As Chance awoke he could feel the now familiar weight of Alyssia laying on his chest. He could feel her vaguely through their bond as she slept. Nothing specific just a sense of her being there on the corner of his mind.

He could hear the sounds of people up and about outside the wagon they had been allowed to sleep in. Though the bed was a bit narrow and shorter than he was used to, he decided that it was much better than sleeping on a blanket on the ground.

Raising his head slightly and looking around he could see the bed that Captain Herrera had slept in last night. While he could see that it had been slept in, it was empty now and he could see that there was no one else in the wagon.

“Alyssia,” Chance said softly as he ran his hand over the small demi-dragon. “It is time to get up.”

I don’t want to. I am comfortable and was having a good dream.

As he lifted her off his chest and got up, Chance said. “Ok. I guess you can stay here and sleep while I go see if I can find me some breakfast. I wonder if they will let me eat all of your bacon since we are a pair now.” As he set her back down in the middle of the pile of blankets and turned to go out the door.

Hey! They better not give you all my bacon! Alyssia called out to him. Oooohhh, you big meanie! Now you have me thinking of bacon.

Chance turned back and saw her climbing out of the blanket and making her way to the edge of the bed. Will you at least come pick me up. I am not sure I am awake enough to fly.

“Sure, Little One. Anything for you.” Chance said as he pushed his affection for her through the bond.

He putting his cloak on he asked, “Shoulder or pocket?”

Pocket please, then I can sleep a little more and still keep you from stealing all of my bacon.

Picking her up in hand and opening his cloak with the other he held her close enough that she could climb in and settle in.

Mmmm…nice and warm and cozy.

Chuckling at her sleepy voice, he headed out of the wagon to face the day.

As he opened the door he saw Alistair standing there beside the entrance to the wagon facing away from the door. “Good Morning Chance.” Alistair said without turning his head from observing his surroundings.

Stepping down and turning to Alistair, Chance noticed he looked tired and like he was about to fall asleep on his feet. “Have you been out here all night?” He asked.

“Yes.” We decided that even though you were part of the Family at the time and there is no life debt owed, we still feel there is an obligation to you. We are not sure how to resolve it but for now we will be making sure that you are safe and that nothing happens to you in our Respite.”

Chance was shocked to say the least, “I…uh… well… ok then” he stammered out.

Turning towards the fire, he saw the Captain and Emeril sitting in the camp chairs having a cup of coffee and discussing some topic that seemed to hold all of their attention.

Walking up and taking a seat on the opposite side of the fire in an open camp chair, Chance told them, “Good Morning. I could use a cup of that coffee, where would I go about getting one?”

No sooner than he completed his sentence than a cup was held in front of him. Glancing up he saw the smiling face of Merin, “Thank you, Merin.”

“Please forgive my anger yesterday and for striking you.” She asked as she lowered her head.

“We are all good. While I am not betrothed, and am not planning to be any time soon, I think I can understand the source of the anger. Not to mention the emotional swings from yesterday. All is forgiven, besides there is no debt among family, right.”

“Right. I will be right back with some breakfast for you. I don’t see your bonded is she still sleeping in the wagon?” She asked, turning to look towards the wagon Chance had slept in overnight.

“No, she is just not a morning person, er… demi-dragon, and is currently inside a pocket in my cloak sleeping still.” Chance said, as he set his hand gently on the small lump in his cloak. “She said, I could have all of her bacon and that she would rather sleep.” He said as he winked at Merin.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“LIAR!” A deep male voice boomed out from inside his cloak. “That is not true! Merin don’t believe him!”

Chance could feel Alyssia struggling to climb out his pocket. Followed by her squawking in her normal voice. “Chance you big meanie, move your arm out of the way and let me out to so I can get MY bacon.”

Chuckling, Chance moved his arm from holding his cloak closed and allowed her to climb out and up onto his shoulder.

“Merin, you can’t believe him. I would never let someone have all of my bacon.” Alyssia pleaded to the woman.

With laughter in her voice and eyes, Merin replied, “No, ma’am I won’t let him have it.”

“I knew they would not let you have my bacon!” Alyssia gloated.

Laughing, Chance stood and made his way over to where it looked as if several women were serving a communal meal for the camp.

“Good Morning, Can Alyssia and I get some breakfast as well?” He asked Emeril’s wife who seemed to be directing the rest of the women in a finely tuned dance of bringing in clean trenchers and food from the cook fires.

“Good Morning Demi-Mage, Of course you may. Step to the table over there and tell Madelyn what you want from what is on table and she will fix you a plate. We already have a plate set aside and kept warm for your bonded and she will get it for you as well.” She responded.

Stepping over to Madelyn, Chance greeted her, “Good Morning, can I get a trencher with some meat, potatoes, and some bread? Also, Emeril’s wife, I am sorry I did not catch her name last night nor this morning, she said that there was a plate set aside for Alyssia?”

Smiling, Madelyn said with a smile, “Her name is Marissa, and I won’t tell Emeril’s sister-in-law that you thought she was his wife, it is easy to mistake her with her twin, Clarissa, who is his wife.”

Thanking her as she handed him a trencher of food, he watched her head back towards the fire, and pick up a pan that was sitting near the fire, and put its contents into a small wooden bowl.

As she turned, a grin spread over chances face as he saw a pile of bacon at least twice as large as his little dragon in the bowl. He could feel Alyssia tamping her feet in preparation to take flight and quickly reached up and placed his hand on her. “Alyssia, what happened the first time you launched yourself at Mom when she was bringing you bacon?” He asked.

She dropped it. Then she threw it away because it got dirty. She responded sadly, he could feel the sorrow from his little friend quite clearly.

“So do you think something similar might happen if you were to do the same to Madelyn?”

Oh! Oh my, thank you Chance for saving my bacon! She said as realization set in over what she had almost done.

Chance took the small bowl from Madelyn as she got back from the fire and thanked her for the food and let her know that Alyssia thanked her as well for all the “tasty bacon”.

----------------------------------------

After they had eaten their fill the two wandered over towards where they had last seen Captain Herrera. Chance knew that the day’s travel was at least a few hours behind the schedule they had set previously so he was anxious to get started.

“Ah, Chance. There you are. We need to gather our things and get on the road. As it is we will be riding into the early evening to make it to the spot for the camp tonight.” Captain Herrera called out as they approached.

“Alright, I never unpacked anything from Hero last night when we arrived so I would just need the young men to bring him back from wherever they kept him overnight.” Chance responded. “That and thank our host for the wonderful welcome, food, and bed for the evening.”

Chance turned to Emeril, having discussed with Alyssia over breakfast the customary farewell for the Travelers, crossed his arms across his chest with each hand at the opposite shoulder and inclining his head towards the man, said, “May the roads be safe and the trials be few until we meet again Emeril.”

“Ha! He knows the customs of the Family well.” Emeril called out, then crossed his arms and inclined his head towards Chance. “May the roads be safe and the trials be few until we meet again to young Chance and beautiful Alyssia, and to you as well Captain Herrera. Remember what we discussed Jacinto, it will keep you safe.”

Emeril clapped his hands and the two young men brought out a cleaned and brushed Hero and Noble. The saddle bags and waterskins looked to have been refilled as well as what looked to be an extra blanket or two tucked behind the saddles.

Chance turned from greeting Hero as Alistair and Merin approached.

“Demi-Mage, a word.”, Alistair said.

Stepping over to the couple, he greeted them. “How can I help you Alistair?”

“Actually, we would like to help you. We feel we owe you despite the claim of kin. We, as you might guess, see a lot of the kingdom. As you grow into your power and take on the role before you, we would like to offer to be your eyes and ears throughout the kingdom. You might not need us now but in the future we feel we could be of good use and feel like we are repaying a debt we owe.”

Chance seemed to be at a loss for words so Captain Herrera spoke up. “They accept. They will be accompanying me to the Palace and then on to the Ard Academy to report their bond. If you need to reach them a message can be sent to either of those two places or to the Smithe family in Mern.”

After a round of farewells to the rest of the Travelers, they mounted up and started out and fast walk to warm the horses before they would need step up the pace if they were to make the next rest area by nightfall.

As they were riding that day Chance asked the Captain, “Do you really think I will need Alistair and Merin?”

“Chance, I am not sure if you fully understand the role you find yourself in. We can discuss some it in the coming days but most you will have to wait and speak to the King and to the Mage Council, but to suffice it to say that yes, you will need them and many more.”

Stunned, Chance was lost in thought of his future for the rest of the day.