The council room fell silent in the absence of the monarchs and knights. Beneath the banner of each seat was empty. However, King Alan and Queen Elysera were standing face-to-face.

  “What did you mean when you said you knew he’d come around soon, Elysera?” King Alan asked.

  “The moment he revealed himself, I knew it was him. That is Fryvnal’s son—there is no other dragon like her.” Elysera said.

  King Alan sighed.

  “... I had a hunch about that.”

  “I’ll say you did the right thing, given the situation. But, ironically, your father was good friends with her, and now her son is right in your hands.” Elysera said.

  “Yes, it’s… Not what I expected.” He replied.

  “What are your plans for him?” Elysera asked.

  “To keep a close eye on him. I’m having Xena go everywhere with him. Even if she has a mission, Veyric will go with her.” Alan said.

  “You’re afraid of him learning anything about the Wyvernlands, aren’t you?” Elysera asked.

  “... If he finds out even a quarter of what happened in his homeland, we’ll create a monster, which is why the other hybrid must be found as soon as possible.” His brows began to furrow.

  “Before the banquet at my manor tonight, I’ll have Echthron put together a search party and look for the other hybrid.” He added.

  “That’s the best option we can take. Although I must say… Why a banquet now of all times?” Elysera asked.

  “Because I know Dareth can’t resist fine wines and hearty meals. Furthermore, I wanted to ease the tensions. After today, who knows if we’ll ever get to enjoy these things again.” King Alan answered.

  Elysera’s brow slightly raised.

  “Don’t be so heavy on the future. None of us knows what it has in store for us.” She touched his shoulder before walking out of the council room.

  King Alan drew in a long breath and exhaled. Shortly after, the doors to the council room cracked open.

  “Father, Avery’s being a bastard once again!” Princess Alice marched in.

  “What happened now?” King Alan questioned.

  “He was being rude to one of the envoys! He told them that they were lucky that you thought they had a nice ass!” Princess Alice crossed her arms, eyebrows furrowed.

  “Oh, he’s just being… A boy, Alice.” King Alan said.

  “I’m going to slap him right in his stupid face! You can’t talk to a woman like that!” Alice said.

  “Now, now, Alice… Try not to stir up any trouble before the banquet at home tonight.” King Alan said.

  “Ugh! Fine. Wait, we’re having a banquet tonight?... What for?” She asks.

  “Just… Enjoy it, all right? It’s nothing particularly special, I’m just doing something nice for the other kings and queens before they go back to their kingdoms.” Alan explained.

  “Oh, all right…” She left the council room.

  Sundown came faster than anticipated, its blood orange glow smearing across the sky. A flock of birds flew out of the trees with a resonant swishing. More knights than usual patrolled King Alan’s estate. Metallic boots clanked around the perimeter, and armor rustled, while on the inside, servants prepared the banquet. Veyric and Xena walked around, his glance peering towards the inside of the manor briefly.

  “If there’s one thing you’ve taught us, it's to tighten up security around here. If it were that easy for you, then it’d be effortless for someone of more experience.” Xena said

  “Calling me inexperienced?” He asked.

  “Well, to be fair, if not for the rune barrier, you’d have gotten access to the vault. So, you’re only inexperienced in the understanding of runes. Technically, that’s both of us… We’re both inexperienced in that area.” Xena said.

  “You said your family was old-school, right?... What was growing up like for you?” Veyric asked.

  “Think of it like this… Most girls played with dollies while I trained alongside grown men. There wasn’t time for playing, and there wasn’t time for relaxation. Battle and duty have become all I’ve known.” Xena said.

  “... That’s kind of what I was expecting to hear, but I was hoping to hear something a little different. Still, I respect you… You’ve done what most people won't.” Veyric said.

  “I thank you for the praise.” A chuckle escaped Xena.

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  “What was it like for you?” She added.

  “There was an Elven woman. She took care of me, or… Something like that.” Veyric said quietly.

  His eyes unfocused, drifting towards the trees.

  “The memories don’t fit together. I think I tried to make them kinder than they were.” He added.

  “... I just want to forget about her.” His words came out shaky.

  “I see.” Xena’s voice was tender.

  Before they realized, the night settled in. They could hear laughter and music coming from inside the estate.

  “Looks like they’re having lots of fun… It’s a relief to see King Alan smile, even just a little. Why don’t we head inside and get some food?” Xena said to break the silence.

  “All right…” Veyric replied.

  Heading over to the manor’s front entrance, they could see the statue of the knight holding its stone sword, the blue jewel pulsing in the pommel.

  Enne was sitting atop the statue, hood completely off.

  “Going somewhere?”

  Veyric’s eyes shot up, and Xena reached for the handle of her sword. Veyric’s eyes widened upon gazing at Enne. The number of horns he had in comparison to his self was doubled—four horns.

  “Don’t make any rash moves, lady. I’ll burn this entire manor down with everyone in it.” He held his palm out as a purple flame ignited in it.

  Xena grit her teeth, keeping her palm on the handle of her sword.

  “I didn’t come here for you anyway.” Enne put out the flame, then vanished from atop the statue.

  “I’m here for you, Veyric.” He appeared behind them.

  Xena reacted instinctively, grabbing Veyric and pulling him away.

  “You’re not taking him,” Xena stated.

  “Do me a favor and don’t speak when I’m trying to talk to him.” Enne’s eyes flared.

  A knot twisted in Xena’s stomach, moisture forming on her palm.

  “Veyric, you know they’re afraid of us, don’t you?” Enne asked.

  “How do you know my name?” Veyric asked.

  “What’s his name?” Enne snapped repeatedly, his fingertips igniting with purple sparks.

  “Ah, right… King Dareth. If he didn’t have such a loud mouth, I wouldn’t have known.” Enne added.

  “... And yes, of course, they’re afraid. You nearly killed a professor.” Veyric said.

  “You think I’d let myself get captured? No, I had to show him how useless incantations are in the face of an innate gift. You’ve got a lot to learn about yourself, Veyric. That’s why they’re afraid.” Enne said.

  “What do you mean?” Veyric asked.

  “King Alan hasn’t told you, has he?... Even better.” Enne’s smile was venomous.

  “Bet you he’s shitting himself to sleep every night. The truth will always come out—no matter how desperate you are to bury it.” Enne said.

  “We are the truth, Veyric. So, listen to me carefully.” He shifted his attention fully to Veyric.

  “Mercy is what killed your mother, Veyric.” He added.

  Veyric’s hand clenched.

  “And one day, the world will force you to choose between kindness and survival… When you have to make that decision yourself, you’ll understand why she died.” Enne pointed at Veyric.

  “And when that day comes, you’ll come looking for me. Because you and I?... We are what the world made us.” He stepped back, turning away.

  Xena unsheathed her blade and stepped forward.

  “You didn’t think I’d just let you leave, did you?”

  Enne paused, then slowly turned with a smirk on his face.

  “You’ve got no other choice. Ever see bodies spread faster than wildfire?”

  Xena’s grip on her sword was firm as she slowly began to sheathe it, keeping her eyes locked on Enne’s retreating figure. Soon, his hooded appearance became a silhouette, then he vanished into the bushes.

  “Don’t listen to a word he just said, you hear me? He’s toying with you! Damn it, where did all of those meatheads go!” Xena shouted before pacing inside the manor.

  Veyric looked ahead, letting out a shaky sigh.