Chapter 5

13 Years Ago

Freedom was a luxury for an heir, especially one that defied all laws of our world. That was why it took some convincing on my part before mother let my out of the manor atop Tenebris mountain. I was, however, forced to bring along a companion. As if the humans could ever figure out that a Caligo dragon walked among them, along with an Ignis. It was worth all the trouble, as the beautiful city of Stygian had just started their summer market. Ladies in all sorts of finery walked around, feeling up fabrics and buying candy for their little ones probably stuck with their nannies. Spices of all varieties clung to the air, my favourite being vanilla. Cyra loved cinnamon, grabbing a sugary cinnamon bun from a vendor when we had barely reached the entrance of the market. She could afford it, with her long thin legs and toned arms.

Mud clung to the bottom of my light chiffon dress, dragging it along the unpaved road. It wasn't a grand market, like those you would find in Frazer, our capital, but it was enough of an excuse that I fled the mountain the moment mother allowed it. Fresh air was all I had up at home, it was time I smelled some spices, and some shit, from time to time. No one glanced our way as we walked deeper into the market. A lady with billowing sleeves and a straw hat cooed on about how exotic her flowers were. Apparently, the Light Dragons of Lux Mountain loved the deep purple lilies. I almost snorted a laugh at the idea of my father sniffing lilies. Maybe my grandmother adored white roses, but purple was left to the Weather Dragons. It was more their type than Lux's. Another woman was taking measurements of men, right in the street, and not being particularly discreet with the way she felt them up. Maybe she was unwed.

Cyra led us to another stall, one with fine jewels, most of them set in gold, rather than the silver I so adored. "You haven't said a word since we arrived, what's wrong?" Cyra enquired, but I brushed her off and fingered one of the few pieces made of silver. It was a dragon necklace, the head coming to a stop at the pinnacle and the tail wrapping around the neck. Wings branched out from its sides, most likely brushing against the bottom of the wearers throat. Sheer fascination, that's what we were to the humans. Some even feared and despised us deeply, but for all they knew, we did not exist anymore. The brutes who had slaughtered their forefathers and ate their naughty children, that's what we had become. A myth. A legend. We preferred it that way. Humans killed what they couldn't understand or couldn't become. Even our homes were hidden under wards and spells.

"How much for this piece?" I asked and lifted the necklace up. The ruby stone glimmered in the early morning rays.

"500 Urstas," the shop keeper replied, a smile slicing through his wrinkles. Grey dotted his upper lip, the beginnings of a moustache peeking out.

"That is all? It must be much more worth than that, your hand work is impeccable, and the silver must have cost a fortune," I prodded but he just shook his head in dismay.

"Prices have fallen, folk around here can't afford most of what I sell, thanks to that wretched man we call king," the old man sneered. "You can take it for 400, if the price is too steep,"

"That would be considered stealing, you would lower yourself so much?" I asked and fisted my hands into the pockets of my dress. My face remained neutral, but I could feel the magic in my veins roil. Mother would scold me for being so improper. It was none of my business to begin with. Why was I upsetting myself so over a human problem? We would outlive the king by thousands of years.

"I have to feed my family, my Lady, your kind wouldn't really understand the ways of the human," the old man commented and winked at me. "Our family is put first in any situation, good or bad,"

Schooling my features even more, I looked down at the necklace again and whispered, "Do you claim I am not human?" The air around us stilled as Cyra finally caught on. Her hand slowly reached for my elbow, tugging slightly, but I waved my hand at her to step back a pace. His comment might have startled me, but it still didn't mean that he knew exactly from what kind I came. Numerous species dwelled within our world, to him, I could have been a witch wearing a glamour.

"I am merely stating that two young women as yourselves stand out amongst the crowd and what human would bargain for an increased price but balk at a lower one? Either you are extremely wealthy but do not keep with the latest fashions, or you are not of us entirely," the shop keeper smiled and grabbed a bag from beneath his table. His frail hands deftly plucked up the dragon necklace and placed it on pink paper. With a few movements, clearly practiced and perfected through the years, he had it wrapped and bagged. "One does not live as long as I do without seeing a thing or two," he added with another wink and handed me the bag. Cyra reached for it, but I pushed her hand aside.

"What are the latest trends?" I leaned in and whispered. A pink blush formed beneath my freckles. By Tenebris, how long has it been since I had last visited a human settlement? Was this not what they wore? It was more prudish than most of the clothes any dragon wore. Ever.

He smiled, causing more wrinkles to appear at the corners of his mouth. His teeth were yellow with age, but his breath smelled fresh. He had some money, at least. If not a lot, enough to get by. I would fix that for him and his family. Maybe offer him a job at Lux or Ignis. He was skilled in shaping jewels and metal, obviously he could be of good use. The old man laughed as I sized him up, a glint in his eyes. "They are much more conserved these days than what I assume my Lady is used to. Let's just say that you would be considered scandalous," he joked.

Taking the parcel from him, I smiled slightly, making sure to brush a finger over the back of his hand, leaving a trace of my magic behind. "I will heed your words wisely when I decide I want to return to Stygian again," I answered and glanced towards Cyra. "But it would be much appreciated if you kept the knowledge of our visit under wraps," I explained, handing the parcel over to Cyra.

"Oh my, I wouldn't dare tell a soul, besides, no one would believe an old man like myself. Throw me into the dungeons and forget about the words of a loon, more like it," he laughed it off and smiled at me again. I reached inside the folds of my dress, picking out 3 gold pieces from a hidden pocket. It equated to about 3000 Urstas but wouldn't tarnish in value the same way as such fragile money. He rose his eyebrows when I placed the pieces into his upturned palm.

"If I have need of you, one day, will you come when I call?" I asked, glancing to my sides to ensure no one was watching too closely. Cyra had already taken a small vantage point behind me. The crowds kept walking on, no one turning to see why two women were taking their time in a jewellery booth. Especially ones, if I understood correctly, who looked very out of place.

"My Lady, you do not know me, why extend such an invitation to one who can be a threat to you and yours?" He glanced behind me, towards where Cyra stood. There was something on him that even she had missed. An emblem hung around his neck, moving every now and again when he came closer to help me. It was the symbol of my house. Of Tenebris. One that only my people knew of, and the humans who had served us many years ago, when we were not just legend and myth.

"I am usually a good judge of character, Govander," I answered and turned to leave, not allowing him to reject my offer. I caught a glimpse of him clasping at his necklace, face full of wonder as he stared after me. It was always a delight meeting likeminded people.