Ciara smiled as she stroked the scales on Sunrose's snout. Each scale was about the size of her palm and felt warm to the touch. Sunrose was a fire dragon, after all.

Ciara had spent all that remained of her evening the other day thinking about going to the Fire Kingdom. It probably wasn't going to be entirely safe, despite what Sergon promised.

She had absolutely no clue who the king was or what she could expect of him and the life she might lead in the castle. But her opinion hadn't changed; she wanted to do this for her people. She could do nothing where she was right now, so maybe she could from over there.

The dragonelle's snort brought her back to reality again just as a voice spoke up behind her.

"It amazes me how you so effortlessly seem to control these powerful creatures."

Ciara turned to see who it was, though the rattling armor gave him away.

She smiled. "Good morning, my lord." Was Sergon showing some interest in dragons as more than just violent beasts?

He smiled back. "Good morning, princess." He looked up at the dragon who was eyeing him. "How do you do it? Is it magic?"

She giggled. She'd heard some speculating in the existence of magic, but she wasn't quite sure she believed it. And she most certainly didn't practice it.

"No, it is nothing of the sort. I simply do not grab the hilt of my sword every time I lay my eyes on one." Her gaze elaborately dropped to his hand, which was indeed resting on the pommel of his blade.

He chuckled. "Ah, you have caught me, princess. However, I do not possess the skills that you do."

She looked at him a little strangely. Did they really think it something only certain people could do?

"Anyone can do this – it is no secret art of ours." She received a skeptical look in return. "Try putting your sheathed sword down on the ground next to your feet." When she got an almost nervous look from him, she simply smiled comfortingly. "Do not worry. Sunrose has a very calm temperament as long as she does not feel as though you are threatening her or anyone she cares about," she promised the knight, though it was hardly true for this dragonelle. She knew, however, that Sunrose wouldn't be aggressive in this very moment.

Taking a deep breath, Sergon slowly undid the sword from his hip, placing it on the ground beside him. Never did his eyes leave the dragon, whom he was well within range of. He looked to the girl, trying to conceal his nervousness.

"What do I do now, then?"

She smiled. It was almost like teaching a confused child.

"Simply place your hand on her snout. Right here." She petted the scales between the nostrils.

She watched as he slowly placed his hand there, scared the dragonelle might bite his hand off if he made one wrong move.

Ciara nodded. "Good. Now caress her gently. Just like you would a horse," she instructed, remembering they used horses a great deal back in those four kingdoms.

He did as told, carefully running his hand over Sunrose's pink scales. He looked mesmerized that something like this was even possible.

She smiled as she watched him, glad if she might just be able to change a single person's mind.

"Dragons are incredibly wise creatures; far smarter than humans." Her gaze was on Sunrose as well, who was enjoying the attention with closed eyes. "If they are angry or aggressive, there is always some reason for it." She felt the need to tell the knight all of this now she had his attention. "The best thing you can do in a situation such as the one yesterday is to drop your weapon and raise your hands over your head. Let them know you mean no harm."

"I see," he muttered, thinking deeply about what she'd told him.

They remained in silence for some time, both running their hands over the dragonelle's scales. She didn't want to be the one to interrupt whatever thoughts were running through his mind or the moment he was having with Sunrose.

"If you do not mind my asking, princess, what made you want to go to our kingdom and become his majesty's wife despite your own family's refusal?"

"Well." She searched for the right words. "I am the youngest of my sibling, as you might know. Aem, my brother, will take the throne as the eldest and only son once he comes of age, and Madia, my sister, assures our bloodline does not die out, should something happen to my brother." She watched Sunrose's nose twitch under her hand. "I just want to be able to do something as well, you know? I do not want to simply be 'the second princess', I want to be the second princess, who helped my people prosper."

She knew it was ridiculous of her to think like this – conceited, even. However, that was what she truly felt.

Surprisingly, he didn't smile the slightest. He simply nodded with a solemn expression.

"That makes sense." He looked down at her with a small smile. "It is very noble of you, princess. Many would just immerse themselves in luxury had they been in your position."

She felt heat creep up her cheeks at his comment, shaking her head gently both to rid herself of it and to his words.

"Oh, it is nothing."

"Yes, simply being a princess and the best dragon 'tamer' – as your kingdoms would put it – never has been enough for my daughter, here," her father's unmistakable voice spoke up, making them both and Sunrose look at him in surprise.

"The best, you say?" Sergon glanced down at her rapidly warming face. She'd never been good at this sort of thing.

Her father nodded with a soft smile as he gazed at her. "Yes. Ever since she was a very young girl, she has been able to do anything with even the fiercest of dragons. Never did they twitch or even attempt to throw her off. It was truly impressive to watch." He spoke as if he relived the things he spoke of.

Sergon smiled at her father's nostalgic expression. "That does sound truly incredible."

She could only sigh at her father. He always had to bring that up whenever he got the chance. It wasn't all that impressive – the little girl from the day before had also been running around in a dragon's mouth. Yes, that may have been an old one who'd stuck to their family for generations, but still.

"That said, it was not my only reason for interrupting the two of you." Her father looked at her with a serious expression. Any and all humor was gone from him in that instant. "Have you made your decision, Ciara?"

She nodded just as seriously back at him. "Yes, I have." She took a breath to steel her confidence. "I want to go, father."

Sergon, realizing what this was about, remained silent as he also listened to what she'd say.

She was relieved that her father came alone at least – he was far more attentive to what she wanted than her mother and brother.

Her father nodded. "As I expected you would say." A faint smile peeped through the mask. "Now then, I do hope you have come up with some reasoning to back it up as well."

"I have. First and foremost, I will do it to gain the promise of material support from the Fire Kingdom in return for our allegiance in the event of war." This one was the most obvious of them all, so she decided not to dwell on it. "It is no secret either that I have always been curious about the four kingdoms overseas and have long wished to see them for myself."

Though in a fairly relaxed way, her father crossed his arms. "I am sorry, Ciara, but that is not a good reason to let you go over there for me."

She nodded. "I am aware. That is why there is more to it than that. I want to gain the kind of knowledge I can only gain from being over there, learning from their people and their lives. The kind of knowledge I can use to become a proper, worthy representative of our kingdom. Someone that you can be proud of."

He smiled. "That is much better."

"And – if I am allowed to-" She glanced at Sergon. "I also wish to teach as many as I possibly can about how fantastic friends dragons truly make. Help repair their relationship however I can."

Knowing it wasn't only her, who burned for this, Sergon quickly replied to her inquiry.

"Of course. We would be glad to learn anything we can from you."

Her father didn't look as convinced. "Do remember not everyone over there are as open-minded about it as Lord Galias seems to be. To some, it has become a sport to hunt dragons."

She frowned. She was aware, and she grew even more appalled every time she heard of it.

"I am aware, father." None of them had grown up trusting dragons the way she did, but that didn't mean it couldn't be built up if she showed them how.

Her father remained silent, searching her eyes for something that she really hoped he found.

Unable to handle the silence any longer than that, she spoke up again.

"Please understand, father. I really want to go. I want to contribute to our kingdom and people in any way I am able."

She paused and waited to see if he would say anything else. He didn't say a word, however. And she was running out of things to say, aided by her dwindling hope in her father's reply.

"I want for our people to not have to hide any longer."

Her father remained silent even then, staring at her face for a moment longer before turning his gaze to the knight beside her.

"Will she be at all befitting of this task?"

Sergon straightened a little and nodded. "Very much so, we would be glad to have her."

She turned to her father with shining eyes, yet not daring to smile before his reply was certain.

With a light smile of his own, he looked to her. "I believe you may have a few things you will need to prepare, Ciara."

She practically sprang into her father's arms, a smile wide enough to reach her ears on her face.

"Thank you so, so much, father. I promise I will not disappoint you!"

She felt him squeeze his arms around her. "I do not doubt that the slightest."

A week had already passed since then.

Sergon had stayed another day to make the last decisions and plans with her father about her departure. He'd then taken off ahead of her with half the crew he'd brought. Apparently, he needed to give the king message of their agreement and her arrival ahead of time, so that they'd be ready to receive her.

Obviously, neither her mother or brother – nor her sister for that matter – liked the idea of it, but they also knew there was nothing they could do at this point. She was going.

And she was going today.

Everything had finally been packed up and gotten ready to go. Along with the crew Sergon had left her, a group of their own guards were coming as well to make sure she really would be safe. Kaisog had volunteered to go and was going to be staying with her over there for at least some time.

Unfortunately, it'd been decided they would travel by ship, despite it being a far quicker journey by dragon. Simply because Sergon's guards weren't used to or comfortable with it and because it would attract a little too much attention. Of the unwanted kind, of course.

But that was fine, a boat-ride would be nice as well. Maybe she could also learn a thing or two from Sergon's men. About the king and the kingdom. About the people she would meet. About themselves even.

All that said, she couldn't lie about the anxiousness she felt gnawing at her. What if it turned out the king was just as the rumors said? – A harsh and cold king, who wouldn't listen to or see the pleas of his people? What if he was worse? What if it turned out she wasn't good enough for the role of being his wife? Would he just kick her out and send her home again with no promise of any support?

She had absolutely no idea what she'd be arriving to. What was expected of her to do and what was not? What could she do and what couldn't she? Was she going to be little more than a trophy or was she going be his equal as her mother was her father?

She had a lot of questions she wished answered, but none able to do so. She'd simply have to wait and see, though that wasn't much comfort. Knowing that Kaisog would be there with her was a great comfort though. If nothing else, they'd still have each other throughout this.

"Are you prepared to go, Princess?" the man in question asked her.

She smiled lightly and nodded at him. "As ready as I ever will be."

She turned her attention to her mother when she approached. The woman put her hands on Ciara's cheeks, staring straight into her eyes.

"Do not push yourself with this, my daughter. If it is impossible for you to do this, then come home again. We will figure something out. We always do."

The girl only nodded. She would stick it out for as long as she was able, but it was wonderful to know they wouldn't bat an eye if she returned. The same likely couldn't be said about the king, though.

"Running from literally the youngest and strongest king there has ever been?" Madia, her sister, asked in mock disbelief. "No way."

Her golden-brown brow was raised in question, straight bangs on either side framing her face. She even got their mother's figure and eyes. To say Ciara was jealous would be an understatement.

Madia's arms were crossed over her chest. "Had you not been the fastest, I would have gone myself."

Aem snorted. "Yeah, right. You should be happy that that husband of yours will put up with you for extended periods of time." His brow was raised in challenge.

Madia huffed. "I have at least got a far better chance than your ugly mug ever would."

"Yeah, my handsome face would be far too much for some snotty king to handle," he promised their sister before turning to Ciara. "If that bastard ever tries anything, just send a dragon – I will be there in no time."

"Thank you, Aem," she said, touched to see him willingly show he cared. Still, she had no doubt he would be dancing at the opportunity to do anything to any of the kings overseas.

Finally was her father, the one who'd allowed her to leave in the first place.

"No matter what may happen, I want you to remember that you are not merely his wife, Ciara. You are all of us, we will always be behind you in whatever you decide," he gently told her, his words accompanied by a look that forced her to listen.

She nodded firmly. "I know."

After all, she'd used that in her arguments - that she was their representative.

Her mother suddenly pulled her in for a hug, crushing Ciara in her arms. "Just take care of yourself, please."

Ciara wrapped her arms around her mother as well. "I am sure you would be allowed to visit me once in a while, mother."

"You can be sure I will be coming over there to see what I missed out on," Madia said, making her mother reluctantly pull away from the youngest to give the middle a light glare. Once she was gone, though, Madia drew her sister in for a tight, though not bone-crushing, hug as well. "I will be missing you, C."

Ciara felt the sting of tears at the back of her eyes. Madia was never the first one to speak of her emotions like this.

"I will miss you too, Madia," she managed to mutter back to her sister, who pushed her back to give her a watery smile as well.

Aem appeared behind Madia. "Do not worry, C. I will be by before a cycle has passed over there," he promised, stepping in for Madia.

Unable and uncaring to hold them back any longer, she let the tears freely tumble down her cheeks as she hugged him.

"I will be looking forward to that." She gave him a smile as he drew back to the two crying women, which only made her own worse. Even her father didn't look completely unaffected.

"I do not believe there is anything more I can tell you, my dear," Farlon said, drawing her in as well. "You are as ready as anyone ever will be." He squeezed her lightly.

"I will do my best, father. I promise you that." Her voice was as shaky as a leaf in the wind.

Her father pushed her back, patting her head with a gentle smile that promised her he'd be proud no matter what she managed to do.

He then turned his gaze to Kaisog, who'd been standing silently by her side, watching their goodbyes.

"Please keep her safe, son," he told the younger man, the extra son he'd never thought he'd have, but had loved as much as any of the other three.

Kaisog nodded briskly, his hands clasped behind his back. "I will, without fail, my king."

Her father smiled at him. "Thank you, I have no doubt of it." He put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I am proud of you."

A little smile broke through Kaisog's façade. "Thank you, father," he muttered, only barely loud enough for her and their father to hear.

Her father nodded, stepping back. "Have a safe trip, you two."

With a hand on her lower back, Kaisog guided her over the wooden bridge and onto the ship. Giving some of Sergon's men a nod, they immediately set to work on setting sail.

Still with his hand comfortingly on her back, they went to the rafters and looked down at their family, who seemed so incredibly small from this far above.

Not that they looked to be much more than hazy blocks through her blurring tears.

"Anchors aweigh!" someone yelled, followed by a loud rattling. With the heavy anchor off the bottom, it was easy to feel how free the ship had gotten, it was already gently rocking.

In a hurry, she waved at everyone down below, watching them grow smaller and smaller way too quickly. She only puther hand down once they were no longer in sight.