"No!" Diwa snapped. "No one is entering any tournament, especially not after what you two have been through."

Fia and Viliant shared a knowing glance. We have to get in, even if Diwa won't let us. Her gleaming eyes, full of expectation, looked up to Viliant and hoped that he had a bright idea. The dragonets argued against Diwa's better judgment as they strolled down the street.

Viliant tried to convince her first. How bad can this tournament be? he asked with a sneer. They don't fight to the death, do they?

"Of course not."

Then it's perfectly safe, Viliant said. Fia and I used to fight for our life every week.

"That's exactly the problem!" Diwa exclaimed with a gasp. "Neither of you should ever have to fight like that again. I don't want you to do anything even remotely related to it."

Your concern is unfounded, Viliant dismissed. We already have the skills. Don't let our suffering go in vain.

"Yeah!" Fia agreed. "We were forced to fight for the humans, but now we can fight for ourselves."

You said it yourself, Diwa, Viliant continued, this tournament has rules. We won't get hurt.

"Yeah! We'll be careful," chimed in Fia.

Diwa muttered her skepticism under her breath, sparing Viliant of the telepathic translation. "I'd be more worried about you accidentally—or intentionally—killing someone."

Viliant's eyes flitted between Diwa and Fia. He could only assume that the adult had expressed some concern for the innocent dragonette. Fia can stay with you the whole time.

"Yeah—Hey!"

Ignoring her, Viliant insisted, Just let me fight. I'll sweep the tournament and collect the winnings. Then we'll be on our way.

"Sorry, Viliant," Diwa said. "It's a magic-only competition. Your ley lines aren't ready for that level of exertion yet."

"Me! Me! I can do it then." Fia jumped up and down and swung herself around to get in Viliant's face. "I'll fight for you. My magic is fully awakened."

"No. That's my final answer." Diwa repeated emphatically.

Then we part ways here, Viliant concluded.

"How do you suppose you'll find a ship then?"

We'll manage. Thanks for everything, Diwa, Viliant said on a last, amicable note. Now hand over the money.

This conversation had devolved too much for Diwa to talk out loud with a semblance of normalcy to any passersby who might overhear. She relied on telepathy to express herself alongside a cock of her head. How come I feel like you're trying to mug me?

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Probably because I will if you don't give us what's rightfully ours. That line should have been a grim joke in poor taste, but intoned with the edge of a growl from Viliant, he might really mean it.

Diwa growled more fiercely in reply. Her deeper chest as an adult allowed her to produce a lower sound. Remember that Malakow has laws. A threat like that can be considered a crime too, you know. Some moments passed as the two dragons' emerald eyes glared at each other without a blink.

Fia swiveled her head between Diwa and Viliant, unsure what she should do to resolve the tension. Nothing, she realized with a sly kink entering her tail. While it would be better if Diwa supported the dragonets' desires, this disagreement worked well enough in their favor. Fia slipped away from Diwa and Viliant, and her telepathy receded into the privacy of her own mind. I'm going to enter that tournament, all by myself! The dragonette skipped off with a determined flick of her tail.

Neither Diwa nor Viliant noticed her leave. Their intense stares were focused solely on each other. The black dragonet relented first, reverting back to a more civil mode of persuasion. You've made it a point over and over again; we only have enough money to send Fia back. If I'm gonna work my share, then let me do things my way. A livid light flashed through Viliant's eyes. Unless are you still trying to coerce me to stay here with you? Be honest with yourself, Viliant sneered, you wouldn't want to put up with me anyway.

"Is that why you've been so feisty lately?" Diwa huffed. The ring of her laughter helped break the tension. "While you do like to be a thorn under my scales sometimes, I'll miss you dearly." The dragoness took the stuffed coin purse out of her satchel and relinquished it to Viliant's safekeeping. "I'll give you the money, but you are still going to need me to help you find a ship. You might be able to cover the tournament's entry fee, but you still can't compete because it requires parental permission. I won't do that for either of you."

You never mentioned a fee. This made Viliant briefly reassess if the investment into the tournament would be worth the risk to their time and funds. He weighed the hefty bag of gold and silver coins in his claw. Viliant had no doubt that he could win enough fights—even magical ones—to make it worthwhile. I bet I could pass for an adult, Viliant observed as he did not look too much smaller than some of the mature, female dragons of the jungle.

"No, you won't," Diwa replied. "Especially because you refuse to talk outside of telepathy."

"I can talk." Viliant spoke aloud and rolled his eyes to the corners. Out of his discomfort, he looked down at the grainy, wooden planks below his claws. "Fia's just more good at it."

"Fia's better at it," Diwa repeated, although she understood his meaning perfectly thanks to their telepathy. "Speaking of Fia, where is she?" The dragoness tossed her head either which way, scanning the crowd of humans and dragons. A fearful note hung in her mind as she expanded her signal out of concern. If the dragonette could sense her searching telepathy, Fia did not accept it. "Oh no."

A twist of smugness contorted Viliant's tail at his friend's bold move. Fia? She was still in range and entertained a response from him.

Good job, Viliant. Keep Diwa distracted for me! I'm going to enter that tournament.

Diwa said it will require an entry fee and adult approval. Find out how much it costs first, then tip a random stranger to get you in. Preferably a dragon that looks more like you than not…. Viliant trailed off as he needed to pay attention to Diwa. He scampered after her, almost left behind as the dragoness took to her wings.

"Come on, Viliant," Diwa ushered from her low glide. "Can you help me find Fia? It's not safe for her to wander around the city by herself!" When they crossed the next street, Diwa pounded her wings to hover higher. She surveyed both ways before snaking through the air. The bright, pink dragonette should stand out compared to the common blue and green dragons, so Diwa hastened her frantic search. She was beside herself, needing to find Fia before something bad happened to her.