“Uhh… ummm… Well.” Chance stuttered. They had discussed Alyssia possibly having to reveal herself before the planned ambush but had not discussed how to explain her to anyone.

“Interesting take on an explanation Chance.” Mrs. Cooper responded with a smile. “I would say that we would have been a bit scared her flying about and breathing fire on the wolves if it had not been for Annie recognizing her somewhat. Although she did not recognize the wings. Is this really the small lizard you had with us in camp?”

Taking a deep breath, Chance began, “She is actually what is called a demi-dragon.” Chance paused in his explanation at the women’s sharp intake of breath and Annie’s squeal of delight.

The women turned and looked and Alyssia, who seemed to soak up the attention and flare her wings.

Chance continued, “She is bonded. I found her several months back in her egg and hatched her.”

Mrs. Durbin stepped forward a bit towards Chance and asked, “You said she is bonded to you?”, with a bit of awe in her voice. “Then that would make you a Demi-Mage, right?”

“Well not yet I don’t think.” Chance responded, “I am just now learning that I even have Ard. So I would hesitate to take that title yet.”

Mrs. Durbin continued, “My ancestors worked with the Demi-Mages near the end of their existence. It is a story that has been passed down from generation to generation. That they were a force for good and defenders of those in need. It seems to me that you are on the right track Chance.”

Chance blushed at the praise.

The captain took advantage of the pause in the conversation to step forward, “We need to get remounted and get you all back to your husbands. Mrs. Wells are you able to ride?”

“Yes sir. Getting thrown by a horse won’t stop me. Although I will be a bit sore in the morning I think.” She answered.

At this point Annie chimed in, “Momma I don’t want to ride by myself anymore.”

“Now, Annie would you like to ride with me or with Chance?” the captain asked the young girl.

He had barely finished his question before Annie ran over and grabbed Chance’s hand. “I want to ride with Chance!” she said happily. “Will Alyssia ride with us too? Can you tell me about her? Where can I find one?”

Chance’s eyes glazed over and he was amazed that the girl had apparently learned how to survive without breathing as the questions were all asked in what seemed to be one breath. Shaking himself, he looked down at her and smiled, “Yes, I think Alyssia will be riding with us for a bit at least.”

Picking up the young girl and placing her in Hero’s saddle he said, “Wait right there. I will be right back.”

Alyssia. Chance called out as he walked over to help Mrs. Wells mount up.

Yes, Chance. He could feel her smirk through the bond. “My pleasure” he responded as Mrs. Wells thanked him for the assistance.

I think I need some help. Do you think you could chat with Annie while we ride? I am not sure I am up to answering all of the questions she has. He asked plaintively.

Oh, I do not know. I might need to go scout ahead on the road. You know make sure there are no more wolves or anything. She said with a giggle.

He walked over to the stump where she still sat. Really? You are going to leave me to be tortured?

Tortured? By that little slip of a thing? I thought you were the big strong warrior type. She teased.

Before he could respond to her teasing though, she launched herself into the air and with a few flaps of her wings flew over and landed on the pommel of Hero’s saddle, right in front of a very excited young girl. Chance could tell she was excited by the ear splitting squeal that she let loose.

Rolling his eyes, he walked towards Hero to mount up. He glanced at the captain and the women who were all watching him with wide eyes and what looked like suppressed grins on their faces. He could see that the captain and Annie’s mom were doing the worst job of restraining their laughter at his expense.

“Chance! Chance! Did you see that!? She landed right here in front of me! Do you think she likes me?” Annie fired off more questions as he approached. With a deep breath he put a foot in the stirrup and lifted himself up into the saddle behind Annie.

He turned to the rest of the group, who had dropped all pretense of not laughing at him. “If you all are done? I think we are ready to go.” Chance said with a serious tone.

They headed out to find the men leading the rest of the horses as well as the bound guardsman. They came upon the horse that Mrs. Wells had been riding and took it with them tying with the other leads from the horses.

By the time they came upon the first group of men, which consisted of the two of the four guards along with Frank and Obadiah, Chance’s ears were hurting. Annie had kept up a constant stream of questions. Not all of the questions had been directed at him though. She had talked to Alyssia, who much to Chance’s chagrin, wisely never revealed she could talk so that left him to answer for her.

The reunion of Frank and Deborah Cooper was heartwarming. She slid off of her horse and with a little skip took off running towards him. The man had looked exhausted as they had come up on them taking a break at the side of the road. In spite of his fatigue though he stood and caught her as she leapt into his arms, her momentum spun them in a circle but he maintained his balance. He set her down and held her at arm’s length to look at her then crushed her to his chest. Chance could see the tears in his eyes as he held her close. He had to look away lest the dust of the road cause his eyes to water.

After the reunion and everyone else in the group had dismounted they encouraged the men to sit and rest as the captain explained what had happened to the men that had taken the wives and daughter of the caravan, and the men explained how they had been caught eating breakfast by the guards that were posing as bandits. There had been a brief struggle and two of the caravan guards were injured before the other two were overpowered. They told how Joseph had been hurt when the men started to take the women. He charged the man taking his little sister with a rock that he had picked up only to be hit from behind with the pommel of a sword by another of the men.

They decided that they needed to continue back to the other group of men and the wagons rather than wait for the rest of the men to catch up to them. The four men mounted up on the spare horses and headed out. Luckily for Chance it seemed that Annie had worn herself out and quickly fell asleep in front of him.

You know she really is a nice girl. You need to make sure to tell her parents that I sensed that she had the potential to wield Ard. Alyssia stated as she curled up in the little girl’s lap.

Yes, although I think I like her even more now that she is asleep and quiet. I guess the men did not notice you. Although I am sure that your heroics will be told once we get everyone back together.

He could feel Alyssia nodding mentally. Probably so. I think though that our secret will be safe with these people.

Chance could not help to agree with her.

It took until late in the afternoon to get back to the rest of the men. They had just not been able to travel that fast with the two injured guards and Joseph.

The greetings of the reunited families were just as heartfelt as the greeting between the Coopers had been earlier. Robert had come over to Chance and gently taken Annie from him. “Thank you.” He whispered and cradled his daughter in his arms as he held her close.

“It was our pleasure and we are so sorry that you all got caught up in this.” Chance apologized. “We had hoped to lead them away…”

Robert interrupted him, “We know and we bear no ill will or hard feelings about it. We agreed that we thought it the best plan.”

Before they could get much more into the conversation Obadiah spoke up. “We have had a trying day to say the least and we are all tired, but we need to return to the wagons or we won’t have any wagons to return to.”

With that being said they mounted up on the spare horses with Annie still being held by her father.

The ride back to the Respite of the previous night took until just before dusk. Luckily it looked as if the campsite had been undisturbed. The oxen that were used pulled the wagons were still tethered off to the side of the camp.

“I think the meal tonight will be just travel rations and water. We are all too tired to cook. Thankfully the Respite rule of stocking firewood for the next travelers will hold us for the night and we can restock it before we leave.” Mrs. Cooper spoke up as they arrived.

After they had a fire going and the women got ready to break out the travel rations, Chance spoke up. “I can provide better fare than the travel rations if you will let me.”

The families looked at him questioningly as he stood and reached into the pouch on his hip. He thought of the hot and fresh meat pies he had placed in the enchanted pouch before they left Mern. “I think I have enough for everyone to have two if they want one.”

The Cooper’s son, Rory, scoffed, “In that pouch? We need more than crumbs. I don’t think you two would be able to carry enough food on your two horses to feed one of the families, let alone three of us and the guards.”

Chance let his words slide as he pulled out the hot meat pie and handed the first one to Annie.

“Ooh! It’s still hot!” she exclaimed, as she unwrapped it from the paper it came in and took a bite. “It is a meat pie like Nana makes Momma! Mmmm. So good too!”

Chance proceeded to reach in and take out one for each woman and two for the men. “If you want another one let me know I have several more.”

The shocked looks on everyone’s faces was worth the questions that Chance knew were coming.

“I can answer your questions and explain things after we eat. So for now enjoy the hot meal and relax.”

It got quiet around the campfire as everyone settled in to their meals. Chance took a deep breath and glanced around and noticed a few stray glances in his direction, but no one said anything.

Chance called to Alyssia, Ok, Little One. Are you ready for your grand entrance?

Yes. I am. Those meat pie smell delicious, you saved me one right?

Yes. Of course I did.

Chance cleared his throat and said, “I would like to first apologize that your families were caught in the middle of the issue today. I would also like to apologize for deceiving you all a little bit.”

The men of the caravan narrowed their eyes and looked between Chance and Captain Herrera.

The senior Cooper spoke up, “How did you deceive us? Keep in mind that we will have justice if it is due.”

Chance could hear the steel in his voice and swallowed quickly. “It was not the cause of today. We believe that the men today were sent by the man that is now the Governor of Hargest. Captain Herrera thinks that he is not the rightful governor. The captain is over the garrison in Mern and we feel that they were trying to keep him from reporting the new governor to the King. The deception was an attempt to keep you and your families safe, as well as myself and the captain.”

“You see the deception was with what I told you was my pet. You see she is not my pet but my Bonded.” When Chance said that Alyssia landed gently in front of him and facing the men. “Her name is Alyssia that is true but her dragon name roughly translates to Heralded Beautiful Silver Star. She is what is known as a Demi-Dragon.”

“Greetings. Like Chance said we apologize for the deception but we don’t want word getting out until we can reach the King.” Alyssia said via an audible illusion.

“SHE CAN TALK!!” Annie squealed and jumped up and down. “That is amazing!”

Then she suddenly calmed and quietly asked, “Wait! Why did she not talk to me earlier? Does she not like me?”

“No sweet Annie. The incantation I use to speak is very tiring and I had used a lot of energy to fight off the wolves. It is easier for me to speak to Chance via our bond and for him to relay the message.” Alyssia explained.

“Oh! Alright.” With that Annie was back to smiling and her joy and excitement contagious.

“Come here Annie,” Chance called to the young girl.

When she came over he handed her another meat pie and said, “I am sure she would love it if you would feed this to her in small bites.”

“Really, you mean it? I can feed her?” Annie asked as she seemed about to burst with excitement.

“You will need to stay calm though. Can you do that?” Chance asked.

Annie took a deep breath and swallowed, then nodded seriously. “Yes. I can do it.”

“Good. I knew you could. Now go, I know she is hungry as she told me the meat pie smelled delicious earlier.” Chance said as he turned her towards Alyssia.

The little girl tried to calmly walk over to Alyssia but every other step she could not control herself and a skip broke free.

The rest of the men all had questions as well. Ranging from how big would she get to what sorts of incantations she cast. They also began questioning Chance about their bond. This led to Mrs. Durbin sharing her family’s history of working with the Demi-Mages of the past.

The elder Mr. Cooper took Chance aside and asked him if he thought that he might have more trouble ahead and offered him the use of Benjamin and Reed, the two healthy guards. Chance asked him to check with the captain as he was the one in charge. Nodding, Obadiah went to speak with Captain Herrera.

The young men of the caravan approached Chance and asked about what it was like to bond and be able to use Ard. Chance told them that the bond was the single greatest thing to happen in his life. That while being able to cast incantations and use runes was cool, his relationship with Alyssia was the best portion.

Johan wanted to see his magic pouch. He was amazed when Chance stuck his arm into it up to his elbow and then pulled out an apple. Chance handed it to him. Johan took a big bite and nodded excitedly when Chance asked him if it was good.

Slowly the conversation died down and Chance could see that Alyssia and Annie were curled up together by the fire sound asleep. He saw Captain Herrera, Obadiah, and Robert talking off to the side.

Chance could feel the efforts of the day catch up with him and faded off to sleep knowing that for now he was safe and among friends.