"Little Will, is that you, young man?" An older female voice spoke out, making me turn to a nearby stall.

I saw a woman wearing a brown corset laced in the front as her white chemise extended slightly over her corset, revealing a form of wisdom behind her appearance, clearly indicated by her slender physique. I can quickly tell who she is based on her jawline and voice. Her cheeks were slightly puffy, and a red blush was highlighted over her skin. Obvious makeup. Her jawline was simple but elegant, as it curved finely with her chin, which was oddly round. Her face was covered by a yellow scaly mask with blue lightning bolts going down both eye sockets as red feathers peaked over her long, curly hair, neatly bundled up to give her much more grace as it tucked behind her ears. Her earrings were two silver orbs dangling gently beside her elegant face. Her eyes were gray as they reflected the lighting around us.

"Aunt Silfe! I wasn't expecting to see you!" Running over to her stall as quickly as possible.

She started to laugh out loud. "And here I thought you and your old man wouldn't celebrate this year either." Her hands were placed at her waist.

Children ran behind her stall, chasing after what appeared to be a magic specter of a dragon riding a unicycle. Aunt Silfe started to laugh at the display.

"My father actually said that we could come this year. I'm still shocked he even agreed." Literally, I am still surprised he said yes. I tried begging my father every year, but he never budged. Why now?

"You know how he is, Little Will. Always kept secrets despite not looking like he does. Always has a plan or two, staying at least a few steps ahead to keep the advantage. I propose you try to learn this as well, Little Will." My face started to turn red. I just realized that she is still calling me Little Will.

"Stop calling me Little Will. I'm not a baby anymore!" I furrowed in annoyance.

She used to call me that when I was still a baby, turning into a child. When my father went hunting, he would leave me with Aunt Silfe. He says, "I trust her not to make you a religious fanatic." I always wondered why he said that especially when he said it as if he had a grudge against the Order of Drake.

Aunt Silfe does attend their church ceremonies like most individuals here, but she isn't so by the book. Most nobles are, so they look down on those who are not of "Dragon Blood."

Maybe that's why my father let her watch over me. Keeping me as close to the religion as possible, but not too close to be, as he says, "Blinded by it."

"Oh, please, who changed your diapers and wiped your buttocks when you were growing up?" My face turned red as I tried to cover it, hoping no one saw me or noticed our conversation. "Who taught you how to write and read while your father went out to hunt? Me! I did! And don't you forget it!"

I can barely remember that time. Oh, Omara, how embarrassing! I try to cover my face as I hear a few girls giggling behind me as they overhear Aunt Silfe's conversation with me.

I want to die.

"Can you keep your voice down? This is humiliating."

"Haaaaa, you think that's humiliating? You haven't seen a woman being caught on one of her bad days." Aunt Silfe laughed hard as she slammed her hands down on her stall. Bad days? What is she talking about?

"Uh... what do you mean?"

The only thing she gave me was a wink. "Anyway, you need a mask?"

Holy crap. I forgot about the mask my father told me to buy for both of us.

Suddenly, as if Omara herself were watching, Aunt Silfe was selling masks. Talk about convenience. I was so engaged in our conversation that I didn't notice the masks.

"I almost forgot," I said, blurting out. "How much for two?"

"Just 20 coppers, little Will." I rolled my eyes at her, still embarrassed and flustered by her words. I handed her the silver coin my father gave me. "I hope you and Gwyn are getting enough coin to live off of."

"We make do with what we can," she responds as I look down at the masks she has on display.

They vary in color and ornamentation. Some had feathers, while others had crowns on them. That's when I noticed a mask that represents Barren. Its scales were white like Barren's dragon Elrid, with the same three horns protruding, one on top and one on each side of the mask. I took that mask along with a black mask, representing the great hero Elton, the first rider. Elton's mask had black scales, with two horns protruding down the sides and two more on top. If I recall, his dragon was named Mortem.

"I'll be careful with that one," Aunt Silfe said, pointing at the black mask. "People say that mask tends to be a bad omen."

I waved her off as she handed me back my change. "Aunt Silfe, you know I don't believe in that superstitious nonsense."

"Didn't you want to be a Dragon Knight?" I looked back up at Aunt Silfe, stunned, not considering she would have remembered what I used to say about when I was younger. "If you still want to, you better start believing in them. You have no idea what's out there." She gave me a wink as she pushed me away. "Now you go off and have fun."

I run down the street as I turn around for her. "I will. Thank you, Aunt Silfe."

She laughed as I took off towards the mountain.

I took a moment to think about what she said: "I have no idea what's out there." Yeah, I don't know what's out there since I've been here in Hearthglen my whole life.

I shove that thought behind me. I can worry about that later. The festival can't wait.

Following behind a crowd of people, a massive, bulky lizard pulling a cart roars out. Nothing stood out about the creature. Besides, it was huge and brown. It pulled an enormous cart decorated with fancy ribbons and a red silk curtain. It was a noble's cart, but I ignored it and kept walking towards the mountain.

After a few minutes of walking towards the mountain, I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. Turning my head to the sides and behind, I couldn't see anyone looking at me. Everyone was dancing and cheering at the rider's display of fun. Heck, there was even a sport that they were playing.

Before I could say anything, I felt a weak, warm presence behind me, making me turn to see a sky-blue orb flying towards me. I thought it was another magician's magic, but it looked familiar.

There's no way it could've been a magician. It got closer and closer as I felt its warmth. My skin tingled slightly, spasming at its warm presence. It wasn't precisely warmth that I felt, but a comforting feeling. But all magic usually has a weird sensation, even if it is a unique spell like this one. As it drew closer, I felt it press against my shirt as it floated into me.

I could feel it inside my chest as my heart raced. What is happening? The tingling sensation of its warmth spread throughout my body as it vanished completely, leaving a sudden cold shiver down my spine as if something had left me. I immediately knew what it was as I looked back up to see my father before me.

His face was disappointed.

"So you went out and got yourself a mask and celebrated the festival!" he was angry. I should've looked for him, as my heart ached. Filled with guilt, I looked down at the ground. I was so distracted by the festival that I forgot to find him.

"Without me!!!"

Looking back at his face, I realized he wasn't angry. He looked upset—probably exaggerated it, but upset nonetheless—that I had fun without him.

I pulled out my hand, still holding onto the two masks, and handed him the black one.

"I haven't forgotten, father." I smiled brightly at him as he took the mask, hoping he would forgive me.

"Mask of Mortem? Are you trying to say something to me?" he answered, smirking at me; all signs of anger or disappointment disappeared.

Grinning back at him, "Don't tell me you believe in that superstitious crap too."

Watching my father take the mask and put it on, he smirks at me, his eyes matching his mask, looking as sharp as a hawk. "I don't. Come on! Let's head down to the show before the Matriarch shows up." Following his lead, I put my mask on as well.

Father and I continue walking down the path towards the mountain, occasionally moving out of the way for the kids and families.

We can clearly see the massive pillars supporting the mountain. The pillars were enormous; it was almost impossible not to be in awe of their size as my mouth dropped open, gasping out loud. I always wondered who built these pillars. From what I heard, the pillars were made out of the mountain's stones, called quartz.

The scene was breathtaking—each pillar formed a mesmerizing spiral, winding up to a diamond shape in the center. Bridges connected every pillar, creating a network of tunnels that extended throughout the mountain. The pillars and bridges were adorned with decorations and lights, and the quartz reflected the light, illuminating the entire area.

As night fell, the lights created a beautiful orange tint that glistened on the ground, making it look like daylight was in the mountain. Everyone around us was partying, enjoying the stunning display in front of them.

My nose tingles at the smell of more cooked meat, making me turn to a Wyrm Tails vendor.

My father purchased two, one for me and one for him. We slowly make our way to the center of the mountain, feeling rubble fall onto our heads as we look up to see many dragons perch on the pillars and bridges spreading throughout the mountain. My father even smeared some of his Wyrm Tail onto my shirt.

Then we heard it...

A roar bellowed throughout the mountain, making the ground shake as I struggled to stand. The roar left a feeling inside my chest that made me feel small compared to everything else. Everyone cheered as I turned around to see the giant moss-green dragon flying down into the cave. How crap! It's the Matriarch. She was not just gigantic. She could level the city itself. She easily overshadows any dragon I have ever seen. She was even more prominent than Lady Elrid.

Holy Omara. Her wingspan was quickly over a hundred feet.

The Matriarch lands as the ground shakes, and all the dragons cry out for her. People are running towards her, as she is part of the celebration. We have to go see her.

"Father! Let's go! It's the Matriarch!" I grabbed my father's arm, pulling him as I led him to where everyone was going.

"Easy, Will," he responded, trying not to fall over. But I was impatient. My excitement was getting the better of me.

However, I still felt a weird presence. It was almost as if someone was watching me, but I ignored it. I had a festival to attend.