As they walked through the hall out into the courtyard and exit, Tiger noticed Truth wearing a sad expression.

“What’s wrong,” Tiger asked.

Truth did a small sniffle. “I am worried that I might not see my parents. The were called to the military as soldiers stationed at an embassy kilometers away. They were going to be called back here to do a less dangerous job, as they had requested. But if-if this all happens, I might never see them again. Whether it be due to death or separation of another means, it is unlikely I will ever hug my mom again.”

Tiger knew this was hard for Truth. Truth, although having a criminal record, was close with Tiger. Enough so he was able to live in the servants’ quarters. But he still served time whenever he was caught stealing.

Tiger had been trying to teach him otherwise. And that did seem to be working. But he worried that Truth’s conning and thieving skill may need to be called on where they were going.

“It must be hard for you,” Tiger said. “My dad is going to die. And he has excepted that. He had told me that he had a vision from a god that it was going to happen. That was forty-two days ago. I had time to accept it, but now I am numb to the idea of his death… or most death now… that actually hurts more than seeing other die somehow.”

Truth put a wing around Tiger. They stood at the castle gate for a moment, then proceeded to the portal near the park.

The portal would take them to either another allied kingdom or to a no-man’s-land, where most peace treaties and cross-kingdom trade happened. It was possible to walk there, but outside and in between all the kingdoms was fog and mist. Creatures lurked there and even some cultists. It was too dangerous for most. If a troop of one hundred went through, only sixty (if that) would come out after three days.

Truth convinced Tiger to stop at a cafe for a parting treat. Tiger agreed as long as Truth was the only one who went in as to not draw attention.

Tiger sat in an alleyway and pondered these present happenings. Why was my dad supposed to die today? And how did the god or gods know that this was going to happen? Why couldn’t they prevent it if it was going to cause so much pain?

A tear came down Tiger’s orange and black cheek. He knew his dad was going to die. He had even snuck in the read his last journal entry as a way to remember him.

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Tiger smelled smoke. There was going to be a fire around here. He knew it, but not how. He tapped the ground impatiently as he waited for Truth. And when Truth finally did come out they rushed to the portal to get out. It would be closed soon once the guard deemed the fire a threat.

It was too late. The guards had closed the portal.

Tiger said to one of the guards “Open this portal for me and my friend. By order of Prince Tiger Dlaer.”

“I’m sorry, your honor,” the guard said with a bow, “we must keep this portal closed as a precaution.”

“Could you not open it for me?” Tiger asked, a hint of anger in his voice.

“Prince, it is law that we close this portal when smoke is smelt. Perhaps the portal at the end of town would be open.”

Tiger gave an exasperated sigh and turned to go to the other portal. Truth followed, the bag of cafe treats dangling from a satchel at his side.

Step by step, the silence between them grew. This continued on until Tiger said “Let of eat. We can leave then.”

They sat and ate lemon poppy muffins. When they finished they continued on to the other side of the city where the other portal was. It was in a very inconvenient spot compared to the palace, but it was the only other one that was hopefully open.

Halfway across the city, on the secondary, less active, market square, they heard a faint boom. Then another one. Louder this time.

Tiger knew it was the fire. It was going to burn a quarter of the city, a large portion of land under the kingdom of Phyrries.

Tiger ran. Then he redoubled his speed. Truth was struggling to keep apace. He was a good conman and quite sleight of hand, but not very athletic.

Several minutes later, they were nearly at the portal when the warning bell rang. Tiger and Truth ran fast to get to the portal. And they did. But the guard were about to close it.

Truth barreled into one and Tiger politely spoke to the other as a distraction. It did work, for the most part. Both of them were able to pass through the portal before it closed.

On the other side, Tiger heard a loud scream. Truth had made the scream. His right talon was covered in blood with more coming out where a claw used to be. His pinky claw.

Onlookers took note of Truth’s screaming. A grey dragon ran over, took off the sky-blue scarf that she was wearing, grabbed Truth’s talon, and tried to wrap her scarf around the bloody thing. As she tried to do so, Truth yanked his talon away.

“Truth,” Tiger whispered, “She is trying to help.”

The grey dragon tried again to press the scarf to Truth’s bloodied talon. He did not fight her this time, but still screamed in pain.

All this commotion lead a guard to come see the problem. “Need any help?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the grey dragon. “It would be appreciated to bring medical supplies and perhaps a nurse.”

The guard obliged and urgently went to get the requested item and services.

“Who are you?” Tiger asked.

“I am Gale Storm-Seeker,” she said. “But you can call me Storm.”