"Momma, Momma, Momma. You must! I need to leave. I love you all but my future is not here. I have a need to explore and have adventures. Anton is a good soul and has asked me to travel with him. We are going to the Capital. Aggiossan is a splendid city. There are so many opportunities. I will find my place in the world. Please?" She drew breath.

"No Tia. You are my little girl. You are too young. I can't lose you. There are so many bad things out there. Your father just wouldn't allow it. I won't allow it." Adria was shocked. She had known that Tia had been unsettled lately. She had known eventually this day would come. Tia was her eldest and guild life had lately not suited her. But. It was too soon. Wasn't it? She put her embroidery on the Darnian stool before her. "I must talk to your father, he will convince you to stay."

"My mind is made up momma my time is now." Tia felt the emotions welling up inside her, her voice was almost into a sob. She knew she should conquer the emotion and discuss this rationally she was not a little girl, she was an adult. She could be strong and persuasive.

"I could have sneaked out at night when no one would have noticed. Out of love and respect for you, I have asked for your permission to go. I am not helpless. I can be strong and clever and resourceful. I beg your permission."

Soloman entered on queue.

"What is happening? Adria, my dear you look upset."

"She wants to leave on that Darnian ship. With that boy. Anton! Make her stay Sol. She is needed here."

Soloman walked to his daughter and placed his hand under her chin, lifted it and looked deep into her eyes. He saw the love and the strength in her. His daughter had grown up. Although it pained him he realised her time had come. He could not stand in her way. She had the right to live her life as she wished. Cosseted here in the guild she would never grow and flourish. He wanted her happy and when you love this deeply you must let go.

"Let her go." He walked to his wife and put an arm around her. "She has made up her mind. She has the strongest will I have ever seen. She will be all right. She has the protection of the dragon and The Power of Pride. No harm will come to her while she wears Cascadias' charm. I will speak to this Anton and ensure he takes good care of her." Looking back to Tia he warned. "If you lose the Dragons' charm you must come home. The Power of Pride will only protect you if you have it. The power dwindles with distance from that source and the source of dragonsmount. I guess you don't have feelings for Artemis then?"

"No father. I will miss you all. But I must go. The Kalli sails on the tides. Thank you."

She embraced her mother and father. Assuring them that she would return within a year and let them know of her adventures.

Tia heard her mothers' sobs as she walked, with determination, away down the corridor.

**

Pendulum had taken to morning walks around the orchard. New Leaf would soon give way to Green Leaf and the wildlife here chirped, buzzed and hissed.

Todd and Klem found him there. They could see he had found his peace.

"Ah, young adventurers. I see you have found my haven. Please join me."

The three of them walked quietly for a while. Not wanting to destroy the tranquillity with chat.

"I presume you are departing soon on that ship in the harbour?" Pendulum asked at length

"Yes," Todd replied. "Are you coming with us?"

"No, young man. My place is here for now. I feel rejuvenated here. My fits seem to be a thing of the past but still, I cannot trust myself. I cannot put you in danger as I did before. I will study my magic and grow stronger. I have now seen the power of 'real magic' and realise my 'natural earth magic' is weak in comparison to the magic of dragons. I will use it to entertain the children and use my time to study this new dragon magic. Solomon must know plenty about it and its attributes."

The forest came alive! The running of tiny feet could be heard. Then a forest jak ran right between Todd and Klem. Some smaller pig-rats scampered off to the left. There was hissing that stopped abruptly. A larger beast was scaring them. Upfront half a snake could be seen tossed into the air and caught in some very sharp teeth as it came back down. Dorky couldn't resist a morning snack and the others breathed a sigh of relief and joy to see their companion.

"Dorky its good to see you. We have been wondering where you were." Klem knelt on the ground and tousled the marsh-dribblers hairy haunch.

I have been very happy in this orchard. The snakes here are the tastiest I have found.

He chomped on the tail of the disappearing snake.

I have heard that you may be leaving Pride. I will be sorry to leave this place but I think you will be better off with me around on your travels. I miss Auntie Ethels' pie crusts too much to linger here. Is she far away now?

Klem and Todd bade an emotional farewell to Pendulum. They wished him all the best. If their travels brought them back this way they would check in on him.

As the three made their way to the waiting ship, Klem explained all that had happened in Dorkys absence and that their journey was still a long one.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

*

The Kalli was moored on the stone-made jetty. A small, blue flag, flew from the top of each mast. It rocked gently on the tides.

The crew were preparing to sail. They hoisted the sails and a weighed the anchor. Its cargo had been delivered and its new one loaded. The sculpted masonry stone secure in its hold. Its passengers sat in the galley. With them were The Captain and Anton. Anton handed round the spiced biscuits while The friendly Captain introduced himself.

He had the longest beard Klem had ever seen. It was tied in multiple knots down to his waist. He wore a waistcoat of red ray-skin. And breaches of waxed seaweed fibres.

"I am Durkon. It is a pleasure to have you aboard. Anton here is my first mate. It will only take three days to reach our first port of call North Upton. Please do not hinder my crew. The galley is yours so help yourself. Rations are plentiful if a little diverse. Sleeping quarters are to the rear. Please stick to the galley or if you wish to go topside, stay to the rear of the ship. That is the rules. Apart from the obvious-Don't go overboard. Anton will be available for any questions as will I when I have seen to the crew." With a nod to Anton, he limped out of the galley.

Along with Tia, Todd, Klem and Dorky, there were four Prideans. They were dressed in orange robes. They carried the aura of Soloman. Tia later explained that they were architects on a mission to Dawson. It was quite hush-hush but Tia seemed to think it had to do with trade. Pride was struggling to feed its recent new citizens and food from Dawson would be a good guess. They did not speak. They quickly left the galley for their own space. Meditation seemed their intent.

Tia happily embraced Anton. He looked embarrassed thought Todd but thought nothing more of it. Anton moved backwards and sat with them at the galley table.

"He is a great captain. He knows these seas like the back of his hand. However, he did fail to mention The Fibbians." Dark haired and dark skinned he leaned closer in looking at each in turn.

His attempt at the dramatic had worked on them. They drew closer to hear more.

"The more us Darnians travel the seas the more frequently we encounter them. The sea is their domain. They are strange creatures. They are jelly-like and as such can slide through the smallest of gaps. Once out of the water they become more solid and grow up to the size of my chest."

He indicated with his large calloused hands to a point just above his toned stomach. "They resemble things of a nightmare when formed. They have teeth like a shark and claws like a thorn-spitter. If you see their sharp teeth then run. If the teeth are not yet formed then throw a bucket of water at them to turn them back to jelly. Not many have lived to describe their fangs. They are appearing more frequently. Captain Darkon has appointed me and another as around the day fibbian patrol. They can appear anywhere at any part of the day or night. Be very vigilant."

Klem felt his stomach churn. Not quite sure if it was due to the horror of the fibbians or the gentle, but constant rise and fall of the sea.

Backing away from his open-mouthed audience he continued. "Around the ship, you will see many handbells and buckets of water. If you see a moving blob of jelly, ring the bell and throw the water. If you see a formed fibbian then ring the bell and run." Changing his stance he pointed to the galley and explained that there was plenty of dried hectopus if anyone was hungry. He also let Dorky know that there was a plentiful supply of sea-rats in the cargo hold and it would be doing them a favour if he could catch as many as he wished. Dorky tried to thank him but found that he was unable to communicate, not just to Anton, but to anyone. He used his old facial expression as a way of thanks.

Cascaria had seen the ship depart. She grabbed her gift in her smooth green claw and flew leisurely toward the vessel. To the gasps of the crew, she circled The Kalli looking for Klem.

"Find him." She roared.

The crew ran this way and that, eventually finding 'the Him' she had meant.

Klem meekly approached the rail of the kalli.

"My friend Klem." The dragon spoke just to him. "I have had the mountain-wrights set my gem in an amulet of rainbow tourmaline. I believe it will enhance its properties. I am uneasy with giving you such power." She hovered in Klems' eye line. "I ask that you use it well and for the benefit of the many. Not for yourself." She extended her talon and gently, so gently for a beast of her size, let it fall into Klems' upturned palms. "Farewell." And she turned and flew unhurriedly away.

The crew had watched in awe. All cowered behind the rigging. Klem placed the amulet around his neck admiring the many coloured crystals that circled the pale yellow gem. Then quickly tucking it into his tunic and turning to go back down. His hand wavering over his knife as he did so. The value of his gift not escaping him as he checked for any signs of envy amongst the crew.

Todd had never seen a dragon up close before. He had looked on in wonder as his friend had received the priceless gift and the dragon had spoken to Klem. Although he felt a pang of jealousy he knew that it would benefit them both. Finding their families was the most important thing. He resolved to stick with Klem as they were both on this adventure together. Who knows what dangers and excitement this journey would hold.

Tia spent as much time with Anton as his duties would allow.

The voyage went quickly. Todd and Klem played dice in the galley. They realised they must be very unlucky people as the never seemed to win against the swarthy crew. They sat in their hammocks and reminisced about Nocton and the village life they would never see again. They both realised that they would miss Tia when they disembarked at Upton. They were both not sure if Anton was 'good enough' for her. Klem was definitely 'not sure'. He thought she could do a lot better.

When one of them wanted some alone time they would wander about above decks.

It was one evening as the waves were at their biggest that Todd could not sleep. He threw on a ray skin coat. (All passengers had been given one.) He walked past the empty galley towards the stairway to the deck. He was careful to check for fibbians. As he passed the crews quarters he heard a loud 'slap'. And a raised voice. The cabin boy hurriedly exited the door in just his underwear holding his clothes to cover his modesty. Through the door, Todd could just make out the semi-naked figure of Anton who was apologising profusely to the rapidly departing boy.

"Well, I never." Thought Todd and continued onto the deck to gather his thoughts.

Upton Straits were very impressive as the Kalli came into the small inlet to moor. Todd and Klem stood at the poop ready to disembark. The Straits could be seen head-on. It was if the land had been evenly split into perfectly straight grooves. There must have been at least twenty entrances to different rivers. If they were not all straight that would be some maze thought Klem.

The boys hugged Tia and cordially shook hands with Anton and the rest of the crew. Dorky tagged on behind as they crossed from ship to land on a narrow plank.

"We should tell her," Todd said to Klem. Klem had not slept with the same thought going over and over in his mind.

"We can't. You may have got it all wrong." He so wanted to tell Tia how he felt. How he thought she was making a big mistake. He knew however that she would never believe him and would think badly of him if he said anything.

He ran back to the ship and hugged her once more.

"I hope we meet again someday." Was all he could muster.

Once back on dry land. Todd turned to Klem.

"Thank the moons we never saw a fibbian. Do you reckon they were real or that Anton just made them up?"

"To be honest I don't really care," Klem said glumly.