Chapter 27

“Yes, that is how you fight, my friend! Well done!”

Victor sank onto his side upon the soft grass, heaving . The forest air was refreshing as the spring breeze as it slid into his throat. After what must have been hours of sparring with Raghes, he was glad to give his claws a momentary respite, even if it’s for just a moment. They were sore after countless failed attacks. At a certain point, Victor became humiliated by his inexperience, and how Raghes got the better of him without ever needing to attack. Raghes caught on, and paused the fight several times to encourage Victor to keep going.

“Just, give me, a moment,” he said in between gasps, as he took off the leather gloves wrapped around his forepaws. With a relaxed sigh, he tossed the gloves besides him, and rolled onto his belly. The cold grass brushed over his limbs and belly.

“Are you feeling well?” Raghes lowered himself onto the ground, next to Victor. “Doesn’t it feel fantastic to unwind after such an intense training? It’s as if you can feel yourself getting stronger! At least for me, that is.”

“I see what you mean, that feels really nice, actually.” He squeezed his upper forelegs with both claws. They had grown sturdier, more in line with a healthy dragon’s physique.

Raghes grinned, tail swishing through the grass. “Ahh, you warm my heart, friend. Your progress over the past few days has been incredible. It’s amazing to see you grow so quickly. You should be proud of yourself!”

“I don’t know about that,” Victor said.

Raghes gave Victor an assuring glance. "Please, Victor, don't lose faith. It's difficult at first to learn how to defend yourself, I know. But you will make it through, I promise you." All Victor mustered as a reply was a soft groan.

The two dragons stood up. “But do you see, Victor? There’s no need to worry about your instincts running loose. As long as you study and practice hard, you’ll understand exactly what your instincts are telling you, and what it means to be a dragon,” Raghes said.

Victor lowered his head. “I hope so.”

A drop of rain fell onto Victor’s nose, whose eyes widened in response. Soon after, a barrage of nature’s lifeblood engulfed the forest. It didn’t take long for their scales to be soaked through.

“My friend, I think it’s time to go home,” Raghes said.

“Yeah, I could use a warm fire right about now,” Victor replied. “But we need to find William first.”

“That was the plan. Which direction did he run off in, again?”

“That way, I think.” Victor pointed a talon eastwards.

“Ah yes, I smell it now. Do you?”

Victor raised his snout, and picked up William’s scent in an instant. “Yes, I do. Let’s find him.”

The two dragons followed the scent trail. Vast patches of trees and vegetation were passed, without a passing glance. Victor's instincts kept him on the scent's course, and his tail kept him balanced. All his attention went to relishing in the thrilling speed. Wow, how am I running this quickly?

They found William a few minutes later, sitting by a tree. The drizzle had turned into a downpour by then, and they were soaked all the way through. Slamming their claws into the ground, the two dragons grinded to a halt before William’s feet, whose head shot up.

“Aah!”

“Relax, Will. It’s only us.”

“Oh.”

Raghes grunted. “It’s time to go home, my friend. The dusk is fast approaching, and it is bound to be a cold night should this rain keep it’s ferocity.”

“Okay… but how do we get back? I’m kind of lost, to be honest.” William eyes shifted left and right between the two dragons.

“Don’t worry. These woods are ingrained in my heart and soul. Climb on my back, and we’ll be back in the warmth of the base in no time.” Raghes’ wings flicked open.

“O-on your back? Uhh...”

“You have my permission. I don’t bite, you know.” Raghes grinned. “Or alternatively, you can climb on Victor’s back, if he doesn’t mind.”

Victor stepped back out of surprise. “M-my back? William?”

“Well?” Raghes peered at him, awaiting an answer.

“Y-yes, I’m fine with that,” Victor blurted out. A second later, he gritted his teeth. Ugh, I shouldn’t have said that...

From the onset, things went wrong. William’s first attempt was a failure: his foot slipped back down immediately. Not accepting defeat that easily, he tried again on a different place. He managed to avoid slipping, but the attempt fell apart soon after. Victor’s back reached up to William’s head, and to lift one’s legs over, while two large wings sat in the way, and while Victor’s scales were soaked through was a fool’s errand.

William clambered for a while, before his weight took its toll on Victor’s balance. The red dragon tumbled sidewards with a yelp, and the two friends were spitting grass out of their mouths seconds later.

“I’m sorry Vic, this is really difficult. I can’t do it,” said William, brushing grass from his face.

“It’s okay,” Victor replied.

Raghes chortled at his students’ expense.“Why don’t you try crouching, Victor? That might make it easier,”

Victor buried his face under his claws, and shook his head. How did I not think of that? I am such an idiot… “That’s… a good idea.” He rolled onto his pale belly, and gestured for William to try again. After a small struggle with the wings, William propped himself onto Victor’s back, and sighed out of relief.

“Well, I did it. This uhh, feels odd, heh.”

“I could say the same, honestly. I feel like a horse,” Victor said sheepishly.

The skies above darkened. “Come quickly, friends. We do not want to be caught outside in the dark,” Raghes said, as he set his first paw forwards.

As quick as they could, the three made their way back towards the base. Barring William almost falling off several times early on, the two friends managed. On the contrary, it became comfortable after some time. A rewarding sensation spread through Victor’s veins, akin to the one he’d feel whenever William slept under his wing.

As the sun pierced the horizon, they reached the base. Raghes bid his students goodbye, and ran off growling to the feeding hall. A roar of his own belly then caught Victor off guard. William laughed.

“Feeling peckish, Vic?.”

Victor smirked. “Hey, don’t blame me. I could eat an entire horse and not be full,” he said. His tongue slid between his teeth, and licked at his chops. Saliva pooled in his mouth. “Come, let’s eat. I’m starving!”

The smell of fruit danced in Victor’s nostrils, as he entered his lair, William walking behind. Two bowls rested by a fresh fire in the corner. Victor threw himself onto his nest, and was instinctively drawn to the bigger bowl, where a meaty scent mixed with the fruit. A quick glance revealed vibrant fruits, and blackened meat. It was the first time since his transformation he’d be eating meat.

Without hesitating, Victor threw a piece of fruit in his maw. Sweeter than honey, and fresh as the fragrant spring air, nothing had ever been so delicious. Every bite exposed more sweet flesh, and flooded his mouth further with saliva. His tongue and stomach celebrated, as he quenched his ravenous appetite. And this was just the beginning. He swallowed, and grabbed another piece. It was meat. He tore straight in. Hearty, charred yet filling. His body craved for more. His mind went blank, and a feast ensued.

“Vic? What are you doing?”

With a thud, the bowl landed and rolled over the cave floor, coming to a stop against a wall. Victor found himself sitting on his hind legs, with fruit juice dripping from his jaws. Confused, he scratched behind his ears.

“Uhh, where did my food go?” Victor stared at his bowl, now lying upside down by the wall.

“Are you serious?” William stared at him dumbfounded. He had finished resting his waterlogged clothes by the fire, and had yet to eat a single bite.

“Wait… did I… eat it?”

“Eat it? You breathed it in.”

Victor raised one claw to his chin, and rubbed his belly with the other. “Oh yeah, I did!”

William shook his head, and wheezed into laughter. “You really haven’t changed a bit, have you? You know, I didn’t fully believe it was you in there, but then those Victor moments pop up, and well,.” With a shrug, he lowered himself onto the nest. “If only Eric was here to see this.”

Eric… Joy never lasts long. That name was all it took for that hollow, insipid void to return. The name of the man he’d left in the dust, then betrayed. Victor lowered himself onto his nest, and lowered his head. William laid a hand on his shoulder.

“I wonder what he’s up to, now that we’re…” Victor sighed. “...you know.”

“I hope he’s not too miserable without us,” William said.

“Me too.”

* * *

Early in the morning, as the sun arose into the clouds, the Reserve Army gathered before the gates of the Citadel. Thousands of men from all over the Justitian Empire stood astute, their weapons firm in their holsters. Most did not speak a word of Lokahnian, but the love these volunteers had for their country was unparalleled, and in the end, nothing else mattered.

Eric paced back and forth in front of the rows troops, his translator following timidly behind. The men stood with their heads raised high, fists clenched. Everything was in order. Here goes nothing.

“Soldiers. You have come to Lokahn in service of your homeland. But the task at hand is far greater than this country, and the empire. No, the fate of the entire world is at stake here. In the great mountains to the west, the dragon cult’s influence spreads. If it goes unchallenged any longer, they will spread like a plague across the entire world!” Eric shouted.

As his translator recited, the men remained astute, nodding along to his words. Some laid a hand on the hilt of their weapons.

“This is no ordinary foe, soldiers. For we face off against monstrosities whose very existence is an insult to Justitia. You’ve all heard the stories, but I have seen them with my own eyes… gnashing teeth, gigantic horns, breath like magma deep underneath the crust of Terris. These monsters won’t hesitate to feast on your children’s flesh! I’ve seen it for myself… and suffered far more than any man ever deserves to. My best friends, swallowed whole behind my back. My brothers in arms, burned alive, while the beasts cackled sadistically… My own family, incinerated in their own home, all to satisfy their bloodlust! ”

Fear materialised on the faces of the troops, as the translator recited Eric’s experiences of what the beasts had done. They were in for the terror of their lives, but there was no choice. For if not for them, no one would raise a sword against this menace. Deep down, they, and Eric understood this.

The translator finished, and Eric continued to the sounds of nervous gasping. “But… I’ll never surrender, like some of my countrymen have already done. No, I’ll resist ‘till my dying breath! We won’t just let them get away with all this, will we? We won’t just tolerate them murdering and razing entire villages as they please, will we?”

As the translator finished, the men raised their weapons. “No, sir!” An ominous gust of wind rustled the leaves for miles around. Everyone’s spirit had risen. Eric smiled, and put his hands on his sides.

“No, we won’t! So onwards, men! For emperor and homeland, march!”

“Aye, sir!”

With another gust, thousands of boots and the wheels of a dozen ballistas rolling through muddy ground echoed through the Citadel Woodlands. Within the day, they will reach Autokratorberg, and within a week, they’ll be in Westedge. A tear rolled over Eric’s cheek, as he held a hand over his heart.

Vic… Will… wherever you two are, I hope you’re proud of me. This is for you.

* * *

“My lord? We have a dangerous development on our hands.”

Lothar’s eyes opened at a glacial pace. After pushing himself to all fours, his jaws flew open. “Huuaaargh… not even the birds are awake at this time, Raghes. But come in.”

The blue dragon entered the lair, and bowed. His long face and shaky breaths gave away a level of stress underneath the formality. Lothar raised an eye, and grunted. “Hmm, is something ailing you, Raghes? You appear rather shaken.”

Raghes rasped his breath. “My lord, our scouts report that the promised imperial reinforcements have departed the Citadel yesterday. They number in the thousands, and they’re well equipped. If we don’t hurry, our chance to take Westedge will be lost!”

Lothar jumped from his nest with a growl loud enough to awaken his fellow commanders. “Not on my watch! Wake the others immediately, and have them gather. We will crush this insolence!”

“Yes, my lord!”

Soon after, the commanders gathered in the Operations Chamber. Lazy eyes, maws wide open in yawns, and tails dragged on the floor greeted Lothar as each walked in. The red dragoness at his side stroked his side with a talon.

“Lord Lothar, is this matter truly so urgent? I haven’t even had the opportunity to pray yet,” she said, wings sticking to her back.

“Allow me to opine in a moment. It is most unfortunate to delay one’s prayer, but these are trying times. You know this, Flaratia.” Lothar stroked the red dragoness on the horn.

Once the commanders were all prepared, Lothar cleared his throat, and sounded his booming voice. “My brothers and sisters… we have spoken at length of seizing Westedge these last few weeks. But the time has come at last. With the imperials en route, we must strike. Today, the siege will begin.

A wave of cheers rose in the air. They had been waiting for eight years to finally liberate their homeland. “Finally, FINALLY!” roared Merahn, “Now we’re talking! We’ve been letting these cosmopolitan savages run amok for far too long!”

Batharr’s teeth chattered as a swarm of butterflies entered his stomach. “My parents live in Westedge. It’s been so long since I’ve seen them, and the knowledge that I will free them from tyranny is just… I can’t even describe it. I’ve missed their cooking so much,” he said, rubbing his round belly.

Raghes nodded. “It’s the first of many trials for us… There will be heartbreak involved, I can feel it. But I’m confident we will emerge victorious. The emperor’s goons will meet their end, I will see to it.”

“How great it is to see such enthusiasm amongst us,” said Lothar, basking in the atmosphere. “Now then, we all know our roles in the battle. Order our brothers and sisters to gather in the main temple. We must leave for Westedge as soon as possible. If you have any preparations left unfinished, see to them immediately. And Raghes, watch over my son. Make sure he goes uninjured.”

“Yes sir,” Raghes said. Merahn scoffed. Lothar let a rumble roll out of his throat. Disrespect at this time… sinful. Alas, I cannot rebuke it. “Now then, onwards to glory!” * * *

Thunderous bells shook the air. Thousands of feet above the ground, Victor’s wings failed him, as the shrill bells stung into his skull.. A shrill cry emerged from his throat as he plummeted towards a certain death. The next thing Victor knew, he was surrounded by familiar walls, and a startled orange dragon.

“Calm down, calm down! Divinity almighty, it’s only a bell…”

Victor shook his head, and sighed. He should’ve known earlier: Raghes had yet to introduce him to flying, after all. Not that it kept him from yearning ; flying fascinated him from a young age, and his instincts roared to life at the thought of ruling the skies.

“My apologies. You know what it is like, being pulled out of a great dream, heh..." Victor chuckled out of embarrassment. The dragon groaned.

William tapped his foot in a rhythm. “Hey, uhh, what’s the reason for the early rise?”

The dragon licked his lips, and scratched his chin. “Oh yeah, you’re that special prisoner! No wonder why there’s a human in here,” he said. William’s cheeks reddened. “But yes, your, well, your friend’s presence is requested in the temple. There’s an announcement, and everyone has to come hear it.”

“Wait, I can’t come?”

“Well, I don’t know, I don’t have a say in these things.”

Victor laid a claw on his friend’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, Will. If you stay under my wing, we’ll be alright.”

The dragon shrugged. “Okay then. If you excuse me, I need to go.” He turned tail, and left the lair.

After giving William the opportunity to change clothes, the two friends headed for the temple. Thanks to the others heading there as well, it wasn’t difficult to traverse the maze of tunnels. Victor wondered what the commotion was about. Did something happen overnight? Or is my father going to embarrass me in front of everyone? Gods, please no. Living as a monster’s been hard enough already. He shuddered, and pressed on with a grumpy face.

Dozens of dragons had already gathered by the time they arrived. Victor raised his snout to smell the air. Even all scrambled up, the scents of the individual dragons were distinct: His father was here, as were Raghes, Novekk, and all the other dragons he’s met. He rasped a breath between his teeth, and shuffled himself against the edge of the crowd. Even the prisoners were here, under Wraldin’s iron watch. Something huge stirred on the horizon.

Victor sat on the cold marble, and curled his tail around his legs. William had remained close, and stumbled over his tail in the process. He extended a claw to help him out, a friendly gesture, albeit unnecessary in the end. With chattering teeth, William leaned against Victor’s side. Dragons all around stared at them with contempt. Victor gulped. If not for his parentage, they would’ve attacked.

Not long after arriving, his father rose up the altar, and cleared his throat loud enough for it to echo. “Brothers, and sisters. The time has come at last. Today, we will liberate the Origin Mountains from the grasp of the invader.”

A wave of cheers and roars filled the air. The sound would make even the bravest of hearts shrivel up with fear. Victor draped a wing over William. Given the scent of fear, he made the right choice.

Lothar continued. “We have waited long enough. As I speak, imperial troops are en route for the beautiful city of Westedge. For far too long have the great people of Westedge suffered under imperial domination. They have been exploited for their resources and left in the dirt. They have been robbed of their faith, their heritage, their humanity. Remember, these are men, women and children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends. Will we allow the men of the tyrannical gavel to impose a tyranny worse than anything the world has seen??”

All around the temple did wings rise and growls fill the air. Lothar bared his teeth.

“NEVER! So onwards, my brothers! For Westedge, for Lokahn, for Divinity!!”

Lothar unleashed his mighty roar. Terrifying, powerful, awe inspiring, his followers responded with thundering bellows of their own. Victor’s ears rang as the ungodly wall of noise hit him. As his heart pounded against his ribcage, he tucked his head under a wing. William was there, wide-eyed and on the verge of bursting into screams. Victor stroked his friend's back, and fell back into the void.

This is a nightmare, this has to be a nightmare...!!

The bellows faded out. “Now then, let us hurry! Your commanders will explain the plan once we reach the city gates. Westedge is waiting for us!” Lothar said. A stampede ensued; hundreds of dragons flowed as a current out of the temple. On their backs or in their maws, they dragged various provisions and equipment along with them.

Gradually, the temple emptied, until Victor and William were alone. All but one scent had vanished. Slowly, the courage to peek over his wing came, and after laying eyes on a clear coast, Victor tucked his wings back into their resting positions. It was safe.

Victor sighed. “Are you okay, Will?” he asked, stroking William’s neck with a talon.

William shook his head. “No. That was terrifying....”

“At least it’s over. That got me for a second, too,” Victor said, having lowered his head.

“I noticed. Suddenly you were breathing down my neck.” William smiled, and stroked Victor on the nose.

“Hey, don’t throw shade at me. You were practically stuck to my chest just now!” Victor bared his teeth in a grin.

The two friends chuckled. “Alright, alright, you win,” William said.

“But, Will. I think this is our chance.”

“What chance?”

“Look, no one’s around. We finally can escape now!”

“You’re right but, where can we go to? We can’t stay in a city or town, not with you like this.”

Victor raised a claw to the tip of his snout. “That is true… wait, I got it! We can live out in the wilderness! We can build a little house, and no predators will ever think about attacking as long as I’m around!”

“Vic…please...”

“Sure, it’ll be rough, but we can manage. Now, let’s go before-”

“Ah! There you two are! I knew you would be here!”

Victor gritted his teeth, as his ears caught wind of a joyous voice behind him. It was Raghes in all his blue-scaled glory, smiling at him with a bag around his neck. With a sigh, he pressed his talons against the white scales on his chest. There goes my escape… “Raghes, did you have to sneak up on us?”

“Apologies, my friends. I swear on my hide it wasn’t intentional. Well then, are you two coming with me? Glory awaits us!”

Fear chilled Victor’s body. “No, nonono, please I don’t want to-”

“Victor… you won’t have to fight, if you don’t want to. Your father ordered me to keep you away from the fighting. But everyone’s out of the temple for the Westedge Campaign, even the sick. What if another raiding party sneaks in? You’d be in grave danger. Come, it’s safer for you both,” Raghes said. Victor let out a hollow groan, and reluctantly agreed to follow him.

“By the way, before we go, William?”. “I believe these are yours.” Raghes ripped the bag open, revealing a crossbow and several bolts inside.

“My crossbow!” William shot towards Raghes’ extended claw, and took his weapon in his hands. Still as pristine since he last laid eyes on it, William attached the weapon back onto his belt. Victor’s lips curled up into a smile. For the longest time, William appeared so naked without a bow.

After placing the bolts in a special slot on his belt, William nodded. “I’m ready!”

“Fantastic! Now come, Westedge beckons.”

“Wait, how are we going to get there? There’s no direct path from the base to Westedge, is there?” asked Victor.

Raghes laughed in response. “Haha! By flying, of course!”

Victor’s blood ran cold. “S-say that again?!” he said, stumbling over his words. He’s not seriously teaching me flying now of all times… no one’s that foolish, right?

“Have no fear, Victor. Flying’s as natural to a dragon as breathing. Those mighty wings of yours yearn to conquer the skies, if only you let them! Come, I’ll show you!” Raghes said. A twitch of his wing muscles caught Victor off guard. Indeed, he felt the urge Raghes described. A dream to take flight, and soar in the highest reaches of the deep blue. The apex predator within cried out, begging him to listen to those dreams he had as a little boy, seeing the birds fly overhead, wishing to join them.

And he listened. His legs trotted forwards towards Raghes, with William following a step behind. The fresh air flowed down his throat. It was as if his feet had already left the ground, and his head was snug as a bug in the clouds. Following Raghes past the lake, the vibrant dawn arose before him. His first taste of the light in weeks! He sprinted forwards… when something yanked on his tail, and he grounded to a halt. Mere centimeters before a massive drop.

The drunken stupor faded, and Victor gasped. His sharp eyesight revealed how far down below the evergreens truly were. He backed away from the edge. Raghes laid a claw on the back of his neck.

“Divinity almighty, Victor. You nearly got yourself seriously hurt!”

Victor shuddered. “Sorry, Raghes. I… I don’t know what I was doing.”

Raghes clicked his tongue. “Look. I understand your enthusiasm. All of us yearn for that first time. But always be on your guard. That is all.”

“Yes, Raghes,” Victor said belated.

Raghes nodded. “Well then. It is time. Have you ever dreamt about flying before?”

“I have.”

“And, do you remember how you took wing?”

“No, I don’t. It’s a giant blur for me.”

Raghes stared at him with a warm smile. “Listen carefully. Flying… is not about technique. It’s a mindset. Just look at those skies…” With a gesture, he drew Victor's gaze towards the azure horizon. “...and you’ll feel it. When you feel that yearning, listen to your instincts… and all will come by itself. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Well then, I wish you the best of luck. And remember, always trust your instincts.”

Once he had helped William climb onto his back, he stretched his wings to their limit. Two gigantic wings, each larger than his body, rose into the air. Crimson scales covered the muscles and four bony fingers, whilst the leathery membranes were as pale as his chest. After a few stretches, Victor stepped back towards the edge.

“Vic? I’m not so sure about this…” William said.

Victor breathed in deep, then back out. “I can do this. We’ll be fine… we’ll be fine,” he said. But after last night’s dream, he wasn’t sure of it himself.

Raghes grunted. “On my mark.”

Everything went quiet, barring his own heart beat. His blood heated to a boiling point, and he closed his eyes. Trust your instincts.

“Mark!”

Without a second thought, Victor forced his limbs upwards. The gusts in his ears harshened, and he gritted his teeth. His wing muscles sprung into action, and gradually declined to a steady beat. Eyes closed, short breaths, he laid all his faith onto his instincts. Whether he was in the air or plummeting, was a mystery.

“Oh, OH!!! Victor, look!!”

Victor opened his eyes to nothing but blue. A blue horizon, and a dark blue dragon. Confused, he looked over his shoulder. Thankfully, William was still perched on his back, jaw hanging half open in amazement. Victor's own jaw fell open as well, once he saw the steady beat of his mighty wings. Then, surprise became joy.

He had succeeded.

The sight of the now puny evergreens and cragged mountain slopes made him gasp. Cheery laughter spilled from his maw; he couldn’t believe it! He was actually flying! His whole body pulsated with the greatest sensation he had ever experienced, as if a thousand butterflies had made his bloodstream their home. He raised his snout, and relished in the fresh air flowing into his nostrils. Every drop of blood sang to him, celebrating being part of such a magnificent creature. The gusts brushed over his body. As if the thrill of flight couldn’t get any better. The skies felt so liberating to the soul, and he desired nothing less than to stay aloft forever. He gazed down below, saddened. How cruel was the world, to hide such joy from its inhabitants? How had he managed to live, without ever feeling such freedom as he did now?

Alas, nothing lasts forever. Raghes dove back under the clouds, and Victor knew he had to pursue, lest he and William would get lost. As he pierced the clouds, the walls of Westedge emerged. Like a hawk upon its prey, he eyed the citizens and guards hastily running through the streets, running either away or to the frontlines. From the position of the sun, the market should’ve been open by now. Yet all the vendors had vacated their stalls for the safety of their timber homes. Westedge’s garrison was thrown into action, constructing further defenses between them, and the numerous siege camps established around the city’s perimeter.

A few minutes later, Victor’s forelegs touched the ground. In an eyeblink, all four of his feet had come to a stop. With heavy breaths, he lowered himself to let William off, amazed by what he had experienced. Boots crunched in the dirt before him.

“Vic, that was… amazing!” William said. “How did-”

Without warning, Victor launched himself forward, and took William down to the ground. Giddy with joy, he nuzzled his friend on the neck, all while letting a crooning sound rumble in his throat. His veins still raced with the wonderful adrenaline from the flight. It was a memory to cherish for a lifetime, and he got to share such a fantastic moment with a friend. William couldn’t help but blush, as the red dragon nuzzled him on the face, neck, and ears.

As Raghes approached the two, he broke into a hearty laugh. “I don’t think I have to ask how the flight was,” he said.

“Why did it have to be so short?!” Victor cried out. Raghes laughed harder.

“We flew for an hour, my friend! But even a day’s flight wouldn’t sate your instincts. Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of flights later. You must be hungry after all this.”

On cue, William’s stomach roared. Victor let him go out of surprise, then laughed. Raghes and William both joined in. “And you too, of course,” Raghes said. “Come, the camp’s only a few paces away.”