ã€ŠCookies and Clawsã€‹


 Prologue

    The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Mistveil Heights, carrying with it the bite of eternal winter. Snow swirled in dizzying patterns, obscuring the treacherous path that wound its way up the mountainside. Yet she pressed on, her determination burning hotter than the cold that threatened to seep into her bones.

    She had waited for this moment for years¡ªdecades¡ªmeticulously planning each step of her journey. The whispers of an ancient power, hidden away in these godforsaken mountains, had haunted her dreams and consumed her waking thoughts. Now, after more setbacks and sacrifices than she cared to remember, she was finally close.

    Her fingers, numb despite the thick gloves, clutched the worn map tighter. The parchment was fragile, its edges crumbling, but the markings were still clear. Each line, each cryptic symbol, was etched into her memory after spending countless nights poring over this map, deciphering its secrets, and unraveling the clues left behind by those who had come before. Many had searched, but she would be the one who won.

    Finally.

    A life in the shadows, finally ending.

    As she rounded a sharp bend in the path, the mists parted momentarily, revealing a yawning chasm before her. Her heart leaped into her throat. One misstep here would mean certain death. She pressed herself against the mountain face, inching her way along the narrow ledge, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

    The path widened again, and she allowed herself a moment¡¯s respite. Her gaze swept across the desolate landscape, a world of white and gray stretching as far as the eye could see. How long had she been climbing? Hours? Days? Time lost all meaning in this frozen wasteland.

    But it would be worth it.

    For all the things they had done to her, for the way they had talked to her.

    A gust of wind whipped around her, nearly knocking her off balance. As she steadied herself, her eyes caught something¡ªa slight shimmer in the air, barely perceptible against the swirling snow. Her heart raced. This was it, the sign she had been searching for.

    Searching for years.

    All her life, perhaps.

    With renewed vigor, she pressed forward, her gloved hands running along the icy rock face. There¡ªa crack, wider than it first appeared. She wedged herself into the opening, grunting with effort as she squeezed through the narrow passage.

    The passage twisted and turned, plunging her into near-total darkness. She fumbled for the small lantern at her belt, her frozen fingers clumsy as she struck a match. The tiny flame sputtered to life, casting eerie shadows on the rough cave walls.

    As she ventured deeper, the air grew thick, laden with an ancient power that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. The passage gradually widened, opening into a vast cavern that took her breath away.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Crystalline formations jutted from the floor and ceiling, refracting the light from her lantern in a dazzling display. But it was what lay at the center of the cavern that drew her attention¡ªa stone altar, its surface smooth and unmarred by time.

    And there, resting upon the altar, sat a small, ornate box.

    Idiot dragons who didn¡¯t think to protect it more.

    Now someone like her could take it¡­

    Her heart pounding, she approached, each step echoing in the cavernous space. This was it¡ªthe goal of her long and arduous journey. She set her lantern down, its light catching on the intricate designs etched into the box''s surface. The swirling patterns appeared to move of their own accord. She reached out with trembling hands, brushing away the snow that clung to its surface.

    As her fingers made contact with the box, a jolt of energy surged through her. She gasped, nearly dropping her prize. It was as if the box recognized her, acknowledged her presence¡ªit called out to her.

    And she would answer.

    Her hands shook in anticipation.

    It didn¡¯t even have a lock. At her touch, the lid of the box slowly lifted, soundless even though it had waited untouched for centuries.

    Inside, nestled on a bed of midnight-blue velvet, lay the amulet. It was more beautiful than she had ever imagined: a large, purple gemstone at its center, surrounded by an intricate latticework of gold. The gem pulsed with an inner light, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls.

    She reached out, her fingertips hovering just above the amulet¡¯s surface. Power radiated from it in waves, making the air around it shimmer like a mirage.

    This was it.

    The culmination of all her efforts, all her sacrifices. With this, she would reshape the world to one that would adore her.

    A small voice in the back of her mind whispered caution, reminding her of the legends, the warnings. Artifacts of such power always came at a price. But she silenced that voice. She had come too far, endured too much, to turn back now. Decades had already passed; it was time to show the world who she really was.

    With a deep breath, she grasped the amulet and lifted it from its resting place. The chain was cool against her skin as she fastened it around her neck. For a moment, nothing happened, and a flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

    Then it hit her. A surge of raw, unbridled power flooded through her body. It was ecstasy and agony all at once, every nerve ending alight with energy. She threw her head back, a cry of triumph escaping her lips as the power of the amulet coursed through her veins.

    The world would never be the same again.

 Flour, Friendship, and a Fathers Summons

    There was nothing more tedious in the world than dusty tomes and scrolls, and nothing anyone said would ever convince Prince Theo otherwise.

    Sunlight streamed in through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the worn wooden desk before him. With a quill in hand, Theo scribbled notes onto a yellowed parchment, his handwriting so atrocious his mom would have scolded him if she saw it.

    Theo¡¯s father, King Frederick, had insisted on yet another afternoon of royal duties, poring over tedious legal documents and diplomatic correspondences. Each line seemed to carry the weight of countless lives, the importance of their kingdom¡¯s everyday issues, and it was a burden Theo wasn¡¯t sure he could bear.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be around forever, and then you will be king, Theodore. Try to act like it,¡± his father had snapped, words Theo had heard many times before.

    Theo had bitten the inside of his cheek, the pain of the present helping with the sting of his father¡¯s words. ¡°But I¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, Theodore,¡± the king had said, disappointment flashing in his eyes. That look cut deeper than any reprimand, and it flashed before him when he closed his eyes, a reminder of his shortcomings.

    Yet no matter how he tried to concentrate on the Very Important matters of state, his thoughts kept drifting to far more tantalizing pursuits.

    No, this wouldn¡¯t do. He had done enough for one fine morning, and he deserved a break. He stood from his chair and stretched his arms above his head.

    ¡°Giving up already, Your Highness?¡±

    Theo glanced up at Freya, who stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her long wheat blonde hair in a neat braid. Twenty-four years old, with her heart-shaped face and long lashes, she looked nothing like your typical knight, yet that was what she was¡ªhis own personal knight, following him around like a second shadow. The only female knight of Astoria, and proud of that fact.

    If she hadn¡¯t been so lethal, he would have told her to go away, but he had always been a bit scared of her. Probably why his father had chosen her for the job. Theo was pretty sure she hated the job, but a knight did as told.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking a break,¡± he said. ¡°I deserve it.¡±

    ¡°The king won¡¯t be pleased if you don¡¯t do what he says,¡± Freya said. How could anyone stand so still? Theo¡¯s body itched just watching her, and he scratched his neck with a grimace.

    ¡°My father is never pleased anyway,¡± he said, trying for a flippant tone he didn¡¯t feel. It was not like he wanted to disappoint his father¨Che just¡­ he wasn¡¯t what the king expected. Where his father was the King with a capital K, Theo was¡­ well, he would have been better off as a commoner, really. Then he could have followed his dreams and become a baker, rather than be stuck with dusty tomes all day.

    She raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him. ¡°Am I supposed to believe you don¡¯t care, then?¡±

    Theo sighed. ¡°I just need a break. Are you going to tattle on me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your guard, not your babysitter.¡±

    ¡°Good. Then we¡¯re going to the kitchen.¡±

    ¡°What a surprise.¡±

    Theo glared at her, but when she stared at him with her blue eyes¡ªdark blue, like the winter ocean and just as unfathomable¡ªhe quickly looked away. It wasn¡¯t like he could ever compete with her in a staring contest.

    They walked down the corridor together and no, Theo was not in any sense of the word sneaking, thank you very much. He was just¡­ walking carefully, trying not to draw attention to himself.

    The tantalizing aromas of the kitchen wafted past his nose, and he couldn¡¯t keep the smile off. Freshly baked bread, with a touch of rosemary¡ªhow could anyone stay away? If they could, they weren¡¯t human. Or any other species with a nose and reasonable taste. Did dragons like sweets? Theo had no idea¡ªthough they lived in the nearby forests and mountains, he was lucky enough that in twenty years of life, he had never been close enough to one to ask.

    Some might call him sheltered, and say that his mother had been over protective. ¡°Some¡± were mostly his father, who always said those things. Theo¡¯s mother¡ªthe queen of Astoria, and the only woman the king had ever listened to¡ªhad only ever given her husband a cool look and he would leave, muttering under his breath.

    His mom had been awesome.

    Theo pushed open the doors to the kitchens and stepped into the bustling, culinary haven.

    ¡°Ah, Prince Theo,¡± said Chef Gustav, a broad-built man with a bushy mustache and a twinkle in his only eye. Exactly how he had lost the other eye, Theo didn¡¯t know because he hadn¡¯t dared ask. The man turned to Freya and brought a fisted hand to his heart. ¡°Knight Freya.¡±

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    She fisted her hand over her heart. ¡°Chef Gustav.¡±

    ¡°So, Your Highness, what brings you to our humble kitchens today?¡±

    Theo grinned, the tautness of his shoulders fading as he took in the familiar kitchen counters and the neat rows of ingredients. This was his place, surrounded by all he needed to make the most delicious foods possible. He took in the bags of flour. With just fifteen minutes, he would be able to set a dough¡­ surely, the tomes could wait that long. It wasn¡¯t like they would miss him.

    He glanced at Freya. Would she tell on him? But no, she never had¡ªshe may roll her eyes at his choices, but she had never betrayed him.

    Turning back to Chef Gustav, he said, ¡°Just thought I¡¯d see what deliciousness you are concocting today. Anything exciting?¡±

    Sometimes, he used the area at the back of the kitchen which was only his, but other times, like today, he enjoyed exploring with Chef Gustav.

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re in luck, Your Highness,¡± Gustav said. ¡°We¡¯re experimenting with a new recipe for raspberry tarts, fresh from the royal orchard. Care to lend a hand?¡±

    Theo¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Of course!¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to read legal documents, Your Highness?¡± Freya asked.

    ¡°They can wait just fifteen minutes,¡± Theo said. He glanced at the bench where the ripe, red raspberries lay. ¡°Half an hour, tops.¡±

    She rolled her eyes.

    With a spring in his step, Theo followed Gustav to the bustling workstations, eager to lose himself in the joy of baking once more.

    ¡°These are delicious,¡± he said, tasting a raspberry.

    ¡°They are,¡± Gustav replied.

    ¡°Good thing the royal orchard is still untouched,¡± said Vella, one of the older kitchen maids who often had a new, exciting recipe to try out if Gustav didn¡¯t have anything in mind. Theo liked her, but he noted that there was a droop to her shoulders that hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°Worse with those fields in the north-west. My niece told me in her latest letter that they have hardly anything to harvest.¡±

    ¡°And the dragons,¡± said another woman, her brown hair in a neat bun at the nape of her neck. She must be new, because Theo didn¡¯t know her. ¡°They keep attacking.¡±

    Gustav stiffened at that, Theo noted with some curiosity.

    ¡°Wonder what¡¯s gotten up their bums,¡± Vella said, her words lilted in an accent like those from the western parts. ¡°Not how they usually behave.¡±

    Gustav touched the scar where his eye should be. ¡°They¡¯re beasts, that¡¯s what they are.¡±

    ¡°Wonder when they¡¯ll get to Brightfell,¡± the brunette said. ¡°Sooner or later, they¡¯ll come.¡±

    ¡°Wish we¡¯d had some people with magic,¡± Vella said. ¡°¡¯s not fair that they are so powerful, and we¡¯ve gone more than half a century without any new magic.¡±

    ¡°Well, there are people¡ª¡± the brunette began.

    ¡°Those people are gettin¡¯ old by now,¡± Vella said. ¡°Over sixty. And ever since that blasted witch was born¡­¡±

    Theo held up his hands, trying to placate them. ¡°Regardless of all that, we¡¯re safe in the castle, at least. And I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just a bad year with the harvest, right? There are years when we have hardly any apples here.¡±

    ¡°Those are the years when the flowers freeze,¡± Vella said with an uncharacteristic scoff. ¡°And what about them dragons?¡±

    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re hungry too?¡± Theo tried.

    Gustav shook his head. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not your problem, is it, Your Highness? Let your father deal with that, and you can focus on what you¡¯re good at¡ªbaking!¡±

    Theo stiffened. Sure, he preferred to leave running the kingdom to his father (and his father preferred it that way too), but did Gustav really think him that incapable? That he shouldn¡¯t even hear about the problems? Surely there was something he could do to help? He wanted to help. He swallowed, and dared a glance at Freya, but she didn¡¯t look about to protest the chef¡¯s exclamation.

    Perhaps it was true. Theo wouldn¡¯t have the faintest idea of where to start with dragons.

    Still, it hurt.

    Gustav handed him flour and a measuring cup. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk any more about dragons, and instead get back to doing more important things. Duchess Rosewick is joining His Majesty for dinner, after all.¡±

    The older of the two women muttered something that sounded a lot like ¡®that bitter hag¡¯, but it was too quick and too low for him to be sure.

    ¡°Wonder how long they¡¯re staying,¡± Theo mumbled. Duchess Rosewick and her daughter Ariana had already been guests in the castle for a few weeks, though Theo wasn¡¯t sure why. He didn¡¯t mind, though, because Ariana was his friend. Astoria was no enormous kingdom, so there weren¡¯t many nobles, and even fewer his own age¡ªAriana was one of the few exceptions, and the only one Theo really liked.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s bake, shall we, Your Highness?¡± Gustav asked.

    Theo¡¯s smile turned into a full-blown grin.

    As Theo immersed himself in the chaos of the kitchen, his worries melted away like butter on a warm scone. He relished the rhythmic kneading of dough between his fingers, the delicate dance of measuring ingredients, and the faint but lovely scent of raspberries mingling with the rich aroma of buttery pastry. With each fold of the dough and sprinkle of sugar, Theo felt a sense of purpose and contentment wash over him¡ªthis was where he should be, amidst flour-dusted countertops and bustling chefs, rather than getting an aching neck from being hunched over boring texts all day long. And he certainly shouldn¡¯t be out facing dragons.

    But just as he was about to pop another raspberry into his mouth, a timid voice interrupted his reverie.

    ¡°Your Highness, forgive the intrusion, but your presence is urgently requested in the throne room,¡± said a servant, bowing low with an apologetic expression.

    Theo glanced at him. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a minute.¡± He really wanted to try the raspberry tart, to see if he had added just the right amount of vanilla to the dough this time.

    ¡°His Majesty the King requested you come immediately,¡± the servant said.

    ¡°Just a minute,¡± Theo said, this time with a hint of a whine to his voice. He already knew he wouldn¡¯t be allowed to try the raspberry tarts¡ªhe would have to go with the servant to see his father. Duty called, and he could not ignore it even if he wanted to. His father would have his head (well, not really, because he was an only child and heir to the throne, but as the king, he could make Theo¡¯s life very unpleasant if he wanted to) if he ignored orders. With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly wiped his flour-covered hands on his apron before pulling it off and folding it.

    Then he, with Freya in tow as ever, followed the servant out of the kitchen and through the grand halls of the castle.

    What could his father possibly want that was so urgent?

 The Kings Command

    With each step, his mind raced with possibilities¡ªwas it an impending conflict with another kingdom? Or just some mundane matters of state, not really urgent at all? But try as he might, he couldn¡¯t shake the nagging sense of apprehension that prickled at the back of his mind.

    Approaching the towering doors of the royal chambers, Theo took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, steeling himself as best he could for whatever awaited him on the other side.

    Whatever it was, he hoped it wouldn¡¯t interfere too much with his plans for raspberry tarts.

    The throne room was unnecessarily opulent, in Theo¡¯s opinion. He had never been particularly fond of the gilded candelabras and the way they cast flickering pools of light upon the polished marble floors, nor of the massive stone fireplace dominating one wall, its hearth ablaze with crackling flames that left the room stiflingly hot. It was summer¡ªcould they not just skip the fires? Along the walls, portraits of Theo¡¯s ancestors hung, their stern visages glaring down at him as if they already knew he wouldn¡¯t live up to their expectations.

    At the end of the large room, two thrones commanded attention. Crafted from polished white marble and inlaid with gold and precious gems, they gleamed in the firelight. Plush crimson cushions adorned the seats and backs, embroidered with intricate golden patterns depicting the kingdom¡¯s history.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Father.¡±

    He stepped inside, his shoes clacking against the floor until he came to stand on a plush velvet carpet. Against one wall stood a grand mahogany table, its surface cluttered with scrolls and parchments, and there was his father, King Frederick. The king was tall and lithe, with dark blonde, borderline brown hair and green eyes, the latter of which Theo had inherited. The rest of Theo¡¯s features¡ªhis light blond hair, the round nose, the oval shape of his face, was from his mom, and the painful pang that always followed any thought of her traveled through his body. He missed her.

    Oh, how he missed her.

    His father looked at him with irritation. Theo wished he could make any other expression appear on his father¡¯s face, but particularly lately, that was a futile wish. Even in the past few weeks, his father¡¯s mood had been growing steadily worse. ¡°Finally. When I tell you to sit and read in your room, that is what I expect you to do, Theodore. The servants shouldn¡¯t need to search the castle for you.¡±

    Theo collected himself with a deep breath. Though he wanted to make his father proud¡ªhe really did¡ªhe could do nothing right. ¡°I did that. I just took a break.¡±

    And it wasn¡¯t like I was difficult to find, he added silently, wishing he could give his father some snark but never daring, especially not when his father looked at him like that. Like Theo was a constant disappointment.

    ¡°In the kitchens again, I suppose?¡± his father asked, raising an eyebrow at him, as if a son who loved baking was the worst kind of failure.

    Theo didn¡¯t want to be a failure. ¡°We made these raspberry tartlets and if I¡¯d just had five more minutes, I could have brought some¡ª¡±

    His father held up his hand, stopping Theo. ¡°I want you to focus on your duties, not on desserts, Theodore.¡±

    Theo felt his mood, which had soared in the kitchens and gone down ever since he left there, sour further, like too much lemon in a cup of sweetened tea. Why could his father not even try to understand?

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°So why am I here?¡± he asked, pushing his hands into the pockets of his pants to keep from crossing them over his chest like a sullen child.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like that tone,¡± his father said. ¡°You¡¯re here because you¡¯re the crown prince, and we have a problem the prince needs to take care of. It is time for you to step up, be a man, and show this country your worth.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± he asked, feeling like he was edging closer to a cliff-side.

    His father made a motion toward the table, where a map was spread out among the many scrolls. It was a map of their kingdom, Astoria, and its surroundings. Their capital, Brightfell, was drawn with a castle (the one they were currently in, though its turrets were not quite as high as in the drawing) surrounded by tiny houses, and then the fields spreading out. To the north lay massive mountains with tops so high there was snow at the top all year round, even now in the height of summer, like the Silvershard Mountains, home of the dwarves, and the Craggy Peaks, which was the dragons¡¯ territory. The rest of their surroundings were a mixture of lush hills, forest, and smaller villages, with dwindling roads connecting them.

    Beyond the mountain ranges were other kingdoms¡ªCelestheim and the Western Isles, Kyreanor¡ªand the strange Empty Plains, none of which Theo had never visited. Really, Theo had barely been outside their capital, because his mother had always wanted to keep him safe, so much of the world was shrouded in mystery to him. He felt safe within the walls of the castle and if allowed, he would stay here.

    He had a feeling he wouldn¡¯t be allowed to.

    ¡°There is unrest among the dragons,¡± his father said.

    Theo¡¯s stomach lurched.

    The dragons. Not good news after what he¡¯d heard in the kitchens.

    ¡°We¡¯ve received reports for a while about unrest,¡± his father continued. ¡°At first, it was isolated incidents of them straying from their usual territories, sightings in the night and the like, but lately, it¡¯s been escalating. Two villages not far from here have reported full-on dragon attacks with scorched crops and slaughtered livestock. We need to stop this before entire villages are ruined.¡± His father paused and looked Theo in the eye. ¡°You¡¯re going to meet with the Nebulon clan because they¡¯re closest, hear what it¡¯s all about, and keep them from burning down all of our fields in the north.¡±

    Theo¡¯s gaze flicked to the map, and he thought of his mom again. She would never let his father do this. Dragons? He was no dragon-fighting prince¡ªhe was more likely to injure himself than any dragon with a sword. Really, the most he wanted to use a knife was to cut pretty patterns into his bread dough, and even then, scissors were usually handier.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Freya said. ¡°Is it really wise to send His Highness to meet with dragons? Surely, there is someone better suited¡ª¡±

    Theo couldn¡¯t even find it in himself to be upset that she didn¡¯t believe in him¡ªhe didn¡¯t believe in him. He would get torn to pieces by the dragons, especially if there was unrest among them.

    The king shook his head. ¡°The ancient decree allows only someone of royal blood to appeal to the dragon kind. And bringing more than a single bodyguard will be taken as us wanting a fight¡ªsomething we most certainly want to avoid.¡±

    That clears up why it has to be me, at least, Theo thought. There was a distinct shortage of royalty these days, what with Theo being an only child, his parents having never managed to have another live child, even though Theo had longed for a younger sibling. Perhaps a sister to play with?

    He shook his head, pulling back to the present. He understood why his father wouldn¡¯t go on the mission¡ªthat would mean leaving Theo in charge, and Theo had yet to prove that he was up to the task.

    His father looked back at Theo. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to be a man, Theodore.¡±

    Fear traced down Theo¡¯s spine. ¡°Yes, Father.¡±

    He already knew there was no getting out of it¡ªand a part of him wanted to do it, despite the fear. It wasn¡¯t only his father he needed to prove his worth to, it was himself as well.

    ¡°You¡¯ll bring Knight Tarnell, of course,¡± the king said, glancing at Freya. ¡°Maybe you should just let her do all the fighting.¡±

    Theo nodded, mouth dry. Facing a hoard of furious dragons? This day could not get any worse.

    ¡°And then, once you return with the great news of having settled whatever is wrong with the dragons, you will announce a bride.¡±

    All right, it could get worse.

 Dragons and Duties

    ¡°I what?¡± Theo asked, heart stuttering in his chest.

    ¡°You, bride, marriage, heirs to the throne,¡± his father said, waving his hands like this was utterly unimportant.

    ¡°Marriage?¡± Theo echoed, feeling the blood drain from his face. ¡°I don¡¯t want to marry.¡±

    ¡°Your next birthday is your twenty-first,¡± his father said in a tone like they were discussing dinner. ¡°It is customary for the prince to marry at twenty-one at the latest, so it really is time.¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s next year¡ª¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry,¡± his father interrupted, as if Theo hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°I even have someone in mind.¡±

    Theo¡¯s mind came to a screeching halt. ¡°What? But father, I¡ª¡±

    To a servant, his father said, ¡°Bring them in.¡±

    Theo clasped his hands behind his back in order to not show how much his hands trembled.

    His heart sank when he saw Duchess Rosewick, one of the high ladies of the court, entering the room. Duchess Rosewick was his father¡¯s age, tall and beautiful with hair that had once been all black but now held thin streaks of gray. Golden earrings glittered in the candlelight, and around her neck, on a golden chain, hung a gaudy lilac gemstone¡ªbut its color only made her appear more monochrome. She had always been thin, but lately, she had become almost spindly in her appearance, and the long, black dress with glittering dark gems that reflected the light of the candelabras hung off her. Her husband, Duke Rosewick, had died a few months prior¡ªthat must be why she had lost so much weight.

    Theo knew all too well that grief made people not want to eat.

    Before her, Duchess Rosewick pushed her daughter, Ariana, who was a girl Theo had known all his life. While Theo couldn¡¯t say they were best friends¡ªAriana had always kept herself apart a bit too much to be called that¡ªshe was certainly his friend. The only friend he had, really, since there weren¡¯t many children among the Astorian nobility, and his father had always been against him befriending commoners.

    Ariana was a year younger than him, pretty but terribly shy and withdrawn, her long black hair hanging in front of her face like a curtain to hide behind. Theo thought of her as more like a cousin, someone he had known since they were both in diapers, than as someone he would marry.

    Her mother took up all the space in that part of the room, as if sucking the oxygen out of the air.

    ¡°Under sky, we meet, Your Majesty,¡± the duchess said, a deep curtsy accompanying the greeting, as if they hadn¡¯t already been in the castle for weeks.

    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the king said, giving her a dismissive wave as he kept speaking to Theo. ¡°It will be an excellent match. Duke Rosewick¡¯s power and influence, married with ours.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Your Majesty,¡± Duchess Rosewick said, bowing her head. ¡°My husband would be pleased, as am I.¡±

    The king ignored her. ¡°The betrothal will be made public once you return victorious.¡±

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Suddenly, the idea of being burnt to a crisp wasn¡¯t as frightening. Perhaps that was what his father intended all along, though Theo doubted it.

    ¡°So,¡± he said, but it sounded like a frog had gotten stuck in his throat, so he had to stop and clear it. ¡°So just go talk to dragons and keep them from killing me¡ªI mean, everyone¡ªand then come back here and get married to Ariana.¡±

    Was that what it would take to make his father proud? Would he then ease up and look at Theo with something other than disdain?

    There was a challenge in his father¡¯s eyes. ¡°Unless you have someone better suited?¡±

    Theo held back another sigh. No, he didn¡¯t. How could he, when he barely interacted with girls his own age? And when he did, he was no ladies¡¯ man, nor did he try to be. He had hoped to put off the whole marriage-thing for at least another few years.

    ¡°My daughter will be an excellent wife and queen,¡± Duchess Rosewick said. ¡°Our family has always been loyal to the crown.¡±

    King Frederick regarded her for a moment, then nodded. ¡°You have. Your husband was a true Astorian and his death was a significant loss to our kingdom.¡±

    Duchess Rosewick stood straighter. ¡°Rest assured that I will also do everything for this kingdom. Your Majesty, you can always count on me, especially in these hard times.¡±

    ¡°Hard times?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the dragons, Your Majesty,¡± Duchess Rosewick said, moving closer to them. ¡°There are whispers about the wicked witch being behind it all.¡±

    ¡°Theodore will bring clarity to these rumors,¡± the king said.

    ¡°The wicked witch?¡± Theo asked. The wicked witch hadn¡¯t been heard from in fifty years¡­

    Both his father and the duchess ignored him.

    ¡°Of course he will,¡± Duchess Rosewick said, taking another step forward, so that she was standing right in front of the king. ¡°But for all of this to be happening so soon after the queen¡¯s death¡­¡±

    Theo tried his best to ignore the sharp pang of grief that passed through him (now was not the time to cry again) and glanced at his father, trying to gauge his reaction. No one talked about the queen¡¯s death with the king¡ªit was like Theo¡¯s father wanted to pretend none of the last few months had happened at all. His father clenched his jaws, his nostrils flaring, and for a second Theo thought (hoped) he would actually say something. Then, as if able to just let it go, like pouring water out of a bucket, he relaxed and made a humming noise. It was impossible to know if it was an agreement or not.

    Disappointment flashed across Duchess Rosewick¡¯s face. In a second it was gone, replaced by a mask of cool indifference. Theo frowned. Did she want to upset the king?

    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty,¡± she said, her voice softer now. ¡°I merely want to be supportive.¡±

    She reached out to touch him, but the king stepped back.

    Theo¡¯s father turned back to Theo. ¡°Then everything is settled. You leave tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°T-tomorrow?¡± Theo asked. ¡°But can¡¯t we wait¡ªI need time to prepare¡ª¡±

    The king regarded him with the look of someone who was forced to suffer fools all day long. ¡°Will a day more really make that much of a difference? Or will it merely give you more time to bake?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI could train with Freya,¡± Theo said. ¡°And read up on dragons.¡±

    His father¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Very well. One day¡ªbut you do not spend that time in the kitchen, or I will immediately send you out, you understand?¡±

    Theo pressed his lips together and nodded.

    ¡°Good. Now go play with Ariana. I need to speak with Duchess Rosewick.¡± He waved a dismissive hand at Theo.

    Play? Theo wanted to ask. Did his father think they were five years old?

    But he forced a smile, straightening, and said, ¡°Yes, Father.¡±

    Duchess Rosewick looked like the cat who ate the cream at the prospect of being alone with the king. Was she¡­ interested in his father? Theo shuddered at the thought of her as a stepmother.

    He glanced at Ariana and caught her dark gaze hidden behind her hair.

    ¡°Coming?¡± he asked.

    She gave a barely noticeable nod, though her eyes flitted to Freya. They had met before, of course, but Ariana had always been careful around the tall, muscular knight.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she doesn¡¯t bite,¡± Theo said, touching his hand lightly to Ariana¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°How do you know?¡± Freya asked evenly, with one eyebrow arched. What was it with everyone and their superior control over their eyebrows? Theo had missed the class on eyebrow control. Perhaps he should practice in front of the mirror.

 A Princes Passion

    As they left the royal chambers behind, Theo breathed a little easier. It wasn¡¯t as horribly warm in the corridors, but mostly, he was relieved to get away from his father. They had never been particularly close, but after his mom¡¯s death, there was no way of reaching him. It was as if they were forever separated by a glass wall, invisible but always there.

    ¡°So, marriage,¡± Ariana said quietly.

    Theo peeked at her. ¡°Apparently.¡±

    ¡°Not¡ªnot to be rude, Your Highness,¡± Ariana said. ¡°But you don¡¯t seem enthusiastic about it.¡±

    ¡°Are you?¡± Theo shook his head. ¡°Sorry. That was rude. But please, for the hundredth time, stop with the whole title thing. I¡¯m just Theo.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Theo,¡± Ariana said, though Theo knew she would go back to calling him Your Highness in a minute. For some reason, Ariana never thought he was serious.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be all right,¡± Ariana said quietly.

    Theo snorted softly. ¡°¡®All right¡¯. Exactly what I¡¯m looking for in a marriage.¡±

    Ariana¡¯s pale cheeks colored. ¡°Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡±

    ¡°Theo.¡±

    She gazed at the floor.

    A guard held a door open for them, and the trio walked inside. It was one of the castle¡¯s many sitting rooms, with a semi-comfortable couch and low table, all very pretty and organized and, most of all, clean. The queen did not like things even the slightest bit dirty, and though she was gone, it was still drilled into the staff to keep the castle tidy.

    Theo sank down on the couch and relaxed into the pillows. Why couldn¡¯t they make couches more comfortable? Was it really that difficult?

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get you through meeting dragons first, Your Highness,¡± Freya said. She remained standing, of course¡ªshe never sat down while on duty, and Theo had never actually seen her off duty. She worked all the time. Exhausting. ¡°Then the two of you can worry about marriage.¡±

    Theo let out a groan, dropping his head back on the couch. ¡°Dragons. How can he do this to me? I like baking¡ªthe dragons are going to kill me.¡±

    Freya¡¯s expression suggested that she agreed with the assessment.

    ¡°Perhaps you can talk to them,¡± Ariana said. ¡°You¡¯re good at talking.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really not.¡±

    ¡°You are better than me,¡± she mumbled.

    Theo raised his head to look at her. Well, that was difficult to argue with, but that was just because Ariana hardly ever spoke, especially in the company of anyone she wasn¡¯t familiar with.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°If I have to rely on talking, I might as well bring my baked goods too,¡± Theo said. ¡°They, at least, are really good.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d need to bring a lot of pastries to satiate a dragon,¡± Freya said.

    Theo snorted, though it was filled with less humor and more dread. ¡°It¡¯s more likely they¡¯ll eat me than the pastries.¡±

    ¡°I think they¡¯ll eat both,¡± Freya said.

    ¡°You are not helping.¡±

    ¡°Not trying to.¡± She paused. ¡°Your Highness.¡± She gave a saccharine smile.

    Theo shook his head. ¡°Can I really be sure you¡¯ll have my back out there with an attitude like that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll just have to see,¡± Freya said with a shrug. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll return and say I did my best and get a pay raise and a better job than babysitting.¡±

    Theo sighed. ¡°You deserve a better job.¡±

    She did. Freya was way too good at fighting, strategy, and being a knight in general, to follow him around and protect him from his own shadow.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m finally going to get to do what I thought I¡¯d be doing as a knight,¡± she said. ¡°Protecting you from real dangers, not just your own clumsiness and burning your fingers on the oven in the kitchen.¡±

    ¡°That was once.¡±

    ¡°It was not.¡±

    When Theo glanced at Ariana, he found her staring at them with wide eyes. She was pretty behind her curtain of hair, all contrasts with her porcelain skin and dark eyes, but¡­ wife? No, he couldn¡¯t imagine it. He¡¯d have to take her to bed, and that thought was¡­ nope. She looked far too delicate, and might break under his clumsy touch.

    Theo couldn¡¯t really imagine taking any woman to bed.

    It would be a problem once he was married.

    ¡°So, are you going to make any sort of plan for this excursion?¡± Freya asked. ¡°Or do you think it¡¯s going to work well for you to just head out into the wilderness until you stumble upon a beast?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re much better at plans than me,¡± Theo said. ¡°Would you please make a plan for me?¡±

    Freya sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to a few of the guys tomorrow, figure out where the dragons are usually active¡ª¡±

    ¡°And then we¡¯ll avoid that spot like the plague,¡± Theo said with an innocent grin.

    She glared at him. ¡°And then we¡¯ll head there.¡±

    He was going to die. Why did his father want him dead? What part of his life so far made his father think that he had even the slightest chance of surviving this, other than with Freya¡¯s protection and through sheer dumb luck? Did he look like someone who had a lot of dumb luck? He would need it in spades to survive.

    Abruptly, he came to his feet. ¡°I¡¯m going to the kitchen. I need to bake something.¡±

    ¡°Now? Didn¡¯t your father forbid you from being in the kitchen?¡± Freya asked.

    ¡°He said I couldn¡¯t be there tomorrow,¡± Theo said. ¡°I¡¯m taking my, eh, future wife to the kitchen and baking bread to bring along. And some cinnamon rolls. And some cookies.¡±

    Baking was exactly what he needed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to bake,¡± Ariana said, her head down. ¡°My mother has never let me into the kitchen. She doesn¡¯t think such menial tasks are suitable for a noblewoman.¡±

    Theo scrunched his nose. ¡°What is it with our parents and hating the kitchen? My father is exactly the same. ¡®It¡¯s not work for a prince¡¯ and ¡®it¡¯s just food¡¯, blah, blah, blah. It¡¯s not menial, and it¡¯s not just food¡ªit¡¯s a lot of fun, and an art in and of itself. I can show you.¡±

    ¡°If my mother finds out¡­¡± There was a tremble in Ariana¡¯s voice that made Theo halt.

    ¡°Then what?¡± he asked. ¡°What would she do?¡±

    Ariana didn¡¯t meet his gaze. ¡°Nothing, Your Highness.¡±

    ¡°Theo.¡±

    She hesitated. ¡°Theo.¡±

    Theo frowned. This was why he couldn¡¯t consider her a close friend¡ªthere were always things she wasn¡¯t saying. Her mother was a strict and controlling type, that much was obvious, and the deceased Duke Rosewick had spent most of his time away from home. It probably hadn¡¯t been easy for Ariana.

    But he had no idea how to get her to open up.

    ¡°Come on,¡± he said instead. ¡°Let¡¯s go bake.¡± He sent Freya a look. ¡°And no eye rolling from you.¡±

    ¡°Why would I? Another afternoon in the kitchen, just what I dreamed of when I trained to be a knight,¡± Freya deadpanned.

    Theo grinned. ¡°Great, then you won¡¯t mind.¡±

    As usual, Freya did exactly what he had told her not to¡ªshe rolled her eyes.

 Pastries and Plans

    The golden afternoon light filtered through the high windows of Astoria¡¯s royal kitchen, casting a warm glow on the bustling space. Vella, Chef Gustav, and many others worked to prepare dinner, but Theo headed to his place in the back of the kitchen, where there was more than enough space for himself, Ariana, and Freya.

    ¡°I swear, Freya, you need to try baking,¡± Theo said as he pulled ingredients from the shelves. ¡°It¡¯s not just about eating something sweet¡ªit¡¯s about creating it, the art and the science behind each recipe!¡±

    Freya rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Your eyes are going to get stuck somewhere at the back of your head with all that eye rolling,¡± Theo muttered, though it was quiet enough he could claim he had never said a word if she glared at him.

    Ariana lingered by the entrance, her fingers twisting a strand of her black hair.

    Freya glanced at her. ¡°Are you coming inside, Lady Ariana?¡±

    ¡°My mother says a lady shouldn¡¯t get dirty,¡± Ariana said, taking in the flour Theo was measuring.

    Theo looked up and smiled. ¡°Grab an apron, problem solved. Have you ever made a choux pastry? We could make cream puffs¡ªthey¡¯re delicious, and pretty simple with the right guidance.¡±

    Ariana¡¯s eyes widened slightly, a spark of interest breaking through her shy demeanor. Perhaps there was a chance of finding a common interest after all? Though he would cling to the hope of not having to marry her¡ªhe would like to marry for love rather than royal convenience, if he had to marry at all¡ªif they did have to go through with it, he preferred them to have some common ground.

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ve never,¡± she stammered, moving closer to the island where Theo was setting up.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s been a beginner at some point,¡± Theo said with a small smile. ¡°And baking is pretty forgiving.¡±

    Theo explained the ingredients as he measured water and butter into a large pot, and as the pot on the stove heated, Theo¡¯s enthusiasm infected even the stoic Freya, who leaned in to watch. Theo stirred in the flour with a practiced hand until it formed a ball that pulled away from the sides of the pot.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°Now, we let this cool a bit before adding eggs. If we add them now, they¡¯ll cook prematurely,¡± Theo said. He could talk about this all day.

    Ariana took the wooden spoon he offered and stirred the dough under his guidance.

    ¡°You should be a teacher,¡± Ariana said shyly. ¡°You¡¯re good at it.¡±

    ¡°Hear that, Freya?¡± Theo asked. ¡°I¡¯m good at this.¡±

    Freya snorted. ¡°Yes. ¡®Chef Theo¡¯. I¡¯m sure your father will be thrilled.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps our parents shouldn¡¯t dictate everything in our lives,¡± Ariana said, voice still soft but with a tad more confidence in it.

    Freya crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°So, are you going to say no to marrying the prince?¡±

    Ariana cast her gaze down.

    ¡°Leave her alone,¡± Theo said, glaring at Freya. She scared him, but he would not let her be mean to someone as delicate as Ariana.

    Freya pressed her lips together but said nothing.

    ¡°She was away traveling a few months back,¡± Ariana said with a small sigh. ¡°My mother, I mean. After my father died, I think she needed to do something else than to be home. I stayed, of course, and it was¡­ nice. To be by myself. To get to decide. She constantly tells me what to do and how to act. She even picks my clothes.¡±

    Theo winced in sympathy. ¡°My father likes to tell me what to do, too, though he doesn¡¯t tell me how to dress. And the rest of the time, he ignores me instead. Especially after Mom¡­¡±

    He trailed off, because saying the words ¡°after Mom died¡± still hurt too much.

    Ariana glanced at him with big eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Theo gave a soft snort that was mostly sadness, and said thickly, ¡°Not your fault.¡±

    He focused back on the baking, giving it all of his attention so he wouldn¡¯t have to think about his mom and the deep hole she had left in his soul when she died. Ariana apparently understood his need to let the subject go. Soon, Theo was piping the dough onto baking sheets, demonstrating the technique to Ariana. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn. Don¡¯t worry about making them perfect. It¡¯s the imperfections that show they were made with care and effort.¡±

    Ariana took the piping bag and squeezed out her first pastry. It was oddly shaped, but her face lit up.

    Theo grinned. ¡°You¡¯re a natural.¡±

    As the pastries baked, filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma, Theo and Freya bantered about whether the cream filling should be vanilla or chocolate, while Ariana listened, looking in awe at the speed of Theo and Freya¡¯s exchange. Her eyes lingered on Freya¡ªTheo understood, because Freya would intimidate anyone.

    By the time the cream puffs were ready, golden and puffed up like little sun-kissed clouds, the atmosphere among them was lighter despite the heaviness of the quest waiting for Theo and Freya. Theo filled the pastries, and they each took one.

    Biting into the cream puffs, Ariana¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight. ¡°This is delicious.¡±

    ¡°Told you,¡± Theo grinned.

    Even Freya gave a nod of approval, which was the highest praise Theo could remember getting from her.

 Sparring Session

    While Theo would have liked to spend the day in the kitchen, he had no doubt his father would make good of his threat to send him off immediately if it came to his knowledge that Theo was baking. So instead, early the next morning, he allowed Freya to drag him down to the training area to practice his non-existent fighting skills.

    ¡°What¡¯s the point?¡± Theo asked. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m going to become a master fighter in a day.¡±

    ¡°You will never be a master fighter,¡± Freya said with a snort. ¡°At most, you¡¯ll be mediocre. But even a few hours today is better than nothing. And it¡¯s not like we haven¡¯t trained before.¡±

    Unfortunately, that was true. Most of the bruises Theo had ever gotten were from these training sessions. There was always some glittering of humor in Freya¡¯s eyes whenever she got a hit in.

    Theo sighed. ¡°Where do you want me? And do I get a weapon?¡±

    ¡°Grab a training sword,¡± Freya said.

    ¡°Not the real thing when we¡¯re going out to face real dangers?¡±

    Freya gave him an unimpressed look. ¡°I¡¯d rather you not cut yourself the day before we¡¯re going out to face dragons and who knows what else in the wilderness.¡±

    ¡°Your belief in my capabilities is astounding,¡± Theo muttered.

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°Good. Now get into position,¡± Freya said.

    The weight of the training sword wasn¡¯t unfamiliar in Theo¡¯s hand, but it had never become comfortable. It wasn¡¯t like Freya, who looked like she had been born with a sword in hand; with her, it looked like the sword was the continuation of her arm, and she could control it just as well as she could control her fingers.

    They began, moving back and forth. Freya used a training sword too, and they clanked against each other. She was far from giving it her all¡ªif she did, Theo would lose within twelve seconds¡ªand she even allowed for Theo to get a hit in every now and then.

    ¡°Do you think¡ªthe bad guys out there will¡ªbe lenient?¡± Theo asked between gasps of breath as he parried Freya as best he could.

    Freya shrugged and when she answered, it was with the calm of someone sitting on a couch having a normal conversation. ¡°No, but would you really prefer me to do my best?¡±

    He shook his head and that quick motion was enough for her to get a hit in, the training sword hacking into his shoulder, eliciting a groan from Theo.

    ¡°Focus, Theo,¡± Freya said. ¡°You can¡¯t afford to be distracted.¡±

    Theo straightened up, repositioning his grip on the training sword. ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not the one who feels like his arm is going to fall off.¡±

    Freya raised an eyebrow. ¡°Complaining already? We¡¯ve barely started.¡±

    Theo gave a weak chuckle. ¡°Maybe you could just fight the dragons for me. I can bake them a cake.¡±

    Freya snorted, her lips twitching upwards. ¡°Even if the dragons have a sweet tooth, you need to learn how to protect yourself. You can¡¯t always rely on someone else.¡±

    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Theo said, panting. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ª¡± He broke off, catching her next swing with a clumsy block. ¡°I¡¯m not like you, Freya. This isn¡¯t my thing.¡±

    Her expression hardened, the brief humor vanishing. ¡°Do you think I was born knowing how to do this? That it was easy for a woman to become a knight? I learned, because I had to. Because I¡¯m not going to fail at protecting those I love again¡ª¡±

    She broke off abruptly, her hand coming up to touch the thin silver pendant she always wore on a chain around her neck. When Theo stared at her, surprised at her sharing even the littlest bit of herself and her past, she got another hit in, this time driving the tip of her sword into his stomach. He doubled over, losing his grip on the training sword.

    ¡°If that had been a real sword, your guts would be on the ground now,¡± Freya said, voice hard.

    Theo gasped for breath. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. Just do better,¡± she said, shaking her head and tightening the grip on her sword. ¡°You have the luxury of training in safety¡ªuse it. Don¡¯t complain like you¡¯ve done every time so far.¡±

    They resumed their sparring, the clanks of the swords echoing in the training area the only sound. Theo tried to focus, to move with more precision, but his muscles ached, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. Freya¡¯s strikes, though controlled, still stung with every impact.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Finally, with his lungs burning, Theo held up his hand, hoping she would listen and give him a short break.

    ¡°You¡¯re the best knight in Astoria,¡± he said. ¡°Can¡¯t you take it a little easy?¡±

    Freya snorted. ¡°And how long do you think I¡¯ll stay the best if I ¡®take it easy¡¯? The male knights are stronger than me to start with¡ªI have to do twice as much to keep up with them, and thrice as much to be better than them.¡±

    Theo swallowed hard, understanding dawning. Freya had a relentless drive that he had never fully understood¡ªperhaps this quest had her unsettled, and that was why she was sharing more than before. And they hadn¡¯t even left yet¡­

    Who were the people who had died, whom she couldn¡¯t protect?

    ¡°I¡¯ll try harder,¡± he promised, raising his sword again, even though it was heavy, like someone had tied invisible rocks to it. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a burden.¡±

    Freya¡¯s gaze softened just a fraction. ¡°You¡¯re not a burden, Theo¡ªYour Highness. You¡¯re a prince. And one day, you¡¯ll be a king. You need to be strong for your people, but lucky for you, it¡¯s a different sort of strength than brute force and swordsmanship.¡±

    They continued, Theo pushing through his exhaustion, determined to prove himself. Freya offered occasional corrections, her tone an odd mixture of stern and encouraging. Theo¡¯s movements were still clumsy, but he managed to land a few hits, drawing a nod of approval from Freya.

    ¡°See? When you actually apply yourself, you get better,¡± she said, stepping back and lowering her sword. ¡°I just wish you hadn¡¯t wasted so much time before.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Theo said. ¡°Sorry about that.¡±

    ¡°What did I tell you about sorry? We can¡¯t change the past. Just¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just do better,¡± Theo finished. He collapsed onto a nearby bench, wiping sweat from his brow.

    Freya sheathed her practice sword and crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. ¡°Remember, Theo, this isn¡¯t just about swinging a sword. It¡¯s about protecting what you care about. And sometimes, that means doing things you don¡¯t want to do.¡±

    Theo frowned at her. ¡°All right.¡±

    Freya looked at him for a moment, then clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Good. Now, go wash up and have a rest. We have a long journey ahead of us starting tomorrow, and you¡¯ll need all the strength you can muster.¡±

    ***

    That afternoon, Theo, Ariana, and Freya spent in the library. Reading the dusty scrolls and ancient tomes of the Brightfell castle library was not what Theo wanted to spend doing his last afternoon in the castle for the foreseeable future (possibly ever, but he didn¡¯t like to think about that), but Freya had forced him.

    ¡°You need to know a little about the world before we go out into it,¡± she¡¯d said, and there was no arguing.

    So now Theo had read up on dragons (intelligent, dominant, prone to spewing fire, were loners or in clans, and usually kept to themselves, except once upon a time when they¡¯d been at war with everyone because they all decided to go simultaneously mad), dwarves (skilled craftsmen particularly at making weapons, gruff according to Freya who¡¯d met two), forest sprites (mischievous but generally harmless), and stone giants (massive beings of rock, protectors of the earth, but about as intelligent as rocks, too). There were others too, but by the end of it, Theo¡¯s mind was whirling.

    And then Ariana had found a book on magic, and though there Theo, like everyone else, knew there hadn¡¯t been anyone in Astoria born with any magic to speak of in the last fifty years, he was curious. The book was so old it was falling apart not just at the seams, but everywhere, and he and Ariana read it together. Theo¡¯s attention caught on a page filled with small text in red ink, and he read through it.

    ¡°Oh, I think this is a prophecy,¡± he said as he finished. ¡°Do we care about prophecies?¡±

    ¡°Only if they pertain to mad dragons,¡± Freya said without looking up.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s your answer.¡±

    Theo frowned. ¡°It¡¯s about the wicked witch, though. Didn¡¯t Duchess Rosewick say that there were rumors she might be behind the dragons¡¯ madness?¡±

    Ariana leaned slightly forward, glancing at Freya before focusing on Theo. ¡°What does it say? Would you read it?¡±

    Theo nodded and read aloud. ¡°From mortal roots, a witch is born,

    Her mother lost, her father fled

    In orphan¡¯s care, her power scorned,

    She flees, destruction in her stead

    Through villages she roams in fear,

    Her hidden magic breaks control

    A town in ashes, she disappears

    To forest deep, she flees alone

    Her shielded home, time¡¯s flow defied,

    Ageless she waits as decades pass

    Strangers breach her sanctum¡¯s side,

    Their coming shakes her spell at last

    An amulet¡¯s might with hers combines,

    To crystal form her flesh refines

    Her life force fades, her spirit unwinds,

    From embers, a new dawn realigns.¡±

    Ariana¡¯s eyes widened, and she wrapped her arms around herself as if to ward off a chill. ¡°Yes, that is the wicked witch. You¡¯ve heard the tale, have you not, Your Highness?¡±

    Theo gave a small nod. ¡°I¡¯m sure everyone has. The witch killed her mother when she came into the world, and then her father didn¡¯t want her.¡±

    Ariana nodded. ¡°She was sent to an orphanage, but after she did horrible things there, they sent her off. Then she burned down a whole village, killed several villagers, and disappeared.¡± She hesitated. ¡°My mother told me the tale often.¡±

    ¡°Why would your mother tell you that story often?¡± Theo grimaced, because it was horrible.

    ¡°She said her mother told it to her when she was young,¡± Ariana said, gaze to the open page before her. ¡°She said I should learn from it. That magic is evil and that I should be a good girl.¡±

    Theo frowned. ¡°Your mother has some very weird ideas about what stories to learn from.¡±

    ¡°But there¡¯s no one with magic in this kingdom anyway,¡± Freya said, surprising Theo by contributing to the conversation. ¡°No one else has been born with magic since the witch was born, so why scare you with the story?¡±

    Ariana shrugged, her hair falling in front of her face.

    They continued to delve into the various texts, Theo occasionally reading passages aloud while Freya and Ariana listened. The more they read, the more they realized the complexity and danger of their upcoming quest.

    When they decided enough was enough, Freya turned to Theo. ¡°We should discuss packing, too.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pack whatever you tell me to,¡± Theo said. ¡°And cookies.¡±

    Freya rolled her eyes.

    Tomorrow. Tomorrow, they would leave Brightfell behind, and before nightfall, they would probably have left Astoria, too. Theo would be farther away from home than ever before, off on a quest to talk to dragons. He wasn¡¯t sure he was up for it.

    No, scratch that. He was entirely certain he wasn¡¯t up for it.

    But he had to.

 Farewell Brightfell

    Morning dew glistened under the early morning sunlight when Theo and Freya exited the castle the next morning, and a delicate veil of fog draped low over the city. The castle, located at the very center of the town, towered amidst the clustered houses of the city¡¯s inhabitants. Encircling the heart of the city, a river meandered¡ªpart natural, part man-made, carved out two hundred years earlier to ensure the city had a steady water supply.

    In the distance, the mountains rose toward majestically the sky.

    ¡°We¡¯ll follow the river to the Silvershard Mountains,¡± Freya said. ¡°There¡¯s a clan of dragons living in the woods and mountains beyond it, the Craggy Peaks.¡±

    ¡°Oh, joy,¡± Theo mumbled. His heart pounded with fear and trepidation¡ªwhat would he not give to be in the kitchens baking bread for breakfast, rather than standing there in his most durable shoes with a heavy backpack on his back?

    But now this was his reality, and he would have to make the best of it. Stay alert, lest he be killed by some manner of monster in the woods¡ªdragons were, after all, not the only beasts hiding there.

    At least he had the best possible companion with him. Freya stood resolute and unyielding, her steely gaze fixed on the horizon. Theo couldn¡¯t help but admire her unwavering determination¡ªhe wished he had half of it.

    She glanced at him. ¡°Got everything?¡±

    ¡°You packed the backpack,¡± Theo said. ¡°Well, most of it.¡±

    He may have added a few goodies to enjoy on the way. Freshly baked mini loaves of cranberry-walnut bread, wrapped securely to prevent crumbling, that he may have been down in the kitchen making before the sun even began coloring the sky, together with a tin of chocolate chip cookies.

    In short, necessities of life.

    A stable boy came out with their horses, packed and ready. No one who saw the horses and the riders would doubt which horse belonged to which human. Freya¡¯s stallion Ebony, a bundle of muscles and nerves covered in black fur, was faster than most horses in the kingdom, but would sometimes jump at the sight of his own shadow. Brioche, on the other hand, was a caramel colored mare who had been Theo¡¯s preferred horse for several years, who usually didn¡¯t frighten easily.

    Meeting dragons might change that up, though.

    Both horses snorted in the crisp morning air, their breaths misting in puffs around them.

    Theo looked back at the castle, imagining his mother coming out to tell him goodbye. Her face would be a mask of regal concern, her light blond hair cascading down her shoulders, and her robes would have whispered against the stones as she moved with a grace Theo had not inherited.

    She had been too young to be taken from them.

    In his daydream, she said to him, ¡°Theo, my heart. You make sure you come back, you hear me?¡± He imagined her voice was steady despite the emotion in her eyes.

    ¡°Yes, Mom,¡± he would have replied, biting back any comments about how there would have been no need for him to come back, had his father not sent him off.

    In his dream, she cupped his cheek in her hand, and he wished it was real, wished he could have just one more moment with her. He wanted to feel the warmth of her palm, but all he felt was the cool morning air.

    ¡°You are more than you give yourself credit for,¡± she said softly in his dream, echoing words she had said to him countless times before. She had always thought more of him than he thought of himself.

    He would never hear those words for real again.

    He opened his eyes, finding no one there. Was his mom still watching from somewhere? Was there a life after this one, from where she could see him? If she could, did she worry about him?

    His heart ached with how much he missed her.

    When the door opened, he had a moment when he mixed up dream and reality, thinking that maybe it was his mother coming out to bid him goodbye¡ªbut of course, it wasn¡¯t. Instead, Ariana stepped outside. She wore a black dress that may have been the same one as the day before, or perhaps it was just one who looked a lot like that one¡ªafter all, Duchess Rosewick was not the type who would let Ariana go around in the same dress two days in a row.

    ¡°Lady Ariana,¡± Freya said. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be up this early.¡±

    Ariana didn¡¯t respond, but turned to Theo. ¡°I just thought I¡¯d say goodbye.¡± Her voice was quiet, as if she didn¡¯t want to disturb the morning. Next to her, Freya was so forceful. ¡°And wish you good luck.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Theo said. ¡°We¡¯ll need it. Or I will, anyway.¡±

    Ariana cast her gaze down to the ground. She kept her hands clasped in front of her, her shoulders hunched as if she wanted to make herself as small as possible.

    Trying to lighten the mood, Theo said, ¡°If I don¡¯t return, at least you¡¯ll get out of marrying me.¡±

    Ariana looked up at that, her mouth falling open. ¡°Your Highness¡ª¡±

    ¡°Theo, still,¡± Theo said.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°That¡¯s not funny,¡± Ariana said.

    Theo shrugged. No, it wasn¡¯t, and he didn¡¯t feel like dying.

    Ariana turned to Freya. ¡°Will you take care of him?¡±

    ¡°I will guard him with my life, Lady Ariana,¡± Freya replied, bowing her head slightly. ¡°It is my duty.¡±

    While she might roll her eyes a lot, and Theo might have jested with her, he really had no doubt that Freya would do everything to keep him safe. He just wasn¡¯t sure that would be enough.

    With no more words left to say, Ariana retreated into the shadows of the castle gate.

    As Theo was about to sit up on his horse, the gate opened again. Theo¡¯s heart lurched at the sight of his father striding out, dressed in full royal garb even at this early hour.

    ¡°Father,¡± Theo said. Had his father come to tell him that this was stupid, that it had all been a ruse to shake him up?

    ¡°Theodore,¡± his father said with a nod, stopping a little more than an arm¡¯s length away, far enough that there was no unspoken invitation for physical contact.

    Theo peered at him, waiting, his heart thrumming. Oh, how he wished his father¡¯s next words would be that he didn¡¯t need to seek out the dragons.

    ¡°I came to wish you safe travels,¡± his father said in a clipped tone, clasping his hands behind his back like the leader of an army.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Theo said, trying not to show how much those words made him deflate. All hope leaked out, like water from a sieve. ¡°Thanks?¡±

    His father motioned to one of the two servants who had come out with him, and the servant came forward with a sheath from which an ornate handle stuck out.

    ¡°This is the crown prince¡¯s sword,¡± his father said. ¡°Since you are now, finally, shouldering your responsibilities, it¡¯s only right that you have it.¡±

    He took the sword and sheath from the servant and held it out for Theo. Theo stared at it.

    ¡°A¡­ sword?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± his father said. ¡°Dwarven made, light and easy to handle. Powerful in the right hands.¡±

    Powerful for someone who had any talent with a sword, Theo thought. ¡°Right. Uh. Thank you.¡±

    They stood there, regarding at each other, and Theo had never felt the glass wall between them more acutely than at that moment. He wished his father would let his guard down for just a second, to hug Theo like his mom always had, or just to touch his shoulder¡ªsomething.

    But no.

    Would he be more impressed with Theo if Theo returned having accomplished his task? Would he be glad when Theo returned? Theo wasn¡¯t sure. Sometimes it felt like his father would only move the bar further up if Theo ever reached it.

    Then again, the bar was set pretty low at the moment.

    His father lingered a breath longer, his hand coming up to stroke a gentle hand down the mare¡¯s nose. He carefully did not look at Theo, but Theo took him in¡ªthe slight hunch to his normally so proud shoulders, the weariness in the lines of his face. Was he sad that Theo was leaving? Did he regret having to send Theo away on such a dangerous mission?

    Did he miss the queen the way Theo did?

    Letting his hand drop, the king looked at Theo, and Theo imagined there was a hint of fear in his father¡¯s eyes. ¡°The kingdom is counting on you. Don¡¯t fail.¡±

    Then he gave Freya a small nod, before turning. The mist swept around his feet as he strode back into the castle.

    Theo stared after him.

    Don¡¯t fail.

    He wouldn¡¯t.

    At least not on purpose.

    Looking down at the sword, he shook his head. His father had really gifted him a sword, of all things. When he had fastened it to his side, he moved around, trying to get used to the unfamiliar weight.

    At least Freya had the sense not to say anything. Once Theo had mounted his horse, they nodded one final time to each other, before pressing their heels gently to their horses¡¯ sides, guiding them across the courtyard and out through the castle gates.

    They made quick work of the winding streets of the town¡ªthough the delicious scents of a nearby bakery made Theo want to ask for a break not five minutes into their journey¡ªand then they were out, leaving the early morning bustle of the town behind.

    Before them, large fields spread out, and then, in the distance, the forest.

    The early part of their journey passed in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Theo tried his best to pretend it was no more than a longer-than-usual excursion and that they would soon be headed back, though thoughts of dragons with sharp teeth kept pushing themselves into his head.

    The sun climbed higher, casting its warmth across the land and illuminating the path that wound through the thickening woods. Birds chirped above, and the scent of pine and earth filled the air, a peaceful backdrop to their daunting quest.

    Every now and then, Theo glanced down at the sword sheathed on his hip. A sword. It felt like a joke, like his father was making fun of him at a distance. How could it be a heartfelt gift, with what his father knew of Theo¡¯s lacking sword fighting skills?

    Freya broke the silence, her voice cutting through the rustle of the leaves. ¡°We should reach the edge of Nebulon territory by nightfall tomorrow if we keep this pace up.¡±

    ¡°Nebulon territory,¡± Theo said on a sigh.

    ¡°The Nebulon dragon clan,¡± Freya said.

    Theo grimaced. ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Instead of whining, he asked, ¡°Any chance of stopping for lunch soon?¡±

    By now, his behind and legs were aching from the lengthy ride, and his stomach kept making noises to inform him of just how much it wanted sustenance. The only break they¡¯d taken so far was to let their horses drink a few times from streams they had come across, with Theo taking each chance to dismount, stretch, and look at curious marks on the ground left there by animals and beasts.

    Freya pursed her lips, as if Theo were a weighty chore that just bogged her down. He felt like one¡ªwithout him, she would probably already be meeting with the head of the dragon clan.

    Except they wouldn¡¯t see her, because she wasn¡¯t of royal blood.

    Stupid rules.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll find some place to stop. I¡¯ve got to check my maps, anyway.¡±

    Theo faked a gasp, a hand coming up to his chest. ¡°What, haven¡¯t you memorized them?¡±

    She glared at him. ¡°It was better when you were silent.¡±

    Theo sighed. He wasn¡¯t making it easy for her, and he should be making it easier. Somehow.

    A village came up soon after, though ¡®village¡¯ was a big word for it¡ªit was more like a quaint collection of thatched cottages and winding dirt paths, nestled between the verdant roll of the forest and the encroaching wild lands.

    ¡°That looks like a tavern,¡± Theo said, pointing at a slightly larger house. His stomach gave a loud grumble as if to emphasize that tavern meant food and he needed food. He was a prince¡ªhe was used to meals at regular intervals.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Freya said. ¡°Maybe they can give us some useful information.¡±

    ¡°And lunch,¡± Theo said, because that was far more important. How could she not need food? Or did she have chocolate or something tucked away in the bag strapped over her shoulder?

    Perhaps she snuck bites of goodness while he wasn¡¯t looking. He thought of the cookies in his bag. How annoyed would Freya be with him when she realized he had spent some valuable space in his backpack on baked goods?

    As they rode into the village, their horses¡¯ hooves clattered against the cobblestone square, drawing the curious gazes of villagers. They dismounted and Theo winced, the muscles of his body stiff and aching already. If the dragons didn¡¯t kill him, the long journey just might.

    The tavern was a sturdy building with a sign swaying gently in the breeze, depicting a frothy mug of ale¡ªsure to entice any travelers.

    Freya¡¯s eyes scanned the small crowd gathering around them, and she said quietly, ¡°Keep it simple. We¡¯re just travelers here, no mentions of your heritage, got it?¡±

    Theo¡¯s gut churned uncomfortably.

 Lunch and Locals

    They stepped into the dimly lit tavern, the smell of roasting meat and wood-smoke filling the air. As they approached the bar, the tavern keeper¡ªa broad-shouldered woman with a no-nonsense expression¡ªeyed them with a mixture of suspicion and interest, and what conversation had been going on in the tavern died down.

    ¡°Under sky, we meet, strangers,¡± she asked, wiping her hands on her apron. ¡°What can I get for you?¡±

    Freya returned the greeting and continued, ¡°Two ales and whatever you¡¯re serving for lunch.¡± She pulled out a couple of coins from her pouch.

    The tavern keeper nodded, shouting over her shoulder for the kitchen to prepare two plates. As they took a seat at a nearby table, the murmur of conversations around them began to swell once more.

    ¡°You two don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from around here,¡± a wiry old man at the next table piped up. His eyes were sharp, and his face was lined with years of toil and his mouth missing several teeth. ¡°What brings you to our corner of the kingdom?¡±

    Theo exchanged a glance with Freya before answering, ¡°We were sent by the king. There¡¯s been some trouble with the dragons, and we¡¯re off to see what that¡¯s about. Try to settle things down.¡±

    ¡°He thought someone like that would be a good one to send?¡± the old man asked, looking Theo up and down. He turned back to Freya. ¡°You, I get.¡±

    ¡°Yes, well, he chose us,¡± Freya said. ¡°Both of us.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps he chose someone he could do without,¡± the old man muttered, looking back at his food as if dismissing them both.

    Theo was affronted by that, but he pushed it down.

    The tavern was dimly lit despite the warm, bright summer outside, only faint light making its way through the windows that were either made dark to start with, or very, very dirty. When Theo ran his fingers over the table, they came away greasy, and he longed for a napkin to clean his hands.

    ¡°It¡¯s about time someone came,¡± a young man with a head full of red curls said from bar, sounding sour. ¡°Should¡¯ve been here months ago when those beasts began fighting each other in the skies.¡± He touched his arm, where an ugly scar criss-crossed his skin.

    Theo frowned. Was that scar from the dragons? From dragon fire, maybe? Or was it a completely ordinary one that he just wanted to make them believe was dragon-related?

    ¡°Has it been going on for months?¡± Theo asked.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t much in the beginning,¡± the wiry old man with more wrinkles than hair said, standing from his spot and dragging a chair over to Theo and Freya¡¯s table instead. Up close, Theo noted a gauntness to his face, shadows beneath his eyes. ¡°Just ¡®em flying over here. Unusual, but it happens¡ªsometimes they even used to stop ¡®n talk. But no more talking now. And it began happening more and more, the flying. And then they began fighting. Burnt our northern fields to the ground. Now what¡¯s gonna feed our families, huh?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Theo said.

    The man raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Not your fault, was it, boy?¡±

    Theo shrugged. They didn¡¯t know he was the prince, but he knew, and a creeping sense of guilt traveled down his spine. He wasn¡¯t in charge, but this was the kingdom he was set to inherit. Would his father have told him, had he taken more of an interest in the kingdom, rather than just focusing on what recipe to try next?

    ¡°Have they killed anyone?¡± Freya asked, bringing him back to the present.

    ¡°A half dozen sheep and a few of our cows,¡± the surly young man said, turned to them away from the counter. He crossed his arms over his chest so that the scar on his arm stood out even more. ¡°Not all at once, but they¡¯re picking them off like they¡¯re a dragon buffet. I have only two cows left, and how¡¯s that supposed to get my family through the winter?¡± He shoved a piece of bread into his mouth. ¡°And the royals are sitting there in their castle, doing nothing.¡±

    ¡°Well, we¡¯re here,¡± Theo tried.

    The redhead scoffed. ¡°Sure. But where¡¯s the money? The army to help fight the dragons?¡±

    Theo stayed quiet, because he had no idea what to say to that. He had thought this was just a quest because his father wanted him to become a man, but¡­ There were real people being affected by the dragons. Real people, like the ones before him.

    ¡°Just a matter of time before they take one of us,¡± a lined old woman said. She sat two tables further down, but her croaky voice carried. ¡°At least I¡¯m so old I¡¯ll get stuck in their teeth.¡± There was a viciousness to her smile that was in stark contrast to her thin appearance.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    A few scattered chuckles followed, though the mood soon turned somber again, like a wet blanket that matched the hint of mildew beneath the aromas of food.

    The tavern keeper placed two plates in front of them, filled with potatoes, grilled meat, and a heap of vegetables. Theo did not need to be told twice to dig in, and once he¡¯d swallowed down the first mouthful, he asked, ¡°Do you know why the dragons are attacking?¡±

    ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s the wicked witch behind all of it,¡± said the surly redhead. ¡°She¡¯s finally come out of hiding to get her revenge, and she¡¯s making the dragons angry.¡±

    ¡°And just how would she do that?¡± the first older man asked, rolling his eyes.

    ¡°She¡¯s a witch, and wicked to boot¡ªthat¡¯s in the name, innit?¡± the redhead said. ¡°There¡¯s no telling what she can and can¡¯t do. After all, she burned down a whole village with just a snap of her fingers. She killed people and then left it without a care. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s behind every bad thing since, just not showing her face to take the blame.¡±

    The old woman nodded, a somber expression on her face. ¡°I remember when I got the news. One of my distant cousins lived near the village the witch burned, and he lost a good friend in the flames. His son was only five at the time, and had to grow up without his father. Just goes to show what kind of terror she was. And she was just nine at the time. Can you imagine what she¡¯s done since?¡±

    ¡°That whole business was more than fifty years ago,¡± the old man said. ¡°It¡¯s not like that¡¯s relevant today.¡±

    ¡°What, fifty-nine ain¡¯t no age,¡± the old woman said. ¡°I¡¯ve got twenty years on her.¡±

    ¡°Besides, what do you know about witches and aging?¡± the redhead snapped. ¡°Nothing, that¡¯s what. She¡¯s probably keeping herself young, drinking blood or some such. Those animals falling sick last year? That¡¯s her. And I¡¯m telling you, she was here. Passed by a few months ago.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve said,¡± the older man said, in the tone of someone who had certainly heard this several times before. ¡°But just because some woman came and asked about Mistveil Heights doesn¡¯t mean it was a witch.¡±

    ¡°What would a lady do in those mountains if she wasn¡¯t a witch?¡± the redhead asked. ¡°That woman was up to no good.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s in Mistveil Heights?¡± Theo asked, because while he knew the general direction of the mountains, he had no idea what anyone, witch or otherwise, would do there.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask him that,¡± the old man said. ¡°He has no idea. Hasn¡¯t been outside Astoria in all his life.¡±

    The redhead¡¯s cheeks matched his hair, and he glared angrily before standing up, slamming his glass onto the table. ¡°You mark my words, that was the witch, and whatever she¡¯s using to control those dragons, it¡¯s what she found in Mistveil Heights. She got tired of messin¡¯ with us in the little ways, and now she¡¯s doin¡¯ it in the big way.¡±

    Then he stormed out.

    The old man chuckled and shook his head. ¡°So easy to rile up, that boy,¡± he muttered, as if the whole thing was funny.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s hope there¡¯s no witchery involved in the dragons¡¯ problems,¡± Freya said. She rolled back her shoulders, and it could have been to take command of an army, rather than a conversation. ¡°We¡¯re hoping talking does the trick.¡±

    The old man snorted. ¡°I¡¯d have a backup plan if I were you.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see. I¡¯m sure the king knows what he¡¯s doing,¡± Freya said, avoiding the question.

    Sure. Sending his baking weakling of a son to face angry dragons¡ªyes, there was the ancient decree about royals and dragons, but still. Theo shoved another fork full of food into his mouth to keep the emotions from bubbling out into an expression the villagers would wonder about.

    Whether the villagers were satisfied with Freya¡¯s answer or not¡ªmore likely not, but they knew not to criticize the king to people obviously employed by him¡ªthe conversation drifted over to lighter topics.

    ***

    Freya and Theo crossed the border of Astoria, leaving the friendly paths of the kingdom that was Theo¡¯s home and only place he had ever been. When they turned off the road that followed the river, the terrain roughened as they entered the wild, untamed fringes of the dwarves¡¯ domain, if Theo had been correctly informed. They may very well come across dragons too, because everything north of Astoria was the dragons¡¯ domain, really¡ªthe massive beasts took what they wanted, and everyone else was left with what they didn¡¯t want. Luckily, the dragons had long been content with the areas they called theirs.

    Until now.

    But having dragons north of Astoria was also a good thing, because it effectively kept the northern kingdoms from thinking about invading them. No one wanted to send an army through the forests and mountains, and the waters to the west and east were both filled with their own sort of monsters.

    ¡°Those are the Silvershard Mountains,¡± Freya said, nodding ahead at the mountains looming before them. ¡°We need to go around them to get to Craggy Peaks.¡±

    Theo nodded, exhausted once more a mere hour after leaving the tavern behind. ¡°Great.¡±

    ¡°No need to sound like that,¡± Freya said.

    ¡°I can sound however I want,¡± Theo muttered. ¡°You¡¯re the only one around to hear it.¡±

    Freya glared at him. ¡°And do you want me to report to your father that you whined the whole trip?¡±

    Theo pursed his lips. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    She arched an eyebrow.

    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to report to my father at all,¡± Theo grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re just supposed to protect me.¡±

    ¡°Turns out, I can do both.¡±

    Their shadows grew longer as the sun began its descent, painting the sky with strokes of orange and pink. The atmosphere tensed with the possibility of nearby threats, feeling evermore present as the forest around them darkened. Freya lit a torch for herself and another for Theo so that they could make out their surroundings¡ªthough the flickering light did nothing to stop Theo¡¯s imagination.

    As they approached a narrow pass, the sound of running water reached their ears¡ªa stream, perhaps a place to refill their water skins and rest the horses. But as they rounded a bend, the scene before them halted their progress.

    A small group of travelers, short and stubby merchants by the look of their cart, were cornered¡ªby a pack of snarling wolves.

 Wolves and Wary Companions

    One of the three men wielded an ax, swinging it at the wolves, while another moved slower with a club. A pony stood bound to a wagon, and it trampled nervously, neighing and throwing its head up and down, leaving the third man with the difficult task of trying to keep it under control.

    Without a second thought, Freya kicked Ebony into a gallop, drawing her sword as she charged. Theo, less accustomed to combat but unwilling to stand by, followed her lead.

    ¡°Stay back, Theo, and stay on the horse,¡± Freya called over her shoulder as she approached the fray. ¡°Use the torch if you can!¡±

    The wolves, sensing the new threat¡ªor perhaps more dinner¡ªhesitated. A few glanced toward Theo, their eyes reflecting the firelight.

    Theo held onto the torch with sweaty palms and a heart wanting to beat its way out of his chest. What was he doing here? Would he ever even reach the dragons, or would he end up ripped apart by these hairy beasts?

    As the wolves came closer, he began waving the torch like a madman. Even Brioche, his steady, trustworthy mare, trampled the ground nervously at the sight of the approaching wolves.

    ¡°Back off!¡± he yelled, as if the wolves would understand.

    Perhaps they were intelligent wolves speaking the tongue of a man¡ªbut more likely, it was the frantic waving of the torch that made the wolves¡¯ survival instincts kick in. They backed away from Theo, and as he made Brioche keep going, they backed away from the merchants too, growls subsiding into cautious whines.

    Freya, seizing the opportunity, drove her sword into the ground with a loud clank, a final warning. The wolves turned and fled into the thickening shadows of the forest.

    Theo dismounted and rushed to Freya¡¯s side, his eyes wide with a mix of adrenaline and relief.

    ¡°Are you all right?¡± he asked, his heart still racing.

    Freya pulled her sword out of the ground and sheathed it, offering a nod of assurance. ¡°All good here. But didn¡¯t I tell you to stay on the horse?¡±

    ¡°I did as long as the wolves were around,¡± Theo said.

    He looked up, finding the short, sturdy merchants cautiously approaching them. Though the three of them had faces full of impressive hair and broad shoulders, none of them were taller than an eight-year-old child.

    Freya took an automatic step forward to stand between Theo and the merchants, gripping her sword once more. Behind her, Theo felt small.

    ¡°Under sky, we meet,¡± she said tightly.

    While his heart decided to up its pace again, his mind filled with the question: had they saved the wrong sort of people?

    A moment passed, then said the merchant in the front, ¡°Under sky, we meet,¡± in a gruff voice. He had a wild beard that would probably be red in daylight, and shorter hair on his head, shaved on the sides, and their clothes looked to be made of leather.

    ¡°We owe you for helping us,¡± the merchant continued. ¡°Wolves usually aren¡¯t a problem, but my two companions are ill. I¡¯m Bruni Thornroot, and those two are Dorin and Hagarin.¡±

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    He motioned toward the other two merchants, and Theo allowed himself a moment to study them. While they had the same sort of unkempt beards and hair, there was a distinct slump to their shoulders, and a sheen of sweat on their brows, their eyes feverish. Compared to the merchant who had spoken, the other two appeared to find their weapons heavy and unwieldy.

    One of them swayed precariously, and the merchant who had spoken came to his aid, a hand on the ill one¡¯s shoulder and quiet words spoken.

    ¡°Freya Tarnell, knight of Astoria,¡± Freya said once the first man, Bruni, turned back. ¡°And this is Theo, merchant son of Astoria.¡±

    The first merchant gave Theo a doubtful look. ¡°Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°Where are you headed?¡± Freya asked.

    The lead merchant said, ¡°Home to Silvershard Mountains.¡±

    Theo startled. ¡°The Silvershard Mountains? But isn¡¯t that home to¡ª¡±

    Then he trailed off, realization hitting him a little too late. Short, sturdy builds, impressive beards¡­ He nearly slapped himself.

    ¡°Dwarves,¡± Freya said. ¡°Yes, of course, Theo. What else would they be?¡±

    Bruni peered up at Theo with the look someone would give the village moron. ¡°Not the brightest of the bunch, are you?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t met a dwarf before,¡± Theo protested.

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t gotten out of Brightfell much,¡± Freya said, waving a hand as if to dismiss Theo.

    Heat spread across Theo¡¯s cheeks. He had known this quest would be bad, but this was just humiliating. Just because his parents had wanted to keep him safe¡­ Well, his mom had wanted to. With her gone, his father had finally had enough of sheltering their only son.

    ¡°Silvershard Mountains is our haven,¡± Bruni said, clearly directing it to Freya rather than Theo. ¡°My companions will get help there. What about you?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re headed to Craggy Peaks,¡± Freya said.

    ¡°And what are you two going to do in Craggy Peaks? Get him killed?¡± Bruni nodded at Theo.

    Theo glared at him.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to talk to the dragons,¡± Freya said. ¡°What¡¯s the nature of their illness?¡±

    The dwarf glanced at the one he still hovered close to. ¡°Something dark. Harsh.¡±

    ¡°What are the symptoms?¡±

    ¡°What, are you a nurse too, beyond all that fancy garb?¡±

    Freya scowled, crossing her arms over her chest. It did nothing to affect the dwarf, though; Bruni turned to his companions and said gruffly, in the same tone that a military commander would order his underlings, ¡°Back to the wagon. You both look about to fall down and I¡¯m not carrying you.¡±

    Still, among the harsh words, Theo couldn¡¯t help but think there was affection.

    The two dwarves did as Bruni said, though each step they took looked laborious, their breaths shallow under the burden of their mysterious illness.

    ¡°They certainly don¡¯t look well,¡± Freya said.

    Bruni glared at her. ¡°They¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re vulnerable,¡± Freya said. ¡°Two companions unable to protect themselves.¡±

    Bruni¡¯s glower deepened. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    If Freya was looking to piss the dwarf off, she was certainly doing a good job. But to Theo¡¯s surprise, the next words she said were, ¡°If you want, we can accompany you.¡±

    ¡°Now, why would you do that?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re two humans on horses,¡± Freya said. ¡°There¡¯s strength in numbers, even when some are sick, and that makes five better than three.¡±

    ¡°Not sure that one counts any more than my sick comrades,¡± the dwarf muttered, nodding at Theo. ¡°And what are you going to do in Nebulon¡¯s territory?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re going to talk to the dragons about what¡¯s making them attack the villages of Astoria,¡± Freya said.

    Bruni made a non-committal sound and then nodded at Theo. ¡°You sure it¡¯s smart bringing someone like him there? Looks like neither brains nor brawns, that one.¡±

    ¡±Hey,¡± Theo said, indignation turning his cheeks red.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I have to bring him,¡± Freya said, and Theo didn¡¯t doubt that those words were true. Freya would certainly have found this quest easier without Theo bogging her down.

    ¡°Too bad,¡± Bruni said.

    ¡°You know what, I just helped you,¡± Theo said, but Bruni and Freya both ignored him.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to Silvershard, then, Master Dwarf,¡± Freya said. ¡°Night is coming, and we wouldn¡¯t want those wolves coming back.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just another few hours to the entrance,¡± Bruni said. He glanced between them with an uninterested look. ¡°And I¡¯m Bruni, not master dwarf.¡±

    He grabbed the reins of the pony and it began pulling the cart on which the other two dwarves rested.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, then,¡± Bruni said, and they were off.

 Entering Silvershard

    Theo and Freya sat up on their horses. Brioche was not quite willing to part with the tasty grass she had found, but with a snort and a glare, she went along with Theo¡¯s instructions to follow Freya and Ebony, and the dwarves. Since he didn¡¯t want to look like an idiot in front of Bruni, Theo was relieved when Brioche finally did as told. It wasn¡¯t that he was bad at riding¡ªhe had done it since he was a child, after all¡ªbut he certainly was no master at it.

    The only thing he was a master at was baking.

    ¡°When did the illness start spreading?¡± Freya asked Bruni.

    Bruni, who walked beside the pony, glanced up at her under the thick eyebrows. ¡°Few months ago.¡±

    Theo frowned. A few months ago¡ªthat was when the dragons began behaving oddly, too. Was that a coincidence?

    Apparently, Freya had the same thought. ¡°Does it have something to do with the dragons? Their odd behavior?¡±

    Bruni shook his head, and the metal trinkets in his beard jangled. ¡°They¡¯re connected, we¡¯re sure of it.¡± He nodded toward the cart with his companions. ¡°We¡¯ve been on a mission to find the source, and a cure. That¡¯s why the three of us left Silvershard to start with.¡±

    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± Freya asked. ¡°Is it something environmental?¡±

    Again, Bruni shook his head. ¡°We didn¡¯t find what we were looking for. My¡­ one of my companions thinks that it¡¯s a problem with an old artifact. It¡¯s old dwarf lore, but it sounds like poppycock to me.¡±

    Theo listened more intently, even though he was obviously not invited into the conversation.

    ¡°A magical artifact?¡± Freya asked when Bruni wasn¡¯t immediately forthcoming.

    Bruni gave a curt nod. ¡°A set of three bells, said to resonate with the heartbeat of the land. If they are disturbed, they can wreak havoc in subtle, insidious ways.¡±

    ¡°So, magic,¡± Freya said, not a question.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the dwarf said. ¡°I hate magic.¡±

    Theo mulled over what Bruni had just said, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the heartbeat of the land?¡± He had never heard anything of the sort.

    Bruni glared at him and then up at Freya. ¡°Does he know nothing of the world?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s grown up sheltered,¡± Freya said in a dismissive tone.

    Bruni snorted. ¡°A man who hasn¡¯t seen the world, is no man at all, but a mere babe.¡±

    ¡°I thought dwarves mostly kept to your mountains,¡± Theo muttered. He did not like Bruni, and hoped they would soon reach Silvershard so they could leave the surly dwarf behind.

    ¡°We like our mountains,¡± the dwarf said. ¡°But no dwarf settles down without having gone out into the world.¡±

    Theo scowled at him. It wasn¡¯t like it was his fault his mom had wanted him to stay in Brightfell.

    They kept going, quiet now. As the heavy darkness of night enveloped them, the only light they had to go by was the torches, and the flickering flames made it look like the shadows around them moved. Were those eyes reflected in the darkness? What sorts of beasts were waiting to devour them? And did Freya or Bruni actually know where they were going? For all Theo knew, they might be going in circles.

    But suddenly, the dwarf stopped and pressed his hand to the mountain side. He spoke softly in a different language, and runes lit up in the rock before it moved aside.

    ¡°I thought you hated magic,¡± Theo said.

    Bruni only glared at him as if he was stupid.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°I suppose this is where we leave you,¡± Freya said. ¡°Good night, Master Dwarf.¡±

    Bruni snorted. ¡°After helping us fight off the wolves, and even making sure to get us safely here, our king would have my head if I didn¡¯t offer you to sleep in safety for the night. Come on.¡±

    The corridor inside the mountain was much bigger than anything Theo could have expected. It was no problem staying on their horses, and whatever magic Bruni had activated upon opening the entrance lit the walls with more runes, casting the corridor in a cold blue light. The air was cooler, filled with the echo of hammers on stone and a faint murmur that must be dwarves deeper in the mountain.

    Theo lost track of time as they rode deeper into the mountain¡ªbut then the tunnel expanded abruptly into an immense cavern that took his breath away.

    He stared at it.

    Deep inside the mountain was a whole city¡ªa marvel of dwarven engineering, constructed in layers that descended into the mountain¡¯s core, each tier connected by spiraling ramps and sturdy stone bridges. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and high above, the ceiling arched in a mimicry of the night sky, studded with crystals that pulsed with a soft blue light.

    The streets of the city bustled with dwarves of all ages, their voices a constant, harmonious rumble that echoed off the stone. Despite the late hour, it was full of activity. Perhaps the turns of day and night didn¡¯t matter as much when you couldn¡¯t see the sun.

    ¡°Close your mouth, boy, or you¡¯ll catch flies,¡± Bruni said in a smug tone.

    They descended into the city, and Theo took in the dwarves¡¯ homes, which, like everything else, appeared to be carved out of the rock. They bore personal touches, the wooden doors carved with beautiful patterns and small windows with items on display.

    A deep sense of wonder and respect for the dwarven way of life filled Theo, regardless of Bruni¡¯s surly demeanor.

    Bruni brought them to a large building where he told them to stay outside, before dragging his companions off the cart and going inside with them, one hand on the back of the weaker one.

    Despite his nasty demeanor towards Theo, he cared about his friends.

    Unwilling to have positive thoughts about the dwarf, Theo thought sarcastically that he hoped it was a place filled with healers, not just a place for Bruni to leave them to die.

    Returning outside, Bruni led Theo and Freya through the winding streets of the city. They passed by bustling marketplaces and workshops still alive with activity despite the late hour. The constant hum of dwarven voices and the rhythmic clanging of hammers on anvils echoed off the stone walls.

    As they descended to one of the lower tiers of the city, the grand architecture gave way to more utilitarian structures. Bruni guided them to a small, nondescript area near the stables where the city¡¯s pack animals and mounts were kept. The air was thick with the smell of hay and horse, unlike the metallic tang that permeated the rest of the city.

    ¡°Rest here for the night,¡± Bruni said, gesturing to a modest alcove carved directly into the rock face. It was little more than a shallow cave, barely deep enough to shelter them from the constant bustle of the city. A thin layer of straw had been spread on the floor, and a couple of worn blankets were piled in the corner. The space was cramped, clearly not designed for the taller human visitors.

    Just a few steps away, separated only by a low stone wall, were the stables. Brioche and the other horses nickered softly, their presence a comfort in the strange underground world.

    ¡°I¡¯ll lead you back out tomorrow,¡± Bruni said brusquely. He glanced at Theo, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you to get lost.¡±

    Theo glared at him, but then exhaustion took over. The day had been long with all the traveling, the stop at the tavern, the fight with the wolves and meeting Bruni, and finally, seeing the dwarven city. With a resigned sigh, he set about making Brioche comfortable for the night. He removed the saddle, brushed her down, tied her up loosely, and made sure she had access to water and a portion of grain.

    Once done, he returned to the alcove. By spreading out one of the blankets over the straw, he created a makeshift bed that was far from luxurious but would have to do.

    Freya, who had taken care of Ebony with an efficiency that far surpassed Theo¡¯s, had already settled in. Ever practical, she did a quick survey of their surroundings, her keen eyes taking in every detail of their humble accommodations. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, she seemed to find the space acceptable. She wrapped herself in the remaining blanket and lay down on the straw, and within minutes, her breathing had evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep.

    Theo, on the other hand, was unused to sleeping anywhere but in a soft bed with plush covers and fluffy pillows. Despite the exhausting day, he had a difficult time getting comfortable, and his mind teemed with thoughts of magical bells, troubled dragons and sick dwarves. What were they up against? The sounds of the dwarven city kept him awake, the distant clangs and the murmur of deep voices mixing with the occasional whinny from the stables.

    And he couldn¡¯t help but think back to the prophecy he had found.

    Through villages she roams in fear,

    Her hidden magic breaks control

    A town in ashes, she disappears

    To forest deep, she flees aloneHer shielded home, time¡¯s flow defied,

    Ageless she waits as decades pass

    More than fifty years had passed since the mad witch disappeared¡ªbut the prophecy said she was ageless. Was it her, causing all of their problems? If anyone would want to get a hold of bells that would cause disturbances throughout the lands, surely it was a wicked witch?

 A Dwarf Joins the Journey

    Waking in the dwarven city was unsettling and strange, because the light was no different from when Theo had finally fallen asleep.

    ¡°Good, you¡¯re awake,¡± Freya said from above.

    Theo peered up at her through sleepy eyes, feeling groggy and hardly more rested than he had been when he lay down.

    ¡°Time to go already?¡± Theo asked, stretching his arms above his head, making his back pop.

    ¡°Unless you¡¯d like to stay here and study dwarven culture while the dragons attack the villages of your kingdom?¡± Freya asked.

    Theo made a face at her. ¡°You could just tell me ¡®yes¡¯. It¡¯s a lot fewer words.¡±

    ¡°But not as much fun.¡±

    Theo ran a hand through his hair. He felt grimy and in serious need of a bath after a whole day of riding, but he suspected Freya would have a good, long laugh if he asked for it. He would have to get used to smelling of horses and sweat. Yum.

    ¡°Here,¡± Freya said, throwing a small package at him. ¡°Breakfast, courtesy of Bruni.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been here?¡± Theo asked.

    Freya smiled at him. ¡°Yes. He wondered if all humans sleep the day away.¡±

    ¡°How do you even know if it¡¯s day or night in here?¡± Theo asked, exasperation creeping into his voice.

    Freya snorted. ¡°They do have clocks.¡±

    Theo unwrapped the cloth, revealing a hearty breakfast of crumbly oat bread¡ªa delicious scent wafted from it and Theo wanted to ask for the recipe¡ªand a thick slice of smoked cheese, as well as a small, wax-sealed jar of wild berry jam. Since he lacked utensils, he slathered the jam onto the bread with his fingers and then added the cheese before biting into it.

    It turned out it was delicious.

    ¡°This is really good,¡± he said to Freya. ¡°Did you try the bread?¡±

    She glanced down at him from where she was readying the horses. ¡°Please don¡¯t start waxing poetic about the bread.¡±

    Theo glared at her, though with his mouth full of deliciousness, he found it impossible to be very irritated. ¡°I don¡¯t always do that.¡±

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Not always,¡± Freya said. ¡°But often.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with appreciating food,¡± Theo said. ¡°Baked goods, in particular.¡±

    Each bite was like a comforting warmth in his mouth, and far better than anything he would have expected the grumpy dwarves to make.

    Well, he had really only met one grumpy dwarf so far. The other two with Bruni had never said anything, and no one in Silvershard had spoken to him.

    As he swallowed the last bite, the dwarf in question showed up.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you.¡±

    It was a good thing the last bite was halfway down to his stomach already, or Theo would have choked on it. ¡°What?¡±

    Bruni looked down at him. He wore the same leather outfit as the day before, but he may have brushed his beard some, because it wasn¡¯t as messy. Or perhaps Theo was just getting used to it. On his arms, Theo noted thick, black tattoos.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡ªcoming¡ªwith¡ªyou,¡± Bruni said slowly, as if Theo was really a moron who had trouble understanding spoken language.

    Theo got up from the ground, unwilling to be at a height disadvantage to a dwarf. ¡°Yes, I heard what you said.¡±

    ¡°Then why did you ask?¡± Bruni said, shrugging.

    ¡°Because¡ªwhy?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s bad grammar,¡± Bruni said.

    ¡°He¡¯s often bad at grammar,¡± Freya quipped from where she was getting the horses ready.

    ¡°No surprise there,¡± the dwarf said.

    Theo forced out through gritted teeth, ¡°Why are you coming with us?¡±

    Bruni still looked like he thought Theo was dumb. ¡°Because dwarves I care about are ill and I need to find a cure.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Theo said. ¡°So you¡¯re coming with us.¡±

    ¡°Finally with the program,¡± Bruni said. His gaze fell on the sheath at Theo¡¯s side, and his expression darkened. ¡°What is someone like you doing with a dwarven sword like that?¡±

    Theo looked down at the sword hilt sticking up from the sheath, then frowned up at Bruni. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®someone like me¡¯?¡±

    Bruni glared at him. ¡°Do you need me to spell it out for you?¡±

    Theo scowled. ¡°My father gave it to me, all right?¡±

    ¡°That must be some rich merchant,¡± Bruni said, eyes narrowing.

    ¡°Is it important somehow?¡±

    Bruni glared at him. ¡°Of course not. It¡¯s just a dwarven sword.¡±

    Theo looked at him. ¡°Then what are you so upset about?¡±

    ¡°You best take care of it,¡± Bruni said.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Theo said, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Not that he had any idea of how, but he was not going to admit that to the dwarf.

    ¡°Right,¡± Bruni said and then added a muttered, ¡°Wasted on a moron.¡±

    Theo didn¡¯t even have the energy to snap back¡ªall that would earn him was another earful about his stupidity. He sighed. ¡°Thanks for breakfast, anyway. The crumble bread was delicious, and I especially liked the crunchy walnuts with that hint of honey.¡±

    He didn¡¯t wait around to see what scathing response Bruni would give to that¡ªlike everyone else, surely the dwarf would make fun of him appreciating bread to the extent that he did. Instead, he took Brioche¡¯s reins from Freya, and petted the horse¡¯s neck. Brioche snorted back at him.

    ¡°Waxing poetic,¡± Freya muttered.

    ¡°Oh, shut up,¡± Theo grumbled. ¡°I¡¯m trying to be nice, at least. That¡¯s more than you can say about him.¡±

    Freya snorted softly. Theo noted that she did not look displeased about the idea of Bruni coming with them. Did she trust the dwarf? Did she like him? Perhaps she, with her sarcasm and quick bite, found him better company than Theo¡ªand that thought hurt a surprising amount. Theo knew he wasn¡¯t the most interesting person, nor was he eloquent or funny, but despite the long ride of the day before, he had enjoyed the time with Freya.

    With Bruni there too, it would be a lonelier journey for Theo, that was for sure.

 A New Furry Friend

    Feeling the weight of his unease like a stone in his stomach, Theo adjusted the reins of Brioche, glancing back at the stone arches of Silvershard. Once they had passed the gateway, the stones melted back to a solid wall, impossible to recognize as an opening into the wonders of the mountain. He hoped he would never have to find his way into the mountains on his own.

    Beside him, Bruni sat on his pony and adjusted his leather pack with a huff, eyeing Theo with a critical squint that had become all too familiar.

    ¡°Well then, boy,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re made of.¡±

    Theo wanted to snap that he was a prince and Bruni should show some respect, but he had a feeling that wouldn¡¯t have the intended effect at all. Bruni would, most likely, just see him as even more of a whiny brat.

    Trying to shake Bruni¡¯s condescending smile off, Theo pressed his heels to Brioche¡¯s sides to get her to move and made a light smacking sound with his tongue. His whole body ached after the previous day in the saddle, and another full day of riding was not on his wishlist. Unfortunately, no one cared about his wishlist. (If anyone had, it included a warm bath, a proper bed, and a kitchen full of baking supplies.)

    ¡°Come on, Theo,¡± Freya said. ¡°You can do it.¡±

    ¡°Everything hurts,¡± Theo muttered.

    Freya gave him a smile that was at least semi-sympathetic. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    ¡°Impressive, really,¡± Bruni said, passing them and looking smug, like he had been born on his pony.

    Soon, Theo was the last among them, just because he didn¡¯t want Bruni¡¯s eyes boring into the back of his head. Bruni¡¯s barbs were grating on him more than he cared to admit. His confidence, already full of his own doubts about his ability to succeed in this mission and talk to the dragons, dwindled further with every sarcastic remark from the dwarf.

    They moved through the dense forest that bordered Silvershard, the light dimming despite the sun behind high in the sky as the thick canopy overhead filtered through only a few rays here and there. The air was cool and smelled of earth and moss, and Theo felt a flicker of peace as he listened to birdsong and let the gentle summer breeze caress his forearms.

    Freya rode slightly ahead, scouting the path, while Bruni was content to mutter to himself, occasionally casting disparaging looks back at Theo. Feeling the need for a distraction, Theo twisted off his backpack and pulled out one of the carefully wrapped cookies. Chocolate chips lay nestled in golden cookie goodness, and a delicious scent no one should be able to withstand hit his nostrils. Oh, how he wanted to be back in the royal kitchen, baking more of these.

    He bit into it, the sweet flavor filling his mouth. The outer edges were delightfully crisp, giving way to a chewy center teeming with gooey, dark chocolate. Each bite was a perfect harmony of sweet and slightly salty, the brown sugar caramelizing into subtle hints of butterscotch. He had achieved a perfect balance with this batch.

    That was when he noticed the rustling. A small, curious creature, which he at first mistook for a squirrel before he took in the delicate, feather-like antennae on its head, peeked out from behind a fern with large, intelligent eyes. It eyed the cookie in Theo¡¯s hand with evident interest.

    ¡°Hey there,¡± Theo whispered, intrigued. On a whim, he broke off a small piece and let it fall to the ground¡ªthe creature hesitated, its antennae twitching in the air, before it scurried forward and gently took the offering. Then it quickly hid among the bushes.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Theo smiled to himself, thinking that was that¡ªbut then the little ball of fur came flying out of nowhere, landing in Brioche¡¯s mane and holding on for dear life when Brioche startled. The little creature made a series of chirruping noises.

    ¡°Well, it was your own fault for jumping on like that,¡± Theo admonished the little creature.

    The little fur ball looked up at him with narrowed eyes, as if thinking Theo should not side with his horse. Then its gaze locked on the cookie in Theo¡¯s hand.

    Theo snorted. ¡°You want more? Well, I can¡¯t blame you. These are delicious, right?¡±

    This time, the creature¡¯s chirruping sounded like an affirmation.

    Theo held out another crumb, and the furry thing hesitated for but a moment before snatching the crumb from him and quickly stuffing it into its small mouth. Its fur was the color of melted sugar, shimmering slightly in the dappled sunlight.

    It squeaked again, and crept closer to sit half in Brioche¡¯s mane, half on the saddle.

    Theo took another bite of the cookie¡ªthere wasn¡¯t much left, and he was going to enjoy it too, not give all of it to a little fur ball¡ªand when a crumb fell down, the creature snatched it.

    ¡°You¡¯re falling behind, boy!¡± Bruni called from ahead, glancing over his shoulder with a scowl. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Theo said. ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡± He pressed his heels to Brioche¡¯s sides to make her increase her pace.

    The little creature, now entirely done with being shy and afraid, climbed onto the arm Theo used to hold the reins. Its sharp little claws dug into Theo¡¯s forearm and he winced.

    ¡°What, are you planning on coming with us?¡± he asked.

    It chirruped and scurried up Theo¡¯s arm to sit on his shoulder, looking expectantly at the small piece of remaining cookie.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Theo muttered and broke it in two. He gave the fur ball half, and popped the other into his mouth, savoring the last of the chocolate goodness. ¡°If you¡¯re coming with me, you¡¯re going to need a name. I can¡¯t just call you ¡®fur ball¡¯ in my head.¡±

    The little one chirruped, its cheeks bulging with the cookie. Perhaps it was trying to tell Theo its name.

    ¡°How about Munchkin?¡± Theo asked.

    The creature made a series of noises of disagreement.

    Theo chuckled. ¡°Okay, okay. How about¡­ Nibblet?¡±

    The creature answered by curling up on Theo¡¯s shoulder, still chewing on its cookie.

    ¡°All right, then,¡± Theo said. ¡°Nibblet it is.¡±

    ***

    As the small party journeyed deeper into the dense, shadow-draped woods surrounding Nebulon territory, the air grew thick with the musky scent of moss and ancient earth. The light that managed to pierce the canopy cast mottled shadows on the ground, turning every rustle in the underbrush into a heart-stopping moment. Theo, already on edge, kept glancing around nervously, his newfound companion Nibblet snug against his neck. At least the creature¡¯s warm, soft fur was a slight comfort against the chill of fear.

    The kingdom is counting on you.

    Don¡¯t fail.

    What would happen if he failed? The dragons would continue their raids, and innocent people would end up hurt or dead because of it. Theo wished he¡¯d had a sibling¡ªperhaps a strong, broad-shouldered older brother who loved sword fighting¡ªwho could have taken this on instead. But no, it was on him.

    Be a man.

    His father had a very clear idea of what being a man meant, and it did not include baking and watching the world from a window.

    ¡°You need to stop coddling him,¡± his father had said once, when Theo was little and had been in his mom¡¯s lap after a fall where he had scraped his knee badly enough to need stitches. ¡°You¡¯ll only teach him to be weak.¡±

    Theo had hidden his face in his mom¡¯s dress and held on tighter, afraid that his father would pull him away.

    What was wrong with being comforted?

    He missed his mom¡¯s comfort like he would miss a limb cut off from his body.

    Yet at the same time, he wanted to be what his father expected of him. Perhaps not the imaginary older sword-wielding brother, but¡­ someone to count on. Someone the people could actually look up to. He wanted to be able to lead.

    And he wanted to make his father proud.

    Was this the way? Riding through an unknown forest, the leaves rustling around him as a faint wind blew past?

    Bruni, leading the way on his squat little pony, appeared unbothered by the eerie quiet. Freya rode with her hand on the hilt of her sword, her ever watchful eyes scanning the darker recesses of the forest. She glanced back and noticed Theo¡¯s discomfort, offering him a reassuring nod.

    Before she could speak, however, a sound made Theo¡¯s heart leap into his throat¡ªit was a low, rumbling growl that rolled through the air like distant thunder.

 An Unexpected Invitation

    The horses stopped, ears flicking back and forth, snorting nervously. Brioche shifted under Theo, who tightened his grip on the reins. Nibblet, sensing the change in atmosphere, burrowed deeper into Theo¡¯s cloak to hide so that only the long antennas and large eyes peeked out.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s not a normal forest sound,¡± Bruni muttered, squinting into the trees. ¡°They¡¯re close.¡±

    Before anyone could respond, a massive shadow detached itself from the undergrowth. The figure that emerged was both majestic and terrifying¡ªa dragon, its black scales glinting like shards of night, orange eyes glowing with a faint, ominous light. It was perhaps a little smaller than what Theo remembered of the legendary beasts sung in the tales of old, yet its presence was formidable and, with its head raised, it would have reached the top branches of the lower trees. It kept its wings close to its body and stood on four legs that ended in sharp claws, its long tail disappearing into the underbrush.

    Freya drew her sword, backing her horse so that they stood in front of Theo in a protective stance. Bruni pulled his rune-etched ax out of its holster and growled, as if he could ever out-growl a massive dragon.

    The dragon¡¯s gaze swept over them, lingering curiously on Theo. Its nostrils flared, tasting the air. Suddenly, it took a step forward, the ground trembling beneath its weight. Theo¡¯s heart raced; he wanted to run, to hide, but he found himself rooted to the spot, sitting still in his saddle.

    When the dragon moved closer, Brioche reared back with a terrified whinny. Theo, utterly unprepared, was thrown backwards in an arch before crashing into the ground in a painful manner.

    Brioche disappeared among the trees.

    Dazed, Theo took in the tightness of Freya¡¯s reins as she tried to keep Ebony under control. It looked like a losing battle with the dragon so close. That was when Nibblet, perhaps in a fit of protective instinct, leaped from Theo¡¯s shoulder onto the ground, puffing up its fur and chirruping defiantly at the dragon.

    ¡°No, Nibblet, come back here,¡± Theo hissed, heart racing.

    The dragon paused, tilting its head. Then¡ªto Theo¡¯s immense surprise¡ªit let out a sound that might have been a chuckle.

    ¡°What in the world is that glint doing?¡± Bruni asked, shock coloring his voice. He glanced at Theo. ¡°And¡­ Nibblet?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Nibblet. But¡­ glint?¡± Theo echoed, before snapping his mouth shut, because he¡¯d had more than enough of Bruni mocking him for all the things he didn¡¯t know.

    The standoff between the tiny fur ball and the massive scaly dragon was broken by a shriek from above.

    Another dragon, this one with scales that reflected the sun in dazzling blues and greens, swooped down, landing gracefully next to the first. The new dragon had eyes that looked like they burned with an inner fire.

    Taking a look at it, Nibblet scurried back to Theo. Apparently, one dragon was fine to take on, but two was a bit much.

    ¡°Caelum, I have things under control,¡± the first black dragon said, though exactly how he formed the words, Theo could only guess since his maw barely moved. His voice was deep and rich, like he spoke from his chest. ¡°No need for you to come rescue me.¡±

    Rescue the dragon? Who was in more peril here? Then again, it sounded more entertained than afraid, so perhaps it was merely jesting.

    The blue-green dragon, Caelum, narrowed his eyes at the black one. ¡°Emberion, there are humans in our territory. It needs to be dealt with.¡± His voice was raspier, higher, as if he spoke from his throat rather than deeper down.

    Theo¡¯s heart sped up even more. It would give out soon, surely.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Caelum surveyed the group, then fixed his gaze on Theo. ¡°Why do you come to the Nebulon territory?¡±

    Theo got to his feet, each movement slow and measured because he didn¡¯t want the dragons to think he was attacking, and because his limbs trembled. He took a hesitant step forward, though it probably looked like he was going to run away¡ªwhich he would gladly have done, if he¡¯d thought he would have any chance of getting away from the beasts. ¡°We¡¯ve been sent to seek understanding of why the dragons have been attacking our villages.¡±

    ¡°We do what we see fit, human,¡± Caelum said.

    ¡°Caelum,¡± the black dragon¡ªEmberion¡ªsaid again. ¡°Stand down. Do they look like a threat to us?¡±

    That¡¯s right, who¡¯s threatening who here? Theo wanted to ask, but instead, he said in a wavering voice, ¡°But you haven¡¯t attacked us in many, many years. Yet now it¡¯s happening every other week.¡±

    Caelum¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°If we want something, we take it. And you, coming here to tell us otherwise¡­ it¡¯s dangerous for such¡­ fragile beings.¡±

    ¡°Say that again about fragile beings,¡± Bruni said, gripping his ax tighter.

    Caelum turned its head and gave Bruni what had to be a smile, though it looked condescending and like it was picking its dinner from a menu. It was sure to make Bruni¡¯s blood boil.

    ¡°A dwarf,¡± the dragon said. ¡°A small but fierce sort.¡±

    ¡°I am not small, I am a perfect height,¡± Bruni growled. Theo thought his cheeks were going red¡ªthough from anger or embarrassment, he didn¡¯t know. Theo did like it, though, after all the rude comments Bruni had made to him.

    Payback would have tasted sweeter if they weren¡¯t all about to become a meal to a massive dragon, though.

    As the tension between Caelum and Bruni escalated, Theo¡¯s heart hammered in his chest. He glanced at Freya, who looked ready to intervene, her hand never straying from her sword¡ªthough she had yet to draw it, probably because she didn¡¯t want to antagonize the dragons. Her gaze was fixed and assessing. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the only sounds the soft rustle of leaves and the low, menacing growl from the dragon.

    To Theo¡¯s surprise, it was the black dragon Emberion¡ªthe one who they had first stumbled upon¡ªwho intervened.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, both of you,¡± he said, his deep voice cutting through the standoff between Bruni and the blue-green dragon. ¡°Caelum, there was no need for you to come here; I have no need of your aid.¡± Emberion stepped forward, his form casting a shadow over the group, and his piercing gaze landed on Bruni. ¡°Master dwarf¡ªdo you really wish to challenge us?¡±

    Bruni, clearly still simmering with defiance, clenched his jaw but finally lowered his ax, giving a curt nod.

    Caelum dragon turned his gaze towards Theo. ¡°What is it that you hope to accomplish here? Do you think your presence will cease the fire in our veins?¡±

    Theo swallowed hard, his mind racing for the right words. ¡°I was sent to talk to you¡­¡±

    ¡°Caelum, I will deal with this. Return home and calm down,¡± Emberion said, in a tone that brokered no argument¡ªnot that Theo would have argued with either of them regardless of tone. ¡°They are not here to cause us harm.¡±

    Caelum scoffed. ¡°No, how could they?¡±

    Emberion just looked at him, waiting, until Caelum finally lifted into the air with beats of his great wings, making a mess of leaves and dust fly around them.

    Theo breathed out. They were hardly out of danger with the massive black dragon still around, but he seemed less violently inclined than his friend, at least.

    Before he could get further, Nibblet, perched on his shoulder, chirruped loudly, as if to catch Emberion¡¯s attention. To Theo¡¯s surprise, Emberion¡¯s gaze softened slightly as it landed on the tiny creature.

    ¡°Curious little being,¡± Emberion murmured, lowering his head to inspect Nibblet closer. It was much, much closer than Theo wanted, but even with his wildly pounding heart, he sat still. If Nibblet could face off against the dragon, then surely he could just stay still. ¡°It is rare to see such courage in something so small.¡± The dragon¡¯s snort sent a small gust of wind that ruffled both Nibblet¡¯s fur and Theo¡¯s hair, yet the creature stood its ground, its bright eyes unblinking.

    ¡°Courage, or stupidity,¡± Bruni muttered.

    Emberion didn¡¯t spare him a glance, and Theo did a very short, very intense internal dance of glee.

    When Emberion pulled back slightly, Theo cleared his throat and hoped his voice would hold when he spoke, trying desperately to sound like a prince on official business, rather than a boy lost on a quest that was too big for him. ¡°We come not as a challenge, but to understand, to seek peace. Your anger makes us fear for our people.¡±

    He winced; he sounded more like an actor in a bad play than a prince.

    The dragon¡¯s gaze flickered between Theo and Nibblet, before landing back on Theo. ¡°Our anger is not the only problem. Come with me, and you shall see.¡±

    ¡°C-come with you?¡± Theo asked, voice hitching.

    ¡°You sought us out, human,¡± Emberion said. ¡°Now I will show you.¡±

    ¡°A-and how do you propose we come with you?¡± Brioche was gone, and though Theo wanted to go search for her, he also didn¡¯t, because these woods were terribly frightening.

    The dragon lowered its massive head and gave Theo a smile he could only categorize as mischievous.

    ¡°We fly, of course.¡±

    Of course.