Warding Song

Patrick hit the bulkhead and slumped to the ground. Eleyna tried to reach him, only to be dragged away by George. “You’re under arrest,” he told her as she struggled desperately, “for the murder of my friend. You’re going to hang!”

She twisted desperately, reaching out. “Help me! Acora, please! Help me!” Eleyna screamed to no avail. The dragon spread his wings and flew off, leaving the ship behind. Leaving her behind. George hauled her away, over the deck, over the ground, she didn’t know which. “I didn’t kill him! I didn’t mean to!”

George ignored her. “You killed him. You killed him! You killed all of them!”

Who else … ? She saw where he was taking her and struggled harder. He dragged her closer to the gallows, three bodies already strung up. It seemed to take forever to get close, and yet she could see them all with perfect clarity. Marcus, Patrick … and Aunt Cat. All the people she had gotten killed.

“Please! I’m sorry!” she begged their cold, unfeeling forms. “I didn’t mean to!”

He dragged her up the steps. Her hands had been manacled; she didn’t know when. The noose came around her neck, and the floor beneath her opened.

“AAAH!!” Eleyna sat bolt upright, shaking. There was no light. For a terrible second she believed herself to still be in that cell, awaiting her execution. Acora put his head under his wing and crooned. When he shifted the scaly membrane, there was enough pre-dawn light for her to see around properly.

Dew-damp grass lay beneath her hands. Birds sang in the dawn chorus, and she felt her racing heartbeat thudding in her chest. Acora was lying next to her, purring to comfort her. Eleyna still trembled. She was … safe. Free. Alive.

“I … I’m okay. I’m fine,” she told Acora. Eleyna didn’t expect him to understand. Still, it was nice that he cared. “I’m glad you’re here,” she murmured.

Acora blinked slowly at her, and rose to his paws. He shook himself; loose scales rained down. Eleyna stretched; she ached from lying on the ground. She pushed the nightmare aside and focused on more important things. Namely, food. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and she was starving.

There’s gotta be a farm around here I can swipe breakfast from. She was already wanted for mur … manslaughter, stealing food wouldn’t make much difference. Before searching for a farm, she gathered up Acora’s scales in her rucksack.

Then she followed the river that ran from the lake. Acora followed her, but when a dwelling came into view, he blocked her path. Eleyna stumbled to a halt and went around him. He moved in the way again. “What are you doing?”

Acora snarled at the farmhouse and crouched so Eleyna could climb onto his shoulders. Perhaps he saw something she couldn’t – but they were at the top of the valley, and there was no sign of hunters or Imperials near the farm.

“No one’s there. Look, I won’t be long, okay? I promise.” Her stomach gurgled. “I’m hungry, Acora. I need food.” She pointed at the farm and her stomach. She didn’t have much time; the farmer would get up any minute now.

Eleyna hesitated. Why take the risk? Why risk being caught, or seen? That would make them easier to follow. She was hungry, but if she’d waited this long she could last a while more. Besides, Acora was frightened, and Eleyna couldn’t blame him, after what happened last time she walked away from him.

“Alright,” she sighed, “you win. We’ll get breakfast elsewhere.” She hoisted herself onto his neck. After one more glance at the farm, he took to the air.

George knew his way around the deck of a ship. It was a little disconcerting to be merely a passenger. All of the crew had their own roles, and there were no leisurely pursuits to speak of, which left him at a rather loose end.

An Imperial frigate sailed alongside the brig, like an escort. He supposed it was there to ward off pirates; which made him think of the girl, and then of Patrick, and soured his mood all over again. The lack of distraction didn’t help.

The captain invited George to accompany him at the wheel. “So this person you’re looking for,” Pedro remarked. “Who are they, anyway?” At first, George didn’t reply. “I’m just curious, you see. Apologies.”

“No, it’s just not something I want to spread around. If you must know, the person I’m searching for … owes me money.” He didn’t want to go into details about his true mission, but a debt was something anyone could understand.

Sure enough, Pedro nodded in sympathy. “Ah, that old tale, eh? How much?”

He thought about the original bounty, and replied, “Two hundred oros.”

“Quite a lot, that. But if he owes you money, he owes you money,” Pedro shrugged. “Even if you have oros already. Where did you get that gold from?”

“My purse, of course,” George said mildly. Pedro wasn’t impressed. “Oh, alright. Truth be told, I’ve earned a lot of oros. I’m a retired dragon hunter.”

“Sounds too risky for my liking. But I s’pose high risk means high reward.”

George nodded. “As you know, it’s a long way to Madines. If you’d like I could regale you with tales of my exploits; not that I mean to brag,” he added hastily.

“Oh no, by all means go ahead! This is more interesting than my usual day.”

“If you insist. I worked under Captain Lambton, on the barquentine Ascalon. It’s the same ship anchored outside the harbour back at San Nicolas, actually.”

“Ah, that’s a mighty fine ship and no mistake!” Pedro complimented. “Oh, speaking of dragons, did you hear one attacked the fort last night?” he asked. “I s’pose you must have. The whole town will be talking about it for years!”

“We were called in to deal with the dragon, but by the time we got there it had already fled. It’s proven to be a very skittish beast.”

“Did you ever figure out why it attacked the fort in the first place?”

George shrugged. “Dragons are unpredictable. That’s what makes them so dangerous. It’s not just the claws and teeth and fire, it’s that you don’t know what’s going on in their scaly heads, and they have vicious tempers.”

“Oh, I believe it,” agreed Pedro. “So tell me more about this huntin’ business.”

“Certainly, but if you’ll indulge me – that frigate is an escort, I presume?”

“We got a contract after we lost our former captain to a raid by the Tenebra’s crew. Last I heard, it sank and they got hanged. Good riddance, I say.”

Trill felt relieved when she reached the island. Her wings were still not strong enough. She felt Click-Grunt tug on that vine and looked over her shoulder. He pointed down at a cliff, as if he wanted her to land there. Trill growled uneasily; it was too close to the nest of wingless ones for her liking.

Still, her wings were aching. Trill swooped down well out of sight of the nest. Click-Grunt climbed down and she stretched, keeping an eye on him.

Click-Grunt pointed at her, then at the ground. He pointed at himself, and then towards the wingless ones’ nest. Trill didn’t understand, at least until he began to walk away from her. He wanted to leave and for her to stay! Didn’t he remember what had happened to him the last time he went off by himself?

She curled her tail around so he couldn’t get past. Click-Grunt chattered and stroked her, gesturing that she ought to stay and he would go. Trill hesitated. He had gone before, and came back again … this time should be no different, surely. Besides, she trusted Click-Grunt; just not other wingless ones. He’ll come back, she told herself, reluctantly uncurling her tail to let him pass.

Click-Grunt patted her snout and set off towards the nest. Trill’s tail flicked back and forth, her wings rustled. Maybe she should keep an eye on him … from a distance. Just to be safe. Trill looked around for somewhere high to perch on, but all she could see nearby were those tall plants. So instead she decided to land on the mountain. Perhaps she would feel safer up there.

Eleyna felt bad for leaving Acora behind, but she didn’t have any choice. She couldn’t blame him for being clingy. I’ll be quick and get back to him before he worries too much, she decided. I just hope he doesn’t get spooked and fly off again. Now let’s see … I’ll need to get food, a water bottle, and hopefully a map.

Upon reaching the outskirts, Eleyna walked casually into town. There were no Imperials here for her to worry about, and if she acted like she belonged there, she wouldn’t draw any suspicion. She kept an eye out nonetheless. Puerto Escondido wasn’t a place where a young woman could wander around by herself.

She made her way through the narrow, reeking streets. The sun didn’t help; under its glare the stench of sweat was magnified tenfold. Eleyna stepped over a man’s body, slumped on the ground outside a tavern where two men were smoking; one of them flicked ash off his cigar and called out to her. “Oi, lass! What’s a pretty lil’ thing like you doin’ alone in a place like this?”

She ignored him. There was a market near the docks; it had been a while, but Eleyna remembered the way, more or less. The man hadn’t finished. “It’s rude not to answer,” he tutted, catching up with her. “How about I walk you back to the nice part of town, eh?” He slung his bare arm around her shoulders.

“I can get there myself, thanks,” she answered coolly, elbowing him hard in the ribs. He grunted and jerked his arm away as his friend sniggered mockingly.

“Oh, so that’s why you came outta the brothel with a black eye the other day!”

“Shut it, you!” he glared, forgetting about Eleyna. “Go choke on a cigar, idiot.”

“I might be an idiot but at least I didn’t get beat on by a girl!” the other laughed.

“I’m gonna teach that brat a lesson … where’d she go?” he demanded. Eleyna wasted no time in getting away from the two men – who were both idiots – and losing herself in the crowd. She was too unfamiliar with Escondido to risk a shortcut. “Ugh. What a creep,” Eleyna muttered. “And a moron.”

At last she found the market, a crowded square filled with people bartering. The townsfolk were trading stuff they’d … procured elsewhere. It was ironic; Eleyna was likely one of the few people who had something to trade that wasn’t already stolen. She just hoped dragon scales would be accepted.

First, she needed food. A nearby stall was selling boucan; not her favourite, but it would last a long time. Eleyna went over to the seller and swung her rucksack off her shoulders, then pulled out a single greyish black scale. “I’ll trade you this for as many strips of boucan as I can get,” she told him.

He scratched his vest and spat into a mug. “What’s that s’posed to be?”

“A dragon scale, from a Fire Agate. I don’t have many,” Eleyna lied, “so do we have a deal, or what?” A thick-fingered hand plucked the scale from her. “You could’ve just asked. They’re the real thing. Got “em from an alchemist.”

The boucan seller tried to bend the scale, or snap it, but nothing happened. “It’s real enough,” he admitted, “but what am I gonna do with dried skin?”

“Sell it?” she quipped. “You know,‘cause … never mind. I’m kind of in a hurry. So are you gonna trade or not? Tell you what, I’ll throw in another.” Eleyna took out a second scale and dropped it onto the wooden surface. This was why she preferred to steal stuff; haggling for it seemed like a waste of time.

“I know they don’t look like much but the scales aren’t worthless. Dragons ain’t exactly common, are they? But I suppose I can go trade for some boucan somewhere else, if you’re not interested. Oh, and I’ll have that back.” Eleyna tried to grab the scale from him again, but he pulled it out of reach. Gotcha.

“Now, now, let’s not be hasty. I’ll give ya three strips per scale, sound good?”

She raised an eyebrow. “No? Well, how about five strips? Ten altogether.”

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Sorry to waste your time, I’ll take the scales – ”

“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth, “seven strips and that’s my final offer.”

Though tempted to haggle more, Eleyna took the deal, because her stomach felt like it was being clawed from the inside out. Chewing on boucan as she went, Eleyna moved from stall to stall, trading a few scales each time. She bought more boucan from different vendors, a water bottle, and dried apricots.

She found a weapons stall and moved out of the way of the crowd. It had been so long since she held a sword, and suddenly Eleyna itched to wield one … but she hesitated. If Acora sees me with a blade like that, he’ll spook.

She could convince him there was nothing to be afraid of; and besides, she needed something to defend herself with. Eleyna had plenty of scales left, she could trade some for a sword. One in particular tempted her; the hand-guard was decorated with tiny sapphires, reminding her of her own eye colour.

It would also stand out like a sore thumb, and she needed to lie low. She sighed; maybe one day. It’s probably for the best. Acora might try to eat the crystals.

She settled for the plainer one next to it. Mind made up, Eleyna marched over to the seller, pointed at the weapon and declared, “I want to buy that cutlass.”

He looked her up and down. “What would you want with one?”

“That’s for me to know. I’ll also need a belt and sheath to go with it.”

Picking up the blade, he examined it closely. “Nice sword, this. Be worth ten oros at least. You got ten oros in that shabby rucksack of yours, girlie?”

“Hang on, let me check.” She rummaged around and picked out one, two, three … ten scales, dropping both handfuls onto the counter. The pirate stared at them, and at her. Eleyna smirked. “In fact, I think this is worth more than ten oros, so yeah, I’ll have a sheath to go with the cutlass, thanks.”

His eyes narrowed, and he picked up the nearest scale. Once satisfied it was real, he counted the scales into a pouch and turned to get the cutlass.

The back of her neck prickled. She glanced over her shoulder. “Here’s your sword,” the man prompted. Eleyna took the sheathed blade and fastened it around her waist. “Pleasure doing business with you, miss,” he smirked at her.

“Likewise,” she answered. It was time she returned to Acora; the last thing Eleyna wanted was for him to think she’d gone missing and come after her. Still, maybe she’d just take a walk up to the grove … for old times’ sake.

What’s taking him so long? Trill wondered. She’d lost sight of Click-Grunt when he entered the nest of wingless ones, and kept an eye out for him. When he was far enough away from the nest, she’d fly down to meet him. Meanwhile, she also kept a close eye out for the large floating-nest.

I have to warn Click-Grunt if I see it, she told herself. Trill had abandoned a friend twice – if she did so a third time, she’d name herself Coward. It was hard though. The thought of going near a nest of wingless ones when they could all see her made her feel sick, and not just because its odour was rank.

“Hurry up,” she urged Click-Grunt, despite him being too far away. She had to spot him first, or he’d get to where they’d landed and think she’d abandoned him again. Trill didn’t want that, even less than she wanted to go near the wingless ones. Her claws made furrows in the ground as she kneaded them.

What if he’s been caught again? Trill fretted. What if he’s hurt? Anything could have happened, and how would she know? Finally she couldn’t take it. She had to see if Click-Grunt was okay. “I won’t go into the nest. Just … near it. I’ll roar as loud as I can, and when Click-Grunt hears me he’ll come running.”

Unless he couldn’t; she tried not to think about that. It was hard enough to bring herself to go. Trill could all but hear Chirr-See scolding her … but this was different. She was going to help a friend … and if she had done it once, she could do it again. Trill drew in a deep breath, and spread her wings.

The Doncella approached Madines. “Welcome to Puerto Escondido!” Pedro announced cheerfully. “The armpit of the archipelago. You’d think with all the valuable goods they get ahold of, they’d clean the place up a bit, wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah,” George agreed vaguely. His attention was on the mountainside, spyglass pressed to his eye. The dragon could be on the other side of the island, if it was here at all … movement caught his eye. George moved the spyglass, and sure enough, the dragon lurked beside an outcropping. How predictable. As far as he could tell, the girl wasn’t with the beast.

Its gaze was fixed on the town, so she was likely somewhere in Escondido. He had to resist the urge to smile. There was quite a crowd on the docks, he noticed, waving at the Doncella Del Mar as she sailed into the bay. “I see your arrival is quite an event,” George remarked to Captain Pedro.

“Ah, it’s not us they give a damn about, it’s the cargo. We come in and unload, then our buyers take the goods and barter them away in this market where everyone trades whatever ill-gained goodies they’ve gotten their hands on.”

The girl had escaped from San Nicolas with little but the clothes on her back; she was bound to come to this market. The Doncella docked, and he bid farewell to Pedro. “I’d rather find who I’m looking for sooner than later.”

The market was well underway. George squeezed through the crowd, looking for any sign of the girl. All sorts of people were about; men and women, adults and grubby children, colonists and natives. It was no good; he’d lose her too easily in this shifting mass. Instead he went towards the food vendors.

George asked each vendor in turn if they’d seen “a girl with black hair and blue eyes, wearing a cream shirt and tan shorts.” The vendors selling fresh produce shook their heads, but when he got to the stalls with preserved food, George started making some progress. He was pointed toward a boucan stall.

“She came here,” the vendor nodded. “Sold her some strips. You know what she traded for “em?” He checked no one was listening, and beckoned George closer. “A couple of dragon scales. Dunno how she got her hands on “em.”

“Which way did she go?” George asked; he had the trail, he couldn’t lose it.

The other man pointed towards the other stalls. “Into the market, I guess. Why’re you looking for her?” he asked. “Is she your daughter or something?”

George nearly laughed. “No, she’s a runaway,” he answered, “and I’m trying to catch her. Thanks for your help.” He set off. By asking vendors if anyone had been trading scales, he drew closer to his quarry. At last he saw her.

She’d already procured a rucksack … wait, that was her rucksack. She must have retrieved it somehow. When he found her, she was trading for a cutlass. Does she even know how to use such a weapon, or is it just for showing off? he wondered. The girl must’ve felt his gaze on her, because she looked over her shoulder – but he had already moved, used to dodging out of sight.

After buying the cutlass, she moved away from the stall in one direction … only to pause, turn and walk the other way. George went after her, following far enough behind not to draw attention. As she went beyond the borders of the town, he sent a prayer of thanks to the King for these fortuitous events.

Eleyna walked to the grove. She hadn’t been this way since Captain Fernando had led her there to teach her to wield a sword. Her new cutlass hung at her waist. Having it made her feel safer. Nearly as safe as being around Acora …

She didn’t want to worry him, but Eleyna had no idea when she’d get a chance to visit the grove again. It wasn’t as if she could go to precisely where the Tenebra’s crew were executed … and now her aunt. I’ll never see any of them again. I can’t even visit their graves. They might not even have graves.

Eleyna could still see Cat’s body limp in the noose in her mind’s eye, and shuddered, but no tears fell from her real eyes. She just felt shaken, numb.

She could’ve rescued Cat, if she hadn’t been obsessed with treasure she wasn’t even sure existed! She pushed the doubts away. It had to be real. It was all she had left. Her home, the crew, the ship, her locket, her friends, her aunt – the only family she’d had – all were lost, so the treasure could be found.

She reached the grove, put down her rucksack and drew her cutlass, going through the moves she remembered. Parry, block, feint, thrust … she swished and jabbed the sword through the air, getting used to its weight. Eleyna felt hairs on her neck stand up. She spun around, holding the cutlass defensively. Another blade clashed down upon it, jarring her bones, and she gasped.

Her attacker – George?! – made another strike. Eleyna blocked it and stumbled backwards. “You followed me?!” she demanded, breathless. He didn’t reply, but his gaze hardened as he struck at her again. She parried the blow, and didn’t speak. George had her on the defensive and both of them knew it.

She tried to dodge past, but he blocked her every time. I should’ve gone back to Acora. I can’t even call him from this side of town, he won’t hear … or will he? She yelled at the top of her lungs. “Acora! Acora, help – agh!” Eleyna cried out, tasting blood as George jabbed the pommel of his cutlass against her mouth.

Her grip loosened, and with one hard blow he knocked her cutlass to the ground. Eleyna’s back hit a tree. Before she could move, George’s hand flattened against her neck, pinning her there. She clawed at his fingers and tried to kick him as he drew his sword back to plunge it into her chest …

Behind them, people screamed. George hesitated, looking over his shoulder. Then came a familiar roar, and Eleyna looked up, over George’s head, to see Acora hovering above Escondido. He was circling, roaring – calling to her?

George tore his gaze from the dragon. “Wait!” she gasped. “If he sees me dead, he’sgonna take it out on the town. On you. Is that what you want?”

He didn’t care if the dragon killed him – he’d relish a chance to kill it. But if it was so attached to the girl, enough to lash out and destroy the town if it found her body … George grit his teeth. He vowed to avenge Patrick, but risking hundreds of lives, even riff-raff like this? No – that hadn’t been part of the plan.

With a scowl, he threw Eleyna to the ground and glared down at her. Then he spat in her direction before striding past her, past the grove, and out of sight.

Trembling, she struggled to her feet and sheathed her cutlass. A shadow fell over her as she picked up the rucksack. Acora landed nearby; she ran over, and buried her face against his scales. “You … you came looking for me?”

He crooned and nuzzled her. “Thanks,” Eleyna whispered. “If you hadn’t come … ” she shivered. “Let’s go. I don’t wanna be here anymore.” There was an island Eleyna remembered the way to – one the Tenebra had rowed to after a storm. They’d go there so Acora could rest and she could get her bearings.

She pointed him south. He spread his wings and leapt, flying out to sea. Too late, Eleyna remembered George – had he seen which way they’d gone? Well, if he had, they’d just have to stay one step ahead of him.

George saw the shadow pass over him, and made a note of which way the dragon had fled. Then he jogged back to town. All that anyone around him could talk about was the dragon. “Did you see the size of it?”

“I thought it would burn us all!”

He blocked out the chatter and returned to the market, purchasing food and water from vendors who refused to abandon their wares. “D’you reckon that’s where the girl got those scales from?” asked one seller. “From the dragon?”

“Don’t be stupid,” someone else retorted. “It’d eat her as soon as look at her!”

George left them to argue. At the docks he ran into Pedro again – or rather, Pedro ran into him, literally. “Oh, so sorry – George?” The captain was relieved to see him. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! Did you see the dragon?” he asked, before considering, “I mean I don’t see how you couldn’t … ”

“I saw it. Don’t worry, the dragon is gone.” He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “Do you know anyone who’d be willing to sell me their dinghy?”

“I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head,” Pedro admitted, “but you’re welcome to sail back to San Nicolas on the Doncella. Free of charge, this time – besides a few more tales of dragon hunting.”

George inclined his head. “That’s kind, but there are things I need to do.”

“Fair enough. I’m sure someone will sell a boat for a few extra oros,” Pedro commented. “Oh! That reminds me, did you find who you needed to?”

He hesitated. “Yes.” Now wasn’t the time to get into details. “It was good to meet you,” said George, holding a hand out. “With luck, we’ll meet again.”

“I’ll buy you a drink next time,” Pedro grinned, shaking his hand. They parted ways, and George set off to find a dinghy. Normally time would be of the essence in order to not lose the dragon’s trail, but George was not in a rush. The beast was a runt, and better still, the foolish girl had made a trail for him. It couldn’t be easier to track them if she’d dropped scales like crumbs.

Wherever they were going, it was too far for Trill to reach in a single flight. She landed on a sea stack to rest. Click-Grunt slid down off her shoulders to stretch his legs. Trill was worried about him. She could smell the wingless one that had hunted them before on his hide.

It wasn’t long before they set off again. At last, an island appeared on the horizon. Click-Grunt chattered eagerly; Trill breathed a sigh of relief. Once they were closer she landed on the shore. Click-Grunt climbed down, and set off along the beach. Trill padded after him.

Further along, they glimpsed a nest of wingless ones. Trill shied away and spread her wings, but then stopped herself. She crouched to let Click-Grunt climb back on, but instead he shooed her away from the wingless ones.

“I wasn’t going near them,” she think-spoke, but moved regardless. Once they were out of sight, Click-Grunt gestured for her to stay. Then he started edging backwards. Trill curled her tail to block his path. “You can’t go,” she protested, though he didn’t understand. “We just got away from wingless ones!”

Click-Grunt insisted you stay, I go. Trill hissed. She disliked this island; there wasn’t even a mountain for her to perch and keep watch from. Trill didn’t know these waters, however, or where another island – one without any wingless ones – could be found. She’d flown far today, and her wings were tired.

Trill made her decision. She’d wait for Click-Grunt, but if he didn’t come back by sunset, she’d go looking for him. Reluctantly, she pulled her tail out of the way and lay down on the beach. Click-Grunt crooned at her and stroked her snout gratefully, before heading off towards the nest of wingless ones again.

So far so good. Eleyna made her way towards the village. Hopefully she’d get what she needed and return to Acora before he came looking for her.

Two men levelled spears at her as she approached. “I come in peace!” she told them, hoping they understood. They didn’t lower their spears, but nor did they attack. One of them spoke in native Dejerese; she shrugged helplessly. He tried again in her tongue. “Who are you?” he demanded “What do you want?”

“To trade for food,” she replied. “And rest on your island. I am a traveller.”

The men lowered their spears and marched her towards the village. It was full of wooden houses with thatched roofs; very much unlike the brick and tile dwellings Eleyna was familiar with, and far more flammable. At least they don’t know about Acora. In the Rogue’s name, Acora, please stay hidden.

Everyone stared at Eleyna. Mothers pulled small children behind their skirts; older teens stopped their chatter and glared as she walked by. Eleyna curled her fingers around the straps of her rucksack, feeling very exposed.

Was it because she wasn’t a native? Eleyna stuck out like a sore thumb; but the sheer anger in their gazes meant this was something else. Then she noticed the repairs on the houses; all the baskets and urns that were lying empty, or even smashed. Recently, the village had been attacked.

The culprit was obvious. Pirates. Fernando’s crew had raided these people – she’d seen the loot they came back with and ignored it, more interested in a bloody peach! The men frog-marching her came to a halt. A tall man stepped forwards; he wore garlands of beads and shells, as well as a crown.

One warrior spoke. He towered over Eleyna and demanded, “What is your name?”

“Catherine,” she replied. Hope you don’t mind, Aunt Cat.

“I am Chief Haulani. This is Alala’nes. Why are you here, and are you alone?”

“It’s just me here, sir,” Eleyna lied. “I’m on a journey, a quest, if you will. I’ve been to this island before, so I came looking for supplies, and directions.”

His brow furrowed suspiciously. “We have never seen you here before.”

Uh oh. “Um, well, I haven’t been on this island before,” she admitted, “but I was on board a ship that came here last year. There was a storm, and the yardarm was broken, so they needed some wood to repair it with.”

“We remember,” the chief declared. “It is always the same. Pirates raid our village. They take our food, our gold, sometimes our women. Did you think they paid?” he asked harshly. “Did you even know what they were?”

Eleyna flinched. She’d known the whole time, but she’d ignored it. “Y-you don’t understand; they kidnapped me too,” she lied. “I was their prisoner. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I swear, I wasn’t involved with that raid!” It was true; Eleyna just didn’t want to admit that she hadn’t protested the raid either.

To her relief, the chief’s gaze softened. “You are here for directions then?”

“I need to get to … Entedines. I know it’s nearby, I just don’t remember where.”

“You must be ill of mind or weak of tongue if you seek that isle.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I’m looking for someone, and last I heard, they went there once. I hope to find clues about what happened to them.”

“That isle is forbidden for a reason; none ever return. However, if you wish to get yourself killed, we will not stop you,” he told her. She got the feeling they’d be unconcerned if she went and got killed. Which didn’t bother her; Eleyna was getting used to being disliked. “I can handle it,” she insisted. “I just need to know where to go.” Her stomach rumbled. “Um, and trade for supplies.”

“What can you offer?”

Eleyna shrugged off her rucksack. “I have these,” she replied, pulling out a few scales. “They’re from a dragon, and they’re really, really valuable.”

She held them out; the chief’s eyes widened. “How did you get these?”

“I traded for them. With some crystals,” she added, just to be safe.

The chief raised an eyebrow, but to Eleyna’s relief he didn’t question her about it any more. “We do not have a lot to spare, after the raid,” he pointed out.

“I just need enough to get me to the next island,” she promised. He spoke to one of the warriors who’d escorted her, who beckoned for Eleyna to follow.

Now she’d seen the aftermath of a raid, Eleyna didn’t want to take more than necessary. Besides, she needed fresh water more than food, and there was still plenty of that. Eleyna traded the rest of the scales for several flasks of water, as well as more dried fruit. She was offered peaches, but declined, even though they were mouth-wateringly tempting. It just didn’t feel right.

The chief found Eleyna and informed her, “I have changed my mind about giving you directions. I do not wish to be responsible for your death.”

Eleyna felt a bit insulted. She wasn’t a warrior, but she wasn’t helpless either. “You don’t need to worry about me, Chief,” she replied. “I can handle it.”

“I have been chief for thirty years. I can tell you cannot.”

Before she could protest, a shadow fell over them. There was a fearful shout. Acora circled overhead, not nearly high enough to avoid being noticed. He was looking for her, no doubt. “For goodness’ sake, I told him to stay put!”

Eleyna ran for the outskirts; she had to prove she was safe and keep Acora calm before he set the place on fire. Not that she thought he’d do so on purpose, but if he panicked and lashed out these dwellings would catch easily. The villagers were too busy staring up at the dragon to grab her; a few of the warriors tried, but she dodged them with the ease of long practice.

She made it out of the village. Acora was relieved to see her, judging by his crooning and nuzzling. “I’m fine, alright? Look, I’m fine. You were meant to stay put, not follow me. Bad dragon,” she scolded. Acora whined. “Oh, hush.”

She realised how quiet it was. Eleyna turned to face the villagers. “It’s okay!” she assured them. “He won’t hurt you. He’s just really scared of humans.”

The chief reassured his people. They relaxed, lowering their spears and guards alike. “You are more than you have let on. It takes a powerful spirit to bend a dragon’s will to your own. An honoured accomplishment.”

“Uh … ” Eleyna felt very awkward. She didn’t bend Acora to her will; he listened because he … liked her, she supposed. “You guys aren’t scared of dragons?”

“Strength is feared and respected,” replied Haulani. “Two sides of a coin.”

She could hardly believe her luck. “That’s nice.” As soon as she uttered the words, Eleyna wished she hadn’t. That’s nice? Is that the best I could do?

Haulani laughed softly. “I am very interested in hearing your story, as are my people. It is an honour to invite you and your dragon to join us for dinner.”

Eleyna would be a fool to pass on dinner; she’d barely eaten anything all day. “The honour is mine, chief Haulani,” she answered, bowing. “If you don’t mind, could I eat with Acora? If he can see I’m okay, he won’t be so anxious.”

Haulani agreed, and told his people to prepare a feast, whilst she returned to Acora’s side and tried to explain what was going on. As she waited, Eleyna found herself lost in thought. Deep down, she’d always known the crew of the Tenebra were not good people, but they’d been tolerant of her, more or less.

It was hard to ignore their cruelty now she’d met the tribe they had raided. These people didn’t deserve to be attacked; but last time, Eleyna turned a blind eye. When she found the treasure, perhaps she could right that wrong.