The city was bustling with the sun out and the slightly warmer weather. It was the first time Iskra had left Ijos. She smiled as they passed by a group of children her own age. She was about to introduce herself to one of the other girls, but Rune pulled her back toward Gisli.

"I need to you to watch Gisli for a moment while Fell and I speak to the merchant over there," he stated.

She nodded in understanding and took hold of Gisli's lead. She watched as Fell and Rune went up to the nearest merchant and began bartering and trading for supplies. Gisli turned her snout up and sniffed the air, her mouth was watering.

"You smell something?" Iskra asked the bear. "I didn't think you needed to eat..."

"All bears need to eat," a young girl sighed as she slid down from a nearby cart. "My papa makes the best meat pies in all of Kauhea. We have a nice fish pie today, that's probably what your bear is smelling." She stepped closer and Iskra stepped back into Gisli. "My name is Siri. Siri Mistguard." Iskra did not respond. "You travel with Rune Leifr and his son, you must be part of the Mathieson household." Siri had rose gold hair and sea green eyes. Her ears came to a slight point.

Iskra's eyes widened slightly, "My name is Iskra."

"Well Iskra," the girl glanced back at the cart. "Care to buy any meat pies? Fell usually gets one for Gisli when his father isn't looking."

Iskra nodded as she stepped up to the cart, "How much?"

"For Gisli?" The girl placed her hand on her chin as she thought a moment. "One Silver."

Iskra nodded and handed the girl a silver. The girl smiled as she pocketed the money and then shuffled around the cart. Within just a few moments she was handing Iskra a large meat pie. Iskra grimaced at the strong smell of fish as Gisli nudged her back with a low huff.

"Here you go," Iskra sighed as she turned to give the meat pie. Within seconds it was gone.

Siri chuckled, "She's pretty quick about it. Especially when they are fish pies." She glanced down the street to see Rune and Fell still deep in conversation with the other merchant. "So, when did you start working for the Mathieson's?"

Iskra furrowed her brow, "What do you mean?"

"My father has been trying to convince Rune to let me work for the Mathieson's for years," she sighed. "Revna is a legend! Having a name like that to back you up can get you places. They say she has a daughter, but no one here has seen her before." Siri sighed. "You don't know how good you've got it! Spend a few years working for Revna and you could get a job working for literally anyone here in Kauhea."

"Why's that?" Iskra asked cautiously.

Siri eyed the girl, "Where are you from?"

"Ijos," she stated.

She furrowed her brow, "Ijos...just think, in a few years when your contract is up you could get a home here in Kauhea just because you worked for the Mathieson's."

"I didn't realize..." Iskra started.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Siri's eyes widened in recognition and her voice dropped to a whisper. "You don't work for the Mathieson's. You are a Mathieson!" Iskra nodded. "Oh this is amazing! Are you Revna's daughter?"

"Siri!" Fell's voice caught the girl's attention. "Do you have any fish pies for Gisli?"

She shook her head, "Sold our last one to your friend here."

Fell glanced between Iskra and Siri, "You gave her the Gisli discount right?"

"Of course," Siri crooned. Fell's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Fell shook his head and waved a hand in defeat. "Come on Iskra..."

Before she could follow, Siri pulled Iskra back. "You know, I would keep that piece to yourself if I were you. Best not to be known as Revna's daughter. It could get you far in a lot of circles, or bring just as much trouble in others."

"Noted," Iskra stated as she stepped away.

Rune was finishing up a few deals as Fell and Iskra approached. He smiled at the two and then nodded toward the inn. Iskra glanced back to see Siri watching them as they headed down the street. She didn't take her eyes off them until they turned the corner.

The tavern was bustling by the time they made it in. Just in time for the dinner rush the barkeep had said. Iskra and Fell made their way to a table while Rune set Gisli up in the stables for the night. When he made it to the table he gave a big smile.

"So this is Kauhea!" He smiled. "So much bigger than Ijos, isn't it?" Iskra nodded as she took a drink of water.

Fell glanced between his father and Iskra before speaking. "Iskra met Siri today," he stated.

Rune's smile fell, "Oh the Mistguard's." He rubbed his temples. "They love spreading stories."

"What kind of stories?" Iskra asked quickly.

Rune and Fell made eye contact briefly before Rune continued. "They have some outlandish stories about your mother's adventures."

"More than I've got..." she huffed. "Even in the most outlandish stories there is usually a kernel of truth."

Fell rolled his eyes and Rune sighed, "Not in these stories." The three fell silent once their dinner arrived.

Iskra spent the night staring at the inn ceiling listening to the snores of Fell and Rune from the floor. She had tried to give them the bed to sleep in, but they had insisted in her taking the bed for the night. She tossed and turned as she thought about Siri's warning.

The next morning came much too quickly. They had to leave by lunch to make it to their first camp before nightfall. Rune still had a few tasks that he needed to accomplish in town, so he left before Fell and Iskra were even out of bed.

When Iskra woke up, Fell was still sound asleep. She quickly dressed for the day and packed her belongings and headed out into the streets of Kauhea. She was able to find the Mistguard's cart quickly and was happy to see Siri already out and working.

"Ahh you see we are still out of fish pies," she started as Iskra approached.

"I'm actually here because I was told you might know some stories of Revna Mathieson," she stated.

Siri smiled and patted a spot on the cart, "Come sit! I'll tell you a story or two."

A few hours passed before Rune and Fell finally found Iskra sitting with Siri at her family cart. They were chatting and laughing. Rune frowned when he saw the two. Once Iskra caught his gaze she quickly stood and took her leave.

Fell and Rune were quiet as they made their way out of town. Once the town gates were out of view, Rune turned toward Iskra sitting atop Gisli.

"Whatever stories she told you, they aren't true." He stated. "Not even a kernel. Iskra..."

"Opal," she corrected. "I want to be called Opal when we are out of the house."

...

Aska's paws kneaded into Opal's shoulder as they sat quietly in the hall. Thyra and Rune were talking in the room beyond and Fell was fast asleep in the room across the hall. She could barely make out the conversation.

"The stories in Kauhea are outlandish," Rune sighed. "They say she fought a dragon single handedly. Maybe a youngling, but even that is a bit much for Revna. Iskra...Opal heard many of those farfetched tales today. But I doubt she would believe them."

"Opal?" Thyra questioned.

"She doesn't want to be known as just Revna's daughter," he stated. "Not that many people know Revna has a child, but I will respect Opal's wishes."

Thyra sighed, "That child will never be 'just Revna's daughter', Rune." Opal pressed her ear up to the door as Thyra's voice got much quieter.

The remainder of the conversation went unheard by the young girl as Aska decided to make as much noise as possible as she took off in a sprint away from Opal. When the cat reached the end of the hall it turned and hissed.