It was him. There was no doubt about it. That same kid who'd taunted me in the forest. I'd already completely forgotten about this brat. Yet here he was, sitting there like he belonged. With that damn grin plastered on his face. The one that was just a tad too friendly to be sincere.

I stopped, throwing him the most hostile glare I could muster. "And who exactly are you again?"

“Oh, you know.” he shrugged, crossing his legs like he was settling in for a long chat. “Just a good friend. Rooting for you from the sidelines”

He tilted his head with a chuckle, letting the words hang, watching for any flicker of recognition in my face.

“No need to get all serious!” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’m here to help, actually. Saw you had a little... trouble with that whole flying ordeal.”

"That so?” I flicked my tail, watching him with narrowed eyes. “And what would you know about it?”

“Enough.” he said, flashing a smile. “See, you think it’s just about brute force, just throwing enough energy around to make yourself soar. But you’re missing a crucial bit – mastering the air.”

With a casual wave of his hand, he drifted off the ledge, floating a good foot off the floor with zero effort.

Who the hell... is this kid?

He just hovered there, crossing his arms, studying me with that same smirk.

“It’s not about pumping power into your wings.” he said, still mid-air. “The air around you has to be an extension of yourself. It’s like... moving your arm. You don’t think about it; you just do it!”

He smirked, watching me for a second before gliding back down to the floor.

"Pretty sure I don’t need lessons from a brat like you.” I mumbled, more to myself than him.

“Maybe not. You’ll figure it out – you always do, eventually.” he said, like he was talking about something he already knew for a fact.

I gave him a sidelong glance. "What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice coming out more agitated than I wanted it to.

"It means that you got all it takes. Use that big head of yours! Use it to guide the air! Control it!"

"Control it." I scoffed. "Air's not even my element, you're asking for the impossible."

"Air's not my element." He mocked me, imitating my voice. "Listen to yourself, you've already given up again. You won't know for sure before you've tried, right?"

I raised a draconic eyebrow.

This was an odd kid. He sounded so confident in what he was saying. Yes, he had levitated just a second ago, but still. Was this even a kid in the first place?

"Come on already! ." He went on, not giving my mind any time to properly digest this situation.

"And how does a kid your age know all of this?"

He shrugged, flashing me that same impish smile. "Just wanted to help speed up the process."

"How kind of you. Helping a stranger out like that." I said, walking in a circle around him. That way I could maybe spot something familiar on him. A crest or a sigil, perhaps.

Hmm.

This really was just an ordinary kid.

We stared at each other for a bit. He continued smiling at me as if I was his long-lost best friend.

All sorts of thoughts were rushing through my head, though none of them made much sense.

Finally, he broke the silence. He jumped up slightly for a brief moment before he looked at his empty wrist.

Odd.

It was almost like-

"Well, I think it's about time for me to leave now. But I'm sure we'll see each other again. He leaned in, voice low and full of a knowing tease. “Whether you like it or not!”

With a small bow, he backed toward the window, like he was wrapping up some kind of performance. “Until next time, Argius. I'll keep rooting for you from the sidelines!" And with that, he slipped out of the window. I dashed towards it but it was too late. He had vanished into the darkness in an instant.

I was, in every sense of the word, dumbfounded.

That rat of a kid knew my name.

Sure, he could've picked it up somewhere in the city. My existence wasn't exactly a well-kept secret anymore. And yet, he spoke to me with so much... confidence, so much familiarity. As if he'd known me for a long time. He did know how to push my buttons, that much was certain.

I hadn't even asked for his name.

Just who... or what was he?

But I didn't have much time to process what had just happened.

"Argius my son, may I disturb you for a moment?" A familar old man's voice prompted me to turn around in an instant. The old man had returned.

***

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

It was an almost familiar sight. Me sitting on this window's ledge, the old man standing beside me. Both of us looking out the window in silence.

"It's been a while." Vrintas said. I could hear a faint sadness in his voice.

"You weren't gone for that long. We've had worse." I replied, flat out.

The old man chuckled slightly.

"Truly. Though I must say I've been longing for this." Vrintas said.

"Agreed."

It felt a bit awkward. This silence. Though it was understandable, the last few encounters we'd had hadn't been the most... pleasant ones. Maybe this could be nice for a change.

"Hey, have you ever seen a boy with green hair and two differently-colored eyes around before? He can fly too." I asked, shooting my shot.

He put a hand to his chin, thinking for a moment. "Not... that I could recall. You have a very particular taste for friends, don't you?" He gave a slight smile.

I looked away. "He's not... a friend of mine."

"Ah. I see." Vrintas said.

Then the silence returned for a few minutes.

"Is your... study going well?" He asked with an unusually high tone of voice. Despite his endless wisdom he was ever the lousy ice-breaker.

"Which? The Arcane or the research? Actually, it doesn't matter. It seems I've hit a roadblock in both." I scoffed.

"That is unfortunate to hear. But I'm sure Themion is well equipped to guide you through it."

Sigh.

"Not... the answer I wanted to hear there." I said, flicking my tail up and down.

Then the old man sighed.

"I'm aware. And what I'm about to say next is most likely also something you do not wish to hear." He went on.

I turned to face him, but he kept starting straight ahead.

"It seems as though the day has finally come. I'll be leaving. For... longer this time."

My eyes narrowed. I could feel a knot form in my throat.

"...No." I mumbled at him, yet the old man kept his gaze forward.

"It is a necessary-"

"I said no!" I shouted, prompting him to finally turn to face me in surprise.

And as he did, I felt this strange... sensation. It had been a while. A long long while.

When did I... last feel this? The trial, perhaps? Or was it my first transfer?

I felt awful. As if someone was crushing me under their weight over and over again.

"I must, Argius. I've wasted enough time."

"Wasted!?" So that's what this is to you? Spending time with your family is a waste?"

"That is not what I meant." He said, his voice now even calmer than before. "I have-"

"I don't care!" I shouted, in an almost-laughing manner.

I knew I was being irrational here, but at this exact moment that didn't matter. My logical thinking had been sent on a brief vacation. All I wanted right then was to give this stubborn old man a piece of my mind.

Vrintas sighed again.

"Let me come with you, please!" I pleaded, leaning my forelimbs against the old man. I must have looked so pathetic in that moment.

"I told you - you cannot. I will not have your blood too on my hands. You will not follow me." Vrintas said, his tone sharp.

"But I'm stronger now. I can defend myself, defend us if-"

"I said no, Argius." He faced the outside darkness again.

I just stared at Vrintas in silence. My mind was racing.

Think idiot! You're the bloody 'expert' conman here! You can't even convince this geezer! Come. On! Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

Do it!

Nothing. My mind drew a blank. All that remained was pure emotion.

"It's not... fair." I sobbed like a child.

"It is not." Vrintas said, giving my head a pat.

We stayed like that for a moment.

"There's still so much I need to know... Questions I need to ask."

"Ask away, my young dragon. If it's in my power, I will answer." The old man said with a smile.

Okay, alright. Good. Perfect. What comes first...

"Where... are you going? And for how long?"

He turned away, then paused for a moment. "That, I'm afraid is a difficult question to answer. It's a long journey, with an unclear path. Though my destination is certain. As for how long...? Well. For as long as I still have time."

"What... what do you mean? Are you sick?" I asked.

"No, no. I am only in a... bit of a hurry, is all. To get it sorted out." Vrintas said, obviously dodging the question.

"That is not a proper answer and you know it."

Vrintas gave another sigh. This time with a slight smile. "Yes well, you've always had this habit of asking just the right questions." He paused. "And I promise you when I return, that I will answer them truthfully. Without ambiguity."

When he returns.

I let my head hang.

"And... Rheka?" I said, lifting it again.

"You will keep her safe in my stead, just as you've always done." Vrintas said, turning his face towards me again as the sun began to rise. The many scars on his face almost reflecting in the light. Finally I could see his expression clearly. He looked so... defeated. I might as well have been talking to King Erderus here.

"That's not... what I meant." I said, narrowing my eyes.

"I know."

Then the old man turned around, walking towards the doorway. I couldn't believe it. This was it. I had no way of stopping him. Should I... follow him? Abandon Rheka in hopes to run away with this old man?

Was that even possible? No. There was no way. All I could do was watch. Watch as Vrintas walked away.

"Don't leave us!" I shouted after him. One last 'hail Mary' to stop him in his tracks. Hit him where it hurts. "Don't leave your family behind, old man!"

He came to a halt in the doorway.

"Thank you Argius. For believing in me."

And then Vrintas left.

I'll spare you the details of what I did for half an hour after that.

***

He was gone. The old man had left us behind. I didn't know how to feel about that. I was confused.

Was he really gone though? Who knows what his mission was this time?

Perhaps he'd keep his adventure short. Return tomorrow. And everything would go back to normal!

For sure, Argius. Keep telling yourself that.

He'd said his farewells a couple times before, but this time was different. It felt... final.

Was I angry? Sad? Disappointed?

I felt like vomiting. Felt sick.

Sick.

Finally I left my chamber. How was it that Tavrin and Kyris hadn't returned yet? Where the hell even were they?

Whatever. I had somewhere else to be. Be with someone who couldn't just up and go abandon me.

I was going to pay Rheka a visit...

...Right now.