When Azara was woken from her sleep a week later by Elise, she was less assured in herself and her decision. When she had been forced to skip a bath to ready all her things and set out to meet up with her newfound companions, she began to regret her decision. When she reached their designated meeting point, an unassuming inn near the outskirts of the capital, she pondered whether or not to just turn back.

No one else was ready to leave, and she had skipped a bath and woken up early for nothing. Of course, she only had herself to blame. Valerius had planned to leave in a month and a half or so, or whenever Irinia was ready. However, Azara had insisted they leave much earlier, since according to legend dragons could cross many miles in a day, and that leaving the matter unattended would be dangerous. To her surprise, this had worked, and he had become anxious about leaving as soon as possible not long after.

She now sat on a stool a short distance from the main entrance to the inn, watching Valerius, Kasper, and Joakim load things into their small wagon. They were still sorting out many details of the trip ahead too. Why had she gotten up so early again?

The plan was to head east to Midton, and then northward from there to the capital of the most northern province of Ursulam - the city of Issawast, in Notting. Other than that, Valerius had been secretive about their plans. He was still not happy about having Azara come along. She had insisted though.

In her opinion, he had nobody but himself to blame for being forced to take her. He had spoken too much and given her too much information. Azara knew that the secrecy of his plan was important. If the whole country knew their prince was going out to slay a dragon, then his brothers might join in and take some of the glory. Worse, it would legitimize the dragon threat as real and more than a rumor. That would also hamper Valerius' plans and cause the country more trouble.

Therefore, he had to let her come along and join in if she wanted to. Otherwise, she could just leak the secret to the world and watch as it crashed down around him.

All of this was why they were departing in secret, dressed almost like commoners, and why they were not in the most polite company.

It so happened that both Kasper, the young blond-haired man, and the large man Joakim, had ties to the largest known Urusulan criminal network. The group went by many names. They called themselves “The Hawks”, an animal considered noble in the culture of Ursulam. Others called them the “Thieves Guild” or “The Dragons”. Azara suspected Kasper was a direct member, but he would not admit it. However, Joakim was quick to tell his story. Apparently, he was a sword for hire of sorts and had done work with the guild to the extent that he was well trusted, beyond the bounds of money. What surprised Azara about them both was that Irinia had been the link between them and Valerius.

Azara would have never thought the young girl was the sort to consort with criminals or mercenaries. She had seemed quite soft-spoken and kind. If anyone was capable of dealing with dangerous people, Irinia did not seem to fit that bill.

As she pondered these things, the young mage-in-training herself showed. Irinia had been fetching some last-minute supplies. She strode up to Azara, a basket of various things in hand, and took a look at the mage woman for a second. The girl was observing Azara’s new attire. Rather than a dress or fancy clothes, Azara wore a type of robes. They were not the monk-like or scholarly sort, but a garment meant for travel. The garment was made of heavy fabric with more than one layer, and a hood. She also wore a cloak, heavy boots, and carried two satchels. Irinia herself wore similar clothes.

"Did you buy all of this during the week?" Irinia said, looking confused at Azara's gear. "But some of it looks used, so is it second hand?"

Azara cocked her head to one side. "Why would you think I bought it recently?"

"Well, I suppose I just thought that since you were a noble you had never...well, done this sort of thing. Valerius hasn't, this is going to be new to him," she replied, suddenly sheepish.

That was it. They were all going to die. Azara was sure of it now. For someone who was usually an optimist, that was saying something. She tried not to show it though and smiled back to Irinia.

"Well, my mother used to go on many adventures, and I was able to accompany her on some of them. You should know she was a researcher before she became the governor of Aruslan. She would travel the world searching for artifacts, exploring magical phenomena, and dealing with things around the country. I heard that is one of the reasons she lost her teaching authority at the University of Aethera. When she taught there she would be scheduled to teach a class, and on the first day she would not show because she was halfway across the world at the time."

Irinia's grinned and raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a very fun, but...well, a little irresponsible?”

Azara smiled again and shrugged. “My mother has always been very independent. What about yourself, have you traveled much?”

Irinia nodded. “I've done a few things myself, some journeys, but most of it was just what was necessary to survive. I wish I could have done more, and studied magic like you, that would have been fun. I thank the heavens for what I have been given though. "

Despite her expression of gratefulness, a certain tinge of sadness in her voice hinted at hidden jealousy and misery. Azara could see it in Irinia’s eyes too. This girl longed for more, but not out of pure ambition. Her motivation was something else.

"Somewhat fun, yes. However, it was also serious work, and it was dangerous. To be honest, I sometimes preferred the times at home. Mother was always able to be herself out on adventures, and that was fun, but it was during our times at home that we truly got to be a family. Also, being home was far more comfortable." she explained.

"You know, you mention her a lot," Irinia observed.

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The statement caught Azara by surprise for a moment. Irinia had only known her for a little while now, but she wasn't wrong. In both discussions they’d had, the topic of Azara's mother had come up. It was something that was dwelling on Azara's mind a lot, particularly considering this very mission was on that woman's behalf. The problem of the dragon in the north was likely related to the woman as well if Azara had her guess.

“She is very important to me, and she has made me much of who I am I guess. I couldn't have asked for much more in a parent I think. I am here on her request after all."

"She sounds like a wonderful person."

Azara felt her heart sink. This was a difficult subject, and she considered her next words carefully.

"Most of the time. She didn't become who she is by just being nice though." Azara said, knowing that Irinia had probably heard stories of Lady Elefthera’s exploits, and was missing another side of the story. That said, Irinia's kind judgment of someone she had not even met was appreciated. Azara would have thought of it as naiveté even, but she was proven wrong by Irinia’s next statement.

"Well, I hope to meet her someday, so I can judge for myself," Irinia replied.

Azara smiled. So, the earlier statement had just been a way of being polite to a new acquaintance. Irinia may have been nice, but at least she was not foolish.

"Maybe you will," Azara said. “But you should probably hope that you don’t. Encountering too many powerful people in your life can be a bad thing. You’re already friends with a prince, so that should be enough.”

"Perhaps, but what you said about her being Veyorn makes me proud that she has done all the things I've heard. After all the Magi did to us, and kings past, it is nice to know we aren't all being walked upon everywhere," she said with a smile. "Maybe the stars are answering our prayers at last.

Azara noted the number of religious terms coming from Irinia. The young woman was devoted. It made Azara wonder if this devotion would come into conflict in training. After all, the Magi and other religious types always had their own views on magic, and Azara approached the topic through a much more secular perspective.

"Well, to most she passes as Aerician, and she grew up in Aericia as well. She doesn’t publicize her Veyorn ancestry." Azara explained. “So it isn’t as if she has faced that many problems over it.”

"Where ever we wander though, the lands shall change, but our souls are the same," Irinia said with a grin, citing an old Veyorn proverb. Then she looked at Azara with curious eyes. "I've never seen golden eyes like those before though - not just among my people, but anyone."

Azara shrugged and sighed. She wondered which of her old and tired excuses would work explain the abnormality this time, without revealing the true cause. Eventually, she decided that a half-truth would be in order. First, the truth. "I am not Veyorn by blood Irinia, only by adoption."

Confusion settled into the young woman’s green eyes. "What?"

“I'm not my mother's daughter by blood. I'm not an Eleftheran by blood, I was adopted.”

Surprisingly, Irinia perked up at this. It didn’t bother her at all.

"Me too," she said.

"What?"

"Well, I am Veyorn born, but I mean that I was also adopted. My family was one of those with some status among the Veyorn. No titles, of course, but respected elders. You understand how that works, yes?”

Azara nodded. It was a practice among the Veyorn to stay away from ranks and social structures. They had once had chieftains of their various settlements, but within the past few centuries, fewer and fewer over their settlements and traveling caravans had even that structure.

“Well, when the king withdrew his troops and protection from the area twelve years ago, under the excuse that the lands were rebellious, and of course after the death of Valerius's mother, my parents sent me away. My parents were afraid of invasion, uprising, bandits, or worse. Well...they were right to fear, and not long after that, they perished. The noble family I was sent to stay with, friends of the family, took me in and adopted me. That is how I met Valerius." she explained.

"Really? You didn't strike me as one of noble upbringing."

She shrugged. "I was already eleven years old when I was sent away, and I was never a good child. It wasn't right of me, considering how kind they were, but you probably know how that is - it can be hard to make peace with that situation. To accept a new family. I ran away a lot, got into trouble, and that is how I met Kasper."

"To be honest, I’m not sure if I know anything about that. I have been with my mother since I was a baby - when she found both me and my sister.” Azara explained, and then decided to insert her half-truth. “Nobody would raise us because of our strange looks."

“Hmm, that makes sense. There are a lot of superstitious people out there.” Irinia said.

“The world is strange for misfits like us,” Azara replied. “I’m glad you're open about your past though. The others have been very secretive. Only Joakim was forthcoming with anything that was substantial.”

"Oh, don't mind them, they are too sensitive. They are just uptight because Valerius is, and he is so tense because he has never really done anything like this. The stars have granted me peace with the past, and you seem pretty nice, so I don't mind sharing. Also, Kasper isn’t just secretive. He’s also shy." she explained with a smile. "You mentioned you had a sister?"

Azara nodded. "Yes actually. My sister was found with me by our mother, Ezmeralda. We are twins, and we look the same. I also have a little brother, though he is our mother's son by blood. Astra is my sister’s name, and Andreas is my brother. Their ceremonial names are Twilight and Thunder."

"Twilight, the synonym of Dusk," Irinia said with a smirk.

Azara giggled. "Yep, there is some humor in it. Though, the traditional practices were upheld when we received those names, so they do have meaning beyond that."

"But Andreas’ name seems unrelated. If it is not too personal, may I ask how come?"

Indeed, the meanings behind the Veyorn ceremonial names were sometimes very special and were not always given out lightly. However, Azara didn't mind the question and shook her head.

"To be honest, I do not know. I believe it something to do with his father, however, other than that I'm as knowledgeable as you are. I've never talked with him about it much, to be honest, and our connection has...never been very strong. My brother was born when I and my sister were already eight years old, and my mother has never had a husband around that we could call a father. I've only ever met the man who sired him a couple of times, Ignatius was his name."

"Hmm, then I guess all of us on this journey are a bunch of misfits in our own right. Kasper has known no other family other than, well, you know who, and Joakim has a daughter and wife who are in Arbust but no one else. Valerius has no mother now and was raised apart from his father. Valerius only ever had a close connection with one of his siblings, and that brother is dead now. So, I guess we fit together well. Maybe we've been guided here."

Azara shrugged. "We’re just unique, that is all. It is a valuable thing to be different, even if it can seem like a bad thing, it isn’t. Though, it isn’t necessarily good either."

Irinia nodded in agreement. "I think this is going to be a good journey with you Azara.”

"I think it will be too," Azara said. She stood and began to walk over to the wagon, where the men had finished loading the last of their things.

"Wait, one more thing," Irinia asked, “about the training in magic...when is that going to begin?"

Another bright smile from Azara met Irinia's question. "It already did. Magic is more than just spells, it is...a mindset and a way of life. Not everyone has it or can use it, but simply the ability is not right or wrong. It is just special and should be valued for that, like a rare jewel. That was your first and most basic lesson from me."