked up the kettle that was steaming there. Carefully she brought it over and began to pour it into the tub.

"This will give it a nice warm feel, just the thing for sore feet," she said, emptying the kettle and setting it aside. She knelt at the base of the tub and looked up at Lilly. "Go ahead, lovely; you can put your feet down."

A squeeze of her hand brought her attention to Gersius, who nodded that it was safe. Slowly Lilly lowered her feet until they barely touched the water. She jerked back when she felt the heat, but Gersius squeezed her hand again.

"Just put them in slowly," he said.

She nodded and tried again, going even slower and flinching as she felt the heat. Just as he said, it was tolerable, and she pushed on until her feet sank in.

A whole new world of feeling rolled through her feet as the warm water embraced them. She felt so relaxed that her eyes began to close, only to jump as firm hands took hold of a foot.

"Poor thing, walking all that way with nothing 'tween you and the road, lucky you don't have a blister or worse," The woman rambled on as she worked, rubbing the dirt from Lilly's feet. She produced a pure white stone from one of her many pockets and began to rub on Lilly's feet. A foam began to form as the stone passed over her skin, adding to the soothing feeling. Missed Garandel rubbed this foam up and down her legs, wiping away days of dirt and grim. She used both hands to caress the soles of Lilly's feet and gently get between her toes. She worked diligently at her task, talking about how lucky Lilly was that a knight rescued her.

Lilly didn't hear a thing; all she knew was the sensation of her feet being rubbed. Never in her long life had she experienced anything like this, or dreamed such was possible. She felt more relaxed than she could ever remember being and leaned back, closing her eyes again. It was a truly sad moment when the washing stopped, and a towel was produced to dry her feet.

Gersius offered to carry the tub outside and dump the water, leaving Lilly to sit at the table, her feet wrapped in the towel. When he returned, he found her fidgeting and looking around like a lost child.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he approached.

"I was just thinking," she said, not looking up.

"And what were you thinking about?" he asked as he sat beside her.

"I was thinking that you rodents are not what I thought you were."

Gersius put his hand on the table and leaned in close. "These are good people, with kind hearts," he said. "I am afraid there are many people who are not as good and do not have kind hearts. You need to be careful, Lilly. Do not trust everyone you meet."

Lilly looked at him with confusion as the tall farmer appeared and told them their room was ready.

Gersius thanked them and collected his armor before turning to Lilly with a serious look on his face.

"It is time we had that talk."

"Here, here!" shouted Mrs Garandel as she came running. She handed a small bundle to Lilly, who took it from her carefully. "It's an old pair of shoes, but they are in usable condition. Should do until you can get something nicer up in Tots creek, or maybe the Millwater if you're headed up that way." Gersius thanked her again and took Lilly's hand to follow the farmer.

She cradled the shoes to her chest as they walked into the night. Soon she hoped she would know just why he needed her.

 

[omnixius]

They were taken to a dark barn hidden behind the house, lit only by the torch in the farmer's hand. Lilly didn't mind the dark, her dragon sight making it appear bright as day. She followed the two men to a small room in the back that contained little save for two piles of sticks with some cloth thrown over them. The farmer hung the lantern from a hook near the center of the room before bidding them goodnight.

Gersius thanked the man and dropped his pack in the corner before starting on his armor. Lilly crept to one of the stick piles assuming it was a nest of some kind. Maybe there was an animal inside she could eat while they waited here.

"Are you familiar with these?" Gersius asked as he noticed her inspecting one of them.

Lilly looked at the strange nests with her head turned sideways and wondered what he meant.

"We sleep on them; we call them beds," he said, walking over to the one she was closest to. He lifted a blanket and held it open. "We pull these over ourselves to stay warm at night."

"This is your bed?" she asked, unable to believe it.

"Yes, the straw cushions you, and the blanket keeps you warm."

"You rodents pile up sticks and rags to sleep on instead of gold and silver?"

Gersius nodded as he smiled at her remark. "The farmers are relatively poor and have done the best they could for us. This is a very simple bed that will do for one night. You will see when we get to a town that there are much better beds. For tonight though, I need you to sleep here."

"I understand, I will sleep on this, bed," she said as he let the blanket drop.

Gersius was grateful that she accepted that so easily and went back to the other side. Lilly sat on her bed and pulled her knees up, watching him the whole time.

"So humans are not what you thought they were?" he said as he sat on the other bed.

"No, what happened with that woman was not what I expected," Lilly admitted and paused before continuing. "I have no words for what I am feeling. I do not regret that I have come here, but I have concerns."

Gersius nodded and met her gaze as she felt something pushing at her across the bind.

"Why don't we start with you telling me how you feel," he said. "That way, I will know what I need to tell you most."

Lilly nodded her head and looked up as she pondered her next words.

"What I am about to say is very hard for me," She began. "I have lived for over five hundred years, and in all that time, I rarely saw your kind. Even when I did, it was from afar as I flew over your heads hidden in the clouds. You were nothing to me, but little creatures that scurried about with short, miserable lives."

"So, you knew nothing about us?" Gersius asked.

"I know of your nests, these farmhouses. I know of the places where you build lots of nests, what I assume you mean when you say town. I even know the names of some of these places. I know you build your roads, gather your animals, and collect in great numbers. I know what you look like from afar, and never did you occupy my mind or concern me. I am a dragon; I am above you." She broke to make a deep sigh. "Occasionally, one of your kind would venture into my valley, and I would watch you. I never bothered with you even then unless you tried to enter my cave. When you did, I would kill you; your lives mean nothing to me."

Gersius nodded as she paused to take a stuttering breath.

"But now I am forced to walk around in this weak form, lost and helpless. I am bound to one of the rodents, and I can no longer do as I please. I can't even take my true form unless I want to suffer the pain of my mangled wings. I worry that this encounter with these rodents is only the beginning. You plan to take me into these towns and surround me with masses of your kind. I have no concept or your ways, and I feel I will look foolish. I worry that I am destined to walk from humiliation to humiliation as the rodents point at me and laugh."

"Lilly, you have nothing to fear," he said. "I will be there to guide your steps and protect you."

"You don't understand," Lilly argued as tears started to form in her eyes. "I do not wish to be talking to you, but I have to because," she shook as she tried to get her words out. "I am... I am not just a slave bound to you. I am dependent on you. I need you to survive now. Me, a dragon, I need you, and that is the greatest humiliation of them all. That I even have to sit here on this bed of sticks and rags and explain myself to you, it hurts."

Gersius was genuinely taken aback by the way she felt. He had no concept of her true point of view, and trying to appreciate it now was beyond him. Lilly was hundreds of years old, and in all that time, humanity meant nothing to her. She saw them as little more than rodents, and now she was enslaved and dependent on them.

"I didn't even know what fear was until a few days ago, and now I feel like I live in it. I don't know what you want from me, and I am afraid to find out," she said. "I have tried to ask you, but you keep saying that you need me." She looked up at him tears falling from her eyes. "Do I have to beg you? Do I have to humiliate myself even more and crawl at your feet and call you master?"

Gersius got up, unable to bear any more. He moved to her and took her hands in his own even as she frowned and struggled to resist him.

"Now you listen to me. Do not ever call me master," he said to her in a firm tone. "I have to admit I cannot appreciate how far you have fallen and the pain you must feel." He stopped as she turned her head away, looking down as the tears flowed freely. "I also cannot appreciate your view of people. For hundreds of years, we meant nothing to you; now you find yourself enslaved to one one of us. I suppose it would be like me finding myself enslaved to a bug."

She let out a series of sobs at his comments.

"I have also not been fair to you by not answering your questions. I did not realize you were so afraid of where we were going or for what reasons. I am sorry I have made you live in that fear." He paused again and squeezed her hands.

"I would never sell you, or trade you, or use you in any way that would dishonor you," he said, trying to sound soothing. "I have not forgotten that you are a dragon. You are far too precious to me to ever consider using you for so petty a purpose."

"Then why?" she pleaded. "You said you came all that way to find me, because you needed me, what do you need me for?"

"Lilly," he said, looking away and letting her hands go. "My people are dying,"

She said nothing but looked at him intently as a coldness pressed at her from the bind.

"My homelands are under attack by an enemy that has come in vast numbers. We have underestimated him several times, and it cost us dearly. I was put in charge of the armies sent to stop him, and I made a decision that haunts me night and day.

"What decision?" Lilly asked.

"We had no idea the war was coming," Gersius began. "When they first attacked, they swept across a vast area of land burning farms and villages. The people fled to a nearby city as I began to organize my armies. I could have marched right away, but I knew the city had strong walls and would hold for at least ten days. With that time, I could double my strength and lead a powerful force to break them." He paused and ran a hand through his hair as he looked down, mouthing silent words. "The city fell in three days," he finally said. "The people inside were trapped and massacred."

Lilly was curious about why that mattered and studied his reactions. She could see he was pained by something and felt a sense of sorry and loss across the bind. This city, whatever that was, meant a great deal to him, and its destruction was a deep wound.

"Why does that hurt you so much?" Lilly dared to ask.

Gersius was silent a long moment as he exhaled a deep breath. "You once asked me about my sister and where she was now." He looked up and met her gaze, his eyes wet with tears. "She was there, in the city I was sure would last for ten days. She died while I waited for more men to fill out my army."

Lilly was still confused. Why would that matter? She had siblings of her own and hadn't seen any of them since she left her mother's cave. Come to think of it, she hadn't thought of them in hundreds of years.

"Since then, we have met and fought the enemy many times. He always seems to know our plans and is ready for us. There have been some major battles, and three times now, I have routed his forces but at a terrible cost. When I started, we had nearly fifteen thousand priests of Astikar. Now we can barely field five thousand. We trusted in our strength and discipline augmented by the power of our god. The enemy was prepared to deal with us and take advantage of our overconfidence. They brought weavers and priests of some unknown god we do not understand, and were able to match us on the field of battle, blessing for blessing."

"So, what will your army do now?" Lilly asked.

Gersius shook his head. "I have divided my remaining priests into smaller units to support the regular infantry supplied by the lords of the old empire. They are trusting in a series of border keeps built into the hills to keep the enemy at bay. It is a losing strategy, the line is too long, and one break in it will spell disaster."

"Why didn't you take charge and lead the armies out?" Lilly asked.

"Because I already tried," Gersius replied. "We have raised two armies, and I was in charge of the largest. I led them out to meet the enemy and retake the lost city. I beat them back until the cities walls were in sight. Then my scouts arrived with a dire warning; this was all a trap. The enemy had three full armies and two smaller formations. They were falling back to draw me out while the two larger forces encircled me. I had to order a retreat at great haste or risk being surrounded and destroyed. We were nearly cut off, and I had to fight a desperate battle to keep a gap open. It cost me too many men and ended any hope I had of going on the offensive. The one saving grace is I managed to shatter the army that got in my way. It will take them some time to reorganize before they can march again."

"Why not get more soldiers?" Lilly asked.

"I tried that too," Gersius replied. "The land I am from was once a great empire. It was made up of twelve provinces and a few minor territories and was the most powerful military force in the region. However, those days are over. The empire is dead, and the provinces have since broken into their own independent kingdoms. Each one of them is in danger, but they refuse to unite and stand against the enemy. They have sent token forces while hoarding the best of the soldiers inside their territories for self-defense."

Lilly felt a wave of anger over the bind. He was angry about that point, and about the armies being held back.

"When the enemy breaks the border keeps and sweeps east, they will all perish. The people know this and are starting to panic. There are calls for empire once again, but there is no man to unite them. They need a symbol of the past to bring them together and restore the empire. It is the only way they are going to turn the tide and survive." He stopped and looked back at Lilly, his lip trembling.

"Then why do you need me?" she asked. "Did you want me to fight in this war of yours?"

"I need you to be the symbol they are looking for."

"How can I the symbol they are looking for?" she asked.

"The empire was formed during a war like this one. The same enemy marched against a collection of small kingdoms and city-states. The armies fought them like before, but political backstabbing and greedy manipulators were undermining the effort. A man rose up and united the lands under his banner, shaping them into a single mighty empire. He accomplished this through an act of bravery and heroism that left the people in awe of him."

"What did he do?" Lilly asked.

"He battled and defeated a dragon, then brought it back as a symbol of his strength and power. With that symbol, the lands fell in line, and he took charge of their armies. He marched out and defeated the enemy, bringing peace and prosperity. He made the city of Calathen his capital and built the cloud palace." Gersius paused to wipe his eyes. "He ruled for only a short time, but in that time he penned a book, a collection of predictions he made. He said that if the enemy ever returned to threaten the land, a new hero would rise and walk in his steps. We would know this hero because he would arrive with another dragon and lead it through the golden gate of the city" He paused again and looked at Lilly with dire eyes. "The enemy is back, the lands are divided, and I can't win unless I can unite them."

"So you were telling the truth when you said you needed me?" she asked slowly.

"I was."

"You want me to pretend you beat me in a fight so you can trick your people into following you?"

Gersius let out a sigh at her words.

"No," he said. "I want you to be the hope and light of my people. I want you to help me rally them and save them."

"But you do need me to pretend you tamed me, to prove your courage and power?"

Gersius nodded his head lost in thought for a moment.

"I did," he said. "I did before."

"You did?" she said questioningly. "What about now?"

"I wasn't sure what to expect from dragons. In all my life, I have never met anyone who has seen a dragon. The only dragon anyone knows of is the red that attacked you, and he dwells very far away. Most of us assumed that he was just a story made up to frighten children. I did a great deal of research but was unable to find any useful information about your kind. I found an old story of a man talking to a dragon, but I thought it was just a story. In truth, I assumed you were little more than large animals, and I would have to tame you." He paused again and ran a hand through his short wild hair. "Lilly, I need to save my people. I thought if I could tame you, then I could use you to rally them. But I did not tame you; I didn't even defeat you."

"No, you did not," she said, sounding irritated.

"I will tell them that I did not tame you; I will tell them."

"Tell them what? That you found a dying dragon lying in a ditch? That you bartered my life for servitude? Will you tell them that I begged you to kill me? What will your people think when they see me?" she asked. "What will they think when they see a dragon with broken wings limping across the battlefield? Is that the image you are hoping will rally your people?"

"I have to try! There is no other way," he said, turning away in shame.

Lilly sat in silence uncertain of what to say as Gersius retreated, sitting with his back to her. She remembered the other day and his strange reaction to her question. Since he was talking, she decided to find out why.

"When we left your camp the other day, I told you that you were brave because you had come to face me alone." She paused to see if he would respond. "But you told me that you had not come alone, what did you mean?"

"I set out with a host of brothers. I planned to overwhelm you with numbers and combined divine power."

"How many is a host?"

"Thirty men," he said.

She suddenly felt pleased that he had brought thirty men to face her, surely that was a sign of respect, but she wondered. "Where are your thirty men?"

"Dead, all of them but one," he said in a low tone. "We were several weeks on the road and deep into the wilds. We made camp on a hill in the forest, believing we were safe. They struck at night, came in numbers I could not believe."

"Who did?"

"Bandersooks," he said. "The enemy uses them as shock troops driving them in hordes at our lines. I do not know how so many of them got this far east. Our sentries were cut down in seconds and the camp overrun. As we were not expecting a battle, most of us didn't have on our armor. Still, we slaughtered many of them, but only two of us were still standing when the sun rose the next day.

"Where is the other man then?"

"I sent him back to report our disaster and went on to face you alone."

She pondered the thought for a moment before coming to a conclusion.

"So you are a brave man," she said. "It doesn't matter how many men you started with; in the end, you chose to face me alone."

"I chose to die alone," he said, almost shouting.

"What?"

"I failed and had given up. I was too cowardly to go back and report the disaster myself. I couldn't bear the thought of having to face the condemnation for what I had done. I was not brave. I was a coward. I went into your valley alone because I was hoping you would kill me," he said, running a shaking hand through his wild brown hair. "None of this was supposed to happen. I just wanted to restore hope; I just wanted to save them."

Her dragon eyes saw everything as he fell apart in the corner. She watched him shake as he struggled to contain the pain locked inside. He was the one in turmoil now, suffering over something she didn't fully understand.

"He wanted to die?" she said to herself quietly. She thought of that day in the valley, and how she begged him to kill her. What twist of fate brought two beings together, hoping the other would kill them and end their pain?

"I am sorry I wasn't able to heal your wings," he sobbed. "I never wanted you to be harmed like that."

Why did he care about her wings? Why did he keep trying to protect her? She thought about the day she sobbed beside the little stream after he yelled at her. She was so frightened and alone, but then he did something that made her feel safe. The twisting in her stomach was back as she watched him and felt his sorrow. Slowly she got to her feet and crept across the room, the twisting inside imploring her to go on.

"I want to be honest with you as you have been honest with me. Your war and your people mean nothing to me, and I have no faith in this plan of yours. I do not like being bound to you, and I want nothing but to be rid of you and go home." She took another breath. "But I am not stupid, I know that I need you, and you have done as you promised. You limited my binding to a year and a day, and you have been respectful of me. These other rode-, humans have been good to me as well."

"I am glad you got to see we are not so bad," he said softly.

"I don't like being bound, but I will go where you need me to go and try to help you, even if I have to pretend you defeated me."

He was quiet and still, with his back facing her, and his head hung low. She thought of the stream again and wondered if maybe she could do the same. She steadied herself and took a deep breath as she knelt beside him. She lifted her arm and trembled as she reached over him and put her arm on his shoulder.

"I don't know much about you, humans," she said, struggling to use the word human instead of rodent. "And I understand you about as little as you understand me, but I do know one thing. When you held me like this, I felt better." Her arm tightened as she leaned into him, pulling them together.

He sobbed and nodded his head. "Thank you, Lilly. Thank you."

She held him until he finally got control of himself and lay down to sleep. The truth was finally out, and she knew why he needed her. The question now was, could she really be the symbol he needed? She went back to her pile of sticks and sat there, wondering where this road would lead.

Gersius stretched his arms with a great yawn as the dawn's light began to crawl over the world. They spent much of the night talking, and he felt it now as he worked his arms to break the stiffness and rose to his feet. He glanced at Lilly as she rose and began to brush at her dress to remove the hay that clung to the fabric.

As his senses returned, he began to notice the dusty smell of the small space they used for a room. The scent of straw mixed with that of damp stone and plaster to create the unmistakable scent of a barn.

He looked to Lilly again, and their eyes met. She gave him a gentle smile before beginning to shake out her hair to remove yet more straw. He felt a strange joy at that smile, a feeling that things might be getting better.

He turned his attention to getting ready for the journey ahead. His muscles complained as he lifted the plates of his armor and began to buckle it on. He always felt safer in his armor but often wished to do without it, longing for the day he no longer needed it. He packed his helm and gloves into his backpack, hoping to escape some of the heat. With a groan, he swung the pack over his shoulder and turned to see Lilly watching him.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.

She nodded her head, watching him intently but remained silent.

The morning light stung his eyes as they exited the dark interior of the barn. The land outside was a grassy pasture ringed by a low fence of posts. It smelled of weeds, and animals carried on a gentle breeze that blew from the south. The house sat still in the cool morning air until the familiar form of Misses Garandel in her layers of coats and lace came around the corner.

"Can't be going off on such a long walk without a good breakfast," she insisted as she tottered toward them. "Into the house now, I already have the food on."

"I guess we can have one more meal," he said with a smile toward Lilly.

Lilly followed them to the house that was warm and lit by a dim amber glow. The smell of smoke mixed with that of meat sizzling as it cooked over a metal plate that rested on the coal. She took a deep inhale and smiled, excited for a new experience in human food.

She sat beside Gersius at the table and waited anxiously. She glanced at him several times to find him looking down or away, lost in a private thought. His face looked emotionless as if made of stone with eyes staring into some other world. She decided to leave him be, focusing on the room around her and the smells that were so pleasing.

Misses Garandel placed plates of food before them with a smile before tottering off on other chores. Lilly looked down in wonder at the yellow lumps, strips of cook meat, and crusty bread. She went to eat with her hands, but Gersius finally took notice and corrected her showing her how to use a fork.

She was grateful he'd spoken, but the moment had been brief, and he returned to his stone-faced expression. She pretended to struggle with her fork and even coughed a few times to get his attention, but he never noticed. A thought to say something sprang to mind, but she choked back the words, unsure what to say. For some reason, his silence bothered her, and she desperately wished he would speak.

She reached inside and discovered she could feel the bind to him. He felt cold across it, almost oppressive as if he were a weight on her shoulders. She quickly let go and decided to give him some time to clear his head, and turned her thoughts to the food before her.

She sampled them and found them pleasing, especially the strips of meat. The flavors were all new to her, and she savored the moment with a little smile and hum. She ate more slowly this time, tasting everything with delight and humming through it all. She even began to play with the food a little pushing it around the plate to make little mounds. She glanced at Gersius again and caught him smiling at her.

Instantly she felt the now familiar twisting deep inside. The sensation she had no words for but always seem to bloom from him. She realized It felt stronger the closer she was to him. It was something of him, something to do with the magic of the bind, allowing her to feel parts of him. She began to wonder if he felt anything of her, or was he too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice?

His words from the night before came back to her mind. He was deeply concerned about these humans that he called his people. This 'war' was painful to him because it hurt these people. He needed her help because the people believed a hero would come with a dragon. He hoped she would allow him to unite the lands once again to repel the invaders and restore peace. It required her to pretend he'd defeated her in battle, and that thought was aggravating. It made little sense to her, but it clearly meant a lot to him, so she agreed to help. She felt much better about their arrangement now. He thanked her sincerely, and together they established an agreement that made her feel much better. Now she wasn't just a slave being dragged away, but more of a partner working together to better them both.

Lilly pondered all of this carefully, particularly how she felt about humans. She was unable to make her previous view of humans fit what she now knew about them. She was also enthralled by the food they ate. She never imagined food could taste so good, it was all so, what was that word he used, delicious? The taste of a deer or goat, or even a horse was still pleasing, but this magic humans called cooking made everything taste even better. She hoped there would be more of this cooking in the future to savor and enjoy.

With a sigh, she looked down at her nearly empty plate. Her life had changed so much in just a couple of days. She was still a crippled dragon, but why did she feel like she was better off? Why did these moments of her life feel so fulfilling?

When the meal was over, Misses Garandel produced what she called a brush and insisted on using it on Lilly's hair. Lilly sat at the edge of the bench, flinching and twitching as the woman worked, pulling at her hair with the device.

"Isn't proper for a lady to go around hair all in tangles," Misses Garandel said as she brushed. "Such a strange color of hair, silvery blue, and soft as silk. You are such a lovely one."

Gersius used this moment to go into the front yard and knelt in the dew-laden grass to clear his mind. All morning he felt something reaching from Lilly. It pushed at him over the bind like a child poking at him. He knew he could feel something of her emotions, but this calling at him was new. As much as he wanted to explain everything to her, he had more important things to worry about. They were at the far southern farms, but they needed to go north and get on one of the main roads west. From here, he needed to work his way northwest to Calathen. If he could go straight west back across the Greenwall, he would reach Whiteford and then could take the northwest road through Kingsbridge, but that mean trekking across the wilds and risking more bandersook attacks. The north road was safer and took him around the Greenwall, but it was also longer. It would take him a month of walking to get there. More likely, it would take two with the needed stops and meals for Lilly's sake.

Did he have that much time? If the Doan took as long as he hoped to reorganize and advance again, he might have three months. If his brothers harassed them as they tried to mass, he might have a little more. His mind drifted back to Lilly, back to the woman who saw humans as ants and hated to wear their form. He felt he was being cruel by forcing her to fill this role for him. She had agreed to do it, but she also said she was dependent on him. How much of her decision was made in light of that dependence? That thought would have to wait; right now, he needed the embrace of his god to remind him why he was doing this.

The cool wet of the dew-soaked the plate on his knees as he lifted his arms out. With closed eyes, he focused and steadied his breathing as he opened his heart and his voice to the divine. He offered up thanks to his God Astikar, the god of mercy and justice. He thanked him for bringing Lilly into his life and vowed to get her to Calathen. Somehow he knew he had done the right thing healing her and that once they got to Calathen, all would be well. He clung to this thought as he prayed for guidance and power. His heart and mind one with the divine as the might of Astikar rolled through him.

When his prayers were over, he struggled to stand and wiped the wetness from his knees. He stretched his arms again, working the tired muscles of his back as he turned to the house.

Lilly stumbled out of the farmhouse with hair brushed and braided. She smiled and walked across the yard stumbling a little and pulling at the shoes at her feet.

"Why do you rodents wear these?" she asked while lifting a foot to tug on the shoe.

"Most humans cannot walk very far barefoot, it risks injury to one's feet," he replied.

"So you make uncomfortable coverings for your them?" she asked.

"We call that a shoe. For most people, a shoe is something that has to fit properly to be comfortable. Those look a little too small for you, but some protection is better than none."

She tugged at it a little more then put her foot down. "I am ready to go," she said.

"I wish to thank the farmer and his wife for their kindness. I will meet you by the road in a moment."

Lilly nodded and stumbled off for the road as he went back to the farmhouse. He went inside and thanked the couple for their kindness and then returned to Lilly with a nod. Off they went down the dirt track that was the road as the sky above began to take on a deeper blue.

His eyes studied her as they walked, her hair was freshly brushed, and carefully braided down the sides. The look framed her face and made her delicate features more noticeable, especially her blue eyes. The glow was gone, but in the morning light, they seemed to sparkle with magic. They were so intensely blue he was struck by their beauty like sapphires held up to the sunlight. She glanced his way and caught him looking at her, a smile curling her face as she quickly looked away.

"Your hair looks nice," he said, causing her to smile wider.

"That woman insisted on tying it like this," she said, tugging gently at a braid.

"It is called a braid, and it looks good on you."

"She said so too," Lilly said before pausing as if considering something. "Why did she keep calling me lovely?"

Gersius bit his lip a moment as he thought about his answer. "It is another way to say you are beautiful." Her eyes looked about as she considered his words before her mouth came open, and a blush turned her cheeks pink.

They walked down the road for another hour, talking about everything she had learned. Lilly described how much she liked the food over and over. She explained all the flavors to him as if he didn't know what they were. Gersius only laughed at her lack of understanding and let her go on. He then had a thought that hadn't occurred to him before. `"What do dragons eat?"

"People mostly," she said without pause or hesitation.

He stopped in his tracks staring at her as she walked past him giggling.

That is not funny," he said as he smiled to see her tease him and laugh. He was amazed at the harmless expression of happiness. Was she starting to heal?

Lilly waited until he started moving again and caught up before she answered. "We eat any large animals, deer, elk, sheep, cows, some large fish if we bother to catch them," she said, counting off her fingers as she listed things.

"I saw you had a fondness for fish," he said, smiling.

She shot him a sideways glance with narrowed eyes. "The truth is, we don't eat very much at all. A dragon might eat five or six deer in a single day, and then not eat for five to ten years."

"How is that possible?" Gersius asked with raised brows and mouth agape.

"Well, for one, most dragons will sleep that whole time. My mother called it dovulind, which I think in your language is dragon sleep."

"You sleep for years?" Gersius said, his brows even higher.

"Well, I never did, weeks, sometimes a few months, but then I would be awake for months at a time as well."

"So you can sleep for years, and be awake for years without sleeping?"

"I don't know any dragon that was ever awake for years at a time. At least my mother never said anything about it, but she told me of dragons that have slept for hundreds of years."

"That is difficult to imagine," Gersius said. "But if you are awake for months, do you eat more then?"

Lilly bobbed her head as her eyes aimlessly looked about. "I suppose I ate more if I stayed awake, but it was not much more. In one six month span, I think I ate maybe eight deer and one horse."

"A horse?" Gersius laughed. "Where did you find a horse?"

"It was wandering around my valley one day. I have no idea how it got in there."

"How do you maintain your health if you eat so little compared to your size?" he asked.

"Well, that is the second thing." She took a breath, and her eyes wandered again. "There is much I know about the way magic works that you don't. Dragons are magical in nature, and we can consume," She stopped and looked down her mouth, silently working. "That is not the right way to say it. We can absorb magical from things, specific things." She smiled brightly with that answer.

"You absorb magic?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Did you ever wonder why dragons accumulate treasure hoards?" she asked.

"I think everybody wonders that," he replied.

"Your kind believes it is greed, vanity, and pride, but there is something more that we do not like to share outside our kind," she made a quick look about and squeezed her hands together. "Promise me, you will not share what I am about to tell you," she asked, stopping to look him in the eyes.

"Of course, I swear on my faith to Astikar I will not reveal your secrets," he said.

Lilly closed her eyes and took a breath before continuing to speak and walk. "There are five magical metals in the world. Gold is one, silver, another." She paused, unsure if she should continue. "We dragons sleep on these metals because we can feed on the magic they carry."

"That is unbelievable; I had no idea."

"I am sure you don't know this, but a dragon only grows so big naturally. We get bigger based on the amount of magic we consume. This is the reason some dragons collect huge hoards to feed on all that magic. The process is very slow, but if you have mountains of gold and silver to sleep on, it can be much faster."

"Are you big for a dragon then?"

"Not really, most dragons are three to four times their growth size, with some even larger than that. I am about double my full growth size, which is about right for my age," she said. "I had a fairly decent hoard, but I have not had it very long."

"I do not want to know how you got it."

"I will not lie to you, Gersius. You are not the first man to come to my valley."

"I said I do not want to know."

"It doesn't matter; the red took it all." She frowned now, and her face almost seemed to darken. Then she reached down and pulled a small bag from her waist. "But this will help start a new one."

He looked over and saw her holding the small bag of money he used to pay the farmer. He stopped and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Lilly, where did you get that?"

"It was in the farmhouse," she said innocently.

"You stole the money I paid those kind people for feeding and sheltering us, for clothing you?"

"I didn't steal it! It was sitting there on the table."

"Lilly, that is stealing. It was not your money; it belonged to them."

"But I wanted it," she said as if that was all that needed saying.

Gersius took a moment to clear his head. He lost his temper with her before, and hurt her deeply. He reminded himself that she was a dragon and had done what seemed natural to her. She was also making significant progress in her mood and acceptance of her condition. She was opening up and sharing with him; she even laughed. He did not want to squash her feelings and set her back.

"Lilly, I need you to understand something." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath when he felt centered, he continued. "What you did is wrong by human standards."

"But I need to start a new hoard," she said with a strained voice.

"I did not know how important your hoard was to you until you told me just now, but you cannot start your hoard with the money I gave those people." He was careful not to raise his voice or accuse her of being a thief. She was a dragon, and he was sure that to her taking it made perfect sense. "I need you to give me the money," he said, taking his hand off her shoulder and holding it out.

She clutched the bag to her chest, her eyes wide and trembling.

"But I need it!" she pleaded.

He decided to try a new tactic. "Lilly, I want you to think about dinner, think about how good that food was, think about the little apple tarts you ate." He saw he had her attention, so he continued. "Did you enjoy that food?"

"Yes, I liked the little apple tarts," she said, still clutching the bag.

"Those people gave you those tarts as a gift of kindness. They gave you that outfit your wearing as a gift of kindness." He could see she was thinking, her eyes starting to wander as the thoughts rolled through her head. "The farmer's wife washed your feet to show you kindness. Do you remember how she got down on her own hands and knees just to wash your feet?"

"Yes?" she said, her voice quaking.

"All of that was a gift to you to show you kindness. They gave it to you, and never asked for anything in return." Her arms loosened a bit, and he saw her hands soften their death grip on the little bag of coins. "That bag of coins, that was a gift of kindness from me to them. I wanted to thank them for being so kind to you, so I gave them that," he said, trying to keep his voice calm and soothing.

Lilly pulled the coin bag away from her chest and looked down at it. Her eyes were still trembling and wet in the corners now. "But, I need it," she said softly.

"By taking it, you have undone my kindness. You have hurt the people who were kind to you."

"How have I hurt them?" she asked, her voice sounding strained.

"Because I paid them back in kindness, and you took it away," he said.

"I hurt them?" she asked again as if she couldn't understand it fully.

"Remember, they are not dragons. They do not see the world as you do, and I know you do not see it as they do. Trust me when I tell you, you hurt them."

Lilly squeezed the bag and felt the coins inside. She could feel the magic radiating out, and the familiar touch made her hunger. She pulled it away from her chest and looked down at it. "But I need it," she said softly under her breath as she understood what she needed to do. She held out the small bag with a trembling hand and put it into his. She took a moment to let the bag go as the tears rolled down.

"You have done the right thing," he said.

Her eyes followed the bag as Gersius put it in his pack. Already she felt a sense of loss as her happiness drained away.

"We have to give it back to them," he said. "I will tell them you thought I left it behind by mistake and picked it up for me; they will understand."

"I need it," she said again softly while staring at his pack.

They walked back in silence, and Lilly waited by the road as Gersius delivered the small bag back to the farm couple. He lingered in the doorway, and she saw him point at her while the couple looked from inside the house. She kept her face down and only glanced up when he returned.

"Were they mad at me?" she asked.

"No, they were not," he said.

"How do you know?"

"Because they gave me this," he said, holding up a small ball of cloth.

"What is it?" she asked, looking at it.

"It is for you." He held out his hand, presenting her the bundle. "Go ahead, take it."

Slowly she took the bundle of cloth and carefully unwrapped it. Inside were two golden apple tarts, warm to the touch. The air filled with the sweet aroma, and her mouth instantly became wet.

"Since we ate all the tarts last night, she baked some new ones this morning after we left," he said as her eyes lit up. "Those are still warm. They should be extra special."

"These are for me?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Yes, they are both for you, enjoy them."

They restarted their journey down the road as Lilly hummed to the taste of fresh apple tarts. Her smile and the light in her eyes, making the loss of time seem meaningless.

 

[omnixius]

They traveled the road north, walking in the afternoon sun as they talked. Gersius spent a considerable amount of time teaching her about stealing and made her promise not to take anything that wasn't freely given.

"I promise I will not take anything," she said after his lengthy sermon. They camped that night under a large tree with thick branches and were on the road again early in the morning. By late afternoon they crested a grassy hill, and before them was the town of Tots Creek.

The majority of the buildings were small wooden structures crowned by thatch roofs, but here and there, a building rose above the others. One building, in particular, stood out for its size and was easily seen from the hill. The streets were busy with people going about their business and chores, as Lilly looked in amazement.

"Look at all the rodents!" she said, pointing at them. "Will they want to wash my feet?"

"Probably not," Gersius replied and went to lead the way.

"Humph," she said with a toss of her head.

"What is it?"

"I am a dragon! These rodents should be grateful to wash my feet."

A smile came to his face as he chuckled at the remark. Already Lilly was showing signs of acceptance and not immediately fearful of humans. He was grateful for the experience at the farm to help open her eyes and prayed there would be more like it ahead. He thought to warn her, though, worried that she might think all people were as kind as the farmers.

"Remember, most of these people are good and kind, but whenever there is a large number of them, there is bound to be several who are not. Do not be so quick to trust them. Be polite, but be careful."

"Gersius, I can't understand you. How am I going to know who I can or can't trust?" she said, sweeping her hand over the town.

"Just let your senses tell you, and do not go off with any of them, stay close to me."

"I hardly planned to go wandering off," she said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes.

They entered the town and walked down the rutted street. People passed by disinterested, busy with there own lives, but here and there, a person took notice of Lilly.

"Ooh, what an unusual color oh hair on that one," they heard one woman say.

"Is that girl's hair blue?" a man whispered to another loud enough to hear.

Gersius noticed the looks of men as their eyes followed Lilly, and it made him nervous. Small farming towns were not accustomed to exotic women, and local lords could be rather forward with a pretty girl. The local louts might be forward as well, but his presence should be more than enough to keep them at bay. Still, it was suspicious to see a priest in full armor this from the war. The local temple likely had several on duty but certainly not under full arms. Between he and Lilly, the town's people certainly had plenty to gossip about.

Lilly took no notice of it, instead staring at the buildings and the people with wonder. She was fascinated by what the women were wearing, particularly when they wore bright colors. He was forced to take her hand when she tried to follow a woman in a soft blue dress with white trims, reminding her to stay close.

They headed for the largest building in the town, a tired-looking structure with yellowing plaster walls, and sagging timbers. A few people loitered around the doorway as Gersius led her toward it.

"This is called an inn," he said as they approached. "We will find food and shelter for the night inside."

"There is more food?" Lilly asked her face suddenly brighter. She sniffed at the air as if trying to smell what the kitchen might be cooking.

Gersius looked at her with a smile on his face, "I thought you would be done eating for a few years?"

"I am in your rodent form," she said with a stern voice and a toss of her head. "I require regular feeding."

Gersius chuckled as they entered the door, and she gawked in wonder. The common room wasn't very large, but it still managed to fit a dozen tables. The floors were wood, and the walls were plaster, originally white, but long since yellowed with age and smoke. Round metal chandeliers, covered in half-melted candles, hung from the ceiling with ropes.

The room was crowded, but only because it was small. Two dozen people sat at tables or leaned against the walls, talking, and drinking. Gersius spied a pig roasting on a spit over the fire, and he could see other patrons had potatoes and bread on their plates. He noticed a few curious stares and a gesture or two to turn heads their way. He tried to avoid eye contact and quickly led Lilly across the room to an empty table by the window.

"Sit here," he told her, taking her to a small table. She looked at the chair as if confused before looking about the room. He realized she was trying to work out how and was taking note of how other people sat. With a stiff motion, she sat down and smiled at her success before he continued. "I am going to go talk to the innkeeper," he said, pointing to a large man behind the bar. "You stay here and do not get into trouble."

"What trouble can I possibly get into?" she asked, irritated.

Gersius shook his head, mumbling about his luck as he turned and walked to the bar. The man behind the bar was slightly taller than himself and much broader. He had a bald head and a flat face with a red mustache and beard that ran down the sides. His chin was clean-shaven and bore a scar across the cleft. He wore a dirty gray shirt with a white apron that he used to wring his hands on as he worked.

"Are you the innkeeper?" Gersius asked as he approached the man.

"That I am, Barnabus is the name."

"I would like to rent a room if you please. Do you have something with two beds?" Gersius asked.

"Indeed I do, be ten flins for the night," the man said, leaning one arm on the counter. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be Gersius, would you?" he asked, lowering his voice.

"I am Gersius. How do you know my name?" he asked with a twitch of his brow.

"The other fellow was in here asking about you. Wanted to know if I had heard the name. Said you would be in priest's clothing or armor."

Gersius felt hot in his armor, wishing he had never put it on. He dreaded to ask the next question, not sure he wanted to hear the answer. "What other fellow?"

"A man in armor like your own, called himself, Jessivel."

"He was here?" Gersius asked in a firm tone his eyes now sternly fixed on Barnabus. "When?"

"Not two hours ago, said he was going up to the Abby of st Cluth. Said he had some business to take care of."

Gersius nodded his head and looked over his shoulder at Lilly. She seemed to be lost in the wonders of the inn and not paying any attention to him. His stomach twisted as he tried to think of what to do next. If Jessivel was here looking for him, then Lilly was potentially in danger.

"You see that woman over there?" Gersius said, pointing to Lilly.

"Aye, I see her, pretty thing, odd color of hair."

Gersius slid a bit of coin over the counter.

"Get her some of the best food you have, and get her a drink. Make sure she stays there; do not let her leave the inn until I get back."

"Is there some trouble? I don't need any trouble in my inn." the big man said, eyeing Gersius.

"I need to meet, brother Jessivel, alone, and I want to make sure she stays safe," Gersius said, sliding a few more coins over the counter as he leaned over to whisper. "If Jessivel comes back and asks, I came here alone. Do not tell him about the girl." Barnabus looked up with sweat on his brow as Gersius glowered at him and added three more coins to the pile.

"Alright, alright," the big man said as he looked to an armed dark-skinned man in the corner. A snap of his fingers brought the man's attention to his. Barnabus made a silent gesture and pointed to his own eyes and then to Lilly. He made a second gesture pointing the floor, and the dark skin man nodded, before turning back to watch Lilly. "I set my best man to watch her. She won't come to no harm while you're out," he said, leaning back off the counter.

Gersius was skeptical, but he had no choice. "I will be back in two hours or less," he said, stepping away from the bar. He felt uncertain as he returned to Lilly and found her looking about the floor at her feet.

"Lilly," he said, getting her attention.

"Gersius, a little black thing with a tail ran across the floor just a moment ago," she said, still looking for it.

"That would be an actual rodent," he said, still wondering if he was doing the right thing. "Lilly, I have to go meet somebody. I need you to stay here."

She looked up at him suddenly, her eyes wide and searching his face. "You told me to stay near you. I should go with you."

"You are safer here. The man who runs the place is going to bring you some food and something to drink. I will not be gone long. I need you to stay right here; do not try to leave the inn."

"I don't like this, Gersius. I don't want you to leave me alone with all these roden… People."

"I do not want to leave you alone either, but you will be safe here. I have to meet a member of my order who has come looking for me. I do not want them to know you are traveling with me."

"Why not? You can tell them you have your dragon?" she said innocently.

Gersius shushed her and patted the air with his hands as if he could batter the words down.

"Lilly," he said, leaning in close and whispering. "This man is looking for me specifically. That means something is wrong. I do not want to reveal your presence to him or anybody else until I am sure you are safe."

Lilly stared at him with a smirk on her face. "Gersius, how much danger can I possibly be in? I could flatten every house in this village in minutes," she said.

Gersius thought he was going to be sick as he visualized a raging dragon loose in Tots creek.

"Lilly, please, watch what you say. Nobody here needs to know what you are, or what you can do. We need to keep it that way, for now."

She looked down at the table slowly, her shoulders sinking as she nodded. "I understand," she said as her eyes began to wander.

"You will stay here, and not try to leave?" he asked.

"I will stay here and not try to leave," she agreed.

Gersius let out a sigh of relief. At least one worry was off his chest. Now to face the one man, a priest of his order did not want to have looking for him.

"Thank you," she said as he leaned back up.

"For what?"

"For asking me, and not commanding it," she said while tracing a circle on the table with her finger.

Gersius smiled and tried to sound calm when he spoke. "I told you I would treat you with respect and honor what you truly are," he said and turned toward the door.

Lilly sat there, looking around the room feeling very alone despite all the people around her. The large man Gersius spoke to glanced up at her now and then while he rubbed at a table with a scrap of cloth. A strange man with dark skin lurked in the corner across the room, his gaze fixed on her, making her uncomfortable.

"What do I have to be uncomfortable about? I could eat every person in this room if I wanted to," she said to herself, trying to sound brave. She jumped in fright when a voice suddenly broke her musings.

"Here ya go love," came a woman's voice as a barmaid set a plate of food before her. She placed a fork and knife next to it and put a large metal mug down on the table.

"You be sure and ask if you want more," the woman said as she turned away.

Lilly looked down at the plate with delight. None of the foods were familiar, but they all looked wonderful. She could smell that the slightly pink object was meat of some kind. Next to it was what appeared to be a rock, but it was split open and full of white fluff. Butter melted over that fluff, adding to the sweet aroma that rose from the plate. There were tiny round green stones mixed with orange discs and yellow flakes piled beside it. It all came with a thick slice of bread, slathered in more butter that curled in white waves. The plate of food was very exciting but what fascinated her most was the mug.

She leaned over it and studied it. Inside was a golden liquid, and a thick white foam ringed the outer rim. She smelled it and recoiled back with a frown. It didn't smell like food, not that she had much exposure to human food. It smelled kind of like the bread, only heavier with a hint of sour. She carefully picked it up with both hands and lifted it to her lips. She was careful not to drown herself this time as she took a tiny little sip.

She put the mug down with a clunk and spit the fluid back in as she made a horrified groan. "That is foul!" she said out loud.

The barmaid walking past on her way to another table heard her. "Pity, it's the summer, the heat sours the flavor. It always tastes better when it's cold."

Lilly watched her go by and looked back down at the mug. "It tastes better when it's cold?" she said to herself. She glanced around the room and slowly bent over the top of the mug. With puckered lips, she blew carefully, just enough to evoke her breath. The mug frosted over as the liquid inside quickly chilled to ice cold.

With a smile, she lifted it and took another small sip. The woman was right. It did taste better cold. She put the mug back on the table and only then noticed that every eye was watching her.

"What?" she said.

********************

Gersius stormed down the streets of the small town, his mind full of worry. He didn't like that Jessivel was here asking for him by name. That could only mean a complication, something dire that would hinder his plans and put Lilly at risk.

His mind was plagued with doubt ever since finding Azurastra. He knew what he needed to do, but felt that he was doing her a disservice. His people needed to see the dragon standing by his side so he could evoke the image of the dragon knight. This would give him the strength he needed to win the war and save them all. Surely this was the right thing to do, and he was a good man for doing it. Somehow though, he could not shake the feeling he was harming Lilly. That by taking her to Calathen, he was leading her into danger, and perhaps more pain.

With Jessivel here, he could alert the brotherhood to Lilly's presence, and tell them she was on her way to Calathen. It would give them hope and inspire new courage in their time of need. Yet, to even think of telling Jessivel made him fearful. In the back of his mind, he knew Lilly needed to remain a secret and kept hidden. Something wasn't right like a darkness had suddenly come over him. Perhaps his impending meeting would shed some light on the matter.

The Abby of saint Cluth was a small stone building on a hill just outside of town. It was dedicated to Astikar but had a little shrine area for several of the other divines. It was a quiet place surrounded by modest gardens and a few trees. The large front door was made of polished oak bound by iron, oiled to give it a dark color. It was wide open, allowing the warm summer air to flow freely and freshen the inner chambers. Nearby were two brothers walking in a garden. They wore the red robes of his order and had their hoods pulled up to conceal their faces. He watched for a moment as they walked by, not daring to look up and meet his gaze. It could only mean one thing, brother Jessivel was inside, and they wanted nothing to do with him.

Gersius walked in his metal boots, clinking on the stone floor. He didn't need to guess where to find brother Jessivel. He walked straight up the middle aisle to the man in polished plate armor kneeling before the shrine inside. His helmet was off and resting beside him on the floor. His long dark hair trailed down the back of his armor, and His face hidden in his bow. He had a red sash over his right shoulder that bore the emblem of a red eight-pointed star with an eye in the center. The symbol of a man-hunter, the closest thing the order had to bounty hunters.

"I didn't think I would be the one who found you," Jessivel said without looking up.

"I did not think anybody would be looking to find me," Gersius replied, kneeling beside the man and offering a silent prayer to Astikar.

"Oh, quite a few people are looking for you," Jessivel responded. "The Father Abbot was quite clear; you were to be found."

"The Father Abbot?" Gersius questioned. "What does he want with me?"

"What does the Father Abbot want with his greatest general during the bloodiest war the kingdoms have known in a thousand years?"

"You are not here for my military expertise. He could have sent a messenger to do that. They send you when they want somebody dragged back in chains."

"Ha, I always did like you, Gersius. I appreciate how direct and to the point you can be," Jessivel said. Gersius did not respond or look at the man as he gazed on the falcon shrine. "Then let me pay you the same courtesy and get to the heart of the matter," he said, finally looking at Gersius. "He knows about the loss of you men."

"Then Marcus made it back and delivered my report," Gersius was relieved but surprised he had gotten back so quickly. How could he have managed that?

"Marcus?" Jessivel said, confused. "Marcus was found dead with the others."

Now it was Gersius's turn to be confused. "Marcus was alive! I sent him back with a full report of what had happened, and an outline of how I intended to continue."

"Marcus was found dead with the others," Jessivel reiterated. "I have seen the report in full. It says you are the only one who is not accounted for."

The sense of dread grew at this revelation. Marcus was dead? How? Maybe there were more bandersooks, and Marcus blundered into them just after they parted ways. It then occurred to him that if Marcus was dead, and the Father Abbot knew, somebody had come looking for them.

"Who?" Gersius asked concern rising in his stomach. "Who found them?"

"Brother Dellain found them. He and his men searched the area. They found all your men dead, there was no mention of a report," Jessivel replied. "The Father Abbot has sent myself and several others to scour the eastern towns looking for you. He wants his message delivered to you promptly."

"What is his message?" Gersius asked unsettled as his mind began to ponder why Dellain of all people had been sent to find him.

"You are to travel to Whiteford and present yourself for questioning," Jessivel said with a satisfied smile.

"The Father Abbot will be in Whiteford?" Gersius asked concern rising in his heart.

"He will. He sent us on ahead to steer you that way."

Gersius stopped to think this through. Whiteford was a significant city and population center, but the real goal was Calathen. It was in Calathen that Gersius needed to present Lilly, and take up the dragon banner to forge a new legend. The prophecy said the hero would walk through the golden gates of Calathen at the head of a dragon. It was also there he hoped to find the help for Lilly he desperately sought.

"Jessivel, can you take a letter to the Father Abbot? Tell him I am heading straight for Calathen with hope," Gersius said in a rushed voice.

"The Father Abbot made it quite clear, he was going to be in Whiteford, and so were you," Jessivel said in a forceful tone.

"Do not take that tone with me, Jessivel. I am a knight captain, I do not answer to you," Gersius said.

"I am delivering the voice of the Father Abbot, who you do answer to, and he wants you to meet him in Whiteford." Jessivel asserted.

Gersius nodded. He could not disobey a direct order from the Father Abbot. He would have to risk traveling a week out of the way and entering a major city with Lilly. At least the people of Calathen had a legend to expect a dragon. What would the people of Whiteford think when they saw her? "Your message is delivered, I will make haste to Whiteford," Gersius said, bowing his head and getting up to leave.

"Gersius," Jessivel said as he got up. "A word of warning, Dellain, is pressing the Father Abbot for your appointment as knight captain. Don't stay away too long, or you might find you have been replaced."

Gersius flinched at those words. His mind was heavy with worry as he walked away. All the way back to the inn, he pondered what could have happened to Marcus? Was Dellain involved somehow? Why was he being ordered to Whiteford? He had his dragon, but for the legend to be fulfilled, they had to go to Calathen. He had to walk through the golden with Lilly right behind him. He needed to go to the palace hall and take up the dragon banner then call for the kingdoms to unite. More than anything else was the hope for Lilly, and the aid she might find there. He realized that trying to heal her wings was just as important to him as saving the old empire.

When he rounded the corner of the street to the inn, he immediately knew something was wrong. Crowds of people were gathered outside the building, and more were running to join the swelling mass.

"Lilly!" He growled to himself and broke into a run. He had to fight his way through the mass of people clustered outside the door, laughing and swaying with mugs of ale in hand. He could hear singing coming from inside, and the common room was alive with shouting and cheers.

Gersius shoved his way into the barroom in a panic, making his way across the crowded space. A sea of people blocked his vision as he strained to see what had happened to her.

"If that fool has let her be harmed, I will kill him and his worthless guard," Gersius cursed as he finally broke through the wall of people.

There she sat quietly at the table, swaying slightly with the singing. The table was littered with silver and gold coins, and she had made little stacks of some of them. Gersius looked at her in stunned confusion, not sure what to think. A smile spread across her face when she noticed him, and she gave him a little wave.

"What have you done?" he asked, still searching for the cause of the trouble. "Where did you get all these coins?"

"From them," she said, gesturing to the entire room with a sweep of her hand.

"I thought I told you no more stealing. You promised me, Lilly," he said, trying to whisper loud enough to be heard over the noise. Her mouth fell open as her brows curled up.

"I didn't steal anything," she said indignantly.

"Then what do you call this?" he said, pointing to the pile of coins.

"Scuse me, love," came the voice of a barmaid as she scooted past with a large tray covered with mugs of ale. She lowered the tray for Lilly who leaned over it and started to blow. A white mist spread over the mugs chilling their contents, and frosting the rims. The barmaid tossed a few coins on the pile and whisked the tray away saying, "Thank ya, sweety," as she parted.

Gersius looked at Lilly, who returned to swaying with the singing with a pleased smile on her face. "Gather up your coins, we are going upstairs," he said in a harsh tone.

"But I want to hear more of the noise you rodents make," Lilly protested.

"Lilly!" He said louder than he intended causing her to jump at the sudden change in his demeanor. "I, I am sorry, please, Lilly, we need to go upstairs. Please, gather up your coins."

"I can keep these?" she asked unsure.

"Yes, you can keep those," Gersius said as he thought he was going to faint. The whole town must know by now, and be talking about the blue-haired girl who can chill ale by blowing on it. He looked back at Lilly, who was having trouble figuring out a way to carry so many coins.

"Hold up the hem of your dress and scoop them into it," he told her to speed her along.

She tried his suggestion and was quickly clearing the table. "All done," she said in a light tone.

"Good now, follow me. We need to get out of sight." They didn't get more than ten paces before the innkeeper blocked them.

"Master Gersius!" he roared racing up to him. "You and your lady friend are welcome in my humble Inn any time you want. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you."

"We would very much like to be shown to our room Master Barnabus," Gersius said, desperate to get going.

"Are you sure? The night is still young, plenty of paying customers who would love a cold ale."

"I am quite sure, we need some time alone," he said.

"Oh, oh, ooooh!" Barnabus said, eyeing Lilly. He bent over to whisper in Gersius's ear. "Be careful with those lips, son. She could chill a raging river."

Gersius's mouth fell open in shock, "That is not what I meant!"

"Don't pay me no mind, none of my business what goes on behind closed doors. Right this way up the stairs," Barnabus said, leading the way.

"That is not what I meant," Gersius said again as Lilly walked past him following Barnabus.

They were shown to a small room with two beds, one on either side of the wall. A small table with a washbasin was against the far wall under the rooms only window. A single lantern hung from the ceiling already lit and giving the room a warm yellow color.

Gersius thanked the man and shut the door behind him firmly latching the lock. He stood there leaning against the door using it for support as his mind tried to gather up his thoughts. Lilly walked over to the bed on the left and dumped her pile of coins on top.

"So these are the other beds you were talking about?" she asked as she poked at the covers.

"Lilly," he said, trying to get her attention.

"Look at how much I have!" she said excitedly, kneeling beside the bed and sweeping the pile of coins with her hands.

"Lilly, I,"

"It's nothing like my treasure hoard, but it is a good start."

"Lilly, please!" he said, shouting again.

She looked up at him with a start. His face was troubled and a little pale. He looked like the door was the only thing holding him up as he struggled to speak.

"Are you alright?" she asked her eyes large and fixed on him.

"Lilly, what you were doing downstairs." He stepped away from the door while he thought of the right words. "Lilly, that was very foolish."

"But look at all the coins," she insisted. "I didn't have to steal them. The people gave them to me."

"No, Lilly, I understand you did not steal them, you did that fine, but, Lilly, no human can blow on mugs, and freeze them."

"What do you mean?"

"Lilly, what you were doing, nobody can do. That means people will be asking questions, wanting to know how you were doing that," he said, struggling not to yell at her.

"I am a dragon," she said innocently.

"I understand that. I thought I made this point clear before I left. I know you are a dragon, but nobody else can know," he said, coming over and squatting down to look her in the eyes. "Not yet."

"I don't understand, you want to be seen with a dragon to save your people, but you do not want people to know I am a dragon." She looked up at him lost. "How can you have it both ways?"

Gersius saw the logic she was following and took a moment to think of a response.

"Lilly, I want to keep you a secret for a little while. When the time comes for them to see you, I want them to see Azurastra. I want them to see the real you, in your blue scales, and all your glory. I do not want them to know that this human form is the dragon. Remember, Lilly, people do not know dragons can change form. So I need you to be Lilly, the human, and not Azurastra the dragon until I say so."

"I told you, I don't like you calling me by my real name," she said, looking away from him.

"I am only trying to separate the two forms so you understand that you cannot let people know that you are one and the same."

"Why not?" she shouted at him. "Is this not what you wanted?"

"I want to get you safely to Calathen. I want to reveal you there, where I know people will be glad to see you." Gersius ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Here in a small farming town hundreds of miles away from Calathen people are liable to run in panic, or take up arms if they find out you are a dragon."

"Those people down there didn't care!" she said, throwing her hand in the air. "They were giving me gold and silver!"

"Lilly, please! I need you to act like a human while you are in human form. You can not do anything only a dragon could do," he said, standing up and walking to get some breathing room.

"But I'm not human. I may look it, but I'm not," she said, folding her arms over her chest in anger. "Everything I do is wrong. I can't so much as breath without it being wrong."

Gersius spun around and bent down at her. "If ice and frost are going to come out of your mouth when you do, then no, you can not."

"I told you I didn't understand your ways, and you said you would guide me. Maybe it would be better if you commanded me and took away my free will. Then at least it wouldn't be my fault when something went wrong," she said, standing up to challenge him.

Gersius wanted to lash back at her, but he bit his tongue. He could feel his emotions getting the better of him. More so, he could feel Lilly. The bind was somehow sharing her mood with him. He could feel anger and confusion as a sort of faint pressure that dug at him. He considered that and wisely chose not to respond, for fear he would say something hurtful.

"Just get me to Calathen so we can end this charade," Lilly said, turning away. "I am sick of trying to pretend I am one of you."

"We are going to the city of Whiteford first," Gersius said, his voice trailing off.

"What?" Lilly said as she turned around. "You said we needed to go to Calathen."

"I went to meet with a brother of my order. He passed on a message from the Father Abbot. I am to meet him at Whiteford."

"Why?" she demanded to know.

"I do not know why, and I do not like it, but duty demands I obey. I cannot disobey a direct command from the Father Abbot."

"You told me time was running out! That we needed to get to Calathen as fast as possible! Now you're telling me we are going to this other place first?" She paused a moment to think. "Where is this, Whiteford?"

"About a week southwest of where we are now," Gersius said, walking to the empty bed and sitting down.

"A week! So we have to turn around and march a full week away from our destination. I have to languish in this ridiculous form while you yell at me for making mistakes?"

"I am sorry, Lilly. I cannot refuse an order," he said, looking down at the floor.

Lilly didn't respond; she turned back to her bed and looked down at her coins. She swatted them in frustration, scattering some around the room and crawled into bed, her back to him.

He decided the best thing to do was to let her sleep and peeled his armor off before climbing into the other bed. He tried in vain to sleep for hours as worries plagued his mind, and a pressing weight crushed his shoulders. He needed to get Lilly safely to Calathen, that was his only objective, but he could not disobey a direct order. The rattle of coins made him look to Lilly. She curled into a ball atop her little pile, clutching them to her chest. She was right, she might look human, but she would always be a dragon.

 

[omnixius]

Gersius awoke to the sound of Lilly searching the room on hands and knees for coins. She glared at him with narrow eyes when he finally moved, anger still apparent on her face. He did his best to avoid that gaze, instead, focusing on getting ready for the day. He strapped his armor to his pack in the hopes he would not need it today. Most of the morning would be spent in the village after all, and he would enjoy having it off for a bit.

Lilly was his next task. It took some convincing to get her to put the coins in a bag in his pack. It made her crazy not to be allowed to carry them and watched with a shattered look in her eyes as if he was taking them away forever. He made a promise to return them that very day if she would let him carry them now. She relented but was upset about the whole thing, reminding him that she needed a new hoard.

He decided to try and cheer her up with food and stopped to have breakfast. He tipped the innkeeper to get Lilly a little extra, and her plate arrived piled high with fat sausages and fried eggs. She devoured the eggs and sausages with a pleased hum, her gaze finally softening. When a drink arrived, she went to blow on it but caught Gersius's gaze, telling her no. She set it down and looked away as if disinterested and never touched it again. He hated to take such a simple pleasure from her, but it wasn't safe to use such gifts. If word reached the wrong ears, the road could grow significantly more dangerous.

After breakfast, he took her down the street into the merchant square. The morning air was cool, and the streets relatively quiet. Lilly watched a man driving a herd of pigs with curiosity, then jumped back from a barking dog. It wasn't until they were well down the street that she looked around and turned to him.

"I thought we needed to go south," she said, finally breaking the long silence between them.

"We do, but we have a few stops to make first," he responded, not looking at her.

"So, this is going to take even longer?" she said, coming to a halt with a stomp of her foot.

He turned to see her face wearing a frown that made her look like a pouting child. With a hand through his hair, he stepped closer and spoke in a soft voice.

"This is to help you on the journey," he insisted.

"Help me?" she replied in confusion.

He waved her forward and took the lead, taking her to a building with an open doorway and sign that looked like a foot. Inside were shoes, and boots, and leather objects of all kinds. Lilly poked at the things while Gersius talked to the two men behind the counter. He tried his best to watch her as she explored the shop full of new experiences. Lilly played with some of the objects on display, running her hand over leather's various textures. She smelled many of them, lifting items to her nose to get a good taste of their scent. She went to chew on a belt, but he snapped his fingers, shaking his head when she looked over. When he returned to her side, she was full of questions.

"What are we doing here?" she asked while playing with a long strap of leather.

"We are both getting a good pair of boots, and I am getting you your own pack."

"A pack?" she asked.

"Like mine but a little smaller," he said, turning his shoulder so she could see it. "You do not need to carry a full suit of armor."

"Does that mean I can carry my coins?" she asked with bright eyes.

Gersius knew that question was coming and nodded. "Yes, you can carry your coins." She smiled and went back to playing with the leather, and he let her be.

The men returned with rulers, paper, bags, boots, belts, buckles, and all manner of things Lilly had no concept of. She tried on dozens of boots, swatting at hands when they tried to help her get them on. Gersius had to teach her how they worked and then had to teach her left from right. She asked strange questions as the two men from the shop exchanged glances of concern.

Eventually, he narrowed the selection down to three pairs, the only three in the shop that fit her. He decided to let her choose the one she liked most and saw the surprise in her eyes. She picked a black pair of soft boots that ran up her legs practically to her knees. They laced up the side, and the tops could be folded, making them shorter.

Her pack was also a soft leather, but brown with two firm straps to wear over the shoulder. It was smaller than his but had pouches and pockets all over. She took a few minutes to open them all, looking inside as if to find hidden treasure. To all this was added two belts, a pair of black gloves to match her boots, and a couple of small bags.

Gersius bought a pair of stout looking brown boots that went up to just above the middle of his calf and had secure metal buckles. These too could be rolled down, and he wore them rolled a few turns.

Lilly beamed with joy when he handed back the bag of coins. She quickly emptied it into her pack, tossing the other items on top. When at last they left the shop, she was smiling wide, walking in the comfort of proper boots.

"I really like them," she said, her mood much improved.

"I knew you would, but we are not done yet."

"Were not?"

Gersius smiled and shook his head. "Come on. You are not going to like this next stop until you see the final product." He led further down the street into another shop that had lacy things in the window.

Three women in flowing dresses made of lace and billowing cloth in vibrant colors turned to greet them. Each woman wore a painted face with hair set in curls, braids, and twists, held in place with pins and combs. Lilly froze in the doorway as if startled and latched on to his arm to whisper.

"Gersius, what is wrong with their heads?"

He held in a chuckle and whispered back. "I will explain it to you later." She nodded but took his hand, squeezing it for reassurance.

The walls of the dressmakers was full of shelves overflowing with spools of cloth. There was a rough wooden mannequin in the corner, vaguely shaped like a woman. Lilly was drawn to the bright colors and went to play with the material as he moved to greet the ladies.

"How can we help the fine sir and his lovely lady?" one of them said. She had jet black hair, pulled to one said, and turned into a tight curl in the center of which was a single red flower. She wore a white lace top with a soft green skirt that just barely missed the floor.

"This young lady needs a new outfit," he said, gesturing to Lilly. "She has a long journey to make, so it must be rugged and cut high to not drag in the road."

The woman nodded, and all three turned on Lilly, who looked up in confusion. Gersius took her pack as she was swept away by the ladies. Measurements were taken, fabrics chosen, and Lilly was made to stand for over an hour while they fussed over the design. She gave him a hateful glare as they worked, but he only smiled and waved.

"Will, the lovely lady, need any personal items?" they asked as Lilly stewed in her anger.

"Personal items?" Lilly questioned, but Gersius stepped in.

"Please, she will need several changes. Whatever you think will do her justice, and be sure to get her several pairs of stockings."

"Oh, such a sweet one you are," the shortest of the three ladies said as she ran off to dig through some shelves in the back. "We have just the thing for such a lucky woman."

"Lucky?" Lilly said questioningly. "How am I lucky?"

Gersius saw what the woman was fussing about and smiled, turning his back to Lilly. The ladies began to unlace the front of Lilly's dress, and she swatted at their hands.

"What are you doing?" she asked them as they pulled the material loose.

"Oh, don't be shy, my lady, we will have you wrapped up in your new outfit in just a minute."

He heard Lilly's farm dress hit the floor and caught a reflection of her red face in a mirror. He could feel her anger and frustration over the bind as she thought hateful things about him. He smiled wider as she suffered through being dressed a second time since they met.

Lilly suddenly felt exposed as her farm dress fell to the floor. With a red face, she thought hateful things about Gersius for putting her through this a second time. The farmer's wife was bad enough, but now these strange women were all around her. She froze like before, unsure what to do as her anger boiled.

"Will you look at that?" one of them exclaimed, followed by gasps. "It runs all down her back." Lilly felt uncomfortable as a finger slid down the length of her blue markings. She looked to Gersius with panic in her eyes as he glanced back and cleared his throat.

"Ladies," he said in a firm voice. "We are in a hurry."

They rushed into motion and went to work, scurrying off on various tasks. One of the women reached around from behind, and a leather band wrapped around Lilly's chest. The woman pulled from behind on straps that went over her shoulders and around her back.

"She's certainly carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders," the woman said as she tightened the cords.

Lilly's eyes went wide with shock as her chest suddenly compressed and then lifted. The material wrapped around her form, sliding under her chest and pulling them skyward. She looked down, uncertain what to do, and noticed they now firmly touched, pressed together by the leather harness. She leaned over a little to be sure she could still see her toes as the woman hurried off. She endured a dozen other indignities before the women were done with her. She was allowed to dress again, only to sit for hours while the three women cut and sowed, pausing to take additional measurements.

"I am going to kill you someday," she said when she finally sat down beside him.

"I still have the better part of a year," he said. "I will make the most of it."

"You do that," she muttered with a face locked in a menacing scowl, arms folded over her chest.

After what seemed to Lilly to be an eternity, the women returned to scoop her back up. Lilly had to stand in the center of the room again as they pulled her old dress open. Her eyes glanced at him as he looked away, giving her a modicum of privacy. The fire of her anger flared up, and she was about to bite one of the women when she saw it.

Lilly was wrapped in a garment with a soft leather top of dark green. Inside was a delicate white material that glided gently on her skin. The arms were longer and ran down to her elbows. It had shoulders this time, but the neckline dipped just a little lower. Her skirt was also green, trimmed with brown around the edges, and split slightly in the front. It ended a foot from the ground exposing her new boots and giving her plenty of room to walk.

She was belted with a wide leather strap that pulled her stomach in while the harness lifted her breasts. When the women finally parted, she looked up to see Gersius was staring at her.

"Lilly, you are beautiful."

His words struck her as she considered how he used the word beautiful in the past. The sudden change in his demeanor made her uncomfortable, so she focused on her anger and stared back with thoughts of tearing him limb from limb. The tall woman with the dark hair spun her around, and Lilly found herself looking in a tall mirror.

"There now, doesn't feel better?" the woman asked.

Lilly put her arms down, slowly turning to watch the outfit go by. She felt a strange sense of happiness at what she saw in the reflection. Her hands went across the material as she watched in the mirror, repeatedly turning to see more.

"I think the lady likes it," the woman said with a pleased smile.

Lilly heard him respond, saying the dress was lovely, truly a masterpiece. She wasn't sure what that meant, but something in her stomach churned when he looked at her.

"We have a few personal things for you to take on your journey," the woman said, handing some delicate items of clothing to Lilly.

"What are these?" she asked, stretching at a short pair of ruffled pants. When nobody replied, she looked up to see all three women looking at Gersius in confusion.

"I will explain it to her," he said with a smile that did little to settle the women. He went to the counter to pay for the items, so Lilly returned to the mirror, turning to the side to admire the dress.

"Still want to kill me?" he asked as he approached.

"I might let you live," she said with a low growl determined to be angry at him. Try as she might, she was too happy with the new dress and the fire was gone. He took the items the dressmakers gave her and put them in her pack, before helping slip it back on. His eyes met hers as she pulled the straps tight, and her stomach twisted with strange tingles.

With a smile, he gestured with his head to the door. "Come, we have more to do." His smile only made the tingles worse, and she looked away, hoping it would help. She followed him into the street but was surprised he went further into town.

"Where are we going now?" she asked, confident it would lead to more humiliation.

"We have one last stop to make," he said.

They walked to a large two-story building with the largest window she'd ever seen. She used it as another mirror, twisting to admire her outfit as he went inside. Gersius spoke to a man behind the counter, looking back regularly to make sure she was there. Lilly paused to squint and see the walls layered with swords. Weapons of every kind stood on racks and pegs on the wall. There were other items as well, small things that glinted and glittered. They hung from stands on the counter along the back wall. Gersius pointed to a couple of things and looked them over, but handed them back and pointed to something else.

She lost interest in what he was doing and went back to admiring her reflection in the window. He finally came out while she was turned entirely around, trying to see her backside.

"I see you found another mirror."

"I wanted to see the other side," she replied, stopping her inspection. "Why do you need another sword?" she asked, noticing the new one he was carrying.

"I do not need another sword," he replied.

"Then why did you get one?" she asked as he stepped closer.

"This one is for you," he said, holding it out. It had a black leather sheath and a handle wrapped in black cords. It was shorter and thinner than his, looking relatively small by comparison.

"What do I need a sword for?" she asked, looking up with her head tilted to the side.

"To defend yourself, of course," he replied, still holding it out.

"To defend myself? With a sword?" She was genuinely puzzled by the strange gift and looked it over as if it would explain itself.

"That was the idea. Would you prefer a dagger?"

"I am a dragon. No dragon would use a sword," she said in a mocking tone to point out his foolishness.

"I know a dragon that used a sword," Gersius said with a serious tone.

Lilly wrinkled up her nose in disbelief and put her hands on her hips.

"What dragon do you know besides me, and why would they use a sword?"

"Here," Gersius said, wrapping the sword's belt around her waist. "You wear it like this." He strapped the buckle on her right hip, so the sword hung at her left. With a curious expression, she looked down, swinging her hips to make it sway.

"You do realize I am never going to use this, except maybe to throw at you," she said mockingly.

"Well, if the sword does not impress you, maybe this will," he said, pulling something out of a pouch at his waist.

Lilly's eyes went wide, fixating on the object that now dangled from Gersius's hand. It was a delicate silver chain in a long loop. At the bottom of the loop was a small blue stone wrapped in silver that sparkled in the sunlight. She could smell the sweet scent of the metal and felt a sudden need to have it.

"What is that?" she asked, reaching up as if to touch it.

"It is called a necklace," he said.

"Necklace," she repeated. "I know it is silver, but what is the blue thing?"

"That is a gemstone. It is a rare and precious thing. This particular stone is a sapphire."

"Sapphire," she repeated just like before.

"And it is yours," he said. "You wear it like this."

Lilly stood stunned as Gersius suddenly reached up over her head and wrapped the silver chain around her neck. She felt the cool touch of the metal on her skin, and the blue stone of the sapphire dangled in the bare space below her neckline.

"There," he said. "Now, you are complete."

Lilly looked down and then spun around to gaze in the window. She looked on in wonder and excitement, staring at the chain around her neck.

"I had no idea you could wear your treasures," she whispered in happiness.

"You didn't?" he asked.

Lilly shook her head. "My mother had things like this in her hoard, but I didn't know what they were. She has lots of these pretty rocks," Lilly said as she touched the gem. "But, they were different colors."

"This is just one of the ways a lady can wear her treasure," Gersius said.

Lilly turned around in excitement and looked to his eyes. "There are more ways?"

"There are many more, but come, we need to get going," he said, leading the way down the street.

"How many ways are there?" she implored while running to catch up.

He chuckled at her as she fell in beside him, making her feel silly. Despite his reaction, she asked again, desperate to know more about wearing treasures.

"Well, you can wear some on your fingers. That is called a ring."

"A ring," she said while looking at hand to help imagine it.

"You can wear some around your wrists. That is called a bracelet."

"Bracelet," she repeated.

"And if you are brave, you can wear them in your ears."

Lilly paused in confusion, wrinkling her face. "In your ears?"

"Yes, in your ears," he said, smiling.

"How will you hear anything?" she asked, trying to figure out how stuffing colored rocks in your ears would work.

She frowned as Gersius laughed, but he quickly quieted and began to look about. She could see he was looking at the people as they passed by. He smiled and took her hand, steering her toward a woman arguing with a man by a wagon full of small cages. Lilly was lost in the display of little birds inside them until Gersius whispered.

"Look at her ears."

Lilly turned her head and stared at the woman's ears as they passed. She could only see one, but there were two small golden loops firmly embedded in the skin of her earlobe. She looked back at Gersius, her confusion complete.
"How did she get them in there?"

"She poked a hole through," he said.

"Through her ear?" Lilly asked loudly, causing him to glance around and see if anyone heard.

"Yes, through her ear," he said in a hushed tone. "It does not hurt much, or so I am told."

Lilly looked at the woman for a moment and then turned back, lost in thought.

"I don't think I could do that," she said and rubbed at an earlobe. "I don't want it to hurt."

Gersius smiled with a nod and looked at her with a soothing expression. "I believe every woman has said that at one time or another about something, and yet they always find the strength to do it."

Lilly pondered that as they walked on, her stomach twisting at his words.

He was done with his little errands, and finally, they began their journey. She was surprised when they left the town going west. Gersius said it would take them to a straighter road that cut through the forest and make their journey easier. She could only take his word for it as they walked, the day slipping away.

They spoke little during the journey as the day grew long. She remembered she was mad at him but found it increasingly difficult to stay angry. He had bought her the new outfit, and the necklace after all. She found herself looking at it often, sometimes tapping it with a finger to make it sway. What a marvelous thing it was to wear your treasure, and she couldn't help but smile. Her eyes looked to him, and her stomach churned to see he was focused on other thoughts. Lilly felt a sort of rift between them, but was confused about why she even cared. All she wanted was to be free of the binding and yet feared it. She supposed it was the truth of her condition. Once free, she would limp back to the valley, a crippled dragon unable to fly or hunt. How long would she go on without a proper meal? Maybe she could find a sick deer unable to run away, or a freshly killed one, left by another predator? Without her wings, going into the cave was out of the question. The image of laying at the foot of the mountain as she slowly starved to death haunted her.

As the sun began to set, they made a camp beside the road in a bundle of trees. He handed her a rolled bundle and showed her how to unwrap it into a sort of bed. She smiled and quickly poured her coins on it before sweeping them into a small pile to sleep. A fire was made, and he settled in across from her, resting against a tree his eyes closed.

She watched him that night, silently sitting opposite the fire from her. He always seemed so stern and quiet as if his mind was thinking. She wondered if he'd told her the truth, or perhaps all the truth. How did she know for sure he needed to get to Calathen? How did she know for sure this man he met told him to go to Whiteford first? She knew so little of men, and prophecy was something dragons often ignored. What use is a prophecy to a dragon who will outlive ten generations of humans? Still, she felt deep down that he was honest, and that he really did want to get her safely to Calathen.

Looking at him made her wonder about the things she felt. Today had been full of surprises, not the least of which was the necklace. She looked down at the necklace, a blue teardrop encased in silver, worked to have a rough texture. She held it in her palm to study it closer, then looked across to him. The twisting in her stomach was back, and something was pushing at her. Perhaps it wasn't right to punish him for his little mistakes. After all, what did men know about dragons? Maybe she should make an effort to teach him about dragons like he did to teach her about humans. That thought carried her off to sleep, an image of Gersius tied to her by red light filling her dreams.

When morning came, he was gone. She sat up and looked around, startled for a moment before she heard the chanting. Carefully Lilly crept through the forest until she found him, kneeling in an early morning sunbeam. His arms were out, and his face thrown skyward, lost in his prayer. This position always made the muscles in his back bulge and showed the power of his frame. His voice was very different when he sang to his god. It was strong and clear, and it had a deep melodic power. She felt a sadness stirring in its tones as if he were singing for some tragic event.

Lilly wished she knew the language he was singing in so she could appreciate the words that sounded so powerful in his voice. She decided to sneak back to camp before he finished and sat on her pile of coins until he returned. When he finally did, he approached quietly, glancing at her to acknowledge that he had seen her.

"I heard you singing," she said, looking at him for a moment. "The song you sing, it sounds beautiful, if that is the right word." He walked to his pack to retrieve the shirt laying on top, a smile on his face.

"It is the right word," he said as he began to dress.

"What do you sing about?" she asked him.

He cast his face down as he flapped his shirt, saying nothing until he straightened it.

"I sing words of praise and peace to Astikar God of Mercy," he said, glancing at her. "I sing for blessing, for protection, for the courage to do what must be done."

"Does your God answer you? Does he answer your songs?"

"Sometimes he does," Gersius said, picking up his sword and belting it around his waist.

"What does he say?" she asked him.

"It is not so much what he says. If I pray for guidance, and I plan to make a poor decision, I will feel a sense of unease. If the path I choose to walk is a good one, I feel a sense of calm."

"Did you pray for our trip to Whiteford?

"I did," he said, still not looking at her.

"What did he say?"

Gersius straightened the sword and ran his hand across the hilt. There was a sudden heaviness to his brow, and his mouth curled ever so slightly down. He looked up as if casting his vision far away, the worry evident on his face.

"We need to get going."

Gersius didn't know what to say. He prayed about the trip to Whiteford, and never before had he felt such a sense of foreboding and dread. It was like a voice screaming in his head to flee as a million wolves howled in the distance. He prayed about turning around and going to Calathen, but a sense of doom was there as well. Both choices were bad and would be full of danger, but the road to Whiteford led to the Father Abbot. If he could brave the danger getting there, surely his brothers could keep them safe.

They got back on the road and walked for the better part of the morning, pressing on into noon before she felt the courage to speak to him again.

"Why are your people at war?" she asked, casting him a sideways glance.

"We did not have a choice in the matter," he answered. "We were attacked without warning."

"Well, why are you being attacked then?"

"I wish I knew. The people we fight against live further west of the region we call Delvarium. To the west is a great expanse of plains and hills until you hit the serpentine river. They come from the region just beyond the river. It is a barren land with hardly any trees. The land is stony, and living there is hard. A sturdy, nomadic people live there. They cut a tough life out of the harsh land. They are strong and fierce, with deep traditions and family loyalties."

She noted he seemed to be praising them for their ruggedness and strength. Taking great care to extol their virtues as if he admired them.

"These people we call the Doan, it is an old word for wild."

"That's not an old word," Lilly interjected. "It's a dragon word."

"It is?" he asked, turning to look her in the eyes.

Lilly nodded with a gentle smile. "It means wild one or something wild, depending on how you use it."

"I did not know that," he said with a faraway look before continuing with a sigh. "They have raided the lands along the serpentine for years. There have been a dozen minor wars in the past hundred years. Several times they have come east of the serpentine, and each time they have been thrown back. Occasionally a warlord will arise among them and unite several tribes into a more significant force. These would drive deep into our lands, raiding, and pillaging, but they too were always thrown back."

"So this has happened again? A warlord has led some of the tribes into your land?" she asked, feeling she understood.

"No," he said, looking forlorn. "This is no warlord we face. It is as if the whole of the Doan lands have emptied. They march in numbers unheard of in a thousand years. They are divided into at least three main armies with two or three smaller forces harassing our sides." Gersius seemed to pale as he continued, his voice sounding strained. "They use tactics like never before enhanced with siege engines and new weapons. They somehow control and drive Bandersooks into battles, using them as shock troops and terror weapons. Even their women fight, many using the power of weaves to twist magic into deadly attacks. Those that do not practice the weave throw spears instead, eager to shed our blood."

"To what end do these people attack you?" she asked, confused as to why such a war was started.

"We do not know. Somebody is behind them, driving them forward." He shook his head as if trying to work out the puzzle. "They are smarter, stronger, more organized, better equipped, and trained than ever before. Not since the war of the dragon empire has such an army been raised."

She cast him a sideways glance at the name and made a mental note to ask about that later.

"So, why don't your twelve kingdoms combine like they did before, and march out to crush them?"

"It is not that simple. Because the opening attacks were so savage and swift, the kings of the provinces have panicked. They hold the best of their armies inside their lands to protect their holdings. All we get is a token force of their least useful troops. Not enough to go on the offensive when the enemy has so many formations. Unless they unite and free up the bulk of their armies, we cannot hope to win."

Lilly could see the strain in his face as he recounted the circumstances of the war. He was deeply affected by what was going on and desperate to change the outcome.

"We battle priests have thrown everything we have into the fight to help support the local armies, lending our hand in combat, and healing. But for all our skill, we have only delayed the inevitable. Two armies have stopped advancing at the border keeps. The third is broken but reforming and will soon be ready to march again. One of the smaller groups has swung far to the south and is raiding border villages. We are not sure where the other ones are. They eluded our scouts and vanished into the north."

"So, somebody has managed to unite the whole of the Doan, turn them into organized armies, and marched them on your people," she summarized again.

"That is correct," he replied.

"But your people won't do the same? They won't unify into a single army and fight back?"

"That is also correct."

"That's why you need me. You're hoping to be the one who does it. You want to fulfill this prophecy, and be the one who unites them, and throws the combined might of all the kingdoms against the Doan."

"Yes," he said.

"To do this, you need me to go to Calathen, and you need to present me as your dragon to the people there."

"I do," he said, looking at her strangely. "I did explain all this to you just three days ago."

"You told me you wanted to fulfill this prophecy and unite your people, but I still wasn't sure why it was so important. Yes, you told me about the war, that your people were dying, but I had no appreciation for the scale." She paused in her words to think it out. "I suppose in a way I have trouble appreciating it as you do."

"What do you mean?" he asked her.

"Your human lives don't matter to me as they do you. Even dragon lives wouldn't matter to me. If you were to tell me that a hundred dragons had already died in your war and that a hundred more might die soon, I wouldn't care."

"Is it so difficult for you to feel empathy, to feel pity?"

"Gersius, just six days ago, I would have killed and eaten you if I found you in my valley. We would not be having this conversation.

Gersius thought about her words and became angry. He didn't blame her for being who she was, but he could not believe she felt nothing for others.

"Tell me something," he said, his voice hard. "If I were to release you from the binding right now, would you kill me?" He watched her eyes flash suddenly, and she staggered a bit in her step before straightening out and walking normally. She didn't answer right away, looking around as if searching for the right thing to say.

"I don't know," she said at last.

Now Gersius was mad, and he stopped to confront her.

"What about that little girl?" he asked. "The one with the dragon toy who said dragons were brave and your eyes were pretty. Could you eat her?"

"That isn't a fair question," she argued.

"How is it not fair?" he retorted. "You are a dragon. What do you care for little girls?"

Her hands clenched into fists as she turned to meet his challenge. She lifted a single hand to point a finger in his face, her eyes trembling in rage. "Just a moment ago, you told me that you had explained this need for me three days ago. I seem to recall explaining to you how hard it was to be a dragon, and mingle with your kind!" she shouted back. "I told you I had misgiving about what I thought about your kind and wasn't sure how I felt about it anymore. I can also tell you this, if that little girl had walked into my valley six days ago, I would have ignored her unless I was hungry, or she tried to enter my cave. If she tried to enter it, I would have killed her without a second thought, and complained about how unsatisfying a meal she was."

Gersius felt shocked at the pure emotionless void Lilly seemed to be, but then she continued her voice suddenly different and soft.

"But, if I was back in my valley a month from now, and I found her wandering in it. I would wonder how she had gotten there, and I would probably take her home."

It was then he realized his mistake. He had lost his temper again just because she was a dragon and did not see the world as he did.

"I am sorry, Lilly. I lost my temper again," he said to her lowering his head.

"I am sorry, too," she said. "I am sorry I am a dragon when what you need is a pet."

Gersius felt ashamed at her words as they dug deep into his heart.

"I suppose I am to blame for this," he said at last.

"I agree," she said, not bothering to look at him.

"Lilly, when I see you as you are now, I can't help but see a human woman and expect you to feel the way they would. Sometimes, when you make mistakes understanding our ways, they almost seem playful, innocent. It causes me to forget that you are a dragon. I forget that you do not see yourself as I see you." He looked at her to study her reaction. "You would not kill me if I released you," he said, smiling.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked.

"Because of that night in the farmer's barn. Despite being a dragon, and being fresh from the pain of your ordeal, you came to me, your captor, and put your arms around me. You tried to comfort me and show me pity," he said. He saw her blush as she remembered that night. "You are not as heartless as you seem. There is a spark of genuine compassion there."

He saw her fidget with her hands squeezing one hand with the other as she worked on his words. Before she could reply, a scream filled the air and drew them both out of their contemplation.

"What is that?" Lilly asked, looking to him for answers.

"Somebody needs help," he said, eyes scanning the countryside. He spied a farm off the road hidden away in a stand of trees and pointed. "There!" he said. "We must see if we can help." He ran for the house, leaving her in confusion on the road.

"We?" she said to herself before running after him.

Gersius dropped his pack leaving his armor behind. There were two more screams, sounding of desperation, proving he didn't have time to don it. He broke through the trees into a yard bordering a barn and house. There were gruff voices from around the corner as two men walked from behind the house into the barn. As Gersius moved closer, he heard a woman's voice.

"Please, don't hurt me!" she pleaded.

Gersius crept slowly along the wall of the house until he could see around the corner. A man in simple clothes lay face down in a pool of blood. Three others in ragged leathers and dirty clothes stood around a woman sitting on the ground. She clutched at the hem of a torn dress, desperate to cover herself as tears poured down her face. The three men smiled and laughed, enjoying her tears as she trembled at their feet.

"I don't think she likes the idea of being hospitable," one of them said.

"It's bad manners it is," said the one closest to Gersius.

Gersius watched as the man in the center squatted down to look the woman in the face. He had a large black beard, and his eyes glowed with murder.

"You know what happens to a woman who doesn't want to share?" he said, glowering at her.

"Usually, she gets rescued by a knight," Gersius answered. The man looked confused for a moment as Gersius charged in.

"We got ourselves a hero," the man closest to Gersius said. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled a dagger at Gersius, while drawing a second.

Gersius saw the motion and read the attack even before the blade was free. His arm came up as he sang a word of power, orange light flowing around his hand. A ghostly circle appeared over his arm, highlighted by a red star as the knife harmlessly struck the barrier.

"It's a bloody priest!" the furthest man shouted as Gersius reached the first. The first man drew a second knife to meet his charge, but Gersius didn't even slow down. A sword flashed, and the man toppled to the ground. The second and third man met his charge together, one with a sword, the other a small ax. Gersius danced with them for only a few moments before the axman was dead.

The swordsman put up a better fight, catching the first two of Gersius swings, but also a kick to the stomach. He stumbled back, failing to block the next attack as Gersius pressed in and made him pay.

Lilly broke through the tree line to see Gersius running in. She still had no idea what they were doing, but Gersius was attacking three humans by the house. She took a step toward him when a voice called out, turning her gaze.

"Well, what have we here?"

Lilly turned and saw a man coming around the front of the house. He was tall and broad, wearing a brown, heavily stained coat. His face was covered in hair, and his eyes looked hungry and violent. In his hand was a long stick with a metal wedge at one end.

"I didn't know these fools had a daughter," he said while approaching her. "I guess the old woman won't have to do all the work herself," he added as he reached Lilly.

Lilly stood there, unsure what this man was saying. He had a strange glare in his eyes that looked down to fixate on her chest, smiling with a grin of haphazard teeth.

"A good healthy daughter, you're going to work tonight," he muttered into her face.

"Get away from me, human!" she said, waving her hand as she smelled his breath.

He reached up and caught her arm. "Is that any way to talk to your new lover?" he said, jerking her arm away. "Oh, what's this?" he said when he saw the blue gemstone over her chest. "Must be my lucky day." He dropped the ax and reached to grab hold of the necklace, but Lilly wrapped her other hand around it first.

"This is mine!" she said in a deep voice.

"Not anymore, it isn't," he said, moving right up to her face. "The necklace is mine, and so are you!"

He was threatening, but nobody was taking Gersius's gift from her. She smiled back and took a deep breath as he reached for the necklace again.

Gersius heard a cry of alarm from behind and quickly reached out a hand, a prayer on his lips. Orange light gathered in his palm, forming into a glowing hammer as he turned about. The two men from the barn were running to aid their comrades as Gersius threw his arm in an arc, loosing the hammer. It caught one of the men in the chest, cracking ribs with a sickening impact that threw him back. He glanced to the right when a howl of pain caught his ear. He saw a man fall at Lilly's feet, twitching hands clutching at a frozen face. She looked down on him with a smile and casually stepped over his body as he died.

The last man lunged at Gersius with a tarnished sword. Gersius twirled away from the attack, his focus tempering the anger he had for these men. As the man tried to recover from the wild swing Gersius punched him square in the face with his sword hand, shattering the man's nose. He staggered back, the sword dropping from his hand as he clutched his bloody face.

Gersius followed in, grabbing the man with one hand around the throat. A prayer of power and his muscles surged with divine power. He hoisted the man from the ground with holy strength and looked him in the eyes.

"Please, mercy!" the man cried, terror in his eyes.

"Oh, you want mercy?" Gersius said, never breaking eye contact. "How fortunate for you, I worship the God of Mercy." The man tried to smile with blood-soaked teeth as Gersius twisted his hand and broke his neck. Another sound turned him to the right to look into Lilly's confused eyes.

"Why are we killing these rodents?" she asked as Gersius dropped the lifeless man.

"Jacob, my poor Jacob," came a sobbing voice reminding him that there were more important matters.

Gersius turned to the woman who crawled across the ground to the man lying in a pool of blood. He rushed to the woman's side and quickly turned the man over, revealing the terrible wound. His chest was deeply punctured, the blood flow ebbing as he bled out, but his hand still twitched with life.

"Jacob!" the woman screamed to see his pale, lifeless face.

Gersius dropped his sword and put both hands on the man's chest. His voice came out clear and strong as he chanted, channeling the healing energies of Astikar. Golden light shone from under his hands, and the man twitched as healing energies flowed. Gersius looked as if he was straining until the man gasped loudly and let out a low moan. Slowly he took his hands away, the skin still bloody, but the wound was gone.

"Jacob!" the woman cried again, cradling his head in her arms, "Bless the divines!" she called as she rocked him in her arms.

Gersius knelt beside her as the man began to stir. "He was very near death. He will be weak for a day or two, but will recover fully."

The woman looked up, her eyes red with tears. "Thank you!" she cried.

"Come, let me help you get him inside," Gersius said, before gently lifting the groggy man and carrying him away.


Lilly followed, watching as he helped the woman get the bloody man into a bed. She didn't understand why he was doing this, or why those men had to die. She watched as Gersius carefully laid the man down as the woman hurriedly began to wipe the blood off his chest with a cloth.

"Thank you, please, thank you," the woman said over and over again.

Gersius comforted the woman and left her to hold her husband's hand. He turned to Lilly, who was watching from the doorway a strange expression on her face. He passed her in the doorway and motioned for her to follow.

"We need to drag the bodies away from the house. They can bury them when the man is stronger, hopefully before they start to rot," he told her as they walked into the yard.

"Why were these men attacking other humans?" she asked, looking down at one of them.

"These men are bandits," Gersius said. "They prey on the weak, and steal what they want."

"They are thieves?" she said, squatting down to look at one more closely. "But I was a thief?"

"You mean with the coins from the farmhouse?" he asked, coming to stand before her.

"Yes, you didn't kill me."

"There is a huge difference between what you did and what these men were trying to do. You took those coins because you did not understand. When I explained it, not only did you give them back, but you were concerned they would be mad. You are not at all like these men."

Lilly looked down in though his words. "Maybe they didn't understand?"

"These men knew exactly what they are doing and did not care. They came here with the same motive that the red dragon that came to your valley had. They came here to take what they wanted and were going to do to that woman what he did to you."

Lilly's face darkened at the comparison turning her expression sour. "I am glad they are dead," she said.

"Do not let such things harden your heart, Lilly. We were here to help, thank the divines."

"Why did we help?" she asked as she stood up.

"Because these people needed help, and we could help them."

"But you need to follow your orders and get to Whiteford," she pointed out.

"Sometimes, to do the right and honorable thing, you must disobey an order." He paused to make sure she had understood. "Now, I want to drag these men away. I do not want them rotting and causing disease in that poor woman's yard."

Lilly looked down at all the bodies and tilted her head.

"If you want to get rid of them, I could always eat them," she said, kicking one of the dead men.

"Lilly!" Gersius said, truly shocked.

"What?" she looked up at him with innocent eyes. "You do want to get rid of them, don't you?"

Gersius looked down at the bodies and back at Lilly. "Are you serious?"

************​

Gersius waited by the road sitting on his pack while Lilly dressed, not at all sure he had done the right thing. They had removed the bodies down the hill, and she ate through them with terrible speed. Now she was done and happy as could be.

"Thank you for reminding me to get undressed first," she said while struggled with her top.

"You are welcome," Gersius replied, trying not to look.

"Why did we have to drag them so far away if I was going to eat them?" she asked while fighting to tie the laces behind her back.

"I did not want the poor woman to look out her window and see a dragon devouring a pile of dead men in her yard," he said, looking over as she flailed with the straps. "Do you need help with that?"

"How do you humans tie these behind your backs?" she groaned, turning the straps to him.

"Here, let me do it," he said, walking to the tree she was standing behind. He pulled the straps tight getting an "oof!" out of Lilly and tied them firmly.

"Thank you," she said sweetly and reached for her dress. He walked back to his pack as she straightened her skirt and went for her boots. She walked to him to lace them for her as she held up her hands. "Some of those men had more coins on them," she said, poking at a pile in her hand. "My horde gets bigger every day!"

"I am glad you are finding eating people to be so profitable," Gersius said, trying not to think about it.

"How do you think I got my original horde?" she said as if it was obvious.

"I told you, I do not want to know how you got your hoard. It is bad enough I know how you are collecting this one." He heard the coins clatter into her pack, and she lifted it to her shoulder.

"I am ready to continue," she said, a smile on her face.

"I hope you do not need to sleep for a few months now," he joked, getting to his feet and picking up his pack.

"Nope, but I might not be hungry for a few days."

"By the divines!" he groaned as they started down the road.

 

[omnixius]

The room was tiny, barely a cell, but it was the only place he could use as an office. The only remarkable feature was the worn wooden desk and a single high back chair that rocked on a broken leg. He sat in that undignified little cell to ensure all was ready for the Father Abbot's arrival and avoid any undue complications.

"The work needs to be done before he gets here," Dellain said in a dull voice while tapping his fingers in irritation, wondering why he was chosen for this task.

Before him stood two men in the most contrasting outfits, one was tall and wore a simple black coat over olive green pants. He had a strange, almost gray color to his skin and was completely bald. His companion was a full head shorter with long blond hair that splayed about his shoulders. He dressed in a fancy colorful robe made of shades of reds and oranges. It draped over his form as if it was a size too large, making him appear foolish. Both men looked at one another and then to Dellain, their faces devoid of acknowledgment.

"The shaping will take some time, but so long as the smiths can keep up, it should be ready," the red-clothed man said in a smooth voice.

Dellain frowned and ceased his tapping on the old worn desk. Something about that voice irritated him. It lacked any measure of respect or simple courtesy. It was the voice of a man who felt he had the upper hand and was openly mocking him. The fool had better learn you don't mock a raven guard, especially the order's captain-general. Still, he needed this task done, and these were the men to see it through. He leaned back to scratch at his chin before answering, his eyes showing his displeasure. "Most of the molds are already done. I am told they will be able to pour by morning."

"Then we will start the shaping in the morning and etch the runes in as they cool. That should speed things up and ensure they are ready in time," the tall gray-skinned man said with an arrogant voice more suited to a king's hall.

"And how long will it take?" Dellain asked as his gaze shifted to the gray man. He watched as the brows on the man's weathered face creased as if in annoyance. He wasn't accustomed to answering questions or speaking, for that matter. He let his fool companion in red do most of the talking, but when he did open his mouth, it was full of disdain, as if this task were beneath him. If this task failed, there would be nothing beneath him as he hung from a rope Dellain mused.

"The shaping is not complex. Any shaper with a year of training could do it in a few hours," the red man replied when his taller companion refused to answer.

"Good, the Father Abbot, will be pleased," Dellain replied with a slow sigh, the weariness of talking to these men taking its toll.

"I do wonder how you managed to acquire the blood?" the red-robed man asked, his face taking on a slight smile.

Dellain's eyes narrowed as he glared at the man whose smug expression only deepened. Answering their questions was not part of his mission, and he honestly didn't know. The Father Abbot hadn't told him where the dragon's blood came from, and he knew better than to ask. He accepted the jar with a simple nod and went on his way, leaving spies behind to search for the information. The Father Abbot was skilled at hiding his secrets, and he doubted his spies would learn anything, but such a strange gift had to come from somewhere.

"You are being paid to enchant the items, not ask questions," Dellain said with some measure of victory at being able to deny them.

"There Is the matter of the silver you promised us," the tall man said, looking down his nose at Dellain.

The tone of that voice indicated he believed Dellain wasn't trustworthy enough to pay. For a brief moment, he entertained drawing his sword but quickly put the idea away. The mission was more important, and there would be time to deal with their arrogance later. His gaze shifted between the two men who represented the local shapers guild. Were it not for their gift in binding the weave's magic to items, they would not be given such leeway of speech. Still, even if they were polite and cordial, he didn't care for shapers. They always seemed arrogant, flaunting their skill with the weave and what they could create. They openly spoke as if they were great powers, and many sold their services, rising to nobility due to vast wealth. It was those careless words that drew his ire. Too many of the things they said tread on the toes of the gods. While it was true, they could do many things a priest could not; they were not at liberty to compare themselves to the divine. Unlike the gods, they would die one day and be forgotten, a fate that could not come soon enough. Their self-serving nature was why they were in this very room, highlighting what Dellain disliked about them the most. They could be bought for a modest price, wealth the only motivation. They had no dedication or loyalty to anybody but themselves and carried their price openly.

In Dellain's eyes, it was far nobler to dedicate one's life to the service of a divine and know your place. Following that glorious guiding light was the path to true power and purpose. Though, he supposed, even a priest's dedication could be bought sometimes.

"The payment?" the gray man reiterated, his voice growing impatient.

Dellain wanted to punch him squarely in the face but turned to the silent figure standing motionless in the corner. Mathius was his second in command and one of the most dedicated men in all the raven guard. He liked to keep Mathius close at hand when dealing with delicate matters to provide a second point of view. It also helped to have an armed and armored man nearby to keep fools like these from overstepping their bounds. "Pay them," he said with a tip of his head toward the two shapers.

Mathius silently nodded and reached into a pack at his feet. He pulled out a sizable sack of coins, tossing it on the desk with a loud clink as the metal inside shifted. Dellain leaned over and slid the bag of coins across his desk to the waiting men.

"You have three days until he arrives," Dellain said as both men reached for the sack.

"We assure you, Brother Dellain; all will be ready," the red man said as they collected the bag. With their payment in hand, they had no further interest in talking and left the small office without a word.

Dellain's eyes reeked of suspicion as he watched them go. Their necessity in this project only proved one disturbing point. The Father Abbot was worried Gersius might actually succeed in his quest to find a dragon. Why else would he be sent to Whiteford to oversee this fool's errand?

Surely Gersius was dead, and this was a waste of time and money. The report he pried from Marcus's hand after he killed him stated Gersius was going on alone. Not even mighty Gersius could take a dragon alone in single combat. By now, Gersius was a well-digested meal for a slumbering dragon deep in a cave, yet the Father Abbot didn't think so. It was odd how the old man was certain Gersius was still alive. He seemed to show a strange intuition for Gersius and his exploits.

This time the man was wrong, and Gersius was finally dead; there could be no other outcome. If the Father Abbot wanted to waste time and resources, that was his business. Dellain was more concerned about the second letter found hidden in Marcus's boot. It was addressed to Tavis and Ayawa, two very close friends of Gersius and a source of endless trouble for his spies. Unfortunately, it was in code, and he hadn't as yet broken it. What was really going on was likely hidden in that code, and he wanted the answer. Fortunately, Tavis and Ayawa were in the employ of the forces of Astikar as scouts. If he couldn't break the code, he would have them do it, provided they could figure out where the two had gone.

"Tull!" he shouted, his voice too loud for the tiny chamber. In moments it was answered by a tall, sturdy man in black armor, who entered the room and proceeded to bow.

"Yes, my lord," he said, nodding his head.

"Any word about our code breakers?" he asked, irritated.

"Nothing new since the last report," Tull said in a smooth voice. "Both Tavis and Ayawa are missing, and nobody seems to know where they went."

Dellain clenched his hand into a fist as his irritation grew. Gersius was an excellent leader, a fierce fighter, and a master tactician known for deep thinking. All of these qualities made him a dangerous man who was not to be trifled with. Thankfully he was dead, but he'd made plans with the two before leaving, and they had instructions to scatter if they hadn't heard from him. That deadline was passed, and the two had vanished into the night, taking their secrets with them.

"What were you planning, Gersius?" he mused out loud before realizing Tull was still standing there.

"You are dismissed," he said with a wave of his hand. The man bowed and backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Dellain descended into dark thoughts as the possibilities began to play through his mind. Could the Father Abbot be right?

"How long do we intend to wait here for his ghost to show up?" said Mathius, echoing Dellain's own beliefs that Gersius was dead.

"Patience, Mathius, a game of chess is being played. We must wait for our opponent to finish his move," Dellain replied.

"A game of chess is being played alright, but are you sure your the one moving the pieces?"

Dellain stared off, his eyes cold, and brow furrowed in thought. He had to admit he wasn't sure.

*****​

The morning air was cold, carrying with it the dampness left behind by the night. Gray clouds covered the sky as a gentle wind licked at the branches of the trees. They reached the town of Westbridge the day before and spent another night in a proper bed. Lilly remarked that these were more comfortable but slept on her coins nonetheless.

He tried to brighten her mood by buying her a hot meal, but Lilly still wasn't hungry. She was thirsty, however, and asked if she could have a drink. When an ale was brought to the table, she tasted it and set it down, a sour expression on her face. He knew what she wanted to do and moved her to another table, sitting her in the corner as he blocked her from view. A smile lit her face as he encouraged her to blow on the drink to make her happy. It worked, and that beautiful smile lasted the rest of the night as she sipped three cold ales while he ate. Gersius found himself staring at this woman, who was a dragon, struggling to see the beast inside. To his eyes, she was a curious and sometimes playful woman with the understanding of a child, yet he knew what lurked inside.

They left early the next morning, stopping only to purchase enough dry food to see them a week on the road. They set out going south on the road that would take them directly to Whiteford. A full day's travel later, and they camped in the trees beside the dusty track that was their road.
.
Gersius awoke to find Lilly curled in a ball atop her pile of coins. He smiled at the very dragon-like display that reminded him of who she really was. Despite it, he only saw the woman sleeping in gentle peace and crept away to begin his morning prayers.

He wandered a safe distance away, finding a clear spot in the trees to kneel before his god. He prayed as he always did, offering up praise before asking for protection, blessing, and guidance. It was during his request for guidance that his chanting turned to Whiteford. A deep sense of dread crawled into his heart, nearly breaking his concentration. It was always the same; every prayer about this destination was now a dire warning. Something was wrong with Whiteford, and every step closer made his stomach churn.

He changed his tactic and focused on Calathen instead. The same warning came, showing this destination was just as bad. With no other options, he called for general guidance, pleading with Astikar to tell him what to do. His reply came in the form of distant thunder, rolling gently to alert him of a coming storm. He ended the prayer, looking up at the gray skies in silent acknowledgment. There was a storm coming, of this he was certain, and they would both be caught in it.

With no clear path to choose, the only choice was duty. He'd been ordered to Whiteford, and he would go to Whiteford. At least the Father Abbot would be there, and thus so would a number of the brothers. The presence of his brothers might afford him some protection from whatever danger waited there.

He started back with a heavy heart, his eyes looking ahead for his only source of distraction. Lilly was awake, standing tall with arms spread wide as she yawned so wide it looked painful. It was a mystery how a dragon of over five hundred years could know so little about the world and men. She had some basic understanding taught by her equally mysterious mother, but her knowledge was woefully lacking. She was innately curious about humans and how they experienced the world, full of questions that never seemed to end. When he pointed out how strange this seemed to him, she took a moment to consider it and explained. It was the difference between her dragon form and the human one. The world was very isolated from the skies, a remote place full of tiny things. Walking through it as a human was a vastly different experience, exposing her to all sorts of new stimuli. This human body felt so weak, yet that weakness allowed them to explore the world more intimately.

He was grateful she was in a better mood, the anger much diminished, but still did his best to keep her distracted and talking, especially about food. She was enamored with human food and eager to hear all about the things they ate. He laughed at the thought. Not only did Lilly love human food, but they also loved humans as food. The other day proved that when she offered to eat the bandits to save time. Was it the right decision to allow her to do it? Certainly, it seemed second nature to Lilly, but the sound of those bones crunching made him shiver. She skipped dinner that night, no matter how he tried to entice her with bread. She smiled and sat on her coins, rubbing her stomach with a sigh.

As he approached the camp, she turned around and stepped barefooted onto a log. She stood there, long silver hair blowing in the breeze as she closed her eyes. With a deep breath, she threw her arms wide, slowly turning her hands to feel the breeze.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he arrived beside her.

"It feels different," she replied in a gentle tone.

"What does?"

"The wind," she said, turning to smile at him. "As a dragon, I always thought of the wind as something strong to fill your wings and carry you up. I never noticed how gentle it could be." She paused, shaking out her hair so it would catch more of the breeze. "Everything feels different but familiar as if this was how it was always meant to feel. The wind is stronger high in the skies and over the mountains, but down here, where you humans feel it, it is a gentle caressing thing."

"It can be forceful at times. Sometimes the wind can blow so strongly it topples trees or damages houses," he said, not wanting her to think the wind was always gentle.

"I can hear it blowing through the leaves," she said, looking up. "I can smell the scent of water it carries as if the storm was already here."

He smiled as she described the wind felt to a human as if he wasn't one. It was a whole new world for Lilly, and he was grateful it offered her some enjoyment.

"Would you like something to eat?" he asked as she basked in the breeze.

"Not yet. I still feel full. You rodents are a good meal."

"I have been meaning to ask you about that. How do you eat a huge volume of food as a dragon, then transform into a human? Where does all that food go?"

Lilly put her head down to think about it. "I have no idea," she said at last. "But I don't think this body you see is my body compressed down. It's a projection."

"A projection?"

"My mother explained it to me once." She stopped playing in the wind, and walked back to her bedroll, scooping the coins into her pack. "She said all life exists in two forms, the physical here, and the spiritual someplace else. Our bodies are projections from the spiritual into the physical. When a dragon changes form, it isn't physically altering its body. It is withdrawing the one projection and projecting a new one."

"Your mother sounds like a fascinating woman, err dragon," Gersius corrected.

"My mother was very mysterious. She told me many things that never made sense to me."

"Like what?"

"She told me that I would one day have to choose between both my hearts and she once hid something special right under the nose of the stone, red dragon."

"That is very mysterious," Gersius said as he belted his sword around his waist.

"She tried to tell me about things from the past, but I didn't want to listen," she said with a pause in her scooping. "We dragons spend very little time with our mothers compared to how long we live," she added, looking forlorn. "We live thousands of years, and yet we spend less than twenty of them with our mothers."

"Is your mother still alive? Do you ever see her?"

"She is alive, and I do see her. I go to see her once every hundred years or so." Lilly suddenly looked tearful as a few loose coins fell from her hands. "I suppose I won't be going to see her anymore. She is so very far away, and I can't fly."

Gersius cursed under his breath, realizing the mistake he had just made.

"Lilly, I am sorry. I didn't mean to bring up painful thoughts."

"It's alright," she said softly and resumed packing her coins. "I have thought about our meeting over the past few days. I realize you did your best to heal me, and I appreciate how hard you tried."

Gersius was grateful to hear that, but the tear she wiped away made him feel deeply sorry for her.

"Besides, you didn't do this to me; Mulizoth did," she said with a growl of anger in her voice.

Gersius paused at the mention of the name. Mulizoth was the dragon of the black spires, notorious for raiding human settlements far to the north of Delvarium. Thankfully the dragon was rarely seen, and then only on the edges of the wild. He was months travel away from Lilly's valley by foot, though he supposed the trip was shorter by flight. Still, why would this dragon come so far east to attack Lilly? He couldn't think of a logical reason and silently hoped that whatever the dragon's motivation, his role in this war was over.

He was the first dragon Gersius thought about seeking, but his lair was well behind the Doan lines and out of his reach. Still, while searching the records for another dragon, he read over a dozen reports of Mulizoth's depredations. Villages all along the edges of the wilds were burned away in great fires. Any livestock was gone, and in most cases, so were the people. When some did manage to survive, they spoke of a red beast that came from the skies hurling fire and laughter. The only reason they knew this beast's name was because he bellowed it as he descended on helpless villages.

Lilly was the only other dragon they found a record of, and it was a vague report from many years ago. There was a reference to a small group of treasure hunters going out to confirm it, but no record of their return. Gersius was certain Lilly could tell him exactly what happened to them. He glanced her way, noticing the pain of trembling lips, and wet eyes as she covered her face and made a low wail.

"Lilly, what is wrong?" he asked, coming to her side.

"I won't be able to see my mother ever again!" she sobbed. "I can't fly, and she will never know what happened to me."

Some form of terrible pain pressed him over the link they shared. It moved him to great pity to see this mighty dragon crying for her mother. The loss of her wings took away everything she held dear, including her mother. He felt a great need to give her some hope for a brighter path ahead, but that meant taking a risk. He would have to give up his secret and tell her what he prayed for night and day.

"Lilly," he said, trying to get her attention. "There is something I need to tell you. Something that might change how you feel right now."

She looked up at him with red eyes that trembled with pain. "What?" she asked in a broken voice.

He steadied himself for what he was about to say as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"There is a chance we can heal your wings, and you will be able to fly again."

Her eyes went wide at his words, the hands falling away in shock. "There is?"

"I did not want to tell you about it earlier because I was afraid to get your hopes up. It will take a great deal of effort to try, and I can not guarantee it will work, but If I can get enough of the brothers of my order to work together and combine our power, we can do something called Cer'verah. It is an old blessing of my order that is rarely performed."

"It can give me back my wings?" she said, her voice quaking.

"I do not know, maybe. It is an ancient ceremony used for very rare purposes. It takes at least a dozen brothers to do and requires the use of a holy artifact. We have a golden disk in our temple known as Astikars seal. It has words of healing and purity written on its surface and acts as a gateway to the god's power. I have never seen this done, but we have written accounts of my order using the disk, and the power of the brothers, to restore people and cure them of injuries months even years old."

Lilly looked like she was going to cry even more fiercely than before as he felt something of her pushing at him over the bind, a sense of hope.

"You have to understand; it is up to Astikar who is restored. All we do is open a conduit large enough for him to reach through. Whether he does or does not is his choice."

Gersius wasn't prepared for what happened next. Lilly fell to her knees; her arms folded over her stomach, and cried tears of joy. The whole scene made him very uncomfortable and filled his mind with doubts. He'd given her new hope and purpose in life, but would Astikar heal a dragon? What would happen to Lilly if the ceremony was performed and the god said no?

He let her cry for a bit, then helped her with her bedroll. She asked a dozen questions about the seal and how soon they could do the ceremony. She was disappointed to learn it was in Calathen, and they would have to wait until after Whiteford. It failed to sour her mood, however, and she was even more anxious to get moving. With a spring in her step and a glow the gray skies couldn't darken, she set out eager to get going.

It rained briefly that morning, but Lilly was too overcome with joy. She threw her head back with a smile on her face as the raindrops mixed with her tears. He heard all about how wonderful the rain felt in her human form, as if it was all new and wonderful.

By mid-afternoon, the storm was long passed, and the clouds were breaking, allowing the warm rays of the sun to dry the moist ground. Gersius led the way, glancing at Lilly several times as he pondered a thought.


"Lilly, I want to ask you something."

She glanced over at him with bright eyes, forcing him to drink deeply of their rich blue.

"What?"

"Why does Mulizoth have a name when you do not?"

She scowled slightly to hear his name spoken and looked away with a sigh. "We dragons don't take names until we are much older, or we have a need for one. When you live alone in a cave and never speak to anyone, you have little use for a name."

"Then, Mulizoth is very old?" Gersius pried.

Lilly shook her head. "He is older than me, to be sure, but not much older. Maybe twice my age."

"Then why did he have a name?"

Lilly shrugged and glanced at him, her face blank of expression. "He must have needed one."

Gersius nodded his head at the obvious answer. "So, how do you know his name?"

"He told me," she mumbled softly, unhappy to be having this conversation.

Gersius decided to change the topic slightly, interested in another facet of dragon names.

"How do you learn your true name?"

Lilly sighed and looked away, her shoulders sagging as she refused to answer.

"Is this more of your dragon secrets?"

"Yes," she said, with downcast eyes. "There is so much I could tell you, but I don't know if I should."

"Keep your secrets if you must, but always understand I will never reveal anything you share with me."

She glanced at him with a smile. "I suppose this one won't hurt. We dragons learn things while we sleep."

"You learn from sleeping?" Gersius asked.

"Let me explain," she said. "When we sleep, we are still aware. It's hard to explain because you have no understanding of the concept. We can do something we would call dream walking."

"You are right. I have no idea what you are talking about," he agreed.

She groaned with a toss of her head. "We can enter a sort of dream world. There we can learn things. It's how I know my true name. When a dragon reaches the age of roughly three hundred, it will have a dream where they learn their true name."

"So who tells you the name?" he asked.

"I don't know," Lilly said. "When I saw my true name, I was dreaming about looking into my stream, and it was a shimmer of golden light on the water. I heard it pronounced once, and I woke up."

"That is very odd," he said.

"No, it isn't!" she protested. "We do all sorts of things in our dreams. We can even find other dragons that way."

"You can find other dragons?"

"Well, I can when I'm older. Anywhere from the age of one thousand five hundred to two thousand five hundred, a female dragon will feel the calling and –" she suddenly went silent as her face reddened.

"And what?"

"Nothing!" she said quickly.

He laughed at the sudden change and pressed the point. "You were just about to tell me how you can find other dragons."

"We just can," she said, trying to put the topic to rest.

"Why are you blushing?" he asked as she tried to hide the fact by looking away.

"It's personal!" she said.

"Why would being able to find other dragons be personal?" he asked, and then the idea dawned on him. "This is how you find males to mate with."

"I said it was personal!" she snapped.

"So you feel a sort of calling to do it," he added.

"Gersius!" she cried. "I don't pester you about what you pray about!"

"I would tell you. I have nothing to hide."

"I am not hiding anything!"

He shrugged. "Let us talk about something else then."

"Yes, let's talk about something else," she agreed. "How much further to Whiteford?"

He sighed as his thoughts went back to the task at hand and the feelings of dread when he prayed.

"Three days, maybe four at the most."

"And then we can go to Calathen?"

He nodded. "Then we go to Calathen." Gersius did his best to hide the worry from his voice. He didn't want her to notice the apprehension he felt with every step closer to Whiteford. What danger lay on this road, and would he reach his brothers safely?

He thought back to Jessivel and what he said about his men. They were all found dead, including Marcus, who was alive and well when they parted. What could have happened to him? Was it bandersooks, an accident? He briefly considered another possibility that was not at all comforting. Dellain was the one who found his men. Could he have something to do with Marcus's death?

Gersius tried to clear that thought from his mind. Maybe Dellain miscounted, or Jessivel had gotten the wrong information. Marcus could be in Calathen right now delivering his report, but how had Jessivel reached him so quickly?


He realized that if Jessivel was dispatched from Calathen, it would be another week yet before they would meet. That meant Jessivel was already much closer when he was sent. Since the orders came from the Father Abbot himself, that could only mean he too was much closer. To find his slain men and have time to return and report before dispatching new orders meant he was close indeed. They must have left Calathen right on his heels and been on the road moving east even as his men entered the Greenwall.

Gersius suddenly felt even more uncomfortable as the pieces came together. Jessivel said the Father Abbot sent multiple people to find him. If the Father Abbot was on the road, Marcus would have delivered the report, and the Father Abbot would have known precisely where he was going. It would not have required sending more than one messenger. That meant Marcus was dead, and the coded message hadn't reached Tavis and Ayawa. He realized he was going to need a new plan and knew exactly what to do.

They walked another few hours and reached the outskirts of a small village called Pinehollow. It was a modest town with less than a dozen buildings making up its heart. It was surrounded by farms and herds of cattle, which Lilly pointed out, looked good to eat.

While the land around the town had only a few trees, the town itself was densely planted with them. Tall branching oaks and slender silver pines blanketed the region that acted as the town center. Flowers grew around every house, and lush green ferns hid in the shade under the oaks. He noted an odd number of warehouses to store food as if the town was accustomed to abundance.

All of the buildings were made of wood and plaster, with a few having stone foundations. Thatch roofs were the norm, sagging in the middle from long years, and often nested with birds. He searched for an official building of any kind but didn't see so much as a guardhouse. Pine hollow was just a sleepy little town off the road and did not need guards.

He kept his eye open as they entered, eventually spotting a small horseshoe-shaped building on a hill at the town edge. It was a single floor, almost entirely stone and covered with moss and vines so that it almost disappeared in the landscape. On the roof of the building was a wooden emblem of a plow and a bundle of grain. He directed Lilly to the building, taking her directly to the front door.

"This is a temple to Ulustrah, Goddess of the harvest and fertility," he said as they approached. "It is a good and kind faith whose priests bless the land and bring good harvests."

"Why are we going here?" she asked as they approached.

"I want to speak to the priest and see if I can get a message sent."

They reached the plain oaken door, and Gersius knocked firmly, producing a deep thumping inside. He looked at Lilly when nothing happened and raised his hand to knock again, but the door opened.

"What can I do for, oh, a fellow priest," came a woman's voice.

She stepped into the doorway wearing a green hooded robe with a golden vine pattern woven on the trim. She threw back her hood and blinked in the fading light of the sun. Her skin was pale, but her gently angled eyes dark and mysterious. The wry smile on her face was framed by long, raven black hair, tied into a cord down her back with a golden ribbon.

"A priest of Vellis?" she questioned as she studied them?

"Astikar," he said, bowing his head.

"Astikar? I thought all of your order was west fighting in the war?"

"Most of us are, some of us are helping in other ways," he responded. "How did you know I was a priest? I am not wearing my armor or insignia."

"I can see the power of your aura. All priests have a strong light, and yours is stronger still." She turned to Lilly, who was entranced by the manner of speaking the woman used. "And what order are you from, priestess?"

"She is not a priestess," Gersius answered for her.

The woman's eyes narrowed on Lilly, and she leaned in close, looking her up and down. Her gaze fixed on a spot just over Lilly's head as if studying something.

"You're wrong," she said. "I have never seen an aura like hers. It shifts and grows, bright then dark. It is different than yours or mine, but it has power in it."

Gersius shifted tensely as the woman leaned toward Lilly and studied the air over her head once more.

"I see," the woman finally said, then paid Lilly no further attention. "How can I help you, priest of Astikar?"

"I need a favor. I need to send a letter, and I need it to go swiftly and secretly."

The woman shot Lilly a glance and responded. "Indeed, you do."

"Do you have a pen and paper I could use? And do you have somebody trustworthy who can carry a letter to Kingsbridge?" He watched as she studied him carefully, considering something before replying.

"I am priestess Thayle, and I welcome you, priest?" she paused, waiting for his name.

"Gersius," he said with a tip of his head.

"Gersius, the hero of Asitkar," she said with a twitch of her eyes. "My, my, a hero is at my temple and with–" Her gaze came to Lilly as the sentence died, a slight smile curling the corner of her lips. With a wave of her hand, she ushered them in. "Come inside. I will get you something to write with."

Lilly hesitated at the door, wary of following the strange woman inside. The way those narrow eyes looked at her, and what the woman claimed to have seen, was disturbing. She felt exposed and vulnerable as if the woman could look into her solus and see the truth.

"Come, Lilly," Gersius said from the doorway when he noticed she wasn't following.

"Could I stay out here?" she asked, stepping back as her hands played nervously with her dress.

"As you wish, but please do not wander far from the temple," he asked and went inside.

Thayle led him down a small hall to a room barely large enough for a desk and chair. A few books rested on the desk, but so too did a quill and inkwell.

"There is paper in the drawer on your right," she said, leaning against the wall as Gersius sat down. "You keep interesting company, Gersius Knight Captain and hero of the war."

Gersius let her words sink in, wondering what game she was playing. Obviously, she was suspicious of something, but what he did not know. Better to be polite and play her game a little to see what he might learn in return.

"I see my name has traveled far," he replied as he pulled open the drawer.

"Ha, I suspect everybody has heard the name Gersius at one time or another, but you dodge my question."

"You did not ask a question," he said, dipping the pen and starting to write.

"Oh, I see. We're going to play at words, are we?"

Now he knew she was prying, attempting to encourage him to divulge something voluntarily. "I do not play games; I do what needs to be done."

"You can attempt to avoid the answers I seek but know this. You are talking to a priestess of Ulustrah. Our order specializes in negotiating marriages and helping people with love. I have a great deal of practice being direct and blunt."

Gersius didn't like where this was going. It was easy to avoid answering in a game of words, but a direct question was another matter.

"I will take your silence to mean you don't believe me," Thayle said as a smile spreading on her face. "Very well, direct it is. Why are you traveling with a dragon?"

Gersius blotted the paper he was writing on as his hand tensed. He took a deep breath to center himself, not wanting his anger to cloud his judgment.

"How did you know?"

"I can see it over her, a great horned head lizard-like and fierce. It appears as a shadow wreathed in mist, glowing and then going dark as if a choice was to be made." Thayle suddenly looked away as if lost in thought. "Something hangs in the balance with her, something deeply missed or desired, but to attain it is to lose everything."

Gersius got up and faced Thayle, his tension mounting.

"I need you to keep this! Tell nobody of what you see or that you have seen me at all," he said to her, trying to keep control of his fear.

"Gersius," she smiled up at him. "I am a simple country priestess. I get few visitors outside my village. Who could I tell?"

"Words have a way of getting to the wrong ears," he said, locking her eyes. "I cannot risk what Lilly is getting out. It will put her in great danger."

"Lilly, such a pretty name for a dragon," she said, still smiling. "I suppose that isn't her real name."

"No, it is not."

"Then the war must be going terribly if you intend to fulfill the prophecy and march a dragon into Calathen?"

"You really are direct," he said, still watching her intently.

"How did she come to be a human? Did you use some form of enchantment?"

"Thayle, I need you to understand something. You are the only one besides myself who knows Lilly is a dragon. I have sworn to keep her secrets, and I need you to swear to me that you will keep them as well."

"Are you threatening me?" she said with a laugh.

"I mean you no harm or threat. I simply need to know you understand the severity of this situation."

"That was a lie. You are threatening me. I can see the anger and apprehension in your aura. It is something you often see in dangerous men."

"Thayle, I need to know I can trust you," he said with a determined tone in his voice.

"You have my word as a priestess of Ulustrah; I will not reveal your secrets, or hers," she said at last. "Are you satisfied?"

"Yes," was all he said, eager to put this problem to rest, but Thayle pressed on.

"Does this mean you won't tell me how she became a human?"

"No, I will not tell you how she became a human," Gersius responded, his tension near the breaking point.

Thayle rolled her eyes in defeat and moved to the doorway.

"Write your letter then. I will go and find Thomas, a reliable man with a good fast horse to carry it. I vouch for his character despite the fact that he is probably chasing the girls in the market.

"Thank you, Priestess Thayle," he replied and watched her go. With a sigh, he began again, carefully writing the letter he hoped would salvage his plan, though in his heart he was thinking of Lilly.

---

Below her in a field, tables had been set out and white cloths placed over them. Mounds of colorful flowers rested on these tables, as did plates, bowels, and all manner of human things. Many people in bright clothes were talking and clasping hands as they gathered together around the tables. One woman, in particular, was surrounded by the others. She wore an outfit of white and green and had a crown of white flowers on her head. Lilly thought of the crown Gersius had made for her when a voice made her jump.

"Hello again, Lilly," came Thayles's voice.

Lilly turned about quickly to look into the dark eyes of the priestess standing not five steps away.

"Gersius is writing a letter, and I am going to fetch a good man to carry it," she said as she approached those eyes, studying her again. She wanted to run away and find Gersius so he could drive the strange woman off but was determined not to be frightened by this rodent.

"Will he be done soon?" she asked, not sure what else to say.

"He is writing in code from what little I saw. He must have many secrets to keep." Thayle leaned in closer to Lilly. "Many, many secrets." She paused as if waiting for a reaction, shrugging when none came. "It may take him some time. Writing in code always takes longer."

Lilly took a step away from her, feeling very uncomfortable.

"I don't mean to frighten you," the woman said. "It's just I have never seen anybody quite like you. You fascinate me." She took a step back on her own, giving Lilly some room.

"You can see things?" Lilly said, not sure what the woman was referring to.

"As a priestess who often deals with matters of the heart, we are gifted with the ability to see auras," she replied, leaning against an apple tree. "Men can be hard to deal with, but their auras betray the truth. They change colors when they feel strong emotions or when they lie. Equally, a woman's heart can be fluid and fickle. It helps to be able to see the truth when dealing with emotion."

"So you can see my aura?" Lilly asked with full eyes and a tremble at her lip.

"I can see your aura, Lilly; I can see your strength."

"Does Gersius know?" she asked.

"I have told him everything I've seen."

Lilly wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. What had this woman seen? What did she mean by she had seen her strength? She wished Gersius was here to deal with this strange woman. She wished they had never come here.

"Be at peace, Lilly. I can see the uncertainty on your face. I can see it in your aura as well. Be at peace. I am a friend. I will help you and Gersius any way I can."

With that, the woman walked away and left Lilly with her thoughts as music began to play behind her.

Gersius read his letter over again. It was clear. It was concise; it was dire. He hoped it would reach its destination in time.

Thayle returned with a man who was tall and perhaps a little thin. But his eyes were keen, and he carried himself well. She repeatedly vouched for his character and assured Gersius he could be trusted.

Gersius handed the man the sealed letter and told him where to deliver it. The man nodded his head and bowed, promising the letter would arrive swiftly and safely. Gersius silently prayed for both. He spoke with Thayle briefly, and she promised again to keep his secret before encouraging him to find Lilly before she got lost.

Gersius found Lilly standing on a log, straining to look through the trees at a gathered crowd of people. He heard fiddles and drums and cheering voices as he reached her.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Lilly turned about with a look of wonder in her eyes.

"Do you hear that?" she said, her voice full of excitement. "What is that sound they are making down there, and why are they jumping around?"

Gersius joined her side to see more clearly what was happening below. He smiled when she took his hand, grasping it in her excitement as she strained to see more.

"That is music, and the people are dancing," he replied, taking a moment to look at her curious expression.

"Music?" Lilly repeated as her hand tightened on his. "I think my mother told me about music once, but what is dancing?"

"Come," he said, tugging at her hand. "It will be easier to show you."

He took her through the trees to the side of the clearing where they would have a better view. Candles burned on every table, and a great fire blazed on one end of the field, bathing the area in a warm glow. People in fancy clothes and brightly colored dresses pranced about, eating, drinking, talking, and dancing. The scene was one of joy; as wine and smiles flowed, the people lost to their revelry.

"Why are they dancing?" Lilly asked as they got closer.

"It looks like a wedding," Gersius said.

"What is a wedding?" she asked, genuinely lost as to what was happening.

Gersius took a moment to think of the best way to describe such a thing to a dragon. "A wedding is when a man and woman make a sacred vow to love one another for the rest of their lives."

"Love one another?" Lilly said as if the concept were foreign. "Why would they do that?"

"Most people do it because they want to start a family, have children."

"So she has sought him out to breed with?"

Gersius laughed; her dragon point of view was making it hard to understand.

"Lilly, humans are not like dragons in this respect. Humans marry one another and make a commitment to stay together and have children. The man will not leave; he will stay and help raise the children."

"The male doesn't leave?"

"No, not usually. Sometimes things happen, and he does leave, but for most people, the woman and the man stay together, and both of them raise the children."

"That's why the male and female farmer were in the same house," she said, puzzling it out.

"Now you are starting to understand."

"You stay together forever?"

"Until death claims one of the two," he replied with a nod.

"Why, though? Why stay together?" she asked, using her free hand to play with the edge of her dress.

Again he had to think of a good way to explain it, but the only answer he could give was simple. "Because they love one another."

"Love?"

Gersius could see she had no concept of love, at least not as humans understood it.

"Lilly, as humans, we can grow very attached to one another. A man and a woman can become so attached that they find it difficult to be apart. They have powerful emotions for one another and desire to share them. We call this feeling love."

"I will never understand you rodents," Lilly said with a shake of her head.

"I would not say that. You have come a long way in just a few days, and please start trying to call us humans at least."

The music changed, and people switched as they started a new dance.

"So why are they dancing then?"

Gersius realized he hadn't answered her original question.

Two humans have married and become a family. They are dancing in celebration of the event."

"So two humans feel strongly for each other, they play music, and people dance for them, then the male doesn't leave?"

Gersius laughed again as she tried to work it all out.

"Enjoying the party?" came Thayle's sudden voice.

They both jumped in surprise and turned to face the smiling priestess.

"I was just explaining to Lilly what a wedding was," Gersius said, glancing at Thayle.

"Of course," Thayle said, smiling at Lilly. "Maybe I can help her learn a bit more," she added, walking into the field and up to a man in a fancy blue coat and pants. She spoke with him for a few moments and then pointed at Gersius and Lilly. The man smiled and put a hand on her shoulder, nodding his head before walking over to them.

"Welcome, friends," he said as he reached them. "The Priestess Thayle tells me you are good friends of hers, and you're here for the night as you travel. Please, please come in and sit with us; there is plenty to eat and drink. I would be honored to invite friends of the priestess into our gathering."

"Oh, no sir, we could not possibly impose," Gersius said, holding a hand up.

"Nonsense, we planned the party for forty, and only thirty showed up. We have plenty to spare. Please, it would be my honor."

Gersius realized they could not turn the man down, so he took Lilly by the hand and nodded in agreement. "I thank you for your generosity," he said and led Lilly into the field. They sat across from Thayle at a relatively empty table as she smiled softly.

"I married them this afternoon," she said while picking at some fruit. "The party was delayed because of the rain."

"Your people seem to be quite happy and cheerful," Gersius said.

"Of course they are. Blessings of food and fertility abound. What more do simple people want?"

Gersius nodded his consent. What more could they want indeed? A simple life full of simple blessings was all he ever wished for. As he pondered that thought, the music changed to a lively tune with a piper playing along.

Lilly watched as some people got up, some sat down, and the dancing started again. She watched them intently following their every move, her head starting to toss with the music.

Gersius smiled at the silly display when something bounced off the side of his head. A grape landed in his lap as he turned to see Thayle gesture at Lilly and then the field of dancers.

Gersius shook his head no as Thayle tore a small chunk of cheese off a wheel and launched it at him. He tightened his jaw as the cheese bounced off his nose, joining the grape as Thayle gestured again. With a sigh, he turned to look at Lilly, who was transfixed by the dancers.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked her.

"Dance?" she said, suddenly breaking out of her daze.

"Yes, dance, like them," he said, pointing to the people in the field.

"What? No, oh no, I can't. I can't do that!"

Gersius was about to turn around in victory when a cheese ball hit the back of his head. He knew this was going to go on all night, so he resigned himself to his fate. Closing his eyes to bite down his frustration, he got up and turned to face Lilly.

"Come with me," he said. "I will show you how."

"I don't – I mean – how do I – " she stammered, unable to complete a sentence.

Gersius took her hands and tried to guide her to her feet.

"Come, Lilly. I will guide you every step of the way."

She hesitated, so he yanked her up, stealing a glance at Thayle, who had a wide grin on her face, and waved at him as he pulled Lilly to the field.

"Gersius, what are you doing?" Lilly hissed at him in a low voice.

"I am dancing with you," he said, taking her to an empty spot on the field.

"I don't know how to jump about like a rodent," she barked.

"It is very simple," he told her, taking her left hand with his right and hooking his left arm around her waist.

"Now step with me," he said, taking a slow step to the side. Lilly stumbled at it but managed to follow the movement. "Good, now we step again." He stepped again, and she followed. Slowly he added more steps, gradually increasing the speed until she was following him move for move. She began to smile as she watched her feet following his steps and letting him carry her along with his arm leading her through the dance.

When the music changed, so did the dance, and he had to start over, showing her a new pattern of steps. She learned amazingly quickly, taking to dancing as if having had years of practice. She fancied this new dance because it included a twirl that ended in his arms. She stumbled on it the first time but was quickly giggling every time she spun around. He found the worries of his mission fading away as he heard that laughter and looked into those beautiful blue eyes. At that moment, all he saw was Lilly, not a dragon, but a beautiful woman, and he began to wonder what she was thinking.

Lilly was lost in the moment, so focused on the music and the dance. She caught sight of his eyes and was transfixed as he smiled and asked.

"Are you enjoying your dance?"

Lilly could only smile and blush, the words failing to come. She was enjoying jumping around like the other rodents and the feel of his arm around her waist. The revelation made her panic a bit as she struggled to understand what was wrong with her.

She felt something else, too; it was a strange sort of stirring deep inside. She had no word for it, nor understanding of its nature. She grappled with it only briefly before he spun her around again and forgot all about it. As the music played on and the night got longer, all she knew was the hope it would never end.

When the party finally ended, Thayle put them up in a small room in the back of the temple. There was only one bed, and Thayle made a snide remark about how that would be all they needed. Gersius shook his head in disapproval, but she only laughed and shut the door behind herself as she left. He put his bedroll on the floor and let Lilly have the bed as she paced around excitedly. She quickly dumped her coins on top and began to rake them up into a pile. She stopped for a moment and looked back at Gersius as he unlaced his boots.

"I enjoyed my dances," she said with a sideways glance and a slight smile.

"I know you did. I enjoyed them too," he replied, thinking about how human she felt in those moments.

"We could dance some more. If you want to, I mean. If there's another wedding," she said, stumbling over the words.

"There are many more reasons to dance than just weddings," he said, setting his boots aside. "If you like dancing so much, I will watch for another chance."

He saw her blush a little as she stole a glance at him. Gersius had to look away and fight to contain his thoughts. What was happening here? Why was he suddenly having new doubts about what he was doing? Why did he feel like protecting Lilly from his quest was more important than completing it? A sense of apprehension that could only be divine fell over him, but he shook it away. He had his orders, and a priest of Astikar obeyed his Father Abbot.

He looked at her again as she piled her coins. It was a behavior that only a dragon would do, yet, try as he might, he struggled to see a dragon. All he could see was the beautiful woman he called Lilly glowing with excitement. He heard her as she climbed into bed on that pile of coins, the metal shifting under her weight. He reminded himself she did that because she was a dragon. Despite her outward appearance, she was still a dragon.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, but it was useless. He tried to remind himself that if they had met just a few days earlier, she would have killed him. She was deadly and violent and ate people when the chance arrived. None of it helped as he looked again, and all he saw was Lilly. Try as he might to deny it, he knew he would gladly die for her. Dragon or not, he would do anything to protect her.

He wondered if to protect her, they should turn back, defy his orders, and go straight to Calathen. He began to doubt his convictions and had to remind himself why he was doing all this. He had to unite the shattered kingdoms to give the people hope and the will to fight. He had to fulfill the prophecy to save them, but deep down, he knew the truth. His priorities had changed somehow, and all that mattered to him was getting to Calathen not to save it but to heal Lilly's wings. He went to bed restless and dreamed of dancing with Lilly in his arms.

 

[omnixius]

The still morning air echoed with the sound of a deep rhythmic chanting. Lilly sat at a small round table under the shade of a great tree listening to the tones. A silver tray piled with food provided by Thayle rested before her.

Lilly poked at the food, not feeling very hungry. It consisted mostly of something Thayle called fruits and cream. She decided to try one of the fruits only because Thayle had insisted. It was a plump heart-shaped fruit with a vivid red color. It had a crown of thin green leaves and tiny seeds scattered about its surface. It was no more than a mouthful and easily held with her fingertips. Carefully she dipped it into the cream and held it before her face to smell. Noting the pleasing aroma, she took a small bite and enjoyed the sweet flavor while listening to the chanting on the wind.

"He chants every morning, doesn't he?" Thayle asked as she walked out of the temple. She wore the same green robe decorated with gold vines and the hood thrown back. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders this morning, giving her a less intense look.

"He sings to his God every morning," Lilly replied as she considered eating another red fruit.

"There is much power in that chant. I wonder if he is even aware of how powerful he is."

"Gersius seems to know everything," Lilly said as she studied the other fruits, wondering if they were as delicious.

"Gersius is a brave man. He does things purely because they are expected, and he always does them with his whole heart." She smiled at Lilly as she spoke. "At least the stories say so."

Thayle walked past the table folding her arms. "I have never met him before yesterday, and yet I could almost swear I had known him before. Perhaps I know men like him, dedicated men of purpose. You frequently run into that sort of thing with priests." She glanced back at Lilly, who was trying to pick up a slice of soft orange fruit. It was moist and slick, slipping through her fingers as she tried to grab it.

Thayle looked away and smiled. The girl pretended not to listen, playing with the fruit for distraction. Perhaps it was time to be blunt again. "Yes, he is brave. It takes a brave man to tame a dragon." This time she got a response.

"He didn't tame me!" Lilly shouted as she crushed the fruit in a fist.

"He didn't tame you?" Thayle asked, surprised.

"No, he didn't!" Lilly shouted, getting up to face her. "He," Lilly paused, unsure of what to say now that this human had angered her. She wanted to tell this rodent that she was free and did what she wanted. She wanted to make sure Thayle knew Gersius had no power over her, but that wasn't true. When her pause had gone on too long, she looked around, searching for the right words, but they eluded her. "He helped me," she finally said when nothing else would come.

"Must have been a large favor. You dragons are not exactly known for gratitude," Thayle replied, studying the strange behavior.

"How do you know I am a dragon? Did Gersius tell you?" Lilly demanded.

Thayle glared at her with those oddly narrow eyes as a smile spread slowly on her face. She looked intimidating again as if her gaze was somehow a danger. "Lilly, I can see it in your aura. Yours isn't like a human aura at all. I can see your dragon form as a shadow over your head. You are almost as clear to me as I am to you now."

Lilly hated this feeling of uncertainty and wasn't sure what to do. She was alone and unsure far too often in this charade. She wished he was here to squeeze her hand and face this strange woman down. Gersius would know what to say to her to make her go away.

"Gersius says nobody should know I am a dragon. He wants me to keep it a secret."

"It is a secret. I have already sworn on my faith not to reveal it."

"He will be angry that you know."

"I told you, he already knows that I know, and you are right; he was quite angry."

"He wants me to go with him to Calathen," Lilly said, turning away. "He says he needs me."

"I know the prophecy. If he intends to bring it about, he needs you more than you know." Thayle approached and stood beside the table as Lilly watched her with suspicious eyes. "You are very brave too, to go with him," she said.

Lilly wanted to scream at the woman that she was bound and had no choice in the matter. She wanted to rage about how badly she wished to go home and lay on her hoard. She hadn't thought about any of it for the last couple of days and had almost forgotten she was here against her will. Now her memories flooded back and with them the pain of knowing she had no home to go back to. Even if she did, her wings were broken, and her life as a dragon would be a torment. She bit back her anger with a sigh and reminded herself that Gersius said they would heal her wings in Calathen. Until then, she would keep the secret of her binding.

"I agreed to help him if he would help me," Lilly replied, speaking the truth yet revealing nothing.

"So Gersius managed to make a bargain with a dragon. He is braver than I thought."

"Do you know much of dragons?" Lilly asked sarcastically as she turned to look at her.

Thayle shook her hair out and walked over to a stone post to lean against it.

"I know what the books say, and I know what the legends tell. I have never met a dragon before you, Lilly. You were not at all what I expected."

"What did you expect?" Lilly asked, sounding irritated.

"According to the books, dragons are vain, greedy, and solitary. They rarely if ever deal with humans, and dealings with dragons often end with the human eaten, and his wealth being carted away to some hidden lair."

Lilly had to admit that part sounded right.

"Humans, in turn, hunt dragons, hoping to find a vast collection of wealth the dragon has been secreting away for hundreds of years. There are many stories of dragon slayers, who marched out and brought down a great beast."

Lilly felt slightly agitated at this part of her explanation.

"There are many more stories of failed hero's who ended up adding their gold to the dragon's horde. To hunt a dragon is to roll the dice, and the dragon gets to roll twice." Thayle stopped to look Lilly directly, her eyes locking on her and studying her. "And nowhere does it say anything about dragons being in human form."

Gersius had said he didn't know as well. It seemed to Lilly that humans were utterly unaware dragons could change forms. They had no practical knowledge outside of these old stories.

"So you have no actual experience with dragons then?" Lilly asked.

"None, my dear."

"So I could say that you too are brave because you have come alone to talk to a dragon."

"I would love to say you are right, but remember, I can see your aura. You got angry there for a minute, but you were never threatening me." She looked down at Lilly's hand as fruit dripped from her fingers. "Though you did threaten that fruit."

Lilly remembered the fruit and opened her hand, waving it to shake the mush off.

"And what are you two talking about?" Gersius asked as he approached. He was shirtless, wearing only his tan pants belted at his waist, his stomach a wall of stone and scars.

"Just some girl talk," Thayle said, her smile indicating she was rather pleased by the sight.

"Girl talk, is it?" Gersius said. He glanced at Lilly with a smile as he walked past and sat down at the table.

"Did you find anything you liked?" he asked while picked through the fruit.

"A little, but I'm still not hungry," she said, shaking her hand.

Thayle reached over and plucked a cloth from the table and handed it to Lilly.

"For your hand, dear."

Lilly took it cautiously and used it to wipe her hand clean.

"Is something wrong with your hand?" Gersius asked with a mouth full of grapes.

"I just got that orange fruit on it," Lilly responded with a quick gesture to the tray.

Gersius looked at the table to see the fruit she was referring to and plucked a slice of his own. "Ahh, a rose pear, they are very sweet when they are ripe." He tasted the fruit with a gentle sigh and looked up to Lilly, who smiled slightly.

"So north to the west road and on to Calathen then?" Thayle asked from her perch beside the table, amused by the exchange of smiles and glances.

"We are going to Whiteford first," Lilly said, causing Gersius to give her a look of disapproval. She hadn't realized that this too was one of his secrets, and now she regretted speaking.

"Whiteford?" Thayle said with raised brows. "Why would you be going there? You need to be in Calathen?"

Gersius took a deep breath before replying. "I have been ordered to meet the Father Abbot in Whiteford, so we go there first."

"But that takes you an additional week away from Calathen," Thayle replied.

"I know," Gersius said, wiping his hands with a towel. "I have my orders. I go where duty demands I go."

"Your duty is to get Lilly to Calathen."

"My duty is to obey my chain of command. The Father Abbot is the voice of Astikar. He communes with him directly and hands down his edicts. If he says I am to go to Whiteford, I go to Whiteford," Gersius said in irritation.

"Your aura betrays you, Gersius of Astikar. You don't want to go to Whiteford."

"Of course I do not, but I must, I have my orders."

"So the mighty Gersius manages to find and somehow befriend a dragon. He then manages to convince her to accompany him to Calathen. He should be marching straight there to the cheers and praise of the people. Instead, he has been ordered far away from it, almost as if." She paused, considering her words.

"As if what?" Gersius said an angry tone to his voice.

"I help people with love, and relationships, Gersius. I have quite an education in motives. What is the motive behind you being sent away from your people's salvation?"

Gersius considered the question with a stone expression on his face. "I have my orders," he said, getting up.

Thayle could see he was annoyed in his aura. He had strong misgivings about going to Whiteford, but she knew that to press him on it would only make him angry.

"Come, Lilly, we have to get going," he said as he walked into the yard where their packs sat.

Thayle watched him gather his pack and help Lilly with hers. She could see their auras, but there was something strange that only happened when they were close together. A red twisting line linked them as if a chain ran from Lilly to Gersius. There was something else too. It happened to Lilly over and over again; her aura would brighten then suddenly go black right over her head, right where the dragon form hung. Thayle had seen it before on humans, it meant a choice needed to be made, and the wrong choice spelled disaster. What terrible decision weighed on Lilly's shoulders that it affected her aura? She tried to ponder what it all meant and how the two were linked when a sudden sensation came over her. It was a calling of the heart she was more than familiar with and quickly moved to act.

"Lilly," she called out as they started to leave. "I have something for you."

Lilly looked at Gersius, who nodded it was safe. She took a few cautious steps toward Thayle as the woman approached.

"Here, take this," Thayle said, holding out her hand.

In her hand was a small gold coin with a red heart at its center. Written around the edges were words she couldn't read.

"It is called a lovers mark," Thayle said. "You give it to somebody you love, and no matter where they go, if they keep the mark on them, you can find them."

"Why are you giving this to me?" Lilly asked as she took the tiny coin.

"Because someday you may need to find the one you love."

Lilly was unsure what Thayle meant by finding love. She wasn't even sure what love was or why she would want to find it. Turning around, she looked up to see Gersius beckon her to follow and quickly moved to join his side.

"Safe travels, fellow priest," Thayle called from behind. "May faith find you safely to your destination."

They spent the rest of the morning walking in silence as they passed through the green fields of the south. Gersius was grateful the road was still a little damp from the rain the previous day, or it would be thick with dust. The sky above was blue in places and cloudy in others, causing the sun to roll across the ground in bright patches followed by cooling shade. The wind was gentle but carried on it the scent of livestock grazing in the fields around them. Wooden fences lined many miles of the road and the occasional stone marker to denote a boundary between farms.

Lilly spent the time studying the lover's mark. She wondered why Thayle had given it to her and why she would need to find love? The markings were tiny words written in a language that seemed familiar. She got Gersius to look at it, but he would only glance at it for a brief moment. He seemed displeased to see the coin and even more so that she had it. In the end, she decided it could live with the rest of her coins and threw it into her pack.

As the hours grew long, she became bored and decided to draw the sword Gersius had given her. She swung it around a little, pretending to be hacking some human for annoying her. It was smaller than his with a thinner blade and shorter length. She found the weight felt awkward in her hand and almost lost her balance in a swing.

"You will need to practice with that if you intend to swing it around," Gersius said with a chuckle.

"I doubt I will ever use this. I only drew it out because I am bored."

"There are many dangers in the world, Lilly. Knowing how to use a sword is a useful skill if you want to be able to face them."

Lilly laughed and held the sword out as if it was a ridiculous thing. "I am a dragon whose claws can tear through armor. We don't have any need for a sword."

"I know a dragon that used a sword."

"So you mentioned before," she said. "What dragon do you know that used a sword?"

"It was a long time ago, long before I was born. There was a dragon much like you in many ways."

"How so?"

"The dragon was an ice dragon, and it was a woman. She traveled with a priest of my order."

"You are talking about this ancient legend of yours, your stories."

"Much of what happened in the past are stories to the people now, but they happened." His voice carried the weight of conviction as he recounted the tale. "This dragon was a fearsome one, and she carried with her a curved sword of silver. It was larger than I am and etched with runes no man today can read."

"Why did she carry a sword?"

"She helped my order win the first great war by fighting at the dragon knight's side. She is the one who the dragon empire is named after. She was his strength in battle, and if the stories are correct, the two were as deeply connected as any man bound by oaths of brotherhood could be."

"So that's why you call it the Dragon Empire, but you didn't answer my question. Why did she carry a sword?"

"The legends say it was given to her," he replied.

"Oh, like the one you gave me. Did your order give it to her?"

"No," Gersius chuckled. "None in my order could have made such a weapon. The sword was a gift from the God of the dragons."

"God of the dragons?" Lilly repeated with a laugh. "There is no God of dragons."

"There is not? Gersius asked.

"I have never heard of there being a God of dragons," she stated. "My mother would have told me."

"Perhaps your mother did not know."

"I doubt that. My mother knew a lot of things about you humans and the lands you inhabit. She even had human books that she would read to me."

"So this is how you know where some of our cities are?"

"Well, that and she had maps, scrolls, even some paintings."

"Did your mother raid a merchant's home?" he laughed.

"No, she said they were all gifts."

"Gifts?" Gersius asked as he contained his humor. "Gifts from who?"

"She never said."

"If there is no god of the dragons, then how do you dragons do magic? There are stories of dragons working great weaves."

"That is a bit more complicated to explain," Lilly said.

"How so? Are you like the weavers? can you bend magic to your will?"

Lilly shook her head no as she glanced away to think about her answer.

"Sometimes I wonder if I should be telling you all these things. You keep secrets from me. I wonder if I should keep some from you."

"So it is a secret then?"

"It isn't, it's just, well, I suppose it's just not known to humans because we dragons don't talk to you much."

"I would say that is probably true."

"I told you how we could absorb magic energy from certain metals."

"Yes, I remember that."

"I also told you that this is the secret of how we grow past a certain point."

"I remember that too."

"Well, we can use that energy. A dragon can tap into the power we have consumed for little things, but we use our hoard for larger things. We can sort of pull on that energy and do the things you call magic."

"So your hoard is the source of your power?"

"Exactly, the more metal we have, and the longer we have spent attuning to and absorbing it, the more magic we can work. We can also use the horde directly, pulling on the magic in the metal to work a weave, but there is a price."

"A price? What kind of price?"

"We lose the metal. If we draw on the power directly, the metal begins to break down. It will crumble to dust if we pull too much. Rarely will a dragon work magic, and rarely will they do anything significant because they are trading their horde for power."

"This truly is fascinating. I had no idea. No wonder your kind gathers so much. How do you learn magic, then? Does your mother teach you that?"

"We all learn something of magic from our mothers. There are weaves we place around our hoards that will alert us if an intruder enters our caves, but we sometimes experiment with weaves. Sometimes we read them in your books, and sometimes we trade knowledge of it for –" She stopped and blushed.

"What?" Gersius asked, "You trade it for what?"

"Breeding," she said, looking away from him as her face flushed red.

"Breeding?" he questioned.

"I told you that females would seek out a male when they want to breed. Sometimes a male will want to breed when a female isn't ready or doesn't feel like it, so they offer her something."

"Offer her something?" he asked.

"Males tend to be more aggressive collectors of things. They will often gather books, scrolls, or other things and learn the magic you humans know. Females love magic, and we love knowledge, so they will often barter the information in exchange for –" She stopped again.

"Breeding," Gersius finished for her.

Lilly blushed again.

"Would it not be better to trade them some gold for the knowledge?"

"No male is worth giving up gold for!" Lilly said loudly. "I would never waste a single gold coin on a male. Just the thought makes me feel sick."

"So gold is more important than your honor?"

"My honor?" Lilly asked in confusion.

"Yes, your honor. The part of you that says the gift of your body is more valuable than any gold or treasure. It is only given to the one you love." His words were sincere, but she had no understanding of why.

"We dragons don't see it that way. To us, it is something to barter. I suppose most females see breeding as a means to get what they want."

Gersius studied her as they walked. Lilly looked like she was lost in deep thought.

"Do not trouble your mind with it, Lilly. Many humans will trade the same thing for gold, power, or information. Some will trade it for little more than a thrill," he said, sounding sad. "In time, many do find one they love, and turn away from their previous ways, and devote themselves to this person."

"I keep hearing this word, love. I have no concept of it. It is distinctly a human thing that dragons do not share."

"Dragons can love," Gersius said with a chuckle. "You love your gold, or you would not be so hesitant to part with any of it."

Lilly took a moment to consider how she felt about her gold, then looked up at Gersius.

"Do you love anyone?" Lilly asked.

Gersius stumbled at the sudden question but quickly regained his composure.

"I have my faith. I love my God, and I am devoted to his service."

"But is there a woman?"

Gersius took a long moment to answer.

"No, there is not."

"Has there ever been one?"

"When I was younger, I knew a woman who I thought I loved."

"What happened?"

"I had to go away for a long time. When I came back, she did not love me anymore."

"And you never loved again?"

Gersius didn't answer the question as she looked on confused. He steadied himself and hoped she wouldn't pursue this line of questioning. After all, there was somebody he loved, and he knew it. Somebody he would trade his life for if required. The thought was pointless because he couldn't love her, and she would certainly never love him. Instead, he focused on the truth and hardened his heart against such foolish thoughts. He had an enormous task ahead of him, and there was no room for love beyond the love of his faith and his people. He had to get Lilly to Calathen and unite the empire before it was too late.

 

[omnixius]

The maddening silence was broken when Tull burst into the small room. His armor groaned as he bowed slightly from the doorway.

"The Father Abbot is here my Lord," he said in his thick northern accent.

Dellain looked up from his reports. "Here? In the city or the next room?"

"He has just entered the west gate, my lord. He is on his way to the keep."

Dellain dismissed the man with a wave and glanced at the reports. The work had gone faster than expected, and the craftsmen were nearly done. The Father Abbot would be pleased about that, but all this work for a dead man seemed pointless.

His armor clanked as he stood and walked out of the dingy stone-walled office. He was thankful for the worn dark red rug that muffled his footsteps. It would do him some good to be in the sunlight. He had been reading the reports by candlelight for hours. The one narrow window little more than a slit in the stone provided little in the way of illumination. The whole of the space felt more like a cell than an office, but the grander rooms had been reserved for his most honored Father Abbot.

He left his dingy cell and walked down the winding hallways of the keep. He was sure the Father Abbot would expect to be greeted as he arrived, and Dellain didn't feel like keeping him waiting.

His black armor rattled as he hurried along. He passed the quarters of his men, the kitchen, the dining hall. Finally, he reached the door that would take him out into the courtyard. The sunlight stung his eyes as he went from the dark interior to the brightness of day. He was relieved to be free of the confines of the building and its stifling stone walls.

He quickly walked across the cobbled courtyard to the gates. For a moment he looked up, the white stone towered overhead forming an arch that made him marvel. He liked Whiteford, especially the white stone it was named after. The massive oak gates were wide open, and two men in black plate saluted as he approached.

He saluted them back with a vague gesture. It had been a battle of words and nearly swords to secure the keep for their use. The local ruler was not happy that the Father Abbot was coming here, nor that he expected to be given the cities best fortifications. Even getting the man to remove his guards from the inner gates was nearly a bloody contest. Dellain had to bribe the man heavily to get him to budge.

As he passed the gates, he could see the Father Abbot coming. A grand procession paraded down the street. Twenty soldiers in full armor and livery of red and white walked ahead. Directly behind them walked four priests. They carried incense burners in metal balls hung from chains. They swung the balls, trailing a white smoke in their wake. Behind that was the grand coach. Four white horses pulled it. It was made of metal and wood, painted white with brass trimming and red panels. It bore the unmistakable emblem of Astikar god of mercy. He could see the Father Abbot waiving out the window at the crowds that had gathered. Behind the coach were another forty men. These were all plated warriors in golden armor and red sashes. They carried great two-handed swords that they held aloft like the men before them and walked as one down the street. These were the honor guard. The men tasked with protecting the Father Abbot at all costs. All of them were veterans and held a rank similar to Knight captain. They would fight fanatically to defend the leader of their faith.

Dellain approached one of the men guarding the gate. "Order the guard assembled in the yard," he said. The man nodded and quickly ran into the courtyard calling for the guard.

Dellain stood there like a statue as the procession wound its way through the city. He held fast as the coach finally arrived practically at his feet, and out stepped the Father Abbot. He was an inch taller than Dellain with a face wrinkled by age, but eyes still sharp and piercing. He wore the layered red and white of Astikar, and on his head was a simple white cap.

"Brother Dellain," he said with a hearty smile, and a clasping of hands. "I trust all is well in Whiteford?"

"Everything is well Father Abbot, Astikars mercy be praised." His words were practiced but lacked any conviction as he played the expected game.

"His mercy be praised indeed!" the Father Abbot replied with some enthusiasm.

The Father Abbot turned smiling to the crowds gathered in the streets and gave them a parting wave as he was escorted into the courtyard by Dellain.

Inside the yard, Dellain's men stood at attention. Two rows of black-armored knights with red trims and a red raven's head on the shoulder plate. All of them bore weapons of their choosing, and some of them bore several.

The Father Abbot waived at them too as he passed across the yard to the main doors of the keep itself. It wasn't until they were inside the keep he turned to speak to Dellain.

"Is everything ready?" the Father Abbot asked as they began to walk into the grand hall of the keep.

"The metalwork is complete, the enchantments will follow this very day," Dellain said walking beside him.

"Good, then you have done well," the Father Abbot replied with nod.

"I don't see why we're wasting so much effort on a dead man," Dellain stated now that they were safely away from those who might overhear.

"A dead man?" the Father Abbot said as if shocked. "It would surprise you then brother Dellain to know that I have received a message from brother Jessivel. He tells me that he met with Gersius just four days ago and that he is on the road as we speak coming here."

"Gersius is alive?" Dellain found that hard to believe.

"Indeed," the Father Abbot said with a slight smirk.

"What did the message say?" Dellain asked as he worried that Gersius might have actually done it.

The Father Abbot explained the message that stated Gersius was directed to Whiteford as per his orders. The letter also mentioned that Gersius was agited and wished to go directly to Calathen. He was not happy about the command. Dellain asked if the dragon was mentioned but the Father Abbot said the letter contained nothing about a dragon.

"Then he has failed, wasted the lives of thirty men, and given up on his mission," Dellain suggested.

"Perhaps," the Father Abbot said throwing Dellain a calculating glance. "Tell me brother Dellain what did you think of Gersius's quest?"

"It was a fool's errand, even if he could find a dragon, what chance did he have of getting it to cooperate with him? If the bandersooks hadn't ambushed him, he would have lost his men to the dragon instead," Dellain said.

"I see, and what if he succeeded?" the Father Abbot asked while raising an eye brow in a calculating expression.

"Are you telling me you believe he may have actually found a dragon and is secretly marching it across the countryside?" Dellain said as he began to wonder if the old man was going senile. "Gersius abandoned the post he to chase after a legend. He squandered thirty recruits, and then dragged his feet getting back," Dellain said his voice growing angry. "How much longer are you going to put up with his failures? I should be the one leading the armies. I should be the one to defeat the Doan."

"Maybe you should be," the father said as if the idea was a good one.

"Are you serious?" Dellain asked as he was taken aback by the very agreeable statement.

"Brother Dellain I believe that Gersius was right about needing a dragon," the Father Abbot began as they reached an open door. "But I believe that you are right as well. Perhaps Gersius isn't the one best suited to do it."

They entered a large inner hall where a central rug led to a raised dais. A single plush chair rested on the dais decorated in red and white.

"I see my instructions have been followed to the letter," he said smiling.

"The mayor and the watch captain both disapproved of our taking over most of the keep, but I persuaded them to let us use it for a week or two," Dellain replied.

"I am sure I will be able to smooth over any hurt feelings," the Father Abbot said. He turned now and faced Dellain directly a stern look on his aged features.

"Set your men to watch the gates. I need to know when and with whom Gersius arrives," the Father Abbot insisted.

"My men are already watching every gate," Dellain said. "I doubt even Gersius could walk into the city with a dragon unnoticed."

The Father Abbot climbed the three steps to the cushioned chair and sat down draping his hands over the arms in regal fashion.

"It has come to my attention that a number of Gersius comrades and friends are missing," he said from the now lofty perch. "I will not tolerate brothers and soldiers of the order abandoning their posts. If any of them walk through that gate with Gersius, they are to be escorted here. If any of them resist, they are to be arrested and held. I will not have Gersius encouraging descent in our ranks."

Dellain suddenly thought of Tavis and Ayawa as he wondered how many more had vanished into the night. Gersius was a popular leader and had many friends that could lead to significant complications.

"All the more reason why I should be knight captain," Dellain insisted.

The Father Abbot stood tall in his chair and looked down his nose at Dellain as if the very idea was beneath him, but then he spoke, and Dellain was genuinely shocked.

"I have a much higher post in mind for you brother Dellain. A much higher post indeed."

---

Gersius and Lilly walked down the winding road flanked by dense trees. Their passage was shady but up ahead were pockets of sunlight as the trees gave way to open fields and grazing land. The sight made Gersius uneasy as it could only mean they were getting closer to Whiteford.

They stopped briefly to sit under a tall oak and enjoy a moment of rest. Lilly finally admitted she was hungry and asked what he had to eat. He handed her some dry bread and cheese, and she chastised him for not introducing her to cheese sooner.

He was grateful for the pause. Every minute they spent here was a minute of safety. His morning prayers had been the same, when he asked for guidance about Whiteford he got a sense of dread, something terrible waited for him there.

He looked at Lilly and wondered what the best course of action was now that they were close. Should he bring her into the city as she was now, and show the Father Abbot her transformation? He dismissed it immediately, the strategist in him telling him to keep that secret to himself. He decided on another plan, but he was sure Lilly wouldn't like it.

His mind went over the feeling of dread that lay ahead. If the Father Abbot and his guard were in the city, what possible doom could befall them? Maybe the dread was outside the city? Perhaps the danger was in getting there? He briefly considered that and decided that it might be best to put his armor on. If the threat was lurking right outside the gates, he didn't want to be caught unprepared.

"What are you doing?" Lilly asked as he started to strap on his armor.

"I am just being cautious," he replied.

Lilly looked around as if trying to spot the danger. "Are you threatened by the cows?"

"I think it is wise to be prepared. There is no danger; please eat your cheese."

Lilly shrugged and went back to nibbling at the white block.

He watched her as she devoured the bread he had given her, but took little tiny bites of the cheese. Sometimes she looked so innocent and docile. She was beginning to enjoy all the little things human life had to offer, and she found so many of them magical. He in turn enjoyed watching her odd ways. The way she slept on her coins, the way she touched every flower, the way she tasted every food. He loved how she explained every new experience to him as if he had never experienced it.

She also asked a lot of questions. He sometimes felt exhausted after answering them, but still, they went on. She pressed him about why humans did everything they did. Why they ate what they ate, drank what they drank, believed what they believed. He realized that he enjoyed that too, enjoyed being the one to explain the world to her from a human point of view.

He buckled his sword back around his waist, and his mind went back to dread.

"Astikar be merciful, do not force me to use this," he muttered under his breath.

"I'm done," Lilly said standing up and brushing off her dress. She looked him in the eyes and smiled. He was always amazed at how tall she was. She was barely an inch shorter than himself, and he was taller than most men. She could meet him at an even level, and he could drink deeply of the ocean blue of her eyes.

He decided to leave his helmet off. It was going to be hot enough as it was. He shouldered his pack and focused on doing his duty and began walking again.

"Lilly, when we get to the city I will go in alone," he said after they had walked for a few minutes.

"Why would you go in alone?"

"I will meet with the Father Abbot, and tell him what has happened. I will tell him about you."

"Where will I go?" she asked sounding disheartened.

"We will find someplace for you right outside the city, someplace safe," he said growing uncertain by the second. "You will change into your dragon form, and I will bring the Father Abbot out to you."

"Why do we even need to let him know I am a dragon, we could keep it a secret until Calathen." She sounded almost like she was pleading.

"He is the leader of my order, Lilly. I have to report to him that I have found you, or he will think I failed in my mission."

"Why can't I just walk into the city as a dragon?"

"Lilly, can you walk as a dragon?"

"I," she caught herself as she went to speak. She could walk, her limbs were fine; it was her wings that were the problem. Still, if she needed to, she was sure she could walk, it would just be very painful.

"I am sure I could do it, but I understand your meaning."

"There is also the problem of you being a dragon. This is not a city with a history of good dragons. The people here might be frightened of you."

Lilly hung her head. In a way, she didn't want people to know she was a dragon now. She was growing fond of slipping in among them and exploring their villages. She didn't like the idea of them running from her in terror and barring their gates.

"I understand," she said dejectedly.

They walked for another two hours before he saw the first flags jutting over the hill in the distance. He knew they had to be the walls of the city. Already buildings were appearing up and down the roadside as they drew ever nearer.

There were also more people on the road. Some pulled carts, some had horses and wagons, many were walking just like they were. They hurried about with their lives and passed by often with only a glance at them. Occasionally some of them would notice Lilly and remark about her unusual hair, but all and all they paid them little attention.

"There are so many rod-, I mean humans here," Lilly remarked while struggling to use the word human.

"You can also use the word, people."

"You said to call them humans," she stated.

"I know I did, but we humans hardly ever call ourselves humans, we generally refer to ourselves as people."

"So," Lilly paused to think about her words. "Why are there so many, people, here?"

"This is a city, Lilly. There are a great number of people living inside."

Lilly felt a little uneasy. She had been around people now a few times but never had she seen them in such great numbers.

As they walked on, the walls of the city began to grow out of the ground, rising up and dominating the horizon.

The walls gleamed white in the midday sky, and long white and black banners blew in the breeze. Gersius spotted an additional flag over one of the towers a red and white one, with a familiar star, the emblem of his brotherhood. The city was letting visitors know that somebody important from his order was here.

The sense of dread grew in his heart as they approached and he began to scan the surrounding countryside. He pulled Lilly down a side road away from the gates, which were even now growing larger with every step.

There were several significant buildings here, barns, stables, warehouses. These were buildings with lots of internal space and shelter from prying eyes. They visited several with Gersius talking to the people he found there. Some of them would show them the barns, some of them would tell them to go away.

"You are looking for a place to hide me aren't you?" Lilly asked him as they toured their fifth barn.

"I am not hiding you, Lilly. I am keeping you safe," he said walking around the interior of a large open barn. It was all wood with sturdy walls and a shingled roof. The inside was supported by massive beams that rose taller than any house she had been in so far.

The floors had been swept clean, and the whole of the structure was practically empty except for a small handcart. The interior was dark, but four skylights let in the sunlight that came down in defined beams. Dust could be seen drifting in the air as they passed through the sun's rays, giving the place a feeling of emptiness.

"This might do. The man says he has not used it since the last cattle sale, and his new heard is too small for the barn."

"So this huge building was built to hold cows?" Lilly asked sounding surprised.

"Yes, why is that so strange?"

"You build a tiny house for people to live in, and you build a giant house for the cows?"

Gersius laughed at her observation.

"It is a barn, Lilly. It wasn't built to do more than keep the rain and wind out, and the cows in. The human house is designed to be warm, inviting, and secure."

She walked around the center aisle looking up at the skylights.

"So you want me to stay here then?" she asked, her shoulders sagging.

"It is the best way to do this, Lilly. I will go in and see the Father Abbot. I will tell him about you, about the plan, and I will talk to him about your wings. Astikar be merciful he will have the healing ceremony arranged for us by the time we reach Calathen."

Lilly's eyes seem to light up at that thought, and her lips trembled.

Gersius wanted to make sure she understood how important this was, and he also wanted to make sure she kept her secret.

"Lilly, when I leave I need you to change into your dragon form. I want to keep your human form between us," he said putting his hands to her shoulders to make sure she was listening.

"I need you to hide your clothes, and your pack. They must not know you can change form." He took his pack off and put it down by her feet. "Hide mine as well."

"I guess, but I don't understand why this is such a secret. What will you say when they ask you how I got here?"

"I intend to tell them we came across the country under cover of darkness, and that the farmer does not even know your here."

"I don't know, Gersius. Something about this feels wrong. Something isn't right. I don't want to be separated from you."

Gersius held her more firmly and looked into her eyes. "I would die before I let anything happen to you, Lilly," he said sounding resolute.

Lilly felt something stir inside her at those words, 'he would die for me?' She couldn't place the feeling, couldn't tell what it was that twisted inside whenever he complimented her, or held her, or did anything for her. She replayed the words in her head 'I would die before I let anything happen to you.'

"I do not like the idea of being separated from you either, but I have to go report. I have to see the Father Abbot."

"I understand," she said at last. "I will wait here, please, don't take long," she said as he stepped back.

"I will go as quickly as I can, and bring the Father Abbot here. I am sure he will want to see you."

Lilly suddenly felt her old worries about what Gersius needed her for crawling back into mind. She felt like she was going to be on display for this leader of his order, and taken into captivity.

Gersius could read the pain on her face, but there was no other way. The sense of dread had grown all morning. He felt it so powerfully that he thought of taking Lilly and running.

As the barn door shut behind him, he felt as if he would never see her again. It was as if she wouldn't be here when he came back. He could feel something else, a strange sense of loss. It felt as if it was coming from outside him, clawing at his mind and trying to make him take notice of it.

It was a short walk to the city and the safety and protection of his order. Why then was his sense of danger warning him that his doom was upon him? Why did his steps feel like they were fighting him?

"Duty and honor," he said to himself, and standing tall he walked across the yard and down the road to the city gate.

His mind was plagued with doubt as he neared the gate. He found no comfort being back among people, and the crowds around him made him uneasy. He told himself he was starting to feel like Lilly as he approached the small gate on the road. It was just a simple block tower with a door more than twice his height, and wide enough for two wagons to pass side by side. It split in the middle and opened as two doors swinging outward.

The three men guarding the gate wore simple livery in the cities black and white color, with a coat of mail only over the chest. They were armed with poleaxes which they had all neatly leaned against the wall of the gate. As Gersius approached one of their number, a man with reddish hair and a curled mustache, addressed him.

"Hail priest of Astikar," he said in a friendly tone.

"Greetings guardsman," Gersius replied with concern. He noted how people flowed freely into, and out of the gate, the guard paying them no notice, but they jumped at his presence.

"As a representative of our Lord and mayor, I have been tasked with telling all priests and soldiers entering the city that his most divine holiness, the Father Abbot of Astikar is in residence at the inner keep."

"I thank you for telling me," Gersius replied.

"I am to instruct all such people to go directly there at once," the man added.

"I understand, I will report to the keep, and the Father Abbot."

"Very good," The man said with a smile. "Carry on then," he added with a wave of his hand.

Gersius passed through the gate with even more concern. He wondered if wearing his armor had been a good idea. He probably could have walked right through the gate if he had been in his plain clothes. The matter was pointless to debate now, he was inside the city, and the guards would no doubt be sending a message that he was here.

He pressed on pushing through the streets of the city of Whiteford. It was a clean city by city standards. The main streets were wide and paved in cobbles, many of the shops had windows of delicate glass, unlike so many of the village stores that used open windows and shutters.

Lilly would love it here he thought as he turned a corner, and could smell meat cooking over a fire someplace. He thought about her again and felt a return of the worry. It had to be this way though; if he had tried to bring her in as a dragon, there would be mass panic in the streets. If she had walked in as a woman, he would lose his secret advantage.

He rounded another bend and entered a vast plaza of white stone. At the far end, a series of twenty steps led up to an arch of polished white marble. At the top, he could see the guards in black armor and the emblems of Astikar. A slow ramp led up each side of the plaza so that a carriage could be driven up, but Gersius walked the steps, his apprehension growing with each one.

"He's here!" Tull shouted to Dellain rousing him from his office.

Dellain looked up at Tull and nodded he had heard. So it was true, Gersius was alive! He wasted no time running past Tull, and down the hall. He took a turn into a small side chamber that had a window into the courtyard.

There he saw him, a tall man in polished silver armor. He had the red star of Astikar on its chest, but the trim on his shoulders was gold. A golden sunburst on the right shoulder marked him as a Knight Captain.

"Not for long Gersius," Dellain said as he watched.

Gersius spoke with three men in the courtyard who pointed him to the double wooden doors at the bottom of the keep.

"He waits in the keep Knight Captain," one of them said placing his right arm over his chest and giving Gersius a gentle bow.

Gersius waived the men on and walked resolutely to the doors.

"And where is your dragon?" Dellain chuckled to himself.

Two more guards in full polished armor stopped him at the doors and demanded to know who he was.

"I am Gersius Knight-Captain of Astikar," he told them.

One of the guards reached over and knocked on the door, and it slowly opened from within.

A tall, slender man in a simple red coat and black pants stood just inside the door. He didn't look like a member of the order, not even a scribe or monk. He seemed more like an emissary or diplomat. He had short brown hair that was all brushed to one side and a neat tightly trimmed mustache. He stood with one arm folded behind his back, and in the right hand, he held a rod of some kind with a bird's head on top.

"Gersius I presume," the man said standing perfectly still.

"I am Gersius," he replied to the man.

"This way then," the strange fellow said, and turned to march directly into the keep.

As he entered Gersius noticed the four men in full black armor and red trim holding the doors open from inside. They wore cloaks that were black on the outside but red on the inside. None of the men looked up at him, as if he wasn't even there, or didn't matter.

He followed the man to an inner set of doors where eight more guards stood, four on each side. These wore golden armor, but with a red sash around their chest. Some of them had red plumes on their helms. These were honor guards, the personal bodyguard of the Father Abbot.

"Wait here, please. I will announce you," the man said leaving Gersius outside the door while he went in.

"Gersius Knight captain of Astikar!" he heard the man call loudly from inside announcing his presence.

Gersius took his cue and entered the room. It was a long narrow affair with a white tiled floor and decorative pillars along the walls. A few men and women in fine clothes turned from conversations and drinks to gaze his way.

They must be the local nobles or people of importance, Gersius thought as he continued straight on. Ahead of him was a small raised dais with only a few steps. A large chair rested on its top, and seated on it was the Father Abbot. Four guards in golden armor stood at attention at either side. A serving girl was busy pouring the Father a drink before he gestured Gersius way and said something to the girl. She bowed and scurried away leaving the man to take a sip.

He dressed in a simple red and white robe. It had a broad sash over his chest decorated in gold with the symbols of the order. On his head was a white cap whose only defining feature was a small red star of Astikar. There was a tense look on his face as if he wasn't pleased, and his eyes dug at Gersius as if searching for some secret.

The moment had come, and Gersius hoped his plans would finally come to fruition. He arrived at the steps of the platform and fell to one knee.

"I have come as you commanded, my Father," he said bowing his head.

"Gersius, my most capable soldier, my hero in dark times, it pains me to see you this way," the man said, setting his drink down.

Gersius took careful note that he had been called a capable soldier, and not a capable commander, and in what way was he seen?

"What pains you my Father?" Gersius asked not getting up from his place of humility.

"I know of your failure, Gersius. I know you lost your entire force, and yet you made no effort to contact me, or even to return. Have you abandoned your position, Gersius? Have you abandoned your faith?"

Gersius felt anger at the words. He had sent word only somehow it hadn't reached the Father Abbot. He began to wonder what had happened to Marcus but decided not to raise the point. He chose to be bold instead.

He got up off his knee and stood up tall, and proud, and looked the Father Abbot directly in the eye. He saw the look of contempt for his actions, he hadn't been told to stand after all, but he needed to deliver what he had to say as a man, as the man who would never lose faith.

"I never lost faith or abandoned my post," he said a tone of defiance in his voice. "I have completed my mission, and I am ready to save our people."

He was surprised that the Father Abbot didn't seem to be moved at all by the news.

"You have found your dragon then?" he asked as if he already knew.

"I have my Father," Gersius said. "It waits outside the city for my return." Now there was a response a twitch around the eyes as if irritated. His hands seemed to grip the arms of the chair more tightly. Around the room muffled conversations suddenly erupted among the onlookers.

"You have your dragon here?" he asked leaning forward in his chair.

"Yes, my father. Just outside the city. I did not wish to cause a panic bringing it in unannounced."

"How very wise of you, Gersius," the Father Abbot said sitting back in his chair. "I must see your dragon at once. I must know that we are truly ready to fulfill the prophecy."

"Of course my father. I will take you directly to it."

The Father Abbot called to a man standing along the wall. "Prepare my coach, and my guard immediately."

Gersius wasn't sure if he felt better or worse. It was all going according to plan just as he hoped, but his sense of dread only grew as if the last few moments of escape were rapidly slipping by.

The Father Abbot stood from his chair and flowed out of the hall with Gersius, and his holy guards in tow. Gersius listened as hushed and excited whispers began to circle the room. Word was going to spread fast that there was a dragon outside.

He followed the Father Abbot to a coach that now stood in the courtyard. When they arrived at the door, the Father stopped and told Gersius to instruct the driver on how to get there. He did as he was told, and described the route and the farm to the man. The driver nodded his head that he had understood, and went back to sitting at attention.

The holy guard gathered in front of, and behind the carriage, they would escort it the whole way.

"Get in Gersius," The Father Abbot called from inside the coach. "I want you to tell me more of this dragon."

The trip through the city was slow and meandering. Few of the streets were wide enough to accommodate the carriage, and those rapidly choked with people come to watch it pass.

"So you managed to subdue a dragon, alone?" the Father Abbot asked. His aged and wrinkled face carried a small delicate smile, almost mocking.

"I did not subdue the dragon, I befriended it," Gersius said, remembering that he had promised Lilly not to tell people he had beaten her.

"You befriended it? A dragon?" The man looked amused. "I imagine you would sooner befriend a bandersook."

"I came across the dragon wounded, and I offered it healing in exchange for its help. Since then we have spoken at length, I have earned its trust, and I trust it."

"Wounded?" the Father Abbots eyes seemed to narrow at the terms. "Wounded how?"

"It was recently in a battle with another dragon, and it was the loser."

Again Gersius was surprised that none of this seemed to move the Father Abbot at all.

"Pity you couldn't have befriended the winner," was all the man said.

"This dragon is not what you might expect, my Father, she," Gersius flinched at giving away that it was a female dragon. "She is very willing to communicate with humans, and is willing to help us."


The Father Abbot raised an eyebrow. "She," the Father Abbot said pausing on the word. "talks to you much?"

"She never shuts up," Gersius said looking out a window. They were almost to the main gate, the crowds would thin soon, and progress would be swifter.

"You trust this dragon?"

"I trust her with my life, and I assure you that you can trust her as well," Gersius said.

"We shall see," the Father Abbot said in an ominous tone.

They made the rest of the journey in silence, and Gersius felt his dread rising as they turned down the lane to the farmhouse.

"I see no dragon," the Father Abbot said as he stepped down from the carriage.
"She is inside the barn, my father," Gersius said.

The Father Abbot gestured with a hand to have Gersius lead him. He stood ten feet short of the door and allowed Gersius to walk ahead to open them. It was a large door that rolled to the side on wheels that hung above.

Gersius paused outside the door, and then slowly pulled them open. The darkness inside was broken only by the light shining in from the skylights.

The Father Abbot walked up to stand beside Gersius and squinted into the dark barn his eyes adjusting to the darkness.

"My father, may I introduce you to, lady Lilly, the ice dragon."

The Father Abbot's mouth fell open as Lilly reared up, her head illuminated by a sunbeam. Her scales glistened in the light, and her eyes glowed with a cold blue radiance.

"By Astikars mercy," the father said taking a step back. Calls of alarm echoed behind him and soldiers of the honor guard came rushing forward with spears at the ready.

Gersius threw his arms out before them,

"Stand your ground!" he commanded them. "This is no enemy." He paused and looked over his shoulder at Lilly. He turned and addressed them again. "This is Lilly, she is a friend of mine, and the order of Astikar, she has come here to help us in our darkest hours."

They stood fast just a few feet behind the Father Abbot who was still transfixed on the dragon.

"Lilly?" the Father Abbot said when he finally got control of his senses.

"Her name, my Father. Please come inside, and meet her."

The father looked at Gersius his eyes cold, and calculating again, and then he suddenly walked right into the barn seemingly unafraid.

"So. you are the great dragon our brave Gersius managed to befriend," he said standing before her. "It is my honor to meet you, and to extend our most humble appreciation of your willingness to help us."

"Gersius says he needs me to save his people," she said her voice strong, and powerful as if two people were speaking at once. "I would go where ever he leads."

The Father Abbot shot Gersius a look as he walked up, and stood beside him.

"You truly have befriended it," he said to Gersius.

"Please, your holiness, call her Lilly."

The Father Abbot's face seemed to sour at the idea of addressing the dragon as Lilly but did so anyway.

"Lady Lilly, on behalf of our order, and our God I thank you. The people of Delvarium thank you. Your service to us is more than we could ever hope for," the Father Abbot said dipping into a bow.

He stepped in further looking up at her towering form. Her head could easily have struck the roof of the barn, and her powerful limbs looked like they could snap the oak beams, her wings..."

He stopped and looked at Gersius.

"What happened to her wings?"

"I told you, my father, she was in a battle with another dragon. When I found her, her wings were already twisted," he saw Lilly flinch as he recounted it. "It took all I had to keep her from dying of her wounds. I did not have the strength to restore her wings."

"A pity you lost your men on the way there," the Father Abbot said with a scolding tone. "Surely five men would have been enough to restore her fully, and you had thirty."

"I have regretted that myself," Gersius said lowering his head. "I did all I could for her." Gersius felt his heart twisting as this moment dragged on. He didn't want to get Lilly's hopes up, but he thought since they were addressing her wings, now was the time to ask.

"Can she even walk effectively with wings so broken and torn?" he asked Gersius.

"She can walk, but with much pain and difficulty."

"How do you expect to use her if she can't walk?"

"My Father, I want to try to heal her wings. If we can get her to Calathen, we can use the seal of Astikar, and the brothers there to restore her wings."

The Father Abbot opened his mouth and looked away as if about to say something. He was silent a long, tense moment.

"So you wish to see if Astikar himself will heal her wings?" he said at last.

"She is a goodhearted and kind dragon. Surely he will see that in her. Surely he would be willing to bless her," Gersius pleaded.

Lilly shifted nervously as she listed to them talk. She felt that strange twisting deep inside as Gersius said she was goodhearted and kind.

The Father Abbots eyes looked as if they were lost in deep contemplation, his entire face registered as a man whose thoughts were a thousand miles away.

"How fortunate then that the seal is here in my quarters," he said coming back to focus.

"You have the seal here? In the city?" Gersius said surprised.

"Gersius, it isn't often I make such a visit to a distant city, and the war does take its toll on our resources. I have it and several other relics with me to put on display, and take up a collection."

He walked now with Gersius trailing behind heading back for the door. His right hand stroked his chin as he pondered.

"There are at least forty brothers of sufficient strength in the city now, I will have them organized, and sent here at once with the seal," he said as he passed back out into the yard. "I will leave some of my men as well, Lilly must be protected until she can be restored," he added snapping a finger at one of his guardsmen. "Leave a dozen men here, and you protect that barn and its contents with your life. Nobody goes inside it unless they bear the seal of Astikar with them." He glanced up at Gersius. "Or they are Gersius of course."

"Yes My father!" the man said snapping into a salute.

"Father, I do not know how to thank you! Your kindness is overwhelming. This is more than I could have ever hoped for."

"Knight-Captain Gersius," he said putting a hand on his shoulder. "You have done the impossible. As always you have done what needed doing no matter how difficult. How could I do any less?"

Gersius felt tears welling up in his eyes. This had gone far better than he had hoped. Lilly would soon be restored, and they would be able to leave for Calathen.

"Come, we have much more to discuss," the Father Abbot said getting back into his carriage.

"I should stay to help with the healing," Gersius said not wanting to leave Lilly.

"Nonsense," the Father Abbot called. "You have done your duty and brought the dragon here. The lesser brothers can handle the healing. I have more important matters to discuss with my greatest commander."

Gersius nodded his head in a low bow. "Let me tell her I will be back. I do not want her to be surprised by the others arriving."

"Of course, go and tell your dragon, Lilly, of our plans. I will wait."

Gersius ran back into the barn and stood before Lilly who was already crying.

"They are going to do it? They are going to heal me?" she asked staring down at Gersius.

"They are going to try. Forty brothers are going to come here with the seal. They are going to do the ceremony as soon as they can all be found and assembled."

"I will fly again?" she said more tears coming to her glowing blue eyes.

"I promise you, Lilly, they are going to heal your wings," he said to her in a moment of weakness. He couldn't bear to see how painful the loss of her wings was to her and gave her hope. He prayed it wasn't false.

"Lilly, there is something I need you to do. It is very important," he said

"What?" she asked wiping her eyes with a clawed hand.

"You must stay in your dragon form," he told her firmly.

"Why? I have been accepted. They are coming to heal me. Why keep the secret?"

"Lilly, this is important. I can not explain it now, the Father Abbot is waiting for me."

"But this is silly, Gersius. If I change form, I could go to them. I could go back with you now, and save time, I could—."

"Lilly," Gersius said his voice strong and commanding, "Do not change, remain as a dragon!"

She felt the compulsion of the binding as the command sunk in. She felt betrayed as well. He hadn't used the command since they first set out. He had treated her with respect, and always asked her permission never demanded it.

"You just commanded me!" she said anger in her voice. "I thought you liked me. I thought you were my friend."

"I am your friend, Lilly," he said walking away from her. "You have to trust me; please just trust me." He stepped outside and took hold of the door as she glared.

Lilly raged as he closed the door behind him. She felt a surge of mixed emotions that made her shake.

She tried to justify her anger and found it hard to accept what he had said, but she realized that no matter how she felt about it she would have to trust him. She hoped that trust wasn't misplaced.

 

[omnixius]

Tavis looked over the paper and then tossed it on the tavern table. It seemed impossible to be true, but then they were talking about Gersius.

"So he marches a dragon to Whiteford," he said while sitting back and throwing his booted feet on the table.

Ayawa picked up the page and looked at it again as her eyes narrowed with disbelief. "So it would seem."

"Trust Gersius to actually find one," he said and shifted to get more comfortable. "I suppose we shouldn't have doubted him."

"We?" Ayawa replied with a sound of shock. "It was you who should never have doubted him. I had complete faith in his madness," she said, placing the fingertips of her right hand over her heart.

Tavis shot her a look from under his black broad-rimmed hat. "I was there when you tried to convince him not to go."

"I tried to convince him to take us with," she shot back with a frown.

He gazed at her as she crumpled the paper in her hand. Even when she was angry, Ayawa was a lovely woman. He noted how her brow tightened, and her lower lip twitched in frustration. It was all familiar to him from the years they had been together. He knew every feature of her face from memory and relished the way she carried herself. Ayawa was proud and sure, with a hunter's skill for navigating and deadly accuracy with a bow. She had a slight redness to her skin, common among the people of the southern tribes. Her raven black hair was long and wild but frequently braided with ribbons or ornaments. Today it was a single long rope that down her back to her waist. She had big eyes that sparkled with green and a rather sharp nose. Her lips were full and her face slender, giving her a haughty expression when she glared at someone.

Despite her very feminine appearance, she often wore skins and leathers. She Favored the earthy tones of browns and greens that would blend into the wilds of a forest. Her one peculiarity was her gloves made of the finest cloth. She went out of her way to care for these and always carried an extra pair. She claimed it made the touch of a bowstring more comfortable, but Tavis suspected she simply liked them.

He smiled and conceded the point when he caught sight of the stern look in her eyes.

"I am sure he would be better off if he had let us go," he said, still studying her lips. "The man is good at being a soldier, but this task calls for subtlety and stealth."

"Fighting a dragon calls for armies and arrows," Ayawa shot back as she picked up her mug and downed a full ale.

"Sheesh, woman, you can drink!" Tavis said as she put the empty mug back down.

"Lucky for you, I do," she said with a smile.

"Aww, I thought it was my boyish good looks that won you over," he said, still smiling.

"A few more of these," she said, waiving for another drink. "And you might be that good-looking."

He laughed a full-bodied laugh at her comments. It was one of the things Ayawa loved about him. He could always find humor even in the direst of circumstances, and he knew how to laugh at a good joke.

"So where did he say he wanted us to meet him?" she asked as a fresh mug arrived at the table.

"Some little village called Pinehollow on the road to Whiteford," Tavis said, watching her down another drink.

She pulled the mug away and shook her head as if clearing her thoughts.

"How long did he say we had to get there?"

"Three days."

*******​

Gersius was unsettled as the carriage made its way up the ramp to the inner keep. The high walls cast long shadows into the plaza, shrouding the vast space in gloomy darkness. It echoed the feelings at his core as he longed to be at Lilly's side.

The mood in the carriage was tense, and the whole ride back felt wrong. His order was gifted with a sense when danger was close, and now that sensation clawed at his mind. He tried to justify it, considering the Father Abbot was pleased and Lilly would soon be healed. Everything they hoped for and more was happening. What luck that the seal was in the city with a host of brothers powerful enough to use it. Why then was Astikar sending him warnings of impending danger?

The Father Abbot was distant and lost in thought, saying little on the trip back. He asked a few questions about Lilly, especially how Gersius had come to know her name. Gersius told him the truth that it was the name she wanted. The Father Abbot looked down his nose at that reply but said no more about it. When they arrived at the keep, he asked Gersius to wait in the courtyard while he conducted some business. He went into a doorway across the yard and returned a few minutes later. He said nothing but gestured to Gersius to follow him into the keep proper.

"I just arranged for the seal to be moved, and the brothers assembled for the healing. They should begin the process within the hour," the Father Abbot said as they walked.

"Astikar be praised," Gersius said, bowing his head in reverence at the wonderful news.

"Indeed," the Father Abbot added and cast him a sideways glance.

Gersius paid the glance no head as his mind thought of Lilly. He longed to be at her side and lend his voice to the healing of the wounded dragon. He asked to be permitted to return to her side, insisting she would feel safer to see him there.

The Father was silent a long moment with his gaze fixed forward. He didn't even bother to look at Gersius when he finally replied in an ominous tone.

"I need you here, Gersius. There is much we need to discuss."

He followed the Father Abbot through a series of twisting stone corridors deep into the keep. They arrived at a room that featured a large central table. On the wall behind it was a great hearth already aglow with fire. A lavish chair with plush cushions was placed at the head of the table so as to be directly before the fire. Standing at attention were eight men, four on either side. They wore the golden plate armor and red sashes of the holy guard. It struck Gersius as odd that there would be guards waiting here, especially when he considered how few stood at the door outside.

The table was already set with a red dunner and a centerpiece of flowers. There were candles at the center and places around the room so that their light might soften the darkness. Aside from the plush chair at the head, there were four rather ordinary chairs with low backs in pairs at either side.

"Come. Get that armor off, and sit. Let us have something to eat, and we can discuss your dragon." The Father Abbot spoke in a gentle voice, but his words echoed of a command. He motioned to the chair directly to the right of his comfy throne as he sat and watched. Gersius bowed his head and took a moment to remove his armor. He carefully set it against the wall and took his place to the right of the Father.

"Tell me, Gersius. Have you been apprised of the current situation in the war?" the Father Abbot asked, sitting rigidly in his chair.

Gersius shifted uncomfortably as he felt strangely out of place. The Father was glaring down his nose as if annoyed to be addressing him. He turned his head to regard the men standing at the wall. Once again, he wondered why the Father Abbot felt threatened. In his soul, he felt the cry of alarm as his God screamed his warning, but glancing around the room, he could not imagine where the danger could be.

"I regret I was forced to travel through the wilds and have not heard any news. The only contact with the order has been with brother Jessivel, and he had nothing to say but that I was to come here."

"Yes, I am well aware of the route you planned. I still don't understand why it was so important to hide the passage of your men," he said, his voice hinting of disapproval.

Gersius ignored the tone and explained his concern that he did not want the enemy's spies to note his absence. If they knew he was far to the east, they might be emboldened to press their attack. Even as he said the words, he thought of the bandersooks and wondered if somehow the enemy knew anyway. How could such creatures have gotten so far east and found him hidden in the forest? He put the thought away and asked the Father what had happened in his absence.

"The war is going poorly," the dour man said matter of factually. "There have been two major engagements since you left your post."

"The two middle armies," Gersius guessed as dread crawled up his spine.

"Yes, the main force strikes out across the green plains. It marches slowly but steadily east. We were harassing it, using cavalry to strike and run quickly." He paused a moment and looked at Gersius with a sideways glance. "That was your suggestion, wasn't it? Slow their progress, delay them until more men could be gathered to hold the border keep?"

Gersius nodded and explained to need to slow the enemy's advance. If they were allowed to march unopposed, they would reach the border keeps before he could reach the dragon.

"Knight-Captain Havel didn't agree with you," the Father Abbot said while looking away. "He mustered what men he had and marched them out to meet the advancing line."

Gersius knew the follow of that plan immediately. The Doan was an enemy that thrived in the open ground, and the green plains of Ashamoor were a vast open sea of flat grasslands. To face them head-on was suicide, and he knew the outcome even before the Father Abbot finished.

"It was a massacre. Havel lost half his forces and nearly a third of the battle priests assigned to his command. The loss has soured the kings of the lesser provinces. Now more than ever, they hold their armies inside their borders, determined to defend their own lands."

Gersius was devastated but pleaded his case. This was all the more reason to leave for Calathen immediately. Lilly needed to be marched through the golden gate so they could call the shattered kingdoms into a new empire. She would be the symbol they needed to give the people hope.

The Father Abbot wore a sour look on his face as if Gersius's plea had offended him. He looked as if about to speak when the doors opened and servants filed in carrying trays.

"Ahh, dinner has arrived," the Father announced, countenance finally showing some measure of pleasure.

The conversation paused while the table was set and silver platters piled high with roast meats were laid out. Additional trays of fruits, bread, cheese, and cups of fine oils were placed before the Father in an almost decadent display. The wine was poured, and Gersius was handed a glass of beautiful crystal with a golden handle by a young girl. She smiled as he took the glass with a dip of his head before looking to the Father.

"They have such fine wines in the cellar here. I may bring some of it back with us when we leave," the Father Abbot said before taking a sip with a simple cup.

The servants finished placing the food, then bowed as they backed out of the room, sealing the door behind them. Gersius was left holding his wine in silence as the divine warning echoed with a terrible wail. He thought to mention it to the Father Abbot, but he was cut off before he could speak.

"The second army is also on the move," he began as if the conversation hadn't been interrupted. "It has moved further south where we held it at the gates of Stonewatch for four days."

"Stonewatch is a fortress protected by hills on three sides. How could it have fallen in four days?" Gersius asked in shock. Stonewatch had been a strong point in his defense plan. He intended to mass his army outside and fortify the city. If he had to, they would fall back into the city and turn it into a wall the enemy would never cross.

"Yes, it would appear captain Bilders was not up to the task."

Gersius closed his eyes at the name. Captain Bilders was a province commander, not a brother. He was a shrewd military man that believed in attacking, always attacking. While he might have been good on the offense, Gersius knew the man would have no idea how to defend a fortress.

"What happened to commander Kellis?" Gersius asked of the man he had left in charge.

"I had need of his services elsewhere," the Father Abbot replied before taking a bite of meat. He chewed it slowly and glanced at Gersius to study his reaction. "Fortunately for us, the Doan have a vested interest in taking prisoners. The army is currently sacking the city and rounding up its populace."

Gersius took a long drink of wine to settle his rattled nerves. He wanted to voice his disapproval of the Father Abbot moving a vital commander but didn't dare offend the man again. Instead, he focused on the second bit of news that the Doan had stopped to round up and organize prisoners. Why the Doan were being so methodical about taking prisoners was something they couldn't explain. They stripped the land of its people like a locust stripped a tree and shipped them west for reasons unknown.

"To lose such a strategic point. We will have to fall back thirty miles to the hills before we can find even half as good a defensive position. That puts them practically at the southern keeps and into the open country." Gersius tried not to sound angry, but he knew his words had been sharp. His anger grew when the Father replied with a simple yes as if that was all that needed to be said. He paused to sip his wine and sample more of the meats, all the while glancing at Gersius with eyes full of judgment.

All of this was making him feel uneasy. Why did the Father Abbot seem to delight in telling him the bad news? Why did he look at Gersius as if this news was all his fault?

"Many in the order believe your place was at the front, Gersius," he said after another taste of his wine. "They question the wisdom in letting the only commander to defeat the Doan go chasing after a legend."

"It is no legend, my Father. Lilly is here. We were never going to win this war with the men we had. Now we have the means to do what must be done."

"And what must be done?" he asked, a mocking smile gently curling his lips.

"The empire must be reformed, and the armies of every province brought to bear on the enemy. The Doan have raised enough men to attack us in three places at once. I cannot move my men fast enough to meet every thrust. I need to match their numbers, and then I plan an offensive to destroy them."

"And how do you plan to blunt enough to gain the offensive?" the dour man asked before plucking a grape into his mouth.

Gersius explained his plan to use the frontier keeps as the anvil. First, he would reinforce the lines enough to blunt the enemy and hold them. Then, with the new armies from the empire, he would lead one massive force and strike in the south. He would destroy the southern army then roll right up the front, trapping the middle and northern armies against the border keeps. They would have no choice but to flee in disarray across the serpentine or risk being annihilated.

"So it's that simple?" the Father Abbot questioned while dipping a slice of bread. He didn't seem at all impressed with the plan and showed his disinterest with a slight yawn.

"With the kingdoms united, we can combine their forces in an army larger than any one of the enemies. They are too far apart to reinforce one another, meaning we can engage and destroy them one at a time. The Doan do not realize it, but they have handed us the means to defeat them by breaking into three smaller groups. Now with Lilly, we can do the impossible and unite the empire once again."

"Yes, of course, the return of the dragon knight. The old hero comes back in our darkest hour. Do you really believe that hero is you?" the Father Abbot interrupted.

Gersius felt his sense of danger spike at those words. Why had the mention of the dragon knight caused such apprehension? He glanced around the room again and took a sip of his wine to calm his nerves before he answered.

"It does not matter what I believe," he replied with a tense voice. "The people believe in the story. They look for a symbol of hope. With Lilly, we can give them that symbol and rally them to our cause."

The Father Abbot fixed Gersius with a questioning stare. His calculating eyes read him with cold precision as the warning in his heart cried out that it was too late.

"Let's talk about your dragon, Gersius. Let's talk about Lilly."

​

Lilly nervously sat in the barn with a burning hope in her heart. Gersius brought the leader of his order to see her, and the man said he would heal her wings. The joy was overwhelming as she looked up and through a skylight at the darkening sky. She imagined flying through the night air with wings full of the wind as the ground raced by.

She wished Gersius had allowed her to change into her human form. Then she could have gone with them, and maybe she would already be healed. With a sigh, she wiped a tear away, a gesture that had become all too common these days. It was a small thing to wait just a little longer.

When she heard voices outside, her heart began to beat faster. She dared to look through a gap in the boards to see at least twenty men in black armor, much like Gersius. They were unloading bundles wrapped in cloth out of three wagons and setting them to the side. One of them wore a black hooded cloak and talked with one of the guards posted outside the barn. She couldn't hear what they were saying but noticed the guard point the barn as the hooded man nodded.


She was so nervous that she backed away from the doors and wished Gersius was here to hold her hand. She struggled to remain calm and hold back tears. Over and over, she told herself that she was a dragon, strong and proud. There was no reason to be so overcome, but oh, how she never thought she would fly again. Her heart raced at the thought of finally being able to stretch out her wings and take to the sky!

The large doors suddenly shifted and pulled open to reveal the hooded man standing with two others. Lilly nearly forgot to breathe as they stared at her with looks of wonder.

"Greetings, Lilly," the man said in a firm voice, "We are here to fix your wings."

Lilly shed a tear despite trying hard to remain strong. The long nightmare was almost over, and she would be whole again. Soon, the sky would be her domain once more, and she would be a queen of the sky.

"Come. We need to draw a circle of power in the yard. You must stand inside so we can focus our power," he said, beckoning her forward.

She struggled to walk forward; her wings dragged on the ground. Twice she caught a broken edge on a post, wincing at the pain. The doorway to the barn was harder to navigate. She had to duck down, stepping on her wings in the process, causing her to cry out. She took a deep breath and pushed on, determined to make it outside and be whole. It wouldn't be long now. Soon she would fly again!

Outside, thirty men gathered in a large circle and began to chant with the deep rolling tones she heard Gersius use. A faint reddish glow was beginning to grow at their feet, and it spread to form a vague ring of light. Lilly noticed that most of the men wore simple red robes. Around them were men dressed like Gersius in full armor. However, theirs was different in that it was darker with red instead of gold and a strange bird-like emblem. They stood just outside the circle as if guarding the proceedings while two more waited at the wagons.

"Come. You need to stand in the circle so we can concentrate our power on you," the hooded man said, waving her forward. He led the way going right to the edge of the ring of light and pointing to the center.

Lilly found it easier to move now that she was outside. She struggled forward, daring to lift her battered wings to keep them out from under her feet. They still dragged on the ground, but she bore the pain for soon they would be whole again. With a sigh of relief, she finally made it into the circle and carefully sat at the center.

The hooded priest nodded and stepped back as he urged her to relax and lifted his hands.
Something tickled at the back of her mind, a sense that all was not right. She remembered what Gersius had said about the process and realized something was missing.

"Where is this seal Gersius mentioned? He said you needed it to heal my wings?"

"Don't worry. We are going to fix your wings," the hooded man replied with a wide smile.

Lilly felt strange as a heavy feeling came over her. They began to chant louder, and the sensation increased. The red light grew in intensity until it bathed the area in its eerie glow. Suddenly it felt as if the light was pulling at her, driving her down. She began to struggle against the pull, but it grew quickly to a crushing pressure.

"What is happening?" she shouted in panic, "What are you doing?"

"We're doing what Gersius could not," the man said as he threw back the hood. "We're subduing a dragon."

Lilly heard the mocking words and tried to roar in defiance but struggled even to breathe. The weight crushing down on her was becoming unbearable, and her limbs began to shake. Her wings folded and pressed to the ground causing throbbing pain. She tried to breathe deep enough to blast the men with ice but couldn't get enough air.

"Gersius said you were going to heal me!" she cried as her body hit the ground, unable to bear the weight anymore.

"Gersius is a fool!" Dellain spat as she struggled in the dirt. With that, Dellain made a motion to the soldiers by the cart. They quickly unwrapped the bundles revealing a series of metal rings and chains.

"The spell is complete. She won't be able to move until we release it." said the robed man to his left.

"Chain her!" Dellain ordered, and the armored men moved to the wagons. They took up the rings and chains, carrying them to Lilly, who could do nothing but watch in terror. Around her arms and legs went metal cuffs whose surface was etched with glowing red letters. Each cuff had a long chain that led to a simple metal block about the size of a man's head. Another ring went around her neck, just below her jaw. Like the others, it was connected to a chain that ran down her back. A final loop was clasped around her chest just behind her shoulders. This one had had a strange bracket to which the men attached a final device, a seat for a rider.

Lilly screamed in defiance as the men bound her like an animal.

"Why?" she cried. "Why are you doing this?" She struggled to lift her head but could not get it off the ground. The robed men backed away, and a priest stood at each of the strange stone blocks. With a word of command, the blocks floated a foot off the ground. The priests moved the blocks away from Lilly, taking the slack out of the chains. She felt the chains pulling on her arms and legs until her limbs were stretched out, and she lay flat on her belly. She watched in terror as Dellain walked right up knelt beside her head.

"You're mine now, dragon. You will do what I say," he said in a cold, smooth tone.

A tear ran down Lilly's cheek as she lay there helpless. She didn't understand what was happening or why they were hurting her. It had to be a mistake. She struggled to get enough breath to speak.

"Gersius said you were going to heal my wings," Lilly moaned in a deep, regretful voice.

Dellain stood up, a smile on his face as he stepped away and looked at the broken wings.

"Don't worry. We're going to fix your wings."

His voice was pleased as if her words had amused him. He gestured to the two men that were still standing beside the wagons. Lilly followed his gesture, only able to see the men clearly with one eye. The two men now held axes, and renewed terror flooded her heart when she realized why they were there.

"No! please!" she wailed and struggled against the weight and the chains. The effort was useless, and the magical cuffs only dug at her limbs.

"Brother Dellain, we should put the muzzle on her," the man to Dellain's left said.

"Not yet," he said, holding up his hand. "I want to hear her sing."

The two men approached, and Lilly broke down, pleaded with the humans as glowing blue tears poured down her face. "Please! I want to fly! I want to fly again!"

They walked around her and disappeared from her sight someplace along her back. When the chopping started, the countryside echoed with terrible wails and sobbing screams.

Dellain smiled and remarked, "She sings beautifully."

---

Gersius suddenly dropped his fork as pain ran up his back. His mind clouded over, and he felt a sudden sense of panic and terror. It welled up from inside, and in his mind, he heard a voice calling for him.

"Lilly!"

"Is something the matter, Gersius?" the Father Abbot asked while wiping his hands on a cloth.

"You will forgive me your excellence, but there is something wrong with Lilly. I must go." He grunted as a renewed spike of pain flooded his senses.

"Is there now?" the Father Abbot asked, showing the first genuine interest in him all night. "Tell me. How do you know that?"

Gersius wasn't sure how to answer, and he didn't care. All he wanted to do was get back to Lilly. He was sure she was in danger and was calling for him.

"Is it because you lied to me?" the Father Abbot said, tossing the rag down. "Did you expect me to believe you befriended a dragon?" He rolled his eyes as he spoke as if the very idea was absurd.

"My Father I never lied to you. I am sorry I must go," Gersius said, standing up.

"Sit down, Gersius!" the Father Abbot yelled.

Gersius hesitated. He could feel stabbing pains in his back, pains he knew were coming across the bind from Lilly.

"I said sit down!" the old man roared, getting to his feet himself. "You never befriended that dragon. You have it bound!" he added, his face going hard as stone.

Gersius's heart filled with turmoil. He didn't dare walk out on the Father Abbot, but he also couldn't wait any longer. He knew what he was feeling was coming from Lilly, and she needed him now. He locked eyes with the older man and tried to explain himself as quickly as he could.

"Father, it is true I have her bound," he said, flinching as another pain rolled up his back. "But Lilly is a friend. I never ordered her to help us. She is doing that of her own free will."

"So not only did you not tame her, you haven't even dared to command her." The tone was harsh and meant to mock him. Gersius could see the Father Abbot was not moved by her willingness to help.

"I treat her with honor and respect. I only give her a command when I feel it is in her best interest."

"So you failed the men I gave you, and you failed to command your dragon. Tell me, Gersius. Are there any more failures I need to know about?" The smile that curled the old man's face was one of victory, like a predator that had its prey cornered.

At that moment, Gersius understood the warnings that had echoed in his heart. He mistakenly believed that safety could be found among his brothers, but it was his brothers who were the danger. A rage began to boil in his blood as his hands curled into fists. He no longer cared to show respect as his eyes became a deadly glare. He understood now why he had been brought here. This was a trap meant to lure him away from Lilly.

"What have you done to Lilly?" he said in a deadly tone.

"I want her name, Gersius," the Father Abbot said in a relaxed tone.

"Her name is Lilly," Gersius replied in a low growl that dripped with a threat.

"Do not play games with me!" the Father Abbot roared. "I want her name! Her true name!"

"I have sworn on my honor as a priest of Astikar never to reveal her true name!" Gersius roared with fierce determination.

"I am the Father Abbot, Highest priest of Astikar. I absolve you of your promises and your duty to this dragon. Now tell me her true name!" he roared back, slamming his hand on the table.

Gersius was done playing this game and turned to leave. This man could bellow until the sun burned out, but he would never learn her name.

"Guards!" the Father Abbot shouted. "Restrain that man!" The men along the back wall rushed forward; swords leveled at Gersius. "One last chance, Gersius, priest of Astikar. Tell me the dragon's true name," the Father Abbot said as the swords closed around him.

Gersius lifted his hands in submission, unwilling to fight his holy brothers. He went to speak and try to reason with them when another sharp pain raced down his back. It was followed by a deep weeping sadness that filled his heart. As if a dream was suddenly achieved only to be snatched away and destroyed. A blanket of despair like he had never known washed over him as he looked at the men who barred his way. Brothers or not, they were going to get out of his way.

"I will never reveal her name!" he said through clenched teeth. His blood raced as he reached for divine power, his hand curling as if holding a weapon. He felt the power begin to flow, his glowing with an orange light, but the room started to spin.

"Feeling a little light-headed, are we?" the Father Abbot said as Gersius staggered back, his body suddenly weak. "You really should be careful how much wine you drink."

Gersius immediately saw the trap. The girl handed him the crystal glass while the Father Abbot drank from a plain one. He had been played for a fool and drugged to ensure he could not go to Lilly's aid.

"Why?" Gersius said, struggling to stand.

"Why did you have to find one, Gersius? Why did you have to find a dragon?" the Father Abbot replied.

Gersius's world became a blur, and he was filled with a sensation of falling. He regained a brief moment of clarity to see the Father Abbot's face hovering over him with a displeased expression.

"You will give me the name, Gersius," he heard in a distant voice.

The light of the world went out, leaving him only darkness and a vague awareness of the bind. Far away, he could feel Lilly sobbing in absolute despair.

 

[omnixius]

Golden sunlight filtered through the trees above the little temple of Ulustrah. The morning dew still clung to the grass, and a slight breeze carried with it the scent of nearby flowers. Thayle sat on a stone with legs folded and a large silver basin in her lap. She meditated by staring into the mirror-like surface of the clear water contained within. It was part of her practice to spend the early morning gazing into the mirror-like surface in communion with her goddess. It was a special moment when her heart and mind were open to the power of Ulustrah, and she rarely missed it.

After prayers, she lingered out front, watching the townspeople go about their morning chores. She had the perfect vantage point from her little temple on the hill and could see much of what happened below. From here, she first noticed the two strangers and began to watch them with interest.

She couldn't see their auras from this distance, but she didn't need that to know they were connected. The dark-haired woman with reddish skin was obviously a southern warrior maiden. They were uncommon in her area, but the road south eventually reached their land. She carried one of their signature black bows, laced with feathers and the long curved knives her people often favored. Her clothing was typical of her kind, made mostly of patchwork leather and furs in earthy colors. Her upper arms and legs were left bare to reveal well-defined muscles shaped by careful training and work. Her people were rumored to be able to run for a full day without rest, and Thayle could see why.

The man was harder to place. He was shorter but only by an inch and wore a large black hat with a wide brim. He kept that hat tipped, so the brim hid his face as if trying to avoid anyone getting a good look at him. A dark brown cloak covered his upper body, concealing his armor. If not for the skin on his lower face, she would not be able to place him at all. From here, he appeared to be fair-skinned and probably of northern descent.

The two strangers methodically moved about the town, never speaking to anyone for more than a few moments before moving on. It was apparent they were conducting a search, ass they moved from building to building, questioning people and stealing glances inside.

Thayle decided to wait at the door of her little temple. If these strangers were searching the town, they would eventually come to her. When they finally began to climb the hill, she sat on a stump, gazing into her bowl.

"Greetings, travelers," she said in a warm tone without looking away from the water. "Blessings of Ulustrah on you."

"Greetings, priestess," Tavis said with a sweeping bow as they came to a halt a dozen paces away.

Thayle cast a glance, taking note of the body language as well as the colors of their light. The woman was turned ever so slightly to the side, her feet planted and hands resting on hips. It was a stance that left her ready to move in the blink of an eye. All she could see of the man's face was his smile, a sort of mischievous grin that hinted at some hidden secret. His right arm" was folded into the bow, but the left was held wide and loose. There was the unmistakable bulge of a sword under his cloak and perhaps a dagger on the other side. It was obvious these were experienced fighters and stayed at the ready even in a quiet little village such as hers.

Putting the bowl aside, she smiled and looked between them. Now they were close enough, and both had faint auras of cold blue light. They were neither upset nor relaxed but alert and ready. She could also see the slow exchange of light as tiny droplets broke away and drifted to one another. They were firmly committed to one another and deeply in love.

What can Ulustrah do for you on this fine day?" Thayle asked and studied their response.

"We are looking for a friend," the woman said as she studied Thayle right back. Her voice was calm to avoid sounding threatening. Her facial features were sharp and well defined, a common trait among her people. What stuck Thayle the most was the look of strength and pride in her vivid green eyes.

"He is a priest like yourself, but of Astikar," the man added, drawing a glance from his companion. "We were told he would be in this village."

"Thayle leaned back and shook our her long raven black hair. She smiled and swiped a clump from her face as the two waited. It was all part of her game, letting the question hang in the air to see how their aura reacted. She gazed at them, letting her mysterious angled eyes linger first on one, then the other. She had to measure them carefully as Gersius said to tell nobody about him or Lilly. Were these two strangers friends of Gersius? Or perhaps they hunting him?

"We may both serve a divine power, but there is little in common between Ulustrah and Astikar," she said, intentionally avoiding the question.

"But have you seen him?" the woman asked sternly. Her aura twitched, pulsing with red that quickly faded. She was irritated by the game and did not like having to restate the question.

"Do you know this priest's name?" Thayle asked as she probed for more information.

The two exchanged looks and then locked their gaze on Thayle. She saw the red of anger flare again, and this time it was both of them. It lasted only briefly before quickly fading away, but it was clear they were growing impatient. Thayle shifted her hands, making them ready to channel if need be. She would dare to ask another question and see just how much they knew.

"Was this friend of yours traveling with anybody? Perhaps someone special?"

Now auras streaked with red that wavered in a dance. The question had struck a nerve, and they were becoming alarmed, even aggressive.

"He may have been traveling with somebody," the man replied as he raised a hand to tip the brim of his hat back. His smile was gone, and Thayle was able to see the amber hue of his eyes for the first time. Paired with his frown, he looked threatening, and this gesture was clearly meant to show he was serious. "We do not know for sure."

Thayle watched the aura as he made a direct statement and saw a dark ring radiate out. The man was lying. They knew Gersius was traveling with somebody. Still, it didn't prove if they were friends or foes, but the tension was mounting. Thayle decided to abandon the game and get to the heart of the matter. She was known for being blunt, after all.

"Tell me, are you friends of this priest?" she asked and waited to see if they would lie.

"We are comrades in arms," the man said smoothly while the woman barked out a short, "yes."

Both auras glowed briefly with the white light of truth. She breathed a sigh of relief as it was no longer necessary to keep toying with them, but she couldn't resist one more poke.

"So, you're looking for Gersius," she said bluntly, a slight smile curling her lips. She watched the subtle movements in alarm as their body language suddenly changed. Hands crept slowly for the handles of nearby knives while the man's fingers twitched ever so gently in a dance. She knew immediately that he was a weaver and this situation was about to go very badly.

"You know Gersius?" the dark woman asked as she moved a step closer. Thayle realized she was trying to get within striking range as a finger caressed the handle of a knife. Her aura changed as well, becoming ringed in a halo of red hinting at aggression and anger. The man's aura was very different as it started to contract, growing thinner and seeming to fall inward. She was well versed in the language of auras and knew full well she was channeling a weave.

"I am Thayle priestess of Ulustrah, and I know your Gersius," she said and boldly stood up. Her hands went out to before her, fingers twisted in sign. "You will stop your weaving this instant!" she shouted to the man before turning her gaze on the predatory woman. "And if you take another step toward me, I will consider it an attack."

"You are a priestess of the harvest, not combat," the dark woman said. "What threat can you be to us?"

The red light of anger consumed the woman's aura, and Thayle began to sing the prayer of warding under her breath.

"Perhaps we don't need to find out?" the man replied as he turned his gaze on his angry companion. He put his hands up so Thayle could see that he was no longer weaving. "We are his friends, and we are looking for him. We received a letter not two days ago telling us to meet him here."

He flashed with the light of truth, and Thayle felt deeply relieved. So these were the recipients of the letter Gersius wrote. Fool man didn't think to tell them who she was? The least he could have done was tell them she was a friend. Thankfully the man's aura was calming, but the woman was a blend of reds. She would be far happier beating the answers out of Thayle.

"Gersius wrote that letter here in my temple," Thayle replied while still ready to use her ward. "I am the one who sent the rider that delivered it."

The man breathed a sigh of relief and put a hand on the angry woman's arm.

"I think we can trust this one," he said, then turned back to Thayle. "I am Tavis, and this is Ayawa."

"Why didn't you just come out and tell us that in the first place?" Ayawa asked, the annoyance dripping in her voice.

Thayle didn't care for her tone but didn't want to antagonize the woman further. She explained how Gersius was insistent that she tell no one of his passing. He was afraid that people were looking for him and wanted to keep his presence a secret.

"And then we show up looking for him," Tavis said in an understanding tone. "Ayawa, you can relax now. You look as tense as a fully drawn bow."

"We are not playing a game," she shot back. "Gersius should have told us there was a friend here. How do we know we can trust her? He made no mention of her in the letter and told us to speak to nobody about him."

"Gersius has a lot on his mind, and it probably slipped it," Tavis suggested as he took his hand away.

"That is careless, especially for Gersius," she insisted, but her voice was softening. The blue light returned to her aura, but it was still streaked with red. She was calming, but the process was slow as her concern registered in the light.

"I am sure he had his reasons," Tavis argued. "Maybe he intended to be here before us so we wouldn't need to make contact with the priestess."

"He told you he was coming back here?" Thayle asked, finally relaxing her hands.

Tavis turned to address her and explained that the letter said he would be here this very day. He suggested that something might have delayed him, and perhaps he was still on the road.

"Did he tell you why he was going to Whiteford?" Thayle dared to ask. The two exchanged worried glances indicating they were afraid to reveal too much. "I already know he was ordered there by his Father Abbot," she added while folding her arms.

"Then why did you ask?" Ayawa barked.

"I wanted to see what you knew," Thayle replied as she stared the proud southern maiden down.

"Umm, ladies," Tavis interjected. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to compare information?" The two women let their stares linger a moment longer then Thayle turned away and took a relaxed stance.

"He arrived with a friend," Thayle said as she thought of Lilly. "They stayed one night here in my temple. He wrote the letter, and I sent it early the next morning. It was sealed, and he did not wish me to know the contents, so I honored his wishes. He and his friend left shortly after and headed for Whiteford. He was bothered by something and afraid that people were looking for him. He warned me not to tell anyone he had been here. I attempted to pry into his reasons for going to Whiteford, but he was in no mood to discuss it."

Tavis rubbed at his chin as he worked out the details. "It isn't like Gersius to be so secretive."

"Are you kidding?" Ayawa interjected. "He intentionally hid the route he used for his march and told only the Father Abbot the details. We don't even know for sure where he was going."

"But this?" Tavis replied. "From what the priestess says, it sounds like he was bordering on paranoia." He walked a few steps as he pondered the details. "The rider took a full day to reach us, and it should have taken him a full day or slightly more to reach Whiteford. So he must have intended to be there no more than a single day and then have a day to get back." He glanced to Aayawa to see if she wanted to dispute his logic.

"We traveled two days to get here," she pointed out.

"So one day for the letter to reach us. Two days for us to get here. He said he would be here three days from when he sent it. That's today, and we are here right when he told us to be here."

"He must have been delayed in the city," Ayawa suggested. "We should wait for him as long as we can."

Tavis looked worried as the frown on his face deepened. "He told us to wait no longer than two days. If he doesn't show up, we are to run and hide again."

"He should have gone straight to Calathen," Ayawa growled. "He would be beyond Westbridge by now."

"The letter said he was ordered to Whiteford first," Tavis reminded. "You know how Gersius is. He is a man of duty, and he follows orders."

"Yes, he is," Thayle interrupted. "But why would the leader of his order, knowing full well that Gersius might have a dragon, order him to travel farther away from the place he needs to go?"

"He told you he had a dragon?" Tavis asked in surprise. "Did you see it? How big was it?"

Thayle was shocked by his questions. It implied that Gerisus had told them about the dragon but not Lilly. They had no idea she was in human form.

"I only spoke with Gersius," she said. "I never saw the dragon. He kept it hidden."

"But he chose to tell you about the dragon he was trying to keep hidden?" Ayawa asked with an accusing tone.

"I am a priestess of Ulustrah, and he wanted my help. I wanted to know why, and he found it very difficult to lie to me." That took a little of the mistrust out of the woman's eyes, but not all of it.

"Gersius never could lie very well," Tavis agreed with a grin.

"He doesn't have your skill for it," Ayawa snapped while throwing him a glare.

"Oh, the daggers you hurl at my heart," he responded while placing a hand on his chest.

Thayle watched the little battle of words and marveled at the exchange of light mirrored in their auras. These two were inseparable, and their light was feeding one another.

"So Gersius told you two to meet him here?" Thayle asked when they were done. They nodded, and Tavis even produced the letter to show her the exact wording of it. "Well, he isn't here, and by all accounts, he should be." She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong and paused to make sure they were both listening. "Gersius has his dragon and an obligation to go straight to Calathen, bus his leaders order him away from it."

"What are you getting at?" Ayawa asked as the red of irritation returned to her aura.

"Motivation," Thayle answered as her concern grew. "What is the motivation in dragging him away from the place he needs to go? I don't know much about it, but by what little I gleaned from Gersius, the war isn't going well. So why would anybody want to delay the prophecy?"

Tavis thought over her words but ultimately shook his head. "I can't believe there is any wrongdoing in this." He turned to Ayawa for support, but the look on her face was like a storm about to rage. "Ayawa?"

"We need to get to Whiteford," she said in a commanding tone.

"We need to wait for Gersius," Tavis urged as he held up the letter. "He said to wait here."

"When has he ever kept us waiting?" Ayawa asked as she stared at him. "He should have been here by now, or at the very least sent another letter to update us." She turned away and paced as if troubled by a chaotic thought. "The priestess is right. His fool order knows full well what the situation on the front is. They know what Gersius is trying to do and what the prophecy says. Why would they be delaying it? For that matter, why is the Father Abbot in Whiteford, and what force of brothers did he bring with him?"

Tavis stumbled for an answer and had to admit that most of the brothers were already on the battlefield. Temples all across the region had been reduced to minimal staff, and the city of Calathen was almost empty of their presence. All that was left was the acolytes and the personal bodyguard of the Father Abbot.

"And the Raven Guard," Ayawa said with an angry curl of her lip. Thayle wasn't aware of who or what the raven guard was but the mere mention of their name caused Tavis and Ayawa to flare with red.

Tavis blew out a whistle of frustration and turned to Thayle. He asked her if she was familiar with the raven guard, and she admitted she was not. He sighed and explained that the Raven Guard was composed more of mercenaries than priests. They were drawn from less savory sources or fallen priests given a special pardon by the Father Abbot. They acted as an independent arm of the order of Astikar, answering only to the Father Abbot and handling the orders more unsavory business.

"Well, we know the Father Abbot is waiting for him in Whiteford, but I can't imagine they were able to pull men from the war to act as guards," Tavis reasoned. "If he needed guards, it would have to be the ravens."

"And who knows the prophecy as well as the Father Abbot?" Ayawa insisted.

"Nobody does," Tavis answered. "He is the only one allowed to read the original tome."

"And he is the only one who knows the exact details of Gersius's quest. He more than anyone else knows what will happen if Gersius returns with a dragon," she pressed.

"What are you implying, woman?" Tavis balked as her words became more dire.

"I think she is right," Thayle interjected.

"What are you implying, women?" Tavis corrected with a slight smile.

Two women with raven black hair folded their arms and locked eyes on Tavis. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable and held up his hands in defeat.

"Fine! We go to Whiteford, but I still can't believe the is any cause for concern."

"I'm coming with you," Thayle said, causing them both to turn on her.

"You aren't invited," Ayawa stated.

"Then I will go alone," Thayle replied and ignored her objection.

"Priestess, we will need to travel quickly," Tavis interjected to try and be diplomatic.

"I have a horse," Thayle said and headed for the door of her temple.

Tavis watched her go for a moment before turning to Ayawa with a shrug.

"We leave in five minutes!" Ayawa shouted as Thayle vanished into the building. She waited a moment, then turned on Tavis, her annoyance apparent on her face. "You should have told her she couldn't come!"

"You already made that abundantly clear. Nothing I had to add to was going to stop her," Tavis said defensively. They locked into an argument that lasted several minutes before the mysterious priestess reappeared.

She wore a shining mail coat with a slight green-blue tint. Over her shoulders and chest were metal plates of solid green. Her upper arms were mail, but the lower arm was protected by thick leather gloves and a small metal plate. Likewise, the legs were protected by leather with small plates strapped over the top. She wore green knee-high boots that looked well-traveled. In her left hand was a round wooden shield painted with the emblem of a plow and bundle of grain. She held a wooden shaft as long as a leg in her right hand. Both ends of the staff were capped in metal and covered with rounded spikes. Her hair was tied back with a green cord to keep it out of her face. Over her shoulder was a pack of soft leather, and at her waist was a stout belt and several pouches.

"Well," Tavis said with a broad smile. "I have to admit I am surprised."

He was not alone in his surprise as Ayawa looked Thayle up and down with a frown painted on her lips.

"What kind of harvest do you need full armor for?" she asked.

"This isn't for the harvest," Thayle said as she adjusted the strap of her pack. "I wear this when I negotiate marriages."

"A wise decision. We could have used your help with ours," Tavis jested and earned a withering glare from Ayawa. "Oh, don't give me that look," he protested. "You know very well it would have helped. I think you broke that poor priest's arm."

"Shall we get going?" Thayle asked as the two looked ready to continue their argument.

Tavis tipped his hat down with a nod as Ayawa rolled her eyes and headed for the road out of town. It was obvious she was annoyed by the situation and not at all interested in bringing Thayle along.

"A glorious start to what is almost certainly to an inglorious end," Tavis commented before following after her.

"Do I need my horse?" Thayle asked as he headed off.

"We are walking," he replied and waved for her to follow.

Thayle ran to catch up and fell in beside him as Ayawa took them through town and onto the road south.

"So, how do you plan to travel at speed then?" she asked, reminding him of his earlier comment.

"Well, Ayawa will almost certainly run ahead. After all, she is rather good at that," he replied with a mischievous grin. "But I think I can manage something to speed things along for you and I."

Thayle didn't like the look he gave her, so she asked him what he meant. He smiled wider and stopped to throw open his cloak with hands raised in the air. She was finally able to see what was hidden under that cloak and was somewhat surprised. He wore no armor but carried two matching short swords. His clothing looked to be finely made with metal buttons and sharp stitching. He wore a gray shirt that buttoned down tucked into slightly darker pants. He wore a relatively simple belt but seemed to be using it more to carry his swords than his pants. His boots were black but had a curious red hem with a small knife tucked into each. She noted several other knives hidden about his belt and even his wrists. This was a man who knew how to fight but preferred mobility to armor.

She watched as he began to work his fingers while producing a steady tone with his voice. She could his aura twisting into a pattern as he gathered the energy into a weave. Both hands danced in a gentle motion, stitching that energy together as a faint blue glow began to circulate between them. He held the single tone the entire time, feeding the weave until completion. With that, he reached out and touched Thayle on the shoulder. She felt a rush of tingling energy race through her body and down to her toes.

"What did you do?" she asked while twisting to inspect herself.

"I infused us with a small amount of magic," he replied.

"And this small amount of magic does what?" she inquired as he tried to be evasive.

He smiled and described the weave, telling her that it would make her and all her equipment lighter. She asked why that would be of any use, and he suddenly dashed off while saying it was to help her run.

Thayle didn't understand, but Ayawa was already far ahead, running at a strong pace while Tavis raced behind, widening the gap between him and Thayle. She tested the ground with a foot but felt no different. With nothing to lose, she began to run and was immediately shocked by how easy it was. She hardly felt the exertion as the muscles pumped at a near full run. It was as if she was skipping on the air and carrying nothing but a feather as she raced down the road.

The three of them ran like a dragon was chasing them, hoping they were wrong about their suspicions. Perhaps they would find Gersius coming the other way or discover he had been unavoidably delayed. Whatever they hoped to find, one thing was certain, none of them had any idea what to expect.

---

Dellain walked into a space of shadows and darkness that carried the unmistakable scent of suffering. It smelled of oil, smoke, blood, and burnt flesh. It was a windowless space hidden under the keep and used only as a warren for rats. A few lanterns now hung on the barren walls providing meager illumination. Most of the light came from a large copper basin filled with burning coals. It cast a dismal orange glow that flickered from the flames dancing on the surface. Where columns supported the ceiling, the fire created long shadows that split the light into pockets. It was a dismal space made all the more unpleasant by the heat produced from hours of those coals burning.

In the center of this forgotten place sat the Father Abbot. He reclined comfortably in a plush chair with a small table set beside on which was a bottle of wine and a half-eaten cake. He looked almost relaxed as he leaned back in his chair, cupping a wine glass with one hand. His eyes were focused ahead, and a slight smile curled his lips. He took a leisurely sip and let out a gentle sigh as Dellain wondered if he was celebrating.

In sharp contrast to his comfort was the man who hung on the wall before him. Leather straps painfully tied his wrists to rings on the ceiling. He hung limply by those tight bands that twisted the hands that had long ago gone purple from lack of circulation. The orange light highlighted the muscled chest that was a patchwork of bruises, burns, and raised welts. Blood streaked his skin, pouring from bleeding wounds where broken ribs had come to the surface. It ran down his legs and pooled on the floor for the rats to drink. It was a scene of absolute suffering the likes of which only a priest could inflict.

Dellain was almost hesitant to approach, but approach he did and came to stand beside the Father abbot.

"Has he revealed anything yet?" he asked when the Father Abbot failed to acknowledge his presence.

"Nothing," the seated man replied and took another slow sip of wine. "He has refused to reveal the dragon's name, even when we started breaking his ribs."

Dellain shook his head. Gersius was a fool of the highest order. A man blinded by dedication who honestly believed it was better to die in honor than live in disgrace.

"I knew he was stubborn, but why endure all of this for a dragon?" he asked.

The Father Abbot let out a slight laugh and finally glanced to Dellain.

"He has given the beast a vow on his to honor to Astikar. He promised never to reveal her true name."

Dellain couldn't understand why Gersius would have given a dragon such a promise. He glanced at the suffering man but couldn't feel an ounce of pity.

"Then he's a bigger fool than I thought," Dellain spat. "Why would he give the dragon such a promise?"

"He believes the dragon would not have revealed its name unless he made the vow," the Father Abbot replied with a shake of his head. "He has even gone so far as to limit the binding to a year and a day."

"Why?" Dellain scoffed in disgust. "He has a dragon bound to his will. He could use it to conquer the empire. Why would any fool limit his control?"

The Father Abbot swirled his win as he nodded in agreement. He explained that Gersius felt the dragon would rather die than be bound. He offered the vow of secrecy and the limitation to the binding to win its trust. He has no intention of keeping it. He reasoned that all he needed to do was return to Calathen to unite the empire. After that, the dragon could go home.

"And now he refuses to tell us the dragon's true name?" Dellain asked.

"It would appear not," the seated man said and set his glass aside. "He has proven to be quite accustomed to pain."

"Then what do we do next?" Dellain asked, knowing full well they needed the name.

The Father Abbot looked to him again and asked if the dragon had been brought into the city? Dellain nodded and explained that it had been brought in late in the night. The magic chains worked perfectly and allowed him to drag her worthless carcass across the countryside.

"We had to drag it through the city gates and hid it in the stables behind the keep," he reported. "It took a few of us with whips to keep it moving. We also had to gag it. The beast wouldn't stop sobbing. It cries like a little girl."

"What kind of dragon did this fool find?" the Father Abbot mocked.

"Don't worry, it will have some real fight in it when I am done training the beast," he assured the Father Abbot. "I will break it of this whimpering, or I will keep giving it something to cry about."

"You will have to do more than that," the Father Abbot corrected. "If Gersius won't give us the name, then the beast will have to tell us itself."

Dellain smiled in approval. He fancied another chance to listen to the dragon sing.

"What about him?" he asked, gesturing to the suffering form hanging on the wall.

The Father Abbot looked to the wall in disgust. "Brother Gersius has abandoned his post and lost all the men entrusted to his leadership. He also tried to hide the dragon we begged him to find for us. When we finally found him, he refused to turn it over to the order so we could save the empire. He even went so far as to threaten me, calling on a hammer of Astikar to strike me down."

"Sounds like a long list of offenses," Dellain said with a smile.

"I am afraid an example must be made," the seated man said. "I can't allow the brothers to think I am weak or that I tolerate such flagrant disrespect. To think he abandoned his duty to Astikar to keep the dragon for himself."

Dellain stood by and listened, enjoying every cruel word. Gersius's foolhardy heroism had finally caught up to him, and he would see the reward that blind faith earned. The Father Abbot went on to explain that Gerisus would be presented to the city as a traitor and publicly stripped of his titles and rank. He would then be given the right of punishment and condemnation before being sentenced to death.

Though it was music to his ears, Dellain felt it important to point out that many would not accept that Gersius was a traitor.

"Brother Dellain," the Father Abbot began with an amused tone. "Didn't I go out in peace to meet with Gersius in the countryside to reason with him? Didn't he reject my offers and then march his dragon on the city to attack it? Surely if his intentions had been sure, he would have gone straight to Calathen and not been caught fleeing south. It is to his shame we had to track him down and then subdue him and his dragon."

"How fortunate for the city we got here before he could enact his terrible plan," Dellain agreed with a smile for the genius of the Father Abbot.

"He must have murdered the men I sent with him," the Father Abbot continued. "I knew something was amiss with his forceful demands. He had to murder them to avoid their being witnesses. That explains why he insisted on taking green recruits. He would never have been able to murder thirty well-trained and battle-hardened brothers."

"The man is beyond redemption," Dellain replied, barely holding back a chuckle. He knew the truth, of course. Gersius had demanded veteran soldiers, but the Father Abbot denied him. Instead, he was given the new recruits who hadn't even completed combat training.

"I suspect he was working with the enemy all along to prevent the prophecy," the old man continued. "If he could beat us to the dragon and use it to sow chaos in the backcountry, we would be in a terrible position."

"Praise Astikar, we were able to stop him in time," Dellain remarked as he struggled to keep a straight face.

The Father Abbot paused and looked to the man beside him with that calculating expression. "And to think that you, Brother Dellain, managed to defeat Gersius and his dragon. Surely your name will be sung in the services of remembrance." He smiled as if pleased with himself, then looked back to the man hanging on the wall. "I want you to bring the beast to the plaza outside keep. Maybe it will help loosen its tongue to see Gersius die."

"It will be my pleasure, my Father," Dellain replied with a slight bow of his head.

"Listen to me. When this is over, you will march that dragon to Calathen and claim the title of dragon knight," the Father Abbot insisted with a voice full of command.

"I am honored," Dellain said with an even lower bow.

"I told you, Brother Dellain," the Father Abbot said as he picked up his wine glass. "I had a much higher post in mind for you."

 

[omnixius]

The morning light brought no relief to Lilly, who groaned as she struggled to move. She lay flat on her stomach with her limbs stretched tight by the magical chains. Her body stung from the strange device the wicked men called whips. Her shoulders ached where the stubs that were once her wings continued to throb and trickle with blood.

She was careful to remain silent and avoid drawing any more of the cruel attention of her captors. She learned her lesson the night before when they ordered her to stop crying. When she failed, they shoved a wooden post in her mouth and wrapped her snout with chains. They pulled them tightly, forcing her to bite down on the post stifling her cries. To test the effectiveness, they beat her with the whips until satisfied she would remain quiet.

Now she lay helpless in some yard that smelled of horses. She could hear them inside the strange building to her right but didn't dare move her head to look. She was terrified to draw the attention of the dozen men who stood nearby, waiting for a reason to punish her. They all wore the same black armor trimmed in red with the emblem of a bird on one shoulder. She knew they were priests, but they were not like Gersius. These men were profane, wicked, and delighted in causing misery. Several times now, one of them had thrown a stone just to harm her, and early one kicked her as he passed. She was an object of scorn to these men, something to be abused and mocked, and she was helpless to stop them.

She tested the pull of the chains flexing her arm ever so slightly to avoid giving away that she was awake. The wicked chains held fast, burning with a strange magical energy. She could feel that power now, strengthening chains and defying her strength while at the same time burning her skin. The pain was dull but a constant reminder that she was a prisoner, and there was to be no escape. She followed the chains with her gaze to see they ended in metal blocks about the size of a man's chest. The blocks glowed with red symbols and were impossible for her to move. However, the priests could move them with ease, waving a hand over them while issuing a verbal command. They could cause the blocks to float and follow them, dragging Lilly along like a pet on a chain.

She fought the urge to cry at her circumstances for several hours, but slowly, that emotion began to change. She started to feel anger like never before as her sorrow and self-pity were consumed. Lilly wanted to kill these men and freeze their precious city in a tomb of ice. She would kill every last one of them and feast on their flesh if given a chance. These rodents didn't realize what they had done and who she was. She was a dragon and would not be treated like this! Her rage needed an outlet and thought of how she had come to be in these circumstances.


"This is Gersius's fault!" her mind echoed in fiery anger. He was the one who brought her here, promising to heal her wings. Then these men who claimed to be of his order came and butchered her instead. They might call on the same god, but they lacked any measure of compassion or mercy. Instead, they were brutal and violent, and she would one day visit that violence back on them.

Even as she tried to curse Gersius for what he had done, she found herself wondering where he was. For a brief moment, her anger cleared, and she began to remember. Didn't he say he would die before he allowed any harm to come to her? Surely he would not have allowed this to happen? Why then was she beaten and chained? He never struck her as cruel in all the time spent with him. The idea echoed in her mind, but she could not make sense of it, not until she thought of something else.

What if this was all a ruse? Maybe he was lying to her the whole time to trick her into coming here. Now that she thought about it, she never saw this messenger that supposedly ordered them to Whiteford. She had nothing to go on but his word and the promise that she would be healed. She pleaded with him to take her into the city, but he insisted she stay in the barn. He hadn't even come back to see if she was safe. Instead, he must have sent those wicked men to capture her and chop off her wings. He seemed hesitant to say her wings would be healed. Was that because he never intended to heal them in the first place?

She shuddered in rage as the thoughts built on one another as she cursed her stupidity. Her mother warned her time and time again not to go near the humans. She told Lilly to keep her valley a secret and do nothing to cause them to come looking. Gersius was probably paid a hoard of gold for luring a stupid dragon into captivity. He and that old man were probably sitting comfortably and laughing at how stupid she was as Gersius retold the story. She fell for all his lies and followed him here like the fool she was, and she was a prisoner. A voice broke through her self-deprecating thoughts and made her anger turn elsewhere as she recognized who it was.

"Get the men together. We're moving the beast to the plaza," Dellain commanded to the men watching over her. He spoke specifically to a man who had red ropes on one shoulder. Dellain had called him by name the night before, but in Lilly's torment, it was hard to recall. The pain of those whips had dulled her senses and turned the hours into one long, painful dream. All she remembered was it sounded like Kaleck, and he was given the task of keeping her quiet.

"Why to the plaza?" the man said in a deep voice."The whole bleeding city will see it."

"That's the point," Dellain replied with a glance her way. "Gersius's ceremony will be there, and the dragon is going to attend to bear witness."

"What good is going to come of that?" the man asked as Dellain turned back to him.

"Ask the Father Abbot," Dellain replied.

Lilly felt hot as her blood boiled in a terrible rage. Gersius was going to be rewarded with a ceremony for luring her here. They were going to put her on display as a trophy to his lies while they showered him in accolades!

As her anger cleared, she realized Dellain had finished speaking and was approaching.

"I hope you're comfortable," he said through a mocking smile as he neared. "Better make yourself pretty; you have a party to attend." He arrived beside her head and bent low to look her directly in the eye. "When we get through with this ceremony, you and I are going to have a conversation. If you know what's good for you, you're going to tell me what I want to know."

Chains rattled as Lilly struggled to twist her neck and snap the man in two. She wanted this man to suffer as she had suffered. She would break his arms before ripping them from their sockets. Then she would eat them while he watched and howled in pain. After that, she would let him suffer, slowly bleeding to death while she watched every agonizing moment. The chains held fast, barely rattling as the hated man chuckled and walked away. She was left to stew in her anger and frustration as the other men moved to the metal blocks.

Once again, she thought of the man who brought her to this terrible place. Gersius had lied about everything. She remembered that night when he looked her in the eye and promised he would never sell or abuse her. He promised she would never be put on display to be laughed at and mocked. Now she was sold and delivered to these wicked men. They had abused and beaten her and were now going to drag her off to put on display. She would be laughed at and mocked as Gersius was showered with rewards. He would be presented as the hero, and she the mighty beast he had subdued. Once again, she wished she had died the day they met. She wished the red had killed her instead of leaving her to rot slowly.

Her musings were interrupted as the chains moved, and she was allowed to retract her sore arms. She didn't fight the men as they caused the blocks to levitate and began to lead them across the yard. She had no choice but to go where they went. To resist would only cause them to drag her. Her wrists already hurt from being dragged the night before, and they must decide to use the whips again. With head hung low, they led her out, Gersius's prize dragon, Lilly the fool.

---

They were well into the farms that surrounded the city, having run the whole way. Thayle couldn't believe how well she felt, especially considering she was wearing heavy armor. Tavis's spell hadn't allowed her to run any faster, but certainly for much longer than she should have. After miles of running at such speeds, she felt no worse than if she had run the length of her temple. They would be in the city before the hour was up, but Tavis ordered her to stop and get off the road. Now they crouched in a hedgerow, trying to stay out of sight of a danger she couldn't see.

"Why have we stopped?" she asked.

Tavis was slow to respond as he searched the road ahead. All he could say was that something was wrong. When Thayle asked him how he knew, he pointed out that Ayawa was hiding. Thayle looked down the muddy lane searching for the southern woman. For the past three hours, Ayawa had run ahead, acting as a scout. She was careful to stay close enough that they could see her, but now she was gone.


"Maybe she got too far ahead?" Thayle asked even though she didn't believe it.

Tavis shook his head as he studied the landscape before them. "We have done this many times. She never allows me to lose sight of her unless she senses something amiss and needs to hide. She must have sensed something ahead that caused her to feel threatened."

"We're less than three miles from the city," Thayle argued. "I can see the outlying town from here. What danger could there possibly be?"

"I don't know, but I trust Ayawa," he responded with a hint of frustration in his voice.

Thayle couldn't understand what the problem could be and pressed her point. "We are in heavily settled land patrolled by city and local watchmen. This road is thick with travelers and trade wagons, not bandits and thieves. What could she possibly be –," It came on her in an instant as she considered her own words causing a cold chill to crawl up her spine.

Tavis turned around as she choked and looked about, almost frantic to be wrong. "Is there something wrong, priestess?"

Thayle looked at him, alarmed, and pointed to the road. "There is nobody here."

"What do you mean?" he asked as she waved her hand.

"Think about what I just said. We are right outside a major city in heavily settled lands. This road is a major artery that sees regular traffic of farmers and traders going into the city to sell their wares."

"And there are no people to be seen," Tavis said as he caught on. "The road has been empty for the last couple of miles. Perhaps it is the time of day?"

Thayle shook her head and explained that she had been this way many times. The roads were never empty, and that meant something was wrong."

"I trust your experience. Something must be amiss," Tavis said as he turned back to look for Ayawa. "There she is!" he added and pointed to a dark form dropping from a tree twenty yards up the road.

Thayle could see the southern woman who stepped into the road slowly. She turned and looked directly to where they were hiding before making a hand gesture.

"She wants us to move to her," Tavis said as he got up.

"How did she climb a tree so quickly?" Thayle asked as they got back on the road.

Tavis laughed and suggested that Ayawa had probably jumped. He then took the lead, running to close the gap and rejoin the dark woman. When they reached her, Ayawa was focused on searching the landscape ahead, her face locked in a scowl.

"There are no people to be found anywhere," Ayawa stated the moment they arrived.

"We already noticed that," Tavis replied with a wink at Thayle. "The priestess assures me that this is very unlikely to happen."

"I have been here well over a hundred times at all hours of the day," Thayle interjected. "It has never been deserted."

Ayawa nodded and took a step down the road turning her head to point an ear to the city.

"What is she doing?" Thayle whispered to Tavis.

"Listening to the wind," he replied softly. "It's a skill of her people."

"I heard bells earlier," Ayawa replied as if she had heard their exchange. "I hear them again now."

Thayle listened, failing to hear anything but the nearby cows. "I don't hear anything," she admitted, but Ayawa moved on and began to explain.

"There are farm animals about, but the town ahead is abandoned," she said and turned back to look at Tavis and Thayle. "What would empty the countryside of people? The war is months away, and I know of no reports of disease. So why would the whole of the region be empty?"

"They must have all gone into the city," Thayle replied

"I told you, the war is months away," Ayawa reminded and pointed to the west.

"There are other reasons besides war to draw people to the city," Thayle argued. "It could be a festival or some special event. Something important enough that they sent town criers out to call the people in."

It's Gersius," Tavis said with a sigh. "This has to be because of Gersius."

"Why must that man always bite off more than ten men can chew?" Ayawa asked with a voice of stone.

"Because Gersius is more than ten men," Tavis replied.

"We don't know that it's Gersius," Thayle interrupted. "He came here to meet with his leadership, not hold a festival. If the whole countryside has gone into the city, it must be a major event. It's something important like appointing a new regent, or a major proclamation, or an –" once again, Thayle choked on her words as her face went pale.

"An execution," Tavis finished for her and looked to Ayawa. "Gersius must be in trouble."

Ayawa's face went hard as stone as she nodded and turned to the road. "He must have been right about his order. He said strange things were going on. What if they turned on him?"

"Then this might all have been a trap," Tavis agreed.

"We are less than an hour run from the gates. We may still be in time," Ayawa urged.

"Ayawa," Tavis called before she ran off. "The gates will undoubtedly be guarded. If the order has turned on Gersius, you can be sure they are looking for his friends. We are two of his most well-known companions. You can rest assured our descriptions have been given to every guard in the city. We won't be able to enter without being arrested."

Thayle could see the conflict in the woman's eyes as she heard the wisdom in Tavis's warning. If Gersius was in trouble, they might not reach him in time.


Lilly seethed with rage as her worst fears came to pass. She was brought out of the secluded yard and taken to a large platform in a massive yard. Her mouth was still chained shut over the post so nobody could hear her sob. It wouldn't have mattered as Lilly was too angry to cry, and her tears had long since passed. The men guarding her pulled the blocks on her forearms, forcing her to stand on her hind legs with arms thrown wide. It was a position meant to put her on display for the thousands of rodents gathering in the yard below. She watched as they pointed and shouted, gathering in a great mass to laugh at her. She glared back with a hatred that burned to her core and seared her solus. Her eye fixed on a man near the base of the steps who was laughing. Near him were two small boys, pushing one another as if to dare and get closer. Near the wall was a strange woman with long wavy golden hair. She stood there with hands over her mouth as if appalled by what she saw. Thousands more slowly pressed into a great mass as the streets flooded with their wretched kind. Lilly saw them all watching and pointing at her, the stupid dragon captured by the hero Gersius.

For several long minutes, she trembled in rage until the gates to her right opened, and out stepped one of the men she longed to kill. The Father Abbot was dressed in fine flowing robes of red and white, the star of Astikar emblazoned on every surface. He strode to the top of the steps with six other men in robes or armor and stood before the gathering crowd.

He was an object of special hatred, a man who must have been a part of Gersius's plan. The two worked together to lure her to this place and bring such terrible shame on her. Lilly silently vowed to kill him as slowly she would Dellain, perhaps even as slowly as she wanted to kill Gersius. Gersius would suffer the most for his lies, and she would delight in every second of it. It was in this thought that her eyes went wide, and terror seeped into her heart. Gersius had lied to her about everything! That meant he had no intention of keeping her secret, and these wicked men knew her true name!

Her eyes ran with blue tears that trailed down the sides of her face. She now understood the true depth of her fate and the terrible future that awaited her. She would forever be bound to these cruel rodents who would hand the secret of her name down for generations. They would torment her like this and worse for another thousand years or more. She tried to thrash her head as the need to sob finally came. She was held motionless by the chains as her self-pity overwhelmed her solus. She was a fool to have trusted Gersius and believed his kind were anything but the worthless vermin she saw them as. Now she was even less than them, and they would remind her every day how worthless she was.

"Bring him out!" the Father Abbot called in a loud voice.

Lilly snapped back into focus, her pity falling away. She was so lost in pain that she hadn't been paying attention to what the wicked man was saying. Now he was calling for somebody to be brought out, and Lilly knew who it was. Her heart burned as she waited to see the face of her hatred, the man known as Gersius.

The world was one long tunnel of darkness interspersed with flickers of red light. Everything seemed sluggish and muted as if submerged underwater. He was only vaguely aware that he was moving but had no concept of how. Perhaps he was drifting as his body floated down the river where they had dumped it, or maybe this was how death felt. The tunnel of darkness suddenly became clouded by light. He was somewhere else, but he had no concept of where that was. Slowly, his senses returned, and he became aware that he was being dragged. His feet scraped over the stone, and broken bones rattled in his chest as two men held his arms.

He couldn't remember when the beating stopped but was sure it had gone on all night. All he could recall was the question they asked over and over. What is the dragon's name? Each time he answered them and insisted her name was Lilly. They tired of the game and took up a metal rod introducing him to the pain of broken ribs. Every time he said the name Lilly they broke another until he ran out of bones. Then they did the unthinkable and called on the god of mercy to heal him so they could start again. The breaking went on for hours, and they grew more sadistic. When they were forced to heal him again, they decided not to heal him fully. They left him sore and in pain as the process began again, amplifying the suffering as best they could. When breaking ribs didn't yield the name, they resorted to burning his flesh with hot irons. It was a pain so mind-numbing that he cried out like a frightened child, pleading with Astikar to rescue him. Still, despite it all, her name was Lilly.

Eventually, they gave up on the name and decided to beat him simply to make him suffer. They left his ribs broken, and his flesh burned as he hung like a rack of meat in a butcher's shop. Finally, he blacked out only to awaken to the tunnel of darkness that was slowly filling with light.

The scent of the air changed, and no longer could he smell the smoke of fires or the mold of damp stone. He was outside where the city's scents carried on a gentle breeze. He found little solace in his new location as the act of dragging him made his broken ribs grind. He struggled to open his eyes, but they were nearly swollen shut from the beating. He saw a brief glimpse of a gate before his vision clouded over and became a blur once again.

There was a sound like rushing wind or the roaring of a great fire. It seemed to grow and come from all directions as his feet left a bloody trail. A shadow passed over his tunnel, shrouding him in darkness for just a moment. He knew he must have passed through that gate, and the sound of the roaring suddenly grew louder. Struggling to open his eyes, he was able to see two wooden posts driven into white stone with a blue beyond.

Suddenly he wasn't moving anymore, and the support of his arms fell away. He would have fallen with them if not for rough hands that grabbed at his hair and neck, struggling to hold him up as somebody grabbed at his wrists. He could feel something biting at the skin as his arms were lashed to the posts, so he hung between them, his legs crumpling as his shoulders ached.

The roar was deafening now, and he struggled to lift his weary head. His vision cleared once again, and he was able to see an ocean of moving forms. It was hundreds or perhaps thousands of people, bouncing and jostling in a great multitude. They were the source of the roar that deafened his senses and reverberated in his soul. Struggling to look around, he turned his head to the left and saw something that made his suffering renew. The sight of her brought his mind into focus as his hands twitched and began to curl. He tried to get a leg underneath to steady himself as his rage exploded inside.

Lilly was chained in the corner with a wooden post tied in her mouth like a horse's bit. Her arms were pulled up and wide, forcing her to stand on her back legs and be properly displayed. Seeing her like that brought back the words he promised her those days ago. He remembered how frightened she was that this would be her fate. He vowed then and there that this would never happen to her, and yet here she was. Tears came to his eyes to see just how badly he'd failed her. He wished she had killed him in the valley that day rather than see her like this.

He was so lost in his pity for Lilly that he hadn't even noticed the crowd went silent. The Father Abbot was nearby, addressing the people in a loud commanding voice. He stepped between Gersius and Lilly, blocking his sight to her as he leered down on the broken man.

"Gersius!" he called as if to wake him from slumber. "You have been found guilty of dereliction of duty. You abandoned your order and your faith to pursue your own wicked goals. As if this crime wasn't enough, you murdered the thirty young recruits I entrusted to your care." The Father Abbot paused and looked away as if this were a profoundly emotional moment for him. He took a moment to regain his composure and pointed a finger at Lilly. "You then led that beast to the fair city of Whiteford to attack it and its good people."

The crowd exploded into jeers and calls of traitor. The Father Abbot let them yell for a few minutes, feigning that he needed time to recover. He was putting on a show for the crowd and wanted the people to see that he personally felt the shame of these crimes. When he was ready, he waved them to silence and turned back to Gersius.

"I knew something was wrong in the way you made your hostile demands. I suspected treachery, so I followed you and, by the grace of Astikar, found you before you could enact your terrible plan. Thankfully I brought a true hero with me, and armed with Astikars true power, the brave brother Dellain stopped you."

The crowd exploded in cheers again, only this time they were for Dellain. Gersius heard the people praising Dellain's name and calling out to the divines to bless him. The Father Abbot let them go for a moment before calling them to silence once more.

"Despite your treachery, I knew something good could still be salvaged from this terrible fall. As is the will of the god of mercy, I gave you a chance to redeem yourself. I pleaded with you to turn the dragon over to us and allow us to use it in the terrible war with the Doan. Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved by this act of redemption, but you stubbornly refused. I humbled myself for the good of the people and begged you to tell me the dragon's true name. You refused against all reason to tell us the dragon's true name. Well, look now!" the Father Abbot yelled and stepped aside so he could see Lilly. "Look, Gersius! Your evil ways have been in vain because you have both been defeated!"

The Father Abbot threw up his arms in a flourish as the crowd went wild with cheers. Their voices echoed from the walls and became a deafening rumble. It went on for far longer than it had before, but when at last it quieted, the Father Abbot approached. His face was smug and full of satisfaction as his eyes fixated on the crippled man.

"Gersius, you are hereby stripped of your rank as Knight-Captain. You are stripped of your title as a brother to the priests of Astikar. You are cast out of our order and will face the punishment for your betrayal. You will suffer the right of punishment and condemnation as befits your crimes not only against Astikar but the people you intended to kill here!" The Father Abbot made no effort to stop the crowd from cheering this time. He stood by as a few people threw stones and cursed Gersius's name. They called him the traitor of Astikar and the would-be butcher of Whiteford.

Lilly seethed with primordial anger like the fiery birth of a volcano. She set her gaze on the open gates, waiting to see the liar brought out to receive his accolades. Three men came through the gate, but only two were walking. The one in the center was limp, his feet dragging on the ground as the other two pulled him along. Even from where she stood, she could smell blood and burnt flesh, and her sharp eyes saw the patchwork of bruises and bleeding wounds. This broken shell had to be supported as another man tied his limp arms to two posts. He was allowed to fall, supported by his wrists, to hang before the gathered crowd like an object of scorn.

Something stirred inside a sensation of remorse as this tormented being turned its head and looked her way. Lilly felt a sadness that was not her own, coming from the suffering form that began to cry as it saw her. She could not believe what she saw. This terrible dying being was Gersius! How had this happened? Why was he so severely injured? Where were his reward and accolades for luring her into captivity?

The wicked man began to speak, and Lilly started to understand the truth. The man known as the Father Abbot lied about Gersius, calling him a traitor and a murderer. He accused them of coming to the city to attack it but then claimed he and Dellain had come to rescue it. He boasted the Dellain had defeated them both as a hero of Astikar. The lies made Lilly shake with rage, but then the Father Abbot said something that made her world go upside down. He claimed to have begged Gersius to tell him her true name, but Gersius refused!


There was a wave of tearful relief to know these monsters didn't have her name. It all started to make sense, and she realized why Gersius was in such a state. He refused to tell the head of his order her name, and they tried to beat it out of him. He hadn't lied or betrayed his promise. He was doing just as he said he would, dying before giving away her secret. It was the second time he was willing to lose his life to protect hers, and inside, something new began to boil to the surface.

Memory flooded in like a dream as she relived the moment in but a heartbeat. "I will never reveal your name to another. I will never utter your true name where any other can hear it." Lilly couldn't believe he was going to die to keep that promise. Why would a rodent die to protect a dragon?

The wicked man went on to condemn Gersius and strip him of his titles. Lilly looked on with a sorrow unlike any she had ever known. This human was about to die, and somehow it felt like a part of her would die with him. The rage came back, boiling to new heights as her vision narrowed. For a brief moment, she wondered why the men Gersius called brothers were doing this but then realized she no longer cared. Defiant, she bit down on the post in her mouth, determined to bite through it. She pulled with all her might on the chains causing them to shake as the magic fought to contain her. Anger quickly flared to hopelessness as they held fast, defying all efforts to get free. All she could do was groan out a weak cry for Gersius as tears started to pool at her feet.

Gersius gained more and more focus as his anger over Lilly built. He'd failed to protect her and was responsible for leading her into captivity. He had no idea why the Father Abbot and his brothers had turned against him, but he wasted little thought on it. He would gladly fight his entire order and die a hundred deaths if it meant protecting Lilly. His vision cleared in the rage, allowing him to see the pain that wracked her face as great blue streams flowed from her eyes. She was suffering every humiliation that ever haunted her nightmares, and it was all his fault. He tried to look inward and pray to Astikar for mercy, not for himself, but for Lilly. It was an act of desperation, but as if by a miracle, the prayer was answered.

"Silence," the Father Abbot called out to bring the crowd to order. He waited for the people to calm them moved to stand before Gersius. "Though you don't deserve it, I am a man of mercy, and I will give you one last chance to do what is right." He paused for dramatic effect as the crowd hung on his every word. Finally, he reached out and uttered a slight prayer, healing Gersius's jaw so that he might speak. "Now, show these people that you have repented of your evil ways and go into Astikar's judgment with one less sin on your head. I ask you one final time. What is the dragon's true name?"

The crowd was utterly silent as every eye watched what was unfolding. Gersius couldn't believe his luck and struggled to take a deep breath. As air filled his lungs, the ribs around them cracked and popped, flooding him with pain. He pushed on, ignoring the suffering, knowing that this was his one and only chance. He needed to make sure that what he had to say was loud, clear, and in a commanding voice.

"Lilly!" he shouted, his voice echoing from the walls. "I release you from my command!"

The scene returned to silence as Gersius fell limp between the posts. The Father Abbot looked confused and turned to the other soldiers gathered behind him. It was only when the crowd began to cry out and scream warnings of "look at the dragon!" that he turned to Lilly.

Blue eyes burned with a hateful fire as a white mist crawled across Lilly's skin. Gersius's command that she stay in her dragon form was part of what was holding her bound. She was free of that shackle and now would find out if these chains would fit around a human wrist. In seconds the mist was a cloud, then suddenly it expanded and became a swirling mass of white. It roared like blowing wind and obscured her from leaving only the chains to indicate she was inside. There was a flash of light, and the chains shook before falling away like straw in the wind. People gasped and pointed as the white cloud began to swirl with renewed energy, growing thicker and denser. It rolled like a thundercloud, turning in on itself before flashing with what looked like lightning.

Though every breath hurt him, Gersius began to laugh.

"What have you done?" the Father Abbot yelled with a raised fist.

Straining to lift his head, Gersius met the old man's gaze with a look of utter defiance and coldly replied. "I have released death."

A man of the raven guard assigned to Lilly's chains dared to venture close to the cloud. He drew his sword and peered into the mist, bravely trying to ascertain what had happened to the dragon. A huge scaled claw burst from the cloud, wrapping around him and dragging him in. A moment later, there was a scream followed by the two halves of his body, torn at the waist, being cast against the nearby wall. The dozen men who remained stepped back with weapons raised when a blast of ice and snow exploded from the cloud. It swept the area just before it, turning men into statues of ice in the blink of an eye. Gersius threw his head back and resumed his painful laughter as Azurastra charged out of the cloud, her eyes blazing with murder.

The scene became one of fear and panic as the air filled with the screams of thousands. The gathered masses ran in panic as the dragon rampaged across the upper yard. Thirty men were dead in what seemed like seconds, and those who remained were stumbling about in shock. The Father Abbot was quick to regain his wits and darted to the gates while ordering the men nearby to stop the dragon.

Lilly was like an avalanche of teeth and claws, rending men into pieces as she savored the taste of their blood. Some she crushed. Some she tossed; others were bitten or torn in two. She delighted in throwing the lifeless bodies into the fleeing crowd to teach them not to laugh at a dragon! They ran at her in small groups, foolishly waving swords in her face. She slaughtered them easily, willing to take small stabs and cuts if it meant ending the life of a rodent. The walls were splattered with blood, and it ran down the steps to the lower yard as men screamed for help. Lilly went wild with savagery, showing the fools that dared to chain her no mercy. It was only when an orange flash raced across the yard that she came to her senses.

The hammer of Astikar struck home, and even through her thick hide, she felt the impact. It caused a sore pain in her side but only served to make her angrier. It reminded her that priests had caused this terrible shame, and her hunger for revenge blinded her to the pain. She turned to see three more of the men of Astikar reaching out as more hammers formed in their hands. She wasted not an instant, opening her mouth and releasing a torrent of white death. She froze all three in place and then lashed at them with a mighty swipe, shattering them like glass.

Soldiers poured out of the gates and began to arrive with long spears. She found their reach aggravating but compensated by using their dead as weapons. She threw bodies into their formations and used others as clubs, swiping the spears aside before lunging into their midst. Her plan was working until more orange lights streaked the sky. One of them struck her on the head, causing her to stumble from the shock of it.

Reeling, she turned to see the hated Dellain with a wicked smile on his face. He was leading a group of over twenty priests with red birds heads. There was a risk of using her breath too many times in too short a period, but Lilly wanted this man dead. She roared with hatred and loosed a cone of freezing death, coating the group of men. When she closed her mouth, a hail of orange hammers came racing back, striking her so abundantly that she nearly toppled.

As the frost cloud cleared, she saw the hated man laughing as he stood behind a wall of his brothers. They had their arms up, channeling the power of their god into a wall of orange light. Her breath hadn't breached it, and now they are preparing to advance. A sharp pain suddenly flooded her leg as a spear pierced her flesh. Lilly lashed her long neck around and clamped her jaws on the foolish soldier that had attacked her from behind. With a mighty toss of her head, she threw him into the air, trailing blood as he soared over rooftops.

An orange hammer exploded on the side of her head, and Lilly stumbled. She glanced to the right to see it was Dellain himself who was punishing her. She hated the man and wanted more than anything to see him dead, but she was a fool no more. It was clear the shock of surprise was over, and the rodents were mounting an organized defense. So long as Dellain was protected by so many of his brothers, she would never be able to lay a hand on him. The situation had turned, and now they were becoming a deadly threat. Her only option was to flee, escape the city, and run as fast as she could. As Lilly turned to dash into the yard, her gaze fell on the ragged form suspended between two posts.

"Gersius!" she cried and raced to his limp form.

"Lilly," he wheezed while trying to lift his head to look at her. "Lilly, You must go!"

Lilly towered over him as he pleaded for her to run. Every instinct told her to go, but something inside twisted and turned. Somehow leaving him here felt like dying, and she couldn't bring herself to go.

"I am not leaving here without you!" she growled and grabbed hold of one of the posts. An orange light raced across the yard, slamming into a shoulder as her scales cracked and bled. It was followed by two more that added to her mounting injuries. She wanted to use her claws to cut the leather straps but was afraid she might cut him.

"Lilly!" he struggled to yell. "You will never free me in time. Please, I beg you, go!"

Lilly's eyes flared white with rage as she thought of losing him. Strong hands wrapped around each post, and with dragon strength, she squeezed. Blue scales shattered as orange lights pummeled her body, but Lilly held on. There was a tremendous snapping noise as the wood began to fissure and crack.

"Aim for the head!" Dellain shouted as she poured all her rage into her grasp.

The posts exploded in a cloud of fragments and splinters as Lilly twisted them apart. Gersius went to tumble, but she quickly caught him up and cradled him in one arm.

"Was that fast enough?" she asked as her slender form burst into motion. She bolted down the steps on three limbs and tore across the lower courtyard, trampling people who got in her way.

"Get to the horses and go after it!" Dellain shouted as Lilly raced down a street.

Gersius's world was one of pain. Though Lilly was trying to carry him to safety, her rapid pace rattled his broken body. She was running at a terrible speed, recklessly charging through her city. Though she did her best to cushion him, his body was taking a horrific battering. He struggled to look about, wondering how Lilly was running with broken wings. He wondered if his brothers had healed her before dragging her back as a prisoner. The thought didn't last long as Lilly slipped and slammed into a building, jarring him so violently that he blacked out.

The city was the scene of chaos as people ran screaming in all directions. Lilly paid them no attention, trampling many as she tried to navigate the narrow streets at a full run. The street gave way easily to her claws rendering the surface slippery and unstable. She crushed wagons, carts, and the horses that drew them in her mad dash to getaway. In some places, the buildings had awnings or porches that she tore away in her passing.

Her fear mounted as the city seemed to twist on endlessly with no pattern. She was lost and running blind down streets at random, hoping to find some escape. Just as she thought a road would carry her away, it ended or turned. Sometimes it became too narrow to pass, forcing her to double back or turn toward the plaza she was fleeing.

"This hive is like a maze!" she cried and glanced to the suffering man cradled in her arms. "How do you rodents find your way?" Gersius didn't reply and the moment spent looking away caused her to slip. She slammed into a building, caving the front wall in as she had another idea. Lilly gave up trying to find her way and scaled the house instead. The buildings groaned, and roofs collapsed as the dragon clambered on top. From here, she could see the city walls and decided that a straight line was the best path.

She clawed her way across the rooftops, smashing homes and shops in her passing. Timber and plaster rained down into the streets as she crawled ever closer to the walls. When she finally found a street that went straight to them, she dared to climb down and pressed on. The walls loomed ahead but presented a new challenge for the frightened dragon. They were easily forty feet high and would be impossible to cross without her wings. She would have to use the gate, but it was shut, and ten men in metal armor barred her way. Each of them held an extremely long spear that ended in a sharp blade. They were ready and waiting as Lilly slowed to a crawl.

"I am going to have to put you down a moment," she said to the limp body slung over her arm. "Please, hold on. I just need some time to remove these fools from our path."



Thayle, Tavis, and Ayawa crept through the shadows of the abandoned town as they slowly approached the gates. They tested a few doors to discover they were locked. Shutters sealed most windows, and the merchants took time to cover market stalls with blankets. It left behind an eerie space that felt like it had been full of people moments before.

The sun was on its trip down the sky, and the shadows were lengthening. Ayawa said she heard more bells followed by a distant roar that faded away. As they got closer, Thayle began to hear the sound as well, like the chorus of a thousand voices, faint and distant. They kept off the main road, using allies and side streets to move ever closer to the city gates. When they finally came into view, Ayawa scouted them from the corner of a building and returned with the news.

"There are ten men at the gate. Two of them appear to be priests of Astikar. The rest are city watch armed with polearms," she said and paced in annoyance. "The gates are closed and barred."

"Why would they be closed?" Tavis asked.

"How should I know?" Ayawa retorted in irritation and looked at Thayle. "Are they typically so heavily guarded?"

"I should say not," Thayle replied. "I have never seen more than four men, and these are typically armed with swords."


"So they have sealed the city and tripled the guard," Tavis surmised. "They might still let somebody in using the wicket gate, but as I said before, they will recognize us for sure."

"They won't recognize me," Thayle said, standing up. "Well, the city guards might, but I come here all the time. They will assume I am here to buy more goods for the temple and nothing more. Those priests of Astikar won't have any reason to suspect I am here about Gerisus."

"She has a point," Tavis said with a nod of his head. "They won't have any idea she is anything but the local country priestess of Ulustrah. They might let her in, or at the very least, tell her why the gates are closed."

Ayawa nodded as she looked into Thayle's eyes. "You're right. What we need right now is more information. See if you can get them to tell you why the gates are closed and what is going on inside the city."

Thayle steadied herself to step out when there was a thunderous bang followed by screams and thumps. They peaked around the corner to see dust falling from the gates and the stonework around them.

"What in the merciful mother was that?" Ayawa asked as they watched in surprise.

The gates rattled again as the guards faced them with poles leveled. Slowly they backed away as the sounds inside the gate ceased.

"What are they doing?" Tavis asked in a whisper.

"Quiet," Ayawa whispered back as the men continued to move away from the gates.

"Are those gates turning white?" Thayle asked in alarm.

All three of them looked on in wonder as the dark wood gates began to fade. They were rapidly turning white as what appeared to be frost spread over their surface. The guards tensed and took a brave stance as the wood began to split and crack.

"It looks like ice," Tavis said, not believing what he was seeing.

Thayle realized in a heartbeat what that meant and looked to the others with a start.

"It must be her!" she shouted. "I must be Lilly!"

The guards turned at her sudden shout just as the gates exploded in a shower of wood and ice. Glowing blue eyes that burned with fire and hatred raced through the gates before the men could recover.

They watched in shock as a dragon with sky blue scales tore into the men like a wild animal. Her long muscular arms ended in deadly claws that cut through armor like paper. Her long serpent-like neck ended in jaws full of blood-soaked teeth. She shredded the men in seconds, seeming to savor the brutality of it.

"That must be Gersius's dragon," Tavis said in a staggering voice.

"He must have lost control. It is attacking the city," Ayawa replied as she took her bow in hand. They watched as the dragon cast the last lifeless body aside and then strangely darted back into the city.

"Why would it run back inside?" Tavis asked, not believing his eyes.

The dragon returned a moment later, barreling through the shattered gate while carrying something in one arm.

"It's going to pass right by us!" Tavis shouted as the best raced down the road.

"Wait until it's alongside us, then hit it with a bolt of Daghost," Ayawa instructed as she readied an arrow. "I will shoot for its eyes and take out the beast's sight."

"No!" Thayle cried as the two moved to execute the plan. "Something must have happened. Lilly isn't like this!"

"I thought you said you never saw the dragon," Ayawa barked as her eyes narrowed on Thayle.

"I didn't see her, well, not the real dragon. But, please! You have to trust me," Thayle begged.

"I don't trust liars," Ayawqa shouted and began to draw her bow.

Thayle felt her heart racing as the time to act drew to a close. She looked upon the dragon and tried to remember the gentlewoman who liked to dance. Ayawa leveled her bow to take aim as Tavis began a tone for his weave. It was now or never, and Thayle trembled as she did the only thing she could think to do. She ran into the street and rushed toward the charging dragon.

"What are you doing?" Tavis called, but it was too late.

"That woman has a death wish!" Ayawa added.

Thayle didn't look back as her gaze fixated on the bloody terror that was rapidly approaching. She ran headlong into that doom, casting her shield and weapon aside.

Lilly saw the rodent in green armor running down the street at her. She briefly considered how brave it was before deciding she would trample it. Then the rodent did something odd and threw its weapon and shield away. Lilly took a second look as the little creature threw up its arms and screamed out her name. She ground her feet into the mud, sliding to a halt with her head just a few steps from the trembling woman.

"Lilly! It's me! It's Thayle!" the woman cried.

Lilly saw the dark hair and angled eyes of the priestess from the little town. Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart leaped for joy. Thayle was a priestess who could heal, and right now, Gersius needed her help.

"Thayle!" Lilly called in joy as blue drops fell from her face. "You must help me; Gersius is hurt!" She shifted and held out the battered form she had been cradling in her arms for Thayle to see.

"Dear merciful Ulustrah," Thayle gasped when she saw the ravaged blood-soaked wretch lying unconscious over Lilly's arm. He looked like a corpse left for the crows, and his aura was already barely detectable as his life faded.

"Mercy is not something that his brothers understand," Lilly said as she laid him in the road.

Thayle fell at his side, unable to believe he was still alive. He was bruised everywhere and burned in places. The jagged edges of broken ribs grotesquely poked through his sides. His eyes were swollen shut and his wrists bound in leather straps. He looked as if somebody had staked him over afire and then stampeded a hundred horses over him.

"How did this happen?" Thayle gasped.

"This was his reward," Lilly replied. "Please, You must heal him!"

"He is so badly injured, and my order isn't gifted in healing," Thayle muttered. "I can men a little, but I will never be able to manage this."

"You must do something," Lilly pleaded.

"If I try to heal him here, I will run out of power long before I could save him," Thayle replied and looked up at Lilly. "We have to get him back to my temple. I have holy water and healing salves blessed by Ulustrah. If I use these as part of the healing, I am sure I could do much more."

"Then I will carry him," Lilly replied and reached to pick him up.

"No!" Thayle cried and stood in the way. "His ribs are broken, and he is bleeding internally. You will only aggravate the wounds by carrying him."

"You cannot carry him, priestess. He is too heavy for you," Lilly argued.

"Too heavy!" Tayle cried as an idea formed. "Tavis!" she yelled and turned about to see Tavis and Ayawa slowly crawl out from behind a building. The two looked at Lilly cautiously while Ayawa held her bow, ready to draw and fire.

Lilly growled with a frightening rumble; her blood-soaked teeth bared as the two stood ready to attack.

"Lilly, no!" Thayle shouted and stood in her way again. "They are friends of Gersius."

"Many of Gersius's so-called friends have done nothing but inflict pain and suffering," she growled in a voice that sounded like two speaking.

"Please, Lilly," Thayle begged. "You remember the letter he wrote? These are the people he sent it to. They came because he called them for help." Thayle swallowed as Lilly relaxed and looked down at her. She felt tiny compared to the scaled beast of violence that glared with fiery blue eyes. Her blood ran cold as Lilly exhaled a cloud of frost and mist as if trying to decide to believe her.

"Please. They can help me get him to the temple safely. I need them," Thayle begged.

Lilly stepped back, and Thayle trembled in relief. She turned to the others and quickly commanded Ayawa to put her bow away. The southern woman hesitated but slowly dropped her arm as Lilly glared, ready to attack.

"Tavis, I need your help, hurry," Thayle urged.

Tavis fought the gnawing fear and ran forward despite the deep desire to run the other way. He never took his eyes off of Lilly until he finally reached Thayle. When he looked down, he wished he hadn't because the threatening glare of a dragon was more pleasant than the sight of Gersius.

"By the divines," he muttered and dropped to his knees.

"We have to get him to my temple quickly. How light can you make him?" Thayle demanded.

Tavis stumbled on his words and glanced at the dragon leering from a few paces away.

"I. I. I suppose I can cancel most of his weight. He would be no heavier than a house cat."

"Good, then we just need something to lay him on," Thayle said and began to look around.

Lilly suddenly moved, reaching with a massive hand to claw at a nearby building. With a loud crunch, she tore the wooden door from the stonework like it was a toy.

"Will this do?" she asked as she laid it beside Gersius.

"That will do fine," Thayle said and went to lift Gerisus onto the door. When Tavis didn't' move, Thayle looked over to see his eyes locked on Lilly as he stood motionless. "Tavis," she barked, breaking the man from his paralyzing fear.

"Right," he replied and immediately helped get Gersius on the door. Once in place, Tavis began the dance of fingers for the weave they would need. He took up the low tone, carrying it higher and louder than before. His hands traveled in broader strokes, weaving a much larger pattern.

Thayle could see he was collecting more energy as his aura began to twist and contort. She bent over Gersius and dared a small prayer of mending to buy them some time to get him to the temple. Tavis began to swing his arms wide, blue light trailing behind his hands. He reached down and grabbed the door, the light flowing into it and Gersius.

"The weave is done. I have made him and the door as light as I can," he said while backing away.

"Then pick him up and go," Lilly urged. "We have little time. The black ones are pursuing me!"

Thayle didn't know who the black ones were but took the warning to heart. She threw her shield and weapon on the door with Gersius and lifted one end. She was grateful to discover that he was no heavier than a bundle of grain.


Quickly. Grab the other end and let's run back to the temple," Thayle commanded. Tavis nodded and grabbed the other end as the two began to hurry off.

"I will meet you there," Lilly called and turned about.

"What?" Thayle replied and turned about. "Where are you going?"

"I hid my coins in a barn nearby. I am going back to get them," she replied.

"Lilly, we don't' have time for this!" Thayle shouted, but Lilly thundered off, tearing the corner off a house as she rounded it.

"I will meet you there, priestess!" Lilly shouted as she ran down the street.

"If somebody is pursuing her, then we need to go before we are seen," Tavis said.

Ayawa came to the door and looked down at the broken man it bore. She frowned profoundly but quickly gathered her wits and took a look about.

"The dragon is leaving a trail any fool could follow. If we run now, they may not notice us while they follow her path."

Thayle nodded and started to run, with Tavis leading the way. Ayawa ran beside them, stealing pained glances at the man who lay unconscious. She dared to touch his hand as they reached the trees and struggled to keep her resolve as they raced down the road. When they finally arrived in Pinehollow, they abandoned all effort to be discreet and rushed directly to the temple.

"Quickly, put him here," Thayle instructed as they laid the door before the temple. She ran inside and returned a moment later with a large metal pitcher and a small ceramic jar.

"How can we help?" Tavis asked as he squatted beside her.

"You can't," Thayle replied and quickly set her items down. She bowed her head and prayed to Ulustrah, begging the goddess to grant this favor. She would use blessed water meant to heal crops on Gersius, hoping it would boost her meager skills. With the prayer complete, she slowly poured the water over his tortured skin, pausing to tip a little down his throat. The water made a sizzling noise as it washed over wounds, tinting the skin green with a faint light.

"What does that do?" Ayawa asked when they noted the strange color.

"My healing isn't like the priests of Astikar or Vellis," Thayle replied. "Mine is tied to nature, and like nature, it takes time. I don't heal a wound as much as I encourage the body to heal it itself."

"But you can heal directly? Right?" Ayawa asked in alarm.

"I can, but it is the most strenuous form of healing for order. I don't doubt that Gersius could heal most of this in a few moments, but I will be lucky to stop the internal bleeding. I am using the water and salve to try and help the healing so I can go beyond what my otherwise be my limits."

Ayawa nodded as Thale reached for the ceramic jar. She peeled back a wax lid to reveal a thick waxy paste into which she dipped two fingers. She quickly rubbed the paste over the burns and bruises, paying particular attention to holes and the swelling around his eyes.

"I normally use this to treat minor cuts and bug bites," she said as she worked. "It's made from the blessed water of my goddess and herbs that promote healing. It should help concentrate the healing on the worst of the wounds." When the task was done, she took a moment to look over the battered man. He was washed in holy water and oiled with healing paste; there was only one thing left to do. With folded hands, she uttered a prayer and then put those hands to his chest as she began to sing.

Focused on the healing as she was, his condition became more apparent. She paused in her song to relay information as the magic revealed the scope of his injuries.

"Some of these wounds are already too old for me to heal," she said as her power flowed.

"Please, priestess. You must try. Gersius can't die like this," Tavis pleaded.

"I can feel the magnitude of his injuries," Thayle cried. "His body is broken like an egg that has been trampled by a horse." She paused a moment as the golden glow spread across his skin, then gasped with a cry of, "Monsters!"

"What is it?" Tavis asked.

"Some of these wounds are layered. They must have been beating and then healing him so they could beat him again. They made him suffer injuries like this over and over," she answered.

Tavis looked at Ayawa, who had a look of murder in her usually stern eyes. She paced angrily and asked how those beasts could be followers of a God of mercy.

Thayle resumed her song and pressed on healing. The open holes where his ribs poked through were gone, and some of the bruising with it. Still, she could feel his need for more even as her muscles began to ache. She felt the dull sense of pain start to crawl across her skin as she channeled beyond her means.

"Ulustrah, please!" she begged as she pushed beyond the point of safety. Unfortunately, her order wasn't known for healing, and she would only be able to restore a fraction of his health. Still, she pushed on, desperate to make that fraction count. If she could stabilize him, the healing salve would have time to do its work.

Her body began to fight back, muscles twitching as her bones felt like they were on fire. A drop of blood fell from her nose, quickly followed by several more as she traded her health for his.

"Priestess?" Tavis cried in alarm as Thayle began to waiver.

Thayle started to cry out in pain but pressed on until, at last, she could stand no more. She fell away with hands shaking and was caught by Ayawa.

"You have done all you can, priestess," Ayawa said in a worried tone as she held Thayles twitching form. "You have done all you can."

"Now we wait and see if the fatal injuries are healed and let the nonfatal ones heal on their own," Tavis said as he looked at the man who still looked beaten. He removed his hat and nervously began to turn it slowly in his hands.

Ayawa helped Thayle sit up and braced her against the wall. She took a final look at Gersius and turned for the door.

"I will go find the dragon," she said. "You stay here and guard these two with your life. The priestess has overspent her power and won't be able to defend herself."

"I doubt there will be any trouble. Nobody knows we are here," Tavis pointed out.

"We just ran through that town like a bunch of mad fools. Every person on the street saw us," Ayawa pointed out. "If they run down the dragon and it doesn't have Gersius, they will search for him. If they send a patrol here, those people will tell them what they saw and send them right to the temple."

Tavis nodded in understanding. They might not be safe after all.

"I will bring the dragon close and hide it in one of the farms where no one will see it. I might need some time to double back and cover its tracks," Ayawa added.

Tavis nodded and assured her he would keep them safe. He planned to bring them both inside and use his magic to defend the narrow doorway if needs be. Ayawa stepped close and took his hand to hold it over her heart.

"Be safe, my love," she said and then, without another word, ran like the wind for the road to Whiteford.

Tavis watched her go for just a moment, then turned to Thayle with a funny look.

"So, the dragon's name is Lilly?

---

The sun was low in the sky when Lilly reached the barn where she had hidden the packs. With little regard, she smashed through a fence and snapped a tree to begin digging at the barn's roof. Peeling the thatch away, she opened a hole to the rafters that supported the roof. The packs were right where she left them, hidden high up, where only a dragon could reach. Grabbing them both, she slung them over one arm and made ready to run back when a sound caught her attention. It was a group of horses coming down the road carrying with them the man she hated most.

"There!" Dellain shouted to the host of priests that charged down the road.

Lilly lunged over the barn and tore off across the back fields scattering fences and animals in her wake. She cared little for anything but her escape and barreled through obstacles instead of going around. At least the loss of her wings allowed her to run and put her long legs to use. However, she hadn't escaped the city unharmed, and a shooting pain in her leg reminded her of the spear. The wound was deep into the muscle, and it hurt with every step. She also ached from the repeated magical hammers that left patches of scales bare and bleeding. Her body was battered and fading. She would need to rest soon and have a good long sleep. She glanced back and saw them charging after her, easily following the path she was clearing through the countryside.

"I need my wings!" she cried as she longed to take to the sky. Cresting the top of the hill, she had a sudden burst of inspiration. Dashing to the bottom, she took a deep breath and coated the slope with ice before running on. When the lead horses came over, they slipped on the icy surface and tumbled down the slope. She laughed to see a half dozen of the priests toppled in her trap.

Dellain managed to stop his horse in time and led the remaining men around the icy patch. Lilly ran on, tearing across the open ground and racing for the trees in the distance. If she could reach the trees, she might be able to escape. She could topple them behind her and create an impassible barrier for the horses. She glanced over her back to see the men were still in pursuit and gaining on her. She knew she was faster than a horse, but the injuries were slowing her down.

Lilly struggled to remain calm, her gaze fixated on the trees. She began to regret her decision to not go with the others and wondered if her greed had doomed her. For the sake of a small pile of coins, she might very well be caught again. She doubted they would allow her to escape a second time if they allowed her to live at all. Terrified, she wished Gersius were here to protect her and tell her what to do.

The trees were growing closer, but the pain in her leg was intensifying. She realized the spear point was broken off in her leg. Now every step was making the wound worse and slowing her down. The pain was becoming intolerable, but her fear drove her on. She ran past a tall pine tree and reached out a massive arm. She pulled it over, toppling it behind her with a crash to throw off the pursuing horses. She heard men curse and shout s they were forced to go around it and realized they must be close.

An orange flash sailed over her head as another struck her back. They were close enough to strike at her and would quickly multiply her wounds. There was no way she was going to reach the trees with them pummeling her the whole way. In a panic, she whipped around in a wild attack, breathing a cone of freezing ice in a wide arc. Two riders fell from horses as the animals partially froze. Three others were forced to veer off or face the same fate. Still, many more went around and kept coming: the hated Dellain among them. There were too many to fight, and her strength was waning, but she was never going to reach the trees.

She lunged, diving into the largest pack, hoping the surprise would throw them off. The trained men simply veered away and struck out with the weapons they had to hand. A sword glanced off one leg, but a spear caught her in the shoulder. She roared in pain and stumbled away, grasping at the offending weapon. Careful to ensure she had the tip this time, she tore it away and dashed off in a stagger to reach the trees. The riders were scattered, but they would quickly recover and be on her tail.

Four of them were already coming in fast; long spears leveled to skewer her. A stranger zipping noise went past Lilly's head, and one of the horses stumbled, topping its rider. She leaped over a rock, but the strain aggravated the wounds and caused her to stumble. She heard a second strange noise, and another horse went down, leaving only two men in pursuit.

Lilly ran for a second pine tree and, this time, stopped to grab it with both hands. She tore it from the ground and swung it like a club battering the two remaining horses and throwing their riders into the dirt. Unfortunately, her victory was short-lived as a dozen more remained, and they were closing on her rapidly. She dropped the weapon and lurched off, crying out in pain as her wounds began to catch up to her.

"Close in! The beast is wearing down!" Dellain shouted, spurring her on in fear.

There was a sudden chain of whistling sounds as horses screamed and men fell for no apparent reason.

"Arrows!" a man shouted from someplace behind, but Lilly never looked back.

"It's the red wench!" Deallin shouted as he tried to keep his men moving. Another arrow caught his horse in the shoulder, causing the animal to rear up and throw him from the saddle.

"Keep running!" Lilly heard a woman say from somewhere unseen. She struggled to push forward, stumbling the last few steps into the safety of the trees.

Dellain's men regrouped with shields raised as he picked himself off the ground. With an angry glare, he scanned the distant tree line to see the dragon smash into the growth.

"My lord, do we pursue?" asked one of the riders who waited nearby.

Dellain watched as Lilly vanished into the forest and weighed his options. The dragon was hurt, slowing, and leaving a trail a blind man could follow. The real danger now was that Ayawa was here somewhere, and her marksmanship was legendary.

"Mathius!" Dellain shouted as he went to his horse to get his shield. "Gather the men who can still walk and dismount. We will go after it on foot with shields raised."

"Yes, My Lord, but what about the archer?" Mathius asked.

"The wench can fire for the horses, but she can't breach our shields. We move in a column formation and be ready to deal with weaves," he replied as he strapped the shield to his arm. He knew that if Ayawa was here, Tavis was certain to be nearby. He was a weaver of modest ability, but rumor had it he was far more powerful than he let on. There was a story of a whole town being destroyed in a firestorm and the weaver in a black hat who cackled as it burned.

"And how do we catch the dragon without horses?" Mathius asked.

"The dragon is wounded and slowing down. It won't go another mile in that dense growth before it has to stop. All we have to do is follow the trail and recollect it," Dellain explained.

"Aye, my lord," Mathius said with a salute before ordering the men to dismount.

Dellain looked to the distant trees with a scowl. He was angry now and wanted to visit that anger on his dragon. When he got his hands on it, he was going to make it sing until its throat bled.

 

[omnixius]

Lilly ran for her life, wildly dashing through a forest of tall, slender trees. Most were supple pines with dense needle-coated branches. Others were birch with white paper-like bark that peeled in places. The forest floor was a bed of needles and ferns, dotted by pine cones and hardy flowers. The trunks of fallen trees were scattered about, long since covered in carpets of green moss. It was a quiet place of stillness and mystery where time seemed to flow at but a trickle.

Lilly thundered through it all, snapping slender trees like twigs and bending the larger ones as they bounced off her hide. Where her clawed feet touched the ground, she tore the earth, heaving clouds of ferns and needles into the air behind her.

She pushed on in a reckless panic, heedless of what was in her way. The only goal was to escape, and she was too tired to choose a careful path. As a result, the battering of trunks was taking its toll, and she could not keep up the pace. Every collision was battering her body and forcing her to work harder to maintain the frantic pace. Her body ached from head to tail and bled from a hundred wounds. She found it difficult to catch her breath and heaved for air as she collided with yet another tree. It fell over in a great crash as she stumbled on, her left leg alive with pain where the spear point continued to do damage.

Eventually, the race was run, and Lilly could go no further. She wobbled on her legs, staggering a final few paces before collapsing into the ferns. Finally, calm returned to the forest as a dragon lay shaking and bleeding as her chest heaved for breath.

With panicked tears, she lamented why she was here, calling herself a fool. She should have run straight out and gotten as far away from the city as she could. She should have gone with Thayle and the others and headed straight away. But greed and dragon lust got the better of her, and she took a foolish risk. For a pathetic sack of coins, she separated from the others and stayed close to the city. She risked being recaptured for a nearly insignificant amount of gold. What were a few handfuls of coins worth in comparison to a life of slavery and torment? It made sense now that she had failed but at the moment, having those coins back was all that mattered.

Lilly knew she had to keep going and struggled to get up. However, the moment she put pressure on the leg, she knew it was futile. The spear point had dug deeper with every step, and now that her shock and panic were abating, she could feel just how much damage it had done. She would go no further, and those men would be here soon. Dellain would arrive with whips to teach Lilly a new lesson in suffering and pain. That thought alone drove her to claw at the earth, desperate to drag herself away.

Nearly blind with panic and tears, Lilly almost didn't notice the approaching woman. It was the same woman that Thayle told to put away her bow. That black bow was in her hands once again as she stepped through the foliage while hardly rustling a leaf. Her face looked determined with a firm gaze watching Lilly's every move. Lilly was surprised to see the color of this woman's skin; its reddish hue was very different from Gersius's tan. She had dark hair like Thayle, but it was twisted and tied in a long rope. The strange woman approached silently and put up her hands to show Lilly she did not intend to use the bow.

"You're the one Gerisus calls Lilly?" the woman asked from a safe distance.

"Yes. My name is Lilly," she replied between deep breaths.

"Then you are the dragon Gersius speaks of. The one he calls his friend?" the woman added.

Lilly heard the words but found it hard to think them through. She concluded that Gersius must have told them she was a friend in the letter. That seemed odd considering their relationship, but Lilly didn't have the strength to puzzle it out. She let her head fall to the forest floor and closed her eyes as she weakly replied that yes, she was his friend.

"Then you must get up!" Ayawa insisted. "They are coming, and you have a trail of destruction that even a child could follow. They will be here in half an hour at most."

Lilly understood, and the despair inside rose with every word. She wanted to get up and run, but her leg wasn't going to carry her. So long as that spear point was buried inside, every step would be a torment.

"I can't get up," Lilly panted. "There is a spear point buried in my leg, and I can't stand on it any longer. I need you to pull it out so it can't cause any more harm." She struggled to twist and roll to one side, so the leg was presented to the red-skinned woman. "Please, It has to come out."

Ayawa flinched as Lilly moved and held up a clawed foot with fingers long enough to wrap around her body. She never dreamed she would see a dragon, let alone be close enough to touch one. Ayawa was struck at how out of place the dragon was in the green of the forest. Her scales were blue with white tips resembling a piece of the sky.

"I am no healer," Ayawa said as she dared to lean closer. "You have to get up and follow me. I will take you closer to the temple. Maybe the priestess can do something for you."

"I can run no further while that thing is in my leg," Lilly sobbed. "You have to get it out or leave me. They will be here soon."

Ayawa nodded and crept slowly toward the bleeding leg. She followed the flow of blood to a gaping wound of red flesh.

"I see the wound," she said as her stomach turned. It was a hole as big around as her fist, exposing the flesh inside and awash with blood. She leaned over the terrible wound and looked to see if the point was visible. All she saw was flesh and blood, the point buried deep inside.

"Can you get it?" Lilly asked as the woman put a hand on Lilly's leg.

"I do not know yet," Ayawa said. "I will try, but I warn you, this is going to hurt, and you may not be able to walk even after it is out."

"Just get it out. Let me worry about walking," Lilly groaned.

Ayawa was no stranger to combat injuries, but this was a dragon, and the wound was deep. She would have to open the wound and search for the offending weapon causing terrible pain. With time running out, she grabbed with both hands and pulled the wound apart as Lilly cried out. Blood gushed up from deep below, but Ayawa still couldn't see the spear point. With a jaw locked in determination, she reached a hand into the hole and began to feel for the weapon.

Lilly twitched as she cried, the pressure causing the pain to rise. Ayawa plunged her hand deep into the hole, amazed at how far it went. Finally, she felt something solid and grabbed at it with her fingertips. Lilly howled and dug her clawed hands into the ground as Ayawa began to pull. It took a few moments, but she was able to tear it free and quickly discarded it. She had to step back as blood poured from the wound with renewed vigor, and the dragon curled around to press a hand over it.

"The point is out. Now get up before they catch us both," the southern woman insisted.

Lilly took a few moments to breathe, then twisted her long neck so she could look at the strange woman. She had blue tears dripping from scaled cheeks as she nodded in agreement.

"I can't go on like this," she said and released her leg so she could take two packs off her other arm. "Here, take these." She dropped the packs at Ayawa's feet and went back to clutching her leg. "Now. Stand back. I need more room."

Ayawa didn't understand, but she did as the dragon instructed. She took up the packs and took a dozen steps away. As she did, a white mist appeared to drift over the dragon's skin. In two blinks of an eye, it became so thick it started to obscure her form, then suddenly it grew into a swirling mass of white clouds. It was like a storm that suddenly flashed with lightning so bright it stung Ayawa's eyes, forcing her to look away. When her vision cleared, she could see something moving in the mist. It was no longer swirling and rapidly thinned as the form inside stepped out.

Ayawa was dumbstruck by the sight of a naked woman. She was tall and slender with flowing silver-blue hair that fell down her back in a straight drape. She was pale as snow but had the most striking blue eyes that glowed with light and burned like fire. She staggered a few paces then collapsed in a heap, her tears falling like rain.

"Lilly?"Ayawa asked as she rushed to the woman's side.

"Help me get to my feet," Lilly begged. "I can walk. Please, I can walk."

Ayawa wasn't so sure as she gazed at the mysterious woman. The body may have changed, but the wounds carried over. Lilly was a patchwork of bruises and welts. She was cut in a dozen places and bore a terrible bleeding wound on her left leg. Her right shoulder had a second smaller puncture and around both ankles and wrists were dark rings where skin appeared to be burned. Blood trickled from half a dozen bruises on her head, matting her hair and running down her back. Here, Ayawa noticed the strange blue tattoos of woven lines that ran down her shoulders but stopped as they curved toward Lilly's back.

Ayawa went to help her up, but Lilly cried out in pain when she stood on the leg.

"You won't walk another twenty feet!" Ayawa growled and set her down. "And you will bleed to death long before we reach the temple."

"I can walk!" Lilly cried. "I promised him I could walk."

Ayawa knew Lilly's leg wouldn't support her weight, and she was losing too much blood to be moved. She quickly threw down the packs and began to ransack through them.
"This looks like Gersius's stuff," she commented.

"It is," Lilly cried. "It's his pack and mine."

"Fool man. Why do you carry nothing useful?" she cursed as she turned the contents upside down. She finally found something useful and yanked a leather belt out of the pack. She turned to Lilly and commanded her to hold still as she wrapped it around the leg four times. Her plan was simple. She would tighten the straps over the wound and compress it, slowly the bleeding and buying them time. Then, with a warning that it was going to hurt, she pulled, causing Lilly to cry. Ayawa tied the belt off as Lilly beat her hands on the forest floor. The belt was so tight it dug into the leg, but the pressure was necessary.

"This will slow the bleeding and give you more stability, but you should avoid putting any pressure on that leg. I will support you and get you to the priestess who can do more," Ayawa said as she leaned back.

Ayawa carefully pulled Lilly up by the arm and braced herself under the shoulder. She needed to carry as much of Lilly's weight as possible and get the wounded woman moving. With the other hand, she grabbed at the packs, slinging them over her shoulder as she grunted under the weight.

"Now walk with me," she commanded. "If we can get far enough away, they may lose the trail."

Lilly nodded, and both women struggled to move, staggering away slowly. They stumbled many times but soon found a rhythm that allowed them to make decent progress. Moving as quickly as she dared, Ayawa steered the dragon woman through the trees to avoid leaving a trail. She groaned under the weight of both the woman and the two packs that seemed unnaturally heavy. They were barely a hundred feet away when she heard a man call out orders to keep looking.

"We are not moving fast enough," Ayawa growled as she shifted the heavy packs. "Your pack weighs twice what Gesius's does. What do you have inside it? Stones?"

"My hoard," Lilly said weakly.

"Your hoard?" Ayawa replied and dropped to one knee to set the packs down. She threw the flap open with one arm and began to fish around inside. There was a small sword strapped to the side, but inside were two dresses, some tattered shoes, and a pair of sturdy boots. She tossed all this to the side to finally discover what was weighing the pack down.

"Your bag is weighted down with coins. We need to leave it behind," Ayawa said.

"No!" Lilly cried and reached for the pack with a wounded arm.

Ayawa flinched and looked about, wondering if that outburst had been heard. She battled to grab hold of the desperate woman and yanked her hand away.

"Your life isn't worth the coins, you foolish girl," she whispered loudly as another distant shout signaled how close the pursing knights were.

"I am not a foolish girl," Lilly cried. "I am a dragon, and I can't lose my hoard a second time. Please, we can't leave it behind."

Ayawa looked into Lilly's eyes to see the desperate fear and need. She realized that Lilly would rather risk being captured than lose these coins. If she tried to drag her away without the bag, the woman would probably scream out, and they would be detected for sure.

"Fine," she said, her voice dripping with anger. "I will carry them, but hey will slow us down." she sat Lilly down and quickly fished out the boots, rapidly slipping them over Lilly's feet. "At least we can make it lighter, and you may be able to travel faster with boots on." She tied the straps as quickly as she could, ever alert for the men that were pursuing them. "When we are a safe distance away, I will get you dressed," she added and quickly pulled Lilly back up.

Lilly groaned as her wounds shifted but quickly fell into the motion of walking. The two women hurried on with Ayawa bearing all the weight and trying not to leave a trail. It was all she could do to keep up a slow pace as they stumbled through the woods hoping it was fast enough.

---

Tavis dragged Gersius into the temple as gently as he could. Thayle didn't want to take the risk of dragging him down a long hall, so insisted he be put in the main temple space.

It was a simple temple made of local stone and stout oaken beams. The main room was longer than it was wide and sparsely furnished with four wooden pews. Its polished stone floor was impeccably clean, and the walls appeared freshly limed. There were no windows, but a beam of sunlight came through a hole in the ceiling. Vines grew along the wall where the sunlight descended into a small silver bowl. Roots from plants growing above hung through the hole to dangle over the silver bowl. They glistened with moisture, and now and then, a single drop of water fell into the basin below. It was a kind of shrine to the goddess of love and harvest, and even Tavis could feel a presence here.

A smooth stone altar carved from granite was at the far end of the room. The altar's surface was artfully etched with the head of a doe and patterns of flowers. Behind it hung two green tapestries depicting scenes of simple people at work harvesting crops.

Gersius was laid before the altar, and Thayle knelt beside him, gently caressing his hand. She was still exhausted from overhealing but determined to keep watch on his health.

"This room is so dark. How do you do anything in here?" Tavis asked as he stepped back.

Thayle took a deep breath and then uttered a word of command. Small blue orbs of what appeared to be water flickered into life along the walls. There were a dozen on each size, each the size of a chicken's egg. As he watched in amazement, the balls began to give off a shimmering white light, filling the room with a warm color.

"Now that is impressive," he said while moving close to inspect one of the lights. "How did you make these?"

"I didn't make them," Thayle said weakly. "This temple has seen nearly ten generations of my order. Those were made by a priestess long before I got here."

"They must be a weave then," Tavis said as he walked around one of the lights. "Blessings are only temporary. It takes a strong weave to create a magic that lasts for many years."

"There are lots of holy items that the divines have blessed to last," Thayle argued.

"Yes, great artifacts of power delivered in times of dire need," Tavis agreed and gave up his investigation of the light. He turned about and moved closer to Thayle as he pondered some of the items. Let's see, Vellis gave his priests the horn of storms to turn the Alunic seas into a raging tempest."

"To sink the invading fleets from Zhamora," Thayle said.

"Correct," Tavis replied and continued. "Astikar gave his priests the sword of mercy to battle the giants in the time of troubles. Gorrin gave his followers the silver hammer to enchant an armies worth of magic shields, and –," Tavis paused as he tried to recall the next one. "Who was the one with the dragon sword?"

"Balisha," Thayle said. "Though most people don't believe she exists."

"Right," Tavis agreed as he considered the obscure goddess. "She created the fang blade and gave it to the first dragon knight."

"Is there some point to all this?" Thayle asked.

Tavis smiled and pointed to a nearby water light. "Your goddess has gifted you the watery ball of light."

Thayle glared at him with contempt and wondered if she had the strength to make him repent.

"You know, I am pretty sure I can take away fertility as well as grant it," she threatened.

Tavis smiled wide and dipped in a low bow with a flourish of his hand. "If only I had met you sooner. You could have saved me much trouble in my youth."

Thayle's mouth fell open in shock at how easily he toyed with such a situation. She was doubly disturbed when his aura pulsed with white light, indicating that he was telling the truth.

"You're a scoundrel," she sighed and looked away.

"Maybe I was, but I am a married man now," he replied and tipped his hat low before walking for the open door. "I am going to stand watch outside. Call if you need something or anything changes with Gersius."

Thayle was grateful to see that pulsed with truth as well. Whatever his past, he was committed to the southern woman and would not betray her trust. She told him to go and assured him that she would stay beside Gersius.

Thayle turned her attention to Gersius and once again took up his hand. His breathing was slow but steady, and every so often, his face would twitch. His eyes were still swollen, but some of the burns and welts on his chest appeared to be improved. With any luck, her healing salve was speeding the body's natural processes along and would help him recover in weeks instead of months.

Still, many of the wounds were inside, and these were by far the worst. As the magic of the healing joined them in the flow of the divine, it allowed her to feel the true depth of his injuries. To say what had been done to him was cruel hardly began to describe it. That healing power was used to torture a man to death over and over made her sick. He was broken in so many ways that she couldn't tell them apart, and many of the wounds were already too old. She could feel the body's need as it cried out for more healing, desperate for help. She held as long as she could until her own body began to bleed in protest. There was a risk to channeling divine power, and every priest knew their limits. A divine could give you all you wanted, but there was a point when the petitioner simply couldn't contain anymore. To push beyond those boundaries came with sacrifice, often pulling at the priest's own soul to maintain the link. Thayle had done all she could, even trading a small portion of her health to give to him. With the task done, now all they could do was wait.

She had no further power to give, but still, she cupped a hand between her own and recited a prayer. She called to Ulustrah to consider this man called Gersius, and in her grace, find him worthy. Perhaps she would see something worth saving in him and grant a special blessing.

Tavis stood just outside the temple using the vantage point of the hill to study the small town. It was hardly more than a dozen buildings nestled along one muddy lane. It had the basics of any town with a smith and a couple of small shops. There was a plaza where a few merchants sold produce out of the backs of hand carts. One building acted as a small inn but didn't have private rooms or hot meals. As he watched, the people below went about their business, and nobody seemed at all interested in the temple.

The sun was low, and the people slowly settled in for the night. Most of them lived on small farms tucked about the town in a random fashion. The town probably served as a hub to connect the farms to the main road. Here they would take the bulk of their produce to market in the city of Whiteford, plying the much larger population for coin.

"Let's hope the night remains calm," Tavis whispered as he turned to watch the main road. He knew if trouble did arrive, it would come from the road, so he focused his attention there. It was behind a stand of tall cedars but still visible to careful inspection. Despite that, he decided to enhance his vigil and put a weave to use and watch more carefully.

Taking a careful seat on the ground, Tavis crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He fell into a clear mind as the sound he was searching for came to his lips. It was a simple spell that anyone could do with a little practice. The trick was maintaining the focus needed long enough to be useful. Hands danced in a gentle pattern as his focus narrowed to the humming sound finally forming the weave.

Through closed eyes, he saw light as his vision was projected into a magical lens. With careful practice, the magic eye drifted through the air, passing over the town and into the trees. He pressed the sight forward, reaching the broad road that went to Whitford, and began to follow it back.

"Where are you, Ayawa?" he dared to think as his mind wandered for just a moment. It caused the vision to fade, but he quickly regained focus, and the sight snapped back to clarity. Slowly he pushed the magical sight forward, searching the forest road for any sign of his wife.

Minutes passed, and he was pressing the limits of his range. He was a skilled weaver but a far cry from the old masters. The Cellic people were known for their affinity for weaving and well trained in several schools. Tavis had a broad knowledge of these schools but had a knack for one in particular. It was part of his people's ancient heritage, but critical portions of the knowledge had been lost thanks to wars and upheaval. Now it was too dangerous to use except in the most crucial circumstances. The level of concentration is required to use safely was something most could not attain. Certain safeguards were put into place to compensate for the lack of knowledge, but he had long since used these up. Because of this, he resorted to weapons over weaves in battle, favoring short blades and throwing knives. He still used utility weaves and some basic attacks, but the true strength that burned in his soul was too dangerous to let out.

He focused on the task at hand and pushed his sight further, going beyond a mile when he finally found her. Ayawa was struggling down the road with a strange silver-haired woman. It was clear that Ayawa was supporting the woman who was nearly limp at her side. Tavis realized they needed help and let the weave go to return to his senses. Quickly he scrambled to his feet and ran inside to find Thayle wiping Gersius's face with a damp cloth.

"Ayawa is on the road dragging an injured girl with her," he reported

Thayle looked up in alarm and demanded to know if the woman had long blue hair. Tavis said it looked silver to him, but Thayle amended the color to silver-blue.

"How did you know what color it was?" he asked in surprise.

"Because that's Lilly," Thayle replied while struggling to get up. "We have to out and get them."

"I thought Lilly was the dragon?" he replied in confusion and went to help her up.

"Lilly is the dragon," Thayle insisted as she came to her feet and nearly fell back over.

"Then who is the girl with Ayawa?" he asked in confusion.

"That's Lilly," she replied and slumped back to the floor.

"Why does talking to women always leave me confused?" Tavis asked while shaking his head. He couldn't understand how the dragon and this woman were both Lilly, but he didn't care. Thayle insisted on being helped up again, but he denied her.

"You can hardly stand," he pointed out. "You need to stay here and watch Gersius. I will go get them and bring them back."

"Bring them straight here," Thayle said in defeat.

Tavis nodded and ran out the door, rushing down the hill as fast as his feet would carry him. He was through the town and onto the road in less than a minute as he sprinted away. The weave of lightness had long since worn off, and he was out of breath when he finally reached them.

"I see you decided to hunt something smaller," he joked as he arrived and was finally able to see the mysterious woman up close. Her hair was a silver-blue, and she wore a traveling dress of browns and greens that looked like it had been hastily put on.

Ayawa didn't laugh as she glared at him with a look of anguish. Instead, she swung her arm, barely managing to toss two packs a single foot away.

"Take these damn packs!" she growled through gritted teeth. "If ever I needed you around to make something lighter."

Tavis did as she instructed and hoisted the packs immediately, noting how heavy one of them was.

"Did you stop to put rocks in this one?" he asked as he came to Lilly's free arm and helped support her.

"It's full of coins," Ayawa snarled. "I am so grateful to be rid of them."

"If it was this heavy, why didn't you leave it behind?" he asked.

"No!" Lilly cried, showing some sign of life for the first time.

"That's why," Ayawa replied and adjusted her shoulder. "She can't walk at all. Help me get her back so we can lay her down."

"Why can't she walk?" Tavis asked. Ayawa reached down and pulled the hem of Lilly's dress up. Tavis saw the leather straps tied tight around a leg that was turning purple. He could see the trails of blood leaking through from what must be a terrible wound underneath.

"Stop. Hold her up a second," he said once he saw the wound.

"What are you doing?" Ayawa asked as he set the packs down as well.

"Let me make her lighter so she can be carried," he said. "That binding isn't going to last much longer." He quickly worked his weave and touched Lilly, reducing her weight as Ayawa sighed in relief. She cradled the crippled women in both arms as Tavis took up the packs and escorted them back.

"So, did you find the dragon?" he asked as they hurried along.

"This is the dragon," Ayawa replied with a glance his way.

Tavis nearly tripped and had to hurry to keep pace as Ayawa pressed on.

"How is this the dragon?" he demanded as he tried to take a closer look at her.

"She did it herself. Some king of dragon magic," Ayawa replied.

"Tavis had a look of genuine shock on his face but dared another question. "So she can change forms like your people used to?"

"This is nothing like my people," Ayawa snapped as the town came into view.

"If this woman was a dragon, then she has used some power very similar to what your people once did," he pressed, unwilling to let it go.

"We don't have time to discuss this," Ayawa growled. "Our friend Dellain was chasing her across the countryside when I found them. He very nearly ran her down outside the forest."

"We knew Dellain would be involved in this," Tavis said with a sigh.

"How that butcher has remained a priest of Astikar amazes me," Ayawa replied as they turned into the town.

"Gersius knew this was going to happen, or at least he suspected," Tavis said. "That explains why he was so insistent we disappear if we didn't get word. He wanted to make sure we were long gone before Dellain came looking."

"It's hard to say what Gersius knew," Ayawa retorted. "But I would love to kill that bastard, Dellain. "I almost had my chance at the forest's edge, but he was in full armor. I had to shoot his horse out from under him to slow them down, or she would have been caught for sure."

Tavis nodded and looked to the woman in Ayawa's arms, noting the blood that dripped from her face.

"How badly is she hurt?" he asked.

"She had been beaten to a pulp and run ragged. She was so panic-stricken she crashed through every tree in her path, absorbing the blows. There is a hole in one shoulder and a wound in a leg that goes nearly all the way through. I am afraid she has lost a lot of blood, and I did not have the time to stop all the bleeding."

Tavis nodded but pointed out that Priestess Thayle would not be recovered enough to perform another healing. Ayawa nodded in agreement and said that the holy waters would have to be enough. Thayle could wash the wounds and dress them before laying her next to Gersius to heal.

When they reached the temple, Tavis helped carry Lilly inside, laying her next to the man who was still unconscious. Thayle went to work quickly, applying her healing salve to cuts and bruises. As she worked, Lilly stirred with a weak smile. She tried to reach up and touch Thayle's face as she asked how Gersius was.,

"He's fine," Thaye said softly as she took Lilly's hand to give it a reassuring rub. "He just needs to sleep, and so do you."

Lilly nodded and practically went limp as she slipped into blackness.

"What in the heavens happened to her?" Thayle asked as she continued to work. "She didn't look half this bad on the road."

"A priest of Astikar named Dellain happened to her," Ayawa replied. "He's a monster of a man, and his knights were right on her heels when I find her."

Thayle struggled not to cry as she moved down, finally coming to the wounded leg. She loosened the straps to a torrent of blood and quickly pressed her hands to the wound.

"Hand me the silver bowl on the wall!" she cried and gestured with her head.

"The one that's part of the shrine?" Tavis asked as he stepped closer to it.

"Yes, that one. Hurry! I can't take my hands away for long," Thayle urged.

"I got it," Tavis replied and rushed to the bowl. He carefully picked it up, noting that it was cool to the touch and filled with clear water. He carried to Thayle carefully and set it beside her legs.

"This is how we get our holy water," Thayle said as she dared to take her hands away and pick up the bowl. "The plants that grow on the temple are blessed, and their blessing drips from their roots into the basin. It slowly collects and grows in potency, becoming one of our greatest strengths."

"And this can help?" Ayawa asked.

"We use it to heal plants and sick crops to ensure a good harvest," Thayle replied. "Anything fed by the blessed water grows more quickly and with great health." She poured some water onto Lilly's leg, causing the blood to wash away. The wound clouded over with a bubbling green foam as Lilly let out a slight cry. She asked Tavis to hold her head up and tipped the bowl to Lilly's lips. She poured a small amount down Lilly's throat then went back to work.

"Will this water work for people, I mean her?" Ayawa asked as Lilly lay still.

"I don't know," Thayle replied and set the bowl aside.

"Her leg is still bleeding," Tavis pointed out as the blood mixed with the green foam.

"The wound is too serious; the water isn't going to be enough," Thayle said and pointed to the hall in the back. "There is a closet at the end of the hall. Inside you will find a basket that I need you to bring to me. It is full of bandages soaked in the healing pastes and a binding agent. Maybe I can dress the wound firmly enough to stop the bleeding and give the magic more time to work."

Tavis ran off and returned a moment later with the basket allowing Thayle to get to work. She packed the wound with a bundle of cloth then wrapped her leg firmly with another. She used several wraps to layer them over the wound as the first one began to bleed through. As a final measure, she took up the leather belt and carefully used it to apply pressure. Lilly stirred as it tightened, calling out for just a moment as Thayle pulled. She hated to see the poor dragon in pain, but the bleeding had to stop.

When that was finally dressed, she turned her attention to the hole in Lilly's shoulder. One by one, she packed and wrapped injuries until, at long last, Lilly was no longer bleeding. Thayle looked down at the woman, who was a patchwork of bruises and bandages, silently praying it was enough.

"Will she be alright?" Tavis asked when Thayle finally rested.

"Her aura is faint but not fading. She should be fine so long as we give her enough time to rest." She stroked Lilly's head as her eyes fixated on the light that surrounded the dragon. With relief, she noted the tiny flashes of green that danced around the edges indicating that magical healing was indeed taking place. Her eyes looked lower to where the strange red chain ran between her and Gersius. She had no idea what it meant but was sure it was significant. Thayle held her breath in shock as a tiny speck of light broke away from Lilly's aura and drifted to Gersius. There was a second speck, then a third as more light reached for the man beside her. Lilly stirred and looked up with intense blue eyes before looking at him. She fumbled for his hand and blended her fingers with his as her eyes shut again. Thayle gasped in shock as Lilly's light flared with life and began to tear away in ripples, drifting to Gersius. She looked to Tavis and Ayawa with a blank expression, unsure of what to say.

"Is something wrong?"Ayawa asked when they noticed the expression.

"No," Tayle said and looked at the two people holding hands. She smiled at the display of light and had to wipe a tear from her eye. "Everything is fine. There are blankets in that same cupboard. Could you bring them to me? I want to make them more comfortable."

"I will get them," Tavis volunteered and hurried off.

Thayle noticed Ayawa intently studying her and tried not to meet her gaze. She had a stern look on her face as if she was deep in thought trying to solve a puzzle. Thayle realized that she was a part of that puzzle and avoided giving her the pretext to ask questions. Tavis returned with an arm full of woolen blankets and helped Thayle cushion their heads and cover them up. When the work was done, she struggled to her feet and sat in the closest pew to keep watch. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the display of light as flowed from the dragon to the man.

"There is something I need to know," Ayawa said as she approached, forcing Thayle to give up watching. "How did you know the dragon was Lilly?"

Thayle let out a sigh and turned to the proud southern warrior maiden. Many things had gone on that needed explaining, and Ayawa was not a patient woman.

"This is the form she was in when they came to my temple," Thayle replied. "This is the woman I know as Lilly."

"So you never saw the dragon form?" Ayawa asked. Thayle shook her head no, but that only prompted the next question. "Then how did you know the dragon outside the city was her? For that matter, how did you know she was a dragon at all?"

"I can see her aura," Thayle replied. "I can see the aura of all living things if they are close enough."

"You mentioned her aura was weak but not fading," Ayawa said with a nod. "But how did that tell you she was a dragon?"

"Lilly's aura is different," Thayle said as she closed her eyes. "I knew the woman I met wasn't human the moment her light came into view. It is much brighter, and there is a shadowy image of her true self floating just over her head. I could see the dragon's face as clearly as I can see yours now. I told Gersius about what I saw, and he confirmed that Lilly was a dragon."

"So this aura surrounds all living things?" Ayawa asked.

"Plants have a very weak aura's, but animals are much brighter," Thayle replied.

"Then you can see my aura?" Ayawa pressed.

Thayle nodded and replied. "I can see your aura, Tavis's aura, and the aura of the small mouse hiding in the back corner."

Ayawa followed her gaze to study a dark corner. Sure enough, a small mouse scurried out and vanished through a crack in the wall.

"I am sorry I called you a liar," Ayawa relented. "I couldn't understand why you said you hadn't seen the dragon."

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Thayle said as she felt exhausted. "I could have explained it better, but we didn't have the time." Her eyes closed as her head nodded in the coils of needed sleep.

"Rest priestess," Ayawa urged. "We will talk more in the morning."

 

[omnixius]

The dreary room was poorly lit by a single tall window that let in little light. Its walls were bare and contained nothing but an old table and two wooden chairs. It was a fitting place for the man whose mood matched the surroundings as he glared across the table at Dellain.

"So you let them get away?" the Father Abbot asked with all the scorn of a disapproving father.

"I didn't let anything get away," Dellain replied. "I ran the beast until it was tired and wounded. It managed to reach the trees, but it couldn't go much further."

"And yet it seems to have done just that," the Father Abbot pointed out as if Dellain had somehow missed the outcome. "How did it manage to reach the trees at all?"

"The red wench was waiting in ambush and took my force by surprise," he replied. "We have no idea where she was hiding."

The Father Abbot looked annoyed as he shook his head and pointed that Dellain's men wore heavy armor. Dellain countered by pointing out that she wasn't aiming for them. Instead, she was picking off the horses, wounding them so they would throw their riders.

"Ever the resourceful one," the angry father replied as he began to tap his fingers on the desk. "She and that miscreant, Tavid? Tavin?"

"Tavis," Dellain answered. "We saw no sign of him, but he couldn't have been far. Those two are always together."

"Of course," the Father Abbot replied and took a deep breath. "So let me see if I understand this correctly. The dragon ran into the forest, leaving a trail of broken trees in its wake, and you lost it somehow?"

"Any fool could have followed that trail," Dellain pointed out. "We dismounted and followed on foot with shields raised. It didn't run more than half a mile into the trees, but the trail comes to an end."

"What do you mean by that?" the Father Abbot demanded.


Dellain reached into a pouch and withdrew an object he had collected from the forest. With a casual toss of his hand, he threw the object onto the desk. It was a spear point covered in dried blood that was left on the forest floor. He described how there were pools of drying blood but no path to follow beyond. The Father Abbot's eyes fell upon the point as he studied it for some clue as to what could have happened. This was all becoming a mystery, with the dragon's escape from the magical chains being the start.

"And Gersius was nowhere to be found?" he stated more than asked as he was sure of the answer already.

"The beast didn't have him," Dellain replied. "We chased it for several miles, running it at full gallop. It was using all four of its legs and barely staying ahead of us."


They separated somewhere," the Father Abbot said as his face took on a faraway expression. "How long was the dragon out of sight of you men?"

"About five minutes," Dellain admitted. "We picked it up at the farm where we captured it."

"So from the time it dashed into the streets to the time you located it at the farm, it managed to hide Gersius," the Father Abbot surmised as she continued to work out the details.

"My men are searching the area, and we have pressed the city watch into helping," Dellain assured.

So Gersius has gotten away," the old man said as he leaned back in his chair. A slight smile split his usually dour face as his fingertips came together. "A most interesting turn of events."

"We are still looking," Dellain insisted.

"I assure you he is on the move and will soon be well out of your reach," the Father Abbot snapped, then paused to wave a finger in the air. "So the dragon escapes the chains, rescues Gersius, then manages to hide him before she is found again, but what about the other mystery?"

"What mystery?" Dellain asked, not having any idea what he was talking about.

"Why did it return to the farm?" he asked with eyes now focused like a hawk on Dellain.

"I am sure I don't know," was all Dellain could say. In truth, he had no idea why the dragon would go back to the farm. Surely running straight into the countryside would have been wiser.

"There must be a reason. Why return to where it was captured?" the Father Abbot said as he resumed tapping his fingers. "There must have been something there that it wanted to recover."

"We searched the barn after it was hauled away. There was nothing inside," Dellain insisted.

"Did you now?" the Father abbot asked with a doubtful voice. He looked away and nodded to himself while trying to fit the details together. "Some of Gersius's friends have appeared from the mist right outside the city. It would almost seem as if he knew his path was in danger. I wonder if Astikar was warning him? I wonder if he knew his steps were doomed?" He spoke as if speaking to himself, his words trailing off as the puzzle was worked out. "He was always good at thinking ahead. He made plans within plans to adapt if the situation changed. I dare say he would have made a formidable general."

"So, what do we do now?" Dellain asked as the man behind the desk rambled on.

"Why we learn from Gersius and adapt, Brother Dellain," the Father Abbot replied with another slight smile. "Gersius isn't the only one who knows how to plan ahead."

"But we don't have the dragon anymore," Dellain pointed out.

"Which is why we have to return to Calathen with haste," the Father Abbot said.

"Why Calathen?" Dellain asked. It seemed foolish not to do a thorough search and hunt Gersius down.

"You think we should stay and hunt for Gersius," the Father Abbot surmised. "As I said, he is already out of our reach. No, the better plan is to get to Calathen because Gersius has his dragon, and that is where he is going."

"Wouldn't it be wiser to stop him before he reaches the city?" Dellain asked.

"I wouldn't worry about that," the Father Abbot replied with a sense of calm in his demeanor. "There is more than one way to fulfill a prophecy."


Lilly clawed her way out of sleep and into a world of soreness and pain. She struggled to sit up, groaning as muscles refused to cooperate. She went to use her hands to brace herself only to discover that Gersius was firmly clutching one. He was wrapped in a blanket beside her, his face still swollen from the terrible beating he must have endured. She took a moment to listen to him breathe and decided that he must still be asleep. She pried his fingers loose using her other hand and tried to move her legs. The left one protested with a spike of pain that ran up her side. Lilly decided to inspect the wound and carefully lifted the hem of her dress to discover the belted pads of cloth lashed to her leg. It took her several minutes to remove the binding and finally see the wound. It was a deep blue line that ran down her thigh, crowned by raised welt of purple skin. It looked terrible and was sore to the touch, but the bleeding had long ago stopped.

"By Ulustrah!" a woman gasped, drawing Lilly's gaze to see Thayle's shocked face. Thayle stood in the doorway holding a wooden tray of food. Once again, she was in her green robe with the hood thrown back and her hair woven with white ribbon. She hurried across the room and set the tray on a pew before rushing to Lilly's side. Lilly was confused by her reaction as Thayle put a hand on Lilly's leg and tested the wound in disbelief.

"This can't be," Thayle insisted as she pulled at the skin gently.

"What's wrong?" Lilly asked as the concern grew in her heart.

"This wound should have taken a week to heal this much," Thayle said in surprise as she began to look at other sources of injury. "Show me your wrists."

Lilly felt awkward but held her arms out so Thayle could examine the wrists where the awful chains had burned her. To even her surprise, there appeared to be little injury, and the red rings were almost gone.

"You are healing much faster than I ever dared to hope for," Thayle said as she turned one of Lilly's hands over. She released her grip and began to pull at Lilly's hair, trying to inspect the head injuries. "Please stop fussing," Thayle insisted when Lilly tried to pull away. "This wound is almost gone as well."

"I thought you healed me," Lilly said when Thayle finally released her.

"I did all I could for you, but I had already spent my power on Gersius. When you arrived, I was exhausted, so I used the blessed water and my healing salve to try and speed your recovery along," Thayle said.

"So why are you surprised it worked?" Lilly questioned.

"Because I can't heal as Gersius does. His order is gifted in healing where mine is not. What I did for you should take a full week or more to get results like this. I can't explain how you have recovered so much in so little time."

"Maybe it's because I am a dragon?" Lilly asked as she inspected a wrist. "Those wicked chains were burning my skin, but they feel much better now." She inspected the other one, turning her wrist over several times before looking to Thayle in earnest. "How is Gersius?"

"I don't know," Thayle admitted. "That he is still alive is a miracle in itself. I did all I could for him, but his wounds were cruel and terrible."

Lilly turned to lean over him and took his hand in hers once more. "Will he recover?"

"I hope so," Thayle said. "Some of his wounds were already too old, but I think his order did him a cruel favor."

"What do you mean?" Lilly asked and looked up.

Thayle went pale as she explained what she believed his brothers did to him. She tried to impress on Lilly that they must have been breaking him over and over while using healing prayer to keep him alive. Though he most certainly suffered terribly, the healing magic would have healed the critical injuries first. With any luck, they prevented him from having any lasting injuries that might cripple him.

"What can we do?" Lilly asked with pain in her voice.

"Don't let it upset you," Thayle urged. "He is stable and not going to die, but he needs a lot of rest."

"Which is something we don't have time to give him," Ayawa said as she entered the room from outside.

Thayle shut her eyes in frustration as a resigned sigh escaped her lips. "Do we have to talk about this again?"

"Time is not on our side," Ayawa insisted. "They lost the trail in the forest not five miles from this town. By now, they will be searching the area and will expand that search as time goes by. They will almost certainly come here, and when they do, the villagers will tell them what they saw yesterday. It isn't safe to linger here."

Lilly's gaze fell on the mysterious woman who dragged her from the forest. She wore the same outfit as the day before, but her hair was different. Instead of a single braid, two ran down her chest and were woven with a red ribbon the entire length.

"Can she walk?" Ayawa asked.

Thayle turned to Lilly and looked at the angry wound on her leg.

"Have you tried to stand yet?" she asked.

Lilly nodded and admitted that she had tried, but it hurt, so she stayed sitting. Ayawa urged her to try again, insisting that she had to get up.

Thayle let out another sigh and stood herself before taking one of Lilly's hands. "Let's see if you can stand with a little help."

Lilly looked at the hand that gripped hers and was immediately reminded of the safety she felt when Gersius held it. She nodded and allowed Thayle to help her rise, wobbling a little before getting to her feet.
"How does it feel?" Thayle asked as Lilly gently tested a step.

"It feels sore, but I can walk on it," Lilly responded while squeezing Thayle's hand. She turned her head to look at Gersius, who was still sound asleep on the floor. "What about Gersius?"

Thayle paused to stare in wonder as Lilly's aura suddenly changed. Her concern for Gersius was evident as flecks of her light floated away and drifted to him. She was feeding him a part of her energy, and he, in turn, was giving some back.

"We were discussing a way to move him," Thayle said after a moment of watching. "But we can talk about that later. Come sit down. I brought you something to eat and some clean water to wash your face."

Lilly nodded and let Thayle guide her to the pew. She sat with some difficulty and fused again as Thayle dipped a cloth in a small bowl of water and began to wipe the blood from Lilly's face. Lilly studied the wooden tray to find it contained some grapes, a white block of what she thought might be cheese, and to her delight, two thick slices of bread. Just as she reached for the bread, another form appeared in the doorway and announced his presence.

"Is she awake? Tavis called as he entered the room and saw her sitting. "Have you asked her yet?"

Thayle sighed at the second interruption and informed him that Lilly had only been awake a couple of minutes. All Thayle had done so far was inspect her wound and help her sit.

"We do need to know," Ayawa insisted with folded arms.

Lilly looked around the room, noting the concerned faces that stared back. Whatever they wanted to know, it was she they expected to provide the answer. She turned to Thayle and asked what they wanted, and Thayle took her hand between her own and replied.

"They want to know what happened to you and Gersius. We need to know why they did this to you."

Lilly thought back to that terrible day when she was abandoned, and the men came to hack her wings off. Tears came to her eyes as soft lips trembled to relive the moment that would forever haunt her dreams.

Thayle nodded and patted her hand while assuring Lilly that the answer could wait. She turned to the others and waived them out, insisting that Lilly could tell them after she had something to eat. Insisting they go, Thayle followed them out and left Lilly alone to cry as the memory tore at her soul.

"This isn't a small child that needs protecting," Ayawa scolded as they arrived in the outer yard.

"I know full well what Lilly is," Thayle retorted. "And I know that she feels pain and sorrow like any human does. In some ways, I suspect she feels it even worse.'

"I am sure the dragon is upset, but the sooner we have solid information, the better," Tavis interjected with a calming voice. "It will determine our next course of action, and we don't have time to wait."

"Please," Thayle begged. "Just give her a moment to eat something and clear her head. I will bring her out here when she's done, and then she can tell us."

"Why out here?" Ayawa asked with a raised brow.

"Lilly is upset about Gersius," Thayle explained. "I can see her aura react every time she looks at him. If we want her to answer questions without getting emotional, she needs to be out here where she can't see him."

"What do you mean her aura reacts?" Ayawa asked.

Thayle shook her head and tried to explain it. She left out the details but assured them that Lilly was having some kind of strong emotional response.

"You mean like love?" Tavis asked incredulously.

"Don't be a fool,' Ayawa barked. "We're talking about a dragon, not a man. They don't feel any kind of emotion except hunger and greed. That fool thing wouldn't even leave its tiny bag of coins behind to save its own life."

"I lifted that bag, and though it isn't a king's treasure, it is hardly tiny,' Tavis replied.

"It wasn't worth her life!" Ayawa spat. "She should have run with us and come straight here."

"It obviously meant a lot to her," Thayle interjected. "You could say she felt strongly about it like a human can feel strongly about something."

"As I said, they can feel greed," Ayawa reminded and pressed home her point. "The greed of dragons is legendary. They would sooner kill their own young before parting with a single coin."

"Actually, most mother dragons give a small portion of their hoard to a broodling when it leaves the nest," Lilly said from the doorway where she was standing. "At least mine did." She limped into the yard while struggling to put on her blue necklace.

"Lilly," Thayle cried and moved to support her. "You can't possibly be done eating."

"I didn't feel much like eating," Lilly replied in a voice that shook. You have no butter for the bread, and I really like butter."

Thayle smiled at the very human remark and offered to help her put on the necklace. Lilly relented and let Thayle work the clasp, locking it in place around her neck. She then stood in the open air, savoring the coolness of a morning breeze. It seemed like ages had passed since she enjoyed the cold of the valley. Yet, the time spent with Gerisus felt like they held more meaning than all the ages of her previous life. She took a moment to breathe deeply before looking to the others who waited nearby.

"You want to know what happened," she said in a cold reptilian tone that sounded like two people speaking at once. "You want to know how Gersius and I came to be this way." She paused to take another breath, focusing on telling the story without crying. "The people he went to for help lied to him. I heard them tell him they were going to help, and they promised to heal my wings."

"Your wings?" Thayle asked in confusion. "What's wrong with your wings?"

"Gersius wanted to keep it a secret," Lilly said, her voice getting weak. "He told me not to tell anyone about it. I wasn't even supposed to let people know I was a dragon.' She paused and looked to Tavis and Ayawa, asking if he had mentioned anything about her wings in the letter. The two exchanged glances before shaking their heads no.

"My wings were broken and useless," Lilly began with a voice full of pain. "They were so badly twisted I couldn't walk, let alone fly. Gersius," she had to pause when she said his name. "Gersius tried to help me. He tried to heal me and save my wings, but he couldn't do it."

"Gersius could heal ten men and keep fighting," Ayawa stated flatly.

"My wings were not the only things that were broken. I had recently fought with another dragon, and when he found me, I was dying. All but one of my limbs was shattered, and my body was full of holes. I didn't even have the strength to crawl across the ground. I was weak and bleeding out when he walked over the hill."

"That would make things harder," Tavis said as Lilly painted the scene.

Lilly nodded as a tear finally rolled down her cheek. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes before continuing.

"He did all he could, but I was so badly wounded. My fatal injuries were recovered, but he couldn't save my wings. I was upset about my wings, and I said mean things to him. I told him I didn't want to live if I couldn't fly. He was patient with me and held my hand, promising that there was something left to live for."

Ayawa took on a stone-faced expression as Lilly's gaze fell on her, and the tears started to pour.

"He showed me things I had never noticed before. He made me realize that there was more to you rodents than I realized. He was the one who gave me my name. He called me Lilly because it was a pretty flower from someplace he knew."

"Lily's are beautiful flowers," Thayle agreed and squeezed the crying woman's hand. Lilly looked at the hand and smiled weakly before wiping her eyes to continue.

"That's what he told me," she said as the tears kept coming. "He kept me safe, and I began to trust him. He introduced me to others of your kind, and I learned to trust them too. Then he got a message from one of his brothers that he had to take me to this rodent hive you call Whitford."

"Take your time," Thayle urged when Lilly let out a tender sob. Lilly nodded and hung her head while trying to wipe away the near-constant flow of tears.

"We met Thayle along the way, and she was very kind to us. I was afraid of her at first, but then she got the man in the funny clothes to invite us to the party. I didn't even know what a party was, but I learned how to do what you call dancing. Gersius showed me how." She paused again as the pain made her shake while her grip tightened on Thayle's hand. "I started to believe that I liked you rodents, but we had to leave here and go to Whiteford."

"I am sure this is where it all goes wrong," Tavis said with a deep sigh of regret.

"Gersius was worried about something and afraid to take me into the city. He made me take my dragon form and hide in a barn. He said I should keep this rodent form a secret until it was safe. I didn't understand what he meant, but he was so insistent I not let anybody know."

Thayle could hear the pain as Lilly's voice grew in anger. She saw it reflected in her aura as steaks of angry red clouded the light.

"He left me there and came back with that old wretch that he called his leader. That vile man lied to us and promised that he would heal my wings. He said he had some special ring that could be used to grant greater healing and would send brothers to heal me. He made Gersius go back with him but promised to send men immediately to heal me." She paused to take a few deep breathes as her limbs trembled at the memory. "I don't know what happened to Gersius after he left, but the men that were promised did come."

Thayle felt Lilly's grip tighten even more as her entire aura saturated with deep red. She was angry beyond belief and trembled with rage.

"They told me they were there to help me and asked me to stand in a magical ring they were chanting to create. I trusted them and walked into the trap blindly. They were Gersius's brothers, and he was so good to me; why wouldn't I trust them?" She sobbed a moment, then wiped once more before going on. She explained how they immobilized her with the blessing but broke down when she tried to explain the rest.

Thayle turned to face her and took both hands, offering encouragement. "It's all right," Thayle said tenderly. "You're safe now. Take your time, but please, you have to tell us what they did."

Lilly looked up with eyes full of tears and a burning blue light that nearly startled the group. Her aura flared with rage, growing hot and bright as if she were a star of red fire.

"Lilly, what did they do?" Thayle whispered in alarm.

"They cut off my wings!" she roared and nearly collapsed, forcing Thayle to support her. Tavis muttered a curse as Ayawa looked away in disgust. Lilly trembled and sobbed, supported only by Thayle, who now had an arm around her back.

"They chained and beat me!" she cried. "They dragged me through their hive and then treated me like an animal. They called me a beast and a monster while kicking me when they walked by. The next day they dragged me out and put me on display so the rodents could point and laugh at me."

"I am so sorry," Thayle whispered as her heart broke.

"My mother said I should never go near you rodents. She said you were dangerous, but I thought maybe she was wrong. I thought I had misjudged you because Gersius makes you all sound so noble. I was stupid. I thought you were all like him."

"It is a sad thing to say, but few of us are like Gersius," Tavis admitted as he took off his hat and nervously twisted it in his hands.

"The rodent called Dellain said that I was his dragon now. He told me that he was going to break me and teach me how to serve him. He said if I didn't do as he said, he would make me sing for him," Lilly sobbed.

Thayle wasn't sure what Lilly meant by singing, but none of the options that came to mind were pleasant. Whoever this Dellain was, he sounded like a monster, and Lilly was clearly terrified of him.

"When they put me on display, it was during some kind of ceremony. I thought. I thought…" She struggled with the words as she hung her head and her aura filled with shame. "I thought Gersius had lied to me. I thought he'd planned all this from the start. He lured me to this city and led me into a trap to make me a trophy. I began to believe that all the kind things he had done were just layers of deception." She had to pull her hands free to use them both to wipe her eyes. The tears flowed so freely that the top of her dress was visibly wet.

Thayle saw blue and greens twisting in her aura as Lilly shuddered in despair. What she was about to say deeply wounded her and filled her with shame.

"I thought he had betrayed me." She took another deep breath and hung there silent a moment. "And then they brought him out." This time she paused for nearly a minute, shaking her head as if in disbelief. The pause sent shivers down Thayle's spine and caused concerned glances between Tavis and Ayawa.

"I could smell the blood even before I saw him. He was so badly beaten I didn't even recognize him at first. He couldn't walk or even hold his head up, so they dragged him out, leaving a trail of blood behind. They tied his broken body to some posts before a cheering crowd that cursed his name. He was so weak that he crumpled and hung limply from his wrists."

Now it was Ayawa's turn to curse, and Tavis bowed his head in remorse as Lilly shook with rage.

"I didn't understand," Lilly said. "I was so sure he was going to come out to receive some kind of reward and mock me for being so stupid. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but then the old wretch started to speak. He accused Gersius of crimes against his god, his order, and the people. He said we had come to Whiteford to attack it. He said Gersius refused to." She stopped and realized there was no way to explain the rest without revealing the truth.

"Refused to what?" Ayawa asked. "What did they want from him?"

"They wanted me," Lilly admitted without looking up.

"But they already had you," Tavis pointed out. "You were captured and chained."

Lilly saw the trap and struggled to find a way to explain it. Admitting she was bound was humiliating, and she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Thayle watched as Lilly's aura flashed with the colors of pain and suffering. Whatever was bothering Lilly, it cut deep to the core of her being. She replayed Lily's last words, searching for some hint to an answer that would make sense of it all.

"That doesn't make any sense," Ayawa said, echoing Thayle's thoughts. "He brought you to them in good faith. They had nothing to gain by turning on him."

"I have to admit I agree," Tavis said. "He delivered the dragon as promised. What would be the point of robbing themselves of their greatest commander in a time of war? If anything, they should have given him a parade and erected a statue."

Lilly stammered as Thayle saw the colors of hurt and embarrassment flare in her aura. She replayed the events that occurred since first meeting them and finally remembered the red chain. Her eyes went wide as she looked down to see it even now, pointing to Gersius and screaming out the hidden truth.

"Gersius has you bound!" she cried in shock.

Ayawa and Tavis went silent as they stared at Lilly, who covered her face and sunk to her knees.

"Yes!" she cried in a sobbing wail that went on for a long moment.

Thayle knelt beside Lilly, trying to comfort the poor woman with an arm around her back.

"Lilly, it's alright. Your secret is safe with us," she assured.

"It is humiliating!" Lilly cried. "I am a dragon!"

"So that's why you're helping him because you have no choice," Ayawa said, her voice flat and emotionless. Thayle shot her a look of disapproval, but Ayawa held her ground and met the gaze with defiance. "Why do you look at me like that?" she asked. "The best is only helping because it has no choice. It would probably kill him if it had the chance."

"That's not true!" Lilly shouted from her knees. She struggled to get up and wipe her eyes before turning on Ayawa with an angry glare."I admit he forced me to give him my name, and I hated him for it. But he was careful to treat me with respect and honor my wishes. He was concerned about how I felt and took the time to talk to me. Gersius bought me this necklace and these clothes," she said while pulling on the dress. "He gave me the name Lilly because he said it was beautiful, like me."

She stopped her tirade and turned away, allowing an uncomfortable silence to hang in the air as they wondered what was coming next.

"I was afraid to leave my home and go among you rodents, but Gersius held my hand and showed me it was safe. He bought me your foods and showed me how you lived in these things you call houses. He took the time to explain your world to me and encouraged me to ask questions. Because of him, I learned what music and dancing are, and I was starting to feel happy again. But then we went to Whiteford, and I was terrified. I thought he had betrayed me and given my name to his brothers. I was sure this Dellain was going to torment me for the rest of my life. I wished I had died that day and was helpless to do anything about it. But then I saw what they did to him, and I heard the truth. That old wretch condemned Gersius for refusing to give him my true name."

"That's why they tortured him," Tavis said. "They wanted her true name so they could bind her, but he refused to break his promise."

"Then how did you escape?" Ayawa asked with a softer tone. "You admitted you were chained and no doubt guarded. Gersius was tied to a post and practically dead, so how did you manage it?"

"Because of the secret," Lilly said with a sniff. "I could have escaped anytime I wanted, but Gersius was afraid I would spoil the secret. So before he left me in the barn, he commanded me to stay in my dragon form. He didn't want his brothers to know I could take this human form and insisted it had to remain a secret."

"It must have been important to him," Tavis agreed. "He didn't' even mention it in the letter."

"I pleaded with him to let me come into the city in this form, but he said no and gave me the command. He said I needed to trust him, and then he left to bring his wicked leader back." She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to steady her breathing as the pain threatened to overwhelm her. "The magic chains were made to hold a dragon. If I could have changed, I could free myself, but I was bound and commanded. I couldn't do anything but suffer."

"Lilly," Thayle said in a soothing voice as she noted the pain in the woman's aura. "We understand that this was terrible for you. I am sorry this happened, but please tell us, how did you two escape?"

Lilly nodded silently and took a deep breath before continuing. She explained how the Father Abbot wanted to make a spectacle of Gersius. The fool made the crowd go quiet and gave Gersius a chance to speak. He implored Gersius to do the right thing and give him her true name. Lilly smiled an evil smile and explained how Gersius called out in a loud voice and released her from his command. All three of them understood what happened next, but Lilly went on to explain it anyway.

"I changed to this form, and the chains fell away. Then I changed right back and was free." Lilly shook her head and stared at the ground as she remembered. "I was so angry. I was so hurt! When I realized that Gersius had suffered to keep his promise, I just wanted to..." She shook as the words escaped her, and Thayle did her best to comfort her again.​

"I killed them. I killed as many of them as I could reach. I ripped them apart and bit them in two savoring the blood as they screamed for help. I froze them in place and shattered the bodies just to see them break. I threw them into the walls, into the buildings, into the fleeing crowd."

Thayle took her arm away as Lilly described the scene. The anger that flared in her aura was truly disturbing, and she felt somehow threatened to be so close.

"Then the wicked Dellain showed up with a bunch of his brothers. I hungered to kill him and tried to freeze them all, but they used magic to shield themselves. When those orange hammers started to batter me, I realized I had no choice. I had to flee or be captured, but I couldn't leave Gersius." She looked over her shoulder to the temple as if able to see him inside. Thayle could see the colors of pain and concern as Lilly thought of him and wondered what it meant.

"If I was the monster you think I am, I would have left him there to rot. He would have died, and I would be free of his binding." She said those words as her eyes fixated on Ayawa. "But I couldn't. He suffered that to protect me, and I wasn't going to leave him! I shattered the posts and carried him away as fast as I could. I trampled everything in my path, laying waste to the hive as I fled. I didn't care who died. They deserved it for cheering to see Gersius, and I suffer."

The cold sound of her voice when she referred to killing the people made them all uneasy. Of course, none of them blamed her for what happened, but it was still hard to accept how little she cared for human life.

"I fought my way to the gates and tore them down! I Didn't care about anything but getting Gersius out of the hive."

"And that's where you met us," Thayle added.

"I was so relieved to see you, Thayle. You were so kind to us, and Gersius said I could trust you," she replied and looked to Thayle. "I knew you would help us."

"I think we have heard enough," Thayle said and put a hand on Lilly's shoulder. "You were very brave to tell us all this."

Lilly nodded, and a long moment of silence followed before Tavis finally spoke up. He pointed out that her rampage would give the Father Abbot a powerful weapon against Gersius. He would use her actions to prove his lies and condemn Gersius.

"The man is a shrewd manipulator," Ayawa agreed. "He won't pass up an opportunity to sway mass opinion like this."

"But none of this makes any sense," Thayle argued. "Gersius made it sound like they were going to lose the war. They needed him to complete this mission and return with a dragon. If they wanted it so badly, why try to stop Gersius from delivering the miracle they seek?"

Tavis and Ayawa remained silent. Neither of them had any idea why they would try to stop Gersius from fulfilling the prophecy.

"There must be more going on here than we have yet uncovered," Tavis said. "That means there are dangers we have yet to understand."

"Then it is even more imperative that we move soon," Ayawa stated.

"We can't risk the roads, at least not anywhere around Whiteford," Tavis said.

"We can take the back roads and go across the wilds," Ayawa replied.

"But go where?" Tavis asked.

"Gersius wanted to go to Calathen," Lilly interjected, her face tear-streaked and red with anger.

"That is the last place we will be going," Ayawa stated.

"Why?" Lilly asked.

"Calathen is the stronghold of the worship of Astikar. It is their base of operations. It would be like walking into a hornet's nest," Tavis answered.

"We would be cut down long before we saw the gates of the city," Ayawa protested.

"But that's where he said we needed to go," Lilly insisted, her voice gaining strength.

"It is where he needed to go," Tavis agreed and put on his hat. "But I don't see how he can go there now."

"So that brings us back to the point. Where do we go?" Thayle asked again.

All of them were silent as the question hung in the air.

"It needs to be someplace they won't think to look for him," Tavis said, breaking the silence.

"And that doesn't have a temple of Astikar that might accidentally discover him," Ayawa added.

"I wish Gersius was awake. He would know where to go," Lilly said, wiping an eye.

"We could go to Eastgate," Thayle suggested. "It has a major temple of my order and none for Astikar."

"Why would there be a large temple to your order in Eastgate?" Ayawa asked.

Thayle explained that the cold climate made it harder to grow crops, so there was a large temple with many priests. The head of her order for this entire region was there. He would be willing to shelter them and might even provide armor and equipment for Gersius.


"That's up in the plateau. We can skirt the eastern mountains and follow them north. Then pick up the road to the city just a few miles outside it." Ayawa said with a nod. "It will take two weeks to reach going through the wilds."

"If we went to Millwater, we could try booking passage on a ship going upriver," Tavis said.

"If we want a boat, Westbridge is closer," Thayle pointed out.

"Westbridge is too close," Tavis said. "And it has a temple of Astikar. It would be folly to go there."

"Neither of them is a good choice," Ayawa stated. "We risk detection trying to get on a boat. Millwater will almost certainly have been warned about Gersius. They will be watching."

"Millwater has no temples to Astikar," he pointed out.

"And what about the seekers? They have spies and agents in many of the towns. You never know who they are paying to watch," Ayawa replied.

"It is the safest town we can use that has water access. It will be much easier to transport him by boat than carry him over the foothills. Besides, the river goes right to Eastgate. It will shave days off our travel time," Tavis argued.

"It's a risk, but it might be one we have to take," Ayawa admitted. "Let's gather our things and get your horse priestess. We will use it to transport Gersius through the wilds until we get to Millwater. Move. We have lingered here too long already."

They all agreed and worked to prepare for the journey, but Lilly could not shake the feeling that Calathen was where they needed to be.​

 

[omnixius]

The flight from Pinehollow was rapid and difficult. Gersius was still unconscious and the utmost care needed to be taken in moving him. He was sat on Thayle's small brown horse, then tied firmly with ropes to keep him in the saddle. Ayawa took the lead, picking a path that took them away from the main road and into the dirt tracks between the farms. Tavis was given the task of leading the horse, so Thayle could focus on monitoring Gersius. Lilly was left to her own devices, limping beside Thayle as she worried about what lay ahead.

The land beyond was dotted with small farms and clumps of forest. It was relatively easy-going while close to the fields, but the farms eventually ended. Here the land was untamed and full of tangled prairies and overgrown forests. Thick pockets of thorns grew in places creating a formidable barrier to their little party.

Ayawa always found a way through or around them, choosing the best path she could find. It always seemed like she knew exactly where she was going, and despite the growth, they made good progress. Lilly asked how she knew the way, and Tavis told her that Ayawa was born in the forests. Her people were nomadic hunters and could navigate even in the densest overgrowth.

Despite this skill, they had to turn out of their way several times when encountering a ditch or steep slope. Anything they didn't want to risk leading the horse over was avoided for Gersius's sake. In the end, Ayawa always found a path, but sometimes they had to wait while she scouted ahead, and precious time was lost.

By late afternoon they were miles from town but moving slowly as Ayawa returned from scouting with a frown. She reported that the land ahead was covered in dense bramble bushes. The paths were narrow and treacherous unless they risked climbing a nearby hill. Tavis was opposed to risking the hill and potentially stumbling the horse, which meant they had to endure the thorns. When they reached the first barrier of thorns, Tavis suggested they hack their way through. Thayle shook her head and offered another solution, moving close to the barrier with a raised hand.

"Are you going to bless the weeds?" Ayawa asked as Thayle threw back her head and cleared her throat.

"As a matter of fact, I am," Thayle replied with a gentle smile. A melodic song filled the air as Thayle began to sing. Lilly was enthralled by the beauty of Thayle's song and how different it was from Gersius's chanting. There were no words that she recognized, but the plants before her began to twitch. There was a rustling sound as Thayle gestured with her hand as if pushing something over. The plants followed the motion, bending of their own accord to lay flat on the ground and open a path across them.

"Now that's a useful skill," Tavis said as the thorny barrier parted.

"Why didn't you tell us you could that?" Ayawa balked. "You could have saved us an hour of going around them."

"This is the first time you told us why you were changing course," Thayle protested. "I don't know why you choose one path over another, and I don't want to second guess you."

"And I don't know what skills you possess," Ayawa countered. "You could have at least volunteered that information, so I knew to call on you."

"How am I to know what skills are important to you or not? Do I have to make a list of everything I can do?" Thayle argued.

"Umm, Ladies," Tavis interjected. "The path is clear. Let's continue. I am sure we will learn all we need to know about one another as time goes by."

They exchanged angry glares a moment more before Ayawa huffed and walked on to take the lead. She vanished along what appeared to be a deer path as Tavis got the horse moving.

"Why is she so angry all the time?" Thayle asked as he passed her.

"Oh, she isn't angry," he laughed. "She throws punches when she's angry. No, Ayawa is worried about Gersius and the road ahead. She isn't going to relax until she gets him someplace safe where he can recover. Anything that delays that goal will make her more agitated."

"And now she thinks I am contributing to those delays," Thayle said and resumed walking beside Gersius. "I thought she was picking paths to avoid steep slopes or streams. I had no idea she was going around overgrown areas. If she had said something, I would have helped sooner."

Tavis sighed and turned his head just enough that Thayle could see that mischievous smile. He explained that Ayawa's people were very proud and didn't ask for help unless there was no other option.

Thayle shook her head but let it go, focusing on Gersius instead. She smiled to discover Lilly walking right beside the horse so that she could hold his hand. She decided to walk beside Lilly and keep her company as the little dragon looked up at the wounded man.

"How did you do that?" Lilly asked as they passed through the gap Thayle had just opened.

"My Goddess, the Lady Ulustrah, gifts her servants with power over plants," Thayle replied. "We can heal them, or cause them to grow, or as you just saw, get them to move aside."

"So, you are like Gersius. You sing to your goddess in exchange for blessings?" Lilly asked.

"That's a very simplistic way of putting it," Thayle agreed.

"But you can't heal like Gersius can?" Lilly questioned.

"Well, not like he can," Thayle replied and looked to the man on her horse. "Gersius can heal men that are critically injured in battle, while I can heal enough to deal with common injuries. But there are other differences. For example, my order can cure poisons whereas Gersius's cannot."

Lilly nodded and went back to staring at Gersius as Thayle watched her light flowing to him like waves crashing on the shore.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, eager to know what was prompting the exchange.

"I was just thinking that I wish he was awake," Lilly said.

"He will wake up soon," Thayle promised.

Lilly nodded again and dared a glance at Thayle. She looked lost as if every step was uncertain without him. She looked away, but her gaze returned as she dared to share her thoughts.

"He wants to go to Calathen," she said.

Thayle felt a sense of sadness for Lilly's words. They all knew the prophecy of the dragon knight and how important it was to go to Calathen. Gersius probably told her all about it, but that road was closed to them now.

"Sweetheart," Thayle began to sound as gentle as she could. "We would take him to Calathen if we could, but right now, the road is too dangerous. All we can do is keep him safe until he recovers enough to decide what to do next." Her words were tender, but something strange happened. Lilly looked at her with questioning eyes and asked her what a sweetheart was. Thayle tried to explain that a sweetheart was a pet name used to suggest that someone was sweet with love. Lilly asked what love was, and Thayle was truly perplexed by the question. She made a mental note to think of a good way to describe it later and turned Lilly's thoughts back to Calathen.

"So, you were willing to go with him all the way to Calathen?" Thayle asked.

Lilly nodded and looked at the hand she still clutched as if for support.

"He told me about his war and that his people wouldn't unite to fight it. He said he needed me to go with him so I could be a symbol to help unite his people and win," she said.

"He does need you to be that," Thayle agreed. "And I am sure he will still want that once he wakes up, but he assumed his brothers were going to welcome you as a friend. Now that they have treated you both so poorly, I wonder what he will want to do."

Lilly let out a soft sigh, then jerked up and turned her head skyward. She looked around a bit as if in alarm as Thayle watched her aura tint with worry.

"Is something wrong?" Thayle asked, but Lilly didn't respond. She continued to search the sky to the south as if the very gods were about to descend there. "Lilly?" She looked back with a worried expression and rubbed Gersius's hand with her thumb.

"It. It's nothing," she said and looked back to the southern sky. "I thought I heard something, is all."

Thayle saw the light of truth pulse in Lilly's aura, but the colors of worry were still strongly present. Whatever she heard was causing an intense amount of concern. Thayle asked what she thought she heard, and Lilly tried to explain it away as a distant cry on the wind. That wasn't going to be good enough for Thayle, who could see the truth and knew this distant cry had to be much more. Before she could ask, they rounded the trail to find Ayawa crouching low and searching the sky.

"Did you hear that?" Ayawa asked as they got closer.
"I didn't hear anything," Tavis admitted with a shrug.

"I was sure I heard a sort of roar," Ayawa said. "I have never heard anything like it before."

"It was probably nothing," Lilly blurted as her aura tinged with the dark light of a lie.

"Lilly," Thayle said firmly and turned to glare right at her. "Did you hear the same sound?" Lilly nodded her head but remained silent. Thayle didn't have to use her imagination to figure out why Lilly would understand the sound so well and not want to talk about it. "Is that sound what I think it is?" Thayle pressed. "Is it another one of you?" Lilly nodded again and pointed to the south to say it was that way.

There was another roar like a faint rumble on the wind. Thayle and Tavis both heard it this time as Lilly leaned closer to the horse and suggested they keep moving. Thayle realized that Ayawa was focused on listening for the sound and hadn't overheard the conversation with Lilly. She asked Lilly to stay with Gersius then ran ahead to speak with Ayawa.

"I need to talk to you," Thayle said.

"You hear it that second time, right?" Ayawa asked as she searched the skied. "I swear it is coming from above."

"I have no doubt that it is," Thayle said with a glance to the sky. "Lilly says it sounds like another dragon." Ayawa snapped to attention; her stern eyes focused like a hawk's as they locked on Thayle.

"She is sure?" Ayawa asked.

"If anyone here knows what a distant dragon sounds like, Lilly does," Thayle answered.

"More trouble we don't need," Ayawa groaned. "Why would there be another dragon about? I haven't heard of a dragon sighting in my lifetime. Now there are suddenly two?"

"I have no idea," Thayle replied in exasperation. "But we are close to the Icefang mountains, and the Greenwall forest is practically wild land."

"We need to be sure," Ayawa said and turned her gaze on Lilly. "You are sure that sound was a dragon?"

"That was a dragon?" Tavis repeated in alarm and began to look skyward himself.

"Quiet, I am asking the girl," Ayawa snapped and waited for her answer.

"I know what a dragon sounds like," Lilly countered and pointed in the direction of the sound. "It's far away in that direction. It must be flying, or we wouldn't have heard the roar so clearly."

"Do we need to get off the trail and hide?" Ayawa asked.

"No," Lilly said. "It sounds like it's flying in circles. The roar gets louder and fainter as it goes around. I doubt it is coming this way."

"Small blessings," Thayle sighed.

"Small blessings?" Tavis mocked. "Where are all these dragons suddenly coming from? Gersius had to put an army of attendants to work just to find one."

"He found two, but the first was beyond his reach," Ayawa corrected and looked to Lilly. "You think it's safe to continue in the open then?"

"I don't know," Lilly replied with a shake of her head. "It doesn't sound like it's coming any closer, but it could always change direction and come this way."

"It sounds like it's hunting," Tavis said as he tipped his hat up to make eye contact with Ayawa. "And she pointed back in the direction we came from."

"You think it's hunting us?" Thayle asked in alarm, but all Tavis could do was shrug.

Ayawa cursed under her breath and decided to press on, determined to get as far away as possible. She pressed on well into the night, only stopping when it became too dark to find a path. They made camp deep in the trees and didn't risk a fire for fear it would be seen from the sky. The roars had faded an hour ago, so they tried to settle in and put the fearful thoughts behind them.

Gersius was untied and laid on a makeshift cot, with Lilly sitting beside him the whole time. She held his hand and brushed the hair from his face while staring at him in sadness. Thayle even caught her talking to him as if he was awake, asking what they should do. Thayle took note of Lilly's aura every chance she could. The light was streaming out in waves like water as if feeding him from her soul. It was a surprising sight because Thayle had seen something similar many times before. It was always when one person had strong feelings for another, or two people were deeply in love. The light would break away in a cloud of tiny sparkles, floating on the wind to one another. However, Lilly's light was different. It came away in large glowing ripples that pulsed and danced. It washed over Gersius like waves on some magical shore and was quickly absorbed by his much fainter glow.

They decided the camp was well hidden enough that they could all sleep. Lilly insisted on laying next to Gersius and dragged her back to his side. As they settled in, Lilly made them all jump as the coins were spilled from the pack to rattle noisily to the ground.

"By the earth mother!" Ayawa snapped. "Girl, you have to be more quiet."

"Is something wrong?" Lilly asked as she began to pull her coins into a small mound. They watched as she curled around it and went to sleep like a dragon sleeping on her hoard.

"Dragons," Ayawa moaned as she returned to her bedroll.

Thayle yawned as the first rays of morning sunlight penetrated the gloom under the trees. She sat up and looked across the little space that acted as their campsite and was shocked by what she saw. Lilly was sitting on her legs, leaning over Gersius as he reached up to stroke her cheek. She had his other hand clutched between hers as the two spoke softly to one another.

"You're awake!" Thayle exclaimed and hurried over.

"I am," he said in a tired voice. "Lilly tells me I owe that to you."

Thayle shook her head, knowing full well this had nothing to do with her. She explained how badly injured he had been and how little her healing had helped. She insisted that he should still be unconscious and Lilly limping in pain.

"Perhaps your goddess found special favor in us?" Gersius suggested with a sigh.

Thayle let her eyes fixate on their auras to see the light flowing between them. Lilly was sending far greater amounts, but Gersius was sending some of his back. It rushed like a river at dusk, with sun diamonds dancing on the water.

"I suspect my goddess had nothing to do with this," Thayle said and smiled at Lilly. "There is another magic at play here."

"You damn fool!" Ayawa shouted in a harsh voice as she suddenly appeared. She towered over him with a face full of stern rage and hands balled into fists. "You couldn't see you were walking into a trap? Didn't you pray for guidance?"

"I had orders," Gersius replied as Lilly clutched his hand tightly. "I could not disobey a direct order from the Father Abbot."

"So you did pray and ignored the warnings!" she shouted in irritation.

"I warning is just that, a warning," he replied. "I had orders to go forward despite the warning. I thought I would be safe if I could reach my brothers. I had no idea they were the cause of the warning." They locked eyes briefly as if the argument were about to continue, but then Ayawa shed a tear.

"It is good to see you awake," she said while turning away. "I will give you some space." Then, she walked off as Tavis took her place.

"You had us frightened for a bit," he said. "The priestess has underplayed her ability to heal."

Thayle shook her head and suggested that she didn't think she had anything to do with it. Tavis suggested that the holy water was far more potent than she realized, but Thayle assured him it was not. Gersius put his head down as they talked and turned his gaze to Lilly, who was still clutching his hand.

"I am sorry, Lilly," he began, but she quickly cut him off.

"Don't," she said in a pained tone. "You didn't do this, and I don't blame you." She stopped to take a deep breath while rubbing his hand for support. "I like you, Gersius. You have been very good to me, but I am not sure I like your people. Your brothers are wicked and cruel. I am not sure I want to help you save them."

"I don't blame you for how you feel," he replied. "I have no idea why my brothers did this horrible thing, but they are not the people. You have to understand that the vast majority of the people are good and kind. They are like the woman who washed your feet and baked you apple tarts. They are innocent of this crime and would condemn it should they learn the truth."

"I don't know that I believe that," Lilly said. "I was there in that hive you call Whiteford. I saw how the innocent people laughed and jeered to see me chained like a wild animal. They jeered all the louder when those wicked men dragged you out. They were happy to see how you had suffered and called out for you to suffer more. I heard them call you a traitor and scream for you to be put to death."

"Lilly, please forgive them," Gersius urged. "Those people were lied to by a man they should have been able to trust. Who would believe that the holy order of Astikar would commit such a crime under a cloak of lies and deception? The Father Abbot is the holy representative of Astikar. They trusted he was acting in the best wishes of his god and for the goodness of the people. They could not know that it was all lies."

"It doesn't make it any better," Lilly said and released his hand. She folded her arms over her chest and looked away. "They didn't heal my wings."

"I am sorry," he said again.

"Oh! You haven't told him yet," Thayle said in surprise. She exchanged a worried glance with Tavis as Lilly lowered her head and shook it.

"Maybe we should give them some time alone," Tavis suggested. He and Thayle turned away and walked off to leave Gersius alone with Lilly.

"What haven't you told me?" Gersius asked, the concern apparent in his voice.

Lilly didn't answer, but she did move and slowly unlaced the hem of her dress. Then, she turned her back to him and lowered the top just enough to expose her shoulders.

"Your blue markings are gone," he said and reached a hand up. She twitched as a gentle finger traced along a shoulder to her spine where it stopped. "They are here on your shoulder, but they end in a jagged line instead of going down your back. What does that mean?"

"The lines are a magical representation," Lilly said.

"A representation of what?" he asked.

"My wings," she replied with a strained voice.

"Then why have the lines changed? Why are the ones that go down your back gone?" A knot grew in his stomach when she didn't answer. He realized that this symbolized something tragic, and he needed to know what. "Lilly, why are you markings gone?"

"Because my wings are gone!" she wailed with tears coming to her eyes. She turned around and stared down as her cheeks ran like streams. "Your wicked brothers said they were there to heal me, then hacked my wings off and laughed!" She looked away, unable to bear his gaze, but a muttering sound made her look back.

Gersius was flushed red as his head tossed side to side. His mouth worked in words spoken so hoarsely that she couldn't make them out. He lurched when his hands curled into fists and began to beat the ground in angry frustration.

"Astikar!" he yelled with a powerful voice drawing the gaze of the whole camp. "Why have you have abandoned me?"

"It's all right," Lilly said as she tried to take one of his hands.

"It is not alright!" he roared with anger. "These are supposed to be my brothers. Men trained to show kindness and mercy to those who need it. They are supposed to fight in defense of the weak and for the glory of the god of mercy." He paused to let out a strangled cry as he beat the ground again. "What mercy did these animals show you? How could they do this to you?" Tears poured from sore eyes as his voice returned to an intelligible muttering. Lilly covered her mouth in shock to see him so upset and wondered what to do. "I am a fool," he said in a voice full of defeat. "I have truly failed."

Lilly took up a hand and rubbed it between her own as he muttered for a moment more. His other hand reached over and tried to wipe the tears from her cheek.

"I should have listened to you," he said. "I should have listened to you, or Thayle, or the warnings in my prayers. I should never have gone to Calathen." He paused to let out a strangled cry and take a deep breath. "Most of all, I should never have commanded you. I am not fit to make decisions regarding your safety. As soon as I can stand, I am going to perform the right of release and set you free of the bind."

Lilly felt faint as her heart raced to hear his words. He was going to set her free to do as she chose again! He would never command her again, and she would be free to go home. It was a joy that danced in her heart, but a question came with it.

"What about your people?" she asked. "How will you save them without me?"

"You have paid too high a price for my people already," he said with a pained moan. "They are not your responsibility, and I can not ask you to give anything more for them."

"But you need me to go with you to Calathen," Lilly implored. "You need me to complete your prophecy." Gersius cracked open his swollen eyes and looked up to meet hers. He looked like a man who was thoroughly defeated and ready to give up.

"Do you feel anything but anger for my people?" he asked.

Lilly couldn't hold his gaze as her head dropped, and she answered. "No."

"Then you will not be made to suffer for them," he replied. "You must go free."

Lilly nodded in agreement as he lay back down. He asked her to give him a moment of peace, so she got up and moved away. Thayle took that as her cue to bring him a tray of food and sat with him as Lilly wandered off.

She wandered into the trees with arms folded tight while a storm boiled in her head. She would soon be free to return to the valley she called home. It was a dream come true, but somehow it felt empty as if there was nothing to go home to. She couldn't fly anymore, but at least now she could walk. She tried to imagine her life as a wingless dragon, running down deer for food and having to climb the cliff just to get into her cave. It wasn't a happy image, not like the one she had with him. She glanced over her shoulder to see him in the distance and wondered if she would miss being called Lilly.

They were on the move before the sun was too high. Ayawa took the lead once more, scouting a path through the trees and hills to steer them ever closer to their destination. The land was relatively flat, and Thayle used her blessing to clear paths they would otherwise have had to go around. It all helped speed their progress as Tavis lad the horse carrying Gersius on its back.

Tavis and Gerisus spoke at length about the war and rumors from the west. Lilly listened to a little of it, but her heart was someplace else. She kept trying to imagine her life without Gersius there to hold her hand and call her Lilly. She tried to tell herself that she wouldn't need to wear a foolish dress or the necklace that she was absentmindedly touching even now. With these thoughts came the twisting sensation that seemed to emanate from deep inside. She tried to ignore it, but something had changed, and it clawed at her like a trapped animal that was slowly dying. Thayle spoke with her for a little bit, but Lilly wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She couldn't explain any of the things she was feeling, and trying would only make it worse.

When the hour grew late, they settled into a camp hidden behind a shallow hill. It was an open space dotted with flowers that swayed in a gentle evening breeze. Lilly felt glad to be where there were so many different kinds of flowers. She wandered through them, picking several to see what they smelled like. It reminded her of the patch of dragon's tears they found in the forest, and the little crown Gersius made for her. It was there that she was given her name, one chosen because it was beautiful like he said she was.

"Why are there no flowers in my valley?" she said to herself as she plucked a broad white bloom. She realized there was a flower, a tiny white one that only grew after the snow receded. She never noticed it before, so why did it feel important now? Why should she care about a useless weed that grew among the rocks? Why did the thought of being alone in her valley make her feel sad?

Ayawa left camp briefly and returned an hour later with a couple of small animals she called rabbits. She spent another hour preparing them then dared to light a fire. Lilly could smell the meat as the fire did what she had come to understand as cooking.

Humans did so many unusual things, but they were wonderful things in many ways. Gersius cooked that first night, and she burned her hand on the fish. He was so angry, and she was so afraid that she broke down and started to cry. It was a terrible moment, but now that she looked back, she wondered if maybe it had been different. Gersius changed in that moment as if he realized he was out of control. He spoke to her soothingly and apologized for what he had done. He even shared how humans often wondered what it would be like to fly. She knew the joy and sense of freedom that came from soaring the skies. What a terrible shame it was that humans would never know such an experience. It was the one thing she could think of that dragons had over men.

As she looked up, the first stars appeared in a darkened sky. She had to fight the urge to cry as she dreamed of soaring above the clouds with a star-filled sky above. It was the most beautiful time to fly, and Lilly missed it dearly.

"Beautiful," she said softly to herself as she realized the word was creeping into her thoughts. It was another one of his gifts, and now she used it to describe something she once enjoyed more than anything else in the world.

Gersius sat across the fire with his back against a fallen log. He'd become despondent after talking with Tavis and spend the rest of the afternoon in silence. He hardly moved and stared through the fire into the darkness with a look of pain on his face.

Lilly chose to sit with Thayle while watching him from the corner of her eye. She never realized how much she enjoyed talking with him and wished he would call her name. The twisting inside was intense, and she scolded herself for feeling this way. Why should a dragon care if a rodent spoke to her or not? Why did she miss his kind words?

Lilly didn't feel hungry, but she watched as Thayle ate some food. She thought about the foods Gersius had shown her on their travels. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that such things as bread, cakes, and tarts existed. There were so many flavors, and Gersius assured her that she had only experienced a tiny fraction of them. She wanted to try every kind of food from every kind of place and wash them down with the funny drinks they made. Her mood suddenly soured as she thought of being free to go back to her valley, never to taste human food again.

That night she sat under the stars and watched a strange scene unfold before her. Tavis and Ayawa sat right beside one another, whispering and laughing with broad smiles. At one point, Ayawa cupped Tavis's face between her hands and said something softly to him.

"What are they doing?" Lilly asked as she turned to Thayle. She was desperate to have someone to talk to, and Thayle seemed to like to explain things. The priestess looked over to see what Lilly was talking about before smiling wide and turning back to Lilly.

"They are sharing affection for each other," she said as Lilly tried to understand.

"What is affection?" Lilly asked and returned to watching the scene.

"I have been thinking about how to explain this to you all day," Thayle replied. She went to say something more when Ayawa leaned forward and pressed her lips to Tavis. They shared a kiss for a brief moment as Lilly stared in shocked wonder before asking the inevitable question.

"Why is she doing that? Is she trying to eat him?"

Thayle had to cover her mouth to stifle the laughter that wanted to escape. Lilly was far too innocent and clueless about how human relationships worked.

"This is what I was talking about earlier," Thayle began. "They are in love, and what they are doing is called kissing."

"What is kissing?" Lilly asked.

"That is kissing," Thayle said and pointed to the display. "It's a way we humans use to show affection for one another. It means that person is special to us, and we care a great deal about them."

"So affection is the same as being special to someone?" Lilly asked.

"Well, it's more than that, but you have to start somewhere," Thayle laughed.

Lilly huffed in frustration at not understanding what Thayle meant. "I do not understand this love you rodents speak about," she said as her gaze went to the ground. "We dragons don't have love."

"Everybody needs love, even you," Thayle replied and took a moment to study Lilly's aura. Her light was in turmoil ever since she had last spoken to Gersius. It flashed with the light of a terrible decision, one that she didn't want to make. The ripple of light that once flowed to Gersius had ceased as if something had come between them. Likewise, he made very little progress in healing compared to the night before.

"I will never understand this love," Lilly said as the two kissed again.

"You do understand love," Thayle said soothingly. "You just never had a word for it."

"But what is it?" Lilly asked.

"It's a feeling that comes from inside," Thayle replied. "When you see or even think of a person you love, you feel it inside. There will be a sort of tugging or a sense of need and longing. You will feel sad when you can't be near the person, and hurt when they hurt."

"I don't feel that," Lilly said as she considered the twisting that knotted up her insides.

Thayle watched Lilly's light and saw the truth of her answer.

"You don't feel that?" Thayle teased with a playful tone. "Tell me then. What do you feel when you look at Gersius?"

Lilly looked across the clearing to where he sat like a statue staring into the fire. His face was frozen in a scowl and looked like stone.

"I. I don't know," she answered and absentmindedly began to play with her necklace.

Thayle smiled as Lilly's light told a completely different story. The glow as back and ripples of light began to flow toward the man sitting alone.

"You want to talk to him, don't you?" Thayle asked. Lilly nodded and fumbled with the necklace as she watched him from afar. "I am sure he would love your company. Maybe you should sit with him. Get close to him like Ayawa is with Tavis."

"I can't do that," Lilly said in alarm. "Besides, he hasn't spoken to me since he learned about my wings. I think I upset him."

"Of course, he's upset," Thayle agreed. "But he isn't upset with you. He's upset about you."

"About me?" Lilly questioned and looked at Thayle. "What does that mean?"

"It means you should go over there and talk to him," Thayle said with a warm smile and shooed Lilly away with a hand. "Go on, go."

Lilly slowly stood and crept around the fire as the twisting inside became intense. She was filled with a sense of awkward dread when she arrived, and he didn't respond to her presence.

"Can I sit with you and talk?" she asked.

Finally, he moved, looking up with eyes full of pain. She felt something terrible inside and nearly cried when he nodded and pat the ground beside him. She sat beside him but wasn't bold enough to get as close as Ayawa. Instead, she pulled up her legs to wrap her arms around them and looked about in confusion. Her gaze fell on Thayle, who was making an odd gesture by leaning to one side and bending her neck. Lilly didn't know what to do, so she made a face to show her confusion and shrugged her reply.

Thayle put her hands over her face and shook her head. Suddenly she looked up and started pointing across the fire to where Tavis and Ayawa sat. She pointed to Lilly, then pointed to them, suggesting Lilly look. Lilly saw them sitting close with Ayawa leaning into Tavis, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her back. Lilly realized what Thayle wanted and looked back with wide eyes as she faintly shook her head.

Thayle responded with a frown and pointed right at Lilly. She then pointed to her own head then her shoulder to indicate what Lilly should do. A sense of panic washed over as she glanced to the side to see Gersius sitting motionless. She dared to look at Thayle, who was scowling as if Lilly had done something wrong. She looked away as the panic started to rise and tried to convince herself that she was a dragon, not a human. Doing something like that was undignified for her kind. All she wanted to do was make sure he wasn't lonely and maybe talk a little.

Thayle was glaring with a look that could have melted stone. Lilly swallowed and slowly started to lean over but quickly realized she was too far away. She slid over and froze as her hips accidentally made contact with his. For just a moment, he looked up, and the sadness in his eyes seemed to flicker. The twisting raged inside, but just as quickly, he looked away and resumed his cold stare.

Carefully, she leaned over, feeling more and more of his body as she began to settle into him. When there was no more room to move, she tipped her head and awkwardly set it on his shoulder. She had done it but was uncomfortable and wondered why this was so important. Then he shifted as his arm came up and wrapped around her back. She was cradled to his side and pulled in snugly, alleviating the discomfort.

The twisting reached new heights, surging inside and filling her very being. She was sure it would make her scream but realized it had changed. Now it seemed to be at peace as if finally it had gotten what it wanted. A warm sense of right replaced the twisting, and she took a deep breath to steady her thoughts. Thayle was smiling, and Lilly began to wonder if this feeling inside was love. She was shocked by how much she relished being in that position, but it became even more special when he laid his head on hers. A glance at Thayle showed the woman was practically clapping with delight. Gersius's arm began to rub her shoulder, soothing away her concerns as her whole world became just him. She didn't understand what they were doing but didn't deny she was happy to be in his arms. He soothed away her worries as she closed her eyes and let the night slip away.

When morning came, Lilly was startled to discover she was still in his arms. She looked across a dead fire to see Ayawa scowling as Thayle pointed at them.

"I see it, but I refuse to believe it," Ayawa said with a toss of her head. "This must be your doing."

"I tell you I had nothing to do with it," Thayle protested.

"Then who is responsible? The dragon?" Ayawa balked.

Lilly stayed where she was as the two argued. Eventually, Ayawa threw up her arms and stalked away, allowing Thayle to come over and sit before them.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" she asked.

"I feel fine," Lilly replied with a cautious tone.

"You look it," Thayle said as she reached up and took a clump of Lilly's hair between her fingers. "Though your hair could use a brush."

"What were you two arguing about?" Lilly asked as Thayle released her hair.

"We were arguing about Gersius," Thayle replied.

Lilly asked what was wrong with him and Thayle said that nothing was, and that was the problem. When Lilly didn't understand, Thayle suggested she look at Gersius's face. Lilly didn't want to move from her warm embrace, but she couldn't see his face clearly. Slowly she extracted herself from his arm and took a good look to see his face looked normal. The swollen bruises and red welts were gone as if washed away to leave the man she knew as Gersius.

As they stared in wonder, his eyes fluttered, and he looked up to see them both hovering over him.

"What are you two looking at?" he asked in confusion.

Well, good morning," Thayle said sweetly. "I trust you were warm last night."

"Of course I was. I had Li –" he began but quickly choked on the name.

"I see," Thayle said with a smile. "How are your eyes?"

"They appear to be fine," he said and reached up to test the skin around them. "What are you on about?"

"Gersius, yesterday your face was purple and swollen, but now it's completely healed," Thayle said as she stood up. "You don't even have bruises under your eyes."

"How can that be?" he asked while trying to stand up.

"I see the ribs are better too," Thayle said as he came to his feet.

He admitted that they still hurt but not nearly as bad as the other day. He also had more strength in his limbs and felt a gnawing hunger.

"Did you something?" he asked, unable to believe it himself.

"I did the best I could, even resorting to using holy water meant for plants to try and accelerate your healing. I expected you to be down for over a week and not near this healthy for two or three. Honestly, I wasn't sure it was going to work at all. As I said, it's meant for plants, not people."

"It must have been the water," Gersius said. "How else can you explain it?"

Thayle looked at Lilly and cracked a slight smile. She could see the waves of light crashing on his shore and began to have serious doubts. "I don't think it was the water, but I can't prove my suspicion yet."

They took a little extra time so that Thayle could introduce Lilly to a new human experience. She took Lilly out of the camp to a nearby stream and taught her how to bathe. For nearly an hour, Lilly fussed as Thayle made her strip and stand in a stream so she could wash her hair. Thayle washed her own first, so Lilly could see how it was done then it was her turn.

"Your hair is lovely, but it was well overdue for a wash," Thayle said. Lilly sat there horrified as Thayle poured a bowl full of water over her head.

"Why are you making me do this?" she cried.

"Your hair was starting to look ragged and oily," Thayle said as she poured another bowl of water down Lilly's long silver-blue drape. "Men like women to have clean flowing hair."

"Why do I care what men think of my hair?" she retorted, causing Thayle to laugh.

"Trust me, you will thank me someday," Thayle said and took up a strange white stone. She rubbed it between her hands and produced a white cloud she called bubbles. The stone was called soap, and Thayle gently worked the soap and bubbles into Lilly's hair. Lilly enjoyed this part as Thayle's fingers caressed her scalp and worked the soap bubbles in. When she was satisfied, she poured more water over Lilly's head then wrung out her long hair.

When her torment at the stream was over, she was allowed to dress but had to sit in camp while Thayle brushed her hair. At first, she hated what was happening as Thayle worked out what she called tangles. Eventually, the brushing started to run smoothly, and Lilly began to enjoy the long soothing strokes. She was reminded of the morning on the farm when Misses Garandel did the same thing, brushing her hair until it was smooth.

"You have such beautiful hair," Thayle said as she worked. "But it's likely to be windy today. We should braid it to keep it out of your face."

"I had a braid once," Lilly said as she remembered the farmer's wife again. "Can you make it look like Ayawa's?"

"I could, but I was thinking of something softer," Thayle replied with a smile. She worked on Lilly's hair for twenty minutes, carefully dividing it into strands and weaving two long ropes. She took these and used some ribbon from her pack to weave them together, giving Lilly a very innocent look.

Ayawa came over to hurry them along and shook her head when she saw Lilly's hair. Thayle ignored the woman and finished up, pinning the tail in a loop.

"Now, let him look at you and see what he thinks," Thayle said.

"Let who look at me?" Lilly asked.

"Such an innocent dragon," Thayle teased and told her to get her pack.

They packed in a hurry as Lilly waited by Gersius's bag. He returned from the stream where he, too, had bathed and looked like a new man. His hair was brushed, and his face was shaven, which only made his expression look more like stone. He wore the simple clothes from his pack as his armor and weapon had been lost in Whiteford.

Lilly looked to her pack and took off the sword strapped to the side. She held it out and offered it back though she secretly wanted to keep it. She never thought she would use it, but he had given it to her after all, and she felt attached to it now. He took the sword with a smile and promised to give it back as soon as he could get another. She was grateful to hear it and even happier when his arm went around her back to walk to the horse.

Tavis helped him into the saddle and continued to lead it as they left the hidden camp. Ayawa took the lead, choosing an obvious animal trail and running ahead to look for obstacles. Tavis and Gersius talked while Thayle trailed behind with Lilly, using the time to teach her more about affection.

"Did you enjoy your night?" Thayle asked.

"I was safe," Lilly replied, not sure what Thayle was getting at.

"You know you can ask me anything," Thayle urged. "I will do my best to explain anything you want to know."

Lilly nodded and thought back to last night when Tavis and Ayawa were kissing. One question was weighing on her mind, so she decided to ask.

"Why were Tavis and Ayawa in the same bedroll?"

Thayle smiled and looked ahead to make sure Tavis wouldn't hear.

"They are husband and wife, and husbands share a bed with their wives," she explained.

"What does that mean?" Lilly questioned as Thayle used unfamiliar words.

Thayle took a moment to ponder her answer and settled on a straightforward approach. She reminded Lilly of the party where she learned to dance and told her that was a wedding. A man and woman were getting married and becoming husband and wife.

"They made a sacred promise to love each other and express that love through physical touch," Thayle said.

"Why would they do that?" Lilly asked.

"Because they love each other," Thayle said. "I told you that love was a feeling deep inside. Well, Tavis and Ayawa feel that for each other. They enjoy being close and sharing."

"What are they sharing?" she pressed.

Thayle found her lack of understanding amusing, so she changed her tactic and turned the question around.

"You said you felt safe in Gersius's arms last night," she pointed out as Lilly nodded. "Did you feel like it was good to be there?" Again Lilly nodded, so Thayle continued. "You and Gersius were sharing comfort for one another last night. You were there to support one another and feel safe. Tavis and Ayawa were sharing that and a little more because their relationship is more advanced."

"So, they kiss to share affection and hold each other to share comfort," Lilly said as she tried to work it out. "But they share a bed to do something more?"

"That's a good start to your understanding of it," Thayle laughed. "Let's not get too far ahead of yourself. You need to learn some of this slowly. Why don't we catch up and talk to Gersius for a little bit? I'm sure he has some questions."

Lilly agreed, and they quickened the pace to fall in beside the horse. Gersius was talking to Tavis about the dragon they heard the day before and what it might mean.

"So we are running for our lives," he said.

"As fast as we dared to go," Tavis replied. "It will be a lot faster now that you have recovered so much."

Gersius nodded and asked the logical question. "So, where are we going?"

"Eastgate," Thayle answered before Tavis could say anything.

Gersius was silent a moment then turned to look at Thayle with a questioning expression. "Why Eastgate?"

"Because my order has a large temple there," Thayle replied. "Well, I should call it a grand temple. It is the seat of power for this region and is run by the highest-ranking Prime in the order. Since you were so badly wounded, I was going to ask them to shelter us for a few weeks. But you are recovering much faster than I ever imagined, so maybe that won't be so important. In any case, I will ask them to provide you with a weapon and some armor. Then we will take some time to recover our wits while you think about what you want to do next."

"That is taking us away from Calathen," Gersius pointed out.

"That's exactly why it's the perfect place to go," Tavis said. "Nobody will expect you to be moving away from Calathen, and there is no temple of Astikar in the city. It is the perfect place to hide for a little bit. We were planning to take a riverboat from Millwater and head upriver to avoid the roads and move you easier."

"It is a good plan," Gersius said as the horse came to a stop. He looked ahead to see Ayawa standing just ahead of them with a curious expression on her face.

"I heard all of that," she said. "I had expected some argument from you."

"About the boat or the destination?" Gersius asked.

"Both," Ayawa replied. "After all you suffered to find a dragon, I expected you to demand we head straight for Calathen."

"What for?" Gersius asked. "My mission is over, and my efforts have been in vain. Worse, they have cost the lives of thirty men, who knows how many civilians and brought great harm to Lilly. No, it is time I abandoned this course and thought of something else."

Thayle lowered her head at his admission of defeat. He was an emotionally broken man set adrift with no purpose and no idea what to do. It pained her to see just how deeply the ordeal had wounded him, but then who could blame him?

"But you gambled everything on this," Ayawa said in shock. "You have the dragon. Surely you intend to go on."

"No," he replied and looked at Lilly. "Tonight, when we make camp, I will set Lilly free so she can go home."

"Now you're just being ridiculous!" Ayawa shouted. "If you turn back now, then all the suffering you have endured to get here will be in vain. Of course, we can't go to Calathen right now, but surely there is another way."


Gersius took on a firm gaze and slowly shook his head. He declared that Lilly was a friend, not a pet or possession. He admitted that his poor judgment had brought her to harm, and she deserved to be free to make her own decisions. He wanted to do it this morning, but she was too long with Thayle.

"It isn't fair to drag her against her will into my failures," he finished.

"You didn't drag her from what I heard of it," Ayawa argued.

"You know how we met and what happened afterward?" he asked in surprise.

It was Lilly's turn to speak up, and she admitted to telling the story of what happened in the valley. Gersius nodded but said it was wrong to force her into the binding. He was sorry that he took advantage of her vulnerability and wanted to right his wrongs.

"To be fair, Gersius. Your original plan was to fight her with thirty men. If that had played out the way you wanted it, would things be any better?" Tavis asked.

"He's right," Thayle remarked. "No matter how you captured her, you were going to have to force her to come with you."

"And both paths would have been wrong," Gersius sighed.

"No, you're wrong," Ayawa scolded. "She was dying and would be dead right now without you. You saved her life, and it doesn't matter what went wrong after that moment. She's here now only because of what you did for her."

"But was that the merciful thing to do?" he asked. "I put my desire to be a hero over her right to die."

"Her right to die? What is that supposed to mean?" Ayawa demanded.

Lilly answered for him as she trembled under their collective gaze. "When he found me, I was so frightened. I didn't want him to bind me, and I didn't want to live without my wings. So I begged him to kill me instead. I wanted him to end my suffering and free me from this world. I only agreed to give him my name because I thought he could heal my wings. I didn't realize he might not have the strength to heal me fully."

"I knew I might not be strong enough to heal a dragon, especially with such terrible wounds," Gersius admitted. "I told her I could do it, but I knew I was taking a risk. I swear, I tried with all my power to heal her fully, but I failed."

"It doesn't change the fact that you saved her life. Even if she begged you to end it." Ayawa insisted. "Whatever mercy means to you, it was right to give her a second chance."

"I agree," Thayle added and reached over to rub his leg. "You did the right thing."

Gersius nodded but looked to the one person whose opinion mattered most. Lilly met his gaze with a trembling lip and had to look away before she could answer.

"I agree too," she said in a pained voice.

"You do?" he asked as Lilly's head fell and she stared at the ground.

"I didn't want to die, but I didn't want to be bound either. I had already given up hope, and I wanted you to make my end quick. I never dreamed I could have a life again or that I might be grateful in some way to you." She looked up to the sky and watched the clouds for a moment before continuing. "I don't know how I am going to live without my wings. I don't know how to explain to you how important they are to me. I want them back, and I want to fly again, but that hope is gone forever now." She struggled not to cry and had to wipe tears away before continuing. "But I am glad you are here to make this life a little better. I enjoy being with you."

"But what I did was wrong," he insisted. "I should never have bound you. I should have healed you in good faith and then asked you to help me."

"You had to bind me, Gersius," Lilly said in a pained voice as she turned to look directly at him. "I won't lie about it. If you had healed me first, I would have mocked and then killed you." She spoke with venom and glared with death in her eyes. "I mean what I say. I would have killed you and not thought twice about it."

"How can you say that?" he asked.

"You know it's true. That's why you bound me in the first place. You said it back when you found me. You said you couldn't trust me to keep my promise, and you were right. I am a dragon, and I had no regard for your rodent lives back then. You had no more meaning to me than a deer wandering a hillside. Just a meal waiting for me to snatch it up."

"Dragons!" Ayawa spat.

"Back then, you had no regard," he said with hurt in his eyes. "Has your opinion changed?"

"Lilly sighed and looked away as she gave a little nod. "Much has changed since that day. I have learned that you humans are not the rodents I thought you were. I have also learned that there is much about your ways I enjoy. I would never have dreamed this, but I like to speak with you. I feel like I know you as well as I know my mother, and I enjoy your company." She walked a few steps away and ran a hand over her head as she tried to put her thoughts together. "I thought my life was going to be a trail of misery and sorrow, but you have shown me it could be so much more. I admit I hate your brothers for what they have done, but I trust you, and I would still walk through the gates of Calathen with you, bound or unbound."

Thayle let out a little squeal of joy as Ayawa rolled her eyes in disgust. It was a moment of great beauty as a human and dragon admitted they needed one another.

"You would do that of your own free will?" he asked.

"Only for you," Lilly said as she turned and raised a finger to point at him. "I would not trust any other. I do this with you, or I don't do it at all."

"This changes nothing. We are going to Eastgate," Ayawa insisted.

"We are going to Eastgate," Gersius agreed. "We can decide what to do after I get some armor and a good weapon."

"Well, now that we are agreed, let's worry about the next problem," Ayawa said and motioned that they should resume walking. "Our biggest concern is getting on the boat in the first place. We have to assume they are still looking for you. It only makes sense they will have spies and agents in every town they think you might pass through."

Gersius nodded in agreement. His brothers had turned against him, and they wouldn't give up so easily. What was more concerning was that Jessivel was in the area. That meant the seekers might be looking for him, and that would be difficult to avoid.

"I don't see that we have much choice," he said at last.

"You are healing much faster than expected," Ayawa pointed out. "We could walk the whole way, avoiding towns and roads by skirting the mountains."

"But that will take weeks instead of days," Tavis said. "Not to mention the terrain will be terrible to move through. I doubt the priestess can bless the rocks aside to ease our passage."

"We are taking the boat," Gersius said to end the conversation. "We need to reach the Eastgate with speed before they can organize enough support to scout this entire kingdom."

"Then the decision is made," Ayawa replied. "We press on with haste for Millwater and take a boat upriver. I estimate two days to reach the town and another two to travel to Eastgate."

"Then we should be safely hidden away," Tavis added.

They spent the rest of the day talking with Thayle about the city. She had spent a great deal of time in the city serving at the grand temple. She also knew the leader of her order, a man named Arlin, who she described as kind with a big heart.

When the sky returned to stars, they made camp in a small grove of tall trees. They were miles from any major road, so they risked a fire to ward away the night's chill. Ayawa did more hunting and was back in less than an hour with a bird she called a pheasant. Lilly ate with Gersius, sitting at his side as he stared into the sky as if looking for answers. Once again, she was reminded of how he wanted to know what it was like to fly. She wished she could fly and briefly thought of taking him with her. Maybe that would soften the pain and restore some joy to his heart.

When dinner was done, he sat silent for nearly an hour, then stood up and held a hand out to Lilly.

"Come, Lilly. It is time."

Deep inside, the twisting surged up, and for the first time, she felt doubt. For some reason, Lilly was afraid of being released and was drowned in a sense of uncertainty. She tried to rationalize her thoughts, reminding herself that she could walk and run again. She no longer needed him for support or was dependent on him for safety, but that didn't seem to matter. Deep down, she didn't want to be let go, and the twisting clawed at her heart like a trapped animal about to die.

She took his hand and was led away from camp so he could speak her true name in private. Tears wet her eyes as they walked away; the time of bondage soon to be over. As the moon began to shine in a sky full of stars, a low chant drifted on the wind. An ancient magic was evoked and released, its power dissipating as Lilly heard her real name. In a heartbeat, it was over, and silence was restored to the night as Lilly realized she couldn't feel him anymore.

"Gersius?" she whispered as he smiled and turned away.

"You are free to go home," he said as he began to walk away. "You should go. There is no shame in it."

Lilly watched him walk away as something died inside, leaving a gnawing form of emptiness.

All eyes went to Gersius as he wandered out of the night and resumed his position by the fire. He said not a word as his eyes went back to the night sky, showing nothing of his pain. Minutes passed as the tension grew, then finally, another form emerged from the darkness. Lilly walked with a stiff pace, her head cast down and hand's wringing in uncertainty.

"Thank Ulustrah," Thayle said when she saw her and was grateful that Lilly came right to her and sat down. "Did he set you free?" she asked as Lilly pulled up her legs.

"Yes," Lilly whispered in a somber tone.

"Did he say anything?" Thayle asked, eager to know what was going to happen next.

"He said I should go home," Lilly replied.

Thayle could see the turmoil in Lilly's aura. It rolled and frothed like the sea in a storm. The light of a decision flashed intensely over her head, and she kept glancing his way as if hoping he would make it for her.

"Listen," Thayle began. "All he did was set you free completely. He didn't tell you he wanted you to go home, only that you should for your sake. He is making sure he hasn't caused you any confusion that might influence your decision."

"Why?" Lilly asked.

"He doesn't want you to stay because he wants you to. He wants you to stay because you want to," Thayle said. "This was the only way to be sure."

Lilly nodded and rested her chin on her knees. The flashing was intense as she thought about the choice that needed to be made.

"I don't know what to do," Lilly admitted.

"You only have two choices," Thayle said and put a hand on Lilly's shoulder. "You either go home, or you go to him."

"To him?" Lilly asked with eyes full of tears.

"I would tell you to follow your heart, but you have no understanding of what that means," Thayle said. "So let me explain it this way. If you want to stay, then you need to reassure him. He needs to know that you want to stay, even if you aren't bound."

"I can't feel him anymore," Lilly whispered.

"What does that mean?" Thayle asked in confusion.

"When I was bound, I could feel something of him. It was something I don't know how to explain, but I can't feel it anymore."

"I don't know what that is," Thayle admitted with a perplexed expression. "I could see a link between you two in the light of your aura, but I don't know what does or means. I'm not sure anyone in my order knows how a binding affects the two involved. I don't even know anyone who has ever bound another, let alone a dragon. It's the kind of thing that you only hear of from ancient history."

"Can you still see the link between us?" Lilly asked.

"No, sweetheart. I am afraid the link is gone," Thayle replied.

"What should I do?" Lilly begged.

"Only you can make that choice. You are a free being now. Any choice you make from here on out is solely up to you," Thayle said.

Lilly looked at Gersius as the light of decision flashed brightly and was gone. Her choice was made. Thayle held her breath as Lilly stood and walked to where her pack rested. With sorrow-filled eyes, she slung it over one shoulder and took a forlorn look at Gersius.

"Dear, Ulustrah," Thayle cried under her breath. "She's leaving!"

 

[omnixius]

The estate was a modest house just west of the city of Kingsbridge. It was chosen because of its remoteness and because it was on the road to Calathen. It was an unusual place to meet, but the circumstances called for unusual measures. The house belonged to an ally who decided to be out for the day along with all his family and staff. This left the estate empty of everyone but the Father Abbot and the mysterious figure who answered his call.

The woman who came was dressed in black from head to toe. Nothing of her appearance was exposed except for piercing green eyes that stared from a slit in her mask. Aside from that, her only telltale feature was a red stone ring on her left hand and several knives lashed to a hip. She appeared out of the shadows as the Father Abbot sipped his wine before the fire.

"You understand what I am asking of you?" he asked as the woman stood silently. This matter needed to be handled quickly before Gersius found someplace to hide.

"I am well aware of your desires," she replied in a sultry voice. "Fear not. My men are good at what they do, and my spies are already in place. This Gersius will be located and brought to me before the moon rises on the fourth day."

"And you are certain you can handle the second part?" the Father Abbot asked while swirling his glass. "I want the dragon alive."

"A dangerous task to be sure," the woman replied. "I can bring you the dragon, but the price will be high."

"I assure you we can pay your price but remember, do not kill Gersius until he has given you the name. Then get rid of him and bring the dragon to me," he said.

The woman was silent as those green eyes studied the man before her. There was a sense of danger in the room, but finally, she spoke and asked her question.

"A great deal of trouble and money to capture a dragon, especially when you already have one. Perhaps you can tell me what my spies cannot. So why do you need another dragon?"

"Your spies should be careful where they look," the Father Abbot replied with a hint of irritation. "As for my motivations, that is something I am not at liberty to share. I do hope that won't be a problem?"

The woman laughed as her green eyes sparkled in the light. "All I care about is your money and the agreement for after this is done. However, in my experience, it pays to know why somebody is hiring me. Since you are a holy man, I will take you at your word, for now. Rest assured, I will find your missing knight and his pet dragon."

"Good," the Father Abbot said before draining the last of his wine. "The advance you wanted was delivered last night as per your instructions."

"Then our words are done. I will join the hunt and bring you the prize," the woman replied and turned around before pausing in the firelight. "Oh, one more thing. I can't promise there won't be casualties among your faithful. If Gersius runs to help, I might have to eliminate them."

"If they are helping Gersius, they are hardly faithful," the Father Abbot replied. "Do whatever you have to, but make sure the dragon is brought back."


She nodded in a slight bow and silently walked away, leaving the Father Abbot to watch her go. He hated using services like hers, but her methods were well tested and proven to work. Even more, he needed the task done away from prying eyes and without the order of Astikar being alerted. Until he could lay the foundation of Gersius's betrayal, it was best to keep the brothers from being involved. Her price had been high, but with it came a web of shadows that even Gersius would find it hard to avoid.

As she vanished into the darkness, he set his glass aside and returned to stare at the fire.

"Gersius, your days grow short."

---

The fire crackled, disturbing the dead silence that hung over the secluded camp. Lilly stood alone, with the pack slung over one shoulder as Tavis, Aywa, and Thayle waited in silence. She took one final look at Thayle with an expression that froze her heart.

"Please don't go," Thayle whispered, then held her breath as Lilly turned away and quietly walked to Gersius. The tension in the air was unbearable as all eyes watched Lilly stand before him with her head down in silence.

Gersius looked up with a cold, dispassionate face. He said nothing as the two-faced one another, holding a silent conversation seen only in the light of their auras. Then, finally, he nodded and reached out a hand to pat the ground beside him. Lilly dropped to her knees and quickly took her place at his side. She leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder as his arm came around her back to pull her in. Lilly had made her decision. She wanted to be at his side.

The others looked away, giving them some measure of privacy. Thayle remembered she wasn't breathing and quickly took a deep breath. She had moisture in her eyes from the tenseness of the moment and tried to wipe them when nobody was looking.

The night passed on, and the tension faded as Lilly silently rested in his arms. With eyes closed, she tried to imagine their once shared connection but found only emptiness. The twisting was still there, but it seemed weaker as if slowly fading away like the setting sun. She still felt secure to be in his grasp, but without the connection, it felt different. She wanted to cry over its loss, but he laid his head on hers, and she was afraid it would disturb him.

An hour later and she was sure he was asleep. His arm still firmly held her in place, keeping her warm and comfortable. She clutched her pack to her chest, wondering why this had happened. Her mother said that everything happened for a reason, and there was always a higher purpose. Lilly tried in vain to see that purpose but couldn't begin to grasp what it could be. She sought comfort in the small pile of treasure in the pack, opening the flap to gaze on the coins inside. Her mother once told her that dragons didn't keep coins very often. Instead, they sought out raw ore and dug it from the ground themselves, heaping it into a pile to sleep on. A dragon's sense of smell was so acute that they could smell the metals several meters into the ground. Lilly preferred the coins to raw ore. Her mother's lair had been awash with them, heaped into mounds large enough to hide in.

She reached into the pack, swishing the coins around as they glittered in the moonlight. Most of them were silver, some were gold, but one, in particular, caught her attention. It shined with a red glint as it tumbled in the light, falling into her hand as if meant to be.

Careful not to disturb Gersius, she pulled out a tiny coin with a red crystal heart at its center. Thayle had given her this coin and told her it was a lover's mark. She held it close to her face, turning it about to inspect both sides. Though it was a pretty little thing, in the end, it was just one more coin to add to her hoard. She went to cast it back but then remembered something Thayle had said. She said that Lilly might need to find love one day, and the key to doing so was to give the coin away.

It was an uncomfortable feeling as Lilly considered Thayle's comments. What role did this love play in a human's life? She was a dragon, after all, and didn't have need of these silly human ways. Yet she longed to feel the connection once again, and as she thought of Thayle's words, an idea formed. It was the greatest of honors for a dragon to gift any portion of its hoard to another. That was why she would give him this coin, not because of what Thayle said, but because she wanted to honor him for saving her life and showing her a new path.

It would be a shame to wake him up, so she thought of another way to give him the coin. Carefully, she reached for the top of one of his boots, trying hard not to disturb him. They were funny things that could be rolled up or down, but Gersius always wore them down. She carefully rolled one up and hid the coin inside. She then rolled it down so the coin would be safely tucked away where he wouldn't notice it.

Her heart beat faster as her hands withdrew, leaving a gift from her hoard behind. This carried a lot of meaning for dragons, and she struggled to understand why she had done it. With a mind full of confusion, she closed her eyes and listened to him breathe until the still night claimed her in sleep.

The
following two days went by quickly as the group worked its way across the landscape. The mountains were in view, and Lilly started to feel homesick. She used to fly over those peaks, feeling the wind filling her lovely wings. It was a sad thing to remember, but she was determined not to let spoil the mood.

Gersius was improving every day in both body and spirit. He began walking for part of the journey to give the horse a break and stretch his legs. She was at his side whenever he walked, trying to talk, but he said little, leaving her with a sense of isolation. It wasn't helped that Ayawa seemed to disapprove of her efforts. Lilly caught her shaking her head or rolling her eyes whenever she and Gersius were together. She grumbled when Lilly told Thayle she would stay and even louder when she said she would follow Gersius.​

Thankfully she had Thayle, who was always there with a kind word and bright smile. She was more than willing to spend hours talking to Lilly and said she was doing the right thing. She encouraged Lilly to ask questions and explore her feelings, explaining anything Lilly wanted to know. Lilly wasn't sure what it meant to explore her feelings, nor was she certain what she felt. If it had to be put into words, she would say she was empty or lonely, but these were not feelings a dragon felt. It was as if some part of her was missing or lost. It was still there in some obscure way but slowly fading as if getting farther away.


Near the middle of the third day, they found the road that would take them to Millwater. Ayawa had them wait while she ran ahead, skirting the road but never setting foot on it. Tavis said she was scouting the route for hidden dangers. It was a risk going to Millwater, but the riverboats would make the journey much easier. Ayawa returned a short while later and announced the road was clear. With Tavis to lead the horse, they made their way into the open for the time in days and began to follow the barren track.

Lilly found roads fascinating because they were something a dragon would never think to make. Dragon's could fly everywhere they wanted to go and didn't require a path to get them there. Now that she was forced to travel them, she learned firsthand how difficult they could be. The land was hilly, and the road often meandered around the slopes sticking to the low areas in between. In some places, they were dusty, in others muddy, and often they were deeply rutted or sloped to one side. The horse stumbled a few times, and in several places, they chose to walk on the land beside the road instead of in it to avoid water. Lilly found the journey tiring, but as the sun began to streak the sky, then roofs of Millwater appeared on the horizon.

"Hopefully, we can find somebody to take us out first thing in the morning," Ayawa said as the building drew closer.

"It would be better if we could leave right away," Tavis said while tipping his hat low.

Ayawa glanced his way with a shake of her head and reminded him that the hour was getting late. No boats would be willing to set out into the darkness, especially on such short notice. Tavis countered that staying the night in the town was risky. He was concerned that there might be agents of the Father Abbot among the people. He stressed the need to move on before anyone could alert their pursuers. Gersius ended the argument, stating that they would be spending the night. He pointed out that it was a prosperous trading town with several inns. He suggested they find one close to the river and then keep to themselves to avoid questions.


Lilly was nervous about going into another human hive, but Thayle urged her on, and with dread, she entered. It was a modest town built of wood and plaster and filled with people and animals. Near the water, the buildings became large and tightly packed together, reminding Lilly of Whitford and the maze of streets.

There were more people near the water but most went about their business. They wore simple, drab clothes and wore strange yellow hats woven from riverside reeds. A few did take notice of the group, especially Lilly, commenting on how tall she was or her odd color of hair. A few men dared to smile and wave when she looked, but Thayle quickly pulled her along.

"So much for keeping a low profile," Tavis said when he noted the gazes Lilly was drawing.​

"It's that hair," Ayawa sighed. "Who has ever seen a woman with blue hair? She catches the eye of every person on the street. We may as well go to the town square and announce our presence."

"We will be fine," Gersius assured her. "I have taken Lilly through several towns already. She draws a few stares, but nobody has ever dared approach her."

"You weren't being hunted at the time," Ayawa shot back. "She is going to cause a lot of whispering, and if that gets to the wrong ear, the Father Abbot will know for sure."

"What are they arguing about?" Lilly asked Thayle, who was walking beside her.

"We were hoping to pass through the town without drawing any attention, but your appearance catches people's eye. Ayawa is worried people will talk about you, and our enemies might come to investigate," Thayle replied.

"Why do people look at me?" Lilly asked as she noticed a group of people staring.

"Your hair is a very unusual color," Thayle replied. "And you may as well hear this now, your very beautiful as a human woman."

"I am?" Lilly asked.

"Lilly, I am jealous of your beauty," Thayle said with a smile.

"Well, I don't like how they look at me," Lilly said as she grew more uncomfortable. She moved closer to Gersius
so she might tell him how she felt. "I don't like being surrounded by your kind again," she said after tapping his leg to get his attention. "I want to leave this hive."

"It is called a town," he corrected.

"I don't care what you call it. I am afraid of being here. I want to leave," Lilly insisted.

He looked down with sympathy and smiled at her for the time that day. He explained that he understood why she felt the way she did, but things were very different this time. They were no longer in ignorance of the danger, and this time they had friends who would look out for them. He promised that she would never be left alone again.

His words made her feel better but didn't completely dispel the desire to be away from this place. She chewed on her lip and glanced at Thayle, who made the same promise to keep her safe. She knew it wasn't the same as Whiteford but couldn't help but feel vulnerable. What would make her feel better was holding his hand, but he was using them to hold the reins.

"Is something wrong?" Thayle asked when Lilly's shoulders slumped.

Lilly slowed her pace and drew Thayle back, allowing a few paces between them and Gersius. She then leaned over and whispered that she wished she could be holding his hand.

"He used to hold my hand when we were around other humans so I would feel safe," Lilly admitted.

"I will hold your hand if it will make you feel better. I promised to keep you safe after all," Thayle said with a smile.

Lilly returned the smile as she took Thayle's hand and immediately felt better. She and Thayle smiled at one another as they walked behind Gersius, their fingers wrapped together.

After a few minutes, they arrived at an open area where people had fancy carts full of things for sale. Ayawa stopped them under a tree near the center and looked east as the sky began to darken.

"We need to find an inn," Tavis insisted as they looked around the square.

"How are we going to pay for it?" Ayawa asked. "If we have to pay for everything, our money will run out quickly."

"I have plenty of money," Thayle interjected. "More than enough to pay for an inn for several weeks, and I am sure I will be reimbursed when we reach Eastgate."

"I too have some money," Gersius admitted. "It was in the pack you and Lilly brought back."

Ayawa laughed and turned her gaze on Lilly before pointing the bag on her back. "You should have her pay for it. She has more money than all of us combined."

"No!" Lilly cried and backed away as far as Thayle's arm would allow.

"The greed of dragons," Ayawa snorted before asking Tavis to check the waterfront for an inn. He left with a nod and was gone nearly an hour before returning to report he found one.

"There is a big one right on the water where the boats dock. It looks like somebody converted an old warehouse, but it has meals and private rooms on the second and third floor."

"That should be all we need. Let us go there," Gersius said and motioned them to move.

They arrived at the Muddy Duck, a large three-story inn with yellowed glass windows of narrow diamond panels. The building's walls were white, but a green moss had begun to grow on them in many places. Inside, the common room was bustling with activity and filled with the scents of people. It was the largest Inn Lilly had seen so far, with well over a dozen small tables and a half dozen larger ones that could comfortably seat eight people.

The back wall was dominated by a bar behind which stood a tall, thin man with a bald head. Despite how busy his common room was, he looked bored as he wiped out a mug with a rag.

"Sit here while I get us rooms," Tavis instructed as they settled around a table. He went to walk away then turned with a broad smile on his face. "Of course, I will need to know how many beds you need."

Lilly was confused as Thayle started to giggle until Ayawa shook her head. Gersius replied as if nothing had happened and told him that he and Lilly needed a room with two beds.

"As you wish," Tavis said with a bow and hurried away.

Thayle couldn't help but giggle again and was rather surprised when Ayawa nudged her.

"Do not encourage this," Ayawa whispered so the others wouldn't hear.

"If by this you mean Gersius and Lilly, then you're too late. I don't need to encourage it. It was well beyond my control long ago," Thayle whispered back.

"Don't tell me that," Ayawa countered. "You are the reason that dragon stayed. You told her he needed her."

"So what if I did?" Thayle said while trying to keep her voice low. "What do you have against it?"

"It is unnatural," Ayawa replied after a glance to make sure Gersius hadn't noticed their private conversation.

"That's not for us to decide," Thayle replied.

Lilly noticed the conversation and wondered why they were whispering. She assumed it had something to do with the beds, so she innocently turned to Gersius and asked why Tavis wanted to know how many they needed?

"He wanted to know if you and I would be sharing one," Gersius replied with a dry tone.

"Why would we share one?" she asked in confusion.

Gersius cleared his throat as his face seemed to redden. Lilly had never seen him look so uncomfortable before and was surprised when he suggested she ask Thayle that question later. Tavis returned to inform them that the rooms were arranged and all on the same hall. A moment later, a woman arrived with plates of food and began to set them on the table. Lilly was eager to eat but recoiled with a sad expression when she saw a golden fish.

"I don't want to eat this," she said as it reminded her of that painful day that seemed long ago.

"Are you sure?" he asked with a soft voice. "I assure you it is delicious."

"I don't want it," she replied and folded her arms to pout.

Gersius leaned closer and put his arm around her back, causing her to feel safe. Then, with a gentle tone, he whispered in her ear, and she fought the urge to cry as he admitted he was wrong.

"I know you do not want to eat this fish because of what happened that first day. That was my fault, and I am very sorry I created a bad memory for you. Please forgive me and try the fish. We both know you like them."

Lilly looked into his eyes as he sat back while the twisting returned to her stomach. This time, it was a welcome feeling as if the bind was back and he was taking care of her once again. She glanced at the fish while chewing on her lower lip, then looked up to see him smiling.

"Can you forgive me?" he asked.

She nodded gently and picked up the fork. Gersius took up his own knife and fork and showed her how to cut a small piece off. He then took a moment to blow on his fish before putting it in his mouth. Lilly copied his motions and gently blew before taking a bite. It was warm and full of flavors she'd never known before, adding to her long list of special moments. Without even realizing it, she began to hum and quickly cut off some more.

A moment later, another woman approached with a tray of mugs filled with a thick amber liquid. She quickly took up the mug, as did the others, and they all took a sip of the contents. Lilly frowned at the warm, bitter liquid and looked over to see Gersius making a similar face. To her surprise, he looked to see if anyone was watching, then leaned over, putting his mug next to hers. He encouraged her to blow and cool the ale, so she smiled and quickly frosted the mugs. They both sipped the now cold liquid finding the flavor much improved. Whey they dropped their mugs in satisfaction, they saw the faces of their three companions, who were all staring in silence.

"What?" they said in unison.

The night went on, and Lilly found herself leaning into his side while he held her around the shoulder. The plates were cleared, and several rounds of ale were brought as Ayawa downed them rapidly. Just as Lilly wondered what would come next, Gersius stopped one of the serving girls and whispered something.

"Sure thing, love," she said and sauntered off as Lilly wondered what he said. She dared to ask, and he smiled and said he ordered something for her.

"For me?" she asked, but all he would say was that she would find out in a minute.

"Here you go, love," the woman said as she returned and put a tray in front of Lilly. She smiled to see it contained a half loaf of bread steaming as if fresh from the over. The scent filled her senses as she tapped at the thick golden crust. Next to it was a broad knife and a small bowl overflowing with whipped butter.

"That is what I got you," he said and squeezed her shoulder. "I hope you enjoy it."

"This is all for me?" she asked with wide blue eyes.

"All of it," he said with a smile to see her so happy.

Lilly dived in and began tearing chunks off and then dunking them in the butter. The others noted the strange display as Lilly greedily devoured the buttery treat.

"Ahh, Gersius always knows how to spoil the ladies," Tavis said with a grin. "Cheap bread and bad ale."

"Stop," Thayle said with a smile. "It was a very nice gesture. Lilly obviously loves bread."

"So do I," Ayawa said as she turned an icy glare on Tavis. "You never get me bread. All I ever get are promises."

"Well, then I promise to get you some bread one day," he replied.

Gersius laughed for the first time in days, a happy expression on his face. For a brief moment, things felt right, and something about being next to Lilly made him question his purpose. She was so alive and happy to be there, and he welcomed her touch. For a second, he wondered if Lilly was something more but then was reminded that she was a dragon. He put the thought away and just enjoyed the moment, smiling and taking a drink of his cold ale.

"I am glad to see you feeling so well when we are quite literally in the most dangerous part of our journey," Ayawa remarked when he set his mug down.

"Every journey is dangerous, but to run from the path is to live an empty life," he replied.

"So says the man who's currently running to hide," Ayawa pointed out.

"Only to buy us some time to think," Gersius said. "Then I will decide which path I should walk."

"Speaking of paths, we should retire soon," Tavis interrupted. "The riverboats will set out early. If we want to find one, we will need to be up before the sun."

"I could use a little sleep in an actual bed for a change," Thayle agreed with a stretch.

"What about you, my love?" Tavis said while leaning close to Ayawa with a devilish smile. "Are you ready for some, sleep?"

Ayawa set down her fifth ale and gave him a disapproving glare that only made him smile wider. Gersius laughed again and suggested they head to their rooms when Lilly finished her bread. She was done a minute later, and a serving girl led them upstairs to their rooms. Thayle's room was the first door on the right, Tavis and Ayawa were the next door, and Gersius and Lilly the last door on the hall.

Lilly carried her pack of coins into a small room with two beds dressed down with thick green woolen blankets. Each bed had a small pillow that looked lumpy and stained. A small wooden table and two chairs stood in the corner but what caught Lilly's attention was what was in the middle of the wall. It was a tall bookcase full of books of every color and size. She threw her pack on a bed and went right to the books, running a finger along the aged spines.

Gersius noticed her preoccupation with the books and came up behind her and put his hands around her arms.
"As I recall, you said your mother had books and taught you how to read?" he asked as she smiled to be held.

"She did. She taught me two rodent." Lilly stopped and had to correct herself. "I mean human languages."

"Two?" he asked.

"Yes, and two versions of the dragon language," she added.

He released her with a shrug and sat on a nearby bed as she chose a book.

"It seems odd that you dragons have a written language," he admitted while trying to puzzle it out.

"Why would that be odd?" Lilly asked as she took her book to the table.

"Why would you need one?" he replied. "You rarely meet or interact. You have almost no reason to talk to one another and even less reason to record anything. So why would you have a written language?"

"I guess if you think of it that way, it does sound strange," Lilly admitted as she began to ponder the answer. "But you aren't right about us recording things. My mother said things used to be very different for dragons. We often met for specific purposes, and we recorded things so they wouldn't be forgotten. I know we once followed a system called the order of the scale, but she said that was lost to us now. She told me more, but I don't remember what she said.

Gersius nodded and laid back on the bed, kicking his feet up as he let out a sigh.

"You know, I would like to meet your mother. She sounds interesting," he said.

Lilly sighed and shook her head, reminding him that she couldn't fly.

"Neither can I," he said as if not bothered at all. "We will walk."

Lilly let out a slight laugh at how simple he made that sound. She challenged him if he really meant to walk all the way to her mother's lair.

"Why not?" he said with a shrug. "I am accustomed to long journeys, and we will be walking for weeks to get to Calathen. How much farther could your mother possibly be?"

"A long, long way," Lilly said as she closed her book. "Would you honestly go with me to see my mother?"

"Only if you wanted me to," he replied. "I would do it to keep you safe."

Lilly smiled but started to give the idea serious thought. She wasn't so sure that bringing a human man into her mother's lair was a good idea. Dragons were very secretive and hated humans knowing where their hoards were hidden. Still, Lilly told him that her mother might not kill him if he arrived openly with her, but she still wasn't sure it was a good idea.

"Probably not," he agreed with a smile. "But I would go if you wanted to."

"You're still suffering from head injuries," Lilly mocked as she sat down and opened her book. She thought of him trying to tell her mother how he came to be in her company and shook her head while reading the first page.

Gersius got up and began to take off the sword she had given him, setting it against the wall before going to his pack. He watched as she turned the page and couldn't believe this innocent woman was a dragon.

"What book did you pick?" he asked as he set the pack aside.

"It appears to be a story about a man who went to see the god Vellis," she replied.

"Ah, a good choice," he replied. "There are no better healers than those of Vellis. They specialize in healing and soothing away pain."

"I thought Astikar did that?" Lilly asked as she looked up.

"Astikar is the God of Mercy and justice. His followers can heal better than most, but Vellis is the God of Good fortune and health. His priests can cure disease, restore sight to the blind, and heal wounds no one else can." He paused for a moment as if he was thinking about his next words. "If it had been a priest of Vellis who found you, he very likely could have healed your wings."

Lilly heard his remorse and felt a chill of her own to be reminded of that dreadful day.

"You did your best," she said in a mournful tone. "let's not talk about that terrible day."

"Lilly, I am sorry," he said when he heard the change in her tone.

"No, don't be sorry. You did your best, and I don't blame you. But I do blame that dragon, and I hate him with all my heart," she said with a sniff and went back to her book.

Gersius hated to hear her speak words so full of anger. He realized it was a mistake to remind her of the mother she might never see again and then make her think of the moment she lost her wings. A moment ago, she was alive and laughing, and now she was sad and withdrawn. He tried to think of something to say to make amends but settled on giving her some space to recover.

"I am going to go downstairs to get a bucket of water to wash in," he said and walked across the room. "I will be back shortly."

Lilly nodded with closed eyes, grateful he was leaving so he wouldn't see the tears. She took a deep breath and returned to her book, hoping Vellis could drown away her pain. She began to read the story of Elison, a simple man who rose to become a prophet of Vellis. The opening pages said he went on a dangerous journey that ended with him standing before Vellis to beg the god of healing to save his daughter.

Gersius cursed himself as an idiot as he went down the narrow steps. This night was going so well; why did he have to bring up such painful memories? There were still quite a few people in the common room despite the late hour, but nobody seemed to notice his presence. The fire was low, and the women wiped empty tables clean as the man behind the bar swept his little space. Gersius asked if he could get a bucket of water, and the stern man told him to get it himself. There was a water trough and a pile of buckets right outside the kitchen he could use.

Gersius didn't want to cause an argument, so he set off through the dingy kitchen and out the back door. He wasn't sure what he was doing anymore or that he had known in the first place. His life was so focused on one goal that he lost sight of everything else, especially himself. Everything he did was to end the war so he could retire and have a family, but had he missed his chance already? He wondered why he hadn't retired sooner or what it was he wanted for himself now.

The yard behind the inn was dark, illuminated by a partial moon and what little light trickled through yellowed windows. The trough wasn't hard to find, and just as the man said, there was a stack of buckets beside it. He quickly dunked a bucket and held it up to sniff and ensure it wasn't stagnant.

He never saw the shadows moving or the attack that came from behind. A heavy blow struck his head with a flash of pain, and his world descended into darkness.

"That was easier than I thought it would be," a cold voice said.

"What about the other ones?" a raspy voice asked.

"There's no bounty on the other ones, just this one and his dragon," the cold voice said.

"But where is the dragon?" the second man asked.

"How am I supposed to know?" the cold voice said in irritation. "But I know who can tell us."
Two men dressed in black that blended with the night hovered over the unconscious form of Gersius. They grabbed him by his arms and legs, lifting him to carry away.

"Let's get him to the wagon before anyone knows he's missing," the cold voice urged.

"The mistress will be happy. I hope," the raspy voice said.

"Happy? When is she ever happy? She expects results like this. Any less, and she would have our heads," the first man replied.

"Maybe, but this is a special bounty, and he can lead us to the dragon," the second man said as they vanished into the night with Gersius.

Lilly felt disturbed despite being absorbed in her story. She looked up to see the candle burning low and blinked her eyes to change her sight. The room was still and quiet as a sense of unease grew in her stomach. She thought that maybe she was tired but realized it was more a sense of anxiousness. She turned to ask Gerisus about it then realized he wasn't back yet.

"Oh, he went to get water," she said softly and turned back to her back. Though the room was dark, thanks to her dragon sight, the pages were as clear as if reading them under a bright sun. She turned the page and noted the number at the bottom was fifty-seven and then realized how long she had been reading. Surely an hour or more had gone by, but where was Gersius?

The unease grew, and she recognized it as a very dragon-like feeling. It was a sense that something that belonged to her was being taken away, like a thief stealing part of her hoard. She wished Gersius were there to ask about the sensation but thinking about him made it more intense. She tried to quiet her thoughts by going back to the book, but the effort was futile. Unable to focus, she set the book aside and did the only thing that made sense. She dared to leave the room and went down the hall to find the only other person she trusted to keep her safe. Maybe Thayle could explain these strange feelings and help her relax.

Lilly stood in the dark hall right outside Thayle's room but was afraid to open the door. She tried to convince herself that she was being silly and should just wait in her room when another wave of anxiety rolled through her. She needed someone to talk to and tried the door only to discover it was locked.​

Thayle heard the door rattle and quickly jumped out of bed, reaching for her weapon. She couldn't imagine who was trying to get into her room at this hour of the night, but they were going to regret it. As she inched closer to the door, the rattling stopped, and a sad voice called out from the other side.

"Thayle?" Lilly cried.

"Lilly?" Thayle responded and quickly moved to open the door. "What are you doing in the hall?" she added once the door opened.

"I don't feel good, and I wanted to ask Gersius about it, but he's gone," Lilly replied.

"What do you mean he's gone?" Thayle asked in an urgent tone.

"He went to get water to wash with," Lilly said and pointed down the hall.

"He went out at this hour?" Thayle asked and looked down the hall to see if he was there.

"No, he left a long time ago. I'm not sure how long. I was reading a book, and I started to feel something I couldn't explain. I wanted to ask him about it, but he never came back."

"Dear Ulustrah," Thayle cried and ran past Lilly to bang on the next door down. "Ayawa! Tavis! We need you!"

The door burst open, and Ayawa appeared, holding a blanket over her bare form while scowling with an annoyed expression.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Gersius is gone!" Thayle cried. "Lilly said he left to get a bucket of water an hour or two ago and never came back."

"Tavis, get dressed!" Ayawa shouted from the door.

"I heard her. I will be dressed in a minute," he replied.

Thayle quickly returned to her room and pulled her armor on as fast as possible. Lilly followed her in, unsure of what was going on, and asked Thayle to explain it to her.

"It only takes a few minutes to get a bucket of water," Thayle said as she buckled the armor. "He should have been back a long time ago. Something bad must have happened to him, and if we don't act fast, we might lose him."

"Something bad has happened to my Gersius?" Lilly asked in shock and looked as if she was about to run off to find him.

Thayle went to reply, but Ayawa appeared in the doorway, cursing about Gersius being a bigger fool than she imagined. Tavis said they should check downstairs to find out if they saw Gersius and where he went to get water. They agreed on the course of action and rushed down to grill the people still about. Ayawa questioned the innkeeper, and he pointed to the kitchen door, saying that Gersius went out nearly two hours ago.

A moment later, the door to the backyard burst open, and they fanned out looking for any sign of the missing man. The darkness made it hard to see, so Thayle raised a hand and uttered a prayer to the goddess calling on divine light. A ball of water appeared in the air, floating just above her palm, and began to radiate a brilliant light, banishing the shadows across the yard.

"So you can do that on your own," Tavis said with a nod. "Very impressive."

"The light helps, but there is nothing here," Ayawa stated as she paced across the yard to the trough. "I am sure there are some tracks, but most of the streets are cobble or heavily trafficked. I doubt their trail will be easy to follow."​

"How are we going to find him then?" Tavis asked as she checked around a corner. "He's been gone two hours. He could be a mile outside the town by now."

Ayawa said she would do the best she could, and the two started to argue about how much time they had left. Lilly paid them no attention as she walked across the yard, feeling as if that was somehow making him closer. She realized she could feel something of him, not like the bind, but different. She didn't understand what it was, but she was confident it was him.

"He is that way," she said and pointed to the west.

The argument stopped as all eyes turned to Lilly, who pointed again and insisted Gersius was to the west.

"How do you know?" Ayawa asked with a gaze that was piercing.

"I don't know how I know. I just know he is that way," Lilly insisted. "It even feels like he's getting closer when I walk this way."

"That's ridiculous," Ayawa grumbled and resumed looking for tracks.

Thayle saw the broken look on Lilly's face and then remembered what she said about not feeling well. She realized what it could mean and ran to Lilly to take one of her hands.

"Lilly. Didn't you say you felt sick when you came to my room?" Thayle demanded.

"I don't know. I felt something I couldn't explain. Like I was losing something that was mine," she answered as Thayle nodded. "But why ask me that now? You said he was in danger, and I told you, he is that way." She accentuated the point by pointing to the west again.

"We need to split up. It is the best chance we have of finding him," Ayawa insisted and began to give Tavis instructions to search the waterfront.

"No!" Lilly shouted. "I can feel him! He is that way!"

"Lilly, calm down," Thayle urged as she studied the dragon's aura. It was tense and full of worry but flashed with the truth every time Lilly insisted Gersius was to the west. Thayle looked closer, knowing that there would be a telltale mark that answered all her questions if she was right. She nearly jumped for joy when she found a thin red line at Lilly's feet that stretched west a few paces before ending.

"We are wasting time," Ayawa insisted, but Thayle focused on getting Lilly's attention.

"Lilly, answer me quickly. Did you give Gersius the lover's mark?" she asked.

"I didn't give it to him exactly," Lilly said and looked down.

"You either gave it to him, or you didn't," Thayle insisted.

"I hid it in the folds of his boot," Lilly admitted. "He doesn't even know he has it."

"She planted a lover's mark on him?" Tavis asked with a broad smile. "No wonder she feels sick. If it's working, she can lead us right to him."

"Of course, she can," Thayle said with a smile and looked at Ayawa. "Because Lilly has found her love."

Ayawa glared back with a shake of her head, but a moment later, her expression softened, and she let out a sigh.

"You win, priestess," she lamented. "Let's go. Gersius is to the west."

The four of them ran into the night, heading west across the sleeping city, hoping it wasn't too late.
​

---

Gersius opened his bleary eyes as something shook underneath him. He struggled to clear his vision as his head started to throb in pain. As more of his senses returned, he realized his shoulders ached from being in one position for too long. He struggled to get up but discovered his hands were tied to a metal ring on the floor. He was in a cramped room of wood that rocked and shook, straining his already sore arms. He could hear the faint but familiar sound of a wagon and realized he must be inside.

Straining to see more of his surroundings, he discovered there was a red curtain hanging in a doorway behind him. It flapped and jostled as the wagon rolled across an uneven road. Now and then, he caught a glimpse of the dark landscape and a sky full of stars beyond.

He tried to speak, but his jaw ached from a gag tied tightly in his mouth. He struggled to rub it loose on his shoulder but could do nothing to remove it. Refusing to give up, he tried to get his legs underneath him, but these two were tied, and all he managed was to get to his knees.
"So you're finally awake," came a raspy voice from somewhere nearby.

Gersius looked to the right to see a man wrapped in black cloth and leather. He sat in the corner, blending into the shadows so well he hadn't noticed him before. There was nothing to see of the man himself except for a pair of eyes that gleamed with delight.

"You're a prize worth bragging about," the man said as she leaned out of the shadows. "I can't believe you were so easy to capture, considering how much money you're worth. Of course, you're not worth half as much as the other mark. Tell me, where is the dragon?"

Gersius glared at the man with anger as he struggled to speak into the gag and tell him to find her himself.

"If looks could kill," the man said in a mocking tone while producing a knife out of thin air. He made a sudden slash, and Gersius felt the gag come loose. He quickly spit it out and worked his sore jaw to get some control before looking back to his captor.

"You are making a terrible mistake," he said and tugged at his hands. "My friends will come for you."

"Uh, uh. That's not what I asked you," the man said while waving the knife in his face. "I asked you where the dragon was."

"So my brothers have stooped to hiring assassins," Gersius said to stall for time.

His captor's eyes narrowed as his hand darted out, striking Gersius in the temple with the pommel of the knife. He saw stars and nearly fell over but forced himself back to kneeling position and returned to glaring.

"I do hope you're not going to make me ask this question again," his captor said as he sat back. "I hate to repeat myself, and you can only take so much punishment."

"I have endured far worse than you can imagine," Gersius replied with a look of murder.

"Suit yourself," the man said and struck him again.
​

"You're sure it's this way?" Ayawa asked as they left the town and headed into the nearby farms.

"I am sure," Lilly replied as her voice betrayed her growing aggravation.

Ayawa nodded and pointed out that the road here was bare earth and would hold good tracks. Thayle quickly called up another of her lights, and Ayawa set about searching the ground and looking down the road. In moments she let them know that there were wagon and horse tracks heading away from town that couldn't be more than two hours old. Gersius was probably on that wagon, being carried away with all haste.

"We will never catch them on foot, even if I use my magic," Tavis said and looked to Thayle. "And your horse is on the other side of the town. It will take too long to fetch it."

"Then we will have to steal new ones," Ayawa said and looked about. "There must be a stable nearby or a farm that has field horses."

Once again, Lilly listened to them argue as she grew frustrated with herself. Gersius had been abducted, and she hadn't even realized it. Even now, she could feel this strange connection getting thinner as if he was moving away. Time was being lost as they argued about how to pursue him and decided she wasn't going to wait another minute.

"All of you, wait here until I get back," she said and started to undress.

"What are you doing?" Thayle asked as Lilly quickly pulled off her boots.

"These fools may have horses, but they are pulling a wagon and can't be going very fast. I can run faster than a horse at full gallop and keep the pace longer. I doubt they are more than a few miles ahead; I will catch them in half an hour at most," she replied while pulling her dress over her head. Tavis whistled when it came off, causing Ayawa to shoot him a disproving look. He threw up his hands and turned his back but managed a quick peek over one shoulder.

Lilly quickly discarded the last of her clothes and dashed a few paces ahead to give herself the room she needed. With a final glance to the others, she promised to be back before dawn as her eyes filled with blue fire. A white mist rapidly formed over her skin, and in an instant, it billowed out, forming a globe of swirling white like a cloud in a tempest. It whistled with the sound of rushing wind and then flashed with light, briefly illuminating something massive inside. Before it cleared, the ground shook as Lilly thundered down the road, heading west in pursuit of her prize.

"Good luck," Thayle called to the dark form, racing down the road.

"That was amazing," Tavis said in awe of seeing the transformation for the first time.

"I can't believe she used a lovers mark," Ayawa said with a shake of her head and admitted that Thayle had won once again.
​

Gersius struggled to right himself after the last blow sent him to the floor. His captor had struck him at least a dozen times, and now his head felt like it was going to crack. As he regained his position, the violent man sat back and waited for a response to his last question.

"I set her free, and she went home to her lair in the mountains," he said to try and stall for more time.

The man leaned forward once again, using the knife to gesture as he let out a groan of frustration.

"You better hope that isn't true," he said in his raspy voice. "I hate to think of what you will have to endure if they don't believe you. Of course, we can't take the risk that you're lying. You are worth a fortune, but what they are offering for the dragon is something special."

"Even if I could tell you where she is, you wouldn't last a minute," Gersius groaned and tried to shake the pain away. "She used to trust humans, but now she hates them because of what they did to her in Whiteford. She won't hesitate to shred you on sight."

The man laughed and sat back as if he had heard the most amusing tale, then suddenly leaned forward to press the knife to Gersius's face.

"You underestimate me," he said in his raspy voice. "I am a trained assassin, and no man or dragon can best me. The beast will never see us coming, and when we strike, she will fall just as easily as you did." He pulled away and looked down with narrow eyes bragging that he wasn't afraid of the dragon.

"You will be," Gersius replied and earned another crack to his head.

"That's enough," came a cold voice that carried no hint of compassion or pity.

Gersius struggled to look over his shoulder to see who had spoken and spotted a second man. He was dressed like the first and climbed into the wagon through the curtain in the back. He stood at the entrance, bracing himself with one hand holding the curtain open, allowing Gersius a partial view of the outside.

"She will have your hide if you beat him unconscious," the newcomer said.

"It would be his own fault for being so stubborn," the raspy man replied. "After all, I was just trying to have a conversation. Is it my fault he refused to be cooperative?"

"That isn't your job," the second man insisted. "She will ask the questions and get him to talk if needs be. I doubt she needs your help to get the answer."

"I am sure she can loosen his tongue," the raspy man laughed. "But she uses such slow and complicated methods. A swift blow to the head will get answers faster than her poisons and acids. And I still don't understand those delicate tools."

"They get results without killing. That's all that is important," the cold man said and turned to Gersius. "Bashing his head in is only going to kill him, and we can't question a corpse." He locked eyes with Gersius and let out a haunting chuckle before continuing. "I expected more of a fight out of you. The legendary Gersius, the greatest of all the battle priests of Astikar. You never saw us coming."

"I do not attack from the shadows like a coward," Gersius spat back.

"Brave words, but our methods are effective, and we don't care what anyone thinks of them. All that matters is the job gets done," the man countered.

"And the job isn't done until you tell us where the dragon is," the raspy man added.

The wagon hit a bump, and the man in the doorway swayed as he adjusted his position. Gersius had a clear view down the road for a brief moment and saw something glinting in the moonlight as it rapidly gained on them. A smile spread over his face as the man regained his stance and repeated the question.

"Alright then, since you gentlemen have been so kind to me, I feel it is only fair I answer your question," he said mockingly.

"So, you do know where the dragon is?" the man in the doorway asked.

"I do," Gersius said as he locked eyes with him. "She is right behind you."

The wagon lurched and came off the ground as Lilly slammed into it with all her weight. Massive claws tore the man standing in the doorway in half before she flung the rest of him into the night.

"By the divines!" the raspy man cried and dropped his knife in terror.

"What is wrong?" Gersius asked. "Now is your chance to show me how I have underestimated you."

The man screamed as the roof of the wagon shattered and tore away, revealing the fanged jaws of a dragon rushing in. Gersius heard the crunch as bones snapped in her powerful bite and had to look away.

"You attract trouble," Lilly growled with blood dripping from her jaws. The wagon suddenly came to a halt as she stamped on the back with a powerful leg and dug the other into the road. No matter how the horses wailed and pulled, they gained no ground under Lilly's weight.

Gersius heard shouts of dragon from outside, giving him his first indication that there were more men in this band of assassins. Before he could say anything, Lilly took a deep breath and filled the air with a noise like the howling wind of the most bitter winter ever known. Screams and cries erupted from outside but were cut short in a freezing death. In an instant, Lilly's face was back, a frosty mist falling from between her teeth. Her eyes were like pools of blue fire as she stared at him like a hungry predator.

"You do remember I am no longer bound to you?" she said while reaching down. She grabbed the ring tying his hands, and tore it free of the wagon's floor. "It made it much harder to feel you, and Ayawa didn't believe me when I told them which way you were"

"You could feel me?" Gersius asked as he struggled to until his feet.

"It was something to do with being bound," Lilly admitted. "I could feel you. It was like some part of you was inside my head."

"I could feel you too," Gersius said as he tried to stand up. He found his feet were unsteady and stumbled a few steps until Lilly grabbed hold of him.

"It would appear I have to carry you again," she said and lifted him out of the shattered wagon.

Gersius was finally able to see beyond the wagon and what he saw was chilling. Four men on horseback stood like statues of ice frozen in time. The landscape beyond them was bathed in white that glittered in the moonlight like a winter's evening. The only thing that remained alive were the two horses that pulled his wagon. Even now, they were thrashing and bellowing, desperate to escape their tack and flee the dragon that towered over them.

We seem to be making a habit of this," Lilly said as she stepped off the wagon and allowed the horses to run free with what remained. She held him before her face and asked him if he felt strong enough to keep his balance if he rode on her back.

"I think so," he said with a slight nod.

Lilly set him down gently then lay on the ground as low as she could manage. He carefully climbed up and settled in while flinching at the sight of the two jagged stumps that used to be her wings.

"I am so sorry," he said in pity.

She turned her long slender neck about and looked him in the face while asking what he was sorry about. He looked down, and she followed his gaze to the stumps before snapping her head away.

"I thought we agreed not to talk about things like this," she said and let out a sigh. "Put your legs over them. At least they can help support you."

He inched forward and did as she said, finding the new position much more stable. She made sure he was settled, then set off toward the town at a pace that, while walking for her, was almost a sprint for a human. They traveled in silence for a few minutes as Lilly kept glancing back to make sure he was balanced. Finally, he decided to speak and break the silence, wondering how she had found him.

"How did you find me?" he asked.

"I." she began but choked on her words. She struggled to think of a way to answer without telling him about the lover's mark. She was about to create a story about being able to smell him then remembered she had already admitted she felt him. There was also the little matter that the others knew the truth and would probably tell him the moment they got back. With a sigh, she looked away and admitted the truth.

"I put that funny coin Thayle gave me in your boot," she said and darted a glance at him.​

"It is in my boot?" Gersius said as if he didn't believe her. "I would have felt it."

"It isn't inside your boot, you annoying rodent. I rolled it into the top," she replied.

"So, you gave me the lover's mark?" he asked as if he still didn't believe it.

"Yes," Lilly moaned, desperate to be through with this conversation.

"And it is in my boot, right now?" he pressed.

"Yes! How many times are you going to make me say it?" she growled and picked up the pace, hoping to get back to the others quickly.

Gersius smiled as he swayed on her back and waited until she dared to look at him again.

"So you gave me a token of your love," he teased.

"You are infuriating!" she bellowed. "I don't even know what that means."

"Thayle will have to explain it to you later," he said and pressed a hand to the side of his head.

"Are you alright?" Lilly asked as she noticed the gesture.

"I am fine," he said with a wince of pain. "You know, you behave differently when you are a dragon."

"I do not," Lilly argued.

"Yes, you do," he insisted. "You are meek and quiet in your human form but fearless and powerful when in this form."

"Of course I am," she said and turned her slender neck to look at him. "I don't' feel safe in my human form. I do my best to keep quiet and blend in because I don't understand your rodent ways. I see people looking at me because my hair color is different or I am taller than most rodent women. I try not to notice and do all I can to avoid drawing attention. I feel like nothing I do will ever be enough, and when I make a mistake, you yell at me."

"I do not yell at you," he insisted.

"Yes, you do!" she shouted. "How about when I was cooling those drinks? Or what about when I accidentally froze the spoon at the farmhouse? Do I even need to remind you about the fish?"

"You're right. I did yell at you, and I am sorry," Gersius admitted while rubbing at his head.

Lilly took note of the motion and the pained expression on his face. She looked closer to see the bruises and smelled a faint hint of blood.

"Why haven't you healed yourself?" she asked while inspecting him.

"I do not wish to call on Astikar for help," he replied.

"But you're injured," she insisted.

"I will manage until Thayle can heal me," he insisted.

"I am worried about you, Gersius. You don't sing to your god anymore, and you never talk about it," she pleaded.

Gersius looked into her eyes and admitted he felt very far from his faith. The incidents at Whiteford had wounded him in ways he could not explain and did not wish to talk about. Lilly could see the pain in his expression as the profound loss came to the surface. She was reminded of that night in the farmer's house when he shared his fears about the war with the Doan. He was hurting over the loss of his men and still in shock over surviving his encounter with a dragon. She dared to come to his side and put her arm around him, offering him comfort in his hour of need. She couldn't do that now, but she had come to learn that words could offer much the same.

"I know nothing of your faith, but I do know it meant everything to you. It was what drove you to face me even when you were sure it was hopeless." She paused to let him drink in her words before continuing. "You once told me that you couldn't understand the pain I felt over my wings, but you could still see I was hurting. You did something that I didn't understand until later, but that has come to be very important to me."

"What did I do?" he asked.

"You held me," she replied as her face loomed closer to dominate his vision. "I can't understand what it must feel like to lose your faith, but I can see that your hurting. So when we get back, I am going to hold you until the pain goes away."

"I would like that," he said in a soft voice.

"After Thayle heals you," she added and pulled her head away.

"After Thayle heals me," he agreed.

Lilly took a deep breath and let out a long slow sigh. She glanced back to see him watching and then dared another question.

"So, you could feel me over the bind, too?" she asked.

"I could feel your anger, especially when it was with me. It had to be a strong emotion, but I did feel it. What did you feel from me?" he said.

Lilly choked on her words, uncertain how to explain it. What did she feel from him? How did she explain it without using the words Thayle gave her? She still wasn't sure what love, empathy, or compassion meant, but she was certain they were not words to use lightly.

"I felt the same thing," she said in desperation.

"Hmm," he replied and let her walk on in silence a moment. He could tell she was uncomfortable and decided to tease her some more.

"So, which boot did you put the lover's mark in?"

Enough, you annoying rodent!" she bellowed and threw her head high. "Be glad I put it there, or you would still be in the back of that wagon!"

Gersius smiled as he rode through the night on the back of a dragon, enjoying knowing how she had found him.​

 

[omnixius]

Lilly trotted over a hill just as the sun began to peel away the dominion of the night. Ayawa saw her before the others and quickly alerted them that she was back. Lilly was surprised to find them so soon, but Ayawa explained that she was concerned Lilly's return would cause some alarm. She followed Lilly's tracks for several miles and waited in the countryside under a tall willow to avoid anyone seeing her. Hopefully, they would be safe from prying eyes long enough for Lilly to change back.

Lilly came right up to the group and carefully knelt so they could help Gersius off her back. He was still hurting from the injuries and went directly into Thayle's care. She inspected the lumps on his head and announced that while it was painful, it wasn't serious. She was sure her healing could manage it and began a little song while putting her hands to his head.

With Gersius in hand, Lilly looked to Ayawa, who had her clothes, and directed her to go behind the tree. Lilly moved away and quickly began her transformation, changing back in a flash of light before walking to Ayawa, who looked concerned.

"What's the matter?" Lilly asked.

"Your eyes are the matter," Ayawa snapped as she handed Lilly her clothes. "They burning like blue fires again."

Lilly paused to hold a hand close to her face and see the light reflected in her palm. She never used the human form before she met Gersius and had no idea her eyes glowed afterward. She tried to explain it to Ayawa and insisted the glow would fade in a little less than a day.

"We have to pass through a town to get on a boat," Ayawa sighed. "If your hair was enough to draw attention, I can't imagine what those eyes will do."

"There is nothing I can do about it," Lilly argued as she struggled to fit the leather bracing around her chest. "Oh, why do you humans wear these stupid things?" she complained.

"Here, let me help you," Ayawa grumbled and turned Lilly around to tie the straps for her. She pulled the lacing tight and helped Lilly adjust it as she admonished her for being brave.

"I just wanted to help him," Lilly replied and pulled out her necklace and handed it to Ayawa.

"That's twice now you have saved him. We are all your debt," Ayawa added as she latched the necklace around Lilly's neck.

"I did it for Gersius," Lilly said as she glanced back. "He saved my life."

"Yes, he did," Ayawa agreed. "And now you have saved his."

Lilly wasn't sure what the woman was getting at, but she was far more interested in Gersius. She peeked around the tree to see he was standing in the road with Tavis and Thayle. Hoping they were far enough away, she turned to Ayawa to ask a question.

"Do you know Gersius well?" she asked.

"I do," Ayawa replied with a nod. "We have known each other for many years. Tavis and I have been scouts for several of his missions and military campaigns. We have accompanied him on many of his more secret missions as well. I wish he had thought to include us on this one."

"I am worried about him," Lilly said as she straightened her dress. "He used to sing to his god every morning, but he no longer does. He was injured when I freed him but refused to call for healing. I asked him why but he said he didn't want to talk about it."

"Gersius is having a conflict of faith," Ayawa said and handed Lilly a boot. "He was betrayed by his brothers and wonders why Astikar allowed it to happen. He is trying to understand what it all means and refuses to go before his god with a heart full of anger."

"But his faith is everything to him," Lilly countered. "Even in the short time I have known him, I can see that."

"You are right; it is everything to him. That is why this particular pain is tormenting him so," Ayawa agreed and handed her the other boot. "He won't go before Astikar until he has had time to think and make up his mind as to who to blame. I only pray that he doesn't put the blame at Astikar's feet, but where else could he place it?"

Lilly looked up to see Ayawa looked genuinely concerned. It made sense that Gersius was angry, but she didn't know enough about humans to appreciate it fully. However, there was one thing that was similar as it was something that meant everything to her.

"Being able to fly means everything to me," she said and began to lace her boot. "Losing my wings made me wish I could die. I would give anything to have them back, and I can't help but think every day about what I've lost. I hope his pain isn't the same, but I suspect it's worse, and I don't know what to say to him."

Ayawa took a deep breath as Lilly's compassion for Gersius shone like a brilliant light. For days she had been arguing with Thayle about what Lilly felt. Ayawa was convinced that Lilly was only here because she was bound to him, but he set her free and stayed anyway. Now she had to admit that there might be something to Lilly and her relationship with Gersius. There was no denying the fact that Lilly felt the call of a lover's mark, and that only works for a woman in love.

"It doesn't matter what you say. Gersius's world has gone dark, and you are his only bright light," Ayawa said while struggling to fight her reservations. She couldn't believe what she was about to say, especially to a dragon, but Gersius needed this girl, and she would not stand in the way. "His face is so full of pain, but then he looks at you, and he softens. When he holds you at night, he appears to be in a better place and a spark of hope glints in his eye. I think the best thing you can do is be with him because he seems to draw strength from you."

"You think so?" Lilly asked as they looked at the southern woman. Her face was somber, and her eyes still looked scolding and distrustful, but she had encouraged Lilly and given some measure of approval.

"I know so," Ayawa said and motioned Lilly to follow. "Come. We must talk with Gersius. We need to know what happened and plan our next move."

"That bump on the back of your head is too old," Thayle said as she took her hands away. "You will have to wait that one out."

"That's probably the one they gave me behind the inn," Gersius replied and reached up to rub the spot.

"Is he healed?" Ayawa asked as she arrived with Lilly.

"As well as I can make him," Thayle replied and stepped back.

"Good," Ayawa replied, then fixed a stern gaze on Gersius. "So now that you have cost us an entire night's sleep, do you mind telling us what happened?"

Gersius sighed and began to recount the story as best he could remember it. He went outside for water, and then somebody struck him from behind. When he woke, he was in the back of a wagon being interrogated by two men who appeared to be Zhadrain assassins.

Ayawa growled lightly at the mere mention of the cursed name. Tavis asked him if he was sure, and Gersius described the outfits to confirm their identity. Tavis asked if any of them appeared to be shadow dancers, but Gersius admitted he only saw the two men, and Lilly killed them both. He then explained some of what they said, especially the part about the bounty on his head. He turned to Lilly and told her that her bounty was much higher.

"There are bounties on both your heads," Ayawa groaned. "We can't afford for anyone to see you."

"It is not like I planned for this to happen," Gersius argued.

"But it did happen," Ayawa said with a sour tone. "And none of us saw it coming."

"Obviously, Gersius did," Tavis countered. "Or he wouldn't have gone to such secrecy about his route and made sure we were nearby to help if needed."

"I suspected spies in the order," Gersius admitted. "But I never dreamed the Father Abbot would turn against me."

"All of which raises another question," Ayawa said and met his gaze. "Why are they going to such great lengths to stop you?"

"What do you mean?" Thayle asked as Gersius looked away.

Ayawa folded her arms and laid out her theory. Initially, she assumed that all they wanted was the dragon so that they could give her to another. Had Gersius turned over her name right away, it was likely he would have been rewarded. She assumed they tortured him because he refused, but now there had to be more to it. People didn't get bounties high enough to attract the zhadrain unless there was something critical at stake. The Father Abbot must be afraid of Gersius for some reason and can't afford to let him live. If Lilly's bounty was higher, it could only mean they wanted to recapture her for some plan.

"They want to use her to create a dragon knight," Thayle argued.

"That does seem likely," Tavis agreed. "But why not let Gersius do that?"

"It's obvious," Ayawa said as she stared at Gersius. "You made it clear the moment you asked to go on your mission, and they said no. You went before the entire leadership and condemned them. You then displayed your astute command of the law of Astikar by evoking your right as a captain to go on the mission. You proved beyond any doubt that they couldn't control you. I bet they were terrified of you becoming the dragon knight and then the emperor. They would suddenly be under your foot instead of the other way around."

"That can't be true," Gersius protested, but Ayawa reminded him that they refused to name him General even though he was locked in a desperate war.

"That's a very good point," Tavis said. "If you had been given the title of general, you could have acted freely and without their control. Maybe she's right. They are afraid to let you off the chain."

"Which means the Father Abbot has something to hide that giving you too much freedom risked exposing," Ayawa added and looked toward the distant town. "Now we have to hide you both. They clearly assume the dragon is still with you."

"They do, but they have no idea she can take a human form," Gersius answered. "They don't know who Lilly is."

"You're sure?" Tavis asked, and Gersius replayed the conversation in the wagon and even pointed out that the men must have been following Them. Surely they saw Lilly, yet they demanded he tell them where the dragon was.

"He's right. They must not know," Ayawa agreed. "Thank the Earth Mother."

"This has nothing to do with the divines or their miracles," Gersius countered to the shocked expressions of his friends.

"Surely you don't blame Astikar for what has happened?" Tavis asked as he tipped his hat up to make eye contact. "That isn't like you at all."

"Who else is there to blame?" Gersius replied in a dark tone. "I have devoted my entire life to his service. I have served his church, aided his people, and led his armies whenever he called. Yet it was his order that did this not only to me but to Lilly, the dragon who offered to help them."

"You're just speculating now," Tavis argued. "Ayawa presented her idea as a theory only. A possibility we needed to consider."

"A theory?" Gersius asked and shook his head as if the pain of truth was weighing down. "You still haven't asked what happened to my men. Well, I will tell you, we were ambushed by bandersooks, and every man but one was slaughtered."

"Bandersook? Here?" Ayawa said incredulously.

"It sounds crazy, does it not?" Gersius replied and stood up, his frustration mounting. "Yet, it happened, hundreds of miles from the war, in a region they have never been known to inhabit. Somehow a massive force appears, finds me deep in the Greenwall, and waits until most of my men are asleep. Then attack from all directions to ensure I can provide no defense."

"That sound unusually coordinated," Tavis said with pain in his voice. "It's hard to believe that is a coincidence."

"Indeed," Ayawa agreed. "Bandersooks are wild animals. They rush in as a pack and flail about wildly. They don't wait until the conditions favor them."

"And yet it happened, and I lost all my men but one. I sent him back with a letter to explain my situation and pushed on alone. I had no hope of succeeding. How was one man ever going to defeat a dragon? Yet, when I find Lilly, she is badly injured and nearly dead. I tried with all my heart to heal her, only to fail with her wings."

"That wasn't your fault," Thayle encouraged. "You did the best you could. Nobody could ask you for more."

Gersius ran a hand through his wild hair as he began to pace, the memories bringing back the pain that came with them. He then explained the second ambush and how Lilly had to rescue him. He was still too weak from trying to heal her, and the bandersooks were once again massive in number. He clenched his hands into fists as he admitted his failure with Lilly. He led her into the trap at Whiteford despite the warnings both in heart and prayer. He ignored every ounce of advice, even from Thayle, who told him his place was in Calathen.

"I was just speaking from the heart," Thayle said as she tried to calm him. "But you're a military order, and you were given a direct command from your superiors."

"Superiors he could have ignored if they had made him a general," Ayawa added.

"But they kept him a captain, so he had to obey," Tavis agreed.


"You see," Thayle urged. "We all understand why you did it. You had orders."

"Yes, my orders," Gersius growled and looked to the blue-haired woman who paid the price. "My orders cost Lilly the one thing she treasured most in life, her ability to fly." He looked away, unable to hold her gaze as the weight of his sins bore down. "The whole time, I carried on in the belief that Astikar would protect us. I believed in my heart that we could walk through any danger because he would make our path straight. His hand would be over us as I did his will and would see us delivered to Calathen to save the empire. I prayed every day, offering him all I could give, holding nothing back. I did it all for his glory and because I trusted him, but look where we are now. Betrayed by his church, hunted by assassins, and running for our lives. This is where my faith has led me."

They were all silent as Gersius finished, but Tavis began to see a pattern in the coincidences. He started to link the events together and realized there might be a broader picture.

"I hate to ask you this," Tavis began as he stepped closer to Gersius. "But am I correct in saying that only the Father Abbot knew your route to Lilly's home?"

"That is correct," Gersius replied. "I told no one else about it. Not even you."

Tavis nodded as the picture became clearer. "And the route you planned to take back. Did you tell him that?" He wasn't surprised at all when Gersius nodded. "Then the Father Abbot has been quite busy, hasn't he?"

"What do you mean?" Gersius asked, lost as to where this was going.

"Think about it," Tavis said as the picture became clear. "On the western battlefields, the enemy always moved to counter your advances as if he knew where you would be. Now you're saying you were ambushed twice by bandersooks, a messenger was practically waiting for you, and the Father Abbot mysteriously turns up in Whiteford. What other misfortunes have befallen you that can't be explained by chance?"

"I don't understand," Gersius replied with worry apparent on his face.

"It's all connected," Tavis argued. "You were ordered to send regular reports about your position and what you intended to do. You were not allowed to take direct action without approval. Now think about it. To who did you send those reports? Who was the one person who knew where you were going to be? Who else could possibly be able to ambush you at every turn."

"That can not be," Gersius stammered while shaking his head.

"I agree," Ayawa said. "You have to be wrong, Tavis."

"How can either of you say that after what happened in Whiteford?" he argued and tore his hat away. "You were there, Ayawa. How many times did we scout the enemy to help him maneuver his army and ambush the enemy only to find them moving to ambush us?"

"I still can't believe it," Gersius said as pain crept into his voice. "I don't understand why he would betray me, but I can't believe he would betray the entire empire to the enemy."

"All of you think," Tavis urged and pointed at Gersius. "You sent reports to the Father Abbot about all your maneuvers, and the enemy subsequently moved to counter you. It happened every time except twice when you saw an opportunity but didn't have time to get permission. In those instances, you acted first then informed the Father Abbot what had happened."

"And he scolded Gersius for it," Ayawa said as the truth became clear. "How could we be so blind?"

Tavis nodded before cornering Gersius with an accusatory glare. "Now you say you were ambushed twice by bandersooks hundreds of miles from where they should be and along a secret route you didn't even tell us about. Then messengers are waiting for you, as is the Father Abbot, as if they already knew you would fail. You're ordered away from Calathen to a remote city where you are drugged, beaten, and then sentenced to death. All of which is done by the only person who knew where to find you. We understand why they tortured you, they wanted her name, but it's time we faced the truth. They never intended to let you be the dragon knight. You were never supposed to find a dragon."

Gersius had the look of a man who had given up hope as he turned away, unable to answer.

"It's time we also started the other truth," Tavis continued. "They didn't turn on you at Whiteford. They turned on you years ago in Calathen. Even before your mission began, they were trying to stop you. That's why you never got your promotion because it would have given you too much freedom to act."

"I don't understand this promotion thing?" Thayle interjected.

"The rank of general is equivalent to the rank of Father Abbot," Ayawa answered. "If they had promoted him, he wouldn't have needed the man's approval to act. It would have changed everything in the west."


"Which all ties into what I am saying," Tavis finished. "So let me ask the question again. What other misfortunes have befallen you that can't be explained by chance? It might shed some light on what is truly going on."

Gersius nodded and took a minute to replay the last few months, trying to remember anything that had gone wrong. He suddenly looked distraught and turned his gaze on Lilly, who was standing beside Thayle.

"Oh, merciful Astikar, please tell me I am wrong," he mumbled.

"Wrong about what?" Ayawa asked as Gersius staggered to Lilly and took her hands.

"Lilly. I need you to tell me something," he began as his voice became strained.

"What?" Lilly asked, growing frightened by his behavior.

"Did the red dragon that attacked you know you lived in that valley?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied and pulled her hands away. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Lilly, did the dragon know you somehow? Have you met somewhere else, or has any dragon ever been to your valley?" he pressed.

"I have never met that dragon before that day," Lilly replied and leaned away from him. "I have no idea how he knew I lived there. I certainly didn't tell him, and I have never had another dragon in the valley who could have."

"But you said you had seen two other dragons in the last hundred years," Gersius pointed out.

"Yes, that red, and my mother," Lilly replied as fear crawled up her spine.

"But you went to see your mother," he asked as she nodded. "So there is no way you know of that the red dragon could have known you were in that valley?"

"He could have used the dream," Lilly admitted. "But typically, only females seek dragons out that way. Otherwise, I have no idea how he found me, but it was obvious he knew where I was."

"Then it is true," Gersius said as a hunted look passed over his face. He turned away and staggered to the willow tree to lean against it for support.

"What are you on about?" Tavis asked after a moment.

"You are right. The Father Abbot has been behind all of this for a very long time," Gersius replied. "He was the only one who knew the details and the only one who could have set those traps."

"So why do you look sick?" Ayawa asked in concern.

"Because that isn't all I told him," Gersius replied in shame. "I needed to find a dragon, so I had the scribes scour the libraries for books, reports, records, anything that spoke of dragons. I had them narrowed down to sightings made in the past one hundred years. We found two, one of which was the red, but he lives in the mountains far to the northwest. He is behind our enemy's lines and out of reach."

"Then I must have been the other one," Lilly said.

Gersius looked up with pain in his eyes and nodded his head. He took a minute to breathe then continued with his story, every word sounding even more strained.

"I found a single record, written by a fur trapper who claimed to have seen a blue dragon lairing in a valley. He claims to have followed a river through a narrow canyon while looking for beaver dens. He was in your valley less than an hour when you flew out of your cave. He was so frightened he left his horse behind and fled to report the discovery to the closest town. They didn't believe him, but they filed a report, and that report made its way to Calathen."

"So?" Lilly asked with a shrug.

"I took that report and told no about it," Gersius said as his eyes began to moisten. "Except the Father Abbot."

Thayle gasped as Ayawa cursed her native tongue. Tavis had to look away, his face going pale to see the sheer pain in the eyes of his friend. Lilly looked around confused, but the others offered no answer, so she turned back to Gerisus and told him she didn't understand.

"It is my fault," Gersius admitted as his soul died inside. "I told the Father Abbot where you were. I don't l know how he managed it, but he must be the one who sent that dragon."

"You're the reason the dragon came to my valley?" Lilly asked slowly as if in shock.

"I didn't mean it," he pleaded. "I just needed your help. I had no idea the Father Abbot was working against me; I was just trying to save my people."

"Your people?" Lilly repeated as her lips started to tremble. "Your wicked, vile people!" she snarled as her hands curled.

"Lilly, please," Gersius begged. "They are not like that. They don't deserve your hate."

"Did I deserve to have my wings cut off for the sake of your people?" she shouted back. "First, your order tries to kill me, then they butcher me and make me pet. No, I was less than a pet; I was a beast chained and beaten until they had use of me. You can't deny how vile your kind is because I saw it first hand. Those people laughed and cheered to see me so abused, and it's all your fault!"

"Lilly, that isn't fair," Thayle interjected as Lilly's aura glowed red like a star. "He couldn't have known this was going to happen. He was betrayed by people he should have been able to trust."

"And my wings are gone!" Lilly shouted. "I don't care about his trust. He is the one who told them where I was and sent them to me. He found me dying because of what he did! Everything humiliation I have suffered is his doing. He may as well have broken my wings himself."


"Lilly, Please. I was trying to do what was right," Gersius begged.

"You call this right?" Lilly growled and turned on him with fire in her eyes. "Every foul thing that has happened to me is because you wanted to save our miserable little rodent people. Is it right that I should have to suffer like this for them? You are not my people! You are not my kind! You are nothing to me!"

"But in the end, fool girl, it wasn't one of us who broke your wings," Ayawa said in an angry tone.

Lilly whirled around and locked Ayawa's gaze with one full of rage. Ayawa didn't flinch as Lilly walked right up to her and demanded to know what she meant.

"You are right, we are not your people or your kind, but we didn't attack you. That was done by one that was of your people and kind. Gersius might have accidentally alerted them to your presence, but it was a dragon who came and did the deed. Unless you can claim Gersius was in control of that dragon, you have no one to blame but your kind."

Lilly's face was locked in a scowl as she trembled from head to toe. It looked for a moment like she might lash out at Ayawa, but all she did was turn away with a shout.

"I hate you all!" she said and headed down the road away from them.

"Lilly!" Gersius called and went to follow, but Thayle grabbed his arm.

"No, she is too angry at you right now. Let me talk to her," Thayle pleaded.

"I need to make her understand," Gersius cried, but to Thayle's surprise, Ayawa took his other arm and spoke softly.

"The priestess understands Lilly better than any of us, and I have to admit was right about her all along. You will only cause more harm if you go after her now. Let Thayle talk to her; she will bring her back." Thayle thanked her and ran down the road to catch Lilly as Gersius watched his only reason to go on flee him in anger.

Lilly ran for several minutes, desperate to be away from the source of her pain. Eventually, she slowed to a walk with eyes full of tears while seething in rage. She spoke to herself, lamenting that she ever trusted him while trying to dry her eyes. The pain was so engrossing that she didn't notice Thayle catch up and fall in behind her.

"Where are you going, Lilly?" Thayle called.

Lilly was shocked the woman was there but didn't bother to slow or look back. She was determined to go home and be rid of these vermin forever.

"Go away, rodent!" she answered with anger. "I don't want any more dealings with your kind!"

"Of course, you don't. Not after what you just learned, but you're making a terrible mistake by leaving," Thayle insisted.

"The only mistake I made was letting him bind me," Lilly argued. "I should have died in my valley. It would have been more dignified."

"You're only saying that because you're angry, but you don't know what you're angry about,' Thayle countered. "I know why you're angry and why your suffering inside."

"You think you know why I am angry?" Lilly roared and turned around to confront Thayle. Her face was full of anger, made all the more frightening by her burning eyes. It was all Thayle could do to hold her gaze as Lilly went on.

"You think you know why I am suffering?" She paused as her words choked, and she had to start over. "I believed him," she cried. "I thought he liked me and that we were," she paused to search for the word. "Something! But everything I have suffered these past weeks is his fault."

"It isn't his fault," Thayle insisted and folded her arms. "And that isn't why you're angry."

"My wings are gone!" Lilly roared. "How is that not his fault?"

"Gersius is a good man who was betrayed by those he trusted. No matter how you try to see it, all of this falls on their heads," Thayle said.

"No, it was his need to save his wicked rodent people that caused this. I paid the price for his wicked plan," she countered.

Thayle could see the pain flaring through Lilly's aura, but that she stopped to debate it showed there was still hope. She needed to engage Lilly logically and make her face the truth.

"Gersius never wanted to hurt you or anybody else. I know he expected to battle you, but he knew as little about you as you do of us. He assumed you would be a wild beast that would only deal with him if he subdued you," Thayle said.

"He was right!" Lilly spat. "I would never have agreed to help him if I hadn't been dying. I doubt I would even have stopped to speak with him. I would have killed and eaten him then dragged his metal back to my hoard."

"Good, but let's assume you weren't injured when you met Gersius and his men. You would have attacked, and they would have worked together to bring you down. Who would have won?" Thayle asked.

"Go away, priestess," Lilly growled and walked off. "I have no more patience for you."

Thayle saw the pang of frustration in Lilly's aura and knew she was on the right track. She walked after the dragon refusing to let her ignore the truth.

"You know who would have won. You couldn't manage Dellain and his men, and from what I hear, Gersius is even stronger," she said.

Lilly turned around with murder in her eyes and waved a finger in Thayle's face.

I only know that name because of Gersius and what he put me through! So what of it? He probably would have beaten me. He might even have forced me to give him my true name. So what?"

"So, let's assume he did," Thayle pressed. "Do you think he would have treated you any differently?"

"Why would you ask that?" Lilly roared.

"Think about it. If he had to battle you to get your name, I bet he would still have treated you with kindness and respect. He would still have given you the name Lilly and bought you the gifts.'

"What are you trying to prove?" Lilly demanded.

"I am trying to prove to you that he would have taken you by the hand and treated you like gold no matter how it played out," Thayle said.

Lilly stalked closer, her head down so that her eyes glowed as narrow slits. She thrust her finger at Thayle with every word, aggressively making her point.

"You watch your tongue, little rodent! I should kill you and eat your carcass just to remind them that I am a dragon," she growled.

Thayle saw the threat in Lilly's aura, but there was something else. The colors of remorse were starting to show, and Lilly was in turmoil. All she needed to do was get Lilly to remember the good moments and realize that what happened really didn't matter.

"I am not trying to make you angry," Thayle said and held her ground. "I just want you to understand that even if that dragon hadn't come, Gersius would have, and you would still be here, now."

"How would I be here?" she demanded.

"Because you would still have gotten the message to go to Whiteford. You would have been captured, taken from him, and gone through all that suffering. The only difference is you would still have your wings."

"That's exactly my point!" she cried into Thayle's face. "I would have my wings!"

"Does that really make any difference?" Thayle asked with a shake of her head.

"Of course it does!" Lilly shouted and began to pace the road. "I want to fly again!"

"And would Dellain have allowed you to fly free?" Thayle said with a slight smile.

"Now you are twisting the story," Lilly countered. "In your story, everything happens the same except our initial meeting. So, I escape with my wings, and when he sets me free, I would fly home never to see you wicked rodents again."

"Would you?" Thayle pressed.

"Yes!" Lilly spat and stamped afoot.

"I know for a fact that you wouldn't," Thayle replied smugly.

"And how do you know that?" Lilly demanded.

"Because when he set you free, you still vividly remembered what he suffered to protect your name. You felt something for him because he was willing to die to protect you. That feeling only grew stronger as you traveled together, and now it's tearing you apart," Thayle said.

"You can't possibly know any of this," Lilly said while dismissing her.

"Oh, I can't?" Thayle laughed and put her hands on her hips. "Tell me, do you know how a lover's mark works?"

"Why are you changing the topic?" Lilly asked defensively as her aura flared with uncertainty.

"I thought so," Thayle said as her smile grew wider. "It's a blessed token used to show a bond. You give it to the one you love, and it creates a magical link. It allows you to feel in what direction a loved one is, and know if they are hurting."

"You tire me with your rodent nonsense," Lilly said and turned away.

Thayle detected the change in her tone and saw the red light beginning to waiver. Lilly was thinking about the past now, trying desperately to justify her feelings. Now was the time to hammer the point home and force her to admit the truth.

"You can walk away all you want, but it doesn't change the truth," Thayle called after her. "I know what the truth is because you used the mark to find Gersius last night."

"So?" Lilly called as she walked away.

"The mark only works if the person who gives it is truly in love," Thayle answered and waited for the reaction.

Lilly came to a halt as her hands balled into fists. Thayle could see the flashing of a choice in her aura, but Lilly wasn't ready to give in just yet.

"I don't know what love is, and I don't want to," Lilly replied without ever looking back. She started to walk again as her aura filled with remorse.

"You know very well what love is. You just refuse to admit it," Thayle said while walking to keep pace with her.


"I am a dragon," Lilly said. "Gersius once told me that I love my gold, and he's right. That is enough love for me."

"Yes, so much of what you do and say is because of Gersius. He has taken you by the hand and taught you everything you know about us," Thayle replied.

Lilly stopped as her aura began to flood with emotional pain. She was having second thoughts, but the pain implored her to keep running. Thayle knew it was time to bring up more memories and remind Lilly that she was happy with him.

"Do you remember defending yourself to Ayawa?" Thayle asked. "You told her that he was kind to you. Then, you made a big deal about how he bought you that dress and necklace."

"I was wrong," Lilly said with her head hung low.

"No, you weren't," Thayle urged. "You were touched by his kindness. You were so moved by what he did for you on the road and in Whiteford that you said you would follow him to Calathen bound or unbound."

"I don't feel that way anymore," Lilly said with a sniffle as her voice started to strain.

"Lilly," Thayle sighed. "You know you can't hide your feelings from me. Tell me the truth. When you leaned against him with your head on his shoulder, how did you feel?"

"I don't know," Lilly said with a voice about to cry. "I felt something."

"And when he put his arm around you and held you tight. Do you remember how you felt?" Thayle pried as Lilly's aura flared with conflict.

"I didn't feel anything," Lilly lied, her aura betraying the truth.

"You can't lie to me," Thayle said with a sad tone. "Not only can I see the lie in your aura, but I saw you that night. I already know what you felt. I just want you to admit it."

Lilly shook her head as her thoughts jumbled up and drowned in emotions she had never felt before in her life. She wanted to argue and tell Thayle she was wrong but knew deep down that wasn't the truth.

"I don't know what I felt," she admitted as her voice softened. "It was something new, something I have never felt before. I don't know what it was, but I wanted him to hold me."

"And you slept in his arms all night long," Thayle reminded.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Lilly asked as tears began to drop to the group.

"That night, I saw something wonderful," Thayle replied and dared to step closer. "You and he were at peace and happy to be together. I have only seen you like that three times since I have met you. Two were those nights we camped in the wild, and one was the day he danced with you."

Lilly's aura flared with light as she remembered the night of the wedding. She thought of the food, music, and Gersius asking her to dance. Her anger began to bleed away as she remembered his arm around her waist, holding her close as they swayed around the field surrounded by apple trees. The memory came with more pain and a profound sense of loss. Deep inside, the twisting returned, forming a knot in her stomach. It was another emotion she had no word for, and this time it was much worse. It rose like a wild beast and tore at her heart, making her question everything. Her lips began to tremble as tears washed down quivering cheeks, the conflict becoming unbearable.

"I don't understand, Thayle," Lilly wailed and folded her arms over her stomach. "I hurt so badly inside."

Thayle smiled as Lilly finally looked inward and saw the truth.

"Welcome to love, sweet Lilly," she said.

"It is a terrible thing!" Lilly hissed, spilling out the last of her anger.

"It can be sometimes, especially in the beginning when everything is in doubt and uncertain. But once it blooms, it becomes the most beautiful thing in all creation," Thayle said reassuringly and put a hand on Lilly's shoulder. "Lilly, I have seen his light, and I am here to tell you that Gersius loves you. He may not have said it yet, but he loves you, and I know you love him."

"But I am a dragon," Lilly said as she shook her head in disbelief. "I can't love somebody. We dragons don't even have a word for love."

"Lilly, you do love," Thayle urged with a soft tone. "Listen, this is why you're in so much pain. You love Gersius, and hearing that he might be partially responsible for your wings is hurting you. It always hurts more when a lover disappoints."

"But why does it hurt so much?" Lilly pleaded.

"Because you're fighting it. You refuse to admit how you feel and allow it to grow," Thayle said.

"No! This can't be! I can't be! This is a fool rodent thing!" She struggled to complete a sentence as her eyes went wide, looking to Thayle for help. "I am a dragon! This isn't right. How do I fix it? How do I make it go away?"

"You can't," Thayle laughed. "Sometimes people fall out of love, but that isn't something you can force to happen."

"Then what do I do?" Lilly pleaded.

"Lilly, sweetheart. There is only one thing you can do. You have to let him love you, and you have to admit to yourself that you love him," Thayle said.


"No!" Lilly yelled and tore away from Thayle. She stumbled back with a hand up to ward Thayle off as she tried to think of an answer. "There must be some way to fix this! There must be something you can do. I am a dragon!"

"Who is in love with a human," Thayle replied with a smile.

"No!" Lilly shouted again and kept moving back. "I know! I can fix this!" she cried while looking around as if the answer could be found nearby. "I will tell him I don't love him," she finally said defiantly.

"Be my guest," Thayle laughed mockingly. "Walk right back there and tell him you don't love him. Then try to explain why you planted a lover's mark on him, and it worked."

"I will think of something!" Lilly shouted in protest to Thayle's logic.

"I won't stop you," Thayle said with a shrug. "In fact, if you can look him in the face and tell him you don't love him, I won't try to talk you out of it anymore. So go, get it over with and see how you feel."

Lilly stood motionless except for the tears that ran down pale cheeks. She tried to mutter a protest, but all she managed was a soft cry.

"Is something wrong?" Thayle prodded as her smile grew wider.

"I, can't, do it!" Lilly wailed and covered her face as she started to cry uncontrollably.

Thayle was at her side in a moment, supporting her with a warm embrace.

"Shh, sweetheart. You're not alone in this. You have me by your side, and I will help you understand the things you feel," she whispered to the wounded dragon.

"I'm scared," Lilly stammered through pouring tears.

"That means your love is strong," Thayle said and held her tight.

 

[omnixius]

Gersius fell to his knees, silently dying inside as the last reason to go on faded from sight. He was a man broken by the weight of obligation and failure, who would see all he lived for burned to ash. The war would be lost and with it his beloved homelands. The Doan would rampage unchecked, sweeping the once-mighty empire aside and bringing about a new age of darkness.

Gersius was the man the people hoped would stop them. For their sake, he embarked on a mission to bring about a prophecy. He took on the quest with pride, but it was doomed from the start and cursed by the divines. In the course of his quest, he lost his men, his faith, his purpose, and now, he'd lost Lilly. He hadn't even realized how much she meant to him until she ran away. Now all he could think of was her final words as she resolutely declared that she hated him.

Deep inside, he prayed she would come back, but what right did he have to want that? He was the cause of her pain, having put in motion the events that robbed her of her wings. His arrogant needs caused her to be humiliated, tortured, beaten, and abused, not to mention the loss of her hoard. She was right to run away. She should have run sooner, run away, and escaped the long road of misery he would bring her. If only he had died to the bandersooks, then perhaps they would have spared her.

He tried to imagine what she must have looked like. Proud Azurastra spreading her great wings to soar through the sky like a divine bird. He glimpsed the image for just a moment, but it was drowned out by the truth of what she was now. All he could see was the sad woman who looked to the sky and cried, her precious wings lost forever.

"Curse you, Astikar," he mumbled under his breath. "How could you stand by and let this happen to her?" No answer came, but then he wasn't expecting one. No, the divines didn't speak to their followers in ways that people could understand. Instead, the divines left them to linger on in darkness, trying in vain to find a path they would never be able to see.

Nearby, Ayawa and Tavis watched in apprehension, worried that Gersius had lost the last thing he had to live for.

"What do we do if she doesn't come back?" Tavis whispered so Gersius wouldn't overhear.

"We do the only thing we can do and go on without her," Ayawa replied.

"He can't go on without her," Tavis insisted. "The man has lost everything he bled and suffered for. She was the only thing keeping him together."

"We can't undo what is done," Ayawa sighed and looked his way. "I told the girl myself that I thought she needed to stay by his side."

"You did?" Tavis asked in surprise.

Ayawa nodded and turned back to Gersius as he silently fell apart.

"I know I haven't supported this… relationship," she paused to shake her head at the use of the word. "And I am still not sure it's right, but even I have to admit he needs her. Somehow, someway those two came together, and the lover's mark proved that she loves him, or at least she did."

"Let's hope Thayle can bring her back," Tavis said as he looked down the road. "Or I fear this is the final battle of Gersius of Astikar."

Gersius never heard their words, the voices inside drowning them out by calling him a failure. As the minutes went by, he began to doubt and wondered if perhaps it was time to run away himself. He could go east away from the war and into the coastal lands. Maybe he could find someplace to settle down and raise a family before some war took them away. Lost to his dark thoughts, he didn't notice them coming back until Ayawa pointed them out.

"They are coming!" she called, stirring him from his pity.

Gersius looked up and saw Thayle walking with her arm around tall Lilly. He wanted to see her face, but she had it cast down, wiping at an eye full of tears. It stabbed at his heart to know she was crying, especially when he was the source of all those tears. Thayle guided Lilly around them, shaking her head at Gersius and the others to tell them not to talk. Instead, she pointed to the distant town, urging them to get on with the day's business while leading Lilly away.

"I suppose we have wasted much of the morning now," Tavis said to try and break the tension. "If we don't hurry, we will miss the day's boats."

"I agree," Ayawa said with a glance to Gersius. "We need to hurry back and gather our things. With some luck, there is still a boat going upriver."

Gersius nodded in silence, and together they followed the two women back to town. He brought up the rear, feeling strangely alone as Lilly walked just ahead yet out of reach. He wanted to say he was sorry but was filled with terrible shame over how often he had to say that. How had he come to be such a burden to her? Why did such a noble goal bring an innocent so much pain?

Not a word was spoken until right outside of town when Thayle argued with Tavis for his hat. She wanted Lilly to wear it to help conceal her eyes. With Ayawa in agreement, he was forced to surrender the hat, and with much trepidation, they went about their task. Gersius removed his pack and waited outside the inn while Thayle helped Lilly with hers. He had time to look at the sword he'd bought Lilly, and she, in turn, had loaned it back. It made him wish things had been different, but what was done was done. All he could do now was be grateful that she was back and wait until she was ready to talk.

They were at the riverfront ten minutes later, plying the docks for a boat about to set out. It was a muddy river, sluggishly flowing with dark green water. The city built a harbor by piling stones along the west bank to create a relatively dry and flat embankment. It ran the whole length of the street with piers on one side and warehouses on the other. Boats from small skiffs to wide barges were moored along the narrow walkways that reached into the muddy water. Most boats were flat bottomed and used poles to push themselves along.

Tavis took the lead, talking to the various barge captains until he found one going upriver and willing to take them aboard. The boat was a modest barge with a deck full of boxes and barrels headed for Eastgate. At one end was a small rectangular space made from posts and covered in tarps to create a small area of shade. The captain was a hardy man whose aged face was framed by wild white hair. He wore a blue coat that had faded from long years at work on the river. He welcomed them on board while a dozen men worked at untying the ropes and took up poles to push them out. Lilly asked about the men, wondering they wore funny straw hats and no shirts. Thayle explained it was because of the sun and how the water acted as a mirror.

"Keeps the sun out of your eyes," the captain said in agreement, then told the story of how he named his boat the Soshan Princess. He claimed he named it after a southern princess of the Soshan tribe he once traded with. His version of the story left an angry princess shouting curses from the shore as he sailed away with her virtue. Ayawa hadn't taken kindly to the story, but the captain only roared with laughter and walked away.

"Let's get her moving, boys," he yelled, and the men of the Soshan Princess took up long poles, and one by one, they walked to the front of the ship, six on each side. They pushed the poles into the water and walked down the deck, slowly pushing the boat up the shallow river.

Thayle took Lilly to the rear, sitting her down at the edge and talking with their backs to the others. She said it was to avoid any of the men noticing Lilly's eyes, but Gersius suspected it was to keep them apart. He was grateful when Tavis and Ayawa joined him by the shade to watch the town melt away. He tried to tell himself that they were finally safe but didn't trust his feelings anymore. A dozen people went about their business along the shore, but more than one person watched as the Soshan Princess set out. Was one of them a spy for their enemies? Had he made another bad decision by coming here?

"I will be glad when we are away from Millwater," Tavis said, breaking the long silence.

"I will be too," Ayawa added as she studied the shore. "Let's hope our enemies are not watching us leave."

"I should have insisted we stick to the wilds," Gersius grumbled. "It was a risk coming here."

"It was," Ayawa agreed, then put a hand on his shoulder. "But you are a man who knows how to take calculated risks. besides, even I believed this would be the better route."

"The wilds would have added nearly two weeks to our journey," Tavis said and pointed east to the mountains. "We would be tracking over hills and crags with little in the way of supplies."

"But what if they find us again? What if they hurt Lilly?" Gersius asked.

Ayawa shook her head and reminded him that what happened to Lilly wasn't his fault. What he was trying to do was noble, but a wicked man twisted his purpose and used it for his own means. All he could do now was give her some space and wait until she was ready to talk. Gersius nodded his understanding and turned to look upriver, hoping the trip to Eastgate would be a peaceful one.

The sun was near noon, and Millwater had vanished into the distance hours ago. The sky was a bright blue and dotted by white clouds that drifted lazily. The air was heavy with the damp order of the river and sweat from the men working the poles. They walked along tirelessly, using the poles to push the barge against the current as the captain watched their course.

There was nothing to do but sit and wait in the shade while trying to clear his thoughts. Tavis and Ayawa sat with him, engaging in small conversation, but his eyes kept looking back to where Lilly sat at the other end. She never looked his way, her gaze fixated on the water as if lost in a dream.

"She just needs a little time to heal," Tavis said when he noticed him looking.

"He's right," Ayawa agreed. "That she came back at all should be encouragement enough."

"How did I cause her so much pain and suffering?" Gersius asked in a defeated tone.

"You didn't cause it," Ayawa corrected. "You know as well as I that all blame falls on the Father Abbot. You were trying to save the people from a terrible war. Had that fool not worked against you, you could have done it without Lilly."


"I agree," Tavis said. "Had they made you a general when they should have, you could have demanded the forces you needed and gone on the offensive. Everything that has happened since is because he stood in your way. If you hadn't forced his hand with your rights as a knight captain, you wouldn't even have been allowed to look for a dragon."

"And let's not forget that he refused to let you have veteran men," Ayawa pointed out. "He forced you to take raw recruits to ensure you would lose that battle in the forest. So let's not lie to each other. If you had hardened soldiers, you would have survived that ambush with ease."

"He did this to you," Tavis added. "He knew you would never abandon your duty to the people. So he made sure that every path you could take was going to lead to pain and suffering."

Gersius nodded and admitted that Tavis was right. He couldn't think of a path that didn't lead to suffering. His choices were limited to who would pay the price for the path he walked. He swore in his heart that it wasn't going to be Lilly.

Tavis engaged him in a different conversation, asking what Lilly was like before Whiteford.

Gersius explained those troubling first days and how she cried over her wings. She was like a frightened child, terrified that he was leading her into slavery. He explained how little of the world she understood and how often she made silly mistakes. He laughed about Lilly eating the raw fish and complaining that humans didn't eat the bones.

"She ate it raw?" Ayawa asked with a puckered face.

He nodded and explained that Lilly thought like a dragon, and that was how they ate them. He explained how he cooked the other fish then remembered how she burned her hand, and he lost his temper. It was the first time his pain came to the surface, and he took it out on her. He felt shame for what he'd done but quickly moved the story along, focusing on her wings. He described how she felt about her wings and how she begged him to heal them. He hated to tell her that he couldn't do it and had to listen as she cried herself to sleep.

"She must have been very hurt," Ayawa agreed. "Her wings are obviously vital to her well-being. No wonder this has struck her so hard."

Again Gersius nodded and tried in vain to explain just how much Lilly wanted to fly. In truth, he was sure he didn't even appreciate it, but he saw that pain and knew it could never be wiped away. He would give anything to restore her wings, even his life. He dared to hope that maybe with the seal of Astikar, there would be some hope. He believed Astikar would see that Lilly was deserving and restore her.

"I don't know," Tavis said and tipped his hat. "Direct divine intervention is rare, even with artifacts. Hasn't your order tried it before with heroes from your own ranks only to have the request fail?"

"Yes, several times," Gersius admitted. "But I needed something to hope for. I couldn't bear to see her pain and not have some hope that it could be wiped away. I would try anything to help her."

"You are a good man," Tavis said and glanced at Lilly. "All of us know you would do anything for her."

Gersius glanced too, but she was still looking at the water, her gaze never moving. He went on with his story, explaining how they arrived at the farm and Lilly met her first people beside him. She was afraid to go into the house, calling it a nest and the lair of the rodent woman. He explained how the farmer's wife dug out an old dress that belonged to one of her daughters. Lilly was terrified as the woman made a fuss over her, chattering away as if Lilly was just another human.

"You didn't tell them what she was?" Ayawa asked.

"No," Gersius replied. "I told them she had been kidnapped by a slaver who had a weave on her. I used it to explain the lack of clothing and her glowing eyes."

"That was clever," Tavis said in approval. "Her eyes are hard to explain."

He tried to convey how upset Lilly was about the whole encounter and how he had to take her hand to lead her through the rest. Thankfully the couple were kind and generous, inviting them in with open arms. They provided a warm meal, and Lilly got to taste real human food for the first time. He laughed how she hummed over bread and butter and greedily devoured every crumb.

"So that's why you bought her bread," Tavis said and joined in the laugh.

Gersius smiled briefly as he described the rest of the meal. Lilly was afraid to touch a hot soup after burning herself on the fish. He tried to show her how to cool it by blowing on a spoonful, but when she did it, it froze solid.

"Like you did with your drinks in the inn," Ayawa cited as he nodded.

Gersius joined her in the nod but then explained how she didn't realize she could do it. Before meeting him, she never used her human form and was ignorant of what she could do. Later, when they got to Tots Creek, he had to leave her alone at the inn. The innkeeper told of the messenger that was asking for him by name, so he wanted to set out at once to find him. He paid to have Lilly given a drink and watched to make sure nobody bothered her. He was gone less than an hour, but when he came back, the inn was so full of people it spilled out into the street.

"Oh, boy. What did she do?" Tavis asked.

Gersius smiled and explained how foul the ale was warm. Lilly decided to put her newly learned skill to use and blew on the ale to chill it. Every person present saw what she did and began offering to pay her to chill their drinks. Word began to spread that the inn had ice-cold drinks, and by the time Gersius got there, she had a pile of coins on the table. The waitress was bringing drinks by the tray full, paying Lilly to chill them before serving them to the customers.

"Ha, that had to be a sight," Tavis laughed.

"You're lucky she didn't give away what she was," Ayawa commented. "Especially considering people were hunting for you."

Gersius agreed and explained how angry he had been. He was trying so hard to keep what she was a secret, and people would start asking questions. He rushed her to their room and did his best to explain what she was doing wrong. Lilly didn't understand, of course. All she knew was people were giving her gold and silver just to blow on drinks. He had to demand she do nothing that would draw attention to herself, but that only made her mad.

"I have to sympathize with her," Ayawa interjected. "The girl is tall, pale, and has long blue hair. You won't be able to go anywhere where her appearance doesn't draw attention."

"She is also rather nicely proportioned," Tavis added, drawing a scowl from Ayawa. "What? I am only speaking the truth. She is a beautiful woman with distinctive features. People are going to remember here long after she is gone."

"You're right," Ayawa grumbled and looked back to Gersius. "It sounds like you two had some good times despite how things started."

Gersius agreed and went on to describe the road that eventually brought him to Pinehollow. He spoke of his meeting with Thayle and how he came back to discover Lilly watching a nearby wedding party. She was so interested in what was happening that Thayle got them invited to the festivities.

He paused as memory stirred the pain in his heart. He explained how Lilly heard music for the first time and then marveled as people began to dance. Thayle noticed her interest and pushed Gersius to ask her to dance. Lilly was terrified at the idea but went with him and tried. It was the first time he held her in his arms and looked deeply into those eyes. He had to walk her through the steps as dances changed, but Lilly learned quickly. Before he knew it, she was dancing with grace, and song after song drifted by. He ended up dancing with her for most of the night, and she was sad when the music finally ended.

"That's probably where it started," Ayawa sighed.

"It sounds like a magical moment," Tavis added with a shake of his head at Ayawa. "I would never have suspected you were so smooth with the ladies."

"He isn't like you at all," Ayawa interjected as Tavis smiled and put his hand on Gersius's shoulder.

"I can hear the pain of love in your voice as you tell the story," he said.

"A shame the Father Abbot had to cast his vile shadow over you both," Ayawa grumbled. "We were fools to be so blind to his manipulations."

"I don't think we could have seen the danger any earlier," Tavis suggested. "It is only in hindsight that the picture becomes clear."

"That's not entirely true," Gersius said and looked at Tavis. "You said it yourself. I suspected there was a danger, that's why I didn't share my plans with anyone. I suspected a spy, but I never dared to believe it was the Father Abbot. I was sure he could be trusted, so he was the only one I went to with my plans."

"None of us saw the danger," Ayawa assured him. "That you were aware enough even to suspect shows you are wiser than us all."

"Truth be told, I suspected it was a member of the raven guard. I would have bet money on Dellain himself," Gersius said.

"Who could blame you for that?" Tavis said with a sour tone. "He and his band of murderous thugs should have been cast out of the order years ago."

"The Father Abbot said they were useful, especially in the face of the war," Gersius said but shook his head in disbelief. "I should have suspected when he made them his personal bodyguard. I should have seen the danger."

"How could you have?" Ayawa asked. "You were never in Calathen to see what was going on. They kept you busy with constant deployments, and when the war started, you were immediately sent to the front. You needed his permission to leave your post just to come back and make your request. When were you supposed to look into the matter or ask questions that might lead to you suspecting?"

"She's right, Gersius," Tavis agreed. "They used your sense of duty to keep you away. You never had a chance to look too closely."

"And look what my sense of duty has cost me?" Gersius replied as Thayle startled them.

"How are you holding up?" she asked with a smile at Gersius.

Gersius looked back with a hopeful expression and asked if Lilly was alright.

"She's fine," Thayle said with a calming tone. "Just give her some time to work through her thoughts. She isn't familiar with the ideas of betrayal and deception. From what I have learned from her, dragons tend to be very direct in their dealings. They don't lie to gain an advantage, and they don't break a deal once made."

"And that helps us how?" Ayawa asked.

"It helps by understanding how Lilly sees things," Thayle replied. "She wants somebody to blame and put it on Gersius because he was the most direct cause she could find. Now that I have explained how Gersius was deceived and manipulated, she is starting to understand it isn't his fault."

"How can she possibly forgive me?" Gersius asked with a pained tone.

Thayle bent down and pulled at the hems of his boots, unrolling them until she found the lovers the mark. She held it up for all to see, then leaned directly in his face holding it before his eyes.

"The woman who put this in your boot will find a way," she said and pressed it into his hand.

Gersius turned the coin over and thought about what it meant. Lilly had loved him just the night before, and now he wondered if that love was dead. Even more, he wondered why her love mattered. She was a dragon, after all, and reminded him of it frequently.

"She must have forgiven him already," Tavis said and looked to Thayle. "Why else would she come back?"

"This has something to do with dragons and emotions," Thayle said in reply. "Dragons have no word for love because they don't feel it, or they don't' recognize it. Lilly is feeling all sorts of emotions that she has never felt before and has no words to describe. She doesn't' know what they mean or what to do about them, and it's making her confused."

"How could she not know anything about love?" Ayawa asked. "Don't dragons pair up?"

"No," Gersius answered and explained how little use male and female dragons had for one another. He then described what he knew of their emotions and how Lilly struggled to understand things like empathy, compassion, and love.

"You see," Thayle said when he was done. "There is something about dragons we don't understand. Somehow they can't or don't feel the world like we do."

"This is all my fault," Gersius said with a sigh.

"You need to stop that right now," Thayle commanded with the stomp of afoot. "I am sick of you blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong. You are not in charge of the rest world, Gersius. You have no power to change events, especially when everyone you trusted was working against you."

"But I set all this motion," he argued, but Thayle cornered him.

"Really?" she laughed. "Did you write the prophecy? Did you start the war with the Doan? Did you choose to be assigned to command an army then withhold badly needed men and resources? Did you hamper yourself at every turn while betraying your maneuvers to the enemy? Did you try to prevent your own mission to find a dragon, then plan an ambush to stop it? Do you even listen to yourself?"

"But I played a part," he protested.

"You did nothing!" Thayle yelled, drawing a few glances. "You did exactly as a man of your faith and position would do. But you think too highly of yourself if you think you could have changed any of this. You're just another rock rolling down a hill in an avalanche started by another. You're caught up in the flow and not getting out until you reach the base of the hill. Now stop all this self-pity. I understand why you feel this way, but you need to set this guilt aside and focus your eyes on Lilly."

"You're being a little harsh," Ayawa interjected.

"I am not being harsh enough," Thayle argued back. "When he realized what happened to Lilly's wings, he could have placed the blame on the Father Abbot where it belonged. But no, instead, he took full blame and made sure her anger was solely focused on him." She turned to glare at Gersius with a look of contempt. "You martyred yourself for her suffering and sent her running down that road."

Ayawa looked to Tavis, who shrugged to show he couldn't argue against Thayle's point.

"I take responsibility for my bad decisions. I don't blame others," Gersius said, his voice gaining strength,

"And I admire that about you," Thayle said but didn't let up. "But you didn't make a bad decision. You chose to end a terrible war and save the lives of thousands. You took the only route open to you and did your absolute best. It isn't Gersius of Astikar's fault that the people he trusted tried to stop him. It isn't your fault that innocent people were hurt because of them." There was a long silence as Thayle glared at him with narrow eyes and a firm scowl.


"I am afraid she is right, my friend," Tavis said and put a hand on his shoulder. "You can't carry the burden of all this. It wasn't your fault; you were doing what needed to be done."

"And nobody else could have done it," Ayawa added.

"You're right," Gersius admitted and ran a hand through his hair. "I did my best."

"Good," Thayle said with a pleased smile. "Now remember who you are and, more importantly, who it is that needs you most right now."

"You mean Lilly?" he asked to be sure.

"Of course, I mean Lilly," Thayle sighed. "You are her rock in a world she knows nothing about. You understand what I mean. You were there to witness it first hand. The human world is strange and complicated to Lilly. On top of it, she is dealing with new emotions and grappling with what they mean. You are the one she trusts to take her by the hand and lead her forward. She needs you."

Gersius nodded and looked to the rear of the barge where Lilly sat. How he wished he could be holding her hand right now.


Lilly sat at the rear of the barge as it snaked its way up along the green river. Thayle had done her best to help, but right now, Lilly wanted to be alone. Her world had changed overnight, and with it had come many new experiences. Part of her wanted to see where it was all going, but another part urged her to turn back. The dragon called from inside, urging her to run from all the things that hurt her. She wanted to go back to the valley and climb into her cave to sleep until everything that caused her pain passed away.

Thayle helped her understand that Gersius was as much a victim as she was. He blamed himself for her wings but ultimately wasn't the one who set these events in motion. There was somebody else behind all the suffering, and that hidden hand was truly to blame. Gersius was a pawn that they couldn't quite control. He set out to stop the war with a pure heart and a desire to do good.

Lilly struggled with the concept of good and evil. Things were so much simpler for a dragon. Questions of right or wrong, good or evil, never factored in their lives. She did what she did because that's what dragons always did. To her, everything was good and right because it was how it was meant to be. It hurt her head to understand this morality that Thayle tried to explain. She saw echoes of it in the coins she took from the farmhouse and how Gersius insisted she give them back. Even more difficult was honor and duty, the principles that Gerisus lived by. Thayle tried her best to explain them so Lilly would understand why he went to Whiteford when all reason said he should not.

So much changed since they met in her valley, and the binding was forged. A new path was laid for her life, and many things started to go wrong. Still, when she looked back, there were some wonderful memories and moments she would treasure forevermore. Walking through a forest had been a magical experience full of discoveries and wonders. It was there she smelled her first flower, and Gersius made a crown out of them. She remembered how he described the lily flower as beautiful and asked if she would like to be named after it. She also remembered how he tried to protect her from the bandersooks but ended up needing protecting instead.

"The fool man," she muttered in frustration. "Always trying to protect… me." Her words trailed off as she remembered how he fought and for who. She thought back to the farm and all her new experiences there. She particularly remembered the little girl and her toy dragon made of rags. One by one, she began to recount all the fond memories brought on by the man who held her hand through it all. Gersius was always there, trying to soothe away her pain and make life more bearable, more worth living.

Her thoughts eventually reached the revelation on the road and how Gersius was involved. She started to feel angry just to think about her wings but then she heard Thayle's voice.

"Does that really make any difference?"

Of course, it did, didn't it? She thought about it over and over, trying to make sense of what she felt. Yes, she wanted her wings back desperately, and tears started to form just thinking about it. Then she remembered the question Thayle asked that now haunted her thoughts.

"If you could have your wings back, but you had to lose Gersius forever, what would you choose?"

She wanted to say her wings but knew Thayle would see the lie. Somehow he had worked his way into her thoughts and didn't want to give him up. She slammed a fist into the deck, drawing a glance from a man at the poles.


"How did I come to this?" she groaned to herself. "How did I learn what love was and then fall in love with a human?" She paused to laugh at the absurdity of it and looked to the water for answers. "I am a dragon. How did I fall in love at all?"

"So what?" she heard Thayle say as they talked alone. "Why can't you love a human?"

"Because I am a dragon," Lilly repeated in vain.

"I know what you are, but we both know that doesn't matter to you. You are trying to hide behind it, so you don't have to admit how you feel," Thayle pressed.

"I don't understand how I can feel this," Lilly cried and looked to Thayle for help. "I don't know what to do."

"You need to take small steps to help you get over your fears. I can help you with the first one if you're ready. All you have to do is admit the truth," Thayle said.

"What truth?" Lilly asked.

"Admit to me that you love Gersius," Thayle replied. "Say it out loud, and you will find a terrible weight taken off your shoulders."

Lilly lowered her head as she struggled to say three little words. Why should a dragon find such words so difficult to say?

"Lilly, you need to be able to say it," Thayle said. "It is the first step in getting through this."

Lilly closed her eyes and tried to drown out the dragon inside that was clawing at her to stop. Then, with a deep breath, she spoke in slow, deliberate words as Thayle waited anxiously.

"I…love…Gersius," she said at last.

Thayle wrapped her in a hug, promising that things were about to get better. Lilly had taken the first step in a wonderful new journey and would not regret a single step of it.

"I wish to be alone for a bit," Lilly said when Thayle finally let her go. Thayle was more than willing to give her room but encouraged her to keep saying it. She told Lilly that she had to let go of the pain and focus on the love she felt for Gersius. Lilly tried not to think about it, but slowly, her mind returned to those three words. She tried in vain to deny them by stating firmly that she was a dragon, but always she heard Thayle say she was in love with a human.

"I am a dragon," she said futilely. "A dragon who is in love with a human named Gersius." She laughed and had to wipe her eye as the water continued to drift away, carrying with it the past and hopefully taking her to the future.


Thayle leaned against a barrel, thankful to be off her feet. She hadn't slept all night and spent most of the morning arguing with Lilly. She was tired emotionally and physically, but the task was still not done. Gersius was still having doubts, and Lilly may have admitted the truth, but she was far from embracing it. Thankfully Tavis took Gersius and went to the front of the barge, leaving her with Ayawa, who hovered nearby.

"Has she honestly come back for him?" Ayawa asked as Thayle closed her eyes.

"She loves him," Thayle said. "Not only can I see it in her aura, but I got her to admit it."

"Maybe that was true before, but I fail to see how they can overcome such a wound," Ayawa said as she looked to where Lilly sat apart. "If they stay apart much longer, the feelings will begin to fade."

"I doubt it will be much longer," Thayle countered. "Lilly just needs some time to work through her emotions. She has no concept of what they mean or what to do with them. All she needs is a little more time and some guidance to find her way back."

"Maybe it's better she doesn't find her way back," Ayawa suggested.

Thayle looked up with a scowl, her patience for Ayawa's constant opposition wearing thin.

"Why do you constantly stand against this?" Thayle demanded. "What do you have against them being happy?"

"I am not against them being happy," Ayawa countered and knelt so she could talk more privately. "I would think my objections would be obvious. The girl is a dragon no matter what form she chooses to take."

"Why does that matter?" Thayle asked. "She has a very beautiful human form, and Gersius loves her."

"Even I can tell that he loves her," Ayawa grumbled with a dismissive wave of her hand. "But we can't ignore what they are. He is a human, and she is a dragon. It is unnatural for their blood to mix, and nothing good ever comes out of disturbing the natural order. If you hadn't meddled in this, the natural course of events would have solved the problem."

"I meddled?" Thayle laughed. "You saw how they were in the wilds. Lilly stayed despite not being bound because she wanted to be with him. They were entangled with one another long before I met them. If you ask me, they were destined to be together."

"Were they?" Ayawa asked. "You disturbed the course of events by running after her and bringing her back. If not for you, she would be gone, and he would be healing from her loss."

"He would be dead inside if she hadn't come back," Thayle protested, her voice louder than she intended.

"He would recover," Ayawa said with a confident tone. "He always does."

"You know what," Thayle said with a toss of her head. "I am too tired to fight with you over this. Maybe you're right, and their blood shouldn't mix, but let them decide that on their own."

"You should take your own advice," Ayawa countered.

"I will not see them torn apart by a madman hundreds of miles away," Thayle growled. "It wasn't fair what happened to them. I am only trying to restore the balance so they can choose their path without someone trying to tear it apart."

"I don't mean to sound heartless," Ayawa said in a softer voice. "In truth, I care a great deal about Gersius. I only worry that this relationship will lead to more pain for both of them. If it does, not even you will be able to soothe their hearts again."

Thayle nodded in agreement as the weight of Ayawa's word sank in. Lilly and Gersius were at the end of their ropes and holding on by a thread. All it would take was one more painful event, and they would part forever. She closed her eyes and prayed to Ulustrah, begging the goddess to protect the love so desperately trying to bloom.

Across the boat, Lilly sat staring at the water as the Soshan Princess slowly worked its way upriver. Once again, she told herself she was a dragon and once again admitted that she loved a man. She sighed and gave up the silent war waging in her head. It was time to let go and learn how to love the man named Gersius.

That day and the next passed slowly as the barge crept along against the flow. They stopped a few times to rest the crew and put in at a small village for the night. They camped along the bank with the crew rather than risk rooms where they might be recognized. Lilly rejoined the group that night but struggled to say anything to Gersius. She tried a few times, but something choked back her words, and she gave up and sat with Thayle instead. Tavis and Ayawa tried to keep the conversation away from their troubles, but Gersius's eyes lingered on Lilly. Finally, after an hour of silence, he decided to speak and went to her side.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked as she looked down, unable to face him.

"I feel fine," she replied with no emotion.

"We should talk about what happened," he suggested, hoping for a chance to apologize.

"We have nothing to talk about," Lilly replied as he reminded her of that night. She tried not to blame him for her wings, but bringing it up made the pain come back.

Thayle saw Lilly's aura filling with red and realized this was too soon for them to be talking about this. She wished he had simply asked if he could sit with her and put his arm around her back. Instead, he stoked the fires by making her think about the pain and bringing back the bad memories. She tried to intervene and put a hand over Lilly's, giving her a reassuring squeeze to remind her she was safe. It had some effect as Lilly's aura softened, but then Gersius said the most foolish thing he could possibly say.

"Lilly, why are you still here if you don't want to talk to me?"

It was like throwing fresh kindling on a dying fire. Lilly's aura flared with red as she jumped up and turned to face him.

"I don't know!" she yelled and stormed into the night.

Thayle shook her head as she got up and turned on Gersius with contempt.

"What kind of question was that?" she demanded to know.

"She has no reason to stay with us," Gersius replied. "She should go home."

"Is that what you want?" Thayle asked. "Not only did I tell you to stop apologizing, but I told you she loves you. This is where she wants to be, but you have to be patient and let her work through the confusion. This is all new for her."

"I just want her to be safe and happy," he protested.

"Then stop driving her away," Thayle snapped and turned away. She ran into the night after Lilly and found her along the shore, throwing stones into the water. Her aura was full of anger and remorse, indicating that she was upset at how she behaved. With a calming breath, Thayle walked up to her side and picked a stone to throw into the water.

"Why are you here?" Lilly asked.

"I am here because you need me," Thayle replied and cast her stone. "Now be honest with me, what just happened?"

"I don't know," Lilly growled and picked up another stone.

"You must have been feeling something," Thayle insisted. "I saw what was going on in your aura. Why did you get so angry?"

Lilly threw another stone then stopped to think about her reply. She tried to explain how his apology made her feel. It was as if he was still insisting it was his fault and all that anger came rushing out.

"That was a mistake on his part," Thayle admitted. "But he was trying to open up to you."

"He told me to go away," Lilly countered.

"He only said that because he is afraid you hate him. He wants you to be happy even if that means without him," Thayle argued.

"I didn't think of it that way," Lilly admitted and picked up another rock. "I want to talk to him so badly, but whenever I try, I get angry."

"Sweetheart, you need to forgive him," Thayle pressed. "He loves you so much he is willing to lose you if it means you would be happier. Let me tell you. Few men can make such a sacrifice."

"I want to forgive him," Lilly said as tears came to her eyes. "But whenever I look at him, I am reminded of what happened to my wings."

"Your wings mean a lot to you," Thayle said softly as Lilly's aura filled with pain.

"I am a dragon. My wings mean everything to me," Lilly said as tears fell to the ground. "If I could use the word love to describe one thing from my past, I would say that I love to fly. Without my wings, I am not a dragon anymore. I am something less, something worthless."

"Lilly, you listen to me," Thayle said and took her arm to make sure she had her attention. "Never say you are worthless again. You are a beautiful creature, and I am very fond of you."

"You are?" Lilly asked as she looked up with wet eyes.

"Sweetheart," Thayle said with a soft smile. "You are very special to me, and I consider you a dear friend."

"I am your friend?" Lilly asked as her tears poured.

"Of course you are," Thayle said and pulled Lilly into a hug. "Did you think I ran after you just to help Gersius? You mean a lot to me, and I would have missed you terribly if you left."

"I would have missed you too," Lilly admitted and tried to wipe her eyes.

"Then let's talk about this pain your carrying. Tell me what flying means to you," Thayle urged as she let the poor dragon go.

Lilly took a few deep breaths before sitting on the shore to share her feelings. She tried to impress on Thayle how much she loved to fly and how long she would linger just to be up there. She described soaring over the mountains and looking down on the world from above. She also described flying above the clouds at night and looking up to see the star-filled sky. She used the word beautiful to describe it but admitted she hadn't known that word until Gersius taught it to her. Then she lamented that she would never have these experiences again. She was a crippled dragon and of no use to anyone.

"You are useful to me," Thayle said and put a hand on Lilly's knee. "I enjoy having you around, and so does Gersius."

"He only wants me around to complete his stupid prophecy," Lilly replied.

"That isn't true," Thayle said with a shake of her head. "Lilly, you need to understand where Gersius is right now. You may have lost your wings, but Gersius has lost his entire way of life. He is hurting in ways that make me shudder to think of and still blames himself for you. I don't know if he plans to go on with his mission. I think he is afraid that if he does, it will cause you more pain."

"Why should he care?" Lilly asked as she tossed a rock into the water.

"Because he loves you," Thayle said in exasperation. "Lilly, a man, will fight for the things he loves, but nothing makes them crumble faster than accidentally putting that love in danger. He can't bear the idea that you will be hurt again. That's why he said you should go home. He is hoping you will be safer away from him."

"Why does he feel like that for me?" Lilly questioned and put a hand over Thayle's.

Thayle smiled at the gesture and explained that she and Gersius had made a special connection that was rare and beautiful. Lilly assumed Thayle meant the bind and reminded her that it was broken. Thayle smiled and assured her it wasn't the bind she was talking about. It was something much more powerful, based on emotions and driven by desire. He couldn't go on with his mission without her, not because he needed a dragon, but because he needed the woman known as Lilly.

Lilly tried to make sense of it all as Thayle waited patiently for an answer. She wanted desperately to talk to him, but the anger was so close to the surface. Why was this silence so hard to break? Why did the anger feel so consuming?

She put a hand to her head and tried to make sense of it as warm fingers blended with her own. She looked down to see Thayle holding her hand, then looked up and met her eyes. She smiled at Lilly in a comforting way and put an arm around her back to hold her tight. Lilly was at a loss for words but felt safe for the fist time in two day. She tipped her head to the side and welcomed the embrace as the twisting began to rage inside.

 

[omnixius]

The barge set out with the morning light, sailing upstream for hours. Lilly sat in her usual place at the rear of this while Thayle tried to comfort Gersius with the others. He was concerned that Lilly was too angry to forgive him, but Thayle didn't believe that was the case. Something else was bothering Lilly, and it didn't have to do with her wings. In the hopes of finding out, Gersius suggested she talk to Lilly to gain more insight.

Thayle sat beside the upset dragon for the next two hours as Lilly struggled with her place. She was hurt over what Gersius said the night before, forcing Thayle to explain his motives again. Lilly nodded as she was told how he was afraid that keeping her close would bring her more harm. Thayle did her best to help Lilly understand that this was a very selfless point of view. As badly as he needed a dragon, he wasn't willing to use Lilly for his goals. She meant too much to him now, and he wanted her help, but only if it was what she wanted. In the end, the only thing that mattered to Gersius was if Lilly was happy.

"He wants me to be happy?" Lilly asked with sad eyes.

"Of course he does," Thayle insisted. "You have to try and understand how he feels. He can't forgive himself for what happened to your wings, and he doesn't believe you will either."

"So he wants me to stay but says I should go home because staying isn't safe for me?" Lilly asked.

"That is exactly how he feels," Thayle said and put a hand on Lilly's knee. "I hate to say this, but he isn't going to get over this fear unless you talk to him. He needs you to reassure him that things are going to be alright."

Lilly sighed and stared into the water a moment before asking Thayle to send him back so she could talk to him alone. Thayle was delighted and rushed to tell Gersius that Lilly wanted to talk to him alone. She urged him to be gentle and let Lilly tell him what was on her mind. Above all else, he had to be the rock she had come to trust in. Lilly would likely run home to hide if he couldn't hold her hand through the storm. He questioned if this was a wise idea, but Thayle wouldn't let him back out. She was ready to talk, and he needed to be the man who always knew what to do. He walked to the back of the ship as Ayawa came to stand behind Thayle with a frown creasing her face.

"You're meddling again," she said in an accusatory tone. "Why won't you let this die and spare him the pain?"

"This wasn't meant to die," Thayle replied without looking back. "I swear on my faith I am going to meddle in this until Ulustrah herself orders me to stop."

"His pain is on your head," Ayawa said with a sigh. "I hope this doesn't come back to bite you."

Thayle watched as Gersius moved to Lilly's side and sat beside her. She sincerely hoped Ayawa wasn't right.

Lilly looked up with pain in her eyes at the man she felt such twisting conflict over. He sat beside her, and their eyes met before both of them turned to look at the water. Inside everything seemed to shift and churn, emotions she had no concept of, making it hard to think. The only familiar thing was the anger, but she did her best not to turn it on him. She wanted more than anything for him to put his arm around her back and say he would keep her safe, but instead, he said what she didn't want to hear.

"I am sorry," he said and glanced her way.

Suddenly that anger had an outlet as Gersius assumed responsibility for her wings again. Lilly knew the Father Abbot was to blame. Thayle explained it a dozen times, but somehow his passive admission undid all that work. Before she knew what she was doing, her mouth opened in anger, and she spoke with venom.

"Stop saying you're sorry," she hissed. "I keep trying to forget this pain, but it comes back every time you apologize. I wish you would just leave it alone and let me heal."

"How do I help?" he asked in confusion.

"You help by listening to what I am about to say," Lilly stammered without looking at him. "I forgive you. I know you didn't do this to me directly, and Thayle has tried to explain how you were used just as badly. Let's blame the Father Abbot and not each other."

Gersius sighed and glanced her way to see a tear running down the gentle woman's cheek. For the first time in his life, he felt uncertain. Even when the hope of saving his people was lost, he knew what had to be done. He went on with the mission to die a hero, determined to face his fate like a man. But this pain wasn't his to suffer, and Lilly was so difficult to read. With a sigh, he admitted being uncertain and that he never wanted this to happen.

"I wish none of it had happened," Lilly replied and looked his way. She felt the anger welling and tried to bite it back as she explained how she wished to be back in her cave, sleeping and dreaming about flying.

"I will never forgive myself for what happened to your wings," Gersius said just as Thayle said he would.

Lilly took a few calming breaths as her gaze went back to the water. All she wanted was to be held like he did that first day when she was crying. Why was it so hard for him to see that? Why didn't he want to comfort this pain? Thayle said she needed to reassure him, but how did she do that? He felt so distant and disconnected now, and she didn't know how to reach him. In desperation, she decided to spell out her understanding of it, hoping it would help.

"You should forgive yourself," she said while looking down. "Thayle has assured me you are not to blame. She tried to explain your human concepts of honor and duty, but I don't understand them. All I know is you were duty-bound to do what you did, and the Father Abbot used that to control you. You were only trying to do what was right, and he turned your efforts into my pain."

"He betrayed everything I believed in," Gersius replied.

"Which is why you don't need me to forgive you. If it helps, I will say I do, but Thayle says you need to forgive yourself," Lilly insisted and looked at him with hope. "I am still going with you to Calathen."

Gersius looked up dumbfounded and didn't say a word for a long moment. When he spoke, all he could do was question why she would still want to help. Lilly knew the answer was because he needed to go there, and she so badly wanted to stay with him. But she couldn't manage to put the words together, so she fell back on a simpler explanation.

"I made you a promise that first day we met in my valley. I promised to go with you to Calathen if you healed me." She leaned close to stare into his eyes, hoping her next words would have the impact they needed. "You healed me as best you could, so I will go where you need me."

"But you never promised to suffer for my quest," he said and nearly reached up to touch her.

"Did you promise to suffer for me?" Lilly asked as she withdrew. "Was the promise to keep my name worth all that pain and misery? I saw what you looked like when they dragged you out to mock you before that crowd. I could smell the blood and burned skin as you suffered from wounds."

"I knew there would be a price to pay," Gersius replied. "I admit I had no idea it would be so terrible, but I was prepared to die to accomplish my goals."

"Which is why you had the courage to enter my valley," Lilly added before returning to the water. "Terrible things have happened to both of us, and one man is responsible for it all. He is the reason my wings are gone, and you had to endure all that pain. We both made our promises, and we both suffered for them."

"But I can walk away from my suffering," Gersius said with a strained voice. "You will carry yours for the rest of your life."

Lilly looked away as fresh tears poured from her eyes. His words were true, and they stabbed to the core of her being. If only she had her wings back, maybe this would all be so much easier to do. She decided not to dwell on a false dream and instead turned her focus back to a growing concern.

"You have changed," she said with a sniff. "You used to pray to your god every morning. You always knew where to go and what to say. You once told me that I had a fire a belly, but now I think that you do not."

Gersius smiled at her attempt to use the analogy he once used to describe her. For the most part, she was right; he didn't have the same passion or motivation because he no longer had a purpose. His whole life was in service to a God he no longer wished to serve, and his mission to save the empire was over. He was on the run and hunted by assassins; what purpose was there now except survival?

"Do you have nothing to say?" Lilly asked.

"What you are describing is a lack of purpose," Gersius replied. "I no longer know what the right thing to do is anymore. Because my previous decisions have hurt you, I question whether I have the ability to choose a good path. I was certain that taking you to Calathen was a noble and righteous path, but it has caused nothing but pain."

"Maybe the pain is over now?" Lilly asked. "We could still go?"

"No," Gersius said and shook his head. "That is the one thing I am sure of. If we attempt to go to Calathen, our steps will be bathed in blood, and the risk of suffering will be great."

"So, you don't know what to do?" Lilly pressed and glanced his way. "You are afraid?"

"I am terrified," Gersius admitted. "My whole life is built on faith in the God Astikar. It has guided all my decisions and given me a sense of direction. I would never have gone on this quest to find you if I hadn't been so devoted to one purpose. But Astikar answered the call of wicked men who used his power to trap you and torture me. I can no longer see him as a just and noble god, and no matter how I try, my heart burns with anger for him. Without my faith, I have no guiding light. I don't know what to do, and I am afraid that any choice I make might bring more harm to you."

"That's why you told me to go home," Lilly sighed. "You are afraid you will hurt me again."

Gersius nodded as a tear fell from his own eyes. He explained how he couldn't bear to think about what they did to her. It was his sincere desire that she never be put in harm's way again. Lilly was suddenly moved as he spoke protectively, and the twisting returned. She folded her arms and rocked gently in an effort to clear her head. She had no idea what this feeling meant and even less understanding of what to do with it. Once again, all she could do was focus on him and try to understand what he was going through. His faith was his strength, and he was lost like a leaf blowing in the wind without it. She struggled to understand and realized that a moment like this had happened before. It was in a dark barn where he explained why he needed her, and his pain came pouring out. Lilly felt the twisting driving her on as she did something that, at the time, was hard to believe. She put her arm around him as he had done for her, hoping it would offer him comfort. She realized that this moment had come again and put her arm around him once more, hoping it would help.

"Why did you suffer for me?" she asked as they leaned into one another. "I am a dragon. Why would you, a man, be willing to suffer such terrible pain for me?"

"I promised never to reveal your name," he replied and wiped at his eyes. "And I never break a promise. One day you will come to understand honor and realize how important it is to do what you say."

"So you did all that just because you promised?" Lilly asked, hoping it was something more. Thayle made it sound like he had a great need of her affections, but this felt more like an obligation. She waited for his answer and wanted to scream when he nodded his head. Her arm came away as the twisting suddenly felt like rejection. With closed eyes, Lilly asked him to go back to the others so she could be alone. She listened to every step as he walked off, hoping he didn't know she was crying.

Later that day, the landing for Eastgate came into view, but not the city itself. Thayle explained that this was as far up the riverboats could travel, and they would have to walk the rest of the way. Lilly could see that the river became a series of choppy waterfalls, working their way down from a ledge high above. Thayle said the city was on the ridge, and they would have to take the stairs or the high road to get up.

The boat was maneuvered along a wooden pier and quickly tied off as they bid the captain farewell. He waved them off before barking to his crew to start unloading the cargo. Lilly walked beside Thayle as she explained the town they were now entering was called Riverside, but it was technically part of Eastgate. It was a dense town made of stone with wide lanes full of carts and wagons. Thayle explained that these were to help get cargo to and from the waterfront using the high road.

Tavis finally asked about the stairs and the road, so Thayle explained their options. The highroad was a long, gently sloping ramp that wound its way up the ledge. It was an easy trip but one that would take nearly an hour. The stairs were cut into the cliff and went directly to the top, but there were many steps, and people often found them tiring to climb. Ayawa suggested hiring a wagon to carry them up the high road, but Tavis shook his head. He offered to use his weave to make them lighter so the stairs would be easy to climb.

Gersius suggested they take the stairs, so Tavis set about making them lighter. Lilly found the sensation of being so light to be disturbing and began to hop to test how high she could go. The others noticed her playful moment and tried not to steal the first happiness she had shown in days. The stairs turned out to be a great flight of steps, wide enough for ten men to walk abreast. They were cut into the rock, creating a passage with steep walls that went right up. But, just as Tavis said, they were easy to negotiate, and in minutes the final steps passed by, and Lilly looked on in wonder.

Before her was a vast open plain of flat stone surrounded by towering mountains on all sides. A massive wall studded by square towers protected a city at the base of steep cliffs. The imposing structures reached into the sky like teeth and prickled with stone spikes at the corners. The city was hidden behind the impressive barrier, but some buildings rose high enough to be seen. These were primarily towers or great spires often decorated with flowing banners.

A broad roadway cut into the rock led straight to a massive gate on the far wall. To the left of the road, the land was irrigated into shallow pools where a plant Thayle called rice was grown. There were different plants on the other side, and Thayle recounted how her order had to work hard blessing the crops to get them to grow in such poor soils. Thankfully this city contained one of the largest temples to her order and was the home of its most prominent leader. There would be thirty or more active members, as well as dozens of acolytes training to become priests and priestesses.

"So all of this growth is because of your order?" Tavis asked.

"Not all of it," Thayle said. "The rice grows well in this climate, and there are fields of cabbage in the east that need very little of our attention. We do most of our work inside the city where people wish to grow flowers that don't survive well here. Many of the nobles pay us to maintain lavish gardens and private farms. There is even a rose festival once a year. We hold it in honor of the largest temple to our lady, the rose temple far to the west. It contains the largest mirror dedicated to our goddess and houses her sacred artifacts."

"Why isn't the head of your order there?" Ayawa asked as it seemed strange he would be in a lesser temple.

"He isn't a vain man, and Eastgate is special to him," Thayle replied. "Besides, he says his work here isn't done, and there was already a prime in the temples region."

"A prime?" Lilly asked as the term meant nothing to her.

"It's the title we give our chosen leaders," Thayle said with a glance at Lilly. "The whole land is divided into regions, and each one is headed by a prime. They, in turn, form the council of primes, and the most senior of their number is their head."

"And that man is in this city?" Gersius asked.

"He is," Thayle replied. "His name is Arlin, and he is a good man."

Lilly thought of Gersius and wished he was holding her hand when Thayle said Arlin was a good man. She wanted to speak to him but found it difficult to start a conversation. Even looking at him now stirred touches of anger and made her wish he had never realized his role in her wings. With a sigh, she decided to distract herself and asked why this city had such massive walls. To her surprise, it was Gersius who answered her question.

"This city sits on one of the wealthiest trading routes to the far east. There are few passes through the mountains, and this is the most prominent of them. As such, it has been attacked many times by those seeking to claim its wealth and trade routes."

"But why did they put those spikes on the walls and towers? Are they to keep away dragons?" Lilly asked as only a flying dragon would find them dangerous.

"Intimidation," Gersius replied and glanced her way. "They don't serve any true tactical purpose, but they help make the walls look dangerous. An invading army might turn back if they see so threatening a visage."

It was the most civil conversation they'd had since the revelation on the road. Lilly wanted to keep the words flowing, but their eyes met, and suddenly her words were gone. Something inside twisted and turned, but she had no concept of what it meant and began to panic. Without another word, she looked away, earning a sigh from Thayle, who was carefully watching the exchange.


They walked for a good twenty minutes, the walls growing ever larger as they approached. The gates were wide enough for thirty men to walk side by side and stood open as twenty men stood to either side. Lilly was impressed by how tall the gate tower was and wondered if she could reach the ceiling in her dragon form. The men stared with curious expressions but nodded to Thayle when they recognized her Ulustrah robes. They were allowed to pass under the archway without a word as Tavis took notice of the fortifications.

"They take defense very seriously here," he said and pointed to holes in the ceiling. He told the others these were most likely used to pour boiling oil, or worse, burning pitch onto would-be invaders.

"Sadly, that is what they are for," Thayle agreed and looked around at the others. "The city has been attacked a dozen times since I started as a priestess. The largest attack came from the eastern sands by a rampaging prince. I was here for two of the sieges and witnessed firsthand how hard it is to break this cities walls."

"If you don't mind my asking, how did it end?" Tavis questioned as they passed into the street beyond the gates.

"They packed up and went home," Thayle laughed. "The fools tried to starve us out, but you can't starve out a city full of the faithful of Ulustrah. When we work together, we can grow food from seed to harvest in minutes and quickly fortify the cities reserves."

"Still, there are only a handful of you compared to the tens of thousands of ordinary people," Ayawa pointed out. "You couldn't possibly have fed that many, even with your blessings."

Thayle nodded and explained that large invading armies are often detected days, if not weeks, in advance. If the prime suspects a threat, he will call in extra women from the surrounding lands, especially those in the path of the approaching army. These will be put to use blessing the fields outside the city to bring them to harvest before the army arrives. Then it's all collected and brought into the city before the gates are shut.

"So you stockpile food in advance," Tavis surmised with a nod of understanding.

"Yes, but even so, the city being at the base of the mountains offers some additional advantages. There are terrace gardens built up the slope to provide additional food in times of need. Once the gates are shut, we are hard at work in those gardens, often turning over a full harvest every two or three days. It isn't enough to feed the whole city, but it slows the depletion of our resources and can drag a siege out for over a year."

"And your enemy can't grow food so easily on the rocky plateau," Gersius said as he understood the difficulty of logistics.

"But what if the enemy has priestesses of Ulustrah of his own?" Tavis asked.

"That has happened before," Thayle admitted with a sad tone. "It's rare, but there have been instances where women believed a particular cause was just and lent their aid. Normally we stay out of conflicts between kingdoms, but a prime can choose to render aid if they see fit. However, sometimes a lesser priestess will lend her temples support despite the wishes of her prime. We even had an instance where one prime marched against another. It's difficult to understand when politics are at play, but matters of the heart often create strange alliances."

"They do indeed," Gersius agreed but questioned why Ulustrah would allow her servants to fight one another.

"It isn't a question of allowing," Thayle said with a shake of her head. "She is like all the other divines and does not deny the use of her power so long as the caller believes they are doing so with a pure heart."

"But surely one side must be in the wrong," Gersius pressed.

"From whose point of view?" Thayle asked. "What if one region is under a famine while another has abundant food. The region with abundant food charges too high a price, sending the stricken region into poverty as well as famine. Would you blame the women there for lending their aid when the stricken region decided to march on the abundant region to claim the food? Would you blame the women in the abundant region for defending the land and people they are tasked to protect?"

"Shouldn't the primes have intervened and sent more women to aid against the famine?" Gersius asked.

"Unfortunately, our numbers are not as great as one might think," Thayle lamented with a hint of pain in her tone. "We have a tendency to lose women to other purposes over time, and I would rather not talk about it. The primes do their best, and of course, they would scramble to relieve a famine-stricken area, but sometimes that leads to conflict anyway. We accidentally started a war by sending too many women into a particularly arid region. We didn't realize that several of the surrounding lands relied on the trade of foodstuffs to that region. By altering the balance of need, we disrupted the economy of the surrounding land and started a series of bloody wars."

"The balance of power and politics can be a tricky thing," Gersius said as he understood how easily the servants of Ulustrah could alter economies.

Lilly listened to it all but was more concerned by the city around her. It was alive with people going about their lives and occasionally watching the group pass. She caught more than one person staring with a curious expression and taking notice of her long blue hair. She was nervous about being around so many humans and, on reflex, reached for Thayle's hand. She was quickly rewarded with a firm clasp and a bright smile as the twisting returned to her stomach.

All around, there was activity as Thayle led them through the busy streets. People called out with wares to sell as smoke laden with the scent of cooked meats wafted through the air. One thing that captivated Lilly was the clothing worn by the women ranging from simple wraps to elaborate dresses. Some were covered in lace and ruffles, while others were simple but colorful. In fact, the wide range of colors dazzled her but not as much as their hair. Lilly had seen braids before, especially on Ayawa, whose hair was always braided. However, the women here wore braids held up with pins or tied with ribbon into intricate designs. Some even wore small hats, covered with feathers or fancy lace. A few had mysterious colors under their eyes and richly painted lips that made their faces stand out in the crowd. Lilly began to point and ask Thayle questioned about why they looked the way they did, but Thayle only told her she had a lot to learn about being a human woman.

Thayle pointed out some important places while giving a brief history of the city. She eventually took them to the widest road Lilly had ever seen. Thayle announced that this was the east road, and it ran straight through the city and out the mountain gate that the city took its name from. It was wide enough for seventy men to walk abreast and decorated by stone planters as large as a horse. These were filled with flowers and greenery that spilled over the sides in striking displays of color. Thayle said that her order took care of the planters as part of their service to the city. It helped soften the hard look of the gray stone quarried from the mountains and used to build everything.

While the street was much larger than the others, it seemed almost as crowded. Aside from the people, there were now wagons and carts laden with goods. They were pulled by teams of horses as they headed to and from the mountain gate on their way to unknown destinations. The south side of the road was composed of tall multi-story shops and grand houses that spoke of wealth. However, it was the north side where all the important buildings were. These stood at the base of the mountains, and some were built directly into the stone. There were natural canyons flattened into roads in several places with additional buildings built into the walls. The further they traveled, the grander the buildings became, rising up the cliff face a dozen layers or more and carved with fanciful designs. In one area, the cliff receded, and the city was built in steps with buildings on every level. Thayle called this the lord's district as it was where many of the local nobility kept private houses and gardens.

Lilly was amazed by the works crafted with human hands. She compared it to the holes dug by dragons and began to wonder if perhaps there was something a dragon could learn from men. This feeling grew as they entered the temple district, and the buildings suddenly became even more ornate and adorned with statues.

Thayle took them to a towering building cut with great care to detail into the mountain. The outer wall was dominated by tall windows and pillars etched with patterns that resembled vines. There were statues in arched alcoves of women holding stone bowls to the sky as if praising the unseen goddess. Every window had a box full of living plants that trailed down the wall in blankets of color. A small outer wall circled a garden dominated by a stone basin as wide as Lilly was tall. It contained water that looked almost metallic as it reflected the sky above with mirror precision. The rest of the yard contained more statues and gardens full of flowers Lilly had never seen before. They ascended a flight of steps to an open gate made of decorative iron bars and entered the yard as Lilly looked all about.

A single man in green robes, much like Thayle's, was walking along one of the garden beds. He sang a low song while sprinkling water from a silver bowl over the flowers to dramatic effect. Lilly watched the plants move and grow, bursting with new growth and vibrant flowers. She wanted to watch for a bit longer, but Thayle approached the man and addressed him.

"Blessings of Ulustrah on you," she said with a bow of her head.

The man looked up, and his gaze swept over Thayle's green robe with golden vines. He smiled ever so slightly as if recognizing who she was.

"Blessing of Ulustrah on you and your companions," he responded and set his silver bowl aside. He threw back the green hood allowing Lilly to finally see that he had not a single hair on his head. She thought the look was funny, but the man had kind eyes and a pleasant smile. He welcomed them to the temple of Ulustrah with a deep bowl, then asked how he might be of service. Thayle requested an audience with the prime and specified that she had come to make a request for aid.

"Of course, Priestess Thayle," the man replied as his smile grew wider. "Please, come this way. I will take you to Prime Arlin."

Thayle smiled that she had been recognized but was well aware that she was known to many in this temple. This was where she received the bulk of her training and forged some powerful friendships. However, it was also a place that harbored some bad memories, and she had hoped never to come back here. With no choice but to go on, she followed the man into the temple, the memories from years ago suddenly flooding back.

The doors were easily twelve feet high but perhaps only eight across. They were made of light-colored wood and banded in brass for support. Each one was carved with a large tree in whose branches was the head of a doe. It was one of the many symbols of Ulustrah but was only used on her largest temples. Inside was a vaulted chamber full of light and wonders of craftsmanship. The main worship hall was a rectangular area cut into the rock for over a hundred paces. The ceiling went all the way to the third floor, creating a voluminous space that echoed with song. The floor was made of white and green tiles, polished to perfection but worn from years of use. Six great stone pillars carved to resemble the trunks of trees reached to the ceiling above, flaring out in carefully carved branches. The ceiling around the branches were painstakingly painted to resemble a canopy of leaves with the open areas colored blue to resemble the sky.

The whole space was lit by the massive windows and magical balls of water that floated in pairs halfway up each pillar. They shimmered and glowed with a soft white light so that the entire room was bathed in what felt like sunlight.


There was a green run, woven to appear like the leaves of a tree and trimmed in golden braids. It ran down the center of the room, creating a division of space and drawing all eyes to the alter. To either side were pews made of an almost white wood. They were arranged in neat rows before the raised platform at the far end that contained the temple's altar.

The alter was made of pure white marble, lovingly carved to resemble a tree stump. It stood inside a shallow planter full of dense greenery common to the forest floor. Behind it, the wall curved away, forming a recessed pocket inside of which was a large silver bowl. Living roots and vines hung above the bowl from a hole high in the ceiling and dripped with water with a slow, methodical plop.

"A very impressive temple," Gersius said as he took in the sight.

"I have always loved it here," Thayle said with a mournful sigh. "I wish I could have stayed."

There was a hint of pain in her final comment, but Lilly was too struck by the beauty around her to notice. She turned round in full circles, trying to take it all in and wishing she could have a cave this beautiful. Once again, she wondered why dragons never built things like this and was disheartened when they had to leave the room.

"This way, please," the bald priest directed and took them down a hall to the left. They went down a short corridor into a small room with benches and a table. He asked them to wait a moment, then disappeared through a door on the other side, leaving them to their thoughts.

"Do you think your order will help?" Gersius asked as they sat on one of the benches.

"They have no reason to deny us," Thayle responded but realized she had to qualify her statement. "Of course, we have no idea what they have heard about you or Whiteford. For all we know the Father Abbot has sent emissaries to try and poison the well."

"And if they have?" Tavis asked with a concerned tone.

"Then I will vouch for Gersius's character," Thayle said with confidence. "I am a priestess of Ulustrah, and my word will carry more weight. Besides, I am sure he will test your light, and the truth will be laid bare."

"I suppose that is all we can hope for," Gersius said with some hesitation.

"That doesn't fit stories I have heard about you," Thayle said with concern. "Since when does Gersius, the champion of Astikar, rely on hope?"

"Since faith failed me," he said and looked down.

Thayle felt pity for the wounded man and wished there was something she could do. He hadn't prayed to his god since before Whiteford, and the loss of that connection was destroying him. She was skilled in matters of love and relationships, but a conflict of faith was beyond her. She wished she could get Lilly to sit with him and looked to the dragon in hopes of getting her attention. Instead, she caught Ayawa glaring back while shaking her head. Not wanting to risk an argument, she let the matter go and did her best to comfort him herself. Minutes went by as they spoke quietly, discussing what they might do next. Then the door opened, and the priest returned to inform them the prime wished to see them now. He smiled and waved them through the door, blessing them one by one as they went by.

They went directly into a room full of living plants and glowing lights. It had windows on one wall and bookcases on another. There were paintings of women in green armor with metal plaques to remember their names. A single desk of polished oak sat in the rays of sunlight that poured through the window, and several couches of green rested near the center of the room. But, by far, the room's most interesting feature was the man who strode across the space, smiling with a warm expression.

He wore a dark green robe with silver bands on the cuffs and trim. There was a golden doe's head encased in a tree outline boldly woven into the chest. His face looked mature as a man who had seen many years in the sun, but his features were sharp and strong. He wore a short brown beard streaked with gray and immaculately trimmed. He had long hair with the same colors pouring to the center of his back. He arrived before the group to look them over one by one but paused when he got to Lilly. He leaned closer, squinting as his eyes searched the area above his head, then stepped back and turned to Thayle. He smiled wider and threw his arms open to welcome her home with a hug.

"Priestess Thayle, it is most wonderful to see you, he said in a firm voice.

"It is good to see you again, Prime Arlin," Thayle replied

"Have you come back to reconsider my offer?" he asked as the hug came to an end.

"Your offer was most generous, but I regret I still can't marry you," Thayle replied with a smirk.

"Such a pity," he said with a laugh and stepped back. "I suppose I will have to entertain whatever it is you have come to request. It is my only hope of winning your affection after all."

"Don't you have enough women to pick from?" Thayle asked as she shook her head at him with a crooked smile.

"Ah, but I am a picky man, and you are a rare flower. However, I am well aware that you and I are not on the same path. I just like to tease you whenever I can."

"Well then, allow me to get on with it and introduce my friends," Thayle said as he returned to looking over the group. Thayle went down the row, starting with Ayawa and Tavis, who Prime Arlin readily welcomed. Next, she came to Lilly, but all Prime Arlin did was stare. He looked to Thayle with a lost expression then pointed to the air over Lilly's head.

"I will explain it later," Thayle sighed and moved to the man standing beside Lilly. Gersius looked tense, preparing for a hostile reaction as she introduced him. Prime Arlin's expression changed immediately from a warm greeting to cautious distrust. He took a moment to look Gersius over then turned to address Thayle with a completely different tone.

"So, you are involved in all this dragon business then?"

"I take it word has reached your ear," Thayle said as her worst fears came true.

"Word?" Prime Arlin scoffed. "More like a hostile declaration. An armed party of twenty men entered the city not three days ago. They visited every temple, noble house, tavern, and inn looking for a man named Gersius. They called him the scourge of Whiteford and said he attacked the city with a dragon." He paused to glance at Lilly as he said the word, his eyes once again looking above her head.

"What did these men look like?" Gersius dared to ask, though he feared to hear the answer.

"The bulk of them were light cavalry in simple chain but wearing the emblem of Astikar. They were led by two priests in heavy armor of an unusually dark color for your order. I am not familiar with what branch of your military they represent, but they had a red bird's head on their shoulder."

"The raven guard," Ayawa growled as the danger became clear.

"They may still be in the city," Tavis added with a hint of tension. "For all we know, they witnessed our arrival."

"Just keep calm," Thayle urged and turned to the leader of her order. "Prime Arlin, I don't know what was written in that letter, but you have to believe me when I tell you that it is all lies."

"Lies?" Prime Arlin questioned as if shocked by the accusation. "They came to our temple not to ask but to tell us we would be helping them locate Gersius. They delivered a letter signed and sealed by the Father Abbot himself listing his crimes. I hate to say this, but they have named Gersius a traitor to Astikar and an enemy of all that is right and good."

"It was a mistake coming here," Gersius said as his tension boiled over. "We are not safe anywhere in the common lands."

"Be at peace," Prime Arlin said with a raised hand. "I only mention the letter to help you understand that I am aware of the current situation. However forceful his demands, the Father Abbot holds no sway here. Thayle has vouched for you, and I can see the truth in her light."

"That aura sight is a handy thing," Tavis said with a relieved sigh.

"I has its uses, especially when the truth of a matter is being clouded in lies," Prime Arlin replied and paced across the room. "But since these are perilous times and the nature of the Father Abbots request was made with a veiled threat, let me take some precautions. Brother Augustus!"

The door burst open, and the bald man stood at attention and bowed with a warm, "Yes, my prime?"

"I have cause to believe the temple may be in danger. Therefore, I am calling the order of storms and requesting aid from nearby temples. Have the guard assembled and set to watch. I want eight in full armor present in the grand hall at all times. Be discreet, and keep the nature of their presence to yourself. I don't want rumors to spread and draw undue attention to the temple. Oh, and send words to the second company. I want Governess Alayse to report to me at once."

"I will see to it at once, my prime," the man said and hurried out of the room.

Thayle flinched at the mention of the woman's name and turned to Prime Arlin with rising concern. "You don't really think all this will be necessary?"


"We live in strange times, priestess Thayle. There is talk of war, betrayal, treason, and dragons." Again he looked at Lilly but rolled his eyes with a prolonged sigh. "Oh, for the love of Ulustrah. Are you trying to keep it a secret? Or can we talk about it?"

Thayle laughed and came to his side as the two of them stared at Lilly. "We keep it a secret from everybody we can, but there is no point in keeping it from you." She looked to Lilly with a smile and let her know that Prime Arlin could see the dragon's head in her aura. He knew what she was.

"So, you're the dragon that has the priests of Astikar so upset," Prime Arlin said with a smile returning to his face. "Forgive me for saying so, but I expected you to be bigger and with more scales."

Lilly felt panicked by the situation and didn't like how the strange man was looking at her. She felt trapped and looked to Thayle for guidance, but she offered none. By instinct, she reached out and clutched at Gersius's hand, getting a reassuring squeeze in return.

"My name is Lilly," she said, not sure what else to say.

"The priestess has already told me your name," Prime Arlin said with a nod. "But perhaps you can tell me how you managed to rile the order of Astikar into such reckless behavior. It isn't every day an entire priesthood hunts for a single man."

His voice carried no hint of threat, but the question left Lilly unsure. She tried to explain that Gersius needed her help while glancing at him nervously, hoping he would save her from this situation.

"Forgive me," Prime Arlin said as he noticed the nervous gesture. He stepped back to give her some space and then folded his hands with a warm smile. "I can see my question has unsettled you. That was not my intention. I had no desire to make you uncomfortable."

Lilly was upset about the situation, and anger began to fill her stomach. She was sick of being afraid and adrift in the human world, never knowing what to do. She was also tired of relying on others for direction and telling her what to do. The anger boiled over, coming out in bitter words as she met Prime Arlin's gaze and answered him boldly.

"I am an ice dragon," she said with her dual voice. "The vile order of Astikar hunts us for reasons we don't understand. The story of how I met Gersius is long and painful. I grow tired of having to retell it to everyone who questions why I am here. All you need to know is I agreed to help him because he did all he could to help me. When we tried to complete his mission, the vile priests of Astikar attacked us. They did terrible things to me and even more horrible things to Gersius. They did all this because he was trying to save them and end some distant war. We were supposed to go to Calathen, but his wicked brothers won't allow it. They have done all they can to hunt us down and kill us at every turn."

"I see," Prime Arlin said with a rub at his chin. "So you were attempting to complete the prophecy of the dragon knight. You are certainly a brave soul to accompany him on so massive a task. But tell me, what happened at Whiteford?"

"We were butchered at Whiteford," Lilly replied. "I don't want to tell you what they did, but in the end, they sentenced Gersius to death and me to a life of slavery. I managed to escape and rescue Gersius, but the vile priests tried to stop us. I killed many of them and trampled the people in my escape."

"Lilly, you don't have to tell him that," Gersius tried to interrupt as Lilly's voice grew cold and emotionless.

"No, Gersius!" Lilly shouted and turned on him. "Let them know what I did. I am not afraid of what they think of me. I am a dragon, and I am tired of trying to be like you. I have been trying for so long that I sometimes forget what I am."

"I can see your ordeal has caused you a great deal of pain," Prime Arlin said as he observed her aura. "But you have a strong spirit, and I see no reason to judge you for your actions. It sounds like the circumstances were forced on you, and you did what needed to be done to save a friend."

"I had no choice," Lilly replied, but Prime Arlin held up a hand to indicate she need say no more. He turned his gaze to Gersius and stepped close to look the tense man in the eyes.

"Tell me, Gersius. Did you attack Whiteford with this dragon?"

"No, I did not," Gersius replied firmly. "I went to Whiteford because I was ordered to by the Father Abbot himself. I brought Lilly there in peace and went to great lengths to ensure no harm came to her or anyone else. I never for a moment harbored any ill intent for the people of the city or the order of Astikar."


Prime Arlin nodded his head, satisfied by what he saw in the man's aura. He turned away, pacing the room to the desk before picking up a letter and crushing it in a fist.

"So the Father Abbot has lied to me and threatened my order," Prime Arlin said as he cast the paper aside.

"This is why we came here," Thayle said as she rushed to his side. "We need a place to rest and maybe some supplies. Gersius lost all of his equipment at Whiteford, so I was hoping you could offer him some armor and a good weapon."

"Yes, your temple is too close to Whiteford. You would have been foolish to stay there," Prime Arlin said as he began to pace. "But now I have to wonder if anyone took note of your arrival. Hopefully, nobody recognized them, but we have to worry that someone knows they are here." He paused to consider his options then laid out his plans. He would use his status in the city to pull strings and help conceal their presence. Several noble houses were led by men and women devoted to Ulustrah, and they would readily lend aid. He could also use them as eyes and ears in the city to see if anyone was talking about Gersius. If necessary, he would request assistance from the local prince and have additional men on hand to protect the temple.

"Thank you, Prime Arlin," Thayle said with great relief.

"I will do anything for the truth," Prime Arlin replied. "Of course, I will arrange rooms and have arms master Goerig open the armory. We shall see if there is anything that will fit our errant knight."

"I appreciate your kindness, Prime Arlin. But I hate to bring such danger to your temple," Gersius said.

"You have brought the truth to my temple, and lady Ulustrah values the truth above all. It is the Father Abbot who is spreading lies, and I cannot stand for such disrespect. Be at peace. I will do all I can to protect you, but the next few days may be dangerous. The order of Astikar is focused on finding you and willing to threaten the other faiths to see their goals met. I don't mind telling you that the letter offers a great reward to anyone who can lead them to the dragon."

"Then there is something you should know," Thayle said with a slight smile. "We have proof that they don't know Lilly is the dragon. Nobody outside this room knows that dragons can take a human form, and we would very much like to keep it that way."

"How fortunate," Prime Arlin said with a nod. "Of course, we have to keep this secret at all costs. We will have to limit all contact with her and keep her away from the other priestesses. The less of our order that gets a good look at her aura, the better. If anyone should discover her secret, I will make them swear an oath before Ulustrah to keep it."

"Thank you. That will take a lot off our minds," Thayle said in appreciation.

"Well then," Prime Arlin said as his smile grew wider. "I know exactly where to put you. The whole of the west wing is empty and isolated from the temple. There are more than enough rooms and a pleasant balcony to give you some air. Come, I will show you the way and ensure nobody comes near enough to steal a glance."

He led them through the temple and down a long hall to a sturdy door. He threw it wide and beckoned them in before shutting the door behind them. The group stood in a wide hall built into the side of a natural fissure in the mountain. On one side was a stone railing separating the hall from the fissure that went all the way to the surface. Sunlight beamed down from the sky above, filling the space with an almost garden-like atmosphere. The other side was a stone wall with seven doors that concealed bedrooms. Prime Arlin told them to make use of all the rooms but not to allow Lilly or Gersius outside the hall.

"I will give a standing order that no one is to enter this wing without my permission," he said as the group looked around.

"Thank you again," Thayle said in relief. "You have no idea how much we appreciate this."

"It is the least I can do," he replied and glanced at Lilly and Gersius. "I will send for a table and some chairs, so you have a place to sit. I will also arrange for food, so you lack nothing to eat." He paused and then locked Thayle with a firm gaze reminding her that she needed to keep Gersius and his dragon out of sight. Thayle nodded her understanding, and he said his goodbyes, leaving them alone with their thoughts.

"He is not happy we are here," Gersius said once he was gone.

"Do you blame him?" Ayawa asked. "You heard what he said. The Father Abbot sent a veiled threat and may very well have spies in the city. Our being here puts his temple in danger."

"It's a miracle we weren't seen coming in here," Tavis added.

"How do we know we weren't seen?" Ayawa asked. "They could be watching the temple right now as they plan how to reach us."

A sense of dread settled in as they considered the danger and wondered if this was a safe refuge after all.