(No worries)

Raegan watched as Kaelen's eyes moved over her, his expression flickering with the effort to place her. She could see the wheels turning, but nothing clicked. She wasn’t surprised—her family had faded into obscurity long ago, their name tarnished by time and misfortune. He wouldn’t remember her. The name Norland had long since lost any value.

Still, there was something about him—some faint familiarity that tugged at her memory. She’d crossed paths with his family years ago, though the details were blurred, hazy, like distant echoes she couldn’t quite reach.

The sudden movement of the barmaid pulled her attention back. The woman, skittish, almost unnerved, approached with a message for them. Raegan's gaze narrowed as the maid passed the note to Kaelen and vanished, her hurried steps fading into the crowd. It was unusual to receive word like this, especially not in a place so... public. A tavern full of voices and bodies—this was not how information was exchanged. Not for something important, at least.

The weight of the moment pressed against Raegan's chest. This was wrong. Too many questions, too few answers. She was used to orders that came with clarity—directives that were plain and to the point. Not a cryptic slip of parchment handed in the shadows of a crowded room.

Raegan’s mind raced. She had worked on countless missions over the past months—gathering supplies for the throne, hunting down threats to the kingdom’s stability. Always for the kingdom. Always in service to the old king. But with the king’s health deteriorating, the future felt uncertain. Had he passed? Was this news of his death? Or was there something more to it, something darker lurking beneath the surface?

She watched Kaelen’s face, searching for any sign, any clue, but his expression remained composed—almost too composed. It only fed the gnawing unease in her gut.

Then, a voice—Valens’ voice—slipped into her mind, urgent and full of concern. Something’s wrong.

Raegan felt it, too. The sudden weight of worry settled like a stone in her stomach. Her fingers tightened on the edge of the table. She nodded ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment of Valens’ words, though she could feel his discomfort, his frustration at the silence. She knew he was as restless as she was.

The king had been dying for months. The kingdom was held together by fragile threads, and Raegan knew well that a dying king meant a kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse. If this message had come from the king himself, then it could only mean one thing—his time was near. Or perhaps it was something darker still. A task too grim to speak aloud, too dangerous for anyone to hear. A secret, wrapped up in shadows.

Kaelen’s face tightened for a moment, and Raegan watched, intent on reading his every move. He wasn’t giving anything away. His features remained neutral, unreadable.

“What is it?” she asked, her voice low, tight with a mixture of impatience and growing suspicion. She was on the edge of grabbing the scroll from him, but something—some small voice—held her back.

Be patient, Valens’ voice interrupted, firm and unyielding.

Raegan’s shoulders sagged slightly under the weight of his command. It wasn’t easy, but she knew he was right. If this was truly something of importance, they couldn’t afford to be careless. They were being kept in the dark for a reason. Too many could hear, too many could learn.

She shifted in her seat, feeling the restless stir of her own anxiety. Her leg bounced nervously, her mind spinning, trying to make sense of what was unfolding. Valens was unsettled, too. She could feel it in the way he shifted, a constant pull on their bond, the tension mirrored between them.

Kaelen was still hiding something. She could see it now in the tightness of his posture, the way his eyes flickered over her. He was struggling with something—whether it was the weight of the message or the secrets it held, Raegan couldn’t say. But it was important. She could feel it in her bones.

They weren’t here by coincidence. Whatever was happening, whatever this message meant, it was just the beginning. And Raegan was already on edge, waiting for the pieces to fall into place.

Raegan’s eyes never left Kaelen as he made his move, but before he could take a step, she was already on her feet, a shadow on his heels. They moved with purpose, weaving through the chaos of the tavern, dodging bodies, and stumbling patrons. The weight of the air was thick with tension, but the streets awaited, quiet and empty, save for the sounds of distant shouting.

Then came the crash.

A deafening bang, followed by the shrill screams that shattered the night. Raegan’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced as she spun on her heels, already knowing what she would see. The fire lit up the blackened sky, its glow casting long shadows over the cobblestones and bouncing off the windows of nearby buildings. The tavern. The one they had just been in.

Her chest tightened as she froze, unable to tear her eyes from the flames dancing in the night. The music had stopped, the laughter had died, the glassware was no longer clinking. The tavern was gone, swallowed whole by the fire, and with it, the noise, the chaos, and all that had been familiar.

Her arm jerked from Kaelen’s grip, and she stepped forward, a mix of disbelief and anger twisting her stomach. “What the hell?” she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. Her heart pounded, but her mind raced even faster. She tried to think, tried to process—what had the scroll said? What did this mean?

The silence stretched on, broken only by the crackling of the now-smoldering building. Her gaze darted around, looking for something, anything, to make sense of the madness.

In the distance, the silhouette of a large dragon approached. Raegan’s pulse shifted, the tension easing only a fraction as she nodded in acknowledgment. The dragon’s movements were fluid, graceful. The creature was a perfect match for her rider—strong, poised, and calm in the face of chaos. If there was one thing she appreciated in these moments, it was a dragon who had control.

She shook her head, frustration clawing at her insides. Someone tried to kill me, she thought bitterly, offended by the notion. As she watched Kaelen slowly stand, she shot him a look—cold and calculating—before she reached out for the tether with Valens.

Valens, I need you. She called, but the connection didn’t come. A frown deepened on her face, and she felt a pang of annoyance. His presence was close, she could feel the pull between them, but the tether was thin, unreliable. She cursed softly under her breath. She hated feeling unprepared, especially with someone as quiet and guarded as Kaelen. His silence unsettled her.

With a sharp exhale, Raegan tried to steady her nerves. There was no time for hesitation. They needed to leave, get out of sight, and figure out what was happening. She could feel Valens now, closer still, and the moment she muttered his name, she knew he was already on his way.

“Valens,” she called, her voice exasperated. It would take more than just the two of them to make sense of this mess.

Without hesitation, the lithe form of her dragon swerved into view, his dark scales shimmering in the reflected firelight. Valens’ eyes found hers, his expression mirroring her own—frustration, confusion, and the quiet weight of what they had just narrowly escaped. His head dipped to meet her, and she reached out, her hand brushing his neck.

“What happened?” he asked softly, concern lacing his voice. It was a comfort, but one that couldn’t quiet the unease building in her chest.

Raegan sighed, her hand still resting on his smooth hide. “We’re about to find out.” Her voice was sharp, but she didn’t feel the sting of the words. There was something raw and unfinished in the air, something she couldn’t ignore.

Valens turned toward the burning tavern, the flames reflecting off his dark scales, a stark contrast to the lighter dragon beside Kaelen. The other dragon was massive, powerful—a striking image of strength, though perhaps not quite as nimble as Raegan’s own. She could feel the shift in the air as Valens leaned down, and within moments, they were airborne, leaving the chaos of the streets behind them.

Raegan clutched the saddle tight, her knuckles white as the wind whipped past her. She let out a frustrated groan, leaning back against Valens’ warm, steady back. She stole a glance at Kaelen, her gaze searching but wary. Her mind still churned with questions.

“What did the scroll say?” Her voice was quiet, laced with a tension she couldn’t shake. Whatever this mission was, she had a feeling the answers were coming slower than she would have liked

The woman gave a slight nod when he confirmed the safe house, a quiet exhale of relief escaping her. She could feel Valens struggling, the wind carrying them farther with each beat of his wings. Slowly, he managed to fall back, using Xena as a shield, a barrier against the gale that made it just a little easier to breathe. Raegan’s hand rested on the dragon’s scales, but even through the tether, she could feel his heavy, deflated sigh.

“We’ll land soon, Valens. We’ll be out of the storm,” she promised, though the dragon didn’t sound convinced. His voice, thin and strained, replied, “I can’t keep this up much longer, Raegan.” He was fading, more exhausted than he let on. Her brow furrowed as she adjusted their position, guiding him to stay close behind Xena, using the other dragon’s bulk to shield them from the worst of the wind.

Valens had always looked after her, and she could feel his care through the tether. His wings flapped unevenly, faster than they should have been, but when he took his place behind Xena, the rhythm evened out, settling into a glide. But Raegan knew they wouldn’t be able to keep this up much longer. They all needed to rest.

She nodded softly when he told her to follow, though an uneasy knot tightened in her chest. She didn’t fully trust him—not yet. As Valens tilted slightly to the left, following the path he’d been given, she glanced behind them, watching the city slowly recede. It wasn’t much farther to the safe house, and she could only hope it would offer the sanctuary they so desperately needed.

Her mind wandered, turning over thoughts of the man she’d been assigned to work with. Something about him gnawed at her. He's too commanding, too certain of everything. Valens must have sensed it too. “He knows what he’s doing,” the dragon chimed in lightly, his tone almost teasing. Raegan’s lips twisted into a quiet groan. She didn’t like it—not one bit. It felt too much like she was being dragged along, a pawn in someone else’s game.

--

Before long, the sloping cliffs came into view, and Raegan let out a quiet sigh of relief as they neared, slightly sheltered from the wind. It wasn’t the calm they had hoped for, but it was a reprieve from the harsh gusts further up.

She took in the rugged landscape, her eyes scanning the island in the distance. It was useful to have it in her mind, just in case. Not long after, they touched down, and she quickly slid from the saddle, loosening the straps to keep Valens comfortable. She patted his neck, her heart swelling with gratitude. He had tried so hard to protect her, and she appreciated it more than he could know.

Raegan grabbed her bag from the saddle, ready to head inside and drop it off. Her gaze shifted to Kaelen, who stood nearby. She approached him, taking the scroll from his hands and scanning it quickly. She glanced at him, her expression more questioning than anything else. The tension in her chest released with a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. The king was assassinated. The scowl that formed on her face was immediate. There would be time for explanations later, once they were more settled, but for now, she slipped the scroll into her bag.

Turning back to Valens, she saw steam rising from his body as he caught his breath. “Go get some water,” she told him, the words slipping out before she fully realized. With a soft murmur, she turned and stepped inside the safe house, gathering wood from the leftover pile to try and start a fire.

Valens let out a soft grunt, the exhale of hot air swirling in the cold, steam rising from his nostrils as he spoke. “That would be wonderful,” his voice was light, carrying a youthful wonder, an eagerness that seemed to never leave him.

One might think that after over a hundred years of life, a creature such as him would have grown indifferent to the world, but here he was, still filled with excitement over the simplest of things. A cave, of all things. Yet he was still growing, still stretching his limits, his body expanding at a pace that never failed to surprise him. Though he would never be massive like some of his kin, always lithe and small in the grand scheme of dragons, there was still plenty of time for him to grow.

His gaze lingered on Xena, fascinated by the grace in her every movement. She was a creature of elegance, wisdom, a presence so commanding that he found himself unsure whether to bow in respect or flee in awe. Her every gesture seemed calculated, deliberate, as though she carried the weight of centuries in her stance.

He dipped his head, the water beneath him rippling as he stirred it with the heat of his breath. His wings stretched out slightly, keeping him steady as the warmth of the water washed over him. A low, contented rumble rose from his chest as he swallowed, the sensation of warmth creeping through his body.

His ears flicked toward the other dragon, and he chirped softly, the tone light and welcoming. “They call me Valens,” he said, his voice warm with the kind of sincerity that made his words feel like a gift. He glanced at her, eager for the journey ahead. “I look forward to getting to know you.”

Though his mind was preoccupied with the new companion walking beside him, a subtle tug on the bond with Raegan reminded him of his place. He couldn’t stray too far, not when their bond was still so new, so fragile. He reached out mentally, sending a gentle nudge through the tether, ensuring she could feel his presence.

--

Raegan settled into the cabin, the space surprisingly cozy once she got the fire going. The flames crackled softly, slowly filling the room with heat, and before long, the chill of the air began to fade. The windows fogged as the warmth crept through, offering a sense of relief after the cold journey.

She glanced over to Kaelen, watching him slouched on the sofa, looking more disheveled than anything. He looked at her with that air of quiet command, telling her to take the double bed. His words, though light, carried that undercurrent of authority that made her want to bristle. She nodded begrudgingly, though her heart wasn’t in it. It had been a chaotic few hours, and she didn’t have the energy to argue.

She ran her fingers through her wet hair, frustration flashing briefly across her face. Her clothes were damp, too. With a frustrated sigh, she grabbed her bag and went to change into something warm and dry. The thought of food crossed her mind, and she pulled out some cans from the satchel, planning to take care of that as well.

She placed the cans down on the kitchen counter before her eyes landed on Kaelen again. His face was red, beaten by the wind, and worse yet, he was still sitting in wet clothes. Something inside her stirred at the sight, a protective instinct she couldn’t ignore.

With a small huff, she bent down to pick up the shoes he’d discarded carelessly on the floor. She extended a hand toward him. “Give me your cloak, boy,” she said, her voice sharp but not unkind. He handed it over, and she hung it up by the door, setting his shoes neatly beside it.

“Go get changed,” she added, her tone brisk as she opened the cans. “Put something dry on.” She didn’t realize how forceful her words could sound sometimes, but they had their effect. As she set plates out, she muttered, “I’ll put some food on.”

Kaelen wandered off, and she rolled her eyes, watching him go. The messiness of it all bothered her. They needed warmth, food, and a plan—and quickly. She focused on heating the cans over the fire, the smell of the food filling the air as she set it all on plates, ready for Kaelen when he returned.

As she worked, she felt the familiar tug of Valens’ presence, a gentle reminder of his bond with her. She sighed softly, speaking aloud, though she knew he could hear her. “I’m here.” She moved to the couch and settled in, waiting for Kaelen, but her thoughts were with Valens as much as they were with the plans ahead.