Elarya was about to leave her small wooden house when she saw Varek approaching.
He was like he was travelling as he had a heavy cloak on his shoulders, a sword on his back, and a small pack slung across him.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Don’t tell me..." she began, her voice already weak, "don’t tell me you are supporting him to leave for the capital."
Varek didn’t flinch. "He’s made up his mind, Elarya," he said firmly. "And there’s no stopping him now. The only thing I can do... The only thing I will do is to go with him, as I had promised to help him in any way I can, and I intend to keep my word."
Elarya’s hands clenched at her sides. "Varek, I appreciate you... for all your support so far. I know you’ve risked yourself more than once for us and I know what you are risking yet again by wanting to go to the capital with him. But this? This is not what should be done. You know how evil those people are. You know how corny, how manipulative they can be."
Varek raised a hand, cutting her off. "You don’t need to lecture me about the imperfections of the capital of Ivarion," he said. "Most of my life, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I know their cruelty. I know their greed. But listen to me, this young man has made his choice. And he is not just some boy from a small village. Not the son you raised here in secret. He is a Dragon Lord, Elarya. A Dragon Lord."
His tone was steady but deep with meaning. "The sooner you accept that he has a destiny he cannot run from, the better you will understand why he must set his path toward it. And besides..." he stepped slightly to the side, "I’m not the only one supporting him."
From behind Varek, two figures appeared. One was Nyella, wearing her travel cloak, and beside her, Ser Devic, whose armor was reflecting the sun. They both bowed slightly in respect.
Elarya’s face hardened. She took a slow step back, almost as if distance could push them away. She looked from one to the other and pressed her lips into a thin line. "Varek, I..."
"Elarya," Varek interrupted again, his voice softer this time. "Look at me."
Her eyes lifted to his.
"Your son will be safe," he said. "He will be in good hands. I promise you that."
For a moment, she just stared at him, her mouth trembling as if holding back more words. Finally, she whispered, "If you insist... please take care of my boy. My only son. You know who he is, Varek. Please."
"I know," Varek said. "Do not worry. I will protect him, at all costs." He gave her a respectful bow, then turned to leave.
"You know where he is, right?" she called after him.
Varek turned halfway, a faint smile on his lips. "Where else?" he said. "If not to have a little friendly send off." Then he walked on.
But Nyella didn’t follow him immediately. She stepped forward and fixed her eyes on Elarya.
"I don’t know why you pushed me away," she said quietly. "Why do you seem to detest us so much. But I want you to know one thing," she took a breath. "I care about Aeron. Deeply. And may the gods punish me if I ever try to take advantage of him. I would rather die than see him hurt. I will help him in any way I can. That is my promise to you."
She bowed low, then turned and followed Varek and Devic down the path, leaving Elarya standing in her doorway, watching them disappear into the trees.
They went straight to the mountain and climbed the familiar path toward the cave.
The morning air was cool, and they heard the sound of distant water faintly through the rocks as they crossed the waterfall.
When they arrived, they saw Aeron standing near the cave mouth. He was ready.
He had a sword hung at his side, and wore the sturdy leather armor his mother had made for him before he went to the war.
Behind him, in the shadow of the cave, was Draco. Near Draco stood Ronan and Yvarra, with uneasy faces.
Aeron’s eyes found Draco’s, and his heart sank. The dragon’s gaze was deep and bitter, the kind of look that said everything without words. He knew Draco didn’t want him to leave. He knew the dragon wasn’t happy, perhaps even felt abandoned, but Aeron also knew he had no choice.
He stepped forward. "Ronan, Yvarra... take good care of him. Always be with him so he doesn’t get the chance to miss me too much."
Yvarra smiled faintly. "You know we’ll always do that. Take care of yourself Aeron"
Ronan shifted on his feet. "Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?"
Aeron glanced at Varek and smiled. "As you can see... your father’s already with me. I wouldn’t want to take too much from your family."
Ronan told Aeron, "I know you’ll be safe. You’ve got two great knights with you."
Aeron gave a small smile. "Yeah, I’m sure I will."
Varek stepped closer to Ronan and Yvarra. He placed a hand on Ronan’s shoulder. "You’re the man of the house now. Take care of the family, and keep training. When I get back, we’ll spar with real swords... fiercely."
Ronan grinned. "Of course. I’ll beat you, Dad. I’m looking forward to that day." Then he nodded toward Aeron. "Take care of my boy here."
Varek said Sure and shifted his gaze to Yvarra. "Take your studies more seriously, and become a proper lady. And both of you, look after your mother."
"Sure, Dad. Take care," Yvarra replied softly.
Aeron stepped forward and said again, "Thank you, guys." He then hugged Yvarra tightly and pulled Ronan into a firm embrace as well. When he stepped back, his eyes lingered on Draco one last time before turning away.
They mounted their horses, Aeron, Varek, Nyella, and Devic, and began the descent from the mountain. Aeron looked back once more before they rode off toward the open road.
The journey out of Varnmoor was long. By midday, they had crossed the narrow bridge at the valley’s edge, leaving the rocky slopes behind. The road ahead went through green hills and led toward the next village.
Aeron and Nyella rode at the front, their horses side by side. Behind them, Devic and Varek followed in silence.
Breaking the quiet, Aeron said to Nyella, "About the other day... with my mother... I’m sorry."
Nyella shook her head. "No need to apologize. I understand what she’s going through. I don’t know how my mother would handle such a thing either."
Aeron said, "And here you are again, you actually went to face her, even after what she said the last time."
Nyella’s gaze didn’t waver. "I don’t care about insults or criticisms from anyone, not when your life is in danger."
Then she tilted her head slightly. "But tell me, how did you convince her to let you leave? I thought it would take a war to make her agree, yet she didn’t hesitate much."
Aeron gave a small shrug. "It wasn’t easy. And... I had help." He gestured toward Varek who was riding behind them.
Nyella’s brows furrowed. "But what is it that your mother fears so much about the capital? It feels like there’s more to this, some history we’re not being told."
Aeron’s expression hardened. "Exactly what I’ve always wondered and that," he said riding ahead, "I intend to find out."
They spoke quietly as the road bent.
Behind them, Devic spoke to Varek. "You know," he began, "I’ve been wondering... You left the capital, gave up your duties, and resigned for your family. And now here you are, heading back to that same capital, risking everything, and leaving that same family of yours just because of a boy."
Varek’s eyes stayed on the road. "I’m not turning my back on my family. This is simply another duty I must see through. You might not understand."
"I understand more than you think," Devic interrupted. "If I were you, I’d do exactly the same thing."
Varek glanced at him. "How do you mean?"
Devic smirked faintly. "Do you think I wouldn’t recognize the wife of a great lord if I saw her?"
Just then... Aeron slowed his horse and said. "What’s that?". A thick column of black smoke rose in the distance ahead. They all stopped.
Varek’s expression hardened. "Could it be them again? The Ashantis..."
Nyella frowned. "Impossible. What are they doing here? The king hasn’t even made a decision or given them any orders."
Devic’s voice was grim. "That means they went ahead of the king. They never wanted a decision. They wanted, by all means, " He looked at Aeron. "To capture the Dragon Lord."
"..."
"..."