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It was the end of the first day of their journey and still the cheers had not faded from his mind. To Henry, it meant more than he had realized himself at first. In years past it had been his dream to be a champion of the people, to fight for the good of the realm. It was why he joined the order after all, just like his brother before him. In all the years in service however he had found not the recognition he was dreaming of as a young boy. Even later in his years at the order it felt like the order as a whole was always praised and never the individual.

Perhaps it was a bit egotistical to think that way but to him it was important. With the end of the order however, all his ambitions died and all that was left was a shallow hope that he could do something to save the kingdom from its dire situation. More or less, he had done that, and since then his mind has started to become clearer bit by bit. Once more his ambitions came to mind. That was when he realized that he was closer to realizing his dream than ever before.

He was the last living knight of the dragon, a bastion of hope to hold onto for the people of Albia. That thought filled him with so much pride. He and Alvahroth would become the heroes of this war, he was certain of it. The gods surely must have greatness in mind for him. Yes, he was sure. This way he would make sure that he would become a hero, just like the legendary heroes of old.

To make sure his name would never be forgotten.

"Hey why have you been so awfully quite this whole time?" Alvahroth's voice broke through the whistling of the wind. "I am starting to think you fell asleep or something. Which, might I add, would be incredibly unfair. My wings have started hurting a while ago, you know?"

Henry smiled despite having his thoughts so suddenly interrupted. That damn dragon really knew how to improve his mood, be that intentional or not. "I was actually just thinking about... you know." He called back, pausing for a second. "The future, our future to be more precise. I can't get that scene at the camp out of my head, all those men cheering for us to bring Ulric's dogs to heel."

Alvah smirked back at him with a sparkle of confusion in his eye. "I did not expect this to mean much to you."

He smirked right back at the dragon, although it was hidden by his visor. "Oh you have no idea. Back in the day, in war times, I always thought what it would be like if they were shouting my name instead of that of the grandmaster."

"Ha, and here I thought you were nothing but a submissive bootlicker for your higher ups. Hahaha." The dragon laughed at his own joke, which made his flight a bit less uneven than before.

"Do not mistake loyalty for total submission, Alvah. Just because I serve under the king does not mean that I can have no ambitions myself." He shouted back, a bit bitterly.

"Oh by all means, that wasn't what I was saying." He could practically hear the smirk in the dragon's voice. "Making a name for yourself is an ambition many have, especially amongst dragons. I was not aware that man like you would hold such ambitions just the same."

Henry smirked and shook his head as he glared into the distance. "You clearly do not know much about men. I am far from the only-ahhh!" He cried out startled as Alvahroth suddenly went for a sharp dive that would've send him off flying if it weren't for the ropes that held him onto the saddle. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Going for a landing." Alvah explained casually, barely glancing back at him. He slowed his pace as he neared the ground, already set on a landing spot just outside a line of trees on a hill. Once his hindlegs touched the ground in a soft landing he set his forelegs down right away, trotting a few steps until he came to a stop in front of a fallen tree.

It took Henry but a few seconds to come back to his senses after being thrown about in the saddle. "Well you could have bloody warned me." He grumbled while unlocking the safety ropes.

After such a long flight Alvah was glad to be able to sit down and relax a bit. When he sat down however, Henry had unlocked all the safety ropes but did not yet get off his back. So consequently he fell off with a loud thump as he tumbled off the dragon's back as he sat down on his haunches. Alvah only smirked at the fallen knight. "But where would be the fun in that?"

In one swift movement Henry got up, taking his helmet off in the process just so he could properly glare at Alvahroth, doing his best to ignore the pain in his neck from wearing it all day long. He was about to say something but judging by the dragon's smirk that was exactly what he wanted so he just snorted and waved him off, picking up his helmet as he went to the fallen tree to their side to sit down on it.

He stretched his whole body the moment he sat down. Then he started undoing the leather bands that kept his pauldrons attached to his gambeson. He took of piece after piece until only his padded under armor was left. Hopefully if he asked nice enough Alvah would help him back into his armor like the time they were on the road first.

The dragon meanwhile had followed his example and stretched out like a big cat, or at least that was what Henry always found it held the closest resemblance to. The way his chest touched ground, his hind end was raised and his forepaw fully stretched out forward. Yeah, definitely a big cat. In that moment he realized just how thirsty he was, and also hungry. They had made only one short break for the first day, he insisted on it. He was glad that Alvahroth obliged despite his awful moaning. Now though he felt the effects of constantly sitting in one position on his body as well as the lack of food and water. Last meal he had was many hours ago after all.

Just when he was about to ask Alvah to stand still so he could take the saddle off, mostly so he could have a go at the saddle bags filled with their supplies, the dragon opened his wings once again. First he thought he was only stretching but when he took a first step towards the open plains down the hill he called out to him. "Hey what are you doing?" It made Alvah stop before he could get much speed, his head turning towards him to glare at him with a annoyed expression more akin to a child, or hatchling in his case, that wasn't allowed to go out and play.

"I am going hunting." The dragon stated, clearly annoyed that he was stopped.

Henry stared at him dumbfounded. "And here I thought you were the one complaining about lack of rest."

"My hunger overwhelms my fatigue." He swished his tail around, using it to pint at the bags fastened to the leather contraption that was strapped to him. "And I highly doubt that they were able to fit enough food for both of us in here. Thus..." He sighed and looked away, shaking his head. "I am going hunting."

"Well then at least let me take off the saddle first so I can have something to eat and drink." Henry asked, or rather demanded in an inpatient voice while standing up, ready to do the job.

Wrong move, as he should have expected. "Oh, so you want to eat before me is that it?" He asked in a mock horror. "That isn't really the human courtesy I thought was practiced amongst the nobility." Before Henry could answer, the dragon turned away again. "I shall return soon so you needn't worry about starving, human."

Henry would have responded but right when he finished talking he already began to gain speed and in just a few steps he had enough to lift off with his wings, his body getting smaller in Henry's vision as he rose higher into the air. All he could do was watch as his meal flew away for gods only knew how long. So he sat down with again with a massive sigh while kneading his brow. The dragon was right in a way but damn could he be a pain in the ass, especially after one is simply drained from such a long journey and wants some damn food and water.

Left alone again his thoughts began to drift to the past, to one part of his past in particular. Cyrvanyx. He was truly special for a dragon. Some days Henry had thought that perhaps he wanted to be a human himself, judging by the way he acted like one in many scenarios. It was why he was largely excluded from all the other dragons. Again, Henry sighed, for a different reason this time.

At that moment, he truly missed his old friend.

---

It had been a rigorous journey in the cold weather, especially while carrying someone. Even if that someone is only an 11 year old boy. They all were aware how soon it would snow but they had hoped that it would not happen until they arrived but alas, it started snowing on the last day of their journey. At least Cyrvanyx was relatively sure that it was not much further. All they had to do was follow the river after all and here and there William was starting to point out landmarks he was sure he knew from traveling the countryside.

Arylaryl flew just at his side with Gareth on her back, who had recovered just fine from his injury. Although he sometimes still complaint about lightheadedness. They all only spent minimal time resting, landing every now and then to hunt them all some food. The nights were always brief and as soon as the sun rose they would journey on. There was no time to waste. There was no way of knowing how the war had progressed in the time they were at the clan. For all they knew, Moudeir Castle could be taken by Ulric's forces by the time they arrived there. Despite that possibility it was still worth a try.

Cyr looked to his side while his thoughts were drifting in all sorts of directions, eventually ending up where his eyes did as well. On Ary. Flying through the snow as gracefully as ever. The blue speckles on her wings as well as the blue marking on two of her paws, one of which covered it almost like a glove were a nice contrast to her otherwise emerald green scales. There was one more clear blue marking on her muzzle, covering her nose and part of her lower muzzle. Letting his thoughts drift to her was always a nice distraction from all the worry that sometimes kept him up at night. It was nice, at least as long as those thought didn't make his blood wander too far downwards. That would be both beyond embarrassing and really uncomfortable while flying.

Suddenly her silver eyes met his own golden ones, a smile crossing her muzzle the moment that happened. "Enjoying the view, are we?" She asked in a clearly teasing tone.

"Eh yeah." He managed to get out before he had to look away, admiring the countryside. "The snow is awfully pretty."

In the corner of his eye he could see Ary smirking at him and shaking her head. Even to him it was clear at this point that she knew that he was in some manner interested in him. She very likely only thought however that it was his own instincts getting the better of him and not something deeper. When he dared to glance back once again his eyes caught Gareth smirking at him, shrugging in an exaggerated manner. Cyr quickly turned his head away to look ahead instead.

"Is Gareth making fun of you for not getting under the dragon lady's tail?" The abrupt question from his back reminded him that William was wide awake. The nature of that question however was what made his eyes go wide.

"What did you just say?" He turned his neck to glare at Will. "Who told you that?"

Will looked at him like a child who had just broken his mother's favorite cup and knew he was going to get in trouble. His body was covered in warm clothing to keep off the cold, a fur stuffed tunic covered with a fur jacket as well as a fur hat. Síona was kind enough to give them these spare clothes she had left of the days her son was Will's age which Cyr was very thankful for. "Gareth told me that yesterday. Not sure exactly what he meant but he told me I'll figure it out in time." He furrowed his brow. "Then he laughed and told me to get back to sleep."

Cyr let out a huge sigh. He was aware that Gareth most likely knew of his feeling for Ary. At least he had the courtesy not to tell her. "I am gonna have a word with him next time we land." He grumbled to himself. "And do not think about what he said, alright."

William gave a half hearted nod before Cyr turned his head back to focus on the path ahead just to make sure he wouldn't fly too low and crash into a tree or something. A few seconds passed in silence, except for the ice cold winds. It lasted not for long until Will's curiosity got the better of him however.

"Does it mean that you want to fuck her?"

This time Cyr almost stopped in the air. "William!" He growled back at him in shook. "I told you not to think about! Where have you even heard that word?"

"Ehm..." Once Cyr looked back to make sure he wasn't lying he spit it out. "From Gareth?" His answer sounded more like a question but it was still enough for Cyr. Now he really needs to have a word with him. He sighed and turned his head forward again.

"Just stop thinking about it, alright? And do not say that F word anymore."

He heard a long exaggerated sigh come from his back. "Yeah yeah, fine." Cyr was sure that Will would do it again at the next opportunity anyway. He didn't know much about children but it was clear that lying was one of their number one abilities even if some were more gifted in that regard than others. For as long as he didn't start badmouthing in front of the nobles, it would be fine.

As they flew on in silence the land beneath them began to show more signs of nearby human life. Huts stood upon formerly empty hills and huge fields cornered the edge of the vast woods. The fields were empty due to the autumn harvest already having been stored away. There were a few scattered farmsteads before but this looked more akin to lands that would be protected by a castle. And just as he had guessed, there it was, on a great hill at the side of the channel. Their destination, Moudeir Castle. It looked to be booming with life and if his eyes didn't betray him. It was the Banner of Henry's family he saw flying in the wind on the keep's towers.

"Is this it?" Ary called out to him as the castle came into view. "Is this the castle where Henry was from?"

"Yes, that's my home!" William basically shrieked in excitement. "That's Moudeir Castle! I hope Rodric will be there! He is my grandpa's brother, you know? He is really great! Once when he saw me taking a freshly baked cake from the kitchen he didn't even take it from me and-"

"William, I can tell that this is exciting for you." Cyr shut him down with an impatient tone mixed with mild annoyance. "But do not too excited. We do not know exactly who we'll find here and Henry's uncle might not be there at all." When he looked back to tell him to hold on as they would land soon he saw all excitement drained from the boy's face, replaced by a cold expression. He had to come up with something to fix this. "Ehm, but if he is there I am sure he'll give you an extra big cake as a homecoming gift."

"Who are you kidding?" William's voice was barely audible above the icy winds. "Father is gone, mother is gone... he is probably gone too." 'Oh well done Cyr, you idiot.' He cursed himself in his mind. He tried to think of something to fix this but he knew that the only one who could would be Henry's uncle. He knew him as well, even if only barely, from the few times he was at the castle. Oh how he hoped that he was there. For William's sake.

The black dragon head on a dark blue field, flying from the towers was a good sign. Still, it was well possible that they had already gone out to fight and that Rodric died. He wasn't really sure how much the war would slow down now that winter has come but the enemy surely tried to gain as much ground before it had to come to a stop. It did not appear as though they left recently since there, at the foot of the castle hill, was a great assembly of tents, various banners of all kinds of colors flying over them. They were assembling their army, or whatever was left after the numerous battles in the past months.

As they were approaching he spotted a man at the top of the largest tower of the castle walls staring at him, leaning over the battlements to peer into the courtyard, no doubt to announce to them what he had just spotted. Cyr smiled to himself as he imaged the face of the men as they saw two dragons flying towards them from the north. They were all no doubt desperate with a lack of food and currently on the losing side of a war. To know that dragons were fighting with them in the battles with them would surely lift their spirits.

"Hold your ears shut, William." He told the boy as they were getting rather close to the castle. After quickly checking if Will held his ears shut, which he was, his body pinned tight to Cyr's neck.

"Okay but why?" Will barely managed to get the question out before a thundering roar drowned out his voice as well as the sound of the wind. Cyrvanyx roared out to the men of the garrison, to the civilians, and the men outside in the camp in greetings. Not that men would know the difference between an angry roar and a greeting one, but it had the wished effect, as soon after his roar died down he heard several voices bellow roar back at him in union. He turned his head slightly to peek at Ary, seeing her smile widely as she looked at the men beneath them.

"It is good to see that they haven't taken lands this far east!" Ary called out to him, having felt his gaze no doubt.

"Yes, it is! Even better to see the army assembled!" He answered. Just then his eyes caught several longboats on the shore of the channel. For just a second he was confused until he remembered hearing something about reinforcements from the north said by the Grandmaster. At last they arrived, a bit late perhaps but better than not at all.

They both aimed for the outer courtyard to land which the people there realized soon enough and made enough room for two dragons to land. Ary landed first, coming to a trotting stop that was shortly followed by Cyr's softer landing to be extra careful not to hurt anyone as well as to not throw Will off. Most of the humans around them looked like commoners one would not usually see living in a castle of which many were no doubt refugees from the lands further west. They alongside the guards stared at them, some with awe, some with confusion and others with both.

He felt the tight grip of William on the frills on his neck, which were quite sensitive. The pain he ignored though as it was obvious that the boy would not be used to landing while on his back. Still his fault for insisting on riding on his back this time he thought to himself. Cyr looked around the courtyard slowly, trying to find anyone he recognized. No one stood out to him but it has been so long since he had been there that it did not surprise him. Just when he was about to ask the crowd who ruled here, Ary did it for him.

"Who is your lord?" She called out in her booming voice causing a few of the onlookers to take a step back. Many common folk weren't as used to dragons as they used to be.

After just a short moment of silence a man appeared in the gatehouse that led into the inner courtyard, dressed in expensive clothes with a prominent blue, black and white tartan sash around his torso. Cyrvanyx recognized Lord Rodric almost immediately despite how grey his hair has gotten and a sigh of relive escaped his throat.

"That would be me." Rodric called out and Cyr felt the grip on his frills loosen. Will must have recognized the voice right away. "And who are you two then? Have... have the clans send you? Have they finally decided to help in this war?" His voice held a hint of confusion, but mostly, hope. Hope that the clans united to rush to their aid in this desperate war.

"Well... I am sorry to-" He started when Rodric cut him off as he closed the distance between them, reaching the bottom of the ramp that led down from the gatehouse.

"Do I know you?" Rodric asked while stroking his trimmed beard. "I swear you seem... familiar..." He stopped dead in his tracks when the boy jumped off Cyr's back and his and Rodric's eyes met. For just a split second, the old man's face was one of terror and terrible shock, like he had just seen a ghost. Which to be fair, he most likely thought he did, as he had good reason to think him dead. "W-what in..." He and Will stared at each other for another second before the boy charged at his uncle and without any words, fell into his arms.

Rodric went down on one knee and embraced him with a tight grip and wide eyes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish stuck on land. "William... how..." While he tried to gather his thoughts the boy cried into his shoulder as he hugged his uncle, the crowd watching with interest of what might be going on. Cyrvanyx meanwhile just smiled.

Eventually the old man's eyes landed upon him and Ary, the dots connecting in his mind. "You... you saved him? The two of you?" The way he said it, it sounded more like a question than a statement. And yet by the look in his eyes it was clear that he knew the answer.

"I did what I could." He answered, keeping his voice soft and low, lowering his head to Rodric's eyelevel. "It still fills me with guilt to know that I did not manage to save his mother." He paused briefly to watch over William who was still clinging to his uncle. "I am Cyrvanyx and her name is Arylaryl." He explained as he pointed at her with a wing talon. "While I managed to save William she saved Gareth, her companion and son of the grandmaster."

Just like on queue Gareth dismounted from Ary, revealing his tangled red hair that was hidden under his helmet and a padded coif before. His helmet did not look as battered as it had after the battle, thanks to the smiths in the highlands. "Pleasure to meet you, my lord." He said with a quick bow. "I had hoped to meet you one day. Henry had always spoken of you in a good light..." Cyr threw him a quick look. Gareth luckily caught on quickly. "Oh ehm... my condolences for your loss, my lord. Henry was... a good friend of mine." There was a moment where it appeared that he teared up but whatever emotions he had within he kept contained.

Rodric's face however was filled with a strange rush of confusion, which in turn confused Cyr. Did he not know Henry had died that day? Surely he must have figured as much. Maybe he was just misreading his facial expressions. Human faces were difficult to read, although he had much experience in that regard.

Then his eyes lid up all of a sudden. "Oh by gods... of course you wouldn't know. It was thought all of you were dead as well so of course..." He slowly let go of Will, taking him by his shoulders and looking into is eyes. He smiled, wiping away another tear. "Cyrvanyx, you were Henry's companion, weren't you?" He asked with a smile crossing his lips for some reason as he gaze remained on William.

"I was... yes." He tilted his head, watching him with attention.

"I thought so..." He chuckled, shaking his head briefly. "He survived, dragon." His gaze briefly fell on Cyrvanyx as he said those words and a cold shudder ran through his entire body. His heart felt like it skipped a few beats. A lump forming in throat suddenly as he stared at the old man, totally stunned.

Henry lived? How was that even possible? And how could he know for certain? Before he had the chance to recover and ask away, Rodric already answered all those questions.

"He arrived with another dragon he saved on the road. He awoke amongst his dead brothers-in-arms and made his way here." While he spoke his eyes remained on the young boy who seemed to have about the same reaction as Cyr. Even Rodric's voice cracked a little as he spoke. "Henry is alive. Your father is alive, William."

An almost uncomfortable silence filled the entire courtyard as the boy as well as the two dragons and the lost knight just stared. Staring at Rodric in utter disbelief, shock, especially Cyr and Will. For Will though that shock became joy in a matter of seconds. Despite how he knew did not want to cry again, he did so. He did however not hug his uncle again, only staring at him. "Where..." the boy started in a weakened voice. "Where is he then? I-I don't see him." His voice got louder surprisingly fast. He almost sounded... angry.

It shocked Rodric as much as it shocked Cyr. "He is on a mission, Will. He will return in a matter of-"

"No!" He shouted and Rodric recoiled his touch as if he was struck. "My father is dead! I saw it!"

"And I saw him alive. Will he is-"

"I saw him die!" He yelled at him, tears streaming down his face. "Why are you lying to me?"

"Why would I lie about that?" Rodric asked, his voice also getting louder. "Your father is-"

"No! You're a liar!" The boy balled up his hands into fists and punched his uncle right in the face, easy enough due to him still down on one knee. The strike send an almost perfect in synch gasp through the crowd around them and it send Rodric stumbling back. "My father is dead!"

The old man stared at the boy in a mixture of anger and sadness, latching out and grabbing his arm. "No! Let me go!" Rodric did his best to get the boy in a secure hold while he only tried to get away from him. Eventually he got him in a hold from where William just continued screaming into his chest.

Rodric still struggled to him under control but as he did he took a brief glance around the courtyard, glaring angrily at the gathered crowd of both guards and refugees. "What are you all looking at? Back to work!" The people reacted to his command right away, guards shoving away persistent onlookers while most others just went back to their work or training for the war to come. "And you two!" He called for two guards standing nearby. "Bring him to my room and try to calm him. I will join soon but see to it that he does not hurt himself or anyone else."

The guards bowed their heads and, carefully as they could, took William from Rodric's grip. He almost ran away when he let go but one of the guardsmen caught his arm, the other one catching his other arms soon after. He did not seize his flailing or screaming however.

As William was carried away by them Rodric turned around to face Cyrvanyx, Ary and Gareth, staring at them as if they were supposed to know what just happened. All Cyr could do however was glare back at him with the same level of confusion in his eyes that Rodric had.

After this strange outburst by William they all followed Rodric to the keep where he meant to show them quarters where they could stay for the time being. He did mention that the castle was not built to hold several dragons so it could get a bit tight but Cyr didn't mind. At least they were safe now, as was William. His mind was still on Henry after what Rodric had said. For all the time he had spend at his home clan he was sure that he was dead. He needed more answers for his mind to truly believe the old man, despite the fact that deep down he already believed him.

"So how exactly did he survive the battle?" Cyr asked just as they reached the entrance of the keep.

"I am not sure myself." Rodric answered, two guards meanwhile opening the heavy wooden doors. Rodric led them to the left side of the great entrance hall where he could already see two doors large enough for a dragon to fit through at the far end side. "He did not speak of such details. When he and the dragon come back you ask him yourself."

"Speaking of this dragon." Ary chimed in unexpectedly. "Was he... green by any chance? Golden eyes perhaps?"

Rodric glanced back at her with interest shimmering in his eyes. "Yes? Why do you ask? Do you know-"

"Is his name Alvahroth?" She asked with widened eyes before the old man could even finish. Rodric stared back at her with widened eyes also while Cyr slowly began to understand what she was trying to ask. It was a long time ago, for human standards at least, but he still remembered that name clearly.

"Yes, that would be him." Rodric said at last and almost immediately a shine filled Ary's eyes. "Ehm... who is he to you then since you seem to know him?"

The thought crossed his mind as Rodric asked that question and yet Ary still responded faster, joy filling her voice. "It... it has been years since I have last seen him. They both moved further west, nearer to the coast once I left the clan to join the order..." She paused briefly before moving on. Although judging by Rodric's understanding expression she no longer had to explain any further.

She did nonetheless. "Alvahroth is my father... and I thought he is dead."

A moment of silence lay in the air as all seemed frozen in time. Cyr stared at Ary who in turn stared in the distance, smiling wistfully. The silence was broken when Rodric began to chuckle in what Cyr assumed was disbelief. The chuckle got stronger and stronger with each second until at last he found words again.

"Well this... this sure is a surprise, isn't it? All thought dead loved ones coming back. Next I know my brother will come knocking at the door." His chuckle turned into a cheery laugh which was somewhat shared by the others as well. Cyr could not stop watching Ary laughing and smiling. Seeing her so happy simply made him happy in turn, a feeling that was only made more steadfast by the fact that Henry was in fact alive.

"Greetings dragons and sir Gareth, is it? A guardsman rushed to my doorstep to tell me about your arrival." A young man came at them from the side accompanied by two heavily armed guards. His appearance seemed quite regal and his deep blue eyes gazed him and Ary up and down. Despite his tall stance Cyr could see a hint of fear and uncertainty in the young noble's eyes as he watched them as he approached. "It was quite a surprise to hear of two dragons coming from the north both carrying riders. I assume Lord Rodric brought you up to date on our current situation?"

"Partly, your majesty, but not all of it yet."

Right away Cyr and the others stared at this young man in disbelief. Did he just call him majesty? "Prince Aethur?" He asked perplexed, wondering how many surprises will yet await him.

"That would be king now." King Aethur said with a smirk, the nervousness in his form visibly washing away as he spoke. "Thanks to the help of Sir Henry who we presumed the last knight of the order." He nodded at Gareth, straightening up as soon as the king's eyes found his. "But it seems we were wrong."

"Your grace!" In a strong voice he called out as he went down on one knee. "My sword is yours, now and always." When Cyr saw that play out he immediately followed Gareth's example. He bowed his head deeply with his eyes closed. Arylaryl did the same.

A moment of silence followed. The king seemed flustered by this gesture of loyalty, at least that was what Cyr was thinking as the king spoke. "I- you... you mustn't bow. It seems hardly proper for dragons to bow before me hehe..." He paused briefly before exhaling a breath he seemed to be holding. "Oh, and rise, sir Gareth."

Gareth did just so, Cyr and Ary as well. When Cyrvanyx raised his head to look upon the young king he looked just as flustered as he had sounded. No doubt he was trying to hide it but not doing a very good job at it. He must not be used to dragons, yet. "You may be a man and no dragon," Cyr spoke softly as to reassure his majesty. "but you are still our king. We were both part of the order. Our allegiance lies with you."

"I concur." Ary declared strongly, her chest puffing out. "I and Gareth are yours. And Cyrvanyx over here was once with Henry. So you've got two dragons and their knights at your command." She glanced down at Rodric who was standing at the side with his arms crossed. "And the old green bastard as well."

"Wait, wait..." The king watched them both with narrowed eyes. "He was with Henry?"

"I was yes."

"So that boy you brought in..." He could practically see the cogs turning in Aethur's mind.

"He is his son, William."

"Oh..." Aethur chuckled. "That is good to know. Excellent news..." He smiled. "I wonder though, the other dragon kept his name secret. Why don't you?"

"Pff." Ary chuckled at the question. "It is just an old tradition practiced by mostly old grumps or... those who just don't trust humans. My father was always traditional in that regard so it doesn't surprise me he kept it a secret."

"I see, I see..." The young king kept smiling until he realized what Ary had just said. "Wait, he is your father?" Ary simply answered his question with a wide grin and a nod. "How many surprises is this day going to offer yet I wonder hahaha." He laughed as he shook his head. "So about that tradition, do you know where it comes from?"

"... Ehm..." Ary looked around, unknowing what to say, until her eyes landed on Cyr, her look asking him to help her out. He didn't know any better either however. Before things could get awkward though, Rodric thankfully chimed in.

"It has been a long journey for them all, your majesty." He said softly. "It would be best to let them rest for the time being I would say."

Aethur glared at him for a second with confusion before his eyes widened, as if he only now realized where they were and who he was talking to. "Oh, yes... yes of course. I seemed to have gotten a bit lost in mind. Apologies."

"No need to apologize, your majesty." Cyr said to him.

Aethur just smiled at him and bowed his head at him, then at Ary and Gareth. "I better be going then and leave lord Rodric to it. If you do not mind perhaps we could talk a bit later... in private, I mean. Cyrvanyx, you and I."

Cyr smiled and answered with his own nod. "It would be my pleasure, your majesty." It was almost strange how he seemed confident one moment and flustered the next. Maybe it was just dragons. It would be unfit for a king of all people to be socially awkward. After a few words of farewell the king was off, going back up the stairs with the guards in tow. Cyr was unsure why the king wanted to speak to him in private. Perhaps it was about Henry, or the interest the young man seemed to have in dragons. Whatever it may be he would be honored to meet the son of the great king Aerdur in private.

Once the king left Rodric showed them the room where they could sleep and have some privacy inside the castle walls. It looked to be nothing but an old storage room that had a cleared out space in the middle. Ary's father had been staying there, Rodric explained, before he left with Henry to get needed food supplies for the army outside the walls.

There was enough room for all of them, Cry thought. Which is when he realized that he would be spending his nights in close quarters with the dragoness of his dreams. The thought was both exciting and nerve wrecking. With more time for themselves maybe he could build up the courage to finally approach her. If not for his own sake then for Henry's. When he returns and finds them there only to learn he still didn't tell her he loved her Henry would have his balls in a vice no doubt.

"So, I will be showing you your quarters next, Sir Gareth."

"Oh no, that won't be needed. I would prefer to sleep alongside Ary as I have in the last few days." Oh no. With Gareth in the room there was no way he could pull it off.

"Are you sure?" Ary asked her companion with a hint of worry. "I am sure a real bed would be better for you than some furs and blankets splayed on the ground."

"Perhaps, but still..." Cyr met his gaze and Gareth trailed off. For the second their eye contact remained he could have sworn he saw a smile twitching at his lips. He looked away soon after and looked back at Ary. Did he know? And if so how could he? Cyr never told anyone. Except, didn't Henry say he knew from Gareth? "You know what? You're right. No need to make this room more cramped for you as is." He said smiling at Ary before glancing at him, smirking for just a second. Yes, he definitely knew.

"Wise decision, Gareth, for once." Ary remarked as she smirked down on him. "Wouldn't want you getting all cranky as you complain about backpain like the time you slept next to me on campaign."

"Hey!" He called back in mock anger as he and Rodric were already back in the doorway. "That was one bloody time!"

"Enough times for me to rub in under your nose."

Gareth chuckled, shaking his head as he followed Lord Rodric. "Enjoy your cozy storage room, my dear! I shall be enjoying my warm bed meanwhile." He just let off one more comment before they were out of hearing range. Ary smiled as she closed the doors, or at least tried her best to do so. Human doorknobs were hard to grasp for a dragon. The two guards outside saw her try though and assisted her, closing the doors and leaving her and Cyr alone in the room with only the light from candles scattered around the room providing some light as well as tiny widows in the back of the room, almost fully covered by stacked up crates.

He sat down on his haunches, tail curling around his paws as he stared at her wordlessly. He was not sure how to start a conversation from there. Staring at her sure wasn't the right approach though. Lucky for him, she started one herself.

"Strange to think that I feel more at home in these manmade walls than I did back in the clan." She spoke softly, almost wistfully, a paw feeling over the stone walls that made up their room. "But who am I to talk? You're the one who embraced the human culture like no other dragon I know."

A frown formed on his scaled brow. She turned around just in time to see his confused expression, frills partly raised. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you know," She smirked at mischievously. "That you'd wear clothes if you could just to fit in with them."

"Wait what?" He narrowed his eyes. "Why would a dragon wear clothes outside of armor? That's-"

"Oh come on you numbskull." She teased him, gently hitting his flank with her tail. "I am just joking around, loosening up a bit now that we are safe. For now, at least."

"Oh..." He mentally bit his own tail for acting so awkward. Why must he be so nervous every time. "Of course, yes. I don't know why I heard it like an accusation. Maybe because the others used to accuse me of embracing it too much..." When she just stared at her with an amused expression, trying to hide a smirk, he stopped. "Just ehm... sorry."

"For what?" She questioned with a chuckle following her words. "For being nervous? No need to be sorry for that, Cyr." She smiled at him and the warmth of that smile washed away all his worries for a brief moment, causing him to smile as well.

After swallowing a lump in his throat he said. "I know." With his paws he kneaded his tail tip, stroking the webbing there. "I just... fell... strange when around you." Oh gods, what was he saying. All his systems were on high alert. His face felt hot as the fire within each dragon. "Strangely nervous, I mean by that... and... ehm..." He didn't know what to say as his mind was a mangled mess. He was excited, terrified, joyous and anxious all at once. Forming simple sentences alone proved a difficult task.

Despite his stuttering Ary just smiled at him with the same warm smile as before. "Oh, Cyrvanyx. You really are too much human inside your head." She chuckled which he joined in with a nervous chuckle of his own. "Just say it as it is. You are a young male and I am a young female. Were both alone in one room and will be sleeping right next to each other. I can see how that makes you nervous."

"I-I... ehm..." Did she know? No, surely not. She thought his anxiety came from simple desires, simple needs and not deeper feelings. It caused his cheeks to flush a deeper shade of red, if that was even possible at this point. "Well ehm, I am-"

"Don't say you're sorry again or I'll swear I'll smack your balls with my tail." She proclaimed in a serious tone which made him still as a statue, one paw flying straight to cover his valuables. The smile soon returned though. "It is no problem, Cyr. It is just natural. so please, stop apologizing, alright?"

"Ary I-"

"Alright?" She asked more sternly.

"... Alright." He said with a smile he forced to make. "It is just that... I have never been with female before, ever. So when we sleep close together as we must here I might get... you know..."

"Oh can't say the forbidden word?" She asked teasingly as she got closer. "I have no issue with that, Cyr. I have seen other cocks before and I am not afraid of yours."

He gulped down another lump. "Hehe, right..." He chuckled nervously. He could almost grab the tension, so thick it was in the room.

She kept up her friendly smile as he laid down on the furs that were laid out on the ground. There were just enough for one dragon since her father slept there alone before. It just meant they'd have to sleep together even closer together to stay comfortable. "It's not really surprising that you never mated with anyone by the way."

Still stuck in his mind he just mumbled a "Well..." When he saw the smirk on her face though he grasped what she really just said. "Hey!" He complained, only half serious. It was when Ary started to full on laugh that the last bit of tension he still felt was washed away and his own laughter joined hers.

They then lay together without saying a word for quite some time to just relax after everything that has happened and after the journey from the clan to the castle. He did not tell her what he wanted to her know. Maybe now was the time to say it, while they were so close together and all alone. He was still too uncertain however, and thus his maw kept shut. He did get closer though. Still, he did not know if he could muster the courage to tell her how he felt deep down. He heaved a great sigh as he kept up his deep thinking and pondering if he could do it. And if so, how and when.

In the end however, only time would tell.