As they travelled over the next couple days, Belmardina noticed a slight change in the disposition of Blutgang. He seemed a little troubled—sad, even. Finally, she climbed to his right shoulder pauldron, “Are you okay?” She asked quietly.

His eye swiveled to her for a second, then returned to the trail. “Yes.”

Over the past weeks she had come to hate his simple language, especially now when she was trying to get more than a few sentences out of him. “I know something’s wrong.” She said firmly.

“I’m perfectly healthy.” He replied.

“No, I mean! Ugh! Something’s bothering you. I know you’re healthy.”

“Ah. It’s nothing you should worry about, milady.” Was all he would say.

Annoyed, Belmardina jumped from his shoulder and onto the sand with a “Hmph!”. She was irked when he did not so much as call after her.

She ran about the soldiers on her four legs until she spotted Theodar, his black feathers absorbing sunlight and his colorful beak reflecting it. He was Blutgang’s second in command—surely he would know what was ailing her husband.

Theodar saw her coming. He held out a hand for her to climb up on, and she quickly found her way to his shoulder. The kraat all seemed to be irritatingly simple and direct of language, so she thought about her question before asking it. “The king seems healthy, but something’s bothering him—he’s distracted. Do you know what’s going on with him, Theodar?”

“I’m not sure it’s my place to say.” He said thoughtfully.

“I’m Queen Kraat—I should know these things. Please tell me.”

He nodded slowly. “It’s his halberd—he lost it in The Pit when he saved you.”

“His weapon? Oh, so he was the one who killed that hawk.” She smiled, grateful that he had saved her life. She would have to thank him later. “He can get another halberd, can’t he?”

“Of course. But, that one was of sentimental value to him.”

She waited for him to say more, but realized she would have to inquire further. “Did someone special give it to him? His father, maybe?”

“No. Nothing like that. The kraat don’t share weapons. King Blutgang had performed many deeds with that halberd—he trusted it.” He held his own sword aloft, “For example, my sword has been with me for ten years. If I were to lose it, I’d have to find a new one—difficult to do when we’re soldiers with no regular income and no blacksmiths. I’d have to get used to a new sword if I had to make one. And it to me. King Blutgang had that halberd for most of his life—it’s a hard loss for him.”

Belmardina sat on his shoulder for some time, quietly. Finally she knew what was bothering her husband—he had thrown away a weapon he trusted for a wife he hardly knew.

Finally, Elf Port came into sight. The gold that had been gathered from the cave by the west ocean was divvied out equally among the soldiers who helped mine it out. Belmardina wrinkled her little dragon’s snout, thinking she should have gotten a little more than the others for having risked her life to open the mouth of the cave, but she let it slide. She was on a mission, and had no time for arguing a fight she could not win.

The soldiers were allowed to wander on their own and would regroup at camp when night fell. It seemed everyone had something they wanted—their own quests.

Belmardina’s quest was to find a new halberd for Blutgang. She held her gold close to her chest in a pouch Theodar had given her as she made her way through the strange port.

The buildings were built attractively and wave-like, much like the dunes they had just passed through; colorful tapestries fluttered everywhere she turned. The air smelt of strange spices that hung extra thick in her short snout.

The quiet kraat soldiers were lost quickly to the crowds of jabbering people milling about; apparently there was some sort of gathering of healers going on. She ran as quickly as she could past buildings made of brick and tents that had been erected to house the visiting healers. As she passed one of the bigger conference tents, she was almost hit by a colorfully-clad elf girl who was thrown out into the street with a jumble of papers.

How I wish I could fly! She thought as she danced between feet on all-fours, the heavy gold swaying under her neck.

Eventually, she made it to a blacksmith and had a look about. His wares were unimpressive, so she moved on to the next. She tried three different shops until she came upon a halberd that was within her price range—it was very plain compared to Blutgang’s previous weapon, but it was sturdy and heavy. The blacksmith was an honest elf and family man and very busy—a good sign she would not be ripped-off.

“Excuse me!” She squeaked at the top of her limited voice. The blacksmith’s son trotted over to her. Being an elf and a child, he was very short, and she was glad to be unafraid of being stepped on for once.

“How can I help you, little dragon?” He asked.

“I would like that halberd.” She said, pointing a claw the size of a blade of grass at the halberd held proudly on the brick wall. “I have enough gold.”

“Oh, okay. But how will you carry such a heavy item?” The little elf asked, scratching his mane of red hair.

Belmardina was shocked that she had not thought of that. She could not very well turn back into a human—she would be naked. She looked down at her gold—it was enough for the halberd for sure; but only just so. However, if she bought the halberd she would not have enough gold to buy clothes. She gripped the gold tight and felt a lump rising in her throat. She shook her head vigorously, as if by doing so the tears fighting to get to her eyes would fall back into her belly. Moreover, she was dumbfounded as to why she felt so emotional about the situation. All she knew was she wanted the halberd desperately.

Before she could give up hope, she heard someone speak up behind her. “I’ll help you move it, little dragon.” She whirled about to see Gholsmart the banker dragon in his tailored, red coat. He had been at her suitor ball and she recognized him immediately. He, however, did not recognize her as he had never seen her as a dragon.

“Oh, oh! You will?” she stammered, shaking with elation.

Before she knew it, Gholsmart was carrying the halberd for her as they made their way back to the kraat camp. “I’ve never seen such a small adult dragon, if you don’t mind my saying. And buying such a large weapon! You’re an interesting one.” He commented.

She was surprised that he could tell she was an adult; maybe dragons just knew these things about each other. “Oh, yes. Sadly, I was born this way, and It’s very inconvenient to be so small as you’ve seen. As for the weapon, it’s for my husband. He lost his previous one in The Pit.”

“I see.” He nodded, “Very nice of you to buy him a new one. I wish all dragons were so giving. A lot of us still cling to the old notion of a hoard... Is this it?” He pointed at tents ahead of them.

Belmardina guided him to the tent she and Blutgang had raised earlier that day (which she could help very little with, being the size she was) and he placed the halberd in it for her. “Thank you so much, sir. You’re a lifesaver.” She said jubilantly.

Gholsmart bowed elegantly, taking his leave. She watched him go, marveling at how differently he had treated her from the time at the suitors ball. The whole day had been a lot to take in, and she soon fell asleep on her blankets.