The storm passed the island and when Ridley finally woke there was silence all around. He staggered to his feet and looked around. “More trees.” He said. “Great.”

He wandered back out to the beach and was surprised by what he saw. Clear, calm blue water and a gentle breeze against his face and throughout his hair. The sweet smell of salt air drifted by and in a world full of monsters and chaos Ridley felt at peace standing on the shore. Ridley started to walk along the beach, looking for signs of the wreckage from the ship or anyone else that may have survived.

“Not a damn boat, body or piece of wood.” He said as he continued to walk. As he walked he noticed a trail leading up into the hills. He paused for only a moment with apprehension but soon tossed his worries and fears aside.

“Maybe there’s a town here or other people.” He thought to himself as he started to run towards the trail.

As he made his way up the trail there was no town that he spotted. The first thing he saw was a large field of wheat that grew as high as his chin. Passed that he stumbled upon a small cottage at the top of the hill. He looked around and could see the entire island from where the cottage rested. But not a soul could be found. He knocked on the large wooden door and waited. After a few minutes of waiting with no signs of life he opened the door.

There was a sense of warmth and comfort as he opened the door. The floor was adorned with rugs of many different designs. Tapestries hung on the walls and the furniture appeared to be hand made and was covered in animal skin blankets. The iron stove off in the corner rested without a hint of dust on it. The fireplace was lit and giving off a faint reddish glow of light from the burning embers. A carved wooden sofa sat next to the fireplace. Resting above the fireplace was an old lute. Yet with all the furniture around there was still no signs of the one who occupied it, though clearly someone has been here recently. Ridley pondered for a moment but was cut short by the sounds of someone behind him.

“Oh!” Someone called out behind him. There was another sound of something hitting the ground. Ridley quickly turned around and saw a human woman kneeling on the ground gathering wheat. She had long brown hair that was braided. Her face was clean and when she looked up at Ridley he could see into her hazel eyes. She smiled at him as she finished gathering her wheat and placing them into a wicker basket.

“My goodness you startled me.” She said as she approached him. “I’m afraid I do not get any visitors here so I wasn’t expecting anyone. But please come in.” She said as she passed him. Ridley stood there, perplexed but after a moment he shrugged and walked into the house. The woman closed the door behind him and gestured him to the table. As he sat down the woman came up to him and placed her hands on his face. She examined his features and notice the wound on his face where the bullet had skidded across the side of his head.

“Oh my. You’ve had a bit of a rough journey.” She said as she let go and went into the kitchen. Ridley sat there at the table nervous. He peered around at the woman who appeared to be gathering vegetables and bread. She came back over and placed it down in front of him.

“I’m sorry there would have been more had I known. But please eat up.” The woman said with a smile. Ridley looked at her with a skeptical look and then back down at the food.

“Alright, what’s the trick?” Ridley asked. The woman shook her head.

“No trick. Just some good old home grown food.”

Ridley looked down at the plate before him and decided to poke at it with his finger.

“Looks like food. Feels like food. Must be regular food.” He thought to himself as he began to eat.

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“Thank you.” He said with a mouthful. The woman smiled and sat down across the table from him.

“I’m Lyre and what would be the name to call you?”

“Ridley.” He said more clearly as he swallowed some food.

Lyre looks towards the door nervously. “I didn’t see a ship out there. You wouldn’t happen to land here because of the storm last night would you?”

Ridley wiped his mouth. “Yeah, a big storm rolled in and the whole ship went down.” Ridley said as he grabbed a piece of bread. “Didn’t see anyone else though.” Lyre dipped her head down. There was a subtle hint of guilt on her face.

“Hey have you seen a dragon around here?” Ridley asked. Lyre’s head popped up with surprise.

“Why did you come to this island?” She asked. Ridley placed the piece of bread down.

“I’m looking for a dragon. I ran into a fairy and they gave me a riddle that needs to be answered. When I asked for a hint they said, ‘ask the dragon that likes to fish.’ Whatever that means.”

Lyre tilted her head. “What’s the riddle?”

“Uh,..” Ridley paused for a moment before digging into his bag and pulling out a piece of paper. “I have many tongues but cannot taste. By me, most things turn to waste. I crack and snap, yet I stay whole. I may take the largest toll. Around me, people may sleep. Yet run when I am released from my keep.”

Lyre raised her eyebrows and a small smile crossed her face. “What do you gain with this answer?” Ridley shrugged.

“An item that I need, I think. Or an item the fairy needs to get me home.”

Lyre tilted her head in confusion. “How lost are you?” She asked.

“Really lost.” Ridley said as he put the piece of paper back in his bag. Lyre let out a sigh.

“Unfortunately, I haven't seen any dragons here. But I may be able to assist you.”

For a moment Ridley was about to lose his cool before his brain processed the last bit of Lyre’s sentence. “Oh. Thank you.” He said as he leaned back in the chair.

“You obviously have had a long journey though. Please rest here for the night.” Lyre said as she neatly folded her hands on the table. Ridley looked down at her hands and then back up at her.

“Pardon me if I seem skeptical about your intentions but I am skeptical about your intentions.” Ridley said.

Lyre leaned back her head and gave a small giggle. “I do not blame you. If you have been dealing with the fae recently, one can expect to be overly cautious about genuine acts of kindness.” Lyre said. Her smile seemed to say something of warmth and comfort with hints of empathy in her eyes. Ridley looked at her smile and then reached into his pocket.

“No offense but…” Ridley said as he pulled out an iron horseshoe. “But…” He said as he placed it on the table. Lyre smiled and reached over and picked up the horseshoe without any hints of pain or discomfort.

“Again,” Lyre said. “I do not blame you. I do not wish you any harm unless you bring it here.” she said in a calm voice. “Please stay the night and rest.”

Ridley reached over and carefully wrapped his fingers around the horseshoe and placed it back into his pocket.

“I’m sorry.” Ridley said with an apologetic tone. “I’m still not used to any of this.” Lyre looked at him with a puzzled looked. “This whole world is new. Back home the idea of fairies, dragons and elves are all stories. Not to be expected to be real. And I am tired of it. Just want to get home and see my family again.” Ridley said in an exasperated tone.

“You must come from a very peaceful place.” Lyre said. Ridley looked at her and scoffed..

“Not really. There’s still plenty of problems that we manage to find ourselves in. But nothing on this level.” Ridley said as he folded his arms.

“I’m curious, please tell me. What is your story?” Lyre asked.

Ridley told Lyre about his home life. His sister, his father and the workshop they worked at. He then talked about the civil war and how he was drafted. Lyre hung on every word. And then he told her about his friend and the choices he had to make that caused him to run away. He then pulled out the blooded shard from his bag and explained to her how he fell through the barrier and the task Leaf gave him. Lyre looked at the blooded shard with amazement.

“So there is another world out there.” She said. “I will assist you with what I can. But for now please eat. Relax and rest. Tomorrow I can lend you a small boat.” Lyre said as she stood up and walked over to the fireplace.

“I’m sorry. But why are you helping me?” Ridley asked.

Lyre was silent for a bit and then looked up at the old lute above the fireplace. “Because a long time ago someone showed me a level of kindness and compassion that I didn’t think existed and ever since then I was forever grateful. Even though I didn’t deserve it.” Lyre said as she turned to look at Ridley. “And though I am not the same person I used to be, I still try everyday to help those that I can, simply because it’s the right thing to do.”

Ridley was left speechless but the look on his face was painted with gratitude. Lyre only smiled.

“Now finish eating and when you are done I can draw you a bath if you’d like and can wash that dirt and sand from your face and hair.”

“Wait what?” Ridley said.