With Kathy’s help, the duo dragged the bodies out through the window. They tumbled off the inn with a series of thuds, eventually stilling to silence on the ground. The room wasn’t clean by any means. Stains of red smeared the walls and the beds were unkempt, while broken planks of wood spiked the floor. A thick scent hung in the air ominously. The scent of freshly spilled blood. It wasn’t liveable, but they could at least survive the night.

  Kathy lingered, wanting to continue their conversation. Yet with a silent shake of Enyah’s head, she let out a sad, lonely nod and slipped away. Now only Enyah and Rinne remained. It’d be best for them to rest early and be prepared for tomorrow’s journey.

  “It’s safe to come out.” Enyah called after giving the room a quick sweep. Her tone became softer and gentler, ready to placate the boy.

  The bathroom door opened slowly, revealing Rinne, who hesitantly peeked his head out from behind. His gaze darted around the room, eyes widened and full of manic wariness, as if danger was encroaching upon him at every moment.

  “Are they gone? Is she gone?” His small voice trembled like a rabbit, his hands tightly gripping the door in desperation.

  “They’re gone. It’s just us.” Enyah assured him, her voice even, despite the weariness creeping in. Every muscle in her body ached and exhaustion was settling in. The state of the inn only served to remind her of her exhaustion. The inn’s bed never felt so inviting, calling for her to embrace a long and deep sleep.

  Rinne crept out of the bathroom reluctantly, heaving a small sigh of relief. Though he still remained cautious, eying the door to the room, as if it would be invaded at any moment. Enyah nodded approvingly. While living in constant fear wasn’t healthy, especially for such a young boy, a healthy dose of caution would do him well, especially someone in his noble position.

  The child’s gaze turned towards the gaping hole in the wall, previously hidden behind the bathroom door. His eyes widened, almost in disbelief, at how the hole suddenly appeared.

  “What is..?!” Rinne stared warily at the hole, his worry relighting yet again. The open hole was an invitation, but Enyah wasn’t too worried. With those few working here, there should be at least a few hours of reprieve.

  “It’s nothing.” Enyah responded sharply. More sharply than intended. Her exhaustion was getting to her, but her sense of duty required Rinne to at least be in his bed before she could rest easy. She spoke gentler, fixing her tone. “Sleep. We’ll leave tomorrow.”

  Rinne hesitated, staring at the wall for a few moments, but he eventually shuffled into the bed. He rapidly wrapped himself tightly with the warm blanket, as if the cocoon of covers would protect him from the dangers outside.

  Enyah watched him closely, making sure his eyes closed and breathing slowed. Whether he was attempting to sleep, faking, or truly asleep, Enyah wasn’t sure. But the rise and fall of his chest was enough to convince her.

  Satisfied, she collapsed onto her bed, beset by the comfort she sorely missed. The moment she found her position and rested her head on the pillow, the world slipped into blackness.

  Enyah hated sleeping.

  If she needed to, she could handle the aches and exhaustion that came with sleeplessness. Yet the dreams. The dreams would come at her weakest, recounting the worst horrors in her life in a constant spiral.

  She only ever saw her loved ones, dead and drowning the ground in their blood. Loved ones she failed to protect. Their eyes pierced into hers, blaming her for their deaths. Blaming her for every mistake. The nights where she saw nothing were her favorites. Sleep, then wake up a moment later re-energized and ready to work. No guilt. No suffering. It was peaceful.

  So she was understandably shocked when the scene she entered wasn’t a nightmare, barraging her with her innermost fears, but rather a gentle, fond memory.

  The scene unfolded vividly, as if she were actually there and not simply recounting the past.

  A much younger Enyah sat in a plush chair, kicking the air impatiently. She was staring at the front door with expectant eyes, her little fists shaking in excitement. She knew who was coming home. Who would appear at any moment.

  The door swung open, accompanied by cheerful chatter and boisterous laughter.

  “We're home!” The lead figure’s voice rang out, his voice cheerful and warm while sporting a massive grin on his face.

  Drantei.

  The older Enyah sat on the side, a quiet spectator to a long past event. She knew he would come, but it didn’t stop her breath from hitching and her eyes from watering. Her eyes locked into him, desperately capturing every moment of his living self. His confident demeanor, his poorly trimmed beard. The long mane of hair that flowed around his face. Even the way his eyes curled when he smiled. She made sure to note every detail, desperate to make sure they'd never fade away.

  “Drantei!” The young Enyah squealed, popping off her chair and charging towards him with glee.

  His eyes curled gently upon seeing the girl, softening as he bent down, widening his arms to catch her. “There's my girl!” He said warmly, lifting her casually and perching her on his wide shoulders. “Miss me?”

  “Of course!” Enyah chirped, holding onto his head while he carried her inside.

  “We got quite the haul.” He said with pride, walking to Enyah’s chair and plopping down. Grabbing hold of Enyah, he softly placed her onto his lap.

  “Are we filthy rich?” The young Enyah asked, tapping a small finger to her chin.

  “Yes ma’am, we’re filthy rich!” Another member of their group, Gaius, chimed in as he entered the building. In his arms was a massive chest that he lugged inside. His face was flushed with sweat, but his grin was as wide as Drantei’s.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “This little beastie’s worth a fortune!” He announced, dropping the chest onto the table in front of them with a loud thunk.

  With a sense of drama and exaggerated flair, Gaius opened the lid slowly, drawing out the secrets that hid within. Little by little the contents were revealed to the younger Enyah, who giggled at the spectacle, but it didn’t hide the wide, sparkling eyes that stared through the cracks, hoping to see the secrets within.

  Nestling within the chest, cushioned by soft padding and pillows, was a massive egg. It gleamed sharply within the light, jagged and green, with moss-like stripes running along its surface. The size of it, half the size of a human being, only served to entrance her. Such an alien egg, one the likes she’d never seen before lay before her.

  “Wooooah!” Young Enyah gasped, standing on Drantei’s legs for a better look. Her eyes sparkled with innocent curiosity, observing the egg as if it was a secret to be unlocked. “What beast is this?”

  Drantei gently steadied the girl on his lap with his hands. His grin widened looking at her antics. “It's a Grintliss.” Drantei explained, his voice carrying the pride of a hunter. “A huge lizard from the Glitten Grasslands. It’s strong, fast, and has claws sharper than a knife.”

  The older Enyah, sitting alone in the corner of the building, felt herself stiffen. She knew this egg well. She knew who it’d become.

  Zarts, her ever loyal companion. The one who stood by her, and will continue to do so.

  The edges of her dream began to blur, but she barely noticed. Her focus remained fixed on the memory, etching every moment of the long gone faces.

  Now, now, enough of this boring stuff.” Drantei’s voice shifted, joyous and mischievous. “Have you been defending the fort while we were gone?”

  “Yes sir! No intruders in sight!” Enyah saluted proudly, puffing out her chest.

  “That’s my girl.” Drantei patted her head affectionately.

  The spectating Enyah instinctively moved her hands, touching her own head. She could feel a warmth spreading from the spot Drantei touched, even years later. The sensation soon turned cold. A reminder that she’d never feel this way again. Her breath hitched as an icy frost rose up within her.

  She realized now.

  She wished the nightmares would return.

  The pain of memories, of happiness and love she could never again feel, was far worse than any nightmare.

  Uncaring of her anguish, the dream continued on.

  Drantei was leaning back in the chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “What if…” He spoke hesitantly, knowing his words would cause resistance. Even so, he pressed on. “What if we… raised the beast?”

  “Boss!” Several voices called in objection. Their disbelief rose through the room as the crew gathered around him. They wore expressions of shock and disbelief, but also exasperation. They knew Drantei well, after all.

  “But… the money, boss!” Leo, one of the older members, spoke to him with an expression of frustration, pleading for him to change his mind. “You know how much that egg’s worth! Think of what we could do with that money! We could live like kings!”

  “Sure, the money’s good.” Drantei’s boisterous laugh echoed around the dream. “But what do we need money for?”

  “I don’t need to be a king.” He put Enyah down on the floor, standing up with his signature smile as he waved his hands around. To his crew, and to Enyah as well. “I have all I need right here.”

  That was her Drantei. An idealist with dreams of family rather than wealth. He spoke with such conviction, such confidence that it easily swayed the other crew members. Their dissuasion faded into the background as they left the man with reddened cheeks. They were all sentimental old men, the spectating Enyah mused fondly.

  “Say, dragon.” Drantei turned to Enyah, who was cheering with the crew. She looked up at him with a tilted head, curious at his question. “If I were to give you the egg, what would you do with it?”

  She finally noticed the blurs. They were getting stronger, pervading her vision. It felt like the world was shaking, falling apart. She was waking up.

  Her thoughts swirled in conflict, caught between pain and love. Waking and dreaming.

  Not yet.

  She forced her eyes open, trying to keep the dream steady.

  “I’d hatch a friend. And then we’d go on your jobs together and help you!” She heard her young self’s cheerful voice, pushing through the void.

  Please! Not yet!

  She heard voices continuing their conversation, and Drantei’s booming laughter in reply to her youthful statement, but they became distant… eroded.

  The blurs took over, painting her vision in faded colors. The brown walls of the building, the sunkissed skin of the crew, all melting together into a canvas of memories.

  She clung onto the sights, etching every detail into her mind the best she could before the dream dissolved. Yet, like falling sand, the dream slipped away. Only emptiness remained.

  She startled awake, bursting upright with a gasp, her breaths rapidly pulling in air, as if she were suffocating. Her heart pounded against her chest, signifying that she was awake. She was here. Sweat fell from her head, dripping onto her blanket around her. Or was it tears? Enyah reached a hand to her face, but the trembling of her hands made it too hard to tell.

  She gave herself a few moments to calm her body, taking deep, slow breaths. She turned her head in the dimmed room towards the other bed. Rinne lay in a deep sleep. She turned back, filled with relief. At least she hadn’t disturbed his sleep with her outburst.

  The sun began its rise, its light lazily seeping through the open hole, spilling a dazzling array of light into the room. With it came a soft and comfortable warmth.

  She reached an arm out, letting the light bathe her skin. For a single moment, she felt comfortable, before the thoughts of her earlier dream drowned that sensation. It wasn’t as warm as the dream. It wasn’t as warm as Drantei. She forced her arm back into the darkness with a heavy sigh. It… didn’t matter. He was gone. They were gone.

  She sank back into the bed, enjoying the limited comfort that the thin mattress gave, and stared out the window absentmindedly, letting the sun’s drowsy ascent signal the time of day.

  Letting Rinne sleep for a bit longer, she languidly swung her legs over the bed and rose onto her feet. Her body still ached yesterday, but with a long stretch, those aches popped and faded one by one.

  Stepping across the room, she freshened up in the small inn bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar to keep an eye on Rinne. The water rushed down from the shower, powered by the blue stones of the Mist Foundation. It’s cold spray touched her skin, jolting her awake and focused, leaving her in the present.

  Once she finished changing, she returned to Rinne’s bedside and knelt down, gently nudging his shoulder.

  “Time to go.” Enyah whispered softly, making sure she didn’t startle him awake.

  He stirred, and murmured a groggy “Okay…” His eyes cracked open, wrinkled with sleep.

  She sat beside him, raising him upright and smiling faintly. “Come on, up with you.”

  He let himself be moved, but let out a small groan. His head drooped as he shuffled into a sitting position. “Please… five more minutes…” He mumbled halfheartedly.

  “You can sleep on Zarts.” Enyah offered, ruffling his bedhead, “Get ready to leave.”

  “Yes, Miss Enyah…” He murmured, his soft voice interrupted by a yawn as he stood up and ambled his way to the bathroom.

  While Rinne washed himself, Enyah leaned against the wall outside the bathroom, her arms crossed while considering their next destination.

  They were on a tight schedule, but had two options. If they bypassed the third checkpoint, they could easily reach Operite by late afternoon. The village lay bordering the Soreado Jungles, nestling within the trees at the edge. Operite’s purpose was found through logging, carving paths through the dense undergrowth for the dense trees within.

  Yet, skipping the third checkpoint had risks.

  While she knew some trustworthy folks in the checkpoint, she hadn’t been beyond in years. Not since…

  She shook her head. Nonetheless, she had no allies in Operite. No connections at all. The mercenary work there lay in protecting the woodcutters, but it was profitable… Too profitable. Some would kill for the chance to gain an exclusive contract.

  Still, if she wanted to stay ahead of her pursuers and their informants, Operite was their best option. After all, Zarts was twice as fast as any horse. Soreado only had one linear trail, but beyond that, the paths split into countless directions.

  Was it worth the risk? It was only half a day's journey.

  But that's also half a day faster for their travels.

  Half a day wouldn't save the Port from the stampede but… What if it did?

  The creaking sound of an opening door shook Enyah out of her thoughts. Rinne, with his silver hair dripping wet, strode out of the bathroom. He beamed, his exhaustion left behind. “I’m ready to go!”

  “Alright, little man.” Enyah smirked, pushing herself off the wall. “We have one last thing to do before we leave.”

  “What’s that?” Rinne asked, his curious eyes following Enyah as she grabbed her cloak.

  In an instant, she threw it onto Rinne, wrapping around his head.

  “Hey– Ooh!” He gasped in surprise, then carefully lifted the cloak in awe, as if it were a treasure. “Is this for me?”

  “Temporary.” She clarified, emphasizing the word. A gift from Gurlin, one that she treasured. But Rinne’s hair was an easy giveaway. His silver hair was distinct. Eye catching. No way to dye it at the moment, so hiding it in a cloak would have to do for now.

  Enyah crossed her arms, watching Rinne press his cheek against the cloak, rubbing against it as if he were a cat.

  “What are you doing?” Enyah questioned, raising an eyebrow.

  Rinne froze in action, his eyes widened. “I…uh…nothing…”

  “Put it on” Enyah scolded, rolling her eyes.

  He coughed, red faced, before fumbling the cloak around. It draped over his body, wrapping him like a blanket. The cloak was too big, hanging past his knees, but he wasn’t fighting. It was manageable. Rinne pulled the hood up, though a few strands peeked out.

  Enyah crouched down, matching her height with Rinne’s. She tilted her head for a moment, studying him. Then she reached out, tucking the stray strands of hair behind his ear.

  “Better!” She stood up, satisfied. “Now we’re ready to go.”

  “Wooo! Let’s go!” Rinne cheered, his flushed face holding a wide grin while he stared up at her.

  Enyah let out a sigh, giving the room one last cursory glance.

  Their next stop… She hesitated for only a moment before coming to a conclusion.

  “Operite.” Enyah mumbled, “Beyond the jungle.”