“Nero, I won’t need you here soon. I could try to get you into the scholars school?” Auna said as Nero carried Auna to the library.


    It was now near the end of Jazen, almost three months since the festival. Auna had healed a lot and by the end of next month she should be walking and writing on her own. Currently she was still having Nero write for her for most things, while practicing lightly. Her body was still weak, but no longer in constant pain. Between her own healing magic, the palace healers, the church healers, and good rest in her dungeon her body was recovering. She still had holes in her wings though, and the terrible burn scars had turned white refusing to fade completely.


    “No, don’t worry about that. I learn more from experience, I kind of miss the dungeon now. Funny, isn’t it? I don’t seem to know what I want or where I want to be.” Nero was wistful as he sat her down in a chair.


    “That isn’t bad, you had a home. A future. Now you are still trying to create a new one. I think if you want to learn from experience, we can make that happen. You already travel with the merchants when you can right? I plan to travel this world, map every nook. I’ll take you with me?” Auna asked as the others settled in.


    “Yes. I would enjoy that. I think.” Nero gave a small smile as he pulled out the study sheets he made for the group.


    “I think that would be great.” Jensen gave a double thumbs up before getting down to business. “I want to go to bed early tonight.”


    “I see, it is the end of the semester we don’t have too much to do.  I am sure everyone is nearly prepped for their classes in the new year?” Auna smirked as everyone groaned. She always made sure to push them to study for the next semester while the current was slowing down. It was hard work but they managed to stay near the top of their years, and classes. It was well worth it as Ciela, and Edgar were now on track to finish school two years early. They would graduate at 16 after their eighth year. They had been able to take enough extra classes to achieve this.


    “Alright this is where I leave you.” Nero gave a bow as Mrs. Hopper took Auna to the dorm. He left for his room, which had a moon door in it. While in shadows, or moon light no alarm spells would be set off. This allowed Auna to put a door in his room.


    “Now girls I will be here bright an early. I expect you to not leave the room until I arrive this time.” Mrs. Hopper was giving a disapproving look. A few days ago, she had come for Auna, but they were already in the library. Nero had taken her through the art wing door directly from the dungeon. She had figured Auna walked down. Thus, the scolding now.


    “Yes Mrs. Hopper.” They said together.


    “Okay, Jensen said the code phrase. Tonight, we go to the dungeon for sleep.” Auna moved carefully to the door. “I’ll have some of the ladies help with my shower tonight.” Meredith and Chloe had been a great help in her daily chores like dressing, and showering.


    “Sounds good. Let’s go.” Meredith gathered their things up, shutting the light off behind them.


    “So, why are we here tonight?” Auna asked once they were sat around the table. Everyone had gotten ready for bed already. They would sleep in this building tonight; a room had been set up for them all. Edgar was yawning in a seat; he couldn’t be left in the room.


    “Our information network has heard there could be an attack tonight.” Grandmother elf gave a soft smile. “We have learnt much from Sargent. We have some evidence already against Wardite and Jade.”


    “However, that can be dealt with once we have enough evidence for a sure thing with the king.” Grandfather elf gave a stern look to his wife. “Instead, we wanted to update you on the dragon materials that finally came in.”


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    “Exciting, what did we manage to get?” Auna perked up.


    “We got nearly all of the blood, some went to Bloodwave family and a bit to one of the families from the other team. They both have alchemist and potion makers. The inners that are usually thrown away, and the intestines, went fully to us.”


    Continuing grandfather elf went on. “We got half of the scales, meat, bone, and hide. One eighth of our half was given to the Bloodwave family, they would not take no for an answer. However, the skull with its attached horns is yours. They wanted it but the king declared the only two who deserved the trophy was you and the Pearl family. Since you are engaged, he saw it as a nonissue giving it to you. Didn’t think you collected such things though.”


    “Collected? Trophy?” Auna questioned. “No, I have a use for it.”


    “The use?” A few people asked at once.


    “Rowan can explain first.” Auna waved the silver haired wooden girl over.


    “If I have the skull I can create or birth a treant-adjacent dragon. Using a medium I can take some of the power and characteristic of the original and birth a new creature. This one will be a dragon like thing most likely dark and nature elements. The fire element will most likely disappear. However, with the skills my master has we could do better” Rowan looked back to Auna.


    “Yes, with my runic magics, dark magic, taming skill, and space magic I think I can elevate the outcome. I will be practicing with other skills of fallen monsters. I will inscribe runes of both ancient and modern types. Then I will imbue the skull with space, and dark magic until the runes have enough. I may also give a prayer, or use other magic if my instincts tell me to. I will have Rowan beside me and when we are ready, she will use her skill. If everything goes well, I will create a new guardian for our town in the forest.” Auna beamed at the faces around her.


    “Oh, before I forget. Before break there is a last test for us older kids. We don’t know what it is though. We were told it could last for a few days into our break. Some combat test.” Auna finished.


    “Okay. That is okay. The dungeon residents are worried about how little progress is being made in the dungeon though. Do you children plan on continuing it? It would be safest here. Also, the residents want to rename the town. It needs to be a strong name as it will be our capital.” Grandmother elf had decided to ignore the dragon skull for now.


    “Jensen, do you remember Altan?” Auna asked.


    “The guy who was a leader of ruffians? The one from the text books in our old world?” Jensen questioned.


    “He was a man who brought the different tribes, and cultures of his nation together. He created law, order, and introduced a unified religion to the so-called ruffians. I knew him personally. I was a sister to him. I saw what he did, how he did it. Sure, it was rough but really, he made a new dawn come to his nation. That is why he renamed to Altan. He was a rough, but kind man.” Auna sighed remembering a past brother.


    “So, do you want us to name the city Altan, meaning dawn? No one will know it means dawn though. We should name it Altan Dawn, which will mean dawn dawn. However, it will be clear to the people of this world.” Jensen explained.


    “Okay, then Altan Dawn will be the capital of Jasper. How does that sound?” Auna asked the wider audience gathered.


    “I think the people will love it.” Grandfather elf nodded. “We have all been given a new dawn by settling within Jasper. It is perfect for our first, and capital city.”


    “Already, now for the progress issue?” Larn brought up.


    “We plan to continue in earnest again. Everyone is right, it is safer here anyway.” Auna shrugged. “We should get to bed though.”


    “Alright, good night children.”


    After that the children went to their beds. They learnt the next morning that assassins had infiltrated the campus as verified staff members. They waited until the night, disabled the alarms and snuck into all three rooms. At the same time. They all were met with empty rooms. However, the security teams in charge of watching the rooms caught them. They had planned to be out before the security teams came back around. However, due to not being able to locate the targets they had been checking under the beds, washrooms, and closets. They had even turned on the lights in desperation which had alerted the security teams.


    The school had covered up the incident, only telling the group as they were directly involved. They had questioned the group separately on why they were not in their rooms. They all gave the same answer. ‘Why did you let assassins get to our rooms?’. Not one person cracked under the interrogation, and the king put a quick end to it as well once he found out. The children were watched even more closely for the last days of school. Soon it was time for the older children to take their combat test.