Northshire was a major trade town that had grown along the river Kerion. The town lay south and east from where Bird had been born. Her father had taken her mother there to be married during the summer solstice when everyone celebrated the gods’ most important holiday Pyris, the first flame. The holy tigers were said to visit the temples and grant blessings on behalf of the gods Lun and Hexa. Today though there were no revelers in the streets sporting masks, no streamers hung between buildings fluttering like rivers of fire in the air and the stall vendors offered no spicy sweets unique to the special holiday.

The rain had subsided by the time the dragons had landed well outside of the town’s outer limits. They quickly changed and dressed in their human attire kept dry by their rucksacks then easily slipped into the group of people entering the city through its thick ironwood doors guarded day and night. Bird kept her eyes to the ground as Apple escorted her, his arm around her shoulder like a caring husband, his body heat welcome after the near frigid flight. The dragon had agreed with Elys that they should stay the night within the town’s secure walls before moving east to the Hundred Forest of Tears.

On the edge of the market section of Northshire the dragons found the Jackal Head, the largest inn in the town. Elys negotiated for rooms while the rest of them stood quietly in the corner. Bird intently watched people enter and leave the building until she felt Apple’s gaze on her. “Is this the first time you have traveled?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow. Bird looked away quickly, her temper rising in embarrassment.

“I don’t have wings to travel as I wish. The Woodbridge Cemetery is the farthest I’ve been from home ‘til now,” Bird replied as she watched a small girl dart across the room into the arms of her father; she sighed.

“I would watch my words in public,” Adwin said softly. This was the first time he had spoken since leaving the river island, Lore and Apple taking up most of the conversations. “We are in the house of the enemy.” Confused Bird looked around her at the busy but peaceful place around her. What enemy did he speak of?

Elys returned with three keys. “There is a tavern in the back of the inn. Our rooms are on the third floor overlooking the street. Dinner is served at 6th bell,” Elys said. He handed one key to Adwin then a second to Bird. “The child will have her own room.” He looked each one in the eye for dissent then paused, his gaze on Apple.

“I will stay with her; I do not think a woman should sleep alone in a town such as this,” Apple said firmly.

“I think other things may be on his mind,” Lore said pretending to be intent with a speck on the wall.

“Or maybe it’s you though you’re so unfit you’re practically a woman. Tell me, were you always a man or is this a recent change?” Bird replied smoothly.

“I was born male, but something tells me I will not be so if I play in your briar,” Lore chuckled. Bird heard a muffled laugh from behind her as Apple covered his mouth, masking the noise as a cough.

“You presume I’d let you.”

Lore looked at Elys smiling. “I really like this girl. I vote to keep her.”

Elys scowled and walked away. “Do as you wish,” he said while he was still within hearing range.

“Do not goad his anger child,” Adwin said before he and Yena followed after the other dragon. Left alone, the last three lingered not quite ready to see their rooms. Bird looked between the two dragons, a question on the tip of her tongue, but she was unsure if she would be answered. To gain time to decide whether to ask she played with the strap of her borrowed rucksack. She suddenly remembered she had no clothes other than what she wore, everything of hers was burned. She felt her eyes burn then hitched up the pack and walked toward the stairs. She heard the dragons follow her quietly as she went up the staircase that centered the building. The inn had five stories, taller than she had seen in Woodbridge but not the tallest in Northshire.

She found the room easily, matching the number on the key to the one painted above the door in white lettering. The room was bigger than one she had in her cottage; the sheets on the bed were old but clean, smelling strongly of soap and perfume. A dresser for their belongings was pushed under the window and a small bedside table held a vase filled with dried flowers. Bird touched the frail blooms before sitting on the bed. Lore checked the hall before closing the door.

Apple went to window and stared at the stall selling jewelry right across from their window. “Apple, who is your enemy?” both dragons stiffened and Lore growled. Frightened Bird brought her legs up to her chest.

“To understand our enemy you must first know the history of the world,” Apple said, his eyes never leaving the window. “Adwin and Yena are better at explaining it than I, but I will tell you this. Lun and Hexa did not create this world and in their betrayal they have named all of my kind demons and send their tigers to hunt down those who do not fit into their image of a perfect world. That man with red hair, he is a part of Hexa’s Red Tiger Army of Heaven. His mission is to purify the world of special humans such as yourself because they fear you.”

Bird found it hard to believe that the gods feared her. What could she do to a god? “What kind of betrayal did the gods do?” Lore released another growl and began to pace the room until Apple glared at him. Silently the young dragon sat in front of the door.

“They tried to kill the Creator and in failing imprisoned him. In arrogance they took his throne and named themselves gods and cast us, the Drakir, from Heaven.”

“You know,” Bird said shifting on the bed. “What you have said would be considered blasphemous. I don’t know if all of what you say is true, but… I trust you.” Apple met the girl’s eyes and gentleness filled them.

“I feel like a chaperone, you aren’t going to rip each other’s clothes off now are you?” Lore said from the floor. Bird threw a pillow at him which he deftly caught.

“Why are you so vulgar?” she demanded as she glared at the dragon. A guarded look entered Lore’s eyes. Suddenly he stood up then left the room, closing the door behind him. Bird looked back at Apple. He was very still, a look of sadness in his eyes.

“Don’t mind him. We all have experienced losses and have coped with them in different ways. He is still young and has much to learn. As for you, I know you’re tired, get some sleep Lavender.” He drew the blinds then planted a kiss on Bird’s head. She caught his hand before he could move away.

Avoiding his eyes she mumbled,” Call me Bird.” She did not see the kind smile on the dragon’s face as he briefly squeezed her hand before releasing it.

Bird watched the mercenaries build a camp on the edge of a small orchard. The Hunter Oliver Redfield pulled a small form wrapped in a gray cloak from his horse. He ushered the person to the new fire while Bird followed close behind. She could hear the clank of chains as Redfield forced the person to sit. “Now my child, be good, I am taking you to a special school. If you train hard Hexa will grant you purity and a place in Heaven for your family. All she asks in return is that you find your cousin,” he whispered. Curious to see who was under the cloak Bird circled the fire until she stared into the face of her cousin.

“Nettie,” she whispered. Suddenly the girl’s head lifted, her eyes were wild and filled with hatred as she stared in Birds direction.

“How dare you!” Nettie screamed lunging forward. Redfield caught her before she fell into the fire. The younger girl kicked and scratched at the Hunter and screamed, the sound wrenching Bird’s heart. “I hate you, I hate you Lavender! This is your fault! I will kill you.” The girl grabbed a burning brand and threw it at Bird, it went through her harmlessly. Heart pounding she circled the fire and knelt in front of Nettie.

“I came to save you all, Nettie, I couldn’t stop them,” Bird said, her fists squeezed tight as she watched her cousin struggle against the stronger Hunter. Bird looked into his unnatural eyes. He’s a tiger, she thought. Nettie suddenly lunged forward, her hand darted out then scratched Bird’s cheek. Pain bloomed on Bird’s face and she gasped in surprise.

“I curse you,” Nettie hissed. The pain intensified in Bird’s cheek and spread as if it had come alive to seek her weakest parts. Oliver grabbed Nettie’s outstretched hand and secured it at her side. Bird looked into his face once more then reeled back when she saw the Hunter’s eyes locked on her.

“I can see you now Lavender,” he said. Faster than she could see he pulled a blade from beneath his cloak and slashed at Bird’s shoulder before she could react. More pain erupted in her body as the campsite faded.

***

Someone was shaking Bird. She tried to say stop but it felt as if chains had sealed her voice deep in her throat only allowing a hoarse croak to pass her lips. She opened her eyes and found it dark in the room, the only light coming from a slit in the window curtains; a large man shaped shadow loomed over her. Instinctively she pushed herself backwards and hit the headboard with her back. Pain seared through her shoulder causing her to moan. “Bird, are you alright? I smell blood,” a familiar voice said. Bird pressed a hand to her burning left shoulder and felt a tear in the cloth, the edges of the torn fabric was stiff while the exposed skin below was wet.

“Light,” Bird whispered. “Get me a light.” Fire appeared a few inches in front of her on Apple’s right hand. The flames flickered not burning his skin as he brought them close to examine her shoulder. She flinched away and hid the visible part of the wound with her hand.

“Let me see it, I promise I will not hurt you,” Apple said. Bird’s eyes shifted to his then away quickly. She shook her head.

“No, it’s… I’m fine.” Apple touched her cheek with his left hand causing Bird to gasp in pain. “Please… just go,” Bird said as tears pricked her eyes. The wound on her chest was burning starting just above her breasts then across her collarbone though it paled in comparison to the pain radiating from her cheek with a vicious heat.

The dragon sighed then reached up to dip his fingers into the lamps above the bed to light them. As the gentle glow filled the room he took one last look at Bird, blew on his fingers then left. A few minutes later there was a quiet knock on her door. Cautiously Bird opened it to find Yena standing in the hall. The taller woman’s hair was braided to fall over one shoulder in a thick blonde tail. Bird was envious of the length of the dragon’s hair in human form; her own hair had been kept short so she could attend her sheep and field. Unconsciously she touched her hair; she could grow it out now that she no longer had a home.

“May I come in,” Yena said in a smooth voice. Bird opened the door wider. “Apple sent me. He said it was a matter between females.” The dragon paused in the middle of the room, her eyes on the bloody sheets. She looked back at Bird. “Is it…that time?”

“No.” Bird kept her hand pressed to her shoulder feeling nervous in front of the dragon woman. “I hurt myself,” Bird said vaguely as she moved her hand to show the angry red line that peeked through the tear in her dress. Yena stared at the wound for a long time making Bird feel uncomfortable. Finally she moved and placed her hands on Bird’s cheeks. The dragon woman began to glow with a gentle light, it flashed brighter for a brief moment then it faded. Yena released her, looked her over once then left. Bird looked at her shoulder and was surprised to find it completely healed. She touched her cheek, it was still tender.

Suddenly excited Bird went to her rucksack to pull out her mother’s book. She never knew healing was possible, but then she had yet to research the entire book.

Bird let out a cry of dismay, her book was gone.

***

Lore took a breath of the cold damp spring air tasting pollution, life and magic. “Yena,” he whispered. He had climbed on to the roof after leaving Apple and Bird. His heart still raced after hearing Apple tell Bird about the traitors. He knew the story well; his grandmother had been of the First and had fought against Lun and Hexa in the dazzling gardens of Heaven. She had been a great warrior before being stricken down by one of Lun’s tigers.

The air around Lore grew chillier so he crept down the chimney into a bedroom that had been converted into a storage room. The hallway was deserted but the faint sound of music could be heard coming from the tavern below. Adwin and Yena would be performing tonight to gain more tennyas, Teralind's main currency, for supplies. Lore paused outside Bird’s door and placed his ear against it and heard a faint cry of dismay, curious he cracked the door open and found the girl with her back to the door, a rucksack in her hands.

“Of all that is rotten, where is it?” Bird growled as she pulled out the dresser drawers. In desperation she got down on her hands and knees to search underneath the bed. Lore opened the door wider and cleared his throat. Bird jumped and hit her head on the bed frame and began to curse as she stood up. “What do you want now?” She said angrily as she massaged the sore spot.

“Well… I want to know what has placed you on your knees. Certainly it couldn’t be me,” Lore smirked. Bird glared at the young dragon.

“My book is missing.”

Lore shrugged.

“Elys probably stole it from your bag. It was the mission to retrieve it after all. If it’s not in his room then it’s with him. By the way, I like the color of your underclothes.” Faster than he could blink, Lore found himself flying through the air. His back hit the wall knocking the breath from him and he groaned in pain. “You really are a prickly one Briar,” the dragon said as the girl slammed the door in his face. Bird sighed and flexed her hands. She had never used such a large movement spell before, but it had felt as easy as picking up a feather.

She dressed quickly then opened the door to find Lore leaning against the wall right next to it. “You know, you have quite a talent for magic. I can teach you a more powerful version of that spell if you want.”

“I’ll think about it. Where is Elys.”

“You’ll probably find him in the tavern.” Bird moved swiftly down the hall with Lore following quickly on her heels. The tavern was hot from the thick crowd of bodies that sat at the many tables between the bar and stage. Bird took a deep breath of the smoky air before looking around the tavern for the rest of the dragons. She found Elys close to the stage speaking to Adwin who was crouched on the stage. Yena was sitting in a chair, a lute resting against her knees. She sat idly plucking the strings, but smiled when Lore came through the door; a soft collective sigh went through the room as the men watched her.

Bird made a beeline to Elys who detected her presence before she reached him. He met her glare with an angry stare of his own and tilted his chin up in contempt. “What is it now child? Nightmares because you miss mommy and daddy? I would tell you they had all gone to heaven if the traitors welcomed your kind there.” The pain of the ancient dragon’s words nearly sent Bird tumbling to her knees but she kept her ground. Suddenly Apple was beside her taking her weight. Bird looked up and saw an intense and deep anger that seemed alien on his face.

“Elyseo,” he said in a deeper unfamiliar voice. “I know you were not raised to harm the young. What have they done to hurt you?”

“You know what her kind did, it is because of them that I am this way,” Elys said looking away quickly like a cowed child.

“Be wise not to harm this one. She is Avalon’s charge now. I have spoken with him about your behavior. If you need to be relieved of this mission let us know now,” Apple said. Elys pulled Bird’s book from his belt and laid it on the table. Incensed she snatched at it, but the dragon moved more swiftly and held it away from her.

“This is the book we have been searching for and a child like you should not have it in your possession,” Elys said placing it back into his belt.

“Elyseo, do we steal from children now?” Apple said, his voice still sounding different, almost like another person. Bird opened her mouth to speak and he placed a gentle finger against her lips to silence her. “Another time,” he said softly. “Elyseo, return the book to her, she will need it for what is to come.” With sarcasm prominent in his movement, Elys handed Bird the book then pointedly turned his back on her to look at Yena on the stage. Yena briefly stood and curtsied to Apple while Adwin bowed then the two took familiar positions and began to entertain the crowd.

Bird clutched the book tightly to her chest while Apple escorted her back to their room. “I know Avalon will take great care of you. Do not be afraid,” Apple said. “The First and Last shall rise again and bring this world into a new age.”

“Apple, why are you speaking so mysteriously?” Bird asked. The dragon simply smiled at him and a subtle glow left him. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Apple?”

“I ordered supper for you, please eat and try to get some rest.” The dragon opened the bedroom door and waved Bird inside.

“But-“

Lore pushed past her and lifted the cover to the platter sitting on the dresser. “Ooh, pork cutlets. You better get in here before I eat it all,” He said picking up a steaming chunk with his fingers.

Apple winked at Bird. “Soon,” he whispered.