The estate was a modest house just west of the city of Kingsbridge. It was chosen because of its remoteness and because it was on the road to Calathen. It was an unusual place to meet, but the circumstances called for unusual measures. The house belonged to an ally who decided to be out for the day along with all his family and staff. This left the estate empty of everyone but the Father Abbot and the mysterious figure who answered his call.

The woman who came was dressed in black from head to toe. Nothing of her appearance was exposed except for piercing green eyes that stared from a slit in her mask. Aside from that, her only telltale feature was a red stone ring on her left hand and several knives lashed to a hip. She appeared out of the shadows as the Father Abbot sipped his wine before the fire.

“You understand what I am asking of you?” he asked as the woman stood silently. This matter needed to be handled quickly before Gersius found someplace to hide.

“I am well aware of your desires,” she replied in a sultry voice. “Fear not. My men are good at what they do, and my spies are already in place. This Gersius will be located and brought to me before the moon rises on the fourth day.”

“And you are certain you can handle the second part?” the Father Abbot asked while swirling his glass. “I want the dragon alive.”

“A dangerous task to be sure,” the woman replied. “I can bring you the dragon, but the price will be high.”

“I assure you we can pay your price but remember, do not kill Gersius until he has given you the name. Then get rid of him and bring the dragon to me,” he said.

The woman was silent as those green eyes studied the man before her. There was a sense of danger in the room, but finally, she spoke and asked her question.

“A great deal of trouble and money to capture a dragon, especially when you already have one. Perhaps you can tell me what my spies cannot. So why do you need another dragon?”

“Your spies should be careful where they look,” the Father Abbot replied with a hint of irritation. “As for my motivations, that is something I am not at liberty to share. I do hope that won’t be a problem?”

The woman laughed as her green eyes sparkled in the light. “All I care about is your money and the agreement for after this is done. However, in my experience, it pays to know why somebody is hiring me. Since you are a holy man, I will take you at your word, for now. Rest assured, I will find your missing knight and his pet dragon.”

“Good,” the Father Abbot said before draining the last of his wine. “The advance you wanted was delivered last night as per your instructions.”

“Then our words are done. I will join the hunt and bring you the prize,” the woman replied and turned around before pausing in the firelight. “Oh, one more thing. I can't promise there won't be casualties among your faithful. If Gersius runs to help, I might have to eliminate them.”

“If they are helping Gersius, they are hardly faithful,” the Father Abbot replied. “Do whatever you have to, but make sure the dragon is brought back.”

She nodded in a slight bow and silently walked away, leaving the Father Abbot to watch her go. He hated using services like hers, but her methods were well tested and proven to work. Even more, he needed the task done away from prying eyes and without the order of Astikar being alerted. Until he could lay the foundation of Gersius's betrayal, it was best to keep the brothers from being involved. Her price had been high, but with it came a web of shadows that even Gersius would find it hard to avoid.

As she vanished into the darkness, he set his glass aside and returned to stare at the fire.

“Gersius, your days grow short.”

The fire crackled, disturbing the dead silence that hung over the secluded camp. Lilly stood alone, with the pack slung over one shoulder as Tavis, Aywa, and Thayle waited in silence. She took one final look at Thayle with an expression that froze her heart.

“Please don't go,” Thayle whispered, then held her breath as Lilly turned away and quietly walked to Gersius. The tension in the air was unbearable as all eyes watched Lilly stand before him with her head down in silence.

Gersius looked up with a cold, dispassionate face. He said nothing as the two-faced one another, holding a silent conversation seen only in the light of their auras. Then, finally, he nodded and reached out a hand to pat the ground beside him. Lilly dropped to her knees and quickly took her place at his side. She leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder as his arm came around her back to pull her in. Lilly had made her decision. She wanted to be at his side.

The others looked away, giving them some measure of privacy. Thayle remembered she wasn’t breathing and quickly took a deep breath. She had moisture in her eyes from the tenseness of the moment and tried to wipe them when nobody was looking.

The night passed on, and the tension faded as Lilly silently rested in his arms. With eyes closed, she tried to imagine their once shared connection but found only emptiness. The twisting was still there, but it seemed weaker as if slowly fading away like the setting sun. She still felt secure to be in his grasp, but without the connection, it felt different. She wanted to cry over its loss, but he laid his head on hers, and she was afraid it would disturb him.

An hour later and she was sure he was asleep. His arm still firmly held her in place, keeping her warm and comfortable. She clutched her pack to her chest, wondering why this had happened. Her mother said that everything happened for a reason, and there was always a higher purpose. Lilly tried in vain to see that purpose but couldn't begin to grasp what it could be. She sought comfort in the small pile of treasure in the pack, opening the flap to gaze on the coins inside. Her mother once told her that dragons didn't keep coins very often. Instead, they sought out raw ore and dug it from the ground themselves, heaping it into a pile to sleep on. A dragon's sense of smell was so acute that they could smell the metals several meters into the ground. Lilly preferred the coins to raw ore. Her mother’s lair had been awash with them, heaped into mounds large enough to hide in.

She reached into the pack, swishing the coins around as they glittered in the moonlight. Most of them were silver, some were gold, but one, in particular, caught her attention. It shined with a red glint as it tumbled in the light, falling into her hand as if meant to be.

Careful not to disturb Gersius, she pulled out a tiny coin with a red crystal heart at its center. Thayle had given her this coin and told her it was a lover's mark. She held it close to her face, turning it about to inspect both sides. Though it was a pretty little thing, in the end, it was just one more coin to add to her hoard. She went to cast it back but then remembered something Thayle had said. She said that Lilly might need to find love one day, and the key to doing so was to give the coin away.

It was an uncomfortable feeling as Lilly considered Thayle's comments. What role did this love play in a human's life? She was a dragon, after all, and didn't have need of these silly human ways. Yet she longed to feel the connection once again, and as she thought of Thayle's words, an idea formed. It was the greatest of honors for a dragon to gift any portion of its hoard to another. That was why she would give him this coin, not because of what Thayle said, but because she wanted to honor him for saving her life and showing her a new path.

It would be a shame to wake him up, so she thought of another way to give him the coin. Carefully, she reached for the top of one of his boots, trying hard not to disturb him. They were funny things that could be rolled up or down, but Gersius always wore them down. She carefully rolled one up and hid the coin inside. She then rolled it down so the coin would be safely tucked away where he wouldn't notice it.

Her heart beat faster as her hands withdrew, leaving a gift from her hoard behind. This carried a lot of meaning for dragons, and she struggled to understand why she had done it. With a mind full of confusion, she closed her eyes and listened to him breathe until the still night claimed her in sleep.

The

following two days went by quickly as the group worked its way across the landscape. The mountains were in view, and Lilly started to feel homesick. She used to fly over those peaks, feeling the wind filling her lovely wings. It was a sad thing to remember, but she was determined not to let spoil the mood.

Gersius was improving every day in both body and spirit. He began walking for part of the journey to give the horse a break and stretch his legs. She was at his side whenever he walked, trying to talk, but he said little, leaving her with a sense of isolation. It wasn't helped that Ayawa seemed to disapprove of her efforts. Lilly caught her shaking her head or rolling her eyes whenever she and Gersius were together. She grumbled when Lilly told Thayle she would stay and even louder when she said she would follow Gersius.

Thankfully she had Thayle, who was always there with a kind word and bright smile. She was more than willing to spend hours talking to Lilly and said she was doing the right thing. She encouraged Lilly to ask questions and explore her feelings, explaining anything Lilly wanted to know. Lilly wasn't sure what it meant to explore her feelings, nor was she certain what she felt. If it had to be put into words, she would say she was empty or lonely, but these were not feelings a dragon felt. It was as if some part of her was missing or lost. It was still there in some obscure way but slowly fading as if getting farther away.

Near the middle of the third day, they found the road that would take them to Millwater. Ayawa had them wait while she ran ahead, skirting the road but never setting foot on it. Tavis said she was scouting the route for hidden dangers. It was a risk going to Millwater, but the riverboats would make the journey much easier. Ayawa returned a short while later and announced the road was clear. With Tavis to lead the horse, they made their way into the open for the time in days and began to follow the barren track.

Lilly found roads fascinating because they were something a dragon would never think to make. Dragon’s could fly everywhere they wanted to go and didn't require a path to get them there. Now that she was forced to travel them, she learned firsthand how difficult they could be. The land was hilly, and the road often meandered around the slopes sticking to the low areas in between. In some places, they were dusty, in others muddy, and often they were deeply rutted or sloped to one side. The horse stumbled a few times, and in several places, they chose to walk on the land beside the road instead of in it to avoid water. Lilly found the journey tiring, but as the sun began to streak the sky, then roofs of Millwater appeared on the horizon.

“Hopefully, we can find somebody to take us out first thing in the morning,” Ayawa said as the building drew closer.

“It would be better if we could leave right away,” Tavis said while tipping his hat low.

Ayawa glanced his way with a shake of her head and reminded him that the hour was getting late. No boats would be willing to set out into the darkness, especially on such short notice. Tavis countered that staying the night in the town was risky. He was concerned that there might be agents of the Father Abbot among the people. He stressed the need to move on before anyone could alert their pursuers. Gersius ended the argument, stating that they would be spending the night. He pointed out that it was a prosperous trading town with several inns. He suggested they find one close to the river and then keep to themselves to avoid questions.

Lilly was nervous about going into another human hive, but Thayle urged her on, and with dread, she entered. It was a modest town built of wood and plaster and filled with people and animals. Near the water, the buildings became large and tightly packed together, reminding Lilly of Whitford and the maze of streets.

There were more people near the water but most went about their business. They wore simple, drab clothes and wore strange yellow hats woven from riverside reeds. A few did take notice of the group, especially Lilly, commenting on how tall she was or her odd color of hair. A few men dared to smile and wave when she looked, but Thayle quickly pulled her along.

“So much for keeping a low profile,” Tavis said when he noted the gazes Lilly was drawing.

“It’s that hair,” Ayawa sighed. “Who has ever seen a woman with blue hair? She catches the eye of every person on the street. We may as well go to the town square and announce our presence.”

“We will be fine,” Gersius assured her. “I have taken Lilly through several towns already. She draws a few stares, but nobody has ever dared approach her.”

“You weren't being hunted at the time,” Ayawa shot back. “She is going to cause a lot of whispering, and if that gets to the wrong ear, the Father Abbot will know for sure.”

“What are they arguing about?” Lilly asked Thayle, who was walking beside her.

“We were hoping to pass through the town without drawing any attention, but your appearance catches people's eye. Ayawa is worried people will talk about you, and our enemies might come to investigate,” Thayle replied.

“Why do people look at me?” Lilly asked as she noticed a group of people staring.

“Your hair is a very unusual color,” Thayle replied. “And you may as well hear this now, your very beautiful as a human woman.”

“I am?” Lilly asked.

“Lilly, I am jealous of your beauty,” Thayle said with a smile.

“Well, I don't like how they look at me,” Lilly said as she grew more uncomfortable. She moved closer to Gersius

so she might tell him how she felt. “I don’t like being surrounded by your kind again,” she said after tapping his leg to get his attention. “I want to leave this hive.”

“It is called a town,” he corrected.

“I don’t care what you call it. I am afraid of being here. I want to leave,” Lilly insisted.

He looked down with sympathy and smiled at her for the time that day. He explained that he understood why she felt the way she did, but things were very different this time. They were no longer in ignorance of the danger, and this time they had friends who would look out for them. He promised that she would never be left alone again.

His words made her feel better but didn't completely dispel the desire to be away from this place. She chewed on her lip and glanced at Thayle, who made the same promise to keep her safe. She knew it wasn't the same as Whiteford but couldn't help but feel vulnerable. What would make her feel better was holding his hand, but he was using them to hold the reins.

“Is something wrong?” Thayle asked when Lilly's shoulders slumped.

Lilly slowed her pace and drew Thayle back, allowing a few paces between them and Gersius. She then leaned over and whispered that she wished she could be holding his hand.

“He used to hold my hand when we were around other humans so I would feel safe,” Lilly admitted.

“I will hold your hand if it will make you feel better. I promised to keep you safe after all,” Thayle said with a smile.

Lilly returned the smile as she took Thayle's hand and immediately felt better. She and Thayle smiled at one another as they walked behind Gersius, their fingers wrapped together.

After a few minutes, they arrived at an open area where people had fancy carts full of things for sale. Ayawa stopped them under a tree near the center and looked east as the sky began to darken.

“We need to find an inn,” Tavis insisted as they looked around the square.

“How are we going to pay for it?” Ayawa asked. “If we have to pay for everything, our money will run out quickly.”

“I have plenty of money,” Thayle interjected. “More than enough to pay for an inn for several weeks, and I am sure I will be reimbursed when we reach Eastgate.”

“I too have some money,” Gersius admitted. “It was in the pack you and Lilly brought back.”

Ayawa laughed and turned her gaze on Lilly before pointing the bag on her back. “You should have her pay for it. She has more money than all of us combined.”

“No!” Lilly cried and backed away as far as Thayle’s arm would allow.

“The greed of dragons,” Ayawa snorted before asking Tavis to check the waterfront for an inn. He left with a nod and was gone nearly an hour before returning to report he found one.

“There is a big one right on the water where the boats dock. It looks like somebody converted an old warehouse, but it has meals and private rooms on the second and third floor.”

“That should be all we need. Let us go there,” Gersius said and motioned them to move.

They arrived at the Muddy Duck, a large three-story inn with yellowed glass windows of narrow diamond panels. The building's walls were white, but a green moss had begun to grow on them in many places. Inside, the common room was bustling with activity and filled with the scents of people. It was the largest Inn Lilly had seen so far, with well over a dozen small tables and a half dozen larger ones that could comfortably seat eight people.

The back wall was dominated by a bar behind which stood a tall, thin man with a bald head. Despite how busy his common room was, he looked bored as he wiped out a mug with a rag.

“Sit here while I get us rooms,” Tavis instructed as they settled around a table. He went to walk away then turned with a broad smile on his face. “Of course, I will need to know how many beds you need.”

Lilly was confused as Thayle started to giggle until Ayawa shook her head. Gersius replied as if nothing had happened and told him that he and Lilly needed a room with two beds.

“As you wish,” Tavis said with a bow and hurried away.

Thayle couldn’t help but giggle again and was rather surprised when Ayawa nudged her.

“Do not encourage this,” Ayawa whispered so the others wouldn't hear.

“If by this you mean Gersius and Lilly, then you’re too late. I don’t need to encourage it. It was well beyond my control long ago,” Thayle whispered back.

“Don’t tell me that,” Ayawa countered. “You are the reason that dragon stayed. You told her he needed her.”

“So what if I did?” Thayle said while trying to keep her voice low. “What do you have against it?”

“It is unnatural,” Ayawa replied after a glance to make sure Gersius hadn’t noticed their private conversation.

“That’s not for us to decide,” Thayle replied.

Lilly noticed the conversation and wondered why they were whispering. She assumed it had something to do with the beds, so she innocently turned to Gersius and asked why Tavis wanted to know how many they needed?

“He wanted to know if you and I would be sharing one,” Gersius replied with a dry tone.

“Why would we share one?” she asked in confusion.

Gersius cleared his throat as his face seemed to redden. Lilly had never seen him look so uncomfortable before and was surprised when he suggested she ask Thayle that question later. Tavis returned to inform them that the rooms were arranged and all on the same hall. A moment later, a woman arrived with plates of food and began to set them on the table. Lilly was eager to eat but recoiled with a sad expression when she saw a golden fish.

“I don't want to eat this,” she said as it reminded her of that painful day that seemed long ago.

“Are you sure?” he asked with a soft voice. “I assure you it is delicious.”

“I don’t want it,” she replied and folded her arms to pout.

Gersius leaned closer and put his arm around her back, causing her to feel safe. Then, with a gentle tone, he whispered in her ear, and she fought the urge to cry as he admitted he was wrong.

“I know you do not want to eat this fish because of what happened that first day. That was my fault, and I am very sorry I created a bad memory for you. Please forgive me and try the fish. We both know you like them.”

Lilly looked into his eyes as he sat back while the twisting returned to her stomach. This time, it was a welcome feeling as if the bind was back and he was taking care of her once again. She glanced at the fish while chewing on her lower lip, then looked up to see him smiling.

“Can you forgive me?” he asked.

She nodded gently and picked up the fork. Gersius took up his own knife and fork and showed her how to cut a small piece off. He then took a moment to blow on his fish before putting it in his mouth. Lilly copied his motions and gently blew before taking a bite. It was warm and full of flavors she'd never known before, adding to her long list of special moments. Without even realizing it, she began to hum and quickly cut off some more.

A moment later, another woman approached with a tray of mugs filled with a thick amber liquid. She quickly took up the mug, as did the others, and they all took a sip of the contents. Lilly frowned at the warm, bitter liquid and looked over to see Gersius making a similar face. To her surprise, he looked to see if anyone was watching, then leaned over, putting his mug next to hers. He encouraged her to blow and cool the ale, so she smiled and quickly frosted the mugs. They both sipped the now cold liquid finding the flavor much improved. Whey they dropped their mugs in satisfaction, they saw the faces of their three companions, who were all staring in silence.

“What?” they said in unison.

The night went on, and Lilly found herself leaning into his side while he held her around the shoulder. The plates were cleared, and several rounds of ale were brought as Ayawa downed them rapidly. Just as Lilly wondered what would come next, Gersius stopped one of the serving girls and whispered something.

“Sure thing, love,” she said and sauntered off as Lilly wondered what he said. She dared to ask, and he smiled and said he ordered something for her.

“For me?” she asked, but all he would say was that she would find out in a minute.

“Here you go, love,” the woman said as she returned and put a tray in front of Lilly. She smiled to see it contained a half loaf of bread steaming as if fresh from the over. The scent filled her senses as she tapped at the thick golden crust. Next to it was a broad knife and a small bowl overflowing with whipped butter.

“That is what I got you,” he said and squeezed her shoulder. “I hope you enjoy it.”

“This is all for me?” she asked with wide blue eyes.

“All of it,” he said with a smile to see her so happy.

Lilly dived in and began tearing chunks off and then dunking them in the butter. The others noted the strange display as Lilly greedily devoured the buttery treat.

“Ahh, Gersius always knows how to spoil the ladies,” Tavis said with a grin. “Cheap bread and bad ale.”

“Stop,” Thayle said with a smile. “It was a very nice gesture. Lilly obviously loves bread.”

“So do I,” Ayawa said as she turned an icy glare on Tavis. “You never get me bread. All I ever get are promises.”

“Well, then I promise to get you some bread one day,” he replied.

Gersius laughed for the first time in days, a happy expression on his face. For a brief moment, things felt right, and something about being next to Lilly made him question his purpose. She was so alive and happy to be there, and he welcomed her touch. For a second, he wondered if Lilly was something more but then was reminded that she was a dragon. He put the thought away and just enjoyed the moment, smiling and taking a drink of his cold ale.

“I am glad to see you feeling so well when we are quite literally in the most dangerous part of our journey,” Ayawa remarked when he set his mug down.

“Every journey is dangerous, but to run from the path is to live an empty life,” he replied.

“So says the man who's currently running to hide,” Ayawa pointed out.

“Only to buy us some time to think,” Gersius said. “Then I will decide which path I should walk.”

“Speaking of paths, we should retire soon,” Tavis interrupted. “The riverboats will set out early. If we want to find one, we will need to be up before the sun.”

“I could use a little sleep in an actual bed for a change,” Thayle agreed with a stretch.

“What about you, my love?” Tavis said while leaning close to Ayawa with a devilish smile. “Are you ready for some, sleep?”

Ayawa set down her fifth ale and gave him a disapproving glare that only made him smile wider. Gersius laughed again and suggested they head to their rooms when Lilly finished her bread. She was done a minute later, and a serving girl led them upstairs to their rooms. Thayle's room was the first door on the right, Tavis and Ayawa were the next door, and Gersius and Lilly the last door on the hall.

Lilly carried her pack of coins into a small room with two beds dressed down with thick green woolen blankets. Each bed had a small pillow that looked lumpy and stained. A small wooden table and two chairs stood in the corner but what caught Lilly’s attention was what was in the middle of the wall. It was a tall bookcase full of books of every color and size. She threw her pack on a bed and went right to the books, running a finger along the aged spines.

Gersius noticed her preoccupation with the books and came up behind her and put his hands around her arms.

“As I recall, you said your mother had books and taught you how to read?” he asked as she smiled to be held.

“She did. She taught me two rodent.” Lilly stopped and had to correct herself. “I mean human languages.”

“Two?” he asked.

“Yes, and two versions of the dragon language,” she added.

He released her with a shrug and sat on a nearby bed as she chose a book.

“It seems odd that you dragons have a written language,” he admitted while trying to puzzle it out.

“Why would that be odd?” Lilly asked as she took her book to the table.

“Why would you need one?” he replied. “You rarely meet or interact. You have almost no reason to talk to one another and even less reason to record anything. So why would you have a written language?”

“I guess if you think of it that way, it does sound strange,” Lilly admitted as she began to ponder the answer. “But you aren't right about us recording things. My mother said things used to be very different for dragons. We often met for specific purposes, and we recorded things so they wouldn't be forgotten. I know we once followed a system called the order of the scale, but she said that was lost to us now. She told me more, but I don't remember what she said.

Gersius nodded and laid back on the bed, kicking his feet up as he let out a sigh.

“You know, I would like to meet your mother. She sounds interesting,” he said.

Lilly sighed and shook her head, reminding him that she couldn’t fly.

“Neither can I,” he said as if not bothered at all. “We will walk.”

Lilly let out a slight laugh at how simple he made that sound. She challenged him if he really meant to walk all the way to her mother’s lair.

“Why not?” he said with a shrug. “I am accustomed to long journeys, and we will be walking for weeks to get to Calathen. How much farther could your mother possibly be?”

“A long, long way,” Lilly said as she closed her book. “Would you honestly go with me to see my mother?”

“Only if you wanted me to,” he replied. “I would do it to keep you safe.”

Lilly smiled but started to give the idea serious thought. She wasn't so sure that bringing a human man into her mother's lair was a good idea. Dragons were very secretive and hated humans knowing where their hoards were hidden. Still, Lilly told him that her mother might not kill him if he arrived openly with her, but she still wasn't sure it was a good idea.

“Probably not,” he agreed with a smile. “But I would go if you wanted to.”

“You’re still suffering from head injuries,” Lilly mocked as she sat down and opened her book. She thought of him trying to tell her mother how he came to be in her company and shook her head while reading the first page.

Gersius got up and began to take off the sword she had given him, setting it against the wall before going to his pack. He watched as she turned the page and couldn't believe this innocent woman was a dragon.

“What book did you pick?” he asked as he set the pack aside.

“It appears to be a story about a man who went to see the god Vellis,” she replied.

“Ah, a good choice,” he replied. “There are no better healers than those of Vellis. They specialize in healing and soothing away pain.”

“I thought Astikar did that?” Lilly asked as she looked up.

“Astikar is the God of Mercy and justice. His followers can heal better than most, but Vellis is the God of Good fortune and health. His priests can cure disease, restore sight to the blind, and heal wounds no one else can.” He paused for a moment as if he was thinking about his next words. “If it had been a priest of Vellis who found you, he very likely could have healed your wings.”

Lilly heard his remorse and felt a chill of her own to be reminded of that dreadful day.

“You did your best,” she said in a mournful tone. “let’s not talk about that terrible day.”

“Lilly, I am sorry,” he said when he heard the change in her tone.

“No, don't be sorry. You did your best, and I don't blame you. But I do blame that dragon, and I hate him with all my heart,” she said with a sniff and went back to her book.

Gersius hated to hear her speak words so full of anger. He realized it was a mistake to remind her of the mother she might never see again and then make her think of the moment she lost her wings. A moment ago, she was alive and laughing, and now she was sad and withdrawn. He tried to think of something to say to make amends but settled on giving her some space to recover.

“I am going to go downstairs to get a bucket of water to wash in,” he said and walked across the room. “I will be back shortly.”

Lilly nodded with closed eyes, grateful he was leaving so he wouldn't see the tears. She took a deep breath and returned to her book, hoping Vellis could drown away her pain. She began to read the story of Elison, a simple man who rose to become a prophet of Vellis. The opening pages said he went on a dangerous journey that ended with him standing before Vellis to beg the god of healing to save his daughter.

Gersius cursed himself as an idiot as he went down the narrow steps. This night was going so well; why did he have to bring up such painful memories? There were still quite a few people in the common room despite the late hour, but nobody seemed to notice his presence. The fire was low, and the women wiped empty tables clean as the man behind the bar swept his little space. Gersius asked if he could get a bucket of water, and the stern man told him to get it himself. There was a water trough and a pile of buckets right outside the kitchen he could use.

Gersius didn't want to cause an argument, so he set off through the dingy kitchen and out the back door. He wasn't sure what he was doing anymore or that he had known in the first place. His life was so focused on one goal that he lost sight of everything else, especially himself. Everything he did was to end the war so he could retire and have a family, but had he missed his chance already? He wondered why he hadn't retired sooner or what it was he wanted for himself now.

The yard behind the inn was dark, illuminated by a partial moon and what little light trickled through yellowed windows. The trough wasn't hard to find, and just as the man said, there was a stack of buckets beside it. He quickly dunked a bucket and held it up to sniff and ensure it wasn't stagnant.

He never saw the shadows moving or the attack that came from behind. A heavy blow struck his head with a flash of pain, and his world descended into darkness.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” a cold voice said.

“What about the other ones?” a raspy voice asked.

“There's no bounty on the other ones, just this one and his dragon,” the cold voice said.

“But where is the dragon?” the second man asked.

“How am I supposed to know?” the cold voice said in irritation. “But I know who can tell us.”

Two men dressed in black that blended with the night hovered over the unconscious form of Gersius. They grabbed him by his arms and legs, lifting him to carry away.

“Let’s get him to the wagon before anyone knows he’s missing,” the cold voice urged.

“The mistress will be happy. I hope,” the raspy voice said.

“Happy? When is she ever happy? She expects results like this. Any less, and she would have our heads,” the first man replied.

“Maybe, but this is a special bounty, and he can lead us to the dragon,” the second man said as they vanished into the night with Gersius.

Lilly felt disturbed despite being absorbed in her story. She looked up to see the candle burning low and blinked her eyes to change her sight. The room was still and quiet as a sense of unease grew in her stomach. She thought that maybe she was tired but realized it was more a sense of anxiousness. She turned to ask Gerisus about it then realized he wasn’t back yet.

“Oh, he went to get water,” she said softly and turned back to her back. Though the room was dark, thanks to her dragon sight, the pages were as clear as if reading them under a bright sun. She turned the page and noted the number at the bottom was fifty-seven and then realized how long she had been reading. Surely an hour or more had gone by, but where was Gersius?

The unease grew, and she recognized it as a very dragon-like feeling. It was a sense that something that belonged to her was being taken away, like a thief stealing part of her hoard. She wished Gersius were there to ask about the sensation but thinking about him made it more intense. She tried to quiet her thoughts by going back to the book, but the effort was futile. Unable to focus, she set the book aside and did the only thing that made sense. She dared to leave the room and went down the hall to find the only other person she trusted to keep her safe. Maybe Thayle could explain these strange feelings and help her relax.

Lilly stood in the dark hall right outside Thayle’s room but was afraid to open the door. She tried to convince herself that she was being silly and should just wait in her room when another wave of anxiety rolled through her. She needed someone to talk to and tried the door only to discover it was locked.

Thayle heard the door rattle and quickly jumped out of bed, reaching for her weapon. She couldn't imagine who was trying to get into her room at this hour of the night, but they were going to regret it. As she inched closer to the door, the rattling stopped, and a sad voice called out from the other side.

“Thayle?” Lilly cried.

“Lilly?” Thayle responded and quickly moved to open the door. “What are you doing in the hall?” she added once the door opened.

“I don't feel good, and I wanted to ask Gersius about it, but he's gone,” Lilly replied.

“What do you mean he’s gone?” Thayle asked in an urgent tone.

“He went to get water to wash with,” Lilly said and pointed down the hall.

“He went out at this hour?” Thayle asked and looked down the hall to see if he was there.

“No, he left a long time ago. I'm not sure how long. I was reading a book, and I started to feel something I couldn't explain. I wanted to ask him about it, but he never came back.”

“Dear Ulustrah,” Thayle cried and ran past Lilly to bang on the next door down. “Ayawa! Tavis! We need you!”

The door burst open, and Ayawa appeared, holding a blanket over her bare form while scowling with an annoyed expression.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Gersius is gone!” Thayle cried. “Lilly said he left to get a bucket of water an hour or two ago and never came back.”

“Tavis, get dressed!” Ayawa shouted from the door.

“I heard her. I will be dressed in a minute,” he replied.

Thayle quickly returned to her room and pulled her armor on as fast as possible. Lilly followed her in, unsure of what was going on, and asked Thayle to explain it to her.

“It only takes a few minutes to get a bucket of water,” Thayle said as she buckled the armor. “He should have been back a long time ago. Something bad must have happened to him, and if we don't act fast, we might lose him.”

“Something bad has happened to my Gersius?” Lilly asked in shock and looked as if she was about to run off to find him.

Thayle went to reply, but Ayawa appeared in the doorway, cursing about Gersius being a bigger fool than she imagined. Tavis said they should check downstairs to find out if they saw Gersius and where he went to get water. They agreed on the course of action and rushed down to grill the people still about. Ayawa questioned the innkeeper, and he pointed to the kitchen door, saying that Gersius went out nearly two hours ago.

A moment later, the door to the backyard burst open, and they fanned out looking for any sign of the missing man. The darkness made it hard to see, so Thayle raised a hand and uttered a prayer to the goddess calling on divine light. A ball of water appeared in the air, floating just above her palm, and began to radiate a brilliant light, banishing the shadows across the yard.

“So you can do that on your own,” Tavis said with a nod. “Very impressive.”

“The light helps, but there is nothing here,” Ayawa stated as she paced across the yard to the trough. “I am sure there are some tracks, but most of the streets are cobble or heavily trafficked. I doubt their trail will be easy to follow.”

“How are we going to find him then?” Tavis asked as she checked around a corner. “He's been gone two hours. He could be a mile outside the town by now.”

Ayawa said she would do the best she could, and the two started to argue about how much time they had left. Lilly paid them no attention as she walked across the yard, feeling as if that was somehow making him closer. She realized she could feel something of him, not like the bind, but different. She didn't understand what it was, but she was confident it was him.

“He is that way,” she said and pointed to the west.

The argument stopped as all eyes turned to Lilly, who pointed again and insisted Gersius was to the west.

“How do you know?” Ayawa asked with a gaze that was piercing.

“I don't know how I know. I just know he is that way,” Lilly insisted. “It even feels like he's getting closer when I walk this way.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ayawa grumbled and resumed looking for tracks.

Thayle saw the broken look on Lilly's face and then remembered what she said about not feeling well. She realized what it could mean and ran to Lilly to take one of her hands.

“Lilly. Didn’t you say you felt sick when you came to my room?” Thayle demanded.

“I don't know. I felt something I couldn't explain. Like I was losing something that was mine,” she answered as Thayle nodded. “But why ask me that now? You said he was in danger, and I told you, he is that way.” She accentuated the point by pointing to the west again.

“We need to split up. It is the best chance we have of finding him,” Ayawa insisted and began to give Tavis instructions to search the waterfront.

“No!” Lilly shouted. “I can feel him! He is that way!”

“Lilly, calm down,” Thayle urged as she studied the dragon's aura. It was tense and full of worry but flashed with the truth every time Lilly insisted Gersius was to the west. Thayle looked closer, knowing that there would be a telltale mark that answered all her questions if she was right. She nearly jumped for joy when she found a thin red line at Lilly's feet that stretched west a few paces before ending.

“We are wasting time,” Ayawa insisted, but Thayle focused on getting Lilly's attention.

“Lilly, answer me quickly. Did you give Gersius the lover's mark?” she asked.

“I didn’t give it to him exactly,” Lilly said and looked down.

“You either gave it to him, or you didn't,” Thayle insisted.

“I hid it in the folds of his boot,” Lilly admitted. “He doesn’t even know he has it.”

“She planted a lover's mark on him?” Tavis asked with a broad smile. “No wonder she feels sick. If it's working, she can lead us right to him.”

“Of course, she can,” Thayle said with a smile and looked at Ayawa. “Because Lilly has found her love.”

Ayawa glared back with a shake of her head, but a moment later, her expression softened, and she let out a sigh.

“You win, priestess,” she lamented. “Let’s go. Gersius is to the west.”

The four of them ran into the night, heading west across the sleeping city, hoping it wasn't too late.

Gersius opened his bleary eyes as something shook underneath him. He struggled to clear his vision as his head started to throb in pain. As more of his senses returned, he realized his shoulders ached from being in one position for too long. He struggled to get up but discovered his hands were tied to a metal ring on the floor. He was in a cramped room of wood that rocked and shook, straining his already sore arms. He could hear the faint but familiar sound of a wagon and realized he must be inside.

Straining to see more of his surroundings, he discovered there was a red curtain hanging in a doorway behind him. It flapped and jostled as the wagon rolled across an uneven road. Now and then, he caught a glimpse of the dark landscape and a sky full of stars beyond.

He tried to speak, but his jaw ached from a gag tied tightly in his mouth. He struggled to rub it loose on his shoulder but could do nothing to remove it. Refusing to give up, he tried to get his legs underneath him, but these two were tied, and all he managed was to get to his knees.

“So you're finally awake,” came a raspy voice from somewhere nearby.

Gersius looked to the right to see a man wrapped in black cloth and leather. He sat in the corner, blending into the shadows so well he hadn't noticed him before. There was nothing to see of the man himself except for a pair of eyes that gleamed with delight.

“You're a prize worth bragging about,” the man said as she leaned out of the shadows. “I can't believe you were so easy to capture, considering how much money you're worth. Of course, you're not worth half as much as the other mark. Tell me, where is the dragon?”

Gersius glared at the man with anger as he struggled to speak into the gag and tell him to find her himself.

“If looks could kill,” the man said in a mocking tone while producing a knife out of thin air. He made a sudden slash, and Gersius felt the gag come loose. He quickly spit it out and worked his sore jaw to get some control before looking back to his captor.

“You are making a terrible mistake,” he said and tugged at his hands. “My friends will come for you.”

“Uh, uh. That’s not what I asked you,” the man said while waving the knife in his face. “I asked you where the dragon was.”

“So my brothers have stooped to hiring assassins,” Gersius said to stall for time.

His captor's eyes narrowed as his hand darted out, striking Gersius in the temple with the pommel of the knife. He saw stars and nearly fell over but forced himself back to kneeling position and returned to glaring.

“I do hope you're not going to make me ask this question again,” his captor said as he sat back. “I hate to repeat myself, and you can only take so much punishment.”

“I have endured far worse than you can imagine,” Gersius replied with a look of murder.

“Suit yourself,” the man said and struck him again.

“You’re sure it’s this way?” Ayawa asked as they left the town and headed into the nearby farms.

“I am sure,” Lilly replied as her voice betrayed her growing aggravation.

Ayawa nodded and pointed out that the road here was bare earth and would hold good tracks. Thayle quickly called up another of her lights, and Ayawa set about searching the ground and looking down the road. In moments she let them know that there were wagon and horse tracks heading away from town that couldn't be more than two hours old. Gersius was probably on that wagon, being carried away with all haste.

“We will never catch them on foot, even if I use my magic,” Tavis said and looked to Thayle. “And your horse is on the other side of the town. It will take too long to fetch it.”

“Then we will have to steal new ones,” Ayawa said and looked about. “There must be a stable nearby or a farm that has field horses.”

Once again, Lilly listened to them argue as she grew frustrated with herself. Gersius had been abducted, and she hadn't even realized it. Even now, she could feel this strange connection getting thinner as if he was moving away. Time was being lost as they argued about how to pursue him and decided she wasn't going to wait another minute.

“All of you, wait here until I get back,” she said and started to undress.

“What are you doing?” Thayle asked as Lilly quickly pulled off her boots.

“These fools may have horses, but they are pulling a wagon and can't be going very fast. I can run faster than a horse at full gallop and keep the pace longer. I doubt they are more than a few miles ahead; I will catch them in half an hour at most,” she replied while pulling her dress over her head. Tavis whistled when it came off, causing Ayawa to shoot him a disproving look. He threw up his hands and turned his back but managed a quick peek over one shoulder.

Lilly quickly discarded the last of her clothes and dashed a few paces ahead to give herself the room she needed. With a final glance to the others, she promised to be back before dawn as her eyes filled with blue fire. A white mist rapidly formed over her skin, and in an instant, it billowed out, forming a globe of swirling white like a cloud in a tempest. It whistled with the sound of rushing wind and then flashed with light, briefly illuminating something massive inside. Before it cleared, the ground shook as Lilly thundered down the road, heading west in pursuit of her prize.

“Good luck,” Thayle called to the dark form, racing down the road.

“That was amazing,” Tavis said in awe of seeing the transformation for the first time.

“I can’t believe she used a lovers mark,” Ayawa said with a shake of her head and admitted that Thayle had won once again.

Gersius struggled to right himself after the last blow sent him to the floor. His captor had struck him at least a dozen times, and now his head felt like it was going to crack. As he regained his position, the violent man sat back and waited for a response to his last question.

“I set her free, and she went home to her lair in the mountains,” he said to try and stall for more time.

The man leaned forward once again, using the knife to gesture as he let out a groan of frustration.

“You better hope that isn't true,” he said in his raspy voice. “I hate to think of what you will have to endure if they don't believe you. Of course, we can't take the risk that you're lying. You are worth a fortune, but what they are offering for the dragon is something special.”

“Even if I could tell you where she is, you wouldn't last a minute,” Gersius groaned and tried to shake the pain away. “She used to trust humans, but now she hates them because of what they did to her in Whiteford. She won't hesitate to shred you on sight.”

The man laughed and sat back as if he had heard the most amusing tale, then suddenly leaned forward to press the knife to Gersius's face.

“You underestimate me,” he said in his raspy voice. “I am a trained assassin, and no man or dragon can best me. The beast will never see us coming, and when we strike, she will fall just as easily as you did.” He pulled away and looked down with narrow eyes bragging that he wasn’t afraid of the dragon.

“You will be,” Gersius replied and earned another crack to his head.

“That’s enough,” came a cold voice that carried no hint of compassion or pity.

Gersius struggled to look over his shoulder to see who had spoken and spotted a second man. He was dressed like the first and climbed into the wagon through the curtain in the back. He stood at the entrance, bracing himself with one hand holding the curtain open, allowing Gersius a partial view of the outside.

“She will have your hide if you beat him unconscious,” the newcomer said.

“It would be his own fault for being so stubborn,” the raspy man replied. “After all, I was just trying to have a conversation. Is it my fault he refused to be cooperative?”

“That isn’t your job,” the second man insisted. “She will ask the questions and get him to talk if needs be. I doubt she needs your help to get the answer.”

“I am sure she can loosen his tongue,” the raspy man laughed. “But she uses such slow and complicated methods. A swift blow to the head will get answers faster than her poisons and acids. And I still don't understand those delicate tools.”

“They get results without killing. That’s all that is important,” the cold man said and turned to Gersius. “Bashing his head in is only going to kill him, and we can’t question a corpse.” He locked eyes with Gersius and let out a haunting chuckle before continuing. “I expected more of a fight out of you. The legendary Gersius, the greatest of all the battle priests of Astikar. You never saw us coming.”

“I do not attack from the shadows like a coward,” Gersius spat back.

“Brave words, but our methods are effective, and we don't care what anyone thinks of them. All that matters is the job gets done,” the man countered.

“And the job isn’t done until you tell us where the dragon is,” the raspy man added.

The wagon hit a bump, and the man in the doorway swayed as he adjusted his position. Gersius had a clear view down the road for a brief moment and saw something glinting in the moonlight as it rapidly gained on them. A smile spread over his face as the man regained his stance and repeated the question.

“Alright then, since you gentlemen have been so kind to me, I feel it is only fair I answer your question,” he said mockingly.

“So, you do know where the dragon is?” the man in the doorway asked.

“I do,” Gersius said as he locked eyes with him. “She is right behind you.”

The wagon lurched and came off the ground as Lilly slammed into it with all her weight. Massive claws tore the man standing in the doorway in half before she flung the rest of him into the night.

“By the divines!” the raspy man cried and dropped his knife in terror.

“What is wrong?” Gersius asked. “Now is your chance to show me how I have underestimated you.”

The man screamed as the roof of the wagon shattered and tore away, revealing the fanged jaws of a dragon rushing in. Gersius heard the crunch as bones snapped in her powerful bite and had to look away.

“You attract trouble,” Lilly growled with blood dripping from her jaws. The wagon suddenly came to a halt as she stamped on the back with a powerful leg and dug the other into the road. No matter how the horses wailed and pulled, they gained no ground under Lilly's weight.

Gersius heard shouts of dragon from outside, giving him his first indication that there were more men in this band of assassins. Before he could say anything, Lilly took a deep breath and filled the air with a noise like the howling wind of the most bitter winter ever known. Screams and cries erupted from outside but were cut short in a freezing death. In an instant, Lilly's face was back, a frosty mist falling from between her teeth. Her eyes were like pools of blue fire as she stared at him like a hungry predator.

“You do remember I am no longer bound to you?” she said while reaching down. She grabbed the ring tying his hands, and tore it free of the wagon's floor. “It made it much harder to feel you, and Ayawa didn't believe me when I told them which way you were”

“You could feel me?” Gersius asked as he struggled to until his feet.

“It was something to do with being bound,” Lilly admitted. “I could feel you. It was like some part of you was inside my head.”

“I could feel you too,” Gersius said as he tried to stand up. He found his feet were unsteady and stumbled a few steps until Lilly grabbed hold of him.

“It would appear I have to carry you again,” she said and lifted him out of the shattered wagon.

Gersius was finally able to see beyond the wagon and what he saw was chilling. Four men on horseback stood like statues of ice frozen in time. The landscape beyond them was bathed in white that glittered in the moonlight like a winter's evening. The only thing that remained alive were the two horses that pulled his wagon. Even now, they were thrashing and bellowing, desperate to escape their tack and flee the dragon that towered over them.

We seem to be making a habit of this,” Lilly said as she stepped off the wagon and allowed the horses to run free with what remained. She held him before her face and asked him if he felt strong enough to keep his balance if he rode on her back.

“I think so,” he said with a slight nod.

Lilly set him down gently then lay on the ground as low as she could manage. He carefully climbed up and settled in while flinching at the sight of the two jagged stumps that used to be her wings.

“I am so sorry,” he said in pity.

She turned her long slender neck about and looked him in the face while asking what he was sorry about. He looked down, and she followed his gaze to the stumps before snapping her head away.

“I thought we agreed not to talk about things like this,” she said and let out a sigh. “Put your legs over them. At least they can help support you.”

He inched forward and did as she said, finding the new position much more stable. She made sure he was settled, then set off toward the town at a pace that, while walking for her, was almost a sprint for a human. They traveled in silence for a few minutes as Lilly kept glancing back to make sure he was balanced. Finally, he decided to speak and break the silence, wondering how she had found him.

“How did you find me?” he asked.

“I.” she began but choked on her words. She struggled to think of a way to answer without telling him about the lover's mark. She was about to create a story about being able to smell him then remembered she had already admitted she felt him. There was also the little matter that the others knew the truth and would probably tell him the moment they got back. With a sigh, she looked away and admitted the truth.

“I put that funny coin Thayle gave me in your boot,” she said and darted a glance at him.

“It is in my boot?” Gersius said as if he didn't believe her. “I would have felt it.”

“It isn’t inside your boot, you annoying rodent. I rolled it into the top,” she replied.

“So, you gave me the lover’s mark?” he asked as if he still didn’t believe it.

“Yes,” Lilly moaned, desperate to be through with this conversation.

“And it is in my boot, right now?” he pressed.

“Yes! How many times are you going to make me say it?” she growled and picked up the pace, hoping to get back to the others quickly.

Gersius smiled as he swayed on her back and waited until she dared to look at him again.

“So you gave me a token of your love,” he teased.

“You are infuriating!” she bellowed. “I don't even know what that means.”

“Thayle will have to explain it to you later,” he said and pressed a hand to the side of his head.

“Are you alright?” Lilly asked as she noticed the gesture.

“I am fine,” he said with a wince of pain. “You know, you behave differently when you are a dragon.”

“I do not,” Lilly argued.

“Yes, you do,” he insisted. “You are meek and quiet in your human form but fearless and powerful when in this form.”

“Of course I am,” she said and turned her slender neck to look at him. “I don't' feel safe in my human form. I do my best to keep quiet and blend in because I don't understand your rodent ways. I see people looking at me because my hair color is different or I am taller than most rodent women. I try not to notice and do all I can to avoid drawing attention. I feel like nothing I do will ever be enough, and when I make a mistake, you yell at me.”

“I do not yell at you,” he insisted.

“Yes, you do!” she shouted. “How about when I was cooling those drinks? Or what about when I accidentally froze the spoon at the farmhouse? Do I even need to remind you about the fish?”

“You're right. I did yell at you, and I am sorry,” Gersius admitted while rubbing at his head.

Lilly took note of the motion and the pained expression on his face. She looked closer to see the bruises and smelled a faint hint of blood.

“Why haven’t you healed yourself?” she asked while inspecting him.

“I do not wish to call on Astikar for help,” he replied.

“But you’re injured,” she insisted.

“I will manage until Thayle can heal me,” he insisted.

“I am worried about you, Gersius. You don't sing to your god anymore, and you never talk about it,” she pleaded.

Gersius looked into her eyes and admitted he felt very far from his faith. The incidents at Whiteford had wounded him in ways he could not explain and did not wish to talk about. Lilly could see the pain in his expression as the profound loss came to the surface. She was reminded of that night in the farmer's house when he shared his fears about the war with the Doan. He was hurting over the loss of his men and still in shock over surviving his encounter with a dragon. She dared to come to his side and put her arm around him, offering him comfort in his hour of need. She couldn't do that now, but she had come to learn that words could offer much the same.

“I know nothing of your faith, but I do know it meant everything to you. It was what drove you to face me even when you were sure it was hopeless.” She paused to let him drink in her words before continuing. “You once told me that you couldn’t understand the pain I felt over my wings, but you could still see I was hurting. You did something that I didn’t understand until later, but that has come to be very important to me.”

“What did I do?” he asked.

“You held me,” she replied as her face loomed closer to dominate his vision. “I can't understand what it must feel like to lose your faith, but I can see that your hurting. So when we get back, I am going to hold you until the pain goes away.”

“I would like that,” he said in a soft voice.

“After Thayle heals you,” she added and pulled her head away.

“After Thayle heals me,” he agreed.

Lilly took a deep breath and let out a long slow sigh. She glanced back to see him watching and then dared another question.

“So, you could feel me over the bind, too?” she asked.

“I could feel your anger, especially when it was with me. It had to be a strong emotion, but I did feel it. What did you feel from me?” he said.

Lilly choked on her words, uncertain how to explain it. What did she feel from him? How did she explain it without using the words Thayle gave her? She still wasn't sure what love, empathy, or compassion meant, but she was certain they were not words to use lightly.

“I felt the same thing,” she said in desperation.

“Hmm,” he replied and let her walk on in silence a moment. He could tell she was uncomfortable and decided to tease her some more.

“So, which boot did you put the lover’s mark in?”

Enough, you annoying rodent!” she bellowed and threw her head high. “Be glad I put it there, or you would still be in the back of that wagon!”

Gersius smiled as he rode through the night on the back of a dragon, enjoying knowing how she had found him.