Through it all, Inara spied Athis and Gwenyfer across the chamber. They were always deep in conversation about something. The queen in her wanted to instruct them on the importance of mingling at a party such as this, but the mother in her kept her rooted to the spot. Let them have whatever time they had left, she decided.
“Well if it ain’ the biggest mouth in all o’ Verda!” Doran bellowed upon sighting Kassian Kantaris approaching.
“King Doran,” Kassian greeted with a respectful bow.
“How are ye doin’, lad?” the dwarf asked.
“Busy,” the mage replied honestly, his sandy blond hair beginning to show the first signs of grey. “But I wouldn’t miss this,” he added sincerely, looking to Inara and Vighon.
“How are the affairs of Ikirith?” Vighon enquired.
“We’re in the middle of expanding the east wing,” Kassian explained. “Our numbers are constantly growing - we need more room.”
Vighon patted him on the back. “It’s a good thing you’re located on the plains then.”
Kassian agreed with a smiling nod. “How have you found your new court mage to be?” he asked.
“Sathyrah’s very good,” Vighon praised. “You taught her well.”
Gideon walked over, his presence alone cutting through their conversation. Adilandra was sitting comfortably in one of his arms, her fingers turning Ilargo’s scale over and over again.
“Kassian,” he greeted with a friendly nod.
“Gideon,” Kassian replied politely.
Gideon took in the group that had claimed the area around the hearth. “Well look at this,” he said with a delighted smile. “We’re all back together again. I would never have thought it possible.”
“By my count we’re missin’ one,” Doran commented into his drink.
Gideon didn’t need to look around to know who the dwarven king was referring to. “I assume Asher and Avandriell were invited.”
“They would have been,” Vighon replied, “if we knew where to send the invitation to.”
“There isn’t a soul in all of Illian who doesn’t know about today,” Galanör said. “There are farewell parties in every street.”
“He’s a ranger,” Vighon stated. “As is Avandriell. They come and go. That is their way.”
Reyna’s head tilted to the side, taking in the rest of the chamber. “I would say he’s coming,” she said with a knowing smile.
Inara turned around to discover that almost everyone in the chamber was slowly moving towards the dragon platform, their heads turned to the sky.
“Asher!” Adilandra rejoiced as she pushed her way down from Gideon’s arm. The girl dashed to the platform, weaving her way through the numerous legs that gathered there.
Along with the others, Inara made her way to the platform, though being queen meant she didn’t have to weave as her daughter did. Her eyes scanned the blue sky, noting a canopy of cloud coming in from the west.
There they were.
It was hard to miss an enormous bronze dragon soaring through the heavens, even from such a distance. In that moment, Inara envied Asher, for nothing beat arriving on dragon back.
Asher looked down on Namdhor’s ancient keep. You’re showing off, he accused.
Avandriell continued to fly, always sure to angle herself so her bronze scales caught the light of the sun perfectly. Those are the eyes of the realm down there, she replied. It suits to have them remember us. Lords pay handsomely to slay the beasts of the world.
Asher couldn’t help but laugh. Sometimes I worry there’s too much of me in you.
The dragon tucked in her gargantuan wings and dived down to the keep. Asher remained close to his saddle, his chest to the leather, while his hands gripped the handles with a touch of magic to secure them. The rushing wind picked up his hair and green cloak, but he was sure to keep his eyes open. Nothing in the world could rival this feeling.
Avandriell spread her wings and arched her body until she was able to glide towards the dragon platform. She beat them twice to reduce her speed and bring her back legs down first. The entire keep shook beneath her landing, her front claws thundering into the stone. Her head bowed, Asher got his first look at the party between the three thick horns that protruded from Avandriell’s head.
You enjoyed that, Asher remarked, climbing down from his saddle.
Not as much as you did, I sense.
The ranger flashed his companion a wry smile as he walked towards the throne room. He never quite made it, however, before being attacked by a creature so dreadful that he had never managed to best it. Adilandra yelled his name as she barrelled into his legs and Asher feigned injury in his subsequent fall. With the girl scrabbling on top of him, he pretended to succumb to her claws. Only when she thought herself the victor did he respond with a devastating counter attack. His tickling hands made her howl so much that the princess fell away, allowing him a moment to regain his feet.
“Asher!” Prince Athis was the next to greet him, his arm coming at the ranger from far away.
Asher gripped the young man’s forearm. “If you grow any taller I’m going to have to start defending Giants instead of slaying them.”
“Where have you been?” the prince asked eagerly, as he always did.
“Where haven’t we been?” Asher put to him. “We last set down in Longdale. They were being plagued by a King Basilisk. Its mouth was so big it could wrap its jaws around Avandriell’s neck.” His every word excited the prince and even Queen Gwenyfer beside him.
“But you killed it!” Athis exclaimed.
“Of course,” Asher said casually.
Who killed it? Avandriell demanded.
Asher’s mouth twisted. “With some help,” he finally added, thumbing over his shoulder.
Some help? the dragon echoed. Next time, you can decapitate the snake with a head thicker than a tree!
Asher stifled his laughter and turned to the lady of the day. “Your Grace,” he said to Queen Gwenyfer with a bow. “Illian’s loss will undoubtedly
