The trees creaked loudly with each gust of wind. The storm came out of nowhere, sweeping Azureth and Zura into it. It was unnatural and of magical origins. Azureth was certain of this. It meant a great artefact was near, and it was likely what that bounty hunter was after. If they were smart enough, they would have turned tail at the start of this storm.

Zura stopped and picked her head up. A low rumbling sound echoed through the forest. The small hairs on Azureth’s arms rose slightly. The unnatural and magical thing was beginning to show itself. Azureth drew out his sword and gripped it tightly. He urged Zura to walk forward towards the sound, a foolish notion he was sure. Whatever it was, though, would give him an advantage over his father, and that was needed.

The trees stopped creaking and the wind went silent. Even though lightning flashed in the sky, the thunder dared not to make a sound.

“Who are you?” A loud growly voice called through the forest.

Chills went down Azureth’s spine. Zura came to a halt. He could feel the panic coursing through her the same way it flowed through him.

“I asked, who you are,” the voice commanded.

“Azureth, prince to the Kingdom of Ersten.” Azureth had to stop his voice from trembling. He never heard of an artefact that could speak before, but perhaps this was something far more ancient than an artefact.

“A prince,” it mused. “I haven’t had one of those in a long time.”

“You mean to eat a travelling prince?” Azureth readied Zura to run as fast as she could.

“Unless, of course, you can offer me a different meal. Your mare there looks appetising.” It laughed, or Azureth thought it was. The sound felt like nails on a chalkboard. His stomach churned at the thought of offering his mare up to this creature.

“What about a king and his kingdom?” His voice shook as he spoke, and he was certain the monster could hear the fear it caused. He steadied his shaking hands as best as he could.

“I don’t join in on wars. I am war.” Red eyes glowed in the depths of the forest. Azureth now knew what he was facing. It was the dragon, Zakar. Maybe that’s how this town lived in peace. The Evil Dragon lived in this forest. Most of all, it explained why no wildlife bothered Azureth on his travels through it.

“It’s not a war, it’s a rebellion.” Azureth exhaled slowly.

“Those are the same.”

“You’d get your fill.” Azureth smiled. “If you’re still hungry of course.”

“Why not just eat you and whoever comes after you? I will always have enough food in this forest.” Zakar’s head moved close enough that Azureth could see the various scars that lined its face.

“And how long until your stomach cramps in pain and the growls of it disturb your sleep?” Azureth dismounted from Zura. “You’ll have a whole kingdom to feast on like the days of old. You’ve grown soft and frankly, it’s disappointing.”

The dragon bared its fangs at Azureth. “You dare insult me when I could simply eat you and wipe out the whole world?” A low flame illuminated in the beast’s mouth.

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“Then how do I win your alliance?” Azureth set his sword back in its sheath. Flames danced along his fingers. “You and I are much more similar than you think. I have an insatiable hunger for justice; you have an insatiable hunger for the taste of death. I can provide you with a kingdom.”

“Then show me that you’re worthy of it. If the hero thinks your cause is worthy, get them to your side within a month. If you don’t have them, then you can say goodbye to your life. I will hunt you from wherever you are in the world, and you will never know peace until you are dead in my stomach.” Zakar chuckled. The flame in his mouth disappeared.

“Deal.” Deep down, Azureth knew he had just condemned himself. He wasn’t sure why the dragon wanted to work with the hero, or why he needed the hero to ally himself with Azureth, but he would take the chance. The dragon’s head disappeared from sight.

“You can camp here for the night, and tomorrow you may start your quest.” Azureth smiled. He would take the dragon up on that offer.

“Zura, wait here.” The mare snorted in response. She brought her head down to the grass and pawed at it with her hoof. Azureth removed the bridle from her mouth and set it on the horn of the saddle. “There you go, now you can eat to your heart’s content.”

He walked away from the mare and the newfound campsite to search for some wood he could use to start a fire. The serenity of the forest was nice, yet it disturbed him. There were no screams in his ears or cries of help. He liked the storm that whipped in the forest because at least it was something. The dragon had no need to hide himself from travellers, now that Azureth had found it. He was glad to have found the dragon, even if it meant his life was in danger by more than one being. A month to find the hero, that was nothing more than a rumour like the Evil Dragon. Maybe the hero did exist, but that meant they’d be thousands of years old, and no human lived that long.

Azureth looked at the ground and picked up the dry sticks. He was beginning to think he was insane. No matter, he had work to do, and it wasn’t going to get done if he wasted any more time gathering wood.

He promptly returned to Zura. A small part of him expected to have found her dead upon his return. Zakar did seem like the type to eat someone’s steed after making a deal with them. Zura nickered upon seeing Azureth. She walked right up to him and rested her head on his head. A smile crossed his lips. The sticks fell from his hands and onto the ground.

“Let me set the fire, and then you can get out of this tack.” He pushed Zura off of him and crouched down by the sticks. A flame appeared in his hand. It jumped from the tip of his finger to the closest stick and grew in size rapidly. “There we go.” Azureth stood back up and turned to the mare. He loosened the cinch and breast collar, setting them upon the saddle as soon as he finished. He lifted the saddle off of Zura's back with ease. A good distance from the fire, he set the saddle down and covered it with the sweat soaked blanket.

He ran his hands along her neck, scratching her gently. “Good girl,” he whispered. “Now go eat. We leave at dawn.” Azureth walked over to the saddle and sat down beside it. This was the closest to a home he ever felt, even though death loomed nearby. At the very least, he was safe. He knew no one would try to enter the forest when the dragon was here, and they’d be fools to enter it at night, regardless of Zakar’s presence.

Zura laid down beside him and fell into a deep slumber. Azureth couldn’t help but chuckle. She was one of the most stubborn animals he has ever met in his life. It was comforting that she wouldn’t leave his side, even when her stomach begged for food. He’ll just wake her early to make her eat before they leave for the day.

He removed his armour, piece by piece, and set it beside himself. It’s been so long since he could go without armour. He was expected to wear it at all times, even at formal events in the castle. His father said that he was a warrior, and as such he should present himself as one. Now he was free from having to present himself a certain way. A shame that people were trying to kill him. Azureth wouldn’t have minded starting a farm in a village in a different kingdom. He was better suited to being an adventurer though. Zura wouldn’t like staying in one place either. It would be cruel to her.

Azureth sighed and laid down on the ground, resting his head upon Zura’s saddle. Slumber washed over him as soon as he relaxed.