I rest in bed, breathing a couple of shallow breaths. I linger, my eyes are closed. I wait, not really wanting to face the issues that have come into our lives.

Before the academy I rarely asked questions, just moved through life ignorant as the rest. I agreed with what I was told.

Now for better or worse questions haunt me.

My teaching helps me understand and frame my experiences into questions.

How did I live? Skill, and my friends. Yes friends; Gareth…Only Gareth left.

Two strangers joined us. Subia and Lovia.

What happens to Subia now?

The dragon’s blessing has given her the wings to freedom.

Does she know? Does she understand what she is now?

A dragon blessed dragon slayer. A paradox not seen since the first rising and shattering of the elder days.

She is a myth made real.

I’m no longer in control, I am what I have always been.

A leaf caught in the wind.

The illusion of my superiority has been harshly brought to a level field.

The inequality of her circumstances has been corrected.

Moreover, she has ascended and the world has no idea.

I haven’t even learned anything, I found it delightful. Her having to grovel for a position in our group. Where her choice was to earn my good will or be cast to the streets with her sister.

I do not claim to be good.

I didn’t realise till now, how satisfying it was to have power over her. She needed me and I was quite happy to be the nice guy.

For all the pleasures that charm my senses were made at the misery of others.

The food I eat from the farmers in the field. They are confined to a life of common banality and ignorance.

The clothes I wear are made from the calloused fingers of the poor.

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The friends I made were during war who died for reasons that seem as faint as their memory,

Or at the academy where the produce of miners, farmers and the like are used to fund and feed arcane specialists.

The walls of the city were made by labourers who lived well working their bodies till they broke as they worked past all joy. All for the glory of Magi.

Oh, how I loved the academy and the learning.

The comfort and time to learn is made on the back of the working many. How have I helped society since? Brought some food and killed some scum. All that is different is that I am better at it now.

Is that what I dream for?

Now, she has ascended above me. Like Alessia with ease. Will she leave?

I live. Regardless. Can I do that? Just to live is enough.

She is free, and I am not. All I can do is watch from a distance.

It takes a few dark moments but I crawl out of bed and go outside.

It is dark. I drink some water by the well and watch as the sun begins to rise over the hills.

I miss the presence walking up to me until a hand clasps my arm.

I turn my head and it is Lovia. Her hazel eyes look into my own. Her cheeks are pale and her long hair descends into an unkempt mess down her back.

"I will get you a brush when we get back." She shakes her head slightly in confusion. "For your hair, it is too pretty not to be maintained properly."

"I would like that." She walks up and gives me a hug.

I feel a heat rush through me but let it drift with a few breaths as I feel her breath tickling my ear. Now was not the time to broach that particular complication I muse as her warm body presses close.

"Lovia, things will be different now."

“Why?" she asks, her pitch growing higher and eyes dilating with fear as she breaks our embrace.

"Subia has…" I trail off. "She now carries a dragontooth sword."

"Then take the sword."

"No." I pause again. "I get it, the uncertainty is scary but this is a good thing. Subia will soon have the recognition to make her famous and respected in Athfen and beyond. You will never have to worry about food or having a roof over your head again."

"Soon you can have a house on vast green fields. The esteem of all. In less than a week she can have it all given to her by right."

"I don’t follow, Master."

"It will all make sense soon, you will see it and understand."

“If you say so."

We watch the hills in uncomfortable silence.

"So much power in the hands of a former slave, they she should fear her anger. We all should. Unless they kill her first."

"You won’t let that happen. Promise!"

I stare at her.

I blink and I feel the wind on my neck then the ground beneath my feet.

I blink again and see her eyes unblinking,

I understand what she wants from me.

"I promise upon my life. I will shield you and your sister from any harm. Okay?"

She nods and links her arm with mine.

"Good. Perhaps we should go inside. It is cold out and you will feel better with some food I always do."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea." I answer with a soft smile tugging at my lips.

"I’m not sure what is going to happen when we get back but I think your life is going to change for the better." I add.

She takes a moment and we are just outside the Outpost at this point. "Yes, but can I stay?"

"Always." I reply and we head inside and I let go of her hand.

The other two are awake.

The shock of the previous day still lingers but Subia seems more active.

She smiles and talks to her sister albeit briefly.

Her world has shifted radically after the upset of the Dragon. It was already new and different after joining Gareth and I. It is no surprise she is a bit overwhelmed.

Gareth doesn’t seem to mind, in fact he mentions quietly that he hopes the girls will stay.

The Outpost Master gives us some dried meat for the road. He is still sceptical and in awe of our story. Unable to believe it but is not able to deny the proof of the dragontooth sword that Subia wields.