Oracus, Garrin and the two creatures descended sooner than Oracus had expected. Initially, the dense Raspian Forest was all they could make out beneath them in the darkness. But before long, the forest was replaced by flat, empty grassland, and the horizon surrendered dozens of hazy amber lights.

As they approached the lights, Oracus’s anxiety peaked. What had at first been a few innocuous lights in the distance turned out to be a place far greater than Thessley. It was a magnificent city like those he had read in his storybooks. From such a height, he could see almost all the city beyond its colossal outer-wall. There were hundreds of buildings, mostly made of yellow stone, but some towards the rear of the city that were wooden and thatched like those in Thessley. Between the buildings, the bustle of city-folk was impossible to miss, even in the darkness. There were markets and stalls in every spare space, and the occasional lonely tree growing out of the sandy ground.

The Eagle descended with Oracus, Garrin and Bandor towards an opening in the wall that was protected by a moat, drawbridge and portcullis. When its claws met the ground, Oracus looked up at the archers who manned the top of the wall, and then he peered down into the ominous black water that separated him from the city. He slid from the Eagle’s back and placed Bandor on the grassy floor, then started to wretch.

He felt Garrin’s gentle hand on his back. “Are you alright?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Oracus said. “It’s all come as a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

“Take a deep breath and try to relax. We’ll stay here until you’re ready.”

Behind Oracus, the sound of flapping metal wings began, and the Eagle took flight and glided over the wall, leaving Oracus, Garrin and Bandor alone. In the next moment, the chains of the drawbridge started to crank along with the rise of the portcullis.

“I think I’m ready,” Oracus said, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

“Come on then,” Garrin urged. “Follow me.”

Oracus cradled Bandor again, and when the drawbridge clunked to the ground, he cautiously followed Garrin across. The archers were now aiming their arrows down at the bridge, and Oracus felt another pang of sickness. Beyond the opening portcullis, an elderly man in a green robe waited.

“I found him at last,” Garrin said to the man as they approached him.

“I was starting to think that you wouldn’t return,” the man responded.

“It was a close one. The soldiers had reached the village.” Garrin nodded his head at Oracus. “And this brave fool was defending it all by himself.”

The man in green turned to Oracus, then his eyes dropped to Bandor. “Goodness gracious!” he exclaimed. “Another Lavorian! You didn’t say your friend was a Rider too, Garrin.”

“I didn’t actually know,” Garrin replied. “It seems I’m not the only one from Thessley who’s good at keeping secrets.”

The man’s eyes were glistening with emotion as he held out a shaking hand to Oracus. “It’s very nice to meet you, young man. You are very welcome here in Afarra.”

Oracus took the man’s hand but couldn’t find the words to respond. The man had just called him a Rider, and he could feel the shock taking over his body again.

“Do you mind if we pass through?” Garrin asked the man. “This is all very new to him and I want to get him to safety as quickly as possible.”

“Of course, of course!” The man moved aside to let them by. “It’s such a pleasure to have you here. Enjoy your stay.”

Beyond the portcullis, Afarra was full of life. The market stalls Oracus had seen from the sky were even more abundant than he had realised. And the noise that the many people made was cacophonous.

“Be careful here, Oracus,” Garrin advised. “The moment they spot your Lavorian they’ll begin to form a crowd. Follow me and I’ll guide you away from the mayhem.”

“I want to see my father,” Oracus shouted over the loud voices around him.

“That’s where I’m taking you,” Garrin shouted back.

Indeed, Garrin was right. For a short time, Oracus weaved between people without receiving attention. But then Bandor was spotted by a young boy and suddenly half of the city seemed to descend upon them. Within seconds, hands were groping for both Oracus and Bandor, and men and women of all ages were yelling gratefully to them and cheering. Garrin tried his utmost to forge a path through the crowd, but then he seemed to be recognised too and was swept up by the horde.

It seemed like hours had passed before Oracus eventually escaped into a narrow alleyway with Garrin and Bandor. Still the crowd converged, but with less force in a more confined space.

When the noise had lessened and Oracus could finally hear himself think, they reached a small house with crumbling walls and a dull grey door. Garrin advanced towards the house and pulled Oracus inside. He then closed the door behind them, blocking out the voices of the remaining people who had followed them along the alleyway.

“Not what you were expecting, I suppose?” Garrin said with a tired smile.

“Why were they all acting like that?” Oracus asked, breathing heavily.

“It’s not often a new Rider and Lavorian come to the city. In fact, its very rare indeed.” Garrin yawned and then looked at the door they’d just come through. “We’re like royalty to the people out there.”

Oracus looked aimlessly around the room they were in while he took in Garrin’s words. There was a thick layer of dust on the stone floor and not much else. There was a spiral staircase leading to the floor above that was adjacent to the back door, and an overbearing musty smell that was unpleasant in the nose.

“How did this happen?” Garrin questioned, glancing between Oracus and Bandor. “Where did you find him?”

“I was in the forest when he fell out of the sky in a rock and almost crushed me,” Oracus replied. “Is it because of us that the soldiers found Thessley?”

Garrin grimaced and nodded. “The King tracks the falling rocks and sends his soldiers to retrieve them. When they saw the Lavorian was missing, they searched the area of surrounding forest and encountered the village.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” Oracus said glumly.

“We got everyone out of Thessley alive, that’s what matters,” Garrin assured. “Afarra’s soldiers completed the evacuation just as we’d planned.”

“I guess being a tradesman was a cover for whatever you’re doing here?” Oracus supposed.

Garrin looked away from Oracus and rubbed his hands together anxiously. “Your father is upstairs. You should go and see him. There are some important issues elsewhere I need to go and address.”

Suddenly, Garrin had left through the back door and Oracus was alone in the dusty room with Bandor. As he prepared to ascend the stairs to see his father, he couldn’t help but think how rocky his and Garrin’s friendship had become. They had shared everything with each other as children, but since Garrin had started leaving Thessley for business, Oracus felt like everything had become so secretive. Had they been younger, Garrin would never have lied to him about becoming a Rider – they would undoubtedly have enjoyed that adventure together.

At the top of the spiral staircase was a small landing and an entry to a bedroom that was as dusty as the room below it. Stepping inside, there was only a bed to look at, and Oracus’s father was lying asleep upon it.

Oracus placed Bandor on the floor and approached the bed. His footsteps clunked on the wooden floorboards and his father stirred from the noise. Through sleepy eyes, he gazed at Oracus and a weak smile crossed his lips.

“Oracus!” he gasped. “Thank goodness.”

Oracus knelt beside his father and kissed him on his bearded cheek. "Are you alright?" he asked. “You look pale.”

“I’m just a bit sore. Nothing to worry about.”

“Sore? Why, what happened? And why are you in here all alone?”

Oracus’s father waved a hand. “I sent them away for fussing around me.” He tried to sit up, but groaned in pain and lay back down.

“You’re not telling me something,” Oracus said sternly. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s just a small wound.”

“Show me,” Oracus insisted.

“No!” his father protested. “I’m fine.”

“Let me see!” Oracus lifted his father’s shirt and revealed a wound on his stomach he’d tried to bandage himself. From behind the dressing, black lines of infection crawled across his torso from his shoulders to his hips. “This is serious, father!” Oracus exclaimed. “Why are you hiding this?”

“There’s nothing anyone can do to heal it, son. The poison was already in my blood when they found me.”

“Poison? Who did this to you?”

“The soldiers in the forest,” his father answered.

“What were you thinking?” Oracus shouted. “You never go into the forest!”

“The village was being evacuated and nobody had seen you! Where was I supposed to go?”

“Not in there!” Oracus cried. He could feel a lump growing in his throat and tears began to well in his eyes.

“But I couldn't leave you behind, you’re my son! I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if you’d died.”

Tears trickled down his father’s cheeks and Oracus began to sob. His chest tightened and he found himself struggling to breathe. “I need to find someone who can help you,” he stuttered.

“It’s too late for that now. I can already feel the poison entering my heart. There’s nothing anyone can do for me.” His father’s eyes closed and he struggled to open them again. “I’ve been fighting it for hours, waiting to see if you’re okay. And now I know you’re safe…”

“No! This can’t be happening!” Oracus groaned. “I can’t lose you, I need you here.”

“You don’t need me, son. You’re stronger than you realise.” He lifted a shaking hand and pointed at Bandor. “You’re a Rider now. Your Lavorian will keep you safe.”

Oracus looked into his father’s eyes – the eyes that reflected the green of his own – and saw knowledge within them. “You know what he is?”

“There’s a lot I know that I never told you, son. I was a fool to keep it all a secret from you.” His father’s voice was hoarse now, and he gasped with every word. “I don’t have the time to tell you now. But I’m sure you will find the answers for yourself when I’m gone.”

“You aren’t going anywhere! Don’t say that!” Oracus pleaded.

His father used the last of his strength to touch Oracus’s cheek with his fingers. “I couldn't have wished for a better son. I love you so much.”

And with one final shallow breath, his hand fell to the bed and his dazzling green eyes closed forever.