“We’re honored to have your caravan stay with us again, Shepherd Caito. If you need anything at all, please, let me know.” The formality that just spewed from his mouth tasted sour and he had to force himself not to scowl. The man before him inclined his head, his torso just barely moving forward in a bow.

“Thank you, Your Highness, but please, just call me Michael. We nomads aren’t as formal as you city folk. Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to oversee the building of the tents and stalls. I’ll be seeing you around the camp sometime, yeah?” Damien nodded, even though he knew it was the biggest lie he was making today. The only reason he came out here today was because his father had to travel to St. Louis unexpectedly, and the King is the one who normally greets the Shepherd and caravan when they arrive. Since the King wasn’t available, it fell to Damien to greet everyone.

“Of course. I wish you a safe night, Michael.” He nodded to the man, and was about to turn and walk away when he felt a prickling on the back of his neck.

He scratched his neck thinking it was only a mosquito when he heard it. It was barely a whisper of sound, but as the sky was beginning to turn from a royal blue to a burnt orange, the sound was much more intimidating. The noise was like the first squeals of rusting wheel, barely there and grating to the ears. But as he stood and listened for the sound again, he saw that Shepherd Michael had become tense, his shoulders stiff as a board beneath the loose cotton shirt he wore.

“They’re back.”

Who was back?

But then the sound was back. And so much more horrifying. And also

much

closer.

Damien turned his head in time to see the shadow of a large something that was on fire coming right towards the camp. No, wait, towards him. And it seemed that there was someone ridi- Wait…

“Aerithen?!”

And what should run up to him and stamp to a halt but a giant horse with a birds feet and a dragons face. With his best childhood friend riding its back.

“Pembe, I said to just let me down at the edge of the campground! Not here in front of the ki-” The sandy haired goofball that Damien wasn’t sure how he was still friends with clicked his mouth shut as he looked towards the young prince. “Damien?”

“Aerithen? What’s going on with...this?” Damien waved a hand in a circular motion revolving around Aerithen and the horse...things. And was that… “Aeri, you’re on fire!” Damien took a step forward, but when his friend started laughing he stopped. Really, anytime this fucker came around something weird happened. It never failed.

“Dames, it’s fine, I’m not burning. It’s just Pembe’s mane.” The young man swung his leg over the beasts back and landed with a solid thump on the hard packed dirt. Shepherd Caito stepped forward from behind Damien, and Aerithen’s brother, Gabriel, emerged from the crowd. Both men began talking at once.

“Aerithen, show respect when speaking to our host! You disgrace this tribe with your demons and poor manners! M’Lord, I deeply apologize for this one’s rude behavior. Ever since he brought these beasts with him one day it’s been nothing but trouble for us. Please forgive him and hi-”

“Aerithen! What the hell are you thinking bringing these hellspawn before one of the royal family?! Go back to the wagon and take those things with you. I’ll talk to you later. Your Highness, I’m sorry for my brother. Those creatures have been poisoning his mind ever since he-”

“Shut up.” The words were soft spoken, but all chatter within earshot came to a halt. Damien could see the affect his simple command had on the three men before him.

Shepherd Caito was biting his bottom lip with nerves, his eyes flicking between Damien, Gabriel, and Aerithen. He was also wringing his hands like an anxious old woman, and it was obvious from his speech how he had gained the position of Shepherd from Joshua, peace be unto his soul.

Gabriel had his jaw clenched in restrained fury, his eyes glaring at his younger brother with enough venom that Damien had the fleeting wonder of if he had any Naga ancestors. His hands were clenched into fists and his posture was rigid.

Aerithen was...much different. He was standing with his shoulders slumped before the horse-thing he rode in on, his gaze sadly downcast as he stroked the creatures muzzle. Damien thought it was more for Aeri’s comfort than the fire horse.

“Shepherd Caito, I appreciate your concern for propriety and kindness, but it is not needed at this moment. I have no issue with Aerithen’s behavior or with his companions. Gabriel, though I have known you since I was a child, I am disappointed to say that I have never heard such cruel words fall from your tongue. It is clear that these beings mean a great deal to your brother, and yet here you stand calling them such derogatory names. I believe I must remind you that all Nibai are treated fairly here, even those who are visiting or passing through. Aerithen, if you and your friends will follow me, I have a matter I must discuss with you privately.” Damien couldn’t stand to be around these men any longer, so he led Aerithen and his friends from the campground.

He knew his best friend needed comfort and he knew just where to get it.