What do you mean? Eri asked. Her partner had tensed up underneath her as he asked his question.

I mean, she is that– She is Calsen’s daughter, right? So I was wondering, did she know? Kyrith explained. I really hope she didn’t, but I can’t shake the feeling… Eri, I really don’t like this.

She closed her eyes, trusting Kyrith in keeping his movement steady. Meanwhile, she considered his statement and sent soothing thoughts to the troubled dragon.

Do you think she is capable of deception? she asked.

No, but– He let out a rumbling groan. I don’t know, she seems nice but I just can’t shake the feeling… I hope I’m not wrong about her.

Kyrith, you are the most perceptive person I know. If anyone can fool you, then we never stood a chance. But, I do agree it is a worrying thought. How much does she know? How much can we trust her? Those are questions that we must answer.

A more chilling thought occurred to her. What if Calsen was testing us? What if he was judging our response?

Eri? What do you mean by that? he asked, picking up on her emotions.

I mean, what if Chief Calsen’s intentions with the wolf pup were only to see how we would respond? We know he has his eyes on the hatchery…

Kyrith let out a whimper. Do we have to keep him around? I want him gone.

I know, so do I. However, if we kick him out I fear his tribe might cause even more trouble in retaliation. Or possibly, they will try to convince the others that he is innocent. Admittedly, that last one might be difficult for them but there are still plenty who are unsure of all this. People might find themselves agreeing with Calsen, even if they hate him.

All this? You mean you and Felix?

Eri considered her words carefully. Yes and no. I mean, the whole idea of a queen is hard for many to wrap their heads around. Plenty don’t believe this will work, and some probably don’t want it to.

Then there is Felix, a human. The villagers are content with him, for the most part. But the other tribes haven’t interacted with him much at all. The simple act of removing Calsen might be enough for everyone still unsure to suddenly turn on us. We need proof, hard proof that he is up to no good.

With that both went quiet, lost in thought as they continued their journey.

Finding Felix and the others turned out to be a little more complicated than either Eri or Kyrith had expected. The group had gone deep into the forest, coming dangerously close to one of the more unstable regions. Though, with Zira, there weren’t many threats in there that could take them on.

Armed with that knowledge, Eri wasn’t too concerned. They took their time as Kyrith followed the group’s scent. At least, he did until it started trailing off into different directions.

What do we do now? he asked.

Eri thought about it for a moment. Can you follow only Felix’s scent?

Her partner tasted the air before responding. I think so, also I think I’m picking up Ithea’s as well.

Hmm, I’m a little confused why they decided to split up. After a moment of hesitation, Eri added, Let’s follow Felix’s scent for now.

Kyrith scented the air one last time and continued. It wasn’t long until they reached their destination.

Coming into what once was a meadow, Eri found that it had been transformed. The ground was torn up, trees bore recent scars and scorch marks. The devastation was indicative of a battle and, as if to support the notion, off to one side a pile of bodies laid.

However, she let out a smile as the air filled with the sound of snoring. The group before her was not dead but, in fact, slumbering.

Approaching, Eri couldn’t help but find it amusing and adorable. Zira was resting her head comfortably on top of Felix.

At the dragon’s side were the four other elves and their little jewels. The smaller dragons were curled up with their partners, who, in turn, were resting up against the much larger amethyst dragon.

Both she and Kyrith looked on, neither wanting to make any noise to wake them.

“Ah, Eri.” The familiar voice of Ithea sounded out behind her before the dragon woman appeared next to them.

“What happened?” Eri asked, keeping her voice low.

“They asked me to teach them. So I did.”

As Ithea said that, she only noticed the bruises that most carried. Even Zira had a few spots missing scales. However, her eyes fell to Yedril. The sickly elf looked…rough.

“How hard did you push them?!” she whisper-shouted.

“They are fine. I pushed them to their limits, yes. But I did not push them past them. That includes their mana. They simply need rest.”

Eri wasn’t so sure about that and slid down off of Kyrith. As quietly as she could, she rushed up to the group and began inspecting them.

Will they be okay? her partner asked with a whimper.

She didn’t immediately answer as she focused on Yedril. Besides the bruising, the young elf sported multiple cuts and scrapes. Eri wanted to use her magic on him, but she knew his body would react badly. Instead, she lowered her head onto his chest and listened to his breathing.

Normal, she said, more to the benefit of Kyrith than to herself. Still, she checked his pulse and found it normal as well.

Unable to do more without potentially waking Yedril, or the others, Eri let out a sigh and stood up.

“Happy?” Ithea asked.

Eri looked at her with a frown. “Yes, but–”

She stopped herself, Ithea was sporting a concerning gash across the side of her stomach.

“Ithea!” she gasped, and quickly ran to the dragon woman.

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“Stop! I’m fine.” Ithea threw a hand out to stop Eri from getting closer.

“Can you at least tell me what happened?” she asked, lowering herself to get a better look. The wound was already starting to heal.

She heard, more than saw, Ithea smile. “Felix finally grew a pair and got off a decent shot. I simply allowed it to hit me, although I did sidestep it so it would be a glancing blow.”

Eri ignored the crude comment. “Why would you do that?”

“A reward,” the dragon woman said nonchalantly. “Anyway, since you are here and they,” she pointed to the pile of sleeping bodies, “Are going to be out of action for a while. Do you want to practice?”

Eri gulped and straightened herself. She could feel Kyrith perking up at the thought.

Oh! That sounds like fun–

Kyrith, take another look at them and tell me if you think this will be fun.

The dragon was silent for a moment before he suddenly responded. We will do better!

Deflating, she saw no choice. Her partner just saw an opportunity to ‘play’ and he wasn’t going to stop until she relented. Instead of trying to make him see reason, she gathered her resolve and gave Ithea a simple nod.

The dragon woman’s lips curled into a smile.

“Perfect, we’ll get started right away…”

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“So, do ya want to tell me what’s wrong?” Gillador asked, looking down at the seated woman.

“W-what do you mean?” Calinna asked with a bit of a stammer and visibly sinking into her chair.

The girl was a bundle of nerves, all stressed and knotted up. And he couldn’t bear to see her like that. Especially if she’s supposed to be a candidate.

Really, she reminded him of Haldria when she was younger. That girl struggled with her emotions and the expectations of others. Still does, I have to admit. But at least she’s making something of herself.

There was a hint of pride in his eyes as he thought that. Haldria hadn’t overcome all her issues but she was making a name for herself.

Focus, this is about Calinna and not Haldria. Still, having dealt with Haldria, Gillador was more aware and equipped to deal with people like her.

“To be honest, ya an emotional wreck–”

The woman recoiled from that but he pressed on.

“My vision isn’t what it used to be, but I could see it. And if I can see it, then the others definitely can. So, I’ll ask ya again, do you want to talk about it? I ain’t here to bully ya, just here to help.”

“I’m…fine!” Calinna said hesitantly.

“Really? Doesn't sound like it, but very well… Tell me something though. Why ya wanna be the Queen?”

The question seemed to have caught the girl off guard, as if she never expected anyone to ask her that.

“Well… You see, uh… My father–” She lit up as she found her response. “My father wants me to become more assertive. He thinks this will help me.”

“Hmm… But what about ya? What do ya want?” Gillador asked, not taking that as an answer.

She blinked, her expression changing to confusion. “What do you mean? I want to make my father proud.”

“Sure, but have you ever thought about what you want to do?” He pointed at her.

“Huh? What I…want to do?” Calinna stared off into the distance.

This is what I was worried about, Gillador thought as he watched the girl. I guess I should give that a try… He reached for a few items laying on his table as the young woman began to speak again.

“I don’t know what I want, I guess… I’m supposed to become the next Chief. I’ve always thought that is what I will do, I never considered if there was something else I wanted.”

Gillador nodded his head as he faced her again. In his hand were several pieces of parchment along with a special pen he owned. “I thought as much– Here, take these.”

Calinna looked perplexed as she took the parchment and pen. “What are these for?”

Sitting down in his own chair, he tapped the top of the table. “That is up to ya. Ya can draw, ya can doodle– Hells, ya can write if ya want to.”

“I…don’t understand.”

“I want ya to be creative.”

There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other. Calinna continued to look confused while Gillador merely smiled.

“How?”

“Simply think of what ya want to do, and do it.”

“What–”

“Try drawing. Just think of something ya want to draw, and draw it.”

“B-but… But what if it isn’t any good? I’ve never tried to draw anything…”

“So? This isn’t about what others think.”

The girl took a deep breath and set the parchment down onto the table. “This could take some time, I don’t know what–”

“Then take yer time. Decide on what ya want to draw then, when yer ready, draw. Don’t worry about me, yer father, or anyone else. Simple focus on what you want.”

With a slow nod, Calinna brought the pen up and studied it…

“Wait! Is this–”

“Yes, it’s enchanted. It was a gift from the Dragon Queen to me,” Gillador said, with a hint of pride. However, he quickly added, “But don’t worry about that.”

She nearly dropped it at the mention of the former Queen. “N-no… I don’t think I should be using an artifact for something like this!”

“Why not?” he asked, his expression turning into a frown. “Ya ain’t going to break it, I promise.”

He watched as her hands trembled. But after a moment, it seemed she finally pulled herself together.

“I think I know what I want to draw.”

“Oh?” He cocked an eye. “Will ya tell me? Ya don’t have to, but I am curious.”

“You promise not to laugh?” she asked.

“I promise.”

“I… I want to draw Kyrith,” she whispered.

“An interesting choice, nothing wrong with that though. He is quite striking…”

Calinna gave him another nod before setting her sights on the parchment. And with an unsteady hand, she lifted the pen and began to draw…

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Chief Calsen found himself pacing in his large tent. A few of his most trusted men stood nearby as he considered his options.

Eri’s response was what I expected. However, if what she said about Kyrith is true, he will be a problem. Then there is that human… That bastard will be the biggest source of trouble for me.

He let out a sigh. Guess I’ll have to go with the original plan then…

“What now, Chief?” one asked, noticing the change in his demeanor.

He came to a stop and regarded them. “Nothing changes, we’ll just have to be even more cautious.”

His men looked at each other before the same one spoke again. “No offense, but are you sure this will work? That dragon didn’t seem to be under Eri’s control–”

“Merely a trick. Hells, she commanded him to leave. No, it was a ruse. A convincing one, but a ruse nonetheless.”

Another spoke up. “But why did the wolves attack then? I would think they would be under that human’s control.”

Chief Calsen thought about the question before answering.

“I suspect one of two things. Either they were ordered to attack or, simply, they haven’t been bound to that bastard yet. I can see logic in both.”

There were several audible gulps at that.

“To think, that human has managed to bind multiple dragons, elves, and kobolds to his will. Now, he has dire wolves. Gods, help us…”

He approached his men and gave the one who spoke a pat on the shoulder. “Indeed, but thankfully we are not alone.”

That earned him several curious looks as he stepped back and reached into a pocket. An instant later, he pulled free a small piece of parchment.

“We have an ally.”