“More bones.” Anton, standing at the top of Temur’s still moving Sled, shook his head. “I thought I was done with them for a little while at least. And now…”

“There’s an entire valley of them.” Cetina softly added.

“The Valley of Dragons.” Zuhura said softly. “A sacred graveyard and final resting place for the giant, legendary beasts.”

“And a source of bone for your weapons and armour. Correct?”

Zuhura bit her lip for a moment. “It. It is our way of life. Dragon bones are extremely light and strong.”

“I’ve never seen so many before.” Cetina glanced towards the Desert Elves mesa, far beyond sight. “Some of them are bigger than this sled, just resting in the desert and dirt…”

Cetina’s words did not do the Dragon Valley justice. The valley lay seemingly randomly placed in the desert, only the massive light brown mountains kept the sand from overwhelming it. Within the narrow passes Anton saw fields of bones, most were placed randomly but many were in the shape of a dragon, almost identical to the green forest dragons they had watched flying over the Wood Elves territory. The further he looked the more he saw; bleached white bones lay against the innumerable smaller boulders where the Dragons had breathed their last breath, some curled up as if they were merely going to sleep but Anton didn’t see any that were in a state of decay. However the valley was incredibly large and mostly obscured by the large mountains.

Anton sniffed at the air. “I can’t smell anything. Do Dragons...rot, different to everything else?”

“I don’t know.” Zuhura softly replied. “My tribe never reached this far. They never reached this far north.”

The Sled slowly stopped, the Weevil grumbled softly and stomped its feet on the ground. After a few stomps it curled its legs underneath its body and seemingly fell asleep. Anton looked back and saw the other Sleds and Weevils doing the same thing, slowing then the insects stomped their feet. He had not seen them do this before. Perhaps being so close to dead Dragons made them nervous.

“Insects have better senses of smell than us.” Anton said softly. “How long do you think we’re going to be here?”

“A day or so.” Zuhura looked towards the rear of the sled. Anton could see Temur’s head slowly bobbing up the wooden walkway.

"We'll be stopping here for about a day or so." Temur said loudly. "We'll resupply our collection of Dragon Bones, fix up what we can and move on."

Temur reached their platform, behind him walked Bedes and his two minders.

"Then another few days and we'll reach the border of the Feral Beastkin." Temur softly sighed. "If you wish to stay, just say so. We'll be more than happy to take you back, when we're in that area."

"We'll be fine." Anton said. "Right now I'm very interested in this Dragon Valley of yours. Do Dragons rot..."

Anton's eyes were drawn to Mezot, standing at the end of the walkway and staring intently at the fields of bones.

"Mezot?" Anton softly asked.

Mezot snapped her head away and pointed at the valley. "Those bones radiate considerable magical power. Much more than I thought could be possible in these lands." Mezot glanced at Anton. "The further East we travel the less of the Mana Dampening field I feel."

"I thought it had dropped a little. Not too much, but something." Anton tapped the wooden railing. "Do you think they could be useful for our Academy?"

"I think so." Mezot gripped her staff tight. "Charms need to be made from metal but it could increase its power. It will probably make the Charm more unstable too..."

Mezot trailed off into mutterings beneath her breath. Anton shook his head and turned his attention back to Temur.

"If you are harvesting the bones can we come as well? I think Mezot might be able to pick out a few things that might be valuable to us."

Temur shrugged. "I don't see any problem with that. Just be careful though. There are creatures that live in the boneyard that aren't seen anywhere else. And they are quite vicious and violent."

"I guess they do rot normally then." Anton said softly. "What-"

His words were cut short by a series of short trumpet blasts, different to what he had heard before. Zuhura tensed, fearing it was another Sun Walker assault, but it was far more benign. On the horizon another Nomad Tribe was heading towards them, towards the Graveyard to be more precise. They too had Weevils pulling Sleds, not as many as them, but far more camels and people on foot.

"I remember you saying not all of the Tribes are friendly." Anton said softly. "Will our talents be necessary here?"

Temur squinted towards the approaching tribes. "No. No I don't think so. They wouldn't be so bold."

"Unless it is a trick." Cetina said. "Pretend they are friendly so they can get close and attack while you are disorganized. If it works then it's a worthwhile tactic."

"I don't think..." Temur's demeanour changed. "Actually, I think it would be best if you stayed, just in case. I honestly doubt it but one can never be too certain."

---[]---

The other Nomad Tribe, the Alqanun Almultawi, was also coming to collect Dragon Bones for their camp and to trade with the Frindal's in the west. Compared to Temur's tribe the Alqanun Almultawi were certainly more standoffish and haughty even to one another. Anton could tell they held Anton in high regard, for the simple fact he was a foreigner and would have knowledge of the outside world. His female companions, less so.

Both Tribes established their camps and readied expeditions into the Dragon Graveyard. Those daring to venture in waited at the entrance to the Graveyard, standing before a significant change in colour of the soil. Nomads streamed past them, all eager and excited to begin their plundering of bones. Everyone that entered was heavily armoured, by their standards, even the few women that were accompanying them.

"So are they going to be doing the work?" Anton asked softly.

Zuhura pointed to the large bags the Nomad women had slung around their shoulders. "Those contain the tools necessary to harvest Dragon bones. They are light but extremely strong. Normal iron isn't strong enough."

"Trust them with something that expensive but not with a blade?" Anton shook his head. "Not my place to judge, or interfere."

"Where could you go even if you stole it?" Zuhura mumbled, barely audible behind her veil.

Mezot and Axia were still some way behind. The mother and daughter held their staffs and Charms high, muttering to one another as they studied the valley.

"Are you two coming or what?" Anton shouted.

"Almost done." Axia shouted back. "We just wanted to check something."

"What would that be?" Sheso asked.

Mezot did not reply until she had re-joined them. "I can feel many sources of mana in there, but I had a thought that I might not be able to locate them once I'm inside the valley." Mezot waved her free hand into the air. "Since it'll be all around me. Us. It'll be all around us."

"Excellent idea, Mezot." Anton found it a little endearing how Mezot would happily take even the most basic compliment. "Tell us if we need to leave so you can get your bearings. That goes for you too, Axia."

Axia gave a rough salute. Those from the Alqanun Almultawi gave her dirty looks, the notion that women should not be fighters was well and truly ingrained into their collective psyche.

Well-meaning a long time ago. But I doubt it was ever intended to be this restrictive.

“I suppose that we should not delay any longer.” Anton received a whiff of the putrid, rotting corpses. “Is there not something better than we can wear than this? I get the feeling that everything’s going to get ruined by the end of this...At least Kal’s not here. She’d be throwing up everywhere. And I honestly can’t blame her.”

“She would be having trouble.” Calo smiled. “But it’s not like we’re much better.”

Anton began to walk towards the entrance. The smell grew more and more intense, to the point where his eyes began to water. The Nomads nearby were equally suffering. It continued to grow more intense until they reached the bottom of the shallow valley. Almost instantly the smell dissipated and the other Nomad's quickly recovered.

Mezot pulled a strange face as everyone else was simply glad they could breathe a little easier.

"I thought so." Mezot mumbled. "It feels like it's all around me. Like it's...Like it's infused into the ground and stone."

"Is that even possible?" Anton looked to the nearest Dragon skeleton. "I suppose when it was rotting some of the fluids drained into the soil."

"That's disgusting." Axia raised her boot and frowned. "Please don't tell me we're going to be collecting this dirt...Shit-"

Axia stopped dead and avoided Mezot's furious gaze. Zuhura knelt down and touched the dirt with her finger, much to the disgust and bemusement of the twins.

"Don't eat it." Calo said softly.

"I'm not going to." Zuhura sighed. "But I have seen this for sale. Supposedly it heals your body and increases male libido."

"Everything supposedly does that." Anton scoffed. "But most of the time it's just a trick, mind games on the part of the unwitting purchaser."

"I believe Hazm used this once." Zuhura smiled and flicked the dirt away. "I don't recall him using it again."

"I'm sure the ladies loved rolling around with someone that smells like that." Anton's words elicited a smirk from Zuhura and Cetina. "Mezot? Axia? Could you two please lead us on? The sooner we are done here the better."

Mezot and Axia removed the cloth covering their Charms and began leading them deeper into the valley. The Dragon skeletons they passed were utterly immense, a single tooth was larger than he was tall, but all had already been harvested, to some degree. Many bones were outright missing, others had strips taken out but the skulls were always in one piece.

"Zuhura? Is there some reason they don't take the teeth?" Anton pointed to the nearest Dragon skull. "They look unbelievably sharp. You wouldn't need metal spears if you had those."

"I am not sure why, Anton. But I believe that many have tried before." She approached the Dragon skull and pointed just above the teeth. "Many scratch marks... Many attempts."

"Mezot?" Anton waited until she realized who had just called to her. "Is there any sort of magic still emanating from the skull? Something that would make it stronger?"

Mezot lowered her Charm towards the skull and frowned. "There...There is something. It's not much but there is mana still coming out of the skull. It appears..." Mezot stepped back and pointed at the centre of the skull, right between the giant empty eye sockets. "There. It's coming from in there."

"Some sort of organ." Anton clicked his tongue. "Now way flesh would have survived. But some sort of mineral could easily remain. Doesn't look like there's any other skulls that have been cracked open."

Cetina drew her sword and tapped the skeleton's nose. "This is really hard. I...What are you glaring at me for?"

Anton knew none of them, even Zuhura, would do such a thing. Nor was he surprised when he saw a group of Nomads standing a few meters away. Alqanun Almultawi Nomads.

"What?" Cetina asked again.

"Women should not use weapons." nA Alqanun Almultawi Nomad spoke in his aloof voice. "Such things are men, not for women."

Before Cetina could respond Zuhura stepped between them. "They are not of any Tribe and do not have to follow our customs or traditions. They have chosen to follow as many as they are comfortable with, without impeding on their own traditions. And you are from a different Tribe so it is of no concern to you." Zuhura gently motioned for them to move around. "So. Please. Continue with your work."

"Don't..." The Alqanun Almultawi Nomad tried to puff himself up but it quickly turned to bluster. The others in his group followed him closely, all giving Cetina dirty looks, even the twins as their sheathed weapons hanged from their hips.

"I'll be glad to get back home." Cetina mumbled. "Hopefully the Feral Beastkin aren't like this."

"I would not know." Zuhura said softly.

"Thanks, Zuhura." Anton quickly gave Cetina's arm a squeeze. "Didn't think you would have shut them down like that."

"I only spoke the truth." Zuhura smiled. "And I hope that I would have had your support if things escalated into a scuffle."

"Wouldn't have gone well for them." Axia's laugh trailed off as she looked to her Charm. "I saw a few at the back looking at these."

"Definitely keep an eye out." Anton looked to Calo and Sheso. "I'm going to need to rely on you two to keep a keen eye on everything."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The twins smiled and gave a rough salute.

Mezot, seemingly oblivious to what had just transpired, tugged on Anton's hand. "Can we open one of these skulls? I want to see what is creating all this mana."

"Let's have a bit more of a look around the valley first. See if there's any around here that have already cracked before we start smashing up new ones."

When they passed the skeleton they came across the first Nomads harvesting Dragon Bone. By using a mixture of saws and chisels they were able to smash apart the bones into long strips, ideal for working into whatever shape they so desired. Anton was not surprised when he saw the tools were made from a white metal. Adamantium, the strongest metal in this world and something that Anton had not come across much.

"How much would one of those tools cost?" Anton softly asked Zuhura. "Are there Adamantium mines in Frindal?"

"There is one, to the far West. But I have not seen it myself. Do you wish to purchase one to bring back to your city?"

"Just a curiosity." Anton smiled.

Strange that the source of the Mana Dampening is in the same place. Related maybe?

"But our funds are not unlimited nor should be used frivolously."

Zuhura tilted her head. "You gave Sultan Hazm a huge Tanzanite crystal for the Hamtaro's?"

"That was not a frivolous purchase." Anton said. "I'm sure that Midas and the others will become quite useful, once they've recovered and had time to settle in."

Zuhura slowly nodded as they continued into the valley. The further they walked the older the Dragon Bones became, the more had been stripped away. Some were so old that only a few fragments remained, and the skull. The skull always remained, almost always untouched except for a few attempts. Anton saw tiny shavings of Adamantium embedded in the bone.

"I bet they stopped that really quick." Anton mused.

Calo and Sheso suddenly stopped. Anton gently grabbed Mezot's and Axia's clothes, as they were leading, and pulled them back. Neither asked why and waited for an explanation.

"I saw something." Sheso spoke softly. "Something darting about on the ground."

She and her sister drew their short swords and pointed them towards a particularly dense pile of bones. Anton saw something move in the shadows and gently ushered the Mages and Zuhura behind him. A small insect emerged, no larger than his boot. It looked remarkably similar to a Pill Bug but its mouth was long and pointed, a sharp needle like protrusion slowly bounced up and down while small antennae twitched back and forth.

"Parasite?" Anton asked aloud. "Looks like its designed to crawl underneath a scale and suck out blood."

"I don't like the look of it." Zuhura held Anton's arm, disgust and no small amount of fear covered her face. "Can you get rid of it?"

"I can." Axia said proudly.

After a brief chant a fireball erupted from her Charm and obliterated the insect. Axia grinned but that quickly turned into a frown.

"I...I didn't use any magic."

"Impossible." Mezot chanted and summoned a small icicle. "It...It did not use...How?"

Anton checked himself. He did not use any mana either. Thankfully his tail was not accumulating a Charge either.

"There's that much Dragon blood floating around it's not a surprise." Anton pointed to a Dragon skull near where the insect had emerged. "Maybe that's why they're so powerful. They just accumulate it as they fly around and can draw upon it at will. Like a battery."

Zuhura refused to let Anton's arm go as they approached the skull. At first it looked normal but something had broken it clean down the center, the two halves simply rested against each other.

“Vero...This would be the perfect place for Verona’s blood.” Anton mused. “It could just move-”

“Blood?” Zuhura asked softly. “What do you mean blood?”

“Verona can control blood.” Mezot began. Her face brightened, her fingers tightened on her staff. “There is no Principle Mage that...No. I must remain calm. But...From what I’ve seen it is very useful, even if Verona appears to have issues with the source.”

“Jira can be a bit of a bitch. If Verona drinks any blood, which she’s around all the time, she’ll go insane. So...We’re working on things that mean that won’t be a problem.” Anton clapped his hands together. “Mezot? How about your little Water Sprites? They seem like they’re strong enough to topple this skull over.”

“And yours?”

“One’s a flying crow and the others are extremely hot. Though I don’t think that it’ll damage these bones I don’t want to risk it.”

Mezot began to summon eight small Water Sprites. The small water creatures bobbed about in the dirt. While normally they were completely emotionless, patiently waiting for an order to fulfil, now they appeared nervous and apprehensive. Their water heads twitched nervously from side to side, they even looked up to the empty sky.

Are they worried about Dragons attacking? We’ve only seen the three over the Wood Elves territory. I wonder just how ferocious these massive beasts are in a fight?

Mezot noticed and threw Anton a worried look. As neither had an answer they silently decided to continue whilst taking caution. While the Water Sprites were still hesitant they followed Mezot’s orders without question. The eight slowly clambered onto the Dragon Skull and began to push against the fracture. With one mighty heave the Skull fell apart. Zuhura screamed, holding tight onto Anton’s hand. Out of the empty brain cavity hundreds of small insects streamed out in every direction, their thin need-like noses twitching at the air.

“That’s a lot!” Axia backed away and began to chant. The insects were not heading directly for them but Anton didn’t like the way their noses were slowly turning towards them.

Mezot and Axia loosed a small volley of simple magic at the Insects. The Ice and Fire struck the closest insects and disintegrated them. This time the shots did not kill all of the insects, those partially wounded uttered a terrible screech. The remaining insects scrambled back into the pile of bones. Anton was a little disgusted that some decided to try and eat the dying, puncturing their wounded scales with their long proboscis. Mezot’s Water Sprites dived down from the Dragon Skull and attacked the fleeing insects. They screeched as they fought for their way into the pile of bones and out of sight.

The insects' screams attracted small groups of Nomads, from both Tribes.

“What was that?” One asked. Anton was glad it wasn’t the Nomad they had the run-in with.

“A lot of little insects.” Anton said. “Don’t worry. We’ve cleared them off.”

The Nomads saw the patches of scorched and frozen ground, along with the eight Water Sprites standing near the piles of bones. An insect dared to stick its proboscis out and was set upon by the Water Sprites.

“I see…”

“What are they?” Zuhura slowly loosened her grip. “Are...Are they a threat?”

“Only if there’s a lot of them. But fire always drives them away.” The other Nomad groups began to disperse when they realised there wasn’t an issue. “I think they live on the Dragons. Then when they die they come here and then they’re stuck.”

“There must be something for them to live on...Unless they can live just from magic…” Anton rubbed his beard. “Goblins don’t need food, only water. Eating grass is only something they do to fill their stomachs...Thank you. I don’t think that we’ll be going any further.”

“Right…” The Nomad gave them a gentle wave as he walked away. “Just be careful. There’s a lot of them lurking around the bigger piles of bones.”

Anton gave another wave as the Nomads walked away. He looked to Zuhura, to the hand still holding his sleeve tight.

“Forgive me, Anton.” Zuhura forced herself to let go. “I do not like insects.”

“Then you’ll hate the ones beneath Atros.” Cetina murmured.

“Ever since.” Zuhura threw Cetina a quick glance. “Ever since I was a little girl. I’m sure something happened but they have always disgusted me.”

“Thankfully we don’t have anything like that at home.” Anton smiled. He was about to repeat and explain what Cetina meant but decided against it. “Maybe I should bring out a Fire Imp or two. Just to make sure.”

Just as Mezot and Aixa had said he used no mana to summon the creatures. Again they looked nervous. There was nothing through the connection they shared, only that they behaved strangely. Anton asked the Fire Imp what was wrong but it didn’t answer, he had no idea if it couldn’t or wouldn’t so had to drop it.

The Dragon Skull was surprisingly normal on the inside. No sign of strange metals or organs that survived decomposition.

“Can you isolate it?” Anton nodded to the nervous Fire Imp. “He could probably cut it with his sword. Maybe it’ll just melt it through, or the Dwarves can have a go at it later.”

Mezot hesitantly walked around the skull. There were no little insects to attack her but even he felt a little nervous knowing they were still alive just a few meters away.

“It’s just above the eyes.” Mezot stepped back. “I think it’s...Hang on.”

A Water Sprite moved and sat on what Anton presumed to be the source Mezot had detected. The Fire Imp jumped onto the skull, Mezot silently ordered the Water Sprite away, and drove its flaming sword deep into the bone. The bone resisted, turning black before slowly allowing the blade through. It took some time but the Fire Imp managed to break something free. It returned the blackened chunk to Anton.

“Any...I can see something.”

Anton used his dagger and prodded around a faint green in the burnt bone. The charred bone fell away, revealing a thin green crystal. While thin and large enough to fit into his hand it was barely a centimetre thick. There appeared to be no pattern to the crystal. If anything it looked organic, not surprising where they found it.

Mezot lowered her charm near the crystal. “It is producing a small amount of mana. Not much, but something. Far, far more than a normal person.”

“Any way we could do something with this?” Anton gently passed her the stone. “Like could use these as boosters? Keep using magic when our normal supply has run out?”

“I suppose so.” Mezot looked to the sheer mountains forming the valley. “But I don’t know if we can discover that here. If it does…”

“We’ll check when we’re outside.” Anton gently took the gemstone from her hand and hid it in a small pouch. “Better not say anything if anyone asks. This looks like it might be valuable. If the others find this we could find these amongst our enemies. And that is something we don’t want.”

“I...I understand.” Mezot frowned as she held her staff tight. “Do you think we might have to fight Graterious one day? I don’t like the idea of fighting the students. They were good...Especially after my thoughts and mind had improved.”

“It is a distinct possibility.” Anton said, Mezot’s shoulders dropped. “But we will do our best to avoid it. Besides, those young students might be more open minded than their peers. Perhaps we could convince them to join us? So long as they see the Beast-kin as more than just slaves.”

Mezot seemed slightly happier. Anton hoped they could be convinced to join, but that would still be some years away. There was no way students with a promising career ahead of them would join a small town in the middle of nowhere. But one issue needed be dealt with at a time.

---[]---

After collecting another circular green gemstone from the separated Dragon Skull, along with several of the sharp teeth, they returned to the Nomad Tribes. There was nothing else within the valley apart from more and more Dragon Skeletons and they were only originally visiting as a curiosity. More time was needed to properly investigate the entire valley but the two circular crystals were more than enough reward for their effort.

Anton was slightly put off by the awful smell of rotting flesh once they began the ascent. That was still a mystery, one which Anton did not care to wait and find the answer.

“Looks like we’re about to get into a bit of trouble.” Anton mused.

He nodded to the two Nomad camps. While before their relations had been stand-offish they were now quite involved. Mainly with shouting and wild gesticulation. None of it looked good.

“For fuck’s sake.” Cetina clicked her tongue. “All because I used a sword?”

“They really don’t like anyone breaking their traditions.” Sheso said softly. “But it doesn’t...Should we just try and walk past like it’s not our problem.”

“It isn’t our problem.” Anton said calmly. “And we’re not surrendering our weapons or giving into whatever they have to say.”

Cetina smiled and pulled close to Anton. The Alqanun Almultawi Nomad’s notice their approach and began to push towards them. Anton raised his hand and summoned a small Fire Bomb. The burst of fire magic was enough to stop them, to give them pause. The others merely laughed, some even urged them to try something. None of the Alqanun Almultawi’s were willing to do anything now and slowly dispersed, glaring angrily at Cetina and the twins. Anton quietly told them to ignore everything they said and did and simply walk towards Temur’s Sled. No one tried to interfere with them as they silently made their way back to their room as the very top.

“Anton?” Calo gently waved her hand. “Is it possible that we can go home? Not! Not forever!” Calo laughed nervously. “But there are a few things that we’d like to do there. Tell our people what’s out here.”

“So long as you aren’t giving them places to raid.” Anton said dryly, smirking slightly.

The twins pouted.

“We’re beyond that...Now.” Calo shrugged. “But we would still like to go home for a bit.”

“Sure. Just try and be back before sundown. We don’t know if the Mana Dampening Field is going to suddenly pick up and make the portals useless. I’d prefer to have as many hands as possible.”

“We won’t be that long.” Sheso smiled. “We’ll be back soon.”

The twins gave a tiny wave and entered their room.

“I wish to study this further.” Mezot reached into Anton’s pocket and took both of the crystals. “I believe I have an idea of how to make this into this battery that you spoke of. It doesn’t work just yet…”

Mezot created a small Icicle. “I still used mana, despite holding both of these. But I believe I have an idea. A book-”

“Did you manage to get a copy before we had to flee?” Anton snapped his fingers. “We should have checked Frindal...No. They wouldn’t have any books on Principle Magic...Actually a collector might have one. Zuhura?”

“Sultan Hazm may have some books on Principle Magic.” Zuhura said calmly. “As a curiosity. There may also have been some collectors. I’m sure they might be willing to see you rare books, but at a great price.”

“Magic books in Frindal would be extremely rare.” Anton slowly nodded. He looked towards the Alqanun Almultawi’s camp. It looked as if they were trying to raise an even larger fuss about Cetina wielding a sword. “This won’t be done for a while. But I doubt they’re actually going to try and attack over something like this...Still…”

“I’ll take a nap for a little while.” Cetina gently shook her head. “I’m sure they’re looking up here for me.”

“We’ll wait out here then.” Anton said. “Though I’m not as good of a soldier as you I think I can hold my own, especially with my magic.”

Cetina smiled and gave his hand a little kiss. Everyone entered the room, leaving Anton and Zuhura alone. Zuhura gently rested her hands on the metal railing. It was the first time they had been alone together, not that she looked like she felt threatened or worried in any sense.

“Anton? Why…” Zuhura turned towards him. A hand moved to her face as she removed the veil covering her face. “Why are you going so far from your home?”

“Beyond saving the Beast-kin?”

“Yes...Seems like so much…” Zuhura almost smiled. “I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve been asked this. Your other companions, they do not look like they all arrived at the same time. Especially the twins.”

“No. But...It is an interesting question, I suppose.” Anton leant against the railing. “I suppose it would be in order to survive.”

Zuhura frowned.

“Have you heard...No. I don’t think you would have heard what happened in Graterious and Bebbezzar?”

“No. Apart from Bebbezzar being in the middle of an extremely destructive civil war.”

“There are creatures coming from another world, another dimension I believe, and they’ve appeared in both of those places. I don’t know if they’re actually as destructive as I’ve been told by the Gods, but they will be arriving in our lands sometime next Spring. So we need to be ready for them. Not to mention that we need to be strong enough to fend of Qaiviel, should they attack, Graterious, should they try and colonise our lands, and the Goblin menace to the south. It’s...It’s a mess, honestly.”

Anton smiled. “I would love nothing more than to just stay in Atros and relax. Spend my days tinkering with my ideas and getting to know people better.”

Zuhura raised a brow. She read a little too far into his words.

“But if I were to do that Atros would fall. So...In order to get to the point where I can really relax, I need to travel the world and get as much help as I can get.”

“That...Doesn’t sound that odd.” Zuhura leant against the railing, staring out into the deserts. “What does your city look like? When the snows aren’t falling? Is it really that green?”

“Oh yes. As far as you can see. Tall grass swaying in the breeze, trees so thick and tall that they can block out the sun and everything in between.”

“Seems incredible.”

“It is. But this land has its own charms.”

Zuhura laughed. “Being with your family is always a good thing.”

Her laugh slowly faded away. A silence fell over them, not unpleasant but a silence all the same. Anton tapped the wooden railing.

“Normally, normally when we come to these sort of places we would arrive right in the middle of something interesting. Like an Ancient Dragon coming here to rest.” Anton looked to the empty skies but found nothing. “Normally something like that would happen. Not today, it seems.”

“I thought it was a normal day when you arrived in Sultan Hazm’s Palace.” Zuhura smiled. “I was just waiting for the day that Hazm tried to lay his hands on me.”

“Would you have actually let Hazm do that?”

“I think I would have run.” Zuhura ran a finger along the edge of her headscarf. “I would not want my first time to be with that man.”

“I wonder if he would just flop on top of you and try and make you do the work.”

Zuhura burst out laughing. She held her mouth as redness shot over her face. Anton found himself smiling as well. The thought and image was not a pleasant one.

“That…I won’t say that I’ve seen anything.” Zuhura’s laugh slowly turned into a frown. “Are...Are you not worried that Hazm was using you?”

“About what?”

“Giving you me, by putting me into your service…”

“Not really.” Anton smiled. “I’m not worried if they think that they’ve used me. Right now everything’s going pretty well. Besides, Hazm only gained a little bit of credibility with a single Nomad Tribe while I now have you to guide us through this land, and soon your complete freedom.”

Zuhura shook her head. “You’re a very strange man, Anton. I’m sure you’ve heard that before.”

“You’re certainly not.” Anton laughed as they looked out into the endless desert. “And you won’t be the last.”