We found both elves. It took two days, as they had both left conveniently at different times for different reasons, suspicious as they both were. One claimed he went back out to hunt alone, embarrassed of our short haul, but returned with nothing to show for it. The other said he had a relative, an uncle, leading off a beaten path that broke off the main road to the mountain; I sent Vlog to investigate, and he returned, saying the uncle had no memory of his nephew's visit. Convenient, indeed, and so they were both hung from a post in the middle of the square as traitors to Dractalemh. This garnered a lot of disapproval from the townsfolk of Fisclund, but it was not my decision to make; the prince had ordered it, and I followed through dutifully.

"And his uncle?" I asked Vlog quietly, watching from my horse the swaying of the two lifeless bodies, showing no reaction to the aching creaks of the ropes. Vlog shifted darkly in his position.

"What uncle?" he responded, and I nodded. It may not have been the most honorable way of dealing with the situation, but it was quicker to deal with than a trial, which could take days we did not have. Now, Hestal was without his informant, whoever it was, and the other was of no consequence. I hated thinking this way, but I was tired. Only three months into an inherited nobility and it felt like I had been doing it for ages, with absolutely no experience to match. What a horrible feeling.

We rode out the same day, with Brund as our guide. He had never ridden a horse before, and so I had him sit on mine. I really did not want to choose favorites, but this one grew on me, and so I had named it Banscamal, after its black appearance and the white cloud shaped spot on its side. We rode Banscamal, and the fenny chittered excitedly into my ear, much to my disdain and ire; but Brund did not seem to trust anyone but myself or Nuinat, and Nuinat did not appear to want company herself. I could have demanded she take the fenny, but ever since Tsu'caro's outburst she had been quiet and reclusive, and showed it by riding near the end of our line of twenty warriors.

I did not expect Hestal to bring more than twenty of his own warriors, and Tsu'caro agreed. We would have the element of surprise, so even with an equal match of strength we should have the upper hand, as well the fury of a prince whose kin was being killed all due to the actions of a treacherous drake; the worst act one can do. Betray your own kind, and you will suffer for it, no matter the reasons; though in Hestal's case, I pitied him. To be of two kinds must bear a weight no being should ever have to feel, especially during a war between two races. I could easily push this thought aside, for I was only of one kind, and my pride as a drake would not be wavered, and Tsu'caro too, I was sure, felt the same.

Tsu'caro had been quiet as well; either from his bout or from what was to come, I could not tell. He rode next to me staring blankly ahead, regal with his topaz circlet pressing his long, braided hair backwards. I wanted to say something, but what, other than present matters, could I have said? Talks of uncertainties would only prove to antagonize the drake, I felt, and attempts to ease his addled mind would more than likely be futile. To be a prince and to lead an army at the same time, I could only imagine the weight of his crown; and to that end, the weight of a king's. I've never wished for my own position, and I was sure Tsu'caro would be much happier without his as well.

"You've been staring," he said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Was I?" I replied, but he made no gesture, nor word as a response," my apologies, lord prince." He breathed to ease some sort of tension, adjusting his shoulders and then his fingers on the reins.

"It's quite alright," he said, after that short pause," I believe the short time we have between politics and war is a commodity. Allows one to think clearly and properly. In the silence, the calm, the white noise of the hooves trodding sparingly beneath our feet, and the shuffling, conversing, of the war-drakes and war-elves who follow behind, not unlike each other with their sense of camaraderie. Their nerves just the same as ours, but so dependent their minds on our judgment. Our voices pave the way to their victory or their defeat, their survival or their deaths. So heavy, that burden. So sweet a thing to sit behind and watch as our kin bloody themselves over themselves. Some full of desire to live in peace one day, and for others, the chance to honor their heritage and their pride as warriors." He paused again, allowing the air around him to adjust, and I couldn't help but stare at him again.

"Were you not such a warrior yourself?" I asked him, and he smiled; a genuine smile, so rare to see in my short time with him; but sadness and grief lay buried behind the age of his skin.

"Envious," he said," a proper word don't you think? I do not blame you for the want to join your fellow warriors in the fight. I get the ache, and the memories, and the joy. The nightmares, the screams, and the faces come soon after, in the still and the quiet. In the shadows of my abode and in the faces of my loved ones. And for that, I do not miss the fight. But fight, I will, if no other choice is given."

He turned his torso to face me," I apologize for the title. I know you did not want it, but there are so few that can be relied on, and I felt you were the strongest choice." I breathed out heavily in response.

"It's too late for apologies, lord prince," I told him honestly," I'll do what I'm asked. Though I like to believe I have strong bonds with those who assist me, and that is enough for me."

He accepted my response, then we fell back into silence as we continued on. Brund didn't understand any of it, though was respectful enough to not ask any questions. Instead, he gestured to the beaten path of which Nuinat, the elves and I followed to hunt, and we pressed onward. We passed the area where Brund had attacked me in surprise, and he pointed to a fallen log between two trees that revealed a clearing, and the moment we passed it I felt strange, as if pins and needles danced on my arms. Tsu'caro seemed unbothered, though he rarely was, but when I asked about the feeling he answered me.

"The forest areas are favored by the Lady Ciluyue," he explained," she carves out a great area and blesses the soil, and it leaves behind some traces of natural magic. If you were to come here in the spring or summer, you would see no animals or flowers. If you were lucky enough, maybe you'd find the Agemirror."

I grunted in response. I did believe in the gods and heard stories of the Agemirror, but I had no idea who Lady Ciluyue was. Magic sounded far-fetched as well, though it is believed our ancestors, those who bonded with the dragons, were avid users of magic. A story for children, I grew to think, was all it was; but this tingling numbness could not be ignored. I wished to pass the grove, and we did so with haste. The sensation left as we stepped into the tree line opposite the way we came, and I dismissed it as unimportant.

We set on for a few more hours until, in the distance, Tsu'caro and I could see an area of snow-covered tree stumps. They were much larger than the trees that surrounded the area, which was peculiar, and each had large, man-sized holes near the base with leather rags for doors. Brund's tail hit my legs alternatively, and I had the sense he was happy.

"Do you wish us to stay back?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"I should announce your arrival," he said excitedly," it is… better than, ah… they will more than likely run if they were surprised. We do not outgrow our ancient instincts, do we? Ah… it will be but a moment."

He shuffled in the saddle, finding it difficult to get off of Banscamal, which caused me to sigh and dismount myself to help him down. He chittered to himself nervously, unable to find the words to thank me in his excitement, and I waved him off, so he trotted quickly through the snow into the clearing of stump huts. His tail wagged as he searched, but then it fell limp, and he stopped moving. I shifted my stance in the snow and turned my head to Tsu’caro, who had furrowed his brow and narrowed his gaze, and my hand instinctively felt for the blade at my hip. Something was wrong, and as I looked back to the line of drakes and elves I could tell they felt it too.

“Shields…” Tsu’caro muttered under his breath. I looked at him, unsure of what he meant, but then he growled,” shields, Rodwir.”

“Shields!” I shouted, realizing the danger,” touch backs! Touch shields! Ready yourselves!”

Just then, an arrow whistled into the clearing, and Brund ducked just in time to dodge it. His tail curled between his legs and he began to whimper. I tried to call to him, but his ears were pinned back and he was too afraid to move. I cursed under my breath as a volley of arrows began hailing onto our shields; I hated to admit it, but I liked Brund. He was annoying and skittish and I was impatient, but he was a nice and genuine being and I could not bear to watch him suffer the fear of an incoming death. I readied myself to sprint, but just as I raised my shield and took my first step I heard, and felt, a loud and hard breath of wind; it was enough to push me to the snow and I could only squint under the pressure. I feared for Brund in my incapacitation, but when I looked over my shield I found myself not afraid, but in awe at his disappearance. It took a moment longer for me to get myself together as the barrage of arrows crashed around me. I had to believe he escaped into safety for the sake of my own, and the realization of what was happening began to dawn on me as Nuinat grabbed my arm.

“Do I have to keep pulling you back into reality?!” she shouted at me over the noise.

“Tsu’caro! Where is the prince?!” I growled at her under our shields.

“He is fine! Don’t worry,” she yelled back,” what are your orders?!”

“Make sure our archers are safe behind the shields!” I said, finally pulling my sword from its sheath,” alternate fire, do not have them shoot together! I want consistency until we figure out where the enemy is!” She nodded at me, then moved down the line under protection of the shields. I looked over to where Tsu’caro’s horse lay in the snow, painting the white with red from the four arrows that jarred out from its body. Nuinat was right; I had no time to worry about the prince either, but I could not help the feeling of despair toiling against my unwanted charge of all these lives. I had to act now. I had to do something to lead my warriors to safety.

“Cease fire!” I shouted. The archers continued, and I noticed our unseen enemy had stopped firing themselves,” cease fire, damn you! Cease fire!” The archers slowly stopped their defensive volleys until all was quiet, save for the heavy breath emitting from my throat. I growled out a flame for warmth and to calm my nerves, trying to listen in for any breaking of the branches or crunching in the snow, but all was still.

“Hestal!” I yelled, and when no one responded, I shouted again,” Hestal! I know you’re out there! Both sides need not lose lives!”

“I think we have the advantage here, Rodwir!” I heard from the wilderness,” I believe it safe we fire again, don’t you?”

Another volley of arrows. Another painstaking retreat under our shields as we feared the bones of our ancestors, and the worry behind each face down my line as Nuinat and Drecc reassured every warrior their survival. I growled again under my breath just before the volley stopped. Nuinat looked at me from the middle of the line, but I had nothing to offer her.

“Where are you, Hestal?!” I shouted again,” Fight me alone! I am young and inexperienced! Surely you would win! I only want my warriors to live!” I heard a laugh, then an order, and another volley of arrows whistled through the trees.

The worst feeling. Hunted and afraid, not knowing where your adversary was. I cursed again, feeling the pressure in my chest rise into my cheeks as two arrows hit my shield, puncturing the wood and scratching my cheek. I dropped my shield; I did not know, at first, that I did, but the fear turned into rage as if I was an animal backed into a corner, and all I wanted at this time was to go on the offensive. I forgot the teachings and the rules. I forgot everything. There were no more rules, no more options, and no more words. I breathed in, then roared my rage of fire into the trees. I ignored the next volley of arrows as it whistled around me; I sent ball of flame after ball of flame into the woods, hitting every tree and every bush I could in an attempt to draw out Hestal’s warriors, circling my own line oblivious to my own archers. In truth, I lost control. I did not care that I started a forest fire. I wanted Hestal. I needed Hestal. I wanted the taste of his blood in my teeth and his head in my claws. I needed his death, or I could not rest; and all the red in my vision and in my mind and in the ecstasy of rage that coursed through my veins needed to be sated. I could not rest.

There are rules. There are teachings. I forgot these when I spewed the flames, and I did not remember them when the arrows punctured into my scales. No one approached me. No one could stop me.

“Hestal!” I roared,” come to me!”

The arrows stopped. The crackling of the flames was all that could be heard. I felt my blood trickle down my arms like small rivers. I did not care. I pounded my chest with my sword hand, roared another challenge, but again did not receive a response. Instead, I heard the shuffling of feet crunching in the snow, and the swords beating on shields, and a moment later the line of warriors passed into the flames, unwavering with menacing snarls and pride. Behind them, two horses, and upon those horses were Hestal and, I assumed, his lieutenant. He beamed at me, and his lieutenant scowled. I heard my warriors shuffle as another line entered through the flames opposite of Hestal, and soon we were surrounded; and though I was not afraid I knew we were wrong in our assumptions. Hestal had much more than twenty men, and it was apparent he was waiting for us.

He pushed through his line to meet me, his lieutenant permanently scowling at his side.

“Do you surrender?” he said, almost mockingly.

“I want your blood in a barrel,” I growled at him,” I want to taste you for weeks to come. Allow me that, and the rest of your men will be spared.” I was speaking rank nonsense. I looked defeated, and I felt my body dry out as the rage exited my pores, replaced by the pain of the arrows that punctured my scales. Hestal nodded, as if he respected my pride.

“It is too bad,” he sniffed with a sense of superiority,” I would have accepted you in my ranks.” I smiled at him, then tilted my head to his lieutenant.

“Are you going to introduce me?” I said.

“No,” he frowned,” you will be dead.” He leaned on his horse.

” And It won’t be me who kills you. Rather, it will be this nameless drake. And I told him to be slow with the process. I want your warriors to know the penalties of betrayal and usurpation. I trust you understand that much. You seemed to forget the teachings of your youth. You lost control. And now look, this beautiful forest, my forest, turned to a world of fire and pain and distraught, and it was you. You will pay for that as well, with your tongue.” He nodded to his lieutenant, who drew a sword and dismounted. He approached me in the snow.

“As for the rest of you!” Hestal shouted,” do nothing. Your lord weighs your lives favorably.”

“I remember…” I breathed; the pain began to grow as his lieutenant readied himself. I tried to lift my sword-arm, but couldn’t. Hestal held up a hand, and the lieutenant stopped.

“What is it?” he asked me, and I groaned in another attempt to lift my arm.

“I remember one thing my father told me,” I winced,” he said,’ always watch your surroundings.’ Are you doing the same? It’s not the fires you need to worry about. It’s not my rage. It’s not my warriors…” Hestal must have lost his tolerance of me, because he nodded again at his lieutenant. The drake readied himself again and I tried to lift my arm, to success this time. If I were to die, I wanted to at least take this unnamed warrior with me. But then, I began to laugh, dropping the sword as it became too heavy. The lieutenant sighed, lowered his own sword, then began to walk towards me. He leaned over, picked up my sword, then placed it into my hand with a firm grip.

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“A sword-drake must want to die with the pride of a warrior,” he said to me.

“I’m in a lot of pain,” I replied,” and, yes, I’m very glad you believe that.”

I bit into his neck. It was quick, and before he could lift his sword arm to stab me I turned my head fast and ripped the chunk of flesh off of him, severing his vocal chords. As he wallowed, gurgling in his own blood, I took his head with one powerful stroke of the sword. That was the last energy I had, and so I fell to the snow with the unnamed drake, his blood slowly seeping towards me. Hestal couldn’t do anything about it. In fact, I heard that familiar gust of wind and he had been toppled from his horse, almost simultaneously to my killing his lieutenant. I watched with blurring vision as white wings stabbed into the white snow, a sound of crunching and spurts and grotesque filling the void as I drifted out of consciousness.

“Three arrows to the arms,” I heard Nuinat say. She sounded like she was choking back tears,” I don’t know how he keeps getting so lucky, but sooner or later he won’t be able to use them at all.”

“A hard drake to kill,” I heard Tsu’caro say,” but a foolish one. I admit his sacrifice for his warriors is admirable, but there are so many other ways.”

“Would you have let Hestal kill your warriors in exchange for your own life?” Nuinat spat,” I doubt it. You’ve done just the same if not worse–”

“Careful,” Tsu’caro interrupted,” careful with your words, young drake.” Nuinat fell quiet for a moment, then exclaimed a relief as I groaned. I opened my eyes, seeing the wetness of her face and the red behind the green of her irises. Then, she slapped me, which brought me fully awake.

“What was–” I growled at her, but then she wrapped her arms around my neck. I blinked in surprise, then looked at Tsu’caro, who folded his arms over his naked chest. I noted the wings on his back were the same as the wings I saw before exhaustion and pain took me over. He said nothing, and I felt that it was not the right time to ask.

“You’re making a habit of near-death experience,” she said softly into my ear.

“You’re making a habit of being at my bedside,” I retorted, and she pulled herself off with a sniff.

“I’ll ignore your insensitivity this time,” she threw a roll of bandages at my chest,” and leave you to talk with the prince.” She lifted herself off the snow, and that was when I realized we were not back in Fisclund. In fact, we had not moved from the field of battle. I blinked, again in surprise, and looked at Tsu’caro.

“How long was I–”

“For about six hours,” Tsu’caro said,” remarkable that you are awake, I think. We sent for a carriage to bring you back to Fisclund, but it may not be necessary.” I tried to move, but found I could not without extreme waves of pain. Tsu’caro smiled.” I suppose it will be necessary.”

“What happened after I…” I trailed off, then looked around. Bodies were sprawled everywhere, from both sides it seemed. I had been completely ignored, bleeding out in the snow, as both sides fought for survival and, it seemed, against all odds our side had won. I asked Tsu’caro about this and he told me without Hestal or his lieutenant, who I learned was his son, the enemy became disarrayed. Such things happen in war without leadership, something I was chided for due to my unchecked anger. I spat into the snow some residue blood from Hestal’s son, then offered, shakingly, my arm to Tsu’caro. He sighed, then lifted me gently off of the snow and helped me to lean against a tree, and as he did he began to speak again.

“You are brave, and honorable,” he said,” and prideful, and easy to goad, and immature. But I like you, and if you did not distract Hestal with his son’s death, I would not have been able to get Hestal. So… well done. But… think, next time.” He gently smacked my cheek with the back of his hand, then began to walk away, curling his wings around his body as if he was finally cold. He would not tell me, but I think he was more afraid for my life than he was cold, though I could not figure out why. He stopped to talk to Nuinat, who nodded at something I could not hear and she returned to me.

“Thank you,” I said,” and I’m sorry for my arrogance.” She swayed, unsure how to answer, then leaned in and kissed my forehead gently.

“Lord,” she accepted my apology,” a cart will be here soon to take you back to Fisclund.” She was trying to distance herself. I think she was tired of seeing me die over and over again, and it reinforced her love for solitude, but I did not want her to leave. She was gentle with me, and I was gentle with her, though I was arrogant and ill-tempered between; and I could not help but reach out for her hand as she started to leave. Her skin was soft, and she was accepting of my touch, which warmed me back into the embrace of sleep.

Brund woke me a few days later. I was in my room in Fisclund, with less pain and a considerable hunger, and Brund helped me between whines out of my bed and led me into the main hall, where he put me down gently on my chair on the dais. I asked him how he had survived, and he told me Tsu’caro sprouted wings and flew quickly over to where he had been and tackled him into a stump hut. It made sense, especially after what I had seen, so I asked him about his skulk, and their disappearance. He looked at me, then cackled as a fox would.

“I told you, didn’t I?” He said,” We like to dig.” I accepted that argument, then dismissed him with a pat on his head. I wasn’t sure exactly if that was how I should treat a fenny, but he did not seem to mind.

He brought me a tray of bread and wine, then left the hall, and as he passed out the doors Drecc and Nuinat came in to replace him. Drecc questioned me relentlessly and, with a headache, I tried to dismiss his inquiries as thoroughly as I could. Nuinat said nothing at first, but then asked after my wounds, which I told her were healing at a considerable rate and that she should be proud of her quick thinking. She acknowledged my praise, then stood quiet again, as Drecc was quiet as well. I looked at them curiously, but they eyed my food and shifted their stances awkwardly. I sighed, then picked up some bread, took a few bites, then lifted the cup of wine; but it took a bit more effort to lift the cup than the bread, and I ended up spilling a bit before the cup reached my lips, and Nuinat stepped forth to help it back down when I was done.

“So,” I said, after Nuinat took the tray away,” Hestal is dead?”

“Not exactly,” Drecc growled,” the prince left him alive.”

“What?!” I yelled, instinctively trying to stand in my anger, being in too much pain, and instead groaning and rolling around in the chair abruptly. I breathed, waited for the pain to pass, then re-asserted myself.” What do you mean the prince let him live?”

“Just that,” Drecc said softly, trying not to anger me,” I don’t know what to tell ya. We watched him tackle Hestal off his horse, then he bit down, but I don’t know where. We thought he ripped his face off, but when the prince was done, Hestal was still alive.”

“I’m sure he has his reasons,” Nuinat added,” he is a prince after all, and has been through many other trials and experiences that we can’t even fathom.” I begrudgingly accepted that answer as well. Though I did not like what I heard, I was grateful to have such intelligent minds in my service.

“So,” I began to ask,” is the prince with Hestal now?” Nuinat nodded.

“He is.”

“Summon them both,” I ordered, and my two advisors exchanged glances.

“I don’t think–” Drecc started, but I interrupted.

“You don’t think I can order around a prince,” I growled irritably,” but this is my abode and my charge and he is a guest. I don’t care of his status, I want him here. Now!”

Drecc bowed, turned, and left. I watched the back of his head as it shook, but I wanted answers. Nuinat looked at me with concern and I tried to dismiss her, but instead she put a hand on my arm.

“You will have your answers,” she said calmly,” but you can’t give orders to the royal house. The prince would have come to visit you, given time.”

“I want to speak with him now,” I growled,” Drecc is smart enough to change my words.”

“You’re in pain,” Nuinat said, and I looked at her sharply,” and in your pain you are irritable and harsh and not yourself. It’s understandable, but you have the choice to let it pass. Be mindful in your conversations with the prince.”

“You know him well, don’t you?” I asked her harshly,” So well, in fact, you would know he doesn’t care about my attitude towards him, so long as we get results.”

“I know my place,” she growled at me,” and you should know yours as well.” She began to leave, but I sighed and grabbed her hand gently.

“I’m sorry,” I said,” I know, I should be more mindful. In my conversations with him, and with you, and with Drecc. I’m… unhappy. I’m upset with my pride as a drake. I’m angry with myself for putting everyone in danger for that pride. I’m confused as to why I’m alive. What am I but a warrior drake who keeps trying to get himself killed? I don’t deserve any of this. I don’t deserve great friends, or the rule of settlements, or even the favor of a prince. I just want to…” I looked up to the ceiling in silence, then breathed deeply to relieve some stress. Nuinat’s fingers wrapped around my hand, but she said nothing.

Tsu’caro walked in first, followed by Drecc who dragged Hestal in ropes. The prince noticed us, paused, and I could have sworn his eyes shifted in the dim light of the candles, but he waited patiently for Nuinat to let go of my hand as she left. I furrowed my brow as my arm dropped into my lap. I stared directly into Hestal’s beaten face, but he was smiling. I growled in anger but had no energy to do anything about it, and so Tsu’caro answered my silent questions instead.

“I kept him alive because we need clear answers,” he told me,” so far, we have been unable to gather any, but I’m sure with a little persuasion, he would give us what we want.”

“If I have to be honest with you, lord prince,” I responded,” I would rather you just killed him. Perhaps one of his warriors could give us what we seek instead?” Tsu’caro shook his head.

“All were killed in the battle,” Tsu’caro cracked his neck by cocking it to both sides, then crossed his arms over his chest,” and Hestal was once a friend. Perhaps we can be friends, once more.”

“I would walk the realm of Nith before I gave you anything,” Hestal wheezed through a laugh.

“I can offer you that chance,” I growled at him,” given you were never a friend to me. More an acquaintance.”

“Fitting into your role rather quickly, Lord Rodwir,” he stressed the word ‘lord’ to mock me,” you could make a great noble in the new world. For as long as they wish to keep you, of course.”

“And what makes you think they’d keep you, Hestal?” I retorted,” of two kinds, one being murdered every day by the blood elves who despise us for no good reason other than prejudice. And you think they would keep a drake alive?” Hestal said nothing about that. I shook my head.

“Let Ursun kill you instead,” Tsu’caro offered,” I don’t think I want to tarnish my scales.”

“He would not kill me,” Hestal wheezed.

“No?” I asked,” No? After your failure to bring him more dragon bones? You couldn’t even kill a handful of renaisie after your betrayal. How pathetic. And here I have one fenny who can return to his kin and tell them to tell others of their kind to hide. You will never get any more bones. You’ve lost the one thing you can use to stay alive. I can kill you now, to save you from your demise. At least you’d die as your son died.” Hestal growled at the mention of his son, a curious reaction I continued to exploit. “Or, rather, better than he died. We left his corpse behind, and with all the fauna in hibernation and the birds gone to the Lower Plane, he will simply rot there until they come out in the spring. But by then, he will stink and taste old; the worms would be at him as well the maggots and the flies, and the fauna would ignore him for the bugs–”

“Enough!” Hestal cried, but I stood from the dais. I ignored the pain as even Tsu’caro looked at me in surprise when I walked down the wood steps. I could feel the fear behind Hestal’s eyes as I encroached with the intent to do as I would with him, for the anger of my kin being slaughtered had heightened in my mind, my renewed bloodlust seeping through my sharpened pupils as fire spilled like saliva from my mouth. Hestal babbled some pleas, but I ignored them. Instead I leaned down to match his gaze on equal level, then hissed at him through the flames in my teeth.

“You deserve your son’s death,” I put my hand on his head, gently,” and though your death is not mine to give, I would be more than eager to give it to you. Now, tell me. Where is Lord Ursun?"

"Rodwir." Prince Tsu'caro said my name dryly, as if I had overstepped my rights. I pretended not to hear him, and I watched as Hestal's face contorted into one pained with horror and awe. I heard Drecc stifle a gasp but still I ignored everything. I was fixated on Hestal and his impending death; a diluted familiarity to the one I had a few days prior on the field of battle when I scarred the forest in the snow. Suddenly I felt a pain in my skull, and it was not the color red that I saw, but more all the colors flashing in different spots in my eyes. A migraine, for certain, and it only increased as I tried to disregard it, focusing more of my drive forward as I salivated in waiting, wanting revenge for my ancestors whose bones were tarnished and used to kill their kin; but I felt a tugging in my head, and I fell backwards as Tsu'caro knelt and put a foot on my chest.

"Enough, Rodwir," he ordered me, but his hazel eyes sparked with intrigue rather than anger, though he tried to hide his curiosity with a furrowed brow. I hissed at him, unsure of why; it was like a primal instinct kicked in, as if I was fighting for my prey. This was a different kind of feeling than during the battle, and once the realization kicked in did the migraine begin to dissipate, and the colors left my eyes, and I was left exhausted on the floor. Tsu'caro removed his foot, but I still felt a tugging at my hairline.

"What the hell was that?" I asked under my breath," it was like a migraine, but…"

"I'll tell you in a minute," Tsu'caro said, then turned to look at Hestal," so?"

"Th-the Lord Ursun is in Fyrnethsfjol," he muttered," by n-now he will have taken control of the town, and is a-awaiting my re-return." Tsu'caro's eyes shifted in response.

I heard a thud, and then a rolling sound. I turned my aching head to see Hestal staring at me, mouth agape, and bleeding from the hole in his neck into the cracks of the floorboards, then heard Drecc's sword slide smoothly back into its scabbard, and while I turned my head I still felt that pull in my hairline, and that was when I reached up to investigate and felt a cold shock instead.

"What the hell–" I exclaimed, feeling the raised pressure in my skin that felt coarse, and it only felt more rough and calloused as I led my hand upward until it touched Tsu'caro's hand. "What is this?"

"It's… a horn," Tsu'caro explained, then cocked his head," two of them, in fact."

"What do you mean it's a horn?!" I hissed in panic, and he shushed me back to silence. He seemed to think for a moment.

"I really don't have any answers," he said," but perhaps the king would."

"The king?" I asked in awe," but… Fyrnethsfjol? We have to reclaim our territory!" Tsu'caro shook his head.

"No, what we need to do is to find out what's going on with you," he responded," perhaps it has something to do with your rage. Have you always caved so easily?"

"No…" I answered, after a short pause," but I've been agitated. Fairly agitated, actually. Getting shot five times with dragon-bone arrows and surviving can theoretically do that to someone." He smiled in response.

"Fortunate as always," he said," you get shot five times, and now you get to see the king. Praise Mekkil." He patted my cheek twice, then let go of my horn and offered me his arm. I grabbed it and he lifted me up gently before Hestal's blood reached my sleeve. While I stared vacantly at Hestal's head, Tsu'caro dismissed Drecc, who touched my shoulder before he left.

"What's next?" I asked, and Tsu'caro sighed.

"Call for your advisor."

I looked at him but he offered me no answers, so I called for Nuinat and she came in, but stopped shortly at the dais when she noticed Hestal's remains. I waved my hand to dismiss her fears, then she shook off her thoughts and approached me. Then, she froze again, noticing my horns. I shrugged, offering no answers, and she turned to Tsu'caro, who offered her none as well.

"I don't understand," she said.

"I don't either," I replied," and the prince insists that we–"

"We go see your father," Tsu'caro interrupted, speaking in my stead," we're going home."

I'll admit, this day was full of surprises.