11th day of the season of death 2448

Later in the evening when the second sun was setting peacefully, Azena and her companions had stopped looking for a lead as the hour was getting late. The air invigorated Azena and she took a deep breath. She loved nights in Elthan. It was so peaceful and beautiful. The sky was always clear and the stars shone like tiny fireflies on a dark painting, reminding her of the Miracle Festival the year before. Besides, she missed her friends who had stayed behind. They we're like her new family that she had chosen. But she had also chosen the Guardians of Aerinda, which made all the dragon riders her brothers and sisters. So she had to find Umah.

The moon was almost indistinguishable that night. It goes darker and darker as the season of death set in. Now that it was high in the sky, it was time for the squad to meet downtown where the oasis was. Sanah had settled on a rock to soak her tired feet in the cool water and hummed a song softly. Azena was observing the constellations, recalling good memories sitting on the grass. Morcan listened to Sanah, leaning against a palm tree. Baldur watched the three of them silently, but was as alert as a watchdog. Only their captain was absent.

- Where is he?" Sanah asked after she stopped humming.

- It's worrisome. He told us to come to the oasis when the moon is high in the sky, Morcan stressed, grabbing his chin, still as pensive as ever.

Baldur remained immersed in his mystery, but a small gleam in his eyes indicated that he did not like the situation. Normally Reaginn was punctual and never broke his word.

In the meantime, the silhouette of a winged creature that appeared in the sky, making the stars disappear momentarily where it passed, caught Azena's attention.

- Tyrath, she mumbled.

She was relieved to see that he was okay, but boy, did he worry her when he got close to them.

- Go back and hide, you big turnip, she said in a dreamy tone, knowing that he couldn't hear her.

A plaintive cry came from the oasis. Azena turned her head towards the sound only to surprise Morcan, who was lovingly staring at Sanah who was not paying any attention to him.

- By the Woodruff, whispered Azena who was uncomfortable for the elementalist. It's almost pitiful to see. Can't wait for Ruvior to arrive soon...

Moments later, a hooded figure appeared from behind one of the houses and walked firmly towards the squad. Baldur was the first to see it and drew his weapons as he positioned himself for offence.

- It is simply me, informed a smooth voice that Azena immediately recognized.

The little bodyguard relaxed and put away his weapons. Sanah stopped humming, Morcan looked up at the newcomer and Azena stood still, judging that there was nothing to worry about. She could hear what he had to say from where she was.

- Where were you, Captain? the herbalist asked in an anxious voice. We were worried about you.

- I must confess that I found nothing but a scale a few leagues from here, he announced. Even so, their trail is completely swept by winds and sand. However, we have at least one direction to follow.

- Let's see it, Sanah said with interest.

Sanah approached her captain and examined the scale. It was damaged, part of its right side was missing and matched Yuzia's color.

- It is Yuzia in my opinion, but I suggest we keep her with us. Perhaps our dragons could confirm her identity with their keen sense of smell.

- That was my thoughts also,Reaginn agreed. For now, let's go rest at the tavern. You all look exhausted.

Sanah seemed worried even after she handed the scale to their superior. She bit her lower lip and seemed hesitant.

- What's wrong? Reaginn asked.

- It's suspicious that the scale broke, she said.

- What are you getting at?

- Do you think Yuzia was beaten? Dragon scales don't break so easily...

- It's a very sad possibility, Reaginn confessed.

The vision of Yuzia being brutalized brought a tear to Sanah's eye. She loved dragons as much as them exotic plants. She sniffed, seeming to be struggling with her own feelings.

- Now, now Sanah, said Reaginn in a clumsy attempt to comfort her. Yuzia is... a big girl?

After all, a captain had to keep order in his squad, and that included the emotional stability of the members. Even so, Azena thought it was an hilarious situation and was tempted to laugh.

Suddenly, a long cry distracted the whole group towards Morcan who had burst into a sob. He hid his face shamefully in his hands. Reaginn, who was already quite uncomfortable with Sanah's reaction, swallowed with difficulty and approached the elementalist cautiously as if he had an infectious disease.

- What's wrong? he asked him.

- Seeing Sanah cry upsets me, confessed the elementalist who refused to reveal his face.

Reaginn remained motionless for a long time, leaving Morcan crying more. He clearly didn't know how to deal with all these sudden emotions.

- Well, let's go to bed, he finally decided. A good night's sleep won't harm us.

At this point, Azena had put her hand in front of her mouth, her eyes were wide open and she held her breath in the hope of denying herself the need to laugh, which she could barely control. Reaginn's misery gave her a particularly pleasant happiness. It was a bit like indirect revenge.

- What's wrong with you? the tracker asked as he walked past her on his way to the tavern.

- N-nothing, replied the teenager.

- Then get up, ordered the captain as coldly as an iceberg.

The other members of the squad followed their superior in silence. Azena, who was behind Sanah and Morcan, was able to observe the interaction of her two comrades who were finally calming down.

- Thank you for the comfort, said the herbalist with a weak smile.

- It's nothing, replied Morcan. You almost gave me a heart attack!

- I'm sorry, she whispered.

Azena sighed silently and felt the sudden urge to push their heads towards each other so they could kiss. All these hidden feelings were getting on her nerves and she just wanted them to get it over with. It was at this moment that she still had the strange feeling that she was being watched. She and Morcan turned simultaneously, but they didn't see anyone.

- You too? Azena asked the elementalist.

- Yes, he replied.

He had lost all trace of sadness and anxiety to give way to mistrust. Seeing that they were trailing behind Baldur and Reaginn, he grabbed Sanah's hand and dragged her along with him, quickening his pace.

- Come Azena, he ordered the girl. Stay close to us.

The archer obeyed. When she, Morcan and Sanah were close enough to the tavern, the elementalist suddenly blushed and let go of the hand of the moon elf. The latter avoided the gaze of his companion, who was as embarrassed as he was.

- Ridiculous, Azena whispered, shaking her head negatively. Anything for physical contact...

Reaginn rented them two rooms which he paid for with funds the academy had provided for the mission: one for the girls and one for guys, exactly as Azena had predicted. However, they only had two beds, so she wondered which of the guys would have to sleep on the floor.

✦×✦

A little later in the evening, she had to pretend she couldn't fall asleep and wait for Sanah to fall asleep. Time was running out and she was beginning to lose hope. She sat on a wooden chair in front of their only window and tried to look wide awake despite the irresistible urge to cram her face into her soft pillow.

- Damn it, Sanah please sleep, she grumbled quietly.

A few moments passed and a first snore from the herbalist startled the teenager who was about to fall asleep sitting down. She uttered a scream that she tried to muffle by placing her two hands over her mouth.

- The cactus is beautiful, mumbled the herbalist who was drooling. Morcan, no! Don't touch Sonny. It's beautiful, it's mine... I named him Sonny...

With horror, Azena turned to her roommate and was relieved to see that she was only talking in her sleep. She gave herself a moment's respite by spreading her legs and thinking only of emptiness.

A moment passed, then a second snore, this one even more aggressive than the last one, cued her that it was time to leave.

- God damn, she grumbled softly.

It was finally time to join that mysterious information provider. She got up, passed her backpack's straps around her arms and approached the window she was examining.

- Sonny is mine! Sanah shouted, still under the emotions of her dream. Stop it, you're being rude.

Azena froze on the spot, one leg up in the air. She turned her head mechanically towards Sanah who was still drooling. Anxious, she decided to put on her hooded cape, which she used to hide her face in the shadows. Finally, she opened the window and grabbed onto a palm tree nearby. Standing at the top of the exotic tree, she tried to project her spirit to attract Tyrath's attention. She honestly didn't think she could establish a mental connection with him because he must have been too far away, but he replied by brushing his spirit against hers.

- What? He must be crazy, she thought. What the hell is he doing around here?

The teenager was not stupid; she knew why the drake was nearby. He must have been worried, and the night gave him enough camouflage to get close. Thanks to her superior agility, Azena was able to descend with ease and without injury. She knew where she had to go to meet her winged companion: she had to leave Myssa. Tyrath couldn't land in the middle of the city.

As a matter of fact, she met Tyrath on the outskirts of the village. She had missed him so much that she threw herself on him, arms around his neck without paying attention to anything else. The drake reacted by backing away, dropping her face in the sand.

- What the hell was that? she grumbled as she raised her fist to him.

- You were about to impale yourself with one of my spikes, grumbled the drake.

She sat cross-legged and got rid of the sand stuck to her face. She coughed and some particles were projected out of her mouth.

- It's disgusting, she grunted.

Tyrath began to regurgitate and eventually vomited what appeared to be the remains of a half-digested vulture carcass. The stench tickled her nose and she almost barfed.

- That's even more disgusting! she yelled and pinched her nose.

- It's a present, Tyrath said, tilting his head to one side innocently.

- Ugh, no thanks, she replied in a muffled tone.

- I had kept it especially for you, but I knew it wouldn't be to your taste. You humanoids like your food burnt and clean, he ended in a mocking tone as if he found this behavior capricious.

- Not burned, but cooked. And so that's what you were doing around here. A little homemade delivery?

- Oh, don't be silly. I'll have... I would've...

He seemed to have run out of excuses and finally, he gave up and looked down.

- You weren't thinking, right? Azena asked. You big turnip, there are guards everywhere. You could never have delivered this without being seen.

- But I missed you, he admitted grumbling. And I'm not a turnip.

Azena could have lectured him that he shouldn't have approached because of their rescue mission and the potential danger, but she suspected that the drake already knew all about it and he seemed sorry enough so she preferred to just tell him about their little secret mission.

- Aaaahhh, lucky I've got a mission for both of us tonight, revealed the archer, placing her hands on her hips.

The drake's gaze lit up instantly and he started hopping around like a child being offered a treat. The more excited he became, the more the sand in the air around him thickened, eventually forming a small dusty tornado.

- What? What? Tell me! What do we have to do? Tell me!

- You're worse than a kid, said Azena with a mischievous smile. I forgot... You're a kid, you little vermin!

- No but, tell me! begged Tyrath who continued spinning on himself.

- I have to meet someone who wants to know about Umah and Yuzia, but he wants to see me alone. So, you're going to stick around, be a good boy - which means quiet and subtle - and watch out for danger.

- I'm the great protector! he said, suddenly stiffening his body and positioning himself like a majestic statue.

The sand fell slowly like little beige flakes, settling around and on the drake.

- Of course, Azena replied, raising an interrogative eyebrow.

The half elf was beginning to suspect the reasoning behind several of her teammates for coming on these missions. They were crazy as hell, but she liked them.

- We'll have to hurry, Tyrath told her. The other dragons think I'm on a hunt for a quick meal. At first, they didn't want me to go alone.

- It's all right, says Azena. This shouldn't take long. It's just an information relay after all.

- If all goes well. If it's not... I'm going to feast on their bones.

Azena trusted her partner. He wasn't the wisest or the most powerful, but Tyrath was fearsome and fierce as his grey dragon heritage would have it.

The two companions later parted ways, with Tyrath taking to the skies to patrol from above, making sure to keep in touch with the half-elven as she sneaked through the dark streets to find herself behind the Quail and the Rascals. When she arrived at her destination, all she found were the old garbage bags from the day's work that an employee had left behind. Two alley cats curiously sniffing through the garbage in search of a meal. When she saw Azena, the first one ran away. It was probably used to being chased away from there. The second, on the other hand, ignored the newcomer.

- Ugh, said Azena, pinching her nose.

She distracted herself from the stench by crouching on the ground and offering the cat a piece of dried meat she had kept in her backpack for a snack. The animal hesitated, but eventually approached. As he devoured his meagre meal, it let the young half elf pet his head. Its fur was dirty, greasy and of a beautiful mouse-grey color, just like its nose for that matter. Its big green eyes searched for the moonlight that was almost invisible in the dark of the night. It seemed to be happy with its current situation.

- You're cute, Azena whispered. I'd adopt you if I could. You'd be well fed and I'd let you have your freedom of course. You could run the streets to hunt mice and birds. A life of royalty.

She was so preoccupied with her new friend that she forgot why she was there. The cat who had almost finished his dried meat suddenly abandoned her. Just like its companion, it ran away, disappearing into the shadows of the night.

- What's the matter with... Why did he suddenly leave? Azena mumbled. He didn't even finish his meal... He seemed to like it so much.

Suddenly, she felt an intimidating presence coming from behind her. She was in mortal danger, she knew that and yet she stood still in her panic. What was to be done? If she turned her head, would she provoke the intruder? Should she simply wait for him to say something? For a long time, nothing happened. The presence remained and the only activity she detected was her heart beating faster and faster under stress.

Finally, a voice that almost sounded like a hiss and a growl mixed, but that was also reassuring somehow, broke the silence:

- What are you doing in this area, young lady?

Azena didn't dare reply. Was it the person she was supposed to meet or was it a bandit or even worse, a killer?

- It's dangerous to walk alone in the night, he continued calmly.

He paused.

- As I see it, you are not alone. You brought your dragon with you as I suggested. A wise decision, but I assure you it will not be necessary in this situation.

Azena suddenly relaxed. Her body seemed to regain its fluidity and she could finally turn around. She came face to face with a tall individual wearing a large cloak, a hooded cape and a sword at his waist. He lowered his hood and bowed slightly as if to introduce himself.

- My name is Argoshin. I don't have a last name or a clan name. I am my own master, my own leader. I am just that: a simple wanderer.

Azena recognized him immediately. He was the winged creature that had been pestering her since the summer. Memories poured into her mind and she was left confused. His behavior was so mysterious and evasive that he had seemed to be an enemy, but when she thought about it more deeply, she saw that he wasn't trying to harm her. After all, he had saved her group from a band of dragon-slaying barbarians, but did that make him an ally? She still wasn't convinced. Immediately, she was overcome with frustration, which she expressed in a screaming voice:

- What the hell do you want from me? Tell me!

The liquid gold eyes of the scaled man met her own, and it was at that moment that she felt a strange sense of comfort as if she had just seen a member of her family. The more she focused on this feeling, the more she realized that it did not come from her, but from Turion.

- W-what? she stuttered. What does it mean?

It was as if the wyrm was trying to advise her to trust this Argoshin, but he didn't dare to manifest himself enough to be able to talk to her. Confused and frightened by the influence he had on Turion, she backed away and almost tripped over a garbage bag. Luckily, someone grabbed her by the arm and helped her maintain her balance. She instinctively turned to see her saviour and identified the woman she had seen earlier today. She was wearing the same outfit, a dark brown hooded cape much too large for her, which she used to wrap her body.

- You! Azena exclaimed. I saw you watching us. Who are you?

The slender woman let go of the teenager's arm and lowered her hood. Immediately, Azena recognized her serene face and her chestnut hair decorated with beads of many colors.

- The fortune-teller! Azena said, completely shocked. You're Trish!

- I prefer bard, oracle or even borderline vagabond if you don't mind, Trish said. Fortune teller sounds a little fraudulent.

- As if playing with cards really reveals a person's fate, Azena replied angrily.

Argoshin stood between the two women. Trish seemed calm, but she still didn't seem to appreciate the teenager's attitude.

- Azena, the scaled man began, Trish is the reason I know of Umah and Yuzia's location.

- W-what? said Azena, who did not foresee this at all.

- These cards reveal a trail, but not the exact path to follow. On the other hand, it is a good indication and it allowed me to find them two days ago, just before your arrival. It's quite possible that they've moved, so we'll need a new reading.

- Ah well, whispered Azena, who was embarrassed by her own accusations. Are you sure it was because of the cards?

Argoshin uttered a little laugh that sounded strangely like a dragon's. Azena's heart tightened as she realized what this creature really was.

- Are you... I mean, are you... I don't mean to intrude on your business, but are you...?

- Half a dragon? Argoshin asked with a smirk on his face.

- Yes, exactly. Actually, my masters think it's not possible, but you look so much like them in some ways.

- You're absolutely right, Argoshin confirmed in a benevolent tone..

At the time, Azena could do nothing but believe him. He seemed so sincere.

- Can I see... to confirm...?

Argoshin nodded and took off his cloak and tunic to reveal a muscular torso with purple scales here and there that shimmered on his pale skin. He obviously trained very often, probably daily. His body was toned, healthy and well maintained. His long, thin fingers ended in sharp claws and his upper canines protruded slightly from his mouth.

- Show off, Trish said, crossing her arms.

Argoshin stared at his companion sternly and imitated her pose as if he was trying to make fun of her. Azena noticed that despite the animal color of the half-dragon's eyes, his pupils were completely human, as were his facial expressions. In fact, she expected his hair to be purple, but it was dark brown, almost black. It was styled into a thick rat tail that was so long it could almost touch the ground while the rest, mainly the front of the hair, was semi-long, going down to about his chin.

- Your ears are so adorable, Trish laughed.

- Stop it, grunted Argoshin whose cheeks turned pink.

At the bard's comment, Azena examined the rest of Argoshin's physique and was surprised to find that she actually adored his ears, which resembled those of sylvan elves: long, pointed, at an angle that was closer to the horizontal than the vertical. On the other hand, they were strewn with scales.

But the two most impressive physical features were the pair of huge wings and the two ivory spiral horns that followed the angle of his ears. Fortunately, these were not very long, so he managed to hide them under a hood without any problem.

Despite the physical evidence and the claim that he was going to help her, Azena did not find in herself to trust this creature. The purple dragons had been extinct for so long that she questioned Argoshin's identity. However, she didn't want to provoke his anger, so she thought it best to keep this suspicion to herself.

- Was this proof enough? Argoshin questioned.

Azena nodded and the man put his clothes back on without hesitation, pulling his hood over his head again, hiding his identity. At that moment, anyone would have taken him for a simple human with very broad shoulders and back. Knowing that this effect was caused by his wings, Azena smiled, satisfied to know the secret that this individual was so boldly trying to hide.

- Show me those famous cards, said Azena, realizing that she must have looked demanding, but she didn't care. I need to know.

Trish started digging through the deep pockets of her coat and found a small, sturdy wooden box with some runic symbols carved into it.

- What does it mean? Azena asked, pointing to the symbols.

- A little curious, I see, Trish replied with a smirk on her face. It's good to be careful.

She offered the box to the dragon rider and placed her index finger below the first symbol.

- These symbols come from a language older than Aerinda herself. It is said to be the writing of the deities. Anyway, I had to study under a mysterious sage who refused to tell me about himself for a whole year to understand what my cards were revealing to me. A real stubborn that one was. I still don't know his first name.

She paused, realizing she was straying from the original subject. Azena had to move away a little because the bard expressed herself a lot with extravagant gestures when she was talking. She seemed very energetic unlike her companion who observed in silence.

- I'm rambling as usual! Trish corrected herself before continuing with passion. Forgive me. Anyway, this is only a vague translation: Truth, although vague, emerges from the enchanted wood of these cards. Beware, for its magic will only live in the hands of one who learned directly from the elders.

Azena raised an eyebrow, uncertain to understand.

- You see, I believe this old weirdo was in fact an elder and that explains why he refused to tell me about him.

- What exactly do you mean by elder? Azena asked.

- I'm not sure either, Trish confessed. It could be a very old person which he seemed to be, a dragon, a mythical creature or a demigod, but I doubt it. Thewhole experience was truly mysterious.

She looked up at Azena, who blinked silently and incessantly, overwhelmed by the information she had just received.

- I know, it seems unlikely! Trish said, raising her arms to the sky. Mr. Goat didn't believe me either!

- Stop calling me that, Argoshin complained. I'm not a goat!

- All right, well... I apologize.

She approached the half-dragon to shake his hand in reconciliation, which Argoshin seemed hesitant to accept for a brief moment.

- You forgot to wash your paws again! Trish exclaimed with a mischievous smile.

- Honestly, Argoshin grunted as he stepped back to wipe his hand on his coat. I'm not an animal, Trish. How many times do I have to tell you that?

- He's cute when he's angry, isn't he? the bard asked Azena.

- Uh... I don't know? the teenager replied uneasily.

- Sorry, she loves making people uncomfortable, Argoshin explained with a slight touch of irritation. She does it on purpose and sometimes, what comes out of her mouth isn't even the truth.

He grumbled for a moment before regaining his serious gaze.

- So do you understand why I didn't want your companions with you?

- Yes, said Azena. They would've reacted badly, I think. It's all so hard to believe.

- You'll see tomorrow. I assure you that we can help you. I'm sorry I asked you to come alone. It was an immense risk for you, but it was necessary. Now it will be easier to convince the rest of your group to trust me.

- Of course. I'll give it a try.

Trish started waving her hands again.

- Oh, I almost forgot, she said as she put the box back in her coat. Verena wanted to apologize for keeping my existence and Argoshin's from you.

- Does she know you? Azena asked, unsure of what was going on.

- Yes, she brought you here, didn't she?

- It was a trick! Azena exclaimed, feeling once again like a complete fool.

- Well yeah, what did you expect? Who would patrol the desert all day long looking for potential tourists?

- But what about the free meal?

- It was organized, Trish said, nodding her head.

- So she's just a bartender?

- Exactly! Well, she's an old friend of mine, but...

- And, um... How do you and Argoshin know each other?

Argoshin lifted a finger:

- That's...

- He paid me! Trish exclaimed shamelessly.

- ... an old friend of mine, Argoshin ended up blushing.

- Liiiiiees, the bard sang.

- Well, I'm going to bed, Argoshin decided, turning around. See you tomorrow. I'll find you.

He slipped away in the shadow of the night, Trish on his heels.

- Wait for me, the bard growled and put her hood over her head. Wait! You always go too fast with your long legs!

Azena remained motionless for a long time surrounded by garbage bags, lost in her thoughts. When she came back to herself, several alley cats had surrounded her without caring too much about her except for the little mouse grey one to whom she had offered a piece of dried meat. He had laid down by her feet and was snoozing peacefully. Happy she saw him again, the half elf left him a second piece and decided to stay a little while to pet him.

- I hope tomorrow won't be a total disaster, Azena whispered to her new friend, despite the fact that he didn't understand her.