Veyric stirred, feeling the coldness of the floor, and then his eyes opened to see cell bars. Standing, he heard the sound of chains clinking, and when looking down, he noticed that chains and shackles had been placed around his ankles and wrists. He rushed forward to the cell bars, grabbing them and trying to bend them apart.

  “Wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Xena said.

  Veyric looked over to see her sitting on a crate. He let out a low grumble.

  Runes were triggered in the reinforced steel, glowing before shocking his hands. A hushed growl escaped from Veyric, and he staggered away from the cell bars. The pain in his hand reignited, hitting him tenfold.

  “I warned you,” Xena added.

  “How was I supposed to know that was going to happen?” Veyric replied.

  “So, you blame it on you being naive? Splendid. Now that you’re awake, you’ll have the gift the common man begs for.” Xena stood up, walking away and pulling open the dungeon doors—leaving him in isolation. Veyric’s eye twitched as he turned to the chains attached to the walls. Steam smoked from his non-injured hand, his eyes of gold flickering. Runes embedded in his shackles glowed, and he felt a pulse of nausea erupt inside of him—making him wobble to the wall and sit against it. The dungeon doors creaked wide open, double the number of footsteps approaching his cell. Pulling up the crate right in front of his cell, King Alan sat before him, gaze wide and hands digging into his pants.

  “This is surreal.” King Alan murmured.

  “What’s your name?” He added.

  Veyric stirred and sat up straight.

  “Veyric.” He said.

  “Well, Veyric, my knight here tells me that you’re a dragon hybrid.” King Alan said.

  “You can see my horns, can’t you?” Veyric said.

  “It matters not when many people of unique ancestry walk amongst us. I need to hear it from you to believe it. Are. You. A. Dragon?” King Alan restates.

  “Yes,” Veyric answered.

  “Hm, I see…” King Alan’s fists clenched.

  “How did you gather the intellect to find this place? Are you working with someone underneath my roof?” King Alan asks.

  Xena scoffed in the back.

  “No, I’m not working with anyone in Leviara. I looked around, asked questions, and heard some things.” Veyric replied.

  “That can’t be. You know Ryul Torkas in some kind of way—otherwise, you wouldn’t be carrying his books.” Xena demonstrated the two books Veyric found.

  “What? I’ve never met him or heard much about who he was. All I heard was that he might have what I’m looking for. Then, I checked for his lodge and found his journals.” Veyric said.

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  “So, you just blindly walked into the silent stretch?” Xena scoffed.

  “Brave, stupid, or poorly informed, which one are you?” She put a hand under her chin.

  “Poorly informed, I guess?” Veyric replied.

  Veyric’s reply forced out a minor chuckle from Xena. King Alan’s gaze couldn’t leave Veyric, his hands clenching and unclenching in his lap.

  “What exactly are you looking for in all of this, a thrill?” King Alan questioned.

  “For the thrill? You think I’m breaking into a king’s manor for entertainment?” Veyric’s voice slightly rose.

  Alan’s eyebrows furrowed, scrutinizing Veyric.

  “I wanted to go back to the Wyvernlands, it’s my home, isn't it?! Every person I ask looks at me like I’ve lost my mind! I want to go back where I belong. Is that too much to ask?” Veyric’s jaw tightened.

  King Alan looked off to the side, scratching his head, and Xena’s gaze fell on him. He stood up from the crate, exhaling sharply and then looking at Xena.

  “Let’s go.” King Alan walked towards the exit of the dungeon, Xena following behind him. Once exiting the dungeon, they paced up a stairwell in silence, the sound of Xena’s armor softly tinkling.

  “You’re not going to tell him?” Xena asked.

  “I do not have the strength to deal with him right now. I’m hoping that in the morning, I’ll have an answer for him—but for now, he’ll stay there. Besides, he trespassed on royal property—some kind of punishment is due.” King Alan Said.

  “He could be a useful asset, don’t you think?” Xena asked.

  “No, by any means, we’re not using him for anything. The history between dragons and Augus is… Disastrous.” Alan explained.

  “So, he can’t be the one who kidnapped the envoy, we know that now. The assassin used a katana, correct?... There’s only one family I can think of at this point, and I know you don’t like the sound of that, your majesty.” She said.

  “It cannot be helped at this point—we need to find the envoy,” Alan said.

  Reaching the top of the stairs, they continued down the grand halls. Xena escorted King Alan to his chambers.

  “All right, till tomorrow, Xena.” King Alan said.

  “I do hope you can find rest in all of this, your majesty,” Xena replied.

  “Thank you for the concern, you’re dismissed.” King Alan entered his chambers, and Xena continued to patrol.