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.