An entire moon cycle would have to pass before they arrived in the Fire Kingdom. Sergon had taken the fast ship, so he would arrive a half cycle before them if the winds were good, since he'd also left six days before they had.

The wait was almost too much to bear.

In order to pass the time, however, Kaisog had taken it upon himself to teach her what he knew of their mannerisms. Things he'd learned during the many reconnaissance-missions he'd been sent out on over the years.

"I cannot say I have spent a lot of my time inside the royal court, however I have come into contact with the like on several occasions." His arms were crossed over his ever-armored chest. "Though most of these were simply nobles and not kings, I imagine it would be quite similar in how they do things."

So, she might have to take this with a grain of salt, then. Still, it was better than nothing.

"At all times that these men were appearing publicly, their wives stayed at their sides. They rarely said anything, they were just by them," he explained, while she listened intently. "At balls and the like, they would on occasion stray from their husband's sides and instead make conversation with some of the other guests. It would only be for a short while before they returned to their position again, however."

She frowned. "So, am I only expected to remain silently by his side all the time?"

"In the beginning, yes, I would imagine so," he confirmed. "Well, perhaps not if another person approaches you, but you should never speak too far beyond the questions you are asked. Replying politely but vaguely is what you are to do." Seeing her sour expression, he quickly continued. "Of course, this is only during public events. In your daily life, I imagine you will be allowed to do almost anything you might wish to."

She nodded while releasing a sigh. Well, it was fair enough. She certainly wouldn't be surprised if she said something wrong at some point, so maybe it was a good idea to keep as quiet as possible. Besides, as he said, that wasn't something which would happen every day.

She wouldn't be giving up over something so small anyway. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as it seemed.

Kaisog scratched the back of his head, unsure how to reassure her any.

"Keeping up appearances and your reputation; that is usually what I find they worry about. Anything goes as long as these are upheld."

"Ya worry too much," one of the crewmembers said behind them, having overheard their conversation. "I'm sure the king will tell ya what he wants ya ta do and not ta do. No need ta stress over that already."

She turned to the man. "Do you know the king well?"

His face twisted into an apologetic frown. "I don't know his majesty in private, I'm afraid – Commander Sergon is far better ta ask about that. I've met with him several times during work, though." He looked thoughtfully out at the vast sea. "Well, for starters, he ain't nearly as horrible as all those rumors make 'im out ta be."

Kaisog crossed his arms, looking at the man with something between a frown and a glare. "Surely the rumors you speak of did not simply appear by themselves."

The man's shoulders sagged a little. "People easily get afraid of things they don't know or understand," he said, looking pointedly at the two of them.

She nodded quickly, knowing what he was getting at.

"It's unknown where his majesty, Lodin Morian, comes from, though it's expected he's from the West, given his appearance. No one knows exactly why, but he became part o' the Royal Guard and made it ta the top when he was a mere fifteen summers – the youngest ever that's known of. The king he worked under then had been very sick and eventually died without heirs ta take over. Despite his age, the young king managed ta fight his way ta the throne through the many others who'd been in the Royal Guard for decades longer." He shrugged lightly. "Some say he'd planned ta become king all along and in the end murdered any that'd step in his way. Some're just afraid of what someone so talented could do with the kind of power he now possesses."

This, she'd never heard before. It was truly impressive that he managed that at such an age. Though it was true the methods were yet to be known.

Kaisog remained unimpressed even after that story. "Still, even with that story, it does not warrant him being called a 'tyrant' king."

The man sighed. "Everything the king's ever done has been for the good of our kingdom," he pointedly told them, sharply looking them both in the eyes. "But it is true he can be a lil' harsh in the implementation of his laws," he then trailed off. "Well, that's just my opinion, anyhow."

With that, the sailor went on his way back to his work.

She looked after him as he disappeared. He hadn't seemed like he was trying to mislead them, she trusted him in that. It was reassuring to know someone like him would so faithfully trust in his king.

"Well, the king does not sound as bad as I had feared." She looked up at Kaisog.

He didn't even twitch.

...

"Straighten your back, Princess," Kaisog called out to her. "And take shorter steps."

It was impressive how court-ladies made even walking an art-form. She could barely keep her balance as it was and then she was told she was expected to walk in shoes with heels as sharp as needles and as long as well. Had none of them ever broken an ankle before?

"Do not flail with your arms like that either. Keep them relaxed at your sides or clasped in front of you."

She bit her lip, trying to do as he told her to and only hardly managing. She knew she wasn't the graceful sight she was supposed to be.

Suddenly, the ship was hit by a larger wave, making it rock gently in its wake. The force of it was enough to make her lose her balance completely, though and she released an embarrassing squeak. Of course, she never met the floor, as Kaisog easily reached out and caught her in one long stride. With a gentle but firm grip on her elbow, he helped her to her feet again.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked, already scanning her ankles.

She shook her head. "I am not, thanks to you." She sent him a grateful smile, which he reciprocated with a light one of his own. She then sighed deeply. "I cannot do this, however. It is impossible. My legs are too short."

He chuckled, giving her elbow a squeeze. "I actually think your height is to your advantage this time." When he saw she found no humor in the situation, he instead sent her a soft look. "Do not worry, Princess, you will be fine just the way you are." He leaned down to press his forehead to hers with a ginger hold of the back of her head.

It was something they had always done as children to remind each other they were always there for each other no matter what may be thrown their way. It was easier when they were younger and without the difference in height though.

Just as it always had done, she felt his warmth calm her spirits immediately.

"Thank you," she muttered again, nothing if not grateful for his presence here with her.

...

It was in the middle of the night when Ciara suddenly woke up.

She had been given a cabin of her own. The best one despite her protests. It had a big bed, sizeable enough for two people at the very least, and a little dinner-table at the other end of the room. The wardrobe was as big as the one she was used to at home as well. Definitely a suite worthy of a king.

She managed to pull herself out of the lavish covers, which she'd had no problem getting used to. She needed some fresh air.

She pulled a robe tightly around herself against the cold she knew she was going to be facing out there. It was only late spring, after all.

She gingerly went to the door and pushed it open, letting the salty breeze wash over her. Meanwhile, the guard, who'd been sitting by her door, dozing off, jumped up with a clatter.

"Ciara! What are you doing up so late? Is there a problem?"

He was one of the ones who'd volunteered to go with her and she knew him quite well, so she was quite comfortable giggling at him.

"At ease, Alen. I simply wanted some fresh air."

"Oh, I see. Okay."

Even as she went towards the stem of the ship, he stayed a few steps behind her. She wasn't used to having a guard like this, but apparently she would have to, as it was a commonly used practice in the Fire Kingdom.

The sea was even more beautiful at night than it was during the day. There were barely any winds brewing, so the sea was almost completely still. The bright moon and stars were reflected so clearly in the water, it was almost ethereal. It was like nothing she'd ever seen at home.

"Do you miss your family at home at all yet?" Alen suddenly asked behind her, after a moment of silence had passed.

She turned away from the vast sea and to him. "Of course I do."

In truth, she'd begun missing them all within the first pair of days. Now they'd seen nothing but water for half a moon-cycle. Not a day had passed in which she hadn't thought of the people she'd left behind.

She sent Alen a smile. "But I still have all of you with me. I have not regretted my decision the slightest." Rather, she was getting quite excited to finally arrive.

The guard looked at her silently for a moment, then sighed. "You are very brave."

She mimicked his sigh, turning back to the sea. "I only wish Kaisog felt the same as you do." She hadn't really intended for him to hear.

"Oh, he definitely does!" Alen hurried to tell her, only getting more flustered when she looked at him questioningly. "He is only afraid of losing you, Ciara."

She frowned. Why would Kaisog ever think such a thing? He should know by now that their relationship wasn't simply one you threw away just like that.

She internally shook her head. As much as she cared for that man, she was fairly sure she would never understand what was going through his head.

"Well, I think I should head back to bed again," she said, already making her way back to her cabin. "Goodnight, Alen." She knew it was likely going to be a while until he'd get some proper rest, but didn't know what else to say.

He smiled at her, making himself comfortable by her door.

"Goodnight, Ciara."

...

"One of the things you must always remember is the fact that they view history and the Great War very differently from how we do it," Kaisog advised her, already at it again early in the morning.

She looked at him with furrowed brows. "I know that. They were jealous of all the land and power the Dragon Kingdom held back then and sought to eradicate us because of it."

He shook his head. "That is still our side of things. To them, the power your grandfather held as the biggest of the kingdoms, allied with the Tao clan and able to mount dragons the way the others did horses, was too great. They thought him a threat, who might get drunk on his power and decide to expand. Naturally, they all allied in order to take him down," he explained, recounting what had happened a lifetime ago, when her father had been her own age. "That your grandfather had the foresight to evacuate this many of us to the island, they could have never known."

Her frown only deepened. "If they were really so afraid of us, then why have they left us be for this long?"

He smiled. "That is a good question. I imagine it was either because they do not know how much military strength we hold, as Commander Sergon referred to in his plan, and are afraid of what we might be plotting. Or they simply figure we would not be much of a threat out here and without our alliances to the Tao."

She nodded slowly. She wondered what the Dragon Kingdom had been like back then - so big and with so many people.

"Make sure you do not speak too much on the events of the Great War – I am without a doubt that nothing you say will be well received."

He wouldn't have to tell her twice – she could already imagine their response. 'Oh, so you truly believe a king, relying on such barbaric methods, is really a proper king?' or, if she agreed with them; 'You do not even trust a king of your own kin? How can we trust you will not turn on our king as well?'.

She was forced out of her reverie when a sudden shout sounded from one of the crew.

"Watch out! Dragons incoming!"

Of course, Ciara did the exact opposite of what the man had intended and bolted right to the railing, looking for the dragons in question.

She immediately spotted them, charging at break-neck speed towards the ship. They were incredibly fast, no more than a blur as they sped right past them, sending a small storm of wind after them in the aftermath.

"Looks to me like they are playing tag," Kaisog said beside her, his eyes trained on the two of them as well.

She nodded, smiling widely at the fun the two were obviously having. "Definitely." Though she couldn't say she'd gotten a proper look at either of them, she was pretty sure it was a pair of very young wind dragons.

"Tag?" one of Sergon's men asked, a slight note of hysteria in his voice. "They almost tore our sails off!"

She looked back at the two, who now turned around and were headed towards the ship again. Well, it may be true they'd been pretty close to doing that back there.

Even so, the two young dragons didn't slow down the slightest. Exchanging looks with Kaisog, she gave him a smile and nod.

He turned his attention back to the two, bringing his hand to his mouth. Then, he whistled.

Ciara smiled when the two whined in delight at the sound, changing course to aim for the ship itself. They sped right at them, dropping their game of tag in the process.

Upon realizing what was going on, the crew members exploded into an uproar of panic, yelling at each other to prepare weaponry.

Only because she knew they wouldn't have the time did she not do anything about it, simply waiting for the two to reach the deck. She had to teach these people that dragons weren't creatures to be feared the way they thought they were.

She took a step back and spread her arms open wide as the two young dragons rushed right on deck. One of the two twirled around Kaisog playfully, while the other came to her, nuzzling her stomach affectionately the same way cats did.

Seeing them up close like this easily revealed they were a pair of wind dragon twins. A drake and a dragonelle by the looks of it. And very young ones as well. They were barely any bigger than a horse.

As wind dragons often looked, these two had had a body quite like that of a snake, though a little bulkier. Instead of legs, they sported two pairs of wings, the front ones being bigger than the hind ones. They were both a very light blue on most of their bodies and wings, while their bellies were a milky white. White feathers trailed down their necks, backs and down to the tips of their tails, where it collected into a soft bundle. Small, budding horns peeked out at the back of their scalps, already twirling around themselves.

Ciara smiled, running her hand through the soft feathers on its neck.

"Hey, you two," she gently murmured to the young dragonelle in her arms.

The dragon opened her dark, blue eyes, a bright smile lighting up her face. She pulled back quickly, only to give Ciara a big, wet lick right across the face.

Ciara gasped in surprise, frozen to the spot for a moment, just as everyone else. That was until the dragon herself broke out into something akin to laughter. As happy and innocent as it was, it was so incredibly contagious, that Ciara found herself laughing right along.

And so, seeing the princess' fun in the situation, everyone around them started laughing as well.