While the day hadn’t gone exactly as planned, Hump was pleased as they left the Fishery. This was better than retreading his old steps. He’d done something useful, saved a number of children from a miserable fate, and might have actually found a kid with some talent to be a practitioner. This was what made it worth being an adventurer. For all the hardships, he could help people.

Mav was doing a good job of hiding his awe as they walked back to the Rike estate, but Hump saw him taking everything in—the lavish estates hidden away down winding streets, the eccentric gates partially concealing large gardens within, and the nobles and carriages that passed by. It was a different world to the fishery not twenty minutes away. Less crowded, better smelling, and filled with extravagance. Hump had bought Mav some food from one of the many food stands they’d passed along the way, and he seemed happy enough, but the kid was good at hiding what he was thinking. Still, Hump could imagine.

The whole situation made Hump think back to when his master had first taken him on as a disciple. It was long ago, but he still remembered his own apprehension. That feeling that things were too good to be true, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Strangers had been unpredictable at best, and dangerous at worst. Even when his master had given him everything he had needed—trained him in magic—Hump had waited months for the catch. It took time to trust someone when life had taught you otherwise.

“I’m guessing you haven’t been around here much,” Hump said.

“Never,” Mav said. “My sister told me not too. Too dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Bud said with a frown. “I would think it’s the opposite. There are so many guards around here.”

Hump gave his friend a look—sometimes the knight could be as thick as his armour. “Guards are the problem, my friend. See any beggars around here?”

Bud looked around, and Hump smiled to himself as he saw realisation dawn in the knight’s eyes. Bud meant well and had a good heart, but he could be as blind to some things as the rest of nobility. The difference with him, however, was that he cared to look.

“Don’t let folk like me in these parts,” Mav said. “Get caught stealing round where I live and you’re in for a beating. Get caught here and they might hang you.”

“Surely they don’t hang children in Elenvine,” Celaine said, shocked.

“They don’t,” Bud said quickly. “Though I know of thieves that have been executed or had a hand chopped off.”

“I knew a girl whose brother was hanged,” Mav said. “He’d snuck into one of them fancy carriages and nicked his booze.”

Celaine’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head, disgusted. “Your people can be truly barbaric.”

“I assure you, Mav, hanging children isn’t legal,” Bud said.

Mav narrowed his eyes. “You calling me a liar?”

“No, but—”

“Then you think I’m stupid?” Mav interrupted.

Bud turned to Hump desperately. “Help.”

“You ever see one of these hangings?” Hump asked Mav.

“No,” Mav said. “Doesn’t mean it ain’t true.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Hump said. “And it wouldn’t surprise me if there are some nobles that hold private executions, but such things really are illegal.” He glanced at Celaine. “We’re not that bad.”

Mav looked at Celaine curiously. “Where are you from?”

Celaine’s expression softened. “A place far from Elenvine, to the north of all Alveron, and in the Fallen Lands.”

Mav’s eyes widened. “Where the monsters are?”

Celaine nodded.

The boy’s mouth opened. He glanced at Hump. “Is she having me on?”

“It’s the truth,” Hump said. “I’ve been there.”

“What’s it like?” Mav asked.

“It’s far smaller for a start,” Celaine said. “There are no cities like this—just open land surrounded by beautiful forests. There’s enough space for everyone, and more than enough food to go around.”

“Sounds nice,” Mav said wistfully.

“It had its charm,” Hump said. “But the Fallen Lands is a dangerous place. Even where Celaine comes from, they are in a constant battle for survival. Monsters, undead, dungeons—there are dangers everywhere.”

Mav gawked at Celaine. “How do you survive?”

“We are strong,” Celaine said with pride. “And our god, Owalyn, protects us.”

“At least you can fight monsters,” Mav said. “Better than here. What’s it called?”

“Drakalyn,” Celaine said, a faint smile touching her lips. “It means ‘Dragon Land’ in your tongue.”

Mav’s scepticism returned. “Have you really seen a dragon? Amy says they’re not real.”

Celaine raised an eyebrow, her smirk turning playful. “I’ll leave that for you to find out.”

“You people are weird,” Mav muttered, furrowing his brow. “Just cause I’m a kid doesn’t mean I don’t know things. I’m street smart.”

Hump chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

It was not long until they arrived at the Rike Estate. The guards welcomed them fondly, showing them through the gated entrance. Before it closed behind him, Hump glanced back, eyeing the empty street outside. There was another large manor on the opposite side—empty. Nobody was watching.

“You really live here?” Mav asked, staring at the lush garden filling the space beyond the gates and leading up to the main house. “It’s giant.”

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“I don’t live here, but my fiancée does,” Bud said. “She belongs to the House of Rike—a family famed for their martial practitioners.”

“Sword wizards?” Mav asked.

Hump shrugged. “Close enough.”

“We will pass by some of their disciples soon,” Bud said.

As they wandered past the main house, they paused to watch the disciples in training before heading for the guest building where they had been staying, where Hump had asked Nisha to wait outside for them, Emilia sitting on the deck with her, giving them a curious smile as she noticed Mav with them.

As she turned toward them, Mav froze mid-step.

Hump grinned, following the boy’s line of site. Nisha stared straight at him, tail whipping back and forth. Her purple eyes were unblinking, her wings tucked to her sides as if ready to spring forward.

Hump grinned as he felt Nisha’s excitement thrumming through their bond. Be nice, Nisha. Don’t break him.

And with that she was unleashed. A delighted chirp escaped her as she flapped her wings and launched herself forward.

***

Mav stared at the creature barrelling toward him, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. For a split second, he thought he’d been kidnapped to feed to a dragon. The beast was all shimmering scales and gleaming teeth, its purple eyes locked on him like a cat that had found a mouse. Only this cat was as tall as him.

The creature unfurled its wings, and Mav thought that was it. He raised his arm in same attempt to protect himself, bracing for impact. But the impact didn’t come. The dragon skidded to a halt just inches in front of him, her momentum carrying her in a half-circle around him. Mav staggered back, arms flailing as her scaly body brushed against him, her head butting into his side with enough force to make him stumble.

“Ah—hey!” Mav yelped, stumbling as he tried to stay on his feet.

He stood rigid as a board, arms raised high as though he’d surrender to the thing. His breath came in quick, sharp bursts, terror clawing up his throat.

The dragon didn’t seem to notice his fear. She circled him like an overeager puppy, her tail whipping back and forth across the ground and leaving faint marks in the dirt. Her sharp claws clinked against the stones as she finally settled herself in front of him, sitting back on her haunches. She looked up at him with wide, violet eyes, her forked tongue lolling lazily from the corner of her mouth as though she was starving.

Mav just stared. I’m not dead.

“Don’t worry,” Hump said, stepping forward to stand beside the dragon. He placed a steady hand on her neck, calm as if this whole thing was normal. “She won’t bite.”

Mav turned sharply, gaping at him. “She’s a dragon!”

Hump shrugged. “I told you that already.”

Mav’s voice pitched higher, panic taking hold. “You told me about a dragon! You didn’t say there was a real dragon! There’s a dragon!”

Celaine snorted with laughter, the sound light and amused. She stepped in gracefully, brushing past Mav as though none of this were unusual at all. Her hand ran down the dragon’s back, stroking the smooth scales that shimmered faintly in the light. The dragon practically melted under her touch, leaning into Celaine’s hand and making a low, rumbling sound that Mav could only describe as a purr.

“Her name is Nisha,” Celaine said. “And she’s a wolf dragon, and only a baby at that.”

Mav stood there staring between them all, lost for words. Amy always said it took a lot to shut him up, but these people were crazy.

***

Emilia came through for Mav just as Hump expected she would. Arrangements were quickly made for the kid to stay at the dorms for the Rike family’s disciples. It was a good place for him—safe, clean, and filled with other people his age with strong potential. Though when Hump had seen him off, Mav hadn’t looked particularly keen.

“You swear you’ll get Amy back?” Mav had asked at the door.

“I will do all I can to bring back the children the warlocks took,” Hump said. “But I cannot swear to bring her back. The people that took her are powerful—far more powerful than me. What I can promise is that I will try my best.”

“We all will,” Celaine said.

Mav had looked over them, seeming to consider it, then nodded. “Thanks.”

They had left him to it shortly after that, heading back to the guest house.

“So…” Emilia started suggestively. “You both enjoy your day? Sounds like you got creative with your entertainment.”

“It was nice,” Celaine said before Hump could speak. “We didn’t find the bakery, but I saw something else instead.” She gave Hump a small smile and he couldn’t help but grin back.

“Next time we can do something nicer,” Hump said. “Something where nobody tries to kill us.”

“I’d like that,” Celaine said.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. After the chaos of the fishery, the quiet was a welcome reprieve. Dylan returned late that afternoon, and soon after a few letters arrived for them. New orders from command—they were to enter the Remnant Realm sooner than expected for a preliminary expedition. Aldric had finally got in touch too and had a member of his staff step in to grant Hump and his companions access to the Vault of the Inquisition for their other rewards.

It was a nice evening. They shared a meal at Emilia’s estate, recounting events to which Emilia, Dylan, and Bud all protested about their lack of involvement. And then it was time to break the news of Hump’s decision not to stay at the Rikes.

“You really don’t need to find another place to stay,” Emilia said. “My family are warriors, and I think they are more than a little proud to host the White Flame.”

“They will come for me, Emilia,” Hump said. “It’s only a matter of time. Celaine’s already explained to me how easy it would be for someone to track me down. You have children in training here, your mother is injured, and your family has lost enough already. I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“Not only that, but it may put Hump at risk staying here,” Celaine said. “As you said, your family are warriors. It’s unlikely an assassin or thief would target Hump here, but why bother when they can simply watch the gate and wait for an opportunity when he’s in the rest of the city.”

Bud let out a long sigh, resting a heavy gaze on Hump. “What will you do then?”

“Move between locations for now,” Hump said. “If the situation escalates in the future, we discussed speaking to Randall and Skander for assistance. Nobody would suspect them to be working with us, and I’m sure Skander would be able to advise me.”

“Randall?” Dylan scrunched his mind. “What about Marcela?”

Hump laughed. “My reaction too, but Celaine made a good point.”

“Marcela is too obvious,” Celaine said. “Same issue as staying here. They will find him.”

“And you really think a member of Randall’s party is a better option?” Bud asked, unconvinced.

“I thought you were coming to like him,” Hump said.

“He is a brother of Kelisia, and I can see he is making an effort, but it is difficult to trust him after what his father did. I would never have suspected his father to be in league with the warlocks either.”

Emilia nodded. “The less people that know, the better. At least for now, I think moving around will be enough. You’re going to be a regular at the academy, the King’s Hold, and here. It’s not like a safehouse would work unless you hid away inside anyway.”

“That’s a fair point,” Hump admitted. “Moving between inns seems preferable to that.”

“Good.” Emilia nodded. “Then moving on to the next matter if you’re going to do this, one of us should be with you at all times. We can do shifts and take it in turns.”

Hump shook his head. “That’s really not necessary.”

“You’re being targeted by assassins,” Celaine said. “Either you willingly let us help, or we stalk you.”

“Agreed,” Bud said.

Dylan clasped Hump’s shoulder. “Best of luck trying to escape four Chosen, my wizard friend. We all know how rubbish your illusion magic is.”

Hump sighed. “Well, it’s appreciated.”

“Indeed it is,” Dylan said, laughing. “I suppose the last thing to consider is little Nisha.”

Nisha looked up from Hump’s lap, tilting her head. She looked sulky. Even if she didn’t know what was going on, she could tell something was wrong.

“She should just stay here,” Emilia said. “You can visit, Hump, the disciples love her, and one of us will always be around to keep an eye on her.”

Hump ran a hand over Nisha’s head. “I suppose trying to keep out of sight would be quite difficult with Nisha with me, wouldn’t it.”

“It’s only for a week,” Celaine said. “After that we’ll be in the Remnant Realm. It’ll be better for her here where she has space to run around anyway.”

Hump gave his agreement. “I guess all that’s left is for me to find an inn for tomorrow night. Who wants first shift?”

“I’ll do it,” Bud said immediately. “It’ll be nice for the two of us to have a night together.”

Hump frowned at the knight. “Did you have to put it like that?”

“I just mean…” Bud groaned. “I just mean we could do we some bonding time.” Hump’s face fell further. “Some catching up. A few rounds of drinks.” Bud sighed. “You knew exactly what I meant.”

Laughter filled the room. For tonight, they’d take it easy. Tomorrow, a new fortune awaited them. Fifteen-hundred gold coins, an artifact from the Royal Armoury, and three from the Vault of the Inquisition.

Hump could hardly wait.