They continued riding throughout the day with Alyssia resuming her role of scouting ahead for them. It let her get out and stretch her wings as well as working with her Ard as she maintained an illusion of a small hawk as she flew overhead.

During the day Chance and Captain Herrera discussed the happenings in Hargest. The captain relayed some of the conversation during the dinner with the Governor that he had not had a chance to relay.

He told how the Governor had questioned him on the reasons for their trip and why he was traveling without the rest of his troops. The captain had explained how he was escorting Chance to Grensmar to sponsor him for attending the War College. When the governor had asked about why he was sponsoring a commoner instead of one of the local nobles’ sons, he had explained how Chance had been working and training with the local guard for five or six years and had been his personal student in sword training during that time as well so he had gotten to know the young man and felt he was better qualified to attend the War College than the rest of the applicants from the Mern area.

The governor had scoffed at that notion and said that he thought that there was no way a commoner would ever be better than any one of noble birth regardless of how incompetent the noble was.

The captain told how he had to swallow his retort to the comment and attitude that being noble simply made them better at anything and everything than a commoner.

The governor had hinted at the fact that he might not also acting as a messenger, carrying news to the King. The captain had ignored the hint and not commented on it or even acted like he had heard it. At this point the governor had offered additional troops to escort them to the capitol as a precaution against bandits or highwaymen.

Captain Herrera had turned down the offer with the excuse that he was on personal business and while he was a captain in the King’s Army he did not deserve any consideration for protection beyond what was normally provided to travelers.

The governor had continued trying to gain additional information from him during the meal but the efforts from the captains very were poor and nowhere near as skilled as the questioners that had trained him in the capitol when he had been promoted to captain.

After relaying the conversation from dinner the previous night the captain spent the rest of the day pointing out issues in the duel that morning. They discussed why Chance had certain things during the combat and why he had defended against an attack a certain way. The captain also offered other sword forms that he could have used to defend certain attacks that might have led to better opportunities to counter or provide a better position to defend the next attack from. He spoke of the mindset to have during a duel versus actual combat and how that can lead to false confidence and injury or even death in combat.

When they finally settled in that night, after they had eaten dinner and cleaned up, they found a couple straight branches and walked through the duel from that morning once again this time though they put the changes into practice to see how they would have affected the outcome. Chance found this incredibly worthwhile as at times it proved that he had responded to a certain attack in the correct manner, but also showed where he could have done a better job.

When Chance and Alyssia finally settled into their beds that night, they discussed their day and some of the things that Alyssia had seen and done as well as her thoughts on the review of the duel. While she did not have many ancestors that had bonded with swordsmen, a remarkable number of her ancestors were bonded to individuals that had been in countless duels. So she was able to discuss from their viewpoint the thought processes behind how duelist handled themselves, and when to be aggressive and when to be defensive.

The next day Chance decided he needed to work on reducing the disorientation that occurred when he viewed things through Alyssia’s eyes and then switched back to his own sight. They also worked on the reverse with Alyssia watching through his eyes. Wisely, Captain Herrera suggested they do this while she was sitting on Chance’s shoulder rather than when she was fifty feet in the air soaring through the clouds.

The first time she switched back to her own sight she fell from Chance’s shoulder and it was only Chance’s quick reflexes that allowed him to catch her before she fell from his shoulder while he was sitting on Hero.

Wow. I can see why you look so funny and start to fall over when you change back. That is very disorienting.

Well that means we need to work on it more. I can tell from the few times that we have done it with me looking through your eyes that the disorientation is lessening.

“Is she alright Chance?” Captain Herrera asked. Chance could hear the concern in his voice.

“Yes. We decided to try the sharing the other way around. With her sharing my sight. She felt the same disorientation that I did that first time when I fell and hurt my shoulder.” Chance replied.

“Well you two be careful. We don’t need any more injuries, even if you can heal them.”

“We will. I think I will have her in my cloak pocket the next time she tries it.”

What do you think about that idea, love?

I think that is a good idea. Let me crawl in there now and we can get back to practicing. Then you can talk to the captain while I work on it. I am sure he gets bored with us lost in our practice.

Ok. Chance held her close to his pocket inside his cloak to allow her to climb in.

After they stopped at midday, Alyssia resumed her scouting ahead and Chance and the captain resumed discussing Hargest and the oddities they had observed. They kept their focus mainly on their surroundings as they were now far enough away from the city that bandits felt comfortable enough to begin causing issues.

“Chance, the thing is I don’t remember seeing a notice of the governor of Hargest being replaced but that is not the man that was in place when I took Horace to the War Academy.”

“Surely you just missed the notice from the capitol or the message did not make it for one reason or another. I cannot see where someone would be able to replace a governor in the middle of the country and it not come to the notice of someone.” Chance replied.

“Right. It is just that there was something going on there. The troops all seemed to be loyal King’s Army but I did not see a friend of mine that was supposed to be in charge of the city guard. He should have known we were there within hours of us going through the gates but he was not at the governor’s dinner nor did we see him as we passed through town. That in itself is not all that concerning, as he could have been busy, but the lack of a note on top of the issues in the inner ring and the attitude of the governor and army captain really are worrying me.”

“Is there something we can do?” Chance asked.

“I would have to say we are doing all we can right now. We will take news of the occurrences in Hargest back to the King and his council and let them handle it.”

“If something is going on there, could it be tied to the objects I am carrying in my bag?”

The captain turned his head sharply to look at Chance. “I had not considered that. I was viewing them as separate events but if they are all part of the same conspiracy then we need to watch ourselves. There is a Respite ahead and we will stop there tonight and make a plan for the trip ahead. We will need to be on our guard and set a watch.”

I have been listening and wanted to let you know that based on current speed you are about twenty minutes out from the Respite. There is already a group there. They have seven wagons and several children. They are not Travelers.

Ok. Thank you Little One. I will relay the information the captain.

“Alyssia says if we keep the current pace we are about twenty minutes out from the Respite and that there is already a group there. She said they have seven wagons and several children, but that they are not Travelers.”

“Alright. We will keep the same story. It seems to have worked so far.” The captain responded.

Alyssia, why don’t you come back and we can wrap you in the bandage and you can take your spot in my cloak or on my shoulder. We are going to stick with the same story we have been using.

Ok. Chance could feel her unhappiness in having to conceal herself again.

It is only for a little longer. If there really is something going on back in Hargest, then you will be our little surprise for whoever it is. We want to keep you a secret as long as possible so that they cannot plan for you. Chance tried to encourage her.

I know, but I don’t like hiding who I am and I REALLY dislike being thought to be a lizard.

Chance had to chuckle at the emotions in her words and thought back to when she had taken issue with his mother when she had thought she was a lizard. Why she had even refused to eat the bacon in front of her.

What is so funny, I am not a LIZARD. I AM A DRAGON! She growled slightly with the last statement.

I was not laughing at you my love. Well, alright I was but it was at the memory of Mom accidentally calling you a lizard. She felt so bad afterwards.

I miss Mom and Dad. I also miss Mallory and Jessica too. Alyssia responded.

Me too Little One. Me too. We will go back and see them the first chance we get, ok?

Sounds good.

During their conversation, Alyssia had made it back and was sitting in Chance’s lap as he reapplied the bandages around her body and wings.

“Let’s skip the blood on the bandages today.” Chance suggested. “They might wonder why the blood is fresh or if we use an older bandage why we have an old bloody one on and offer a fresh bandage.”

“Good thinking Chance.” The captain responded.

I agree with the captain. Besides I don’t like you cutting yourself for me.

“Try it from my side. I don’t like cutting myself either but the good news is that that the cut does not linger thanks to Salvation.” Chance replied as they rode up to the outer edge of the Respite and stopped.

“Hello the Respite. Two tired men looking for rest and a warm fire.” The captain called out.

“Come and be welcome. Safety to all who gather at the Respite.” A male voice called back.

When they had entered the Respite the caravan men had been armed but their weapons had been sheathed or at their sides, and the women and children had been placed behind them.

Chance and the captain stopped well short of the group and dismounted. As they dismounted Alyssia had crawled up Chance’s chest to his shoulder.

A squeal of delight had rung out from the group behind the men. “Oooohhhh!!! Momma did you see that! He has a pet lizard like Omma did. Do you think I can pet it and hold it?” A little girl’s voice had said excitedly.

Chance had smiled and thought to Alyssia, not even here a minute and you are already have a fan.

Of course, we demi-dragons are loved far and wide. She had responded with an air of superiority.

No, I think she called you a lizard… Chance had said as he had waited for her to usual tirade at being called a lizard. He could feel her frustration through the bond but she kept her thoughts on that to herself.

“We are traveling to Grensmar, I am Captain Herrera of the King’s Army stationed in Mern, and this is Chance.” They had introduced themselves first as they were the visitors to the Respite. “I will let Chance introduce his companion.”

“As the captain has said my name is Chance and this,” at this point he had picked up Alyssia from his shoulder, “this is my companion, Alyssia. She was injured recently but recovering, so I would ask that you be gentle and not pick her up if you see her away from me.”

Alyssia had thanked him for that last statement as she thought the little girl while cute looked to be highly excitable.

The caravaners had then introduced themselves and their families. The caravan was made up of three families, the Durbins, the Wells, and the Coopers along with four guards that, from what Chance could tell, were also family but seemed to be cousins or uncles to someone in the group.

The Durbin family consisted of the mother, Hilde, and father, Jonathan, and two boys, Frederick and Johan, that were quite proud of their fourteen and twelve years. They were from what Chance had been told, guards in training, at least according to the boys themselves. The Wells family consisted of the mother, Susan, and father, Robert, and one boy and one girl. The boy, Joseph, was not much younger than Chance at sixteen and the daughter was about the same age as Mallory at ten and her name was Annie. The last family was the Coopers. They were the largest of the caravan and consisted of the mother, Deborah, and father, Frank, the paternal grandfather, Obadiah, and two twin sons, Rory and Cory, that were seventeen. The guards, Jasper, Richard, Benjamin, and Reed, seemed to possibly be related to the Cooper family from what Chance could tell based on the conversations and the similarities in their appearance.

An invitation to dine with them had been extended after introductions had been completed. They had thankfully accepted and offered up the excuse that neither of them was much of a cook and would happily enjoy a well-cooked meal. Chance had assist by gathering wood for the fire but had been waved off as they had already gathered plenty for the night.

The meal had been standard road stew but seasoned and prepared well. They had made sure to thank the women for the filling and tasty meal.

They were now sitting around the fire relaxing and exchanging information about the roads they had traveled recently. The caravaners were merchants from Vermino, a city on the coast of the Inland Sea, and were headed to the capitol as well.

It was during this conversation that Annie, along with the youngest Durbin boy Johan, came over to Chance and asked to see his pet lizard.

Alyssia dear. The children want to see my pet lizard. Chance called out to Alyssia through their bond and made sure to send a sense of laughter through it as well.

I heard them! Alyssia huffed back at him. I will get you back for this you know. Just wait.

Chance could tell by the feelings she conveyed that she was not really upset with him but was enjoying the back and forth between them.

“One second,” Chance told them, as he reached into his cloak and with a bit of over-exaggerated care took Alyssia out. “I have to be careful because her injury.”

“How did she get hurt? Will she be alright?” Annie asked with genuine concern. Johan just nodded in the background to Annie’s questions.

“Well, we were setting up camp the other afternoon and I had placed her down on the ground while I worked. She is quite the adventurer, let me tell you. She wandered off to the side of the campsite and was in the tall grass looking for her dinner and out of nowhere a small hawk dove out of the air and attempted to snatch her up for dinner.” Chance paused his story to take a drink and asked Alyssia, do you want me to save you or do you want to save yourself from the scary hawk?

I think it would be more believable if I slipped away somehow but got cut by its talons. Don’t you think?

Sounds good. Chance replied and set his canteen down.

“What happened next? Did she get away?” Annie said as she hopped up and down nervously. She seemed to be genuinely fearful of what happened to Alyssia.

“Well, thankfully the grass was tall and the hawk either misjudged where Alyssia was or Alyssia was just too quick for the hawk, but she was able to avoid being grabbed in the hawk’s talons. Although she escaped being grabbed by the hawk she did not escape unharmed. One of the talons cut her side up. She hurried back to me where the captain and I did what we could to ease her pain and repair her wound. We have kept the wound covered since then and I have kept her close to me so we don’t have the same problem again.”

“Oh my, poor, poor Alyssia. It will be okay sweetie. Your safe now and Chance will protect you.” Annie said in near tears as she reached out to touch Alyssia gently on the head but stopped short. Looking at Chance she asked, “Can I pet her?”

Little One?

Yes, she can. Alyssia responded and lifted her head up to touch Annie’s outstretched hand.

Annie giggled at Alyssia and gently ran her hand down Alyssia’s head and onto her neck before changing to just petting her with two fingers extended.

Johan stepped forward a bit and Chance could barely hear him whisper, “C-c-can I p-p-pet her too?”

“Yes, you can but be gentle. Do as Annie is and only use two fingers and make sure to stay away from her bandages if you would.” Chance responded.

Chance, if you want you can have them sit beside you and I will crawl into their lap. Ask them to make sure not to grab me though.

Are you sure?

Yes. Her concern and gentleness needs to be rewarded I think. She seems to be nothing like what I first thought she would be.

Ok. I will make the offer.

“Annie, Johan, if you would sit here beside me and be still you might see something pretty amazing. Just remember to be gentle and don’t get excited and stay calm.”

Both children nodded and quickly sat down cross-legged in front of him.

Annie’s eyes got really big as Chance gently set Alyssia down on the ground between them. Annie kept alternating between watching Alyssia and looking up at Chance and looking over at her mother. The adults had stopped talking and were watching the children with grins on their faces.

Slowly, Alyssia walked over to Annie and slowly crawled into her lap. She turned around a few times and then settled down in the middle of her crossed legs and laid her head down on Annie’s ankle.

Annie meantime was almost shaking with excitement. She could not believe that Alyssia was in her lap and laying down. She wanted to squeal she was so excited and happy. Then Chance’s words came to her mind to stay calm and be gentle.

Chance could see Annie suddenly relax and gain control of her emotions. He watched as she leaned forward and looked down at Alyssia. “Oh. Aren’t you just the sweetest thing. Just adorable. I am so glad that mean old hawk did not get you.” She whispered while gently stroking Alyssia’s head and neck.

Chance heard Annie’s mom whisper. “I don’t think I have seen that child so focused and in control in my life. Did you see her when the lizard crawled in her lap? I thought we were going to have to find him a new lizard as she was going pick it up and love on it. Then it was like night and day, she calmed down and gained control.”

Chance, she has Ard. It is not much but I can feel it in her. She is still young so being so little is not something to discount, there is still time for it to strengthen.

Really? What do I do? Chance asked.

I would check with the captain on this first, before mentioning it to her or her parents. I don’t know what the current practice is with those that are gifted.

I don’t either. I will check with him tonight.

After a few minutes Alyssia stood up and moved to leave Annie’s lap.

“Oh, don’t go Alyssia. You can stay right here and I will watch over you.” Annie said sadly.

Alyssia turned and pushed her head back into Annie’s palm and then licked her finger. Then climbed down and walked over to Johan.

Johan was almost the opposite of how Annie was. Where Annie was almost bouncing in excitement, he looked to be frozen in fear.

Alyssia stopped and looked at Chance then back at Johan.

He looks so frightened of me, Chance. Can you ask if he would like to have me in his lap? I do not want to cause him to be afraid.

“Johan, would you like her to sit in your lap too? You do not have to if you do not want to.” Chance asked.

Johan looked up quickly then glanced down at Alyssia, he closed his eyes and swallowed, then nodded his head slowly.

“It will be alright. Are you afraid to hurt her or that she will hurt you, Johan?” Chance asked.

“I d-d-don’t w-w-w-ant t-to h-h-urt her.” The young boy stuttered.

“I understand. You be as gentle as you can and I think we will be fine.” Chance encouraged the boy. “Just sit there and let her climb in and get comfortable.”

Alyssia slowly climbed into the boy’s lap and laid down like she had in Annie’s. With a big deep sigh, Alyssia closed her eyes and relaxed.

The look of sheer joy and adoration on Johan’s face as he watched Alyssia was amazing.

“See, she is fine. If you feel comfortable you can take one or two fingers and run them down the top of her head and neck. She likes that.” Chance continued to encourage.

A few minute later Alyssia got up and walked over to the edge of the fire and laid down.

“Oh! Alyssia! Don’t get too close! You will get burned!” Annie called as she jumped up and moved to save Alyssia.

“It’s is alright. She likes to be close to the fire. I think if she had her way she would sleep in the fire sometimes.” Chance said as he placed his hand on her shoulder to slow her down so he could explain.

“Really?” Annie asked.

Nodding, Chance answered “Yes, she is a special companion. I am blessed she chose me to accompany.”

“Alright children. It is time to get ready for bed.” Mrs. Durbin and Mrs. Wells called out. “You got to hold Alyssia which is more than I expected so be sure to thank Chance for letting you.”

“Thank you Chance!” Johan and Annie called out as they walked away from the fire and towards the wagons to change into their night clothes and head to bed.

“On that note I think Chance and I will take a quick walk around the camp to make sure that all is well and maybe do some sword drills before bed. Do your guards want to share the watches tonight? We would be more than happy to help.” Captain Herrera said as he stood from the log he had been sitting on.

“If you would like we can split the watch up some. We usually have two men on watch at a time. We can add you in and let my father and young Robert enjoy a full night’s rest.” The younger Mr. Cooper spoke up.

“We will get with you about the watch when we finish our drills.” The Captain said in agreement.