The sun shone brightly upon the Kingdom of Reyes, its amber rays illuminating the world below. The markets were alive, the hustle and bustle of everyday life echoing through the air. Vendors sold their goods and crafts, calling out to all who passed. The Kingdom of Reyes was known for its products whether it be crops from the farmlands to spices and textiles from the nearby sea port, the trading business booming through the realm. The Kingdom was also known for how happy its people were, there was no poverty besides those who had done it to themselves, thieves and killers. People conversed in the streets, women purchasing goods for their homes, men enjoying the chatter of work or a pint of mead. All was well that day, the weather welcoming, the town happy, it was all perfect.

Making their way through the busy streets was someone concealed by a deep forest green cloak, hiding their appearance from all. The woman slipped through with ease until she was far enough from the castle. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she pulled her hood down, looking around. It was the princess, and as always she had snuck away from the confines of the castle. The coast was clear, she had lost her guards, just as always. She hated being trapped inside the stone walls, forced to study day and night, she wanted to be free and to explore the land and people that she was to rule. The townspeople were all to use to the sight of the young woman as she roamed often. There were most days where she would come to help as well, she found it a useful way to connect with them.

Adalia took a breath before she began to stroll, greeting a few familiar faces. She had just wanted to come to town to stroll, nothing too crazy, she knew she was safe among her people as they adored her. She made her way through the vendors, looking over all the produce and goods, examining some items brought from other Kingdoms. She enjoyed the warmth of the sun against her sun kissed skin, her golden locks falling in bouncy curls across her back and framing her face. She kept her looks simple, so she did not stand out too much if any guards were to roam by, that way it was easier to blend in and hide, she wasn't guilty unless she was caught.

Some time had passed and Adalia was ready to head home, at least that is what she thought. Adalia knew Dragon Riders were used for protection of the realm, but they stayed far from the Castle. They roamed the outskirts of the land to watch out for enemies, they rarely were ever close, only if instructed to by the King himself. So when Adalia looked to the sky, seeing what she thought was the form of a dragon in the distance, curiosity started to burn inside her. She had only seen one before when she was a small child, her father had requested one rider to the castle when there were threats towards the Kingdom.

She had to know if what she saw was true or if maybe the sun was getting to her. Quickly she slipped the hood of her cloak back on and began to slip through the crowds once more, even taking the alleys and back streets to stay away from too many guards. She could not tell where they were, they had disappeared but they were flying close to the forests, maybe they would be there? She felt safe enough to travel there, she knew how to protect herself and always kept a weapon on her, her dagger safely strapped to her hip.

The princess made it to the edge of the town, just where the open lands met the overbearing trees of oak and pine, their shadows lingering over the grounds below. She paused for a moment, looking out to the shadows beyond, how was she ever going to find them, if they were real. She was starting to second guess herself, but the devil on her shoulder urged her forward. She took a deep breath and started inside, her steps quick but just slower than a jog. Her bright eyes looked all around, trying to find a sign of life. It felt hopeless as time passed, she was just walking for nothing, the forests were too vast to find a single person.

After what seemed like eternity she stopped in her tracks, surrounded by nothing but trees and silence. She started to worry, she had no clue where to go from there, there was no sight of the town or castle anymore. Her heartbeat quickened as her eyes widened a bit, her body turning each and every way to find a sign, she knew she hadn't walked a straight line so it wasn't like she could just turn around and walk back. “Adalia you are so stupid” She said to herself. What was she to do? Her guards didn't even know she was out here and surely wouldn't think she could come to the forest alone. She took a breath to calm herself, starting to walk again to find some sort of sign, if she kept walking she would have to reach the edge…sometime right?

"Easy boy," Ronan soothed softly to his companion. The beast breathed hard, his bloodstained lips from his most recent meal exposed as his mouth was partially open. The man raised a slight hand, tracing the scales of Vyrmoth before he had turned away. He stood still for a moment, his calloused hand in the other as he rubbed them together.

The sky was still dark - only the slightest of light leaking below the horizon line as the glory of the sun began to grace the earth below it, illuminating the forest as the light shined through the canopies of the trees. Ronan resided on the very edge perimeter of the Reyes kingdom which was once his home. Once a place of welcoming and warmth was now a place he despised, but going away with Vyrmoth would be hard. He had claimed this part of the land his own, meaning that residing somewhere else would be hard to adjust to. Ronan knew deep down he would not be able to leave either. His life was rooted here, no matter how much the man denied it.

Ronan found comfort in the forest. He had learned quick to provide for himself, but the isolation always caught up to him. He would stick out in a crowd in a heartbeat. A tall man, dirty skin, greasy hair... he fit the idea of a criminal. Technically, that's what he was. His title was "Ronan the Outcasted" the moment he had turned thirteen by the king. He was sure that he was forgotten by now. Nothing would be memorable about him. Ronan was a failed project. With so much ambition as a child, working towards achieving high goals and pretending he would live a life so fulfilled that even someone who was given everything the second they were born would be jealous, was simply gone in a flash. He stood alone in a forest that barely even wanted him there, straining his existence.

Ronan began walking away from Vyrmoth, the dragon emitting a low rumble. "No," Ronan said looking over his shoulder. The brute stood there, eyeing his rider. Ronan had fully turned around again, facing the only life that had accepted him.

The journey of getting Vyrmoth was grueling. Not that Ronan had chosen him from the start... he did try to kill him after all. Ronan was quick to realize that Vyrmoth had potential, however, and seeing how fast he warmed up to Ronan made the man believe not everything in the world was out to get him. He found him almost half dead, perhaps from hunters or another dragon, but Ronan imagine both. Ronan was able to nurse him back to health before the persistent fighting would begin. A decade ago, Ronan finally was trusted enough to mount him. Vyrmoth was hesitant at first, but allowed it anyway. Since then, the two had become inseparable - two outcasts among their own species.

It wasn't often dragons were found alone. The kingdom captured those that ran in smaller tribes, especially while young. They're easier to gain trust over that way. Ronan believed that Vyrmoth was an outcast for perhaps the same reason Ronan was - loving too much.

The dragon held his head high, his dark eyes looking at Ronan if he were a meal. Ronans gaze hardened in the slightest of way, his head slightly inclined as the dragon then gave a huff of what seemed to be frustration. Whatever it was he wanted, he could not communicate. Ronan still had a hard time understanding Vyrmoth, even if he had spent all this time with him and had quite literally matured with him. A boy and his dragon, who would have thought.

Ronan had clicked his tongue twice, a command he taught to Vyrmoth that meant leave. The dragon fluttered his wings, realizing the space was too small to properly take off. He remained quiet for a moment before turning around, wandering off to a place he could take off. Ronan knew he did when he saw birds flying away from their trees and the roar of Vyrmoth piercing through the sky. Ronan was always surprised nobody had heard it as it was deafening.

Ronan sighed softly, looking up to see the shadow his friend casted below as he flew away. Perhaps one day Ronan could be that free.

Ronan had made his way back towards his small camp. There was a small fire, though dead, a few belongings surrounding it. He had created a makeshift shelter with thick branches against a wide trunk of a great oak tree, tying them around with twine he had found from a dead soldier. This was home, and it was what he considered home for a while now. This was all he knew.

Ronan started the fire again, ensuring to keep the flame low as he began cooking a rabbit he had hunted the day prior. He sat alone, every now and again turning the stick the meat resided on.

Adalia cautiously walked through the forest beyond her, trying to stay quiet to listen out for anything. Surely she would be able to hear the townspeople…right? The trees were so dense, light struggled to peek through the branches, the vast sea of foliage like an endless void. Her heartbeat was quick, a small bead of sweat teasing to fall down and across her brow as she began to quicken her pace. She didn’t want to give in and say she was lost, but she was. She had become so turned around there was no longer North or South, East or West. She was vulnerable. As she moved through the grasses and leaves, her cloak kept her well blended for now, providing warmth as the night’s breeze began to begin. Maybe her parents had been right, she should have stayed put in the castle where it was safe. She couldn’t lie, the adrenaline was somewhat thrilling, the thought of adventure sitting in the back of her mind.

As the blonde slipped between the trees and rocks, she kept her eyes on everything, watching her surroundings carefully. It wasn’t until there was a loud, piercing roar that echoed against the tree bark, Adalia freezing in her steps. Her eyes went wide, her blood running cold as the terrifying sound surrounded her, unable to tell the true direction it had come from. A dragon. After the sound quieted down, Adalia quickly began walking again in the direction she thought it had come from. That had to be a dragon, nothing else sounded so terrifying, something so loud and guttural it shook the bone. Maybe her adventure would prove to be worth it after all.

After a moment the forest went quiet again, the beast must have left the area. Adalia continued straight, confident now she had been going the right direction. She had come across a clearing, just a small patch that seemed to have been messed with by humans. Some trees had been cut, small and large. Who knows what it could have been used for, maybe a small shelter? Some firewood? Pausing for a moment, Adalia’s brows furrowed slightly downward, her head tilting a bit. A small trickle of smoke could be seen rising up in the distance between the treetops, a fresh fire by the looks of it.

She stood and debated whether she should near or not. She had no clue who it could be. Could it be a traveler, a bandit, or was it a dragon rider. Clearly she had heard the beast coming from this area. After a moment she decided to continue, maybe they could help her get back, if not and they ended up being dangerous, she did have her dagger and knew how to use it. Her feet pulled her out of the clearing and back into the thick array of trees, her steps quick.

All seemed well, the forest around her seeming quite peaceful. Little did the princess know that eyes had been following her moves, hiding in the shadows, watching. She was almost to the source of the smoke she saw, though the trees only grew denser and darker. More and more leaves and branches began to cover the ground, as if something large had rattled them from their source.

Adalia stopped quickly, hearing a loud snap behind her, followed by a “shhhhh”. Quickly she whipped around, her blue orbs wide as she looked around her. She carefully reached down, slipping the dagger from her person and holding it tightly. The golden handle pressed against her skin, the jewels embedded in them leaving marks on her palm. Her heart pounded in her chest, her blood freezing in her veins. Chuckled seemed to surround her, echoing from all directions. More branches cracked under weight, the young girl spinning to and fro as shadows neared. Soon a few raggedy men could be seen, finally revealing themselves as they circled the girl in.

“Looks like we got ourselves a real treat tonight boys” one of the men said, his yellowed and rotten teeth pulling into a lopsided smile. Another man, his hair grey and tangled, whistled at her, cat calling the woman as he stepped closer.

“Stay away from me, I’m not afraid to fight” Adalia said, her voice strong though internally she was terrified. The men just laughed at her, their horrid voices disgusting.

“Fight? You wouldn’t last a minute, little bird. Especially with that small butter knife ” the grayed man said. Behind her, one of them quickly lunged, his dirty hands snatching her arm. She let out a scream, twisting to move away from him.

“Unhand me!” She yelled, taking her blade in her free hand and thrusting it towards her captor. The steel blade slid across the man’s skin, a deep red liquid pulling to the surface as he let go. The man hissed at the woman, two others quickly lunging to her now. She twisted and kicked and tried with all her might to get free, “Get off!” She screamed, her voice carrying with the breeze deeper into the forest.

Adalia was giving quite a fight, she was stronger than they had planned. She got a few swift kicks in, some punches as well leaving nice bruises upon their skin. The men struggled to keep her in their grasps, her smaller figure easily slipping and twisting through. They were getting tired of her, one leaving a nice slap across her face to stun her, her skin flushing a bright red with the contact. This was enough to pause her for a moment, one man taking a length of rope from his belt, quickly tying her hands behind her back. The material rough against her delicate skin, scratching with each pull.

“You will all regret this!” She snarled as the man pushed her to her knees, all of them laughing at their victory.

As Adalia collapsed to her knees, the man reached his fingers over her hood, pulling it back to reveal her long, golden locks. He took a fistful of hair and angled her face up to look at his gross appearance.

“Why we sure could get a pretty penny for you, or keep you around for some fun?” He said, dragging his fingers across her cheek. Soon everyone’s attention was drawn to another voice, a deeper one. A man came from around the trees quickly, a long sword in his grasp as he twirled it in one hand. Adalia’s brows furrowed for a moment, wondering if this man was friend or foe. Within seconds it was clear what the answer was, the savages quick to react, drawing knives. As one man went to attack Ronan, her captor quickly lifted her up by a handful of hair, Adalia wincing harshly. He held her close to his body, holding her hair tight while his other hand held her arm.

Adalia watched as the new stranger fought off his attackers, his skills quite impressive. Adalia was one to have some skills, but of course being caught off guard with a dagger in a strange area was not to her advantage. Adalia watched as a man tried to catch Ronan off guard, quickly she shouted out,

“Behind you!”

Quickly the man covered her mouth, Adalia returning the favor by biting his hand. The man growled, pulling back as she spit onto the ground, filth. Adalia continued to twist and pull, trying to set herself free with no avail, though soon she paused as a loud, deep yell rippled through the air. Adalia’s wide eyes looked towards the scrappling men as she noticed the handle of the knife sticking out from his shoulder. His eyes grew dark as Ronan was able to get back onto his feet, his movements now fierce, deadly, scary. Blood dripped from his wound, the fabric of his clothes stained with blood as it spread across his shoulder around the blade.
As Ronan scared the last man away, the grip holding her tight was let loose, the man pushing her away before taking off into the forest. Adalia stumbled momentarily before catching her footing, quickly wriggling her thin wrists through the rope. The men did a terrible job with tying it closed, and in a minute she was able to slip through. Adalia paused as she looked back to her savior, her brows furrowing in concern as she watched him slip to the ground beside a tree, leaning back as he held his shoulder. She just stood there, quiet, almost frozen. His gruff voice pulled her back to reality, the man telling her to go. But she didn't, she stood right where she was.

She knew in her mind she should run, run the opposite way as fast as she could, not stopping until she reached the castle walls. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t just leave the man who had just risked his life to save her. So she stood there for just a moment more. Her blue eyes watched him as she soon began to move forward, her steps silent against the ground. She was still cautious, who knew if this man would hurt her still.

“Let me help you” She said softly, her voice smooth like honey. Slowly she knelt down, looking at the blade in his shoulder for a second. She tried to remember back to her younger days, when she had snuck out to the knights yard and peeked into one of their classes. It just so happened to be about battle injuries, helping one another if they could. Addressing wounds and which ones could be deadly. Despite the man before her insisting she just leave, she was as stubborn as a mule, unable to be moved unless she wanted to.
“No, You saved me and I will at least try and return the gesture” She said sternly as her eyes looked up to meet his momentarily. Adalia sat back for a moment, reaching down to the hem of her dress. She pulled hard on the seams, ripping a good, thick piece from around the bottom. Next she tore the sleeve to her dress off, folding the red fabric into a square.
“This is going to hurt” She said before quickly pulling the blade from his shoulder, swiftly applying the folded cloth to the wound and pressing hard. With her free hand she laid the fabric strip over his shoulder, carefully pulling it around his torso and tying the frayed ends together.

“This should subdue the bleeding for now.” She said before she stood, stepping back and wiping her now bloodied hands on her cloak.
“Thank you for saving me, I am forever in your debt” She said. She glanced around, making sure the man was not to return before she noticed Ronan’s sword on the ground. She moved towards it, picking it up with ease, quite peculiar for such a petite woman, unbeknownst her skill behind a sword. She then moved back towards the man, extending her arm to him.

Adalia stood quietly as the man snatched his sword back, what manners. Watching as the man turned to walk away, listening to his voice telling her to leave, go back to her kingdom, her brows furrowed a bit. Just then did she remember she was lost. She had no clue which direction home was. She also was not quite prepared to make the journey home in the dark. It would soon be pitch black by the time she would make it halfway there, and if there were men to capture her, that would be the perfect time.

The girl stood and watched as Ronan walked on, Adalia crossing her hands in front of her. “Well, I would if I knew the way,” she began. Her mouth had opened to speak again just as the light from the sun seemed to vanish, a deafening roar erupting in the sky above them. The girl’s eyes went wide, the dragon. Her body tensed, not knowing if the beast was about to attack or not, her hand instinctively sitting where her dagger would be.

As the beast landed quickly, settling up beside Ronan, Adalia let her hands fall to her side. She stood frozen, those icy eyes of hers wide. It was quite hard to tell if her expression was one of fear or curiosity, maybe both. After a moment it was clear to tell Ronan was his rider, with the way the beast looked to him. If he wasn’t surely they would both be dead.

Adalia watched in silence as the beast stepped forward, snatching each dead body with his sharp teeth, the sounds of their bones and muscles crackling with each bite sending shivers down her spine. Adalia seemed almost deaf as Ronan spoke again, warning her she should go. Her feet didn’t move, they couldn’t. She was stuck frozen in a state of shock. This is what she had come to find, to see these creatures up close.

It was such a sight to see, some may think these creatures horrid and hideous, but Adalia found them stunning. Magnificent creatures capable of so much power. She always wondered why her kingdom hated them so much. Why they never let them near. For god's sake the royal emblem was a dragon. Her fathers motto going into battles and everyday life was about them as well. “Be the dragon”. When he had explained the meaning behind it, he always said that dragons were amazing creatures. Stealthy, Strong and Smart. That’s why they had survived so much. The scholars taught the royals the language of dragons as well, an ancient language used centuries ago to communicate and command. But here they were now, Adalia standing before the creature hated by all.

Adalia did not flinch a single muscle the whole time she stood before the beast, even as he plopped his body to the ground. The ground below them rumbled, shaking the trees around them. The heat from his breath billowed out, sending warm waves towards the girl as he laid there. Slowly a smile crept onto the girl's pink lips, a sparkle in her eye appearing as she took in every detail.

“I cannot believe this” she said softly, those curious eyes of hers scanning the creature. “I knew you were out here, I just knew there had to be a dragon out here besides the ones on duty” she explained. She was excited? Why was this girl so eager to see this creature? Why wasn’t she terrified, running to the forests to get away?

Her icy blue eyes twinkled as she took a small step forward, keeping her eyes on the creature for any sign of distress. “For years I have yearned to meet one of these spectacular creatures” she said softly, her feet guiding her another step forward. She watched Vyrmoth carefully, watching his eyes and movements, staying careful and slow. Soon she slowly extended a hand out to the beast, his hot breath billowing out of his nostrils. Her bark was bare of a sleeve now, a thick, long scar trailing down her inner arm. It looked like a lightning bolt, curving as it went down. An injury from her childhood foolishness. She glanced at Ronan who kept a sharp eye on her, still her lips held a smile before looking back to the dragon.

“I do not understand how people have so much hatred towards them, if they would stop and see them truly, they would realize how magnificent they truly are.”