Valens dipped his head, a soft acknowledgment, as he received her name. Her voice was gentle, yet there was an undeniable authority behind it. It was the kind of voice one instinctively trusted—calm, measured, as though every word carried the weight of experience and wisdom. She was magnificent, a vision of power and grace. Her red scales shimmered in the fading light, not just as armor, but as a silent warning. She could scorch the very earth beneath them if she wished. Fear and respect flowed around her like an invisible aura, and yet, Valens felt none of it.

He felt safe. The sense of calm she exuded wrapped around him like a blanket, the kind of peace that only comes from centuries of lived knowledge. There was a depth to her that he couldn’t quite grasp. They had exchanged few words, but every syllable seemed to resonate far deeper than he could comprehend. They would fly together, yes. But it was more than that. He wanted a connection—a bond forged in trust, one built on confidence and mutual understanding. And if she was willing, he longed to learn from her, to understand the quiet strength she embodied.

He wondered what she had seen in her long life. How many lives had she lived, how many battles had she fought? He had seen her rider, a man who carried a certain stoicism but without the cocky arrogance of many of the younger riders. The bond between them was palpable, unspoken, yet clear. Had she had other riders before him? Ones from noble families, perhaps? What had she been through? What stories did her scales hold?

The thought of learning from her consumed him. He longed to walk beside her in grace, to carry the wisdom she wore like a cloak. A century of experience lay in her gaze. The wars she’d seen, the peace she’d witnessed, the lives she’d touched—these were the things he craved. It wasn’t just about competing. He didn’t want to match her strength or her grace. He wanted to learn. He wanted her to pass on the knowledge she’d gained over countless years.

His posture shifted, relaxed but proud, as they moved together. The pale moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a silver glow over his dark scales, making them shimmer like liquid night. His tail swayed gently with his stride, balancing him in the quiet calm of the night. His mind wandered to what he had imagined—perhaps a cave carved into the side of a cliff, with the constant roar of a storm crashing against the rocks below. But this place… this place was something else.

As soon as his snout brushed the entrance, something stirred inside him. It wasn’t just relief from the cold flight, though that sensation was welcome enough. No, this was different. A sense of peace washed over him, a kind of contentment he couldn’t place. It felt as though the very stone beneath him held the spirits of generations past, all those who had sought solace in this place. The stiff weariness of the journey melted away, and he felt an overwhelming urge to settle down, to rest his head against the ancient stone.

This wasn’t just a cave—it was a sanctuary. A refuge from the world outside. Valens could feel it in the air, the quiet reverence of those who had come before him. Xena seemed to understand, too. Their unspoken connection spoke volumes as they both stood there, taking in the serenity of the place. He dipped his head in gratitude, thankful to be away from the storm.

---

Raegan remained on the couch, her body still tense from the flight. The wind howled outside, battering the cabin as the storm raged on. She could hear the relentless crack of hail against the windows, the sound almost deafening in its fury. But within the walls of the cabin, the fire crackled cheerfully, offering a warmth that seeped into her bones. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief, grateful for the comfort the flames brought.

Her gaze shifted toward Kaelen, watching the way he devoured his food. There was a ferocity in his hunger, as though he feared it might be his last meal. He had courage, that much was clear. He ate without hesitation, without concern that someone might poison the meal—though she certainly could have.

The thought made her pause, a slight furrow crossing her brow. Not courage. Stupidity, her inner voice chided her. It wasn’t bravery that drove him, it was the naivety of youth. Still, the fact that he ate with such abandon, despite the danger surrounding them, spoke volumes. He had been thrown into a world that had no mercy, yet he moved through it with a quiet determination.

She needed to learn how to work with him, how to trust him. They were stuck with each other for the foreseeable future. They needed to become a team. Raegan didn’t need someone who would hesitate, someone who wouldn’t give everything for the mission. She needed someone who would fight by her side with unwavering resolve. But could she count on him?

She had to admit, though, that she hadn’t thanked him for dragging her out of the tavern before it had exploded. They’d barely escaped with their lives, and she would never forget that. He’d acted without thinking, had put himself at risk for her without a second thought. It was easy to be angry at him for the small things, but moments like that reminded her of why she’d agreed to this in the first place. They were allies in this fight. She had to make peace with that.

Kaelen picked up the plates, and Raegan gave him a small nod of acknowledgment. There was no need for words; they shared an understanding. Neither of them had spoken much since they’d set off, but silence often held more weight than words could convey.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer. There was something about his mannerisms that was so familiar—his casual movements, the way he kicked off his shoes, his nods of gratitude. She’d crossed paths with his family before, and now she could see traces of them in him. It made sense, she supposed, but it still felt strange. His blonde hair was still damp from his bath, and she found herself staring at it, of all things. It was such a trivial detail, yet it drew her in, much like his presence did. There was something about him—something she couldn’t quite place.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Kaelen spoke, his voice pulling her back to the present. She met his gaze, her mind working through the possibilities. “I can’t make anything of it,” she said softly, a sigh escaping her lips. “I can’t even decide if this mission is legitimate. It could very well be a ploy to kill us,” she muttered, her words heavy with doubt. She glanced up at him again, letting her hair fall over her shoulder now that it was nearly dry.

Her head tilted as she spoke again, this time more thoughtfully. “I don’t know why they’d pick us for this. Surely someone more... experienced…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to piece it all together. But the more she thought, the more the uncertainty lingered. What was the truth behind their mission? And how deep did the deception run?

(Sorry for the late reply. I've been busy)

Darius sank into the seat by the fire, accepting the steaming mug from Raegan with a quiet nod. His usually sharp features were softened by exhaustion, his eyes hollow from travelling and the weight of the news he carried. He brought the tea to his lips, savouring the warmth, before speaking again, his voice rough from the cold and his own frustration. Kaelen studied his movements as he sank back into seat.

"They've hit most of the border safehouses already," he said, his voice low but urgent. "The guild sent riders out to reinforce positions, but the ones that have fallen—" He stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing. "We’re losing ground fast, Raegan. You can’t keep hiding in places like this for long." His words weren’t meant to undermine their choices, but there was an edge to his tone—a harsh reality that seemed to seep through even his usually steady demeanor.

Kaelen's gaze shifted between him and Raegan, and for the first time, there was an undeniable flicker of uncertainty cross Raegan’s face. It was subtle, hidden beneath the layers of her demeanour, but it was there—she was weighing the options, considering what she knew, calculating the possibilities. Darius always been the strategic one, carrying years of experience over Kaelen and Darius combined, and Kaelen trusted him in these moments.

Darius met her eyes. "How many have we lost?" The question was rhetorical, and yet, it was impossible not to ask. A sense of dread filled the room, as if each breath was laced with the realisation that time was running out.

Xena's voice suddenly interrupted the moment, as it always seemed to do with that fierce, protective energy that was impossible to ignore.

"You're all being too cautious," she rumbled from the back of the cave, her deep voice reverberating through the Kaelen. She had slipped into Kaelen's mind unnoticed. "We fight back. We take the fight to them."

The silence in the room stretched long enough for Kaelen to feel the weight of her suggestion . Kaelen’s jaw tightened, but his eyes never wavered from the fire in the hearth. He wasn’t dismissing Xena’s words; he was simply waiting, thinking. His sharp eyes flickered to Raegan, his voice cutting through the tension.

“We can’t afford to be reckless.” His tone was steady, but there was a sharpness in his words that made Raegan flinch. “Every move we make right now must be calculated. We need to find out who’s behind this before we rush into battle. As much as I agree with Xena, we can’t blindly charge into the unknown,” he pauses "We will fly with you to the guild. It will be the only safe space and we can defend better from there."

With every safehouse falling, they were losing allies—some of them had already fallen in battle, their dragons nowhere to be found. The enemy was already too close. With the king gone, it left them vulnerable. Someone wanted to wipe the board clean.

“We need to find the others—those still loyal to the crown, to the guild. We try to rebuild what we can before it’s too late.”

A tense silence followed. The fire crackled in the background, but the room felt colder than it should have. Outside, the glacial conditions, an ever-present reminder that the world outside their walls was no longer safe. It was difficult to shake the feeling that time was running out. And yet, despite the uncertainty, Kaelen couldn’t help but feel a flicker of resolve rise within him.

"We don't have to go alone," he said, his voice softer now but filled with determination. "We find those who survived. Those who haven’t fallen to this—whatever it is."He locked eyes with Darius, "We need to come together. Strength in numbers."

Darius gave a sharp nod, his earlier weariness replaced by the same grim determination. He glanced at the fire, brow furrowing "The attacks are more coordinated than I expected. Someone's orchestrating this."

Kaelen felt a knot form in his stomach. He had suspected it from the beginning—that this wasn’t just an attack on random allies of the king. This was something more deliberate, more calculated. It was an execution of an entire network.

Kaelen's fingers clenched into fists, his heart hammering. He couldn’t ignore the sense of betrayal coursing through his veins. There were only so many safehouses, so many dragons loyal to the old crown. If they were all falling, it would only be a matter of time before those who remained were picked off one by one.

"We need information," Kaelen said firmly, his mind already whirling. "We need to know who’s behind this. Find the source, and we can dismantle this."

Kalen spoke, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders. They were no longer just survivors—they were now part of something larger, something more dangerous. And it was up to them to navigate the storm that had already claimed so many.

Darius stood, his posture shifting from wearied to alert. "We move at dawn" he said, his voice steady.

(No worries! This is kinda short, trying to move things on)

Raegan sat quietly, watching Darius as he sipped his tea, her chest tight with uncertainty. Her heart thudded against her ribs, each beat loud in her ears. She wasn’t sure what to make of any of this, and she had no idea what Kaelen thought of it all either. The threat was so close, far too close. They had nearly been taken out, and it sent a chill through her. Her eyes flicked to Kaelen again, her brows furrowing as she considered the weight of it all. He had saved her, saved both of them, really. And Darius trusted him. That had to count for something, right? She nodded, almost to herself. Yes. She could trust him too.

She shifted in her seat, her fingers twirling a strand of hair as she fought to calm the restless knot in her stomach. The silence stretched on as she drew a breath, trying in vain to ease the tension that had gripped her. “The guild is still standing,” she said softly, her voice barely a whisper, but it felt like the most important thing in the world. They would find sanctuary there, allies who would help them through this chaos.

She exhaled slowly, her gaze turning inward. “If they’ve taken most of the border houses… they’ll find us soon.” Her voice dropped, heavy with the weight of the truth. They had to move, and quickly. Dawn felt so far away, and they were running out of time.

A sudden tremor in the air caught her attention, and without thinking, her gaze snapped to the window. She couldn’t help but smile, even though everything about the situation screamed danger. It was a small, fleeting thing—just a glimmer of comfort in the storm. She quickly stiffened again as Kaelen’s voice reached her ears.

She glanced back at him, catching the determination in his eyes. It was a look she had seen before—an unyielding resolve, one that said he would do whatever it took to follow through on his plan. He had a path in mind, a way forward. They would get to the guild, gather their allies, and fight back.

For a moment, Raegan hesitated. She didn’t want to fly with these people. She had pledged her loyalty to the crown, not the guild. Not the other riders. “You won’t survive alone, Raegan,” Valen’s voice echoed in her mind, the words as true now as they had been then. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t.

“The only way I see us getting out of here is to keep moving,” she said, her gaze distant as she considered their options. “The storm should clear in a few days, and we can check the safe houses that have already been attacked—see if there are any survivors. Riders. Dragons. We need to protect them. We need every advantage we can get.” She trailed off, the weight of their losses pressing heavily on her chest.

The decision was made. Tomorrow they would leave. But for tonight, they needed rest, strength, and time to recover. Time to weather the storm.

(No worries, I was gonna do the same thing)

Admittedly, sleep didn’t come easily to Raegan that night. She often woke in fits, her rest disturbed by the quiet whisper of panic that gnawed at her mind. But it was when sleep refused her entirely that the real problem began. The thought that at any moment, the door might crash open and they’d all... vanish. Just like that. No warning, no time to say goodbye, and no one left to remember them. Perhaps Kaelen’s family would mourn his passing, as would the riders, though she was sure his name would carry weight in their memories. He seemed alright, despite her first impression. She still had doubts about his ability to work as part of a team, but he had spirit. He meant well, even if it was hidden beneath layers of pride. Darius was another matter altogether. Well-liked, respected—he would be missed by many.

Raegan’s eyes felt heavy as she surveyed the room, the weight of the journey pressing on her like a thousand unseen hands. Every muscle in her body screamed for rest, but the gnawing sense of dread refused to let her slip back into sleep. The warmth of the hearth and the faint scent of food promised comfort, but it was fleeting—an illusion. The storm inside her was too loud, too persistent, and she couldn’t quiet it.

Valens' voice brushed against her mind, a thread of warmth cutting through the cold. You seem off. Are you alright?

She bit back a sigh, rolling her eyes. His concern always came wrapped in softness, like a warm blanket she wasn’t sure she deserved. But this time, there was no teasing edge in her response. I’m fine, Valens. You worry too much.

His voice was persistent, his worry thickening. Just promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me we’ll make it. No matter what.

Raegan’s breath caught, the sincerity in his words tightening her chest. She pressed her hand against her heart, feeling the quiet hum of their bond. He didn’t need to say it, but he always did—always reminded her that he was with her, that they were in this together, no matter how dark it seemed.

With a soft exhale, she shook her head, trying to dispel the anxiety creeping through her veins. Kaelen and Darius were already preparing, busy with their gear, and Raegan knew she couldn’t afford to linger in this storm of thoughts. There was a mission to complete.

"Yeah, we’re ready," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Let’s get this over with. The sooner we’re out of here, the sooner it’s done."

She stood, the weight of exhaustion pulling at her limbs, but she refused to be trapped by it. They had no time for hesitation. The journey stretched ahead of them, daunting and uncertain, but Raegan’s resolve hardened. She had a dragon to protect. A mission to complete. No time for second-guessing.

Valens’ voice reverberated through her mind again, a quiet promise. I’m with you. Always.

A brief, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. Maybe they didn’t know what awaited them—but they would face it, together.

As they made their way outside, Raegan found herself drawn to Xena, the massive dragon moving through the trees with a grace that belied her size. Raegan hadn’t known the beast long, but already there was a quiet trust between them, a feeling that Xena knew something the others didn’t—something that gave Raegan comfort.

And then there was Valens, smaller but no less fierce, following closely behind her. His warm presence soothed her nerves, his kind eyes a reminder of what she fought for. She didn’t need words to understand him. He would try his hardest, just as he always did.

They mounted their dragons and took to the sky, the wind biting but manageable. The cold had settled, and though a few flurries of snow drifted down from the heavy clouds, it was nothing like the storm they’d flown through yesterday. The air was crisp, and the tension seemed to lift just a little.

Raegan spread her hands along Valens' scales, feeling his heat radiate against the chill. She’d never understood how he did it, but she was thankful. Always. You’re my anchor, she murmured quietly, more to herself than to him. And he always would be.

As they flew in silence, the minutes stretched into hours, the weight of the journey pressing heavier with each passing moment. She glanced up at the two men ahead, watching their figures through the clouds. Kaelen and Darius were ahead, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

She trusted Darius. He had proven himself in ways Raegan couldn’t ignore. He was capable, reliable, and knew when to take charge. But Kaelen—he was still an unknown. The man who had pulled her from a burning building and barked orders as if he were born to lead. There was something about him she couldn’t quite put her finger on. He had a family name. He had a reputation. But beneath all that? Raegan wasn’t so sure.

Her thoughts were cut short when her sharp eyes caught something ahead—a glint between the clouds.

A boat.

Her pulse quickened as her gaze locked on it, the sight of the vessel lodged between two massive rocks sending a shiver down her spine. It wasn’t the boat itself that caught her attention; it was the suit of arms emblazoned on its side. Bold. Distinct. A dragon’s shadow curled with the head of a lamb.

She tapped Valens’ flank, and he responded immediately, his wings adjusting as he veered toward the rocks.

"Kaelen, Darius," she called, her voice cutting through the wind. "Look." Her head tilted toward the wreckage below. “We need to check this out.”

They landed swiftly, the rocks giving way to the charred remains of the boat. It had been burned, yes, but not by fire alone. There were no scorch marks or bullet holes. It had been attacked, but by something else. Something deliberate.

Raegan’s lip curled in thought, eyes narrowing as she took in the details. "You don’t think dragons did this, do you?" she asked, her voice light but carrying a thread of hesitation.

Valens’ head snapped toward her, a flicker of shock in his eyes, but she knew he understood what she meant. Not all dragons were loyal to the king. Not all riders were. This was something bigger—something more complicated than they had expected.

Her gaze shifted to the men, waiting for their answer, but the unease settled deeper. Riders? Rebels? Whoever had done this, they were a threat—and Raegan wasn’t sure if they were ready for what was coming.