4

Lira stood in the doorway of her cottage, watching the flickering light of the fire not far away. Her visitor was sitting with his saddle propped up behind him, his horse grazing close by. Twilight had just fallen, and it was quickly growing dark. Thoughts continuously bubbled to the surface of her mind, but she pushed them all aside as swiftly as possible. She didn’t want to dwell on tomorrow’s journey. She didn’t want to leave her valley. She didn’t want to travel beyond the little farm and town that had helped conceal her for so long. She didn’t want to face any of this. But she knew she must. She may not be an active Dragon Knight any longer, but she had still taken an oath, and she must continue to live by it.

Adyn was staring into the fire blankly, probably running things around in his own head. She didn’t want to go with this man. She briefly considered sending him ahead, and then quashed the idea. They would travel faster together, it was pointless to separate.

Lira hadn’t left her valley for more than a day in over a decade. It had been at least thirty years since she had gone for more than a week. She had grown complacent, she knew that, but she wanted to stay here and hide for the rest of her life.

Lira shook herself. It was time for her to cease this useless self-pity and pick herself up. A child needed her, and if she and Athear were correct, this child contained the potential to be a Dragon Knight. That thought alone was frightening. She had served her time as a Knight, and she knew for a fact that there were no other Knights alive. She was it.

Lira turned to enter her cottage, and paused when she saw a pale shape gliding towards her. She smiled softly and held her door wide as the white owl winged a silent path to the perch in one corner of the main room. She nodded to the bird as it settled itself. :Good even, Nightglide.:

Warmth and affection flooded her mind. While the owls could not speak directly into her mind, they could understand her well enough, and their responses were composed of feelings and vague pictures. She smiled and reached out to ruffle his chest feathers gently. :How was your sleep?:

:Content: The owl nipped gently at her fingers. :Worry:

:I’ll be fine. I have to leave for awhile, and I’m not keen on doing so.:

:Question.:

:There may be another Dragon Knight. He’s just a child, and he’s very ill.:

:Confidence.:

She smiled gently. :Thank you, I think I can help him too.:

:Excitement. Journey.:

:Of course you can come, if you wish to.: Her smile grew warmer. She would feel better with a friend along.

:Curiousity.:

:He’s a guest, so leave him be. That is the uncle of the sick boy. He will lead our way.:

:Content. Hungry.:

Her smile softened further. :Go and hunt, then, Nightglide.: She watched him ghost away, and then returned to her position in the doorway. She should probably go out and speak with this Adyn, but the little selfish corner of her mind told her to leave him be and go to bed. This would be the last private moment she’d have for a long time, and she would probably need the quiet time to get her through this task.

She took a deep breath, then turned inside and closed the door quietly behind her.