"Father!" A young woman shouted, "Father, watch!" Her brown stallion charged at a pile of logs.

Alter shouted, "Be careful, Aeres!"

"That girl. I told her to practice with larger obstacles, yet she chooses this one? Tsk. Tsk."

"Let her do as she likes. She's only twenty-two."

"I simply want her to strive for more. She has the talent."

The horse's powerful muscles rippled as it leaped over the wood.

"That was an excellent jump," Arwen admitted, then, louder for Aeres to hear over Alter's clapping, "Well done!"

The horse trotted around them and tossed its head, its shiny black mane catching sunlight, and encouraged the spectators to praise it more. Aeres fumbled with the strap near the chin protector to take her helmet off. Straw pigmented hair unfurled down her scalp like a waterfall and framed her face, her gorgeous soft, oval face and rosy cheeks.

This young woman was Aeres Mordecai, daughter of Arwen Mordecai and Carmen Santaella. She had come home for the party. Her helmet swung in the crook of her elbow as she got off the horse and adjusted her red uniform.

It must be a Mordecai habit to engage in sport before a big event.

Arwen commented "I still do not understand why this horse was classified as a dragon."

Aeres's brown eyes sparkled as she said, "This species of horse has multiple stomachs. It uses one to make the fire it exhales, another to burn the grass it eats into nutrients, and its most crucial stomach, when it's flying across the land, boils as hot as a train's steam generator. Hyracohippus Dracoequidae fulfills the two dragon classification requirements: The species must be flight capable and must be able to exhale fire. So, this horse is a dragon."

Arwen frowned, "Have you been reading those veterinarian books again? Too much and it rots your brain."

Aeres's smile faltered and her lips thinned. "I apologize, Father."

Alter anchored his weight on Arwen's foot.

"Ah, daughter, what am I saying? Anything that broadens your knowledge is welcome. If that is what you like, enjoy your browsing."

"Thank you, Father?"

Alter knew she didn't really believe Arwen's change of heart was genuine, but he won't be able to critique her reading habits next time.

As Aeres saw the horse off, Arwen muttered to Alter, "I think I have to talk to the person who classified this Hycohippus Dracoedae."

Alter whispered, "Hyracohippus Dracoequidae, and no, you do not."

"Aeres!" A woman lifted the hem of her evening dress off the grass as she rushed towards them. Her gown with its gossamer sleeves and steep neckline covered by a modest vanilla corset that wrapped around her waist and trailed into the folds of her dress, stitched as a rose on a shoulder and a bouquet on the hem, married well with the pine trees.

Carmen Santaella, owner of Santaella Corporation, the largest foreign company in Arseny, and Aeres's mother. They shared the same gold-silk hair, though Carmen's was captured in a beautiful ribbon.

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She addressed Arwen, "Dear. Welcome back-"

Arwen walked to a far away tree and stood under its shade.

What did I expect? This is just how he is.

Carmen smiled, "Hello, Alter."

"Hello Mrs. Santaella. How have you been?"

"Well, thank you. I'm afraid I can't chat for long."

"No worries, Mrs. Santaella."

"Thank you, Alter." She grabbed Aeres, "Look at you. We have only three hours to prepare! Where were you, off riding that horse? It's dangerous to go alone!"

Aeres grinned, "Sorry, Amma. I don't choose when to ride, the dragon just comes to me."

Carmen patted her daughter's cheek, "Of course. Just, when it next arrives, bring me along. I'll give that dragon a stern warning to make sure to keep you safe. It'll understand just whose daughter it's stealing."

"Mother!"

Alter went to Arwen, who leaned against the tree and frowned at the town.

"My day is ruined."

"You knew she was coming. She is your wife."

Arwen shook a finger, "A wife in title."

"She bore you two children."

"One."

"Arwen."

He sighed, "Do not press me on this, please. You will not change my mind."

Alter knew his efforts in this matter were futile. He could persuade Arwen to reverse his position on almost anything but this. He didn't know for certain why Arwen hated Carmen, though he had an inkling why. Alter heard the door open. He peered around the tree's thick trunk. Elin escorted an elderly woman. Carmen and Aeres greeted her like she was royalty. They looked at her with awe, respect, and familiarity. Alter rarely saw her in person. Her advanced years took a toll on her health and she remained constantly bedridden. Despite this, she carried herself with a rigor that fended off the weariness of age. She stood tall, regal, like a benevolent Queen staring out at her kingdom with those harsh hazel eyes. Her son shared her thin, bony face, except for his eyes, which were blue, blue like his dead father's.

Alwena Mordecai.

She spoke to Carmen, "There you are. Thank you for helping me organize all this, I appreciate it. Carmen, leave the town and stay with us in the house. You are a Mordecai."

Carmen lowered her voice, "Alwena, you know why I cannot stay."

She sighed, "Yes, I know. I assume Gideon won't be coming?"

"He doesn't even know this celebration is happening."

"Did he not receive an invitation?"

"Arwen was in charge of the guest list."

Alwena shook her cane, "My stupid, stupid, son! Where is he?" She gasped for breath, and the three women lunged to steady her, "I'll fix his stupidity."

"It's alright. It was lovely seeing you, Alwena."

"The same to you, and Aeres. More beautiful and bright day by day."

Mother and daughter left.

Alter nudged Arwen with a knee, "Look."

"I swear, Alter, if it is her-" He spotted Alwena.

Arwen ran to her. "Mother! You shouldn't be standing." He quickly kissed her cheeks, then went inside and brought out a chair. "Your health..." He could not finish the sentence. "Please, sit. Shall I call for your attendant?"

Alwena slapped the back of his head, "Watschengesicht!"

"Yes, Mother. But Mother, this is the last time I'll let you prepare an event at our home." "Your concern is not necessary. I was just talking with Elin about the government's current state." She muttered, "You did well."

He bowed his head, "Thank you."

Elin, as she began to slip away, said, "I'll wait inside, lovely chat we had, Ms. Mordecai."

"I enjoyed it as well, Elin. Oh? Where is she?"

"She left."

"So she did. My eyes are ailing me in my old age."

Alter followed Elin inside.

"Why have you come out, Mother?"

"I organized this party. I must greet our guests."

"They are privileged to meet you and should not stand in your presence. They should bow, head scraping the ground to greet you."

"Arwen."

"A joke, Mother, a joke."

Arwen sat beside her like he did as a child. He slipped his right hand under hers and his left over hers.

"How small your hand has become, Mother."

"It is your turn to hold me as I held you."

He began to gently pat the back of her hand in a rhythmic way, tapping out the song she taught him years before. Each stroke of her hand's leathery, loose skin, sent tears to his eyes. Alter returned, carrying a blanket and a cup of hot water. Arwen smiled, proud.

"How thoughtful, Alter! Thank you. It is a bit chilly, and I will be here awhile."

"For how long, Mother?" Arwen made sure her feet were warmly swaddled in the blanket.

"I will retire after your welcoming speech. I leave the entertainment to you, and Arwen, inform me which fools did not enjoy the party. I will have a chat with those misguided souls and send them on their way."

"I'll gladly hand their heads to you, Amma."

They watched as the first guests drove up the hill, their cars' headlights casting a pale yellow on the road.

Alwena murmured, "It is so easy to get lost in the dark."