“Be wary of the flames, for they lash out at all and show no mercy.”

Siwan’s breath was coming in short ragged bursts as she ran through the forest. Dodging under branches and jumping over creeks, she expertly moved her way towards the mountain path. The baby dragon was silent in the cloth, it had seemed to have fallen asleep shortly after she had entered the forest. Her legs burned with pain from landing in the bushes. The bottom half of her dress had been torn to shreds and scratches littered her legs well up to her knees. Still, she pressed on through the woods.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been running for now, but she could hear in the distance barking and howling. “It would seem,” she thought to herself. “That those merchants have set their beasts after me.” It did bring a smile to her face as she thought of how they would’ve looked when they noticed the dragon was gone. “Still, if Thorn hadn’t brought it here, I wouldn’t be running now.” She quickly looked up and leaned back, narrowly dodging a tree branch.

“Focus.” She thought. She slowed to a stop, and began sucking air into her lungs as fast she could. Based on how close the barking sounded, she bet that she was only ahead of them by a couple minutes. Taking one final deep breath she pressed on. She had a rough idea of the direction she needed to head towards, but it had been a while since she was last out in these woods. The last time she walked out here was with her mother and father.

“No time for that.” She muttered, but the more she pressed those thoughts down the harder they fought to come to the surface. In the distance she could see where they had used to stroll, she could almost picture her mothers laugh as she chased after her. She still remembered how her father would wrap his arms around her while her mother would tickle her till she couldn’t breath. It was simple back then.

Looking for the memories of the past, she almost missed the man in front of her as she barreled out of the woods and onto the path.

“Careful.” He stated plainly.

Siwan looked up at him, still breathing heavily she noticed how he was grinning from ear to ear. His smile was unsettling.

“I’m looking for a Dructin Chief.” She stated between breaths. She covered the cloth over the still sleeping dragon to hide it from his view.

The man eyed her up and down and she could see behind him a large crowd walked into view.

“A Dructin Chief?” The man asked, she nodded in reply. “Why, they’re well across the border, I’m not sure why you’d be looking for one this far South.”

“I have a trade deal to make with one.” She replied, she could hear the dogs barking behind her, they sounded like they were getting closer. The man also seemed to notice it and waved his hand to two of his men. The two men pulled hoods over the faces and disappeared into the woods.

“Hmm, perhaps I can help, I do know several of them so maybe I can act as a broker of your exchange?” He said, flashing such a smile that Siwan took a step back.

‘If there was a beast that became a man, it would be him.’ She thought. Standing strong she held the dragon closer to her chest. “If you would be so kind as to point me in their direction, then that will be all.” She stated with all the authority she could muster. She tried to imagine her father standing beside her, bolstering her onwards.

The man scoffed and looked to his right, his tongue pushed out against his left cheek. Then with lightning speed a knife seemingly appeared in his hand, his posture remained unchanged. “I know that face, little miss.” He pointed the knife at her. “You’re being hunted right now, and you don’t have long before they’re going to be here for you.”

Siwan looked behind her, the dogs had stopped their barking. Then a feeling ran across her body, it was a feeling she had felt before when going for a walk at night. The feeling was one that whenever she felt it, she knew she was in danger. She looked back at the man and he flipped the knife over in his hand.

“If you hurt them, there won’t be a deal.” She said, with all the bones in her body screaming for her to run she took a step forward.

The man pointed behind her and the two hooded men appeared out of the forest, between them they carried the body of Salvin Mince.

“There are a few others out there still.” One of them stated, his voice was low, the words sounded almost pained coming from him. They then threw Mince to the ground where he lay unmoving. Siwan nearly dropped the dragon, her legs felt like jelly where she stood. She held a hand over her mouth to try and mask the horror.

“It appears I stand corrected.” The man said, placing a hand on her shoulder, he leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “Looks like you’re no longer being hunted.”

She tried to will herself to run, but her body refused to move. She could only watch as the man kneeled forward and lifted Mince’s head out of the dirt. She couldn’t her what they said but she saw Mince flash one last smile. His smile was the last expression on his head as it rolled off his body.

“Now, let’s you and I make a deal.” The man said, running a hand across the luminous blade he had used. The blood stood in stark contrast to the pearly white steel of the sword that was now held in the man’s hand.

Siwan wanted to run, it was everything her body told her to do. She knew that she wouldn’t make it far however, not with the hooded figures, they would catch her in an instant and then it would be her head on the floor. With a deep breath she ripped the cloth off of the dragon and placed her hand on its head. The man’s eyes narrowed at her.

“You really shouldn’t have done that.” He spat. He lunged at her, sword held high, but before it could begin it’s downward arc the dragon shot up and latched onto his arm. Siwan let out a gasp, the beast snarled and sunk its teeth into his arm. Blood shot out as the man screamed in pain.

“Get… her!” He shouted between bouts of pain. The crowd of followers stood in shock for a second before letting out a large yell and rushing Siwan.

The yell of the crowd bolted her into action and she started running. The man reached out to grab her with his free hand. Instinctively she ducked, sliding just enough to get past him.

The two hooded figures looked at each other and nodded before setting off after her. She could feel them close behind her as she ducked underneath the branches she had passed moments earlier. Her heartbeat felt like it was moving fast enough to be in two places at once. She knew there was a small river nearby that maybe, just maybe she’d be able to buy enough time to rest there for a second. There was a whish behind her and she felt a stinging pain in her leg, she looked down and could see blood splatter onto the leaves. It was her blood, she realized. There was the sound of air whisking again and the same pain was on her shoulder now. Still she could see the river in the distance.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

‘Don’t stop!’ She told herself, gritting her teeth and pushing through the pain. The hooded men shouted behind her and two blasts of air deafened her ears. She stumbled, her left foot falling in front of her right. The edge of the forest stood just in front of her, the river below roaring as it passed by.

She felt her body hit the dirt before she could see the water.

Several feet in front of her stood her freedom.

Several feet behind her stood her end.

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

“You have to try this one.” Nerri shoved a candied skewer into his hands as she downed several more in her opposite hand. Hawar stood there awestruck by what this girl was doing. “Come on,” she waved her hand. “This isn’t even the best place yet.”

“Wha- hold on, are you really sure we should be doing this right now?” He asked.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. “Trust me, if the world was going to end you’d want to try the food here first.” She gave him a wink and the two of them ran to another stand in the square.

This one, Hawar noted, was ran by a man that shared the same hair color as Nerri. As the two approached the man narrowed his eyes at him. His eyes were still narrowed as he greeted Nerri.

“Shouldn’t you be working?” His voice was low and gravelly. Nerri pulled Hawar’s hand forward so they were shoulder to shoulder.

“I am working actually, Euwen. My job today is to escort this man around town.” She placed her hand on her chest and looked up into the sky. ‘Like one of the statues at the temple.’ He thought.

Euwen crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Looks to me like you saw an opportunity to get out of work again.”

Hawar felt the need to interject and stepped forward, Euwen’s gaze immediately bore down upon him. ‘What am I doing?’ He thought. His mouth knew what it was doing and began to speak before he could shut it.

“If you’ll excuse me sir-“

“You’re excused then.” Euwen cut him off, turning back to face Nerri, who was now trying to steal as much food as she could from the stall. Hawar felt his shoulders burn with anger and he stepped forward again. Renewed with confidence to teach this man a lesson. Euwen simply turned his eyes to watch him, slapping Nerri’s hands away from the food in the process.

“I am Hawar the Fourth, son of Hawar the-“

“Hawar the Third I’m guessing?” Euwen cut him off again. Hawar felt his cheeks flush with anger.

“No, I mean yes but,” he waved his hands to clear his thoughts. “Look, I’m not trying to be rude.”

“You’ll have to try harder then.” Euwen waved him away, grabbing Nerri’s hand. “You’re gonna go back to Lord Solle’s house in the meantime, and finish your job for the day.”

Nerri twisted her hand to break free from his grip, rubbing her wrist as she took a step back. Hawar stood fuming with anger. Euwen looked at him and smirked, which only infuriated him even more. Nerri looked between the two and rolled her eyes again.

“Alright Euwen, I’ll take him back to the Manor.” She started to walk away before turning back. “Can I have one meat skewer for the road though?”

Hawar watched as Euwen’s eyes seemed to briefly soften. He turned around to grab several skewers from the back rack. While his back was turned Nerri looked at Hawar and mouthed “Now.” Then she bolted forward and swooped up a dozen of them off of the front rack and into her hands.

Hawar felt his jaw drop as he watched her bolt off into the crowd. Euwen whirled around and upon noticing Hawar still there and a lack of skewers lunged toward him.

“Coming?!” Nerri shouted back at Hawar, one skewer already in her mouth. Hawar leaped back, avoiding the hand of the rage filled Euwen. Without a second thought he bolted after her, with Euwen shouting curses at his back as he ran away.

“Here,” Nerri held out a couple skewers to him as he caught up to her. “Your cut of the treasure.”

Hawar felt his heart pounding against his chest. Earlier he might have felt it thump at the gesture, but his back still burned with anger from Euwen’s embarrassment. He reached past the skewers and grabbed her wrist, and in a single movement pulled her away from the crowd and up against a wall in a small alley. The crowd paid them no second thought as they continued to move about their day. He looked back to make sure Euwen wasn’t following them, before being satisfied they were safe, he turned back to Nerri.

“Let go.” She hissed, holding an empty skewer up to his neck. Hawar immediately took two steps back, bumping his head into the alley wall.

“What? What was all that?” He gasped out, holding the back of his head. Utterly confused by the sudden change of attitude in the girl. Nerri twirled the empty skewer around while glaring at Hawar. Then as if realizing there was no more threat, flung it downwards, where it embedded itself between two cracks in the pavement. She flashed him a smile which only confused him even more.

“Sorry, it’s a bad habit.” She said with a nervous laugh.

“Habit?” Hawar asked, then he waved a hand. “No wait, what was all that with Euwen? That was his name, why was he like that?” He asked. Nerri waved her hand and leaned down, hands resting on her knees.

“Don’t pay him any mind, he’s always like that when I’m with a boy.” She stated plainly. Pulling her hair back she looked Hawar in the eye. Her confident smile was replaced with a slightly uneasy one. “I hope I didn’t make a bad impression for our village.”

Hawar held up his hands and leaned back against the wall. “If confusion is bad, then I’d say it was pretty miserable.” He looked up at the sky and shook his head. “I’ve got so many questions on what just happened.”

“Well,” Nerri began. “I am your impromptu guide, so ask away.”

Hawar continued to look up towards the sky. Not even sparing a glance downwards. Nerri leaned back against the wall and copied his movements, waiting for him to make the first move. They sat in silence for several moments before he began.

“How will I know you’re being truthful?” He asked, looking down at her. She shrugged.

“I’ll try my best, if that helps.” She said, watching as Hawar shook his head.

“You know what, let’s just start over, all the way from the beginning.” He held out his hand to her. “I’m Hawar, the Fourth, it’s nice to meet you.”

She stared at the outstretched hand before holding it gently and curtsying. He felt his heart thump again as she held his hand, it felt like a cloud. The whole ordeal beforehand seemed to melt away in his mind.

“I’m Nerri, it’s nice to meet you too.” She said gently, looking back at him. “So, what were your questions?”

“I think you’re really pretty.” He blurted out. She stared back at him with a confused smile. There was silence, not like before but the deep almost drowning kind. Hawar felt it surround him, it almost seemed louder than any noise he had heard before. He felt his cheeks light on fire as they stood there.

Then she laughed.

He wondered if his teacher was willing to do the snow training with him again today, maybe this time he didn’t come to rescue him after he faceplants into the snow?

“I’m sorry,” She gasped out, she had fallen to the floor as she continued to laugh. Hawar started to move out of the alley but she waved him to stay put. “It’s not even funny,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye. “Just caught me off guard is all.”

Hawar stopped and looked back at her, his face was still bright red. As he looked at her face though he noticed the slightest tint of red in her cheeks. Though, he dismissed it as having to do with the laughing.

“Thank you.” She said at last, pushing herself to her feet.

‘Maybe.’ Hawar thought. ‘If we do the snowstorm training again, I’d want to be saved again’