The day of the mission to kidnap the step-son of Emperor Bianor, I wore dark, form-fitting attire that I rarely wore on a day-to-day basis: thick wool pants, double linen wrapping around my hands, tall fur-lined boots, a few layered shirts, and a fur-lined wool coat, all of which had been tailored to fit me and my draconic features snugly. Ethyn made sure my hair was out of my face, then accompanied me to the main room, where Stefan and Cornelius were waiting.

Augustus was there as well, clinging to Cornelius with all his might, arms around his neck and face buried in his shoulder. Diego and Waylon stood nearby, and Wren went over the details of the mission with Stefan for what was probably the umpteeth time.

“Hey, c’mon, we gotta go,” Cornelius was saying, although it was clear he didn’t want to leave Augustus. “You’ll be okay, it’ll just be for a day or two.”

“Hey, Augustus,” I approached him. He glanced at me. His eyes were a vivid gold, sparkling with tears. “In my room, on the floor, there’s a pile of pillows and blankets. It’s my nest. Do you maybe wanna be there? It’s really comfy, especially when you’re sad.”

He hummed, actually seeming interested.

“Yeah, you can go take a nap in Elkan’s nest,” Cornelius offered, seeming relieved.

“It’s super cozy,” I promised.

“Mm, okay,” Augustus whined, slowly moving away from Cornelius.

“This is Ethyn, my lover,” I introduced him. His splint had been removed, although the arm was still bandaged for some extra stability, and he cherrily waved with it. “He can show you the nest.”

“You’ll be okay,” Cornelius softly promised. “We won’t be gone too long.”

Augustus nodded, wiping his tears. “You better not.”

Cornelius smiled, gently kissing Augustus’s forehead before moving over to Stefan. I said a quick goodbye to Ethyn, passionately kissing him before joining the two older men at the base of the stairs. Augustus shakily waved as we ascended them, as did Ethyn. Beside them, Diego and Waylon stood like stone-haired sentries. Their figures grew smaller as we approached the snowy exterior.

Above the abandoned mineshaft we called home, the surface was cold and harsh, mountainous winds blowing our hair every which way. Dark clouds obscured the moons and stars, sending white flakes down to us with little mercy.

My willing transformations were quick and easy, if not making me a bit sore and tired afterwards. Once I was comfortably in my black and purple scaled form, Stefan and Cornelius clambered up to sit between the spines between my wings, clinging to each other and me. I spread my wings, and lifted off.

I felt most at home in the air, especially here in the Dragon Crest Mountains. My fire kept me warm, and the winds kept me afloat. But this was no pleasure flight.

I flew over the mountains, sure to keep to the darker clouds as we got closer and closer to Ussuni lands. I dove towards the thick forest at the base of the mountains, landing relatively smoothly in a snow-filled clearing. The wind was far less harsh on this side of the mountains, but the early morning cold was still bitter. Stefan and Cornelius slipped off me, taking a moment to find their footing.

“The hunting party shouldn’t be far from here,” Stefan said. “It’s still early, so hopefully we won’t have to navigate through too many guards.” He looked at me, “Stay here, stay low, stay quiet.”

Still in my dragon form, I nodded, and curled up tight in a little divot in the ground, letting the white flakes cover me. Stefan and Cornelius disappeared into the snowy forest.

I had never been all too good at waiting. I thought about Ethyn, probably helping Augustus get settled in the nest. I thought of Augustus, curling up in the mass of blankets and pillows. He would be okay. And, hopefully, the prince could fill us in on where he came from, and why the emperor wanted him back so badly.

I perked up when running footsteps approached.

My companions appeared from the brush. A limp body was slung over Stefan’s shoulder. I quickly stood up, shaking off excess snow and letting them climb on. Again, I wasted no time, and soon we were back in the mountains.

Landing on the rocky cliffside was a bit difficult, but I kept my footing long enough for my riders to get off and into the cave. I stayed in my dragon form as they moved deeper into the old mine, keeping watch and feeling secure in the dark clouds that surrounded us.

Now all there was to do was wait.

Again.

⸺ ☽ ⚜ ☾ ⸺

I lifted my head when Cornelius exited the cave, looking tense and concerned, and quickly beginning to pace. Stefan soon followed, dragging a conscious prince along with him. The prince was blindfolded and bound, yet still struggled, light hair whipping every which way in the icy wind.

“Please, let me talk to him!” I could just barely hear his words over the wind.

“Stop it,” Stefan firmly said. “I’m going to knock you out now, and you’ll wake up back in the forest.” He held a cloth over the prince’s mouth. He struggled wildly for a few moments, then slowly went limp. Stefan sighed in relief.

We returned the prince to the forest, where I could clearly hear the guards rushing about trying to find him, then quickly made our way back to our base.

Stefan steadied me when I transformed back into my normal form. I leaned over, hands on my knees, muscles aching and chest heaving. Cornelius quickly descended into the mineshaft. We had left in the early morning, and it was almost evening now, with the storms having calmed and the sun quickly beginning to set.

“You alright?” Stefan asked me.

“Yeah,” I breathlessly replied. “Just…. Need a nap.”

“Well, good thing it’s almost bedtime,” he chuckled, helping me towards the staircase and down the old wooden stairs.

“So? How’d the interrogation go?” I asked once I regained my breath.

Stefan sharply inhaled.

“Ooh, that bad?” I hissed.

“No, no, he was very cooperative,” Stefan shook his head. “It’s just…. He told us some… rather… concerning information.” He shook his head again, “You go get some food and rest. I gotta make sure Augustus doesn’t completely freak out.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, “I can’t believe this.”

“Believe what?” I asked, now concerned. “What’s going on?”

Stefan sighed, looking around to be sure we were alone. His voice lowered, “It may very well be that Augustus wasn’t just a slave to the emperor.” He cleared his throat, “Go get some food, and go to bed. That’s an order.”