I was exhausted and Mum carried me to our nest and ... she nursed me.

I was and always would be her baby.

Kra Kri and Kroa were against me and those flesh and skin warmed me and gave me a sense of security and warmth I never thought I would get.

I cried with happiness and hugged my siblings to me. Like a treasure you want to possess.

The time of innocence, yes, that was it

Then I woke up and the first thing I said was:

"MOMAN... I love you!"

Meanwhile, the merchant guild wanted to test the new escort but Romas objected.

He was on the council and tempered Jack's initiatives

The Order of Dragonhunters approves the initiative for Krator and Mir but they still need to be trained. One does not become a mercenary. Any savage or hunter could then proclaim themselves and it would be a mess. There are rules to respect, laws and also the recognition of authority, blazons and knowing where and when to intervene.

Confusion can happen and with wyverns, an accident, quickly becomes carnage.

We saw the wounds of the bandits that Krator slaughtered.

They are wyverns and by my estimation they are three classes stronger than their wild counterparts. Needless to say, if we have to fight this, there will be losses in our ranks. Many and I suspect that this tribe has managed to awaken some sort of powerful ancestral knowledge, like the ultra dragons that are now extinct.

Accountant Valet: "When then? to open the northern route? The roads to the west and south are becoming more and more perilous, and with the arrival of spring, the monsters will stop hibernating and, with hunger in their bellies, they will attack everything that is eaten.

Romas: "Two weeks, I think, for the base.

While the members were talking he read a letter from the second princess, Chlorophyll.

Everyone called her Second Princess, because her name had been taken away from her in order to illustrate and maintain the image of royalty. This had also been the case for the first princess, Princess Vidia.

Their parents, King Felicius the Dry, well, their father had remarried after the death of his wife, Ariel, Chlorophylle's mother.

He read the instructions given to the "Son" and the immediate needs of the empire.

"Dear Friend, Sire Romas of Autrelande, I am writing to you because I feel that something is not right here in Opal City. I feel isolated and my little sister, I think she gets reprimanded when she has the slightest close or familiar attitude with me.

I am afraid and the nobles only see her and I feel like an embarrassment. I don't trust you... you know what.

But to get back to this post, we need winged mounts, wyverns, imperial eagles, griffins, pegasus...Knowing that it takes time for the little ones to get used to their lord and future dragon knight.

The republic already has its own order and the republic witch has probably found more wyverns for her knights. Every egg, wyvern and griffin that can be captured has priority.

It goes without saying that the necessary means will be provided by the empire directly.

Then he investigated his "contact" in Suderive who had disappeared.

He pretended to be a traveller who wanted to go to Autrerive to give medicinal herbs to his sick old mother.

It was agreed that in one day, Jack would go back from Suderive to Autrerive and then to Fortd'hiver.

He would plant a grey faggot at the entrance to the village when he was ready.

Meanwhile, Romas was at the furthest inn from the centre, and the one most visited by the locals, having a drink often offered by the house.

It was a rumour, but Romas wondered how an inn was so popular and managed to make ends meet.

He entered and heard the shouts and whistles of betting and arm wrestling.

It was very lively and out of place.

There was no local or religious festival and no group of registered adventurers had finished a quest worthy of offering general tours.

Everyone was laughing and shouting and when he entered there was silence and it was as if the whole village was suddenly gathered here and analysing him.

Then, all of a sudden, everything started again.

One guy, Barloff, more suited than the others, winked at two people at a corner of the table, hood down.

Romas walked over to the bar.

"You would have rations for a trip to Autrerive.

"Across the forest? I don't know, until some idiot peddler bragged that he could cross the forest twice. But his escorts disappeared. There were only four of them, including two soldiers. He must have lost at least 8 men. But since we don't pay for the dead... and also, a group of peasants were massacred by monsters. Jack didn't want to say anything. He must have been shocked, but here in the village we mourn our dead loved ones. But what do you want to do in Autrerive? I know it's none of my business, but many escorts ask my opinion before accepting a job.

Romas gritted his teeth.

Not only was he in a "Red" inn, which was nothing but a den of bandits and the innkeeper now thought he was a mercenary guild leader. It was all nonsense.

Jack was in immediate danger and with it, so was he.

"I'm going to visit my mother, she needs some medicinal plants that only grow in the south."

"Ah, your mum is a local. but your face is unfamiliar"

"I know, I left years ago but the war separated us and I escaped from a Republican camp.."

The female innkeeper frowned then replied with a smile.

"I'm sure there are several people here who would be happy to escort you to safety. A family reunion is worth more than all the GOLD in the world."

After a simple meal consisting of mashed celery root and ground meat mixed with carrots and red beets, Romas was relatively satisfied with his meal.

A surprisingly cold beer complemented his meal.

How could such a poorly frequented inn have the luxury of having something fresh?

The messages and discreet signals were poorly prepared and the work of true amateurs.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

As for discretion, they were really naive and only an idiot would notice the ploy of this bandit hole.

He looked at a scroll with a list and all the names he heard were on it, including the innkeeper.

It was a bounty for bounty hunters but also for a sheriff like him.

Romas was a "black" knight, a dragon hunter and also a guild master of adventurers and mercenaries. He was also an expert in camouflage and avoiding recognition.

Two people sat at his table and, looking around, his contact must have had a misfortune.

"Sire, the innkeeper, told us you were looking for an escort to Autrerive."

"Yes, and I am to meet Jack, on the way out of the village, on the crossing that leads to the forbidden forest."

"We'll be waiting for you in an hour's time outside the inn, near the post van stop.

Romas had a little horn around his neck, like the old stagecoach and post office drivers.

And indeed Jack arrived at the post office, his lackey's feet in seven-league boots.

Indeed, the unprotected front end would throw mud and water at the driver's feet and the easiest way to protect oneself was to have big boots nailed to the front board and the leather would go up to the stomach.

The driver would put hay in them as thermal insulation in winter and put his feet and shoes in them. His legs were protected and he could keep some heat in. Hence the expression "seven-league boots".

The two "escorts" insisted on riding next to the driver, arguing that it was to keep a better eye on the surroundings, and they went on their way.

Jack did not even notice Romas, his hooded head in the back of the wagon with the goods.

Jack stayed on the front bench, under cover and just behind the driver, separated by a canvas with a small hole to watch and talk.

Romas' horse followed behind, trained to follow its master discreetly.

On the way out of the village, Jack wanted to plant a grey companion but noticed that it was already placed.

He wanted to turn around but a knife was placed against his throat.

The driver also had a knife at his throat.

"You're going to be a nice merchant and sell us your goods at a "low" price.

Romas jumped out of the wagon and blew his horn.

Then, a moment later, a crowd of about fifteen people arrived.

Barloff came running, followed by his henchmen, armed with pitchforks and flails

"Help is on the way, my lord!!!! HAHAHAHA!"

His big square mouth was almost reminiscent of an orc's head, except for the missing tusks and green skin.

Like Barabas, he was dressed in a large sheepskin with nails in it for protection.

He was armed with a large club studded with vintage nails. So very big.

The crowd arrived amused and the two "escorts" said to their victims: "Help has arrived... gee, it looks like you're saved".

He laughed and saluted the boss.

But his tone changed when Romas drew his sword and revealed his hood.

"Ah... a master mercenary honors us with his presence... "Then he frowned.

My brother Barabas has been killed. If you tell me who killed him and how, we'll let you go.

We want the gold of this scoundrel who has been taunting us and refusing our 'protection' for years."

Romas: "If you want to offer your 'protection' so badly, then take the exams to become a real mercenary. What I see is a highwayman with a price on his head." And he unrolled a scroll with the drawing and the bounty for the bandit's death. He was worth more dead than alive, having already been sentenced to death in absentia.

The crowd was closing in behind Barloff, irritated at having been unmasked.

Romas: "Release the hostages and I may close my eyes today if you tell me what has become of Marshal Ferrand.

Barloff began to laugh. He was too curious then, he 'joined' the Republicans. By the way, we are a bit "Republican" in the sense that we haven't paid taxes for a long time. HAHA"

All the "farmers" or "escorts" laughed at Barloff's silly humour.

But Barloff came closer, took his club from his shoulder and brandished it at Romas.

"Enough talk...Tell us what you know about my brother...this is your last chance."

Romas: I think you'll know in a moment.

Then he turned his head and winced in horror as a cone of freezing ice caught the entire group. Instantly freezing the group of bandits into terror.

The cone had been right on target and spared the trailer and Romas.

The two remaining bandits jumped out of the trailer and Romas waved to Kratos.

He grabbed both bandits and threw them at the rider's feet.

The other frozen bandits fell to the ground, freezing and moaning. Some had survived, including Barloff, his skin and hair and beard having protected him a little, but his arms were as if cooked by the cold and the ice formed wounds and cuts.

He howled in rage and tried to swing his club at Romas but his arm came off and fell to the ground, his chest following, for his knees had also broken like ice.

He grumbled "Knight, finish me off...I've had a miserable life as a bandit but I don't want to end up in a stomach..mercy."

Romas rose to his feet and put the agonizing bandits out of their misery.

The other two, with deep puncture wounds from the claws, were in a bad way.

He sighed, and thanked the giant wyvern.

"Thank you Krator... I think you're going to get a bonus for your services. "

"Hi Rrromasss," Krator said in all the horror he represented to the two injured bandits.

Krator: "Finish bandits?"

Romas: "No... they will serve as a warning... for the other bandits."

Krator: "Romas Smart... very... strong!"

Krator wanted to give Romas a lick, a sign of appreciation, but I hissed behind. "NO!!! KRATOR!!! Romas not Wyverne!"

Romas smiled at Krator.. "Thanks for the gesture.."

So Krator was not offended. Non-verbal communication was also very important to us, reptiles and tongue lashing was also one of these forms. We also recognised smell, taste and showed affection in this way, our heads not having all the muscles to make human grimaces and expressions.

Romas swore to himself that this was the first time a dragon had ever wanted to kiss him.

But it would make things easier... Kratos was aware but these were young souls and had the minds of children of about 7 years old. With the advantages but also the disadvantages.

He escorted with Jack and Kratos the two bandits to the inn

The two rushed in screaming in pain and pissing blood in places.

The innkeeper threw himself on top of them and put gauze in their wounds and they gibbered "The monster... it's here... it killed them all!!! Barloff... Barabas and all the others .... We are all going to die.

Then, in the doorway, was Romas. and next to him, a small monster head: Me.

The innkeeper brandished a long butcher knife.

Then Romas let me into the inn.

I looked around curiously, and saw lots of stuff that would fit in our house Tables, stools, counter, torches and barrels.

Romas turned to me.

"What do you think... but he was talking about the criminal."

"Mh.. We could dismantle the inn and reassemble it at our place... that way we could accommodate travelers..."

Romas laughed... he obviously didn't think I was interested in an inn.

Then he laughed...

"Innkeeper, you are wanted and sentenced to death.

I'll let you live and go if you release the blacksmith. If not, my friend here will find you and you will be slaughtered, even with an army.."

She rushed out and returned just as quickly, crying.

She begged Romas and also begged me not to devour her.

Kratos was guarding the entrance to the inn and when she tried to get out, her legs collapsed in terror.

She went down into the cellar and came up with the "contact" who was bound and gagged.

Then she threw herself at the knight's feet.

Romas had no time for her.

He had too much to do, and chasing after her was cumbersome.

She fled with the two companions.. and Romas shouted behind.. "My mercenaries are watching you!"

She left the bandit job for good..when she saw the carnage of Kratos.

Then Jack entered. "What's up? Are you ok Mir?"

"Yeah! Not bad. We'll take it home!"

Romas intervened "He means, the whole inn... I think they're having fun."

Jack: "Oh yes... still!"

Then 4 familiar faces joined us. And it was a concert of whistles and licks. Kroa, Kra, Kri.. and .. Blanche... she insisted... but I let her.

The villagers were holed up in their houses and the shutters were all closed.

Then Blanche stood up to Romas. "If MIR goes... Blanch left and the other three did the same."

And so we all arrived at Autrerive.

Kratos was walking behind us in the middle of the village and people were hiding.

Romas was leading the way on his horse towards Winter Fort.

He looked very pleased.

Jack was finishing the convoy and I was in the wagon next to him. I liked the life of a merchant and adventurer more than that of a mercenary. I was looking forward to learning the tricks of the trade and also the tricks of the trade.

And Jack was talking to me with his translation gem, but I was learning fast and slow, I was learning the common with him.

It was a scary sight with a 25 metre wyvern, and its raised neck with its arms on the ground gave it a height of 7 to 8 metres. And if you force it a bit, 10 metres.

Thus, the fortress-city of the dragon hunters and outpost of the empire stood before us.

In the back of my mind I thought it was better to go there as a guest than as a guest in chains or worse, nailed to a decorative plaque.

I was scared but equally excited.

I was discovering the world, a different world, hard but also beautiful.

And the most important thing at the moment was that every day could be better than the last. That was priceless. I was also doing it to protect my little tribe so that they could find their place in the empire.

Kroa was overjoyed with the inn to dismantle.... the brew and all the other tasty drinks... and the honey cake he gobbled up after the innkeeper had fled.

We, too, ravaged the remaining cakes and left some for the others when they came to dismantle... well, a controlled demolition... This will serve as an experiment and will force them to use their brains. I can imagine the carnage in advance, but it made me laugh. Romas was smiling too. Probably the same thoughts... but also the faces of the squires and knight candidates and dragon hunters...

When I think back, it was the first time I saw Kratos blowing frost. He should be called a Winter Wyrvern. An evolution given by the system no doubt... so much the better! We'll be stronger for it.

Then, the huge gates stood before us. I also noticed anti-dragon ballistas on the turrets but they were not pointed at us. They must have been out of action for decades.

I had since joined Romas to enjoy the show and he said. "These ballistas are against the Dragon Knights of the Republic."