Two hours before dawn Bird woke to find herself still wrapped in Apple’s arms but he had moved them in the night to be near the fire. She shivered and blew on her hands as she moved away from the dragon’s warmth. She touched his face gently in the darkness and heard him sigh contently. She knew she could not hate him though he had killed her uncle, nor did she hate the Hunter or uncle for killing her aunt and cousin. Instead of hating them she would turn her anger toward a new task; finding Nettie. Her first step was to become stronger and she had been given this chance in the form of Lore.

Bird found the young dragon sleeping on the other side of the fire. She nudged him with her foot and he grunted before rolling over. Chuckling, she nudged him again finally waking him up. “What are you doing awake?” Lore asked yawning.

“Getting your lazy ass up. I’m ready to begin Teacher.” Lore smiled knowing that Bird could not see it. It was time to work her hard through the basics. All he needed was a safe area to practice. After stretching he lit a fire on his fingertips for Bird before looking around the camp.

“We need a place to practice.”

“I have a place in mind,” Bird said moving to the edge of camp. Curious he followed her. She stopped at the edge, took a deep breath then began to move her hands in front of her as she built up her magic then with one exhaled word released it. The air pulled back like a curtain to reveal an oak door dark and cracked with age. The door opened into darkness. “I found this room many years ago; I think we can use it without being bothered.” Bird crossed the threshold Lore following closely on her heels with avid curiosity. Bird suddenly turned around with a candelabrum in her hand and lit it with Lore’s fire. Carefully she walked away and lit more candles revealing as she went a large hall filled with broken furniture and moth eaten cloth. High above their heads small windows let in the damp morning air.

“You can open gates,” Lore said aloud as he inspected the dusty room; Elys would not be happy knowing that. Bird set the candelabrum down on an old side table and wiped her hands clean on her skirt.

“My mother taught me. She said that having a safe place to practice was important. She called this one Castle’s gate. On certain days we could hear people on the other side of the walls.” Bird flexed her fingers. “So, what do we start with first?” Lore had Bird demonstrate all the spells she knew for the first part of an hour then tasked her to exercise the basics of form. After an hour he had her stop and the two of them rested against the west wall.

“I have a sister,” Lore said after a few minutes of silence. “She was better with magic than I. When the two of us paired up for missions they called us the Twin Strikes. 20 years ago we went out with our grandmother and were ambushed by a band of white tigers and she was kidnapped. I was wounded, but if it hadn’t been for my grandmother I would have died. Though wounded herself she opened a gate and brought us home. I recovered normally, but she…” Lore sighed. “She could never be a warrior again. Only other Drakir or tigers have the ability to kill or severely maim us, though several witches have attained that power throughout history.”

“What was your sister like, if you don’t mind me asking?” Bird said. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees.

“She… was hard headed, bossy and ambitious. She always had to be first in everything and reminded me who was born first constantly. We were only 30 when she married; her husband cares for my grandmother now.” Lore tilted his head up as the room became slightly brighter as dawn approached. He sighed as he remembered more about his sister. “I think she would like you, she certainly would work you harder with magic than I… For now we’ll work with defensive magic. It is the most important and most difficult to learn. Any spell can be modified; I once saw a dragon turn their flame into whip and use it to strangle a tiger to death,” Lore said thinking of his grandmother. She could make the simplest spells into deadly weapons; many said it was because she had lived in the early years of creation.

Bird listened in fascination as Lore told her more of the modified spells he had witnessed or heard of. With the spells she already knew, what could she do?

“Well, I say that’s enough practice for now, let’s get back,” Lore said patting Bird on the shoulder once. He blew out all the candles with a wave of his hand before passing through the open doorway. Bird closed the gate behind them and the door faded away. Apple sat waiting for them at camp.

“So, how was your first day?” he said grinning. Bird smiled and shook her head.

“I think it went well,” she said.

“Hardly; this child has no talent. A pail of rocks has more potential,” Lore snickered. Bird punched him in the arm and he jumped away. “Abuse! Do you see how she abuses me?” he pretended to pout and rubbed his arm. Bird snorted in response

“Aww, want a kiss to make it better?” Apple said raising an eyebrow.

“You know how I like it,” Lore said leaning close to the other dragon. Bird rolled her eyes and looked away.

“When you two are done flirting I’ll be making breakfast,” she said walking away.

“Do you think she’s jealous?” Apple whispered loudly as Bird went through the packs. Lore gave an evil smile.

“Darling, any woman would be jealous of me and my gorgeous hair,” Lore said tossing his hair over his shoulders with his hands. Suddenly Elys was behind Lore and swatted him in the back of the head.

“Enough of your childish jokes,” he said then went to wake Adwin and Yena. Lore stuck his tongue out at the other dragon’s retreating back. Bird stifled a laugh.

By the time the sun had fully risen breakfast was eaten and Apple called them together for a meeting. “Now, I know we left Northshire in a hurry and the nearby towns will be on alert. Small towns and villages will be extra suspicious of outsiders so we will have to chance the next biggest city in east Teralind, Stormhall.” Immediately objections arose over the trade city that straddled the border between Teralind and Geneval.

Considerably larger than Northshire, the city sat atop a rocky butte and was under constant dispute between the two nations each claiming the city as its own. A tentative truce had been established five years prior, but recently skirmishes had been taking place on the streets between feuding nationals and a wall had been erected along the borderline with flow between each side monitored by each respective military.

Due to the city’s higher elevation approach would have to be made on foot which would require mounts if they were to travel quickly, but it would take at least two weeks travel with good weather and no threats. From Stormhall though it would only be two days journey until they reached the outer edges of the Hundred Forest of Tears which was on the Geneval side of the border.

“What is so special about Stormhall and this forest?” Bird asked when the arguments had subsided. Surprisingly it was Elys who answered her.

“Stormhall was once a royal palace and military stronghold for the Nor before the city-state collapsed under the greed of its leaders and a disputed throne. Many of the people in the city are descendants of the Nor and a few of the more prominent families claim ties to the royal court, none more so than the Cross and Berand families. The Cross family claims loyalty to Teralind, Berand to Geneval.” Bird nodded in understanding. “As for the forest, it is the beginning to the secret path to Uler.”

“Do we have enough food to make it to Stormhall?” Yena asked looking at the packs then the dragons.

“If we hunt along the way, yes, as for water Lore found a map detailing changes to the area from the past two centuries,” Apple said spreading the treated parchment on the ground. The dragons crowded around the map forgetting Bird as they spoke more about travel routes. Bored, she began to draw shapes in the dirt with her finger letting her mind wander.

“I wish to speak with the Old One,” Elys said looking directly at Apple. The younger dragon sighed. Standing up, he walked a few feet away, took a deep breath, let it out and then burst into flame. Bird watched in wonder as the flame took on the shape of a disembodied dragon head. The dragons bowed and Bird found herself bowing as well out of respect.

“My children, what is it that you need?” the dragon head said. The heat coming from the flames that formed its head caused beads of sweat to gather on Bird’s brow. Not wanting to appear rude she let them run down her face as she faced the dragon head.

“Old one, as you know your avatar has taken up a most sacred duty, but now his charge is in danger. I want to know if she should be allowed to enter Uler,” Elys said. The dragon head smiled then floated closer to Bird until steam rose off her clothes.

“Well little one, we meet again,” the dragon head said as it appraised her. “Hmph, as Elyseo does not seem to realize, you are not a danger. I see great kindness in you.” The dragon head turned back to Elys. “I don’t see why you needed to call me up for such a simple and obvious answer, child. I do have important things to see to. Right now an army of five thousand tigers has arrived on my doorstep. Leave the child be Elyseo, she is not Khem.” In a flash of flame the dragon head disappeared and Apple dropped to his knees feeling drained. He shook himself then stood up. Lore immediately went to his side and helped him back to the campfire.

“Who was that?” Bird asked looking from dragon to dragon. Elys sneered at her before turning away to speak with Adwin and Yena. Apple crooked a finger and Bird joined him.

“He has many names, but is known simply as The Old One. He was the first Drakir to be created and by far the strongest of us. He guards the Tree of Life,” Apple answered.

“But I thought Kyr was the guardian of the Tree. He defeated an evil demon that had sought to steal it,” Bird said. She had heard stories of the hundred year battle between the heavenly being and dragon since the cradle. Lore snickered and shook his head.

“No, Kyr challenged The Old One and lost; to cover up their failure of securing the sacred site they announced he had won. To this day they continuously challenge the guardian in hopes of weakening him. At times we summon his spirit for guidance,” Apple said.

“Can all of you do this?”

“No, one is chosen among us to be his manifest image.” Apple rubbed his arms. Hosting the great dragon always left his body sore. Hopefully with age the feeling would subside.

The camp was soon packed up and traces of their fire obscured before they found the main road crossing the small forest. Eventually they came to a small town and Elys paid for four horses so they could continue more quickly. Unused to riding, Bird shared a horse with Apple. Soon a routine began, in the mornings before dawn she would train with Lore in her secret practice room. After breakfast they would pack up camp and continue their journey until nightfall. They saw very few people on the road since spring was a slow time for trade.

After six days of travel they reached a large river crossing. Due to the openness of the area it would be too risky for them to fly the horses across and the water was too deep and the current too unpredictable to risk swimming. They decided to camp on the west bank while Apple and Adwin went scouting.

Elys, as usual, gave Bird a wide berth as she helped to set up the camp with Lore and Yena.

"Do you like traveling with us?" Yena asked as she rolled out some bed rolls. Bird shrugged her shoulders.

"It's been fine..." Bird replied in a soft voice. Yena stopped her task and hugged her.

"What's wrong?"

An ache grew in Bird's chest as she buried her face in the dragon woman's shoulder. "I miss home! I miss my family! It's all gone."

Yena began to rock her and kissed her forehead. Lore took Bird's right hand causing her to flinch away in response. "Shh, Briar. I won't hurt you," he said gently. He wiped some of her tears away with the sleeve of his shirt.

"I'm sor-ry f-for being such a b-bother," Bird choked out through her tears.

"You're not a bother," Yena said. "I enjoy having you with us. We're not going to get rid of you."

"Okay," Bird said sadly. She was certain that as soon as they reached Uler that they would leave her. They had their own duties to take care of. Maybe Apple would still watch over her, but she would still be alone.

"You don't seem convinced," Lore said. He pulled her away from Yena and twirled her.

"What are you doing?" Bird gasped as he dipped her head toward the ground and brought her up.

"Dancing."

Suddenly the sound of a lute filled the air causing Bird to turn her head. Yena had unpacked her instrument and had begun to play a simple melody. Lore dipped her again sending a thrill up her spine. A small laugh escaped her lips.

"I knew you could smile," he said. Bird leaned her head on his chest and breathed in his smoky scent. The ache in her heart lessened.

"We're not going to leave you once we reach Uler," Lore said. "Well, Elys probably will." He shrugged.

"Thank you," Bird said.

Lore flashed his teeth. "For what?"

"For caring... about me... Both of you."

Yena stopped playing, her eyes on Lore as he continued to sway in place with Bird. She had noticed something in his eyes that she had never seen before. A gentleness that she once thought eluded him.

"Yen, why'd you stop playing?" Lore said.

"We still have to set up camp before the others return," she said as she put away her instrument. Lore sighed and rested his chin on Bird's head.

"Ugh... chores," he grumbled.

***

On a foggy morning they finally arrived at the outer wall of Stormhall. In the centuries since its birth the city had grown until it had extended down the side of the butte upon which it resided and into the plains below. The early morning sun cast strange shadows in the mist and obscured the Teralind side path to the top of the butte. “I thought there was a wall along the border,” Bird said looking at the wall that surrounded only the buildings and path at the bottom of the butte. A large military outpost resided within the lower city and morning training had begun among the soldiers.

“There is, but only on the top of the butte. To maintain a bigger wall would cost large sums of money, then there’s the issue with locals whose property crosses the line below the butte. We will cross the border from the main part of the city,” Apple responded. He pulled Bird’s hood as the wind picked up closer to the butte.

The road to the main part of the city was quiet broken only by statues and decorations, remnants of the Nor who once occupied the city and its surrounding area. Some of the weatherworn grotesque images caused Bird to shiver as they passed them. As the sunlight became brighter, dispelling the mist they crowned the butte.

Stormhall was markedly different from Northshire with its stone buildings erected with the granite of the surrounding region. The people wore thicker clothing, but with patterns and colors typically not seen within Teralind. Feeling self-conscious, Bird covered her pattern-less skirt with her cloak and hid her unadorned hair.

Elys found a stable to keep the horses while they searched for a place to stay. Adwin found a comfortable inn close to the wall run by an elderly couple and their children. A tavern sat across the street from the inn and Adwin and Yena made plans to be the evening entertainment.

When evening approached Bird joined the dragons in the tavern. By now she had grown used to the idea that she traveled with powerful beings. It was hard to believe that many people feared dragons now that she had seen a kinder and gentler side to them.

As Adwin and Yena began to perform Bird closed her eyes and listened, letting the song form images in her head.

“They perform beautifully,” someone said in Bird’s ear. Her eyes flew open and she looked to her left to seen a young man, his black hair held back by a black ribbon. He tilted his head to the side and smiled; a mischievous glint in his brown eyes. “Can I offer you a drink? I prefer the berry wine.” Feeling annoyed Bird forced a smile on her face.

“I don’t drink, thank you.” She turned back to listen when the man touched her hand.

“Please, I just want to talk to you, you’re a very beautiful lady. I don’t recognize your accent, where’re you from?” the man continued. Bird scooted her chair closer to Apple. The movement caught his attention and he looked between her and the man.

“I’m fine,” Bird whispered. “He’s just drunk.” Apple smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead while watching the man intently. The young man just smiled and tilted his head back. Bird frowned at him and crossed her arms. “You are very rude. Isn’t it customary to offer your name first?” Bird said as she arched an eyebrow.

Smiling the man said, “Yes, yes it is. I’m Fel.” He offered his hand and Bird reluctantly shook it. Fel raised an inquiring eyebrow and she sighed.

“I’m Bird.”

“An unusual name, but it suits you. I come here almost every night, will you be here tomorrow?”

Bird nodded towards the dragon couple. “It depends on them.” Fel winked at her then walked away.

“I don’t like him,” Apple whispered in Bird’s ear. “We’ll not come again.” Bird snorted and fixed the dragon with a hard gaze.

“Jealous?” she said sarcastically.

“You know why I said it,” Apple growled. Bird smiled and ran her fingers down his cheek.

“I am a grown woman; I have no need for a father.” The smell of smoke filled Bird’s nose as she kept her gaze on Apple. Unbidden she felt her heart race in excitement and she looked away. Apple caught her chin and turned her face towards his.

“I know,” he whispered gently while running the pad of his thumb down her cheek. Bird shivered. Embarrassed at her reaction she stood up and left the tavern. The night air felt chill against her skin. Already the constellation of the Warrior had begun to rise, his bow pointed toward the heart of a demon maiden, Kaia.

The city was quiet close to the wall, most citizens wary of the soldiers that patrolled their respective sides. On the main roads, on which the tavern sat, large gates sat with their portcullises open like the yawning maw of a beast. Two guards sat on the Teralind side playing cards and scanning the street for travelers. Bird looked the other way toward Stormhall’s palace looming over the city like a dark guardian. The city council resided within its walls and managed the diplomatic relations between Teralind and Geneval. Rumor said that they encouraged the dispute between the two nations in order to garner more money for the city.

“Getting a breath of fresh air?”

Bird jumped. She turned around to find Fel leaning against the outer wall of the tavern. A small gold chain acted as a clip for his heavy woolen cloak and an ornate broach rested on his right shoulder. As he moved away from the wall she noticed the pommel of a sword attached to his left hip. He drew it and approached Bird.

She backed away and readied a spell with her mind. As she was about to release it a man spoke behind her. “Fel, out with your young lady?” Bird whipped around to find five men standing in the street. The lead man wore a white cap with a falcon feather stitched to its side. The cap matched his white cloak with a red floral stitch hem. Bird immediately disliked the man as he posed on the cobblestones of the street with a cane.

“Well if it isn’t the Peacock. Are you and your peahens out for a stroll this fine night? I heard the menagerie had decided to set free the witless ones,” Fel said as he blocked the other man’s view of Bird.

“Still doling the dull jokes I see. How droll,” Peacock said pretending to yawn. “It seems I’ve forgotten how to laugh.”

“If you wish I can carve a permanent smile on your face.”

“I’d like to see you try.” The Peacock twisted the jewel on the end of his cane, then gripping the shaft pulled a slim blade from it. Casting the wooden sheath aside he advanced.

“I can’t wait to spill your innards on the cobble.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing.” Their swords clashed dropping sparks on the cobblestones. The sound of screeching metal sounded loud in the nearly deserted street. Bird hugged the wall as the two men parried, drew away then attacked again. Soon their movements became swifter as each man simultaneously sought to maim and evade. Suddenly they broke away breathing heavily. The Peacock wiped his chin and inspected it. “Ah, first blood goes to you, but it won’t win you this fight Fel.”

“So you say.” They clashed again and the Peacock fell back drawing Fel further into the street. Bird saw one of the Peacock’s companions flank Fel and draw his sword. Before the man could use it she dashed into the street and cut his legs out from under him with a sweep of her leg. The man fell to the ground with a yell and she stomped on his wrist releasing the sword from his grip. Seizing the blade she held it above his neck steadily.

“Wish to try that again?” she asked raising an eyebrow. The man spit at her. She jammed the sword into the street just inches from his neck and he paled. Keeping her hands on the sword she checked the position of the other men.

“Well, well, I see you’re so incompetent as a man you need a woman to guard your back,” the Peacock said flourishing his blade.

“And I see you’re so incompetent with a sword that you need other men to handle your business,” Fel replied as he edged closer to Bird. “Nice work, what else can you do,” he whispered to her.

“A woman has her secrets,” Bird replied. “How come the guards are not responding?”

“They likely have been paid off by that peacock Tristen Berand. The man could never leave anything to chance, most likely poisoned his blade as well,” Fel said swaying a little. He lunged forward, knocked Tristen’s sword aside and punched him in the stomach. Winded the other man fell to his knees groaning and Fel kicked him in the jaw.

“You won’t get away with this Fel,” one of the men spat as he drew his sword.

“I think he will,” Yena said pressing a small blade against the neck of the man who had spoken. He stiffened in surprise while the dragon woman removed the sword from his hand and threw it to Adwin who caught it deftly. Elys and Lore quickly disarmed the other two men and Apple held their weapons.

“Why don’t you take your little peahens and run,” Fel said as he picked up Tristen’s blade. Slowly the man got up clutching his stomach and without a backward glance limped down the street. The dragons released the rest of the men and they ran after him.

Groaning Fel dropped where he stood clutching his side. His body began to shake as the poison spread through his veins. “He’s been poisoned,” Bird said dropping beside him. She moved his cloak aside and was surprised to find his shirt completely soaked with blood.

“You fool, what is so important that you must fight in the street?” Bird demanded in anger as she took her own cloak and held it against the wound. Fel hissed in pain then leaned forward and kissed Bird before blacking out.

Fel awoke to find himself in an unfamiliar bed with clean linen. He sat up quickly then groaned in pain as his side protested. “Hmph, seems you’re finally awake,” Bird said. Fel smiled at her through the fall of his hair. He noticed she had his shirt in her lap as she sat by the bedside. He watched her complete a few stitches before responding.

“How did I get here?”

“My companions brought you here. This was actually my room, but Elys did not want to share his with a… well a stranger,” Bird said angrily. She stabbed her finger by accident and stifled a curse. Luckily she did not bleed so she continued with her mending. Fel sank back into the bed and sighed. He could imagine his mother working up one of her fits since he had not come home last night. Soon she would send out her spy to find him.

Bird set down her needlework then picked up a glass of water and took a sip. “May I?” Fel asked, wondering if she would share the glass. Without protest she handed it to him and he took a sip as well. “Do you know sharing a glass with someone is considered the same as sharing a kiss?” He asked sweetly. Bird felt her face go warm. She had shared glasses with her family all the time; she had even shared a few sips with Apple.

“Liar!”

Fel shrugged and drank more from the glass. So the girl was not nobility. He still could not place her accent but she was definitely from Teralind, possibly from its central farming region, but why would a farm girl be traveling all the way to the border? Marriage? With her companions it was possible, but two of them were performers, maybe she was a runaway who had joined a traveling troupe. Then there was their skill with weapons, could they be spies? This seemed the most likely and would explain their presence on the border, why two could perform and they all could handle weapons, but who were they working for?

He handed the glass back to the girl. “Speaking of kisses, why did you kiss me last night?” Bird asked. Fel smiled.

“I thought I was going to die and you were the closest.”

“So you only kissed me because I was convenient?”

“Yes.” Bird threw the rest of the water in Fel’s face along with his shirt and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The door soon opened and Apple slipped in. He crossed his arms and stared hard at Fel.

“I suggest you leave now. We’ve dressed your wounds and countered the poison.”

“Ah, you must be the beau; you have a very skilled woman. I envy you,” Fel said as he put on his mended shirt. Apple smiled kindly.

“I know.”

Fel scanned the room then found his purse on the bedside table. He opened the clasp and counted all the coins within it, satisfied he tossed the purse to Apple who caught it deftly.

“Think of that as gratitude for rescuing me. If you should travel here again my family will offer you hospitality,” Fel said as he dressed carefully. He found his cloak on the chair previously occupied by Bird and removed the broach. He handed it Apple who inspected the solid silver piece. “That is the family crest of the Cross family, do well to take care of it.” When Fel opened the door he found Bird standing in the hall pretending not to notice him. “Farewell Bird,” he said before leaning in close and whispering in her ear, “I wanted to kiss you before I thought Death had come for me.” Bird stifled a shiver and continued to look away as the young man continued down the hall.

Once he was gone Bird darted back into the bedroom and tore a pillow in half scattering the down across the sheets of the rumpled bed. “Oh, I want to kill him!” she shouted as she twisted the fabric into tight knots. “That was my first kiss; does he think I’m just some harlot?” Apple seized her wrists and drew her to his chest. At first she resisted then she relaxed against him and listened to his heartbeat.

“Don’t worry about him; he has no ill intention toward you.”

“But he-,“ Apple held a finger to Bird’s lips.

“He is only a young man and they are prone to impulsiveness.” Bird felt her heart race in her chest; the kiss with Fel was not particularly bad, but it made her wonder…

“Apple, what’s your real name?”

The dragon arched an eyebrow and smiled gently. “Avalon.” Bird laughed.

“So Apple does suit you. Do you want me to call you Avalon or Apple?”

“You may call me whatever you wish.” Bird pouted and threw the ruined pillow on the bed.

“Well you’re no help,” she said quietly. Before she could move away Apple held her tighter then released her. Bird searched his eyes for emotion but found them guarded against her.

“Stay away from that man; he could have gotten you killed. The feud between the Cross and Berand family is no child’s game of King in a Castle,” he spoke gently. He kissed the top of her head then left. Bird stood in the room by herself for a moment, her emotions in a tumult over what Apple had said and done. Did he care for her out of obligation or was there something more?

He was a dragon, she reminded herself. Not really a beast, but something more intelligent and transcending humanity. He would outlive her, her life only a small drop of water in an ocean of time. Bird rubbed her arms and began to clean the room.