Somwang didn’t like Talon. The whole village made her feel incredibly unsafe, she felt as if every person she passed were peeking into her pockets. She felt watched. Even surrounded by her fellow guards, Somwang clutched her staff tightly.

None of this made sense, they were saying Lynn had stolen the Dragon Gem and taken it to Talon. Dang Hai was being held prisoner at Heart, and the whole of Talon was to be searched. A task Somwang was strongly opposed to. Nonetheless, orders were orders.

“The Dragon Gem has been stolen! Anyone with knowledge of the location of the Dragon Gem must come forth immediately or be subject to imprisonment.” She bit her tongue, reluctant to call out the next demand. “If anyone has seen or knows the whereabouts of Lynn of Heart, this information must also be divulged. She is to be considered extremely dangerous and should not be engaged if seen.” Somwang had to bite back tears, she didn’t believe what she was saying, and she hoped no one else did either.

All the guards had been given wanted posters of Lynn, they were to post them around Talon. Somwang looked down at the poster, the drawing was good. It captured the beauty in Lynn’s eyes, her beautiful hair, and her bright smile. Though the drawing had made her smile into one of malice, Somwang still saw through to that cheery girl she knew so well.

“Oh Lynn...where are you? What’s going on?” She whispered. Somwang began handing out the posters and nailing them to market stalls. No one was coming forward with any information, which she expected. Even if the citizens of Talon did know something, they wouldn’t talk.

Somwang heard a slam and looked to her left. One of the guards had kicked in the door to someone’s home. In quick succession, the other guards began to do likewise. There was a large number of guards, as it was not just the guards from Fang, but the other regions as well.

Somwang put on her tough face. She had one final hope. That she would find the Gem, and Lynn wouldn’t be there. That was what she prayed for. She wasn’t on search detail, her job was to accompany Namaari into the Chief’s house itself, as that would’ve been the most likely place for the Gem.

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All the house guards had already been instructed of the situation and were nowhere to be found. They would not impede the searching process, lest they be branded traitors. The house was almost entirely empty, all of the nobles had been removed and only a few servants remained. Somwang and Namaari began to sweep the large Chief’s house, searching every room and closet.

“You don’t really think it was her...do you?” Somwang asked, her voice working overtime to mask her nervous energy.

Namaari gave a sigh. Somwang could feel that familiar sense of Namaari giving in. “I don’t have much else to believe, Som. You think I want to believe that a cook was able to steal the most protected treasure in Kumandra? I understand how you feel about her, Somwang. I see the side glances you give her. I’m not stupid.” Namaari put a comforting hand on Somwang’s shoulder. Somwang was startled by even this level of warmth from her friend, this wasn’t usual for Namaari. “But you have to be ready to put your feelings aside and do your duty. I don’t want to believe Lynn is behind this, but until another option presents itself I have no choice.”

Somwang slumped her shoulders, leaning her head against Namaari. This much contact was too much for Namaari, who frantically tried to get away from the affectionate touch. To no avail though, as it is well-known once someone of Spine blood has grasp of you, it’s very difficult to get free.

“Your highness! We’ve found something! Come quick!” A guard from Tail burst into the chief’s house, his breath was frantic. Somwang shot into her straightened posture.

“Well stop standing there and lead the way, dammit!” Namaari snapped. The guard nodded and turned around. Namaari and Somwang followed after him. He led them through the town and to the outskirts, at the water’s edge.

“Footprints, your highness, some kind of animal.” Somwang looked down to the moist mud of the shore, there in the dirt were the strangest looking footprints she’d ever seen. They looked like the tracks of some giant lizard.

“Are they dragon prints?” Somwang asked.

The guard shook his head, “No residents report the presence of any dragons in these parts for several weeks. These tracks are recent.”

“Where does this waterway go?” Namaari demanded.

“It’s a river that leads to the ocean.” A small boy answered. Neither Somwang nor Namaari had seen him up until now. “No one travels to the mouth though, they say it leads into pirate waters.”

“Then we have a trail to follow. Ready us a few boats. We’re going to sea.”