Squished between his mother and brother, he was struggling for air within he’s families hug. His brother was rambling on about all the things they had seen and how insane it was that they were at there at the castle. His mother was asking him if he was healthy as she pinched and poked him.

“Imagine our fright when three dragons dropped out of the air in a large carriage!” His father laughed as he patted Kaden’s back.

His brother Anton nudged him and said, “it was a terrifying experience and I hate you for making us ride in that thing.”

Laughing, he said, “I’m told you will be taking carriages back on the ground.”

“Why did we have to fly over the land in the first place?” His sister Lelsi asked with her arms crossed. “No one would explain a thing. Just that the king requested us on your behalf.”

Prema spun around in her new dress. “We got new clothes out of the whole ordeal. What are you worried about, Lelsi?”

He just shook his head at his family. Ozmere smiled at him and said, “whatever you did, it had to be something of great importance if they wanted to get us here as soon as possible. That and dressing us up so lavishly. So what was it?”

Giving a fiendish smile, he said, “I just saved the citadel from a large terrorist attack.”

They all stopped fidgeting and talking and merely stared at him with their mouths agape.

His mother broke their haze first and said, “I knew you were going off to do great things, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon!”

“Yeah,” said Ozmere, “Aren’t you supposed to go on some pilgrimage or something first?”

Kaden nodded. “Yeah, I’m on it right now. Our first realm is the water realm, so we got to come back here and let the king know in person about our bravery.”

He was reveling in telling his family that he had done something so important. The looks they were giving him were of wonder and awe. When he had arrived with Zuma, they had given him the same looks of wonder. He was probably the first person in his famili’s history to have an audience with a king like this. He would go down in history as the most important figure in their family.

He gave them some details about what happened, doing the same as he had with the king as he was with them. He didn’t want to tell them the bad parts, the confidential things. His family was important to him, but he knew he didn’t need to burden them with any magical secrets that could put them in danger.

They were enthralled with the tale. His brothers kept asking him about all the dangerous things they did as they fought the serpents. His sisters were asking what all the people were like, what all the ceremonies were like. They were living vicariously through him.

His father crossed his arms. “Even up at the farm, we’ve been hearing about these serpent people. They’re a bunch of trouble, that’s what they are.”

He let out a short laugh at how right his father was and how he didn’t even know it. They were all laughing at their fancy clothes when Reese arrived. He introduced them and he saw a glint in his sister’s eye. He knew exactly what she was thinking, and he did not approve.

Positioning himself between Reese, who had a devilish grin on his face, and his sister Prema, who was blushing like a fool, he said, “We best be getting to the hall soon.”

Reese snickered and said, “Yeah, that’s what I was coming to tell you. We’ve been summoned. This party is about to start.”

He explained that it had been only three days since they had arrived as he walked down the hall. The days seemed to blur together around there when all they did was hang around, waiting for something to happen. They just had fancy foods and fancy clothes brought to them. His stomach was not doing too well with all the rich flavors.

They met up with Evonne and Sayori. This time, Evonne had a beautiful long-sleeved gown that draped all the way down to her ankles. They had been considerate this time and hadn’t forced something ridiculous on her. She looked much happier as she joined them.

Sayori and Evonne bowed as he introduced them to his family. He had to get onto Anton early on for flirting with them. They just laughed at him and made a crude joke about how they’d enjoy being on a pilgrimage too, if that’s who they sent him with. He knew he was blushing in embarrassment to the two girls.

His team just smiled at him. He knew they were reveling in his uncomfortable feelings. They all continued on to the large hall. Kaden didn’t know what to expect when they got there and he wasn’t really excited to be paraded in front of people.

The door opened and there was a crowd of people in major finery. A man announced their entrance, saying each of their names. All eyes turned to them as they waltzed inside. He had no idea who any of them were. The clothes were brightly colored with ruffles and poofs all over. Gold, silver, and various jewels adorned their fingers and necks. He didn’t wonder why the king had his family dressed in new clothing when they arrived. Nothing they had would even come close to the garb they were witnessing.

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His eyes scanned the room before they fell upon a set of familiar ones: Lord Loratyk. Their eyes connected, and he smiled before strolling directly over to him. It was only moments before he was in front of them, offering his hand to his parents.

“Greetings. I’m Lord Loratyk, a friend of your sons.”

A friend?

“It’s been a while since you were back, Kaden. I didn’t think we’d see you for a good while. I hear you should be coming to my temple soon.”

He stuttered before composing himself by clearing his throat. “Yes sir. We should be heading that way after this whole ceremony is over.”

“You must stay at my home when you arrive! We have so much to talk about.”

Kaden couldn’t help but feel like it was more of a threat than an offer. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a sight of Iratoi and Vixenta strolling up. Their dresses were wide, with a significant amount of fluff to them. Lord Loratyk noticed their fluff and was giving a hearty smile. Their gowns were obscuring Lord Cronley from view. The moment they moved enough, Loratyk’s smile instantly dropped when Cronley stepped toward them.

“Taleem,” Lord Loratyk said with a forced smile.

“Rychus. How good to see you! I wasn’t sure you were going to make it with all those mages in your region demanding your attention.”

If fire could erupt between the two men, it would have. Loratyk simply smiled in response and said, “I haven’t met both your daughters, only the one who spoke so directly to me at the southern temple.”

Iratoi rolled her eyes, and Vixenta offered her hand for him to kiss. It was a power move by her, Kaden knew that for sure. He gave her an awkward kiss before dropping her hand.

His mother nudged him and he was taken out of the posturing moment, having forgot his family was involved. “Oh, Lords. I want to introduce you to my family.”

He went through introducing them all, and both of the men acted graciously. His mother was falling over her words in praise for both of them. They were so dazzled with all the connections he was making in such a short time.

His bother Ozmere leaned into him and whispered, “I didn’t know you became friends with a Lord.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re friends…”

“Well, he said you were,” Ozmere said as he poked him hard in the side before stepping back again.

Kaden didn’t think he could claim he was friends with any of these lords. Of the two before him, he felt he could trust Lord Cronley more than he could Loratyk. Loratyk wasn’t seen in his vision, Cronley was.

The dragons were blessing him with visions of the future. They had already proved that to be true with the Ambassador. He knew that when the war came, Lord Cronley would be at his side. He couldn’t say the same about Lord Loratyk.

The crowd hushed around them as the two men continued to glare at them. He made eye contact with Iratoi, and she just gave him a knowing smirk with a slight shrug. Everyone turned toward one side of the room and he could only assume it was the king making his entrance.

Some trumpets blared, and they indeed announced the king and queen’s entrance. It had been the only thing he was able to predict. He watched with the rest of the brightly colored crowd as the king sat above everyone upon a raised throne at the top of the room. The queen had a smaller chair set back behind the ornate throne.

Everyone waited with bated breath to hear what he had to say. A whole crowd of sycophants wanting the words of a king who refused to listen. It was a room of people who he already knew thought of the king with disdain, not reverence.

“Today we gather to honor one of our own, a young water mage. He recently started his pilgrimage, but before he even did so, he saved the white city itself.”

All the bodies shifted as they turned to stare at him. Their eyes bore into him, judging even his posture. He shifted nervously.

“When the agents of the Serpent order planned to assassinate all those important there at the citadel, our new dragon rider led his team to fight them off, saving countless lives, human and dragon alike.”

His brother Anton slapped his back while grinning up a storm.

“They are calling it the Night of Fallen Wings. Today we celebrate our own young mage, Kaden Bertoff. On behalf of the water realm, today, we celebrate you.”

A slow applause started, led by the king himself. The crowd quickly joined him and the thunder of clapping echoed in the room. A wave of heat consumed him, one of anxiety and nervous pride. He was a hero of his own country. His parents were beaming as everyone praised him.

The king continued, telling of a few of the dramatic moments of the night, making them even more wondrous than the last time they had spoken of it. In only a few days, the tale would get even more grandiose, and he was sure he wouldn’t be able to identify it entirely.

The king thanked him again and waved his hand. Another round of applause before the chattering once again commenced. Several different nobles greeted him and thanked him. He lost track of their names. He lost track of his family and the lords. Even his own teammates were missing in the swarm of people.

Person after person came up to him, introducing themselves with all their lofty titles. He didn’t recognize a single one of them. He would be lost if they ever met again, and he hoped he didn’t have to be quizzed on it later.

His eyes fell on a familiar face, but not the one he thought he’d see. Loratyk’s son, Anders, was there with his hand outstretched. He wasn’t giving Kaden a look of disdain like he had so many weeks prior. It wasn’t entirely a surprise that he was there. He must have joined his father. Cronley’s daughters were expected, so why wouldn’t Loratyk’s son be there?

“Sir Bertoff,” he said through gritted teeth. “Thank you for doing such great things in the name of our realm.”

Kaden gave a fake smile. “It’s good to see you again, Anders.”

“You as well,” he nodded. “We need to speak more privately, if you have time.”

Kaden’s eyebrow raised. He had no idea why Anders Loratyk would need to speak to him privately. He saw his father standing off behind him, staring intently at their interaction.

“The water is tainted.” He heard the voice of the dragons once again in his mind.

He gave a dramatic shake of his hand, knowing there were eyes on them. “I will be glad to have dinner with a son of a lord. Do you mind if I bring my fellow mages? We are due to be at your court soon for our pilgrimage. Your father has invited us to your manor.”

His eyes shifted slightly, as if he was looking behind him. “Yes, yes. We can… uh… meet then.”

Bowing, he shuffled away, back toward his father. Lord Loratyk’s eyes connected with his. And they shared a moment before motion caught his eye. A woman was pushed out of the way and a man was running for him.

A shimmer of a blade danced as Kaden’s only instinct was to jump backward. The man lunged for him and Kaden nearly fell atop a well dressed older man. All he could do was dodge out of the way of thrust after thrust.

His foot caught on a woman’s dress as they were trying to flee the scene. He felt himself falling; the knife glowing with rune magic mere inches away.

The man cried out as he thrust his knife toward Kaden’s heart. “For the Serpents!”