Making sure Lidea had put on all her gear, she glanced one final time at Warchief’s sleeping form, before exchanging a nod with Crystal who kneeled beside him.

“Do your best.”

The healer encouraged her with a faint smile, as she turned back to Warchief. Attempting to feed him some watery soup without drowning him.

He had grown far too thin in this short week, and Lidea was becoming more anxious by the day.

“I will.”

With those words, she left their temporary dwelling to find her way towards the cavern. Her reluctance to enter that communal area increased with every step and cumulated when she passed through the feather curtain.

Per usual, only the elders and children were there through the day and they all paused at her entrance.

She was growing accustomed to their stares, but they didn’t help making her feel any less like a freak.

Ever since they had learned about what she was, the Vazul had started to behave differently. Some treated her almost like some sort of deity, while others barely kept themselves from spitting on her in disdain.

Without knowing their language, Lidea couldn’t gather what caused them to act this way and Sileuil had been less than forthcoming when she had tried to discuss the subject. Telling her, that his people were just disappointed that she didn’t wish to stay with them indefinitely.

But in Lidea’s opinion, a stranger’s decision to leave couldn’t invoke such strong reactions.

Rather she had the feeling that the Dragon Riders and the Vazul shared a history, one which she knew nothing about.

Though curious, it didn’t bother her enough to try to interact with the other Vazul. So therefore, she made her way directly to the ledge and sat down with her legs bungling down the cliff side. Enjoying the view while reminding herself that they would soon be gone.

No matter how the training went today, Lidea refused to wait any longer.

She would have left already, if not for Sileuil’s insistence that she needed to experience flying with multiple people on one griffin.

As the hunters were supposed to come back early, he had promised her to fly further today. A final lesson to help them survive their journey to the hidden harbor.

At least she didn’t had to wait long, as she noticed dark dots in the distant sky.

Backing off from the ledge, she waited as the hunters landed and started unloading what they had found. Her eyes quickly found Sileuil’s sandy-colored griffin.

The hunter himself looked tired as he shook out his limbs before he glanced around and noticed Lidea.

“You all ready?”

He checked her attire to make sure that she had her scarf and goggles, as well as the boots and gloves that the Vazul had given her.

Lidea had refused at first, but Sileuil had forced her to accept them and now she was glad for it. They had been a definite improvement on her own gear. Without them, she was sure that she would have long lost some fingers and toes to the frostbite.

“I have everything. Do you need a rest first?”

Unlike the other Vazul, Sileuil’s treatment of her hadn’t changed once he had overcome the shock from her revelation, which Lidea appreciated greatly.

It was probably to be expected, as he was also the only one who wasn’t confined to living on these mountains.

“Rest? We were barely away for a couple of hours. Let’s go. The sooner we leave, the longer you have to practice.”

Without hesitation, Lidea approached the sandy griffin. Wanting to jump on, until she noticed Sileuil extending a hand to her.

“I would rather not be kicked in the face.”

Lidea almost felt like doing so, just to wipe away his mocking grin but decided against maiming her only teacher.

Grasping his hand instead, she let him pull her up only for the hunter to struggle so much that she ended up having to half crawl onto the griffin's back. Pulling on its feathers in the process, which caused the creature to pin back its head in displeasure.

All the while, Sileuil was laughing to his heart’s content.

“Next time, you move and I jump on.”

Lidea glared at him as she moved enough forward so her body didn’t touch his.

“And missing this spectacle? Never.”

His response, caused her anger to flare up, only to be extinguished when he grabbed her waist and pulled her backward until they fit together snuggly.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

Anger spiked through her but Sileuil only rolled his eyes as he pointed forward.

“No need to be shy. It is easier and warmer to ride close together. Now take off, you are the driver today. I’m just here as death weight.”

Seeing him so unbothered by their close contact made her chastise herself. Hadn’t she ridden with Warchief before as well? Why had that been any different?

“You are right. Any preferred direction?”

“Around the mountain and towards the sea. That is where you are heading, right? The winds will become stronger the closer you get. With three people, the mountain waves will have a field day with you.”

Lidea closed her eyes for a moment as she swallowed. Nerves making her hesitate, until she remembered that she had no choice.

“Alright. Hold on.”

As she felt his hands around her waist, she leaned forward and let the griffin take off.

There was an immediate difference to when she was flying alone. Mir’thaia had moved swiftly, needing less effort to maneuver with only Lidea on her back. Tayg’te needed far more time to straighten out after diving down the cliff, despite the griffin being far bigger and stronger than Mir’thaia.

She felt it, as she tried to turn. The creature below her, moving almost sluggishly at her command.

“Where are you going?”

Based on his tone of voice, she knew that she had forgotten something. As they circled around the mountain, she could see the ocean ahead, but almost immediately she could feel the griffin struggle against the strong headwind. Causing it almost to stall.

Dammit.

“Diagonal.”

She answered after she already corrected the griffin’s path. Making sure that it didn’t had to struggle directly against the wind, but at an angle. Which would make it less tiring for the animal.

“Good. So you did listen. Remember, the path of least resistance is always the better one. Even if that makes your journey longer.”

Lidea understood, however, she did wonder just how long they would need to travel if they needed to evade the winds like this.

However, she didn’t allow herself to worry about that now.

They had survived so far, and they would hold on as long as they needed to.

“Make sure to fly higher as you cross a mountain, wind will pull you down on the leeward side and push you up as you go across.”

“So I better go diagonally up and switch sides when going down. To try and stay kind of straight.”

“Correct.”

While Lidea focused on putting her words into action, they fell into a comfortable silence A smile crept on her face as she enjoyed the way the griffin drifted through the different air layers and over the clouds.

Sileuil seemed to understand that she preferred to learn by trial, so he stayed mostly silent unless she asked something first.

Which was why she was surprised when he suddenly spoke up unprovoked after an hour or so.

“You know. It is almost infuriating how easy this comes to you.”

Though he spoke with humor, Lidea could still hear the note of jealousy in his words. It made her feel uncomfortable as she struggled to find a response.

“Is it different for others?”

The hunter snorted in disbelief and she could feel him shake his head against her shoulder.

“For most of us, it takes years to truly understand how air moves. Of course, we all learn the theory but only practice can truly teach a hunter to read their surroundings intuitively. Even after years of experience, many never manage to master it. But to you, it seems to come so naturally. I have never seen one take to flying like that.”

Lidea stilled at that confession. She had expected the Vazul to share her innate ability and was shocked to learn that wasn’t the case.

Looking around, she could almost imagine seeing the flow of air around her. Noticing the spots of least resistance and keeping the griffin on those paths.

“Perhaps it is because I’m a Dragon Rider?”

Sileuil stayed silent for a moment as he considered that possibility.

“I have never heard of it, but then I have never met one beside you either. I could ask the elders, but I fear they will tell me it is due to you being a child of air and that it is proof that you are meant to stay here.”

Even without seeing it, Lidea knew he had rolled his eyes.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

In the short time she had spent with the Vazul, she had learned that Sileuil had little patience for his culture’s more old-fashioned ways. One of the reasons why he had run off to Astresh, despite being the next leader in line. Something his grandmother had never forgiven him for.

“You know, I can understand their desperation but couldn’t they just invite people to live here? There must be some willing to live like them.”

Sileuil had explained the reason why the elders were so dead set on her staying, was because the tribes were dying. Fewer children were born every year, and more of the younglings decided to leave the tribes for a better life elsewhere.

Leaving the Vazul to consist of mainly elders.

“They would never allow for that. The only reason they want you is because you were brought to us by the Mountain Spirit.”

There we go again.

Even though Sileuil was more modern than the others, he remained as religious as the lot of them.

“Wait, didn’t you say that you had a girlfriend in Astresh? She isn’t Vazul, right? Would they not allow her to come here? And if they would, how is that any different than accepting another stranger?”

He stayed silent and Lidea realized that she might have touched a nerve but before she could apologize, he sighed deeply.

“Why do you think that I have been studying for five years over a three-year program? If they find out that I have a relationship with an outsider, they will banish me. Either I break up with her and return here, or if I want to be with her, I will need to leave the Vazul and never come back.”

Choosing between his love or his family and culture. It sounded ridiculous to Lidea, but she supposed that it helped keep the Vazul culture. It explained why no modern inventions had ever made it to their tribes. But at what cost?

“Pardon me saying it, but that is so stupid. So they would rather go extinct than to accept any sort of change?”

Sileuil didn’t respond any longer. Probably lost in his own thoughts about the choice he would need to make in the future.

It made her think of Kedruil, the Vazul they met in Astresh. She wondered if he got banished for a similar nonsensible reason.

No wonder he had been so bitter.

Despite her exhaustion, Lidea slept restlessly that night. She dreamed of flying, of the wind tearing at her hair as it filled her ears with a steady roar.

The way the dragon cut its way through those powerful winds, filled her with marvel and a love for the creature below her.

He was her partner. Her soul.

Suddenly it dove down and her grip nearly faltered on its smooth silvery scales, but she managed to hang on until it straightened out. It weaved past a clock tower and soared over a small, helpless village.

Screams of people rose up to meet her, but she felt nothing at their cries. Not pity, not remorse, only a cold indifference.

Without hesitation, she gave her dragon a silent command, and it opened its maw to unleash a torrent of flames that swallowed the town in an instant.

The wails of the dying surrounded her, but still, none of it stirred her heart.

“You are a Dragon Rider, Lidea. This is in your blood.”

Her mother’s voice echoed through her mind. The words wrapped around her like chains, making it hard to breathe.

Lidea jolted awake, her heart racing as felt faint due to a shortness of breath.

“It was just a dream. You are fine.”

Crystal’s warm hand stroked through her hair as she drew Lidea close. Her calm regular heartbeat helped Lidea to steady her own.

Rationally, she understood that the healer was right. That it had just been an image created by her fears.

“Thank you. I’m alright now.”

Those sapphire eyes stared at her, as she squeezed her tight once more.

“No, you aren’t.”

Lidea huffed while looking away. Knowing she couldn’t hide anything from the other woman.

Ever since her first flight, the nightmares had tortured her every night.

The experience had forced her to recognize a fact that she had tried to deny from the moment that they entered the Vazul’Kar.

She wasn’t human.

“It is just hard to accept that I’m a Dragon Rider. In Lynoës they are only part of legends.”

Tipping her head to the side, Crystal listened carefully before responding.

“I suppose those legends don’t always show them in a flattering light?”

Lidea thought back to the murals and portraits that adorned the ancient walls of the palace. Some had depicted serene scenes of Dragon Riders living in harmony with their beasts, watching over peaceful lands. But there had been others that had felt far more sinister. Riders delivering swift, merciless justice, punishing those who had dared defy them or their king. The stories she had heard as a child rushed back to her. Tales of Dragon Riders who had been fair in their rulings but brutal in their retribution.

“They were renowned for their nobility and their cruelty.”

Lidea surmised and Crystal nodded in understanding as she kept stroking through Lidea’s hair.

“Not too surprising, considering most of them were soldiers. There aren’t many capable of retaining their humanity after living through violence for decades, let alone centuries.”

The healer chose her words meticulously, her gaze resting on Warchief who slept soundlessly.

“Most become hardened after experiencing the losses of war. But I’m sure you know that.”

Of course, she knew. Lidea had seen so many knights turn dark after years of fighting.

Yet somehow, she had never considered such a thing happening to a Dragon Rider.

Could it be that their infamous heartlessness was a result of their lifestyle, rather than it being a characteristic they were born with?

As her mind reeled from that question, she decided to ask the healer another.

“Had you met a Dragon Rider before me?”

Crystal smiled as her hand stilled for a moment. Her eyes lost in memories from long ago.

“Many more than I can count. I lived at an Order for a while.”

Her admission piqued Lidea’s interest as she studied the healer. Not sure if she was allowed to ask further.

Her uncertainty earned her another smile.

“I was staying with them as a healer for around twenty years until I got bored of it.”

Hearing her speak of such a long time as if it was a mere blink of an eye, was almost comical. Especially considering Crystal barely looked older than twenty herself.

“In that time I saw many riders. Some were arrogant, some were timid. There were those that were brutal and those that hated violence. Just like in any people, Lidea. What we are, might instill in us certain tendencies, but it doesn’t define us. Warchief isn’t short tempered because he is a fire magician, I don’t lack control over my emotions due to me being a half demon, and you don’t need to be coldhearted just because you are a Dragon Rider.”

Crystal stared her in the eyes as if trying to sear that truth into Lidea’s soul.

Her words helped relieve some of the weight off her shoulders, although a trace of her fear remained.

What if she is wrong?

Lidea pushed that hesitant voice away as she hung her head.

“Thank you.”

The woman grinned before finally letting her go.

“What can I say? I’m a dispensary of wisdom. If only you two would care to listen more!”

Lidea rolled her eyes at the healer’s dramatics before stretching her limbs. Wondering if she had slept long enough for the sun to have risen.

“We probably should start packing. I would prefer to leave as soon as daylight hits.”

Crystal’s smirk faded and was replaced by a concerned frown as she glanced at Warchief.

No doubt worried about her friend’s fate.

“Are you feeling alright to do so?”

Lidea ignored the healer’s anxiety and instead studied her complexion.

Though her demeanor had returned to normal since their arrival with the Vazul, Lidea couldn’t help but be worried about the sudden turnaround.

Who was to say, that she wouldn’t revert back in the middle of their flight?

Could she trust her to not jump off or do anything else that could endanger them?

Crystal seemed to understand her concerns as her grin returned.

“Everything is good now. The mountain spirit won’t bother us anymore.”

Her cryptic words made Lidea frown but she decided to trust the healer's words. Convinced that she was rational enough to warn her if she suspected any problems.

“Good to hear. Let’s hope we can finally leave these damned mountains.”

Crystal cringed at her curse, but Lidea ignored it as she started wrapping up their meager belongings.

Lidea’s bag had been lost to the storm, leaving her with only the clothes on her back. Still, Lidea was rather glad it had been hers and not one of the others.

As she had been doing the heaviest work at the front, they had limited the weight she had to carry. Meaning her bag had mostly contained her own gear and very little supplies.

Nonetheless, they were left with provisions that, even with strict rationing, wouldn’t last them more than half a month.

It was nerve-wracking when considering that they had no idea when a ship would appear. They could very well end up starving to death while waiting.

Opening up their map, she looked at where Crystal had indicated the hidden harbor to be. She had told her, how it had been a popular haven before the creation of the Droamstymer channel. At those times, merchants had to circumnavigate along the southern coast of the Asmeon continent to trade resources between the west and east. Something that was no longer necessary, now that the channel provided a safer and faster alternative to conquering the rough waters of the Drake Current.

Lidea had been careful to not show or mention the map around any of the Vazul. Making sure to memorize the mountains around her, during each of her flying trips, so she had a rough estimation of where the tribe lived.

With that knowledge, she now tried to mark out a path using a divider and compass. Calculating the distance they needed to fly from one reference point to another, and writing down the rough degrees that marked their direction.

It would be foolish to think that she could follow the plan exactly but it would at least give them a direction to go in.

At least the mountains of the coast had been well described, with most having garnered names by the sailors that passed them.

Using some of the especially distinctive ones, they should be able to pinpoint what direction the hidden harbor would be in.

Crystal returned from the communal area with three bowls of food. Giving Lidea one and eating her own before feeding Warchief.

“How long will it take us?”

She asked as she glanced at the map.

“Getting to the coast? One day, perhaps two. Finding the harbor will be the hard part.”

“If we get close there should be buoys leading us. We just need to fly low enough to see them.”

Which would be a struggle considering the strong upward air current that would mark the foot of the mountain range.

Lidea didn’t state her concern out loud and instead chose to nod and share an encouraging smile.

“We will make it.”

Crystal’s eyes met hers as she smiled and nodded in return. A determined glint in those sapphire jewels of hers.

Having finished breakfast, they carefully picked up Warchief and carried him out. They had dressed him in as many layers as they could. Knowing that the wind chill would make them even colder while they traveled.

As they arrived in the cavern, some of the hunters had already left, but she could see Sileuil arguing with his grandmother until he noticed them.

Immediately he turned to help carry Warchief to the fireplace.

“He is heavier than he looks.”

The shorter man’s frown, caused Crystal to chuckle.

“Heavy bones. He has some orc blood in him.”

“That explains it.”

Sileuil didn’t seem taken aback by that information but it made Lidea take a good look at Warchief. She would have never suspected that he was partially orc as he looked nothing like those giant brutes she had seen in Durgh’Ras.

“I readied Tayg’te for you guys. She is one of our strongest flyers. Just take good care of her, or she will leave you behind in the mountains.”

His threat was softened by his grin which Lidea answered with one of her own.

“Don’t worry. She will be back in no time. Thank you for everything. For saving us and for teaching me.”

Sileuil looked over their trio and patted Lidea on her head.

“It is normal to help someone else. But I expect you to help me out if I ever need it.”

“That goes without saying.”

Lidea responded with no hesitation, though she wondered if they ever would cross paths again.

“How are you planning to take him?”

Sileuil looked at Warchief who had opened his eyes but was speaking nonsense. Clearly not conscious even if he was technically awake.

“I thought to put him between me and Crystal. Use a rope to secure him to me, and use extra scarves to support his neck as well as we can. That way, Crystal can keep an eye on his condition, while I focus on flying.”

The hunter nodded slowly before walking to the griffin and jumping on its back.

“Then you better get on first, I will help you get him on and tie him, before helping Crystal.”

Lidea nodded but glanced at the elders first, who were still staring at them.

“Just a moment.”

Despite how uncomfortable their treatment of her had become, she walked up to them and bowed. Showing her gratitude even if she couldn’t express it in words.

Sileuil’s grandma uttered something, and some of the others chuckled.

Turning back to Sileuil, Lidea could see him roll his eyes before he explained.

“She thinks that the Mountain Spirit will teach you a lesson and return you to us.”

At that, Lidea sighed. Knowing better than to try and argue with religious fools.

“Let them think then.”

She jumped onto the griffin’s back and hoisted Warchief up together with Sileuil. After which he meticulously bound his torso to Lidea’s.

They had opted to keep his arms inside of his jacket and Lidea could feel his forearms dig into her lower back. Though uncomfortable, she would just have to deal with it for now.

As Sileuil jumped off to help Crystal. Warchief softly mumbled into Lidea’s ear.

“Never thought It would be so exciting to be tied down…”

His growly tone made her body shiver and her face flush.

She knew he wasn’t sound of mind, and tried to wipe the comment away from her memory. Especially as nobody else should have heard his whisper.

However, she had forgotten about Crystal’s unnatural hearing as the healer almost cried from laughing so hard.

Causing Sileuil to look confused between the two women.

“Nothing important. I promise you.”

Lidea quickly deflected the question in his eyes as she stretched her arm backward to poke Crystal in the stomach.

Her laughter died down as she pushed away Lidea’s hand and instead grabbed hold of the ropes connecting Warchief and Lidea.

“You done?”

“Yes, yes. We can go.”

Crystal still hiccuped but Lidea took her word for it as she looked at Sileuil one last time.

“I wish you the best of luck. Be safe, alright?”

Lidea merely smiled. Hiding her nerves behind a façade of reckless bravery.

“I don’t need your well wishes. We will make it with no further issues. Have a good trip back to Astresh!”

With that, she let Tayg’te depart. Hearing Crystal start to scream behind her as they fell before the griffin’s wings caught the air.

She knew that Crystal had been nervous about flying, but her laughter still rang in Lidea’s ears and she suddenly felt like teasing the woman.

Waiting for her to calm down, she smiled while looking over her shoulder.

“You deserved that.”