Zyryxa studied her companion closely as they journeyed north along the Everice. They passed white gelubor copses and vibrant green patches of viridix, which grew more abundant as Monzqora faded from view and the temperature rose. Lexyn had a knack for identifying threats before Zyryxa, her arrows flying swiftly and accurately from her bow, whether on Dryxl’s back or on foot. Rather than draw her sword, Lexyn was quick to fall behind Zyryxa when threats drew near. Her gentle manner won over Dryxl in a way that Zyryxa never could never achieve, and Lexyn handled him with growing competence. Each morning she studied her mother’s manual and spent her days scouting for herbs growing in the tundra. Zyryxa loved listening to Lexyn’s explanations of each herb, glimpsing through the window into the intelligence of this quiet girl.

While Lexyn had many strengths, but her weaknesses could prove fatal—something Zyryxa could not allow. Compliments rolled off Lexyn, eliciting only a shy smile or a blush that quickly faded as she returned to studying her feet. Zyryxa realized that words alone wouldn’t suffice where action was needed. Lexyn was compassionate, beautiful, and powerful, possessing the potential of a great warrior, much like uncut qoryxite had the potential to be forged into a great sword. In the long silences of their journey, Zyryxa pondered how best to temper this blade that dared not leave its sheath.

As midday approached, still many degrees before they planned to stop for meal, Zyryxa dismounted Zyrxl and stretched her tightened muscles.

Lexyn pulled up beside her, glancing at the sun and marking its lack of progress. “What is it?”

“All this travel is hurting my conditioning,” Zyryxa groaned, exaggerating her discomfort as she lunged forward and stretched her calves.

Lexyn narrowed her eyes. “Your conditioning?”

“I’d rather not arrive at Riverwatch deconditioned,” Zyryxa said.

Lexyn nodded. “You have to keep your blade sharp.”

“Exactly!” Zyryxa placed a hand on Lexyn’s arm. “Can you help me?”

“Me? Help you?”

Zyryxa flashed her most charming smile. “Would you, could you, Lexyn?”

Lexyn inhaled, her eyes narrowing as she saw through the misdirection. Zyryxa grinned, knowing the game was over. The blade is sharp; all the better to temper a sword that could achieve an edge. “Please, Lexyn,” Zyryxa said more sincerely.

“Very well.” Lexyn went doe-eyed, raising her voice an octave. “I can’t have you getting deconditioned on me, Zyryxa. Who’ll protect me then?”

Zyryxa snorted, her cheeks full of laughter. “Who indeed?”

Maintaining the pretense, though both knew the true purpose of their training, they dashed through the snowy tundra, weapons held, with confused drakes running alongside them. Zyryxa led Lexyn up gelubor and through patches of brush; they leapt off ledges and climbed ridges. Zyryxa feigned fatigue to keep Lexyn’s delicate pride from withering. In truth, Lexyn was more athletic than expected, handling the tasks with a surprising agility. Zyryxa nodded with approval. The blade is swift; all the better if the sword can be trained to strike instead of cower.

They hacked at gelubor with axe and sword, Lexyn delivering dexterous blows to branches that fell beneath her might. Zyryxa chopped logs for them and demonstrated how to roll them through the snow, lift them, hurl them, and do it all over again. Here, Lexyn struggled, her breath ragged as she pushed herself past her limits. Zyryxa felt proud, wondering if this was how Zyrthalla felt when she watched her daughter refuse to disappoint her. The blade perseveres; all the better to rely on a sword that refuses to break during times of need.

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The sun was now high in the sky, but Zyryxa had one more task for her blade. They belly-crawled through an enormous viridix patch that stretched for miles. Several herds of yak grazed, their dull teeth chewing the green leafy stalks that no Volqori could ingest. It was a beautiful sight and one ripe with opportunity. “I feel almost conditioned,” Zyryxa said.

Lexyn, soaked in sweat, her midnight blue hair matted to her face, shook her head at Zyryxa. Instead of complaining, she said, “Let’s get you to the finish then, Z.”

“If you insist, I would have you help me take down one of those yaks.” Lexyn started to rise, but Zyryxa set her hand on her back to keep her from reaching for her bow. “No weapons.”

The color fled her face. “I c-can’t d-d-do th-th-that!”

“You don’t have to succeed on your first yak tipping. Just do your best.”

Lexyn sighed, her face a mask of dejection as she climbed to her feet. She trembled as she stalked through the field. Zyryxa shadowed her. When they were within fifty yards of the yaks, Zyryxa gave her a gentle push. “Run and roar, Lex! Let them know the dragon comes for them!”

Lexyn hesitated, then let out a soft roar and dashed toward the nearest yak. The brown-furred beast of burden, easily thrice Lexyn’s weight, turned to flee, though its lumbering pace was no match for Lexyn’s swift pursuit. He slammed into its side, arms outstretched.

The yak staggered, its stubby legs wobbling as it struggled to regain balance. Zyryxa watched keenly. The blade is not yet forged for brute force; all the better that it will learn to strike wisely rather than overestimate its might.

“Grab a leg!” Zyryxa bellowed.

Lexyn reached for a hind leg, only to receive a hoof to the forearm. She cried out, clutching her arm as the yak bolted away. Her eyes brimmed with tears, a storm of frustration and pain. Zyryxa clenched her fists. “Turn that pain into rage! You are a dragon, Lexyn! A dragon!”

Lexyn’s growl deepened as she charged the yak again. The beast resisted, dragging her across the viridix patch. She latched onto its leg, but was hauled nearly a hundred yards before her grip gave out.

Zyryxa’s voice boomed over the fields of viridix, sending herds of yaks scattering. “Turn pain into rage! Turn doubt into wrath! You! Are! A! Dragon!”

Lexyn scrambled back to her feet, rubbing her sore knees, and pursued the yak once more. She tackled it, gripping a hind leg and shifting her weight, forcing the beast off balance until it toppled. The yak squealed, kicking wildly and throwing Lexyn off. But this time, Zyryxa didn’t need to shout encouragement. Lexyn sprang back, lunging for the yak’s forelegs as it tried to rise. She locked her legs around the yak’s neck, her arms restraining its flailing limbs.

Roaring like a true dragon, she held the beast down until it submitted. The blade, honed by perseverance, shone with newfound confidence. Zyryxa approached, gently extricating Lexyn from the yak and sending the beast away with a spanking. Lexyn’s smile was radiant, her breaths coming in exhilarated gasps as if discovering air anew.

The blade is proud; all the better when she believes in herself as I do in her.

Smiling, Zyryxa massaged Lexyn’s arm. “You refused to quit.”

Lexyn snorted through her ragged breathing. “You wouldn’t let me!”

“Wrong! You could have stopped anytime. Instead, you kept up with me for miles and brought down that beast with your bare hands. You are so much stronger than you know.”

Lexyn’s gaze dropped halfway, settling on Zyryxa’s waist. Acceptable progress, Zyryxa thought. Then Lexyn shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I only did it because I don’t want you to think I’m weak,” she said, her voice breaking as the tears fell. “Because once you realize how frail I am, you’ll leave me behind.”

Zyryxa trembled with compassion, wishing she could defeat this unseen enemy within Lexyn. She set her hands over Lexyn’s. “Do you feel my hands?”

Lexyn nodded, making an effort to steady her breathing.

“They’re never letting go, Lexyn. Never.” Zyryxa’s tears mirrored Lexyn’s, thoughts drifting to how this girl had held her the night she learned her mother died, how she tended her wounds when Zyrxl’s tail raked her back, and how she was damn near the only source of joy in Zyryxa’s life. “You make me stronger, Lexyn. I promise that if you believe in us, you will be unstoppable.”

Lexyn gripped Zyryxa’s hands tightly, as if holding on for dear life.

Zyryxa squeezed back. “Can you believe in us, Lexyn?”

“I will try.”

Zyryxa pulled her into a warm embrace. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Lexyn said, closing the embrace.

The blade was loving; all the better for when she learned to love herself.