Unease tightened into a ball in my chest, and I forced it down with a dry swallow. Right, better not to think like that.

“How exactly would I even start on that?” I asked. Beatrice shook her head with a scoff.

“It isn't possible. Even if he has the bloodline to succeed the throne, the Mad King has dozens of powers stored, just waiting to be used. That isn't even touching the dragon!”

Clyde nodded. “It won't be an easy task, but Frederick is the only one who can do this. That power of his took nearly a quarter of the dragon’s hit points in one go.”

He faced me now, mouth set in a determined line. “You'll need to level up fast. Raise your hit points, endurance, and strength. As you are now, you won't last against the dragon or the King.”

Then he glanced out at the town and sighed. “Unfortunately, we don't have anyone to send with you for a party. You and Gregory are our strongest, and he hasn't returned yet. It would be prudent to gather allies as you search for a weapon and train.”

With the Mad King milking Nexus-and the many cities within it-dry of gold, it wouldn't be difficult to find others willing to end his tyranny.

As long as the dragon hadn't killed all the warriors by the time I made it to the next town…

Putting that aside, I offered my best attempt at a smile. “It's fine. I'll leave for Starkfell tomorrow and deliver word of what happened here. If they're willing to help, they'll need time to prepare the resources, and I'm sure they would want to know about the dragon too.”

Clyde grimaced, “I appreciate your eagerness, but I doubt Starkfell will treat you kindly. They have no love for humans.”

I shrugged, ignoring the flash of soreness that followed. “They don't need to like me. Besides, even if they refuse to aid Dawncrest, I can travel until one of the other towns agree.”

He tipped his head, uncertainty clear. “So it shall be, but what will you do after that?”

An excellent question, but not one I had an answer to.

“From there I'll…figure the rest out.”

I felt, more than saw, the unimpressed looks nearly all my siblings shot my way, but I ignored them.

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There wasn't a magical guide for taking down corrupt kings or their pet dragons. I'd have to figure it out as I went and pray for a good group of allies to help.

Clyde gripped my shoulder carefully and nodded. “May the spirits of Nexus watch over you.”

Once he hobbled off toward town hall, Daedra broke away from Beatrice to clamp onto my leg. Wide, teary eyes locked on mine, and she sniffed.

“You're going away?”

Betrayal oozed off the words, and my heart twisted painfully in response.

“Dae, I have to. That dragon might try to hurt you again, and I can't let it.”

No, I'd sooner spend the rest of my life battling it than let it take a single one of my siblings.

The tears spilled over, and she shook her head. “You promised you wouldn't leave like they did!”

I knelt to her level and pulled her close, hating the anguish twisting across her face even as I knew it was necessary.

“I'm not like your Mam or Da. I know it feels like there's no difference, but there is. I'm not abandoning you. I'm going to fight tooth and nail to come back to you all.”

She burrowed into my shoulder and cried louder. “I don't want you to go!”

I patted her back and let her cry it out. Nothing I said would make this okay. Better to just be a silent comfort. Looking up to the others, I caught Collin’s eyes and smiled.

“I'll leave all of them to you while I'm gone. Ask the mayor for help if you need anything.”

A shiny sheen coated his eyes, and he blinked it away with a scowl. “I still don't agree with this.”

Beatrice, Samson and James all wore matching expressions of displeasure, and I nodded.

“I know, it isn't to my liking either, but there's no helping this. Even if I don't turn out to be the heir to the throne, there's no other choice. The Mad King has been stretching his forces out further and further lately. It was only a matter of time before it threatened us. I don't care about power, money or influence, but I refuse to sit back while he hurts any of you.”

That being said, thanks to my heritage, I really didn't have any other options. He was going to hunt me down until either I, the dragon, or the Mad King himself was dead.

I'd train myself into the ground to ensure it was me who'd walk away at the end of it all.

I hadn't fought this hard to keep my family safe and together, only to die now and leave them to his nonexistent mercy.

I would survive this…somehow.

Beatrice reluctantly nodded and moved to take Daedra back. Her grip around my neck didn't budge, and after a few minutes of useless tugging, I waved her off.

“It's fine. Let her stay there.”

Collin glanced at my bruised arms pointedly. “You're going to make those worse.”

I shuffled her onto my back and stood with a grin. “Not if I carry her like this.”

James scoffed, but started toward our house, one of the few buildings relatively unscathed from the attack.

The others followed, and I brought up the rear, Daedra’s steady heartbeat against my back helping to ground me through the maelstrom of fear, dread and uncertainty whipping around in my chest.

Spirits above and below, what all was I signing up for here?

A long journey and grueling training, at the very least.

Sneaking a glance up at the smoke-filled sky, I breathed in the crisp air and settled my nerves.

Tomorrow would be the first step on my journey. The next? I sincerely wished I knew.