12th day of the season of death 2448

- What? Reaginn asked, unsure of what he had heard coming out of his subordinate's mouth.

Azena swallowed a mouthful of egg with difficulty and then played with her fork for a while, twirling it around. That morning, the squad members had all met on the ground floor of the Quail and the Rascals tavern for breakfast. At that moment, all eyes around the table were focused on the young teenager.

- I have a way to find Umah and Yuzia, she repeated.

- Tell me about it, replied the captain, who didn't seem at all convinced.

Sanah and Morcan gave the half elf a worried look, as if they were sure she was going to get herself in trouble.

- I met two individuals yesterday who claim to have the power to hunt them down through prophetic cards, Azena explained.

Baldur let out a barely audible chuckle that said a lot about his opinion on the matter since he was usually silent. Sanah and Morcan seemed uncomfortable for their squadmate. Ruvior, on the other hand, seemed to have stopped breathing. Not a muscle, not a hair on his body was moving.

A long time went by.

Finally, he blinked and took a bite of his pork sausage.

- No, he said simply with an almost abnormal calm.

Azena was expecting a more elaborate reply from the tracker. It was as if he took it so lightly that he didn't see the point in discussing it.

- No? asked Azena, who wasn't sure she understood her captain's reply.

- No, Reaginn repeated in the same tone.

Azena opened her mouth, but chose to think for a moment. What did she have to say to convince that pig-headed man to listen to her? She shook her hands in fists, too frustrated to think clearly. The way to follow was there in front of them on a golden platter and she couldn't even get close.

- Why not give these two characters a chance? Sanah asked. Sometimes answers come from strange places.

Ruvior glared at her. He didn't need to say anything to make himself understood.

- I know, Sanah continued. It's unreliable and dangerous... But you know, we have no leads... We might as well give it a try.

Reaginn's expression did not change.

- I agree with Sanah and Azena, said Morcan. I don't have much faith in this method, but it's better than nothing.

The master tracker seemed slightly surprised. He looked at Baldur who simply shrugged, unsure what to think of it all.

- Very well. Let's go and visit these two individuals.

Azena felt as if some bricks had just been taken off her shoulders. Her muscles relaxed and her rage returned to a dormant state. She nearly made a big mistake. She owed it her safety to her teammates.

- Who are they? Reaginn asked as he took a sip of his black coffee.

At the time, Azena was unsure what to do about the revelation of Argoshin's identity. However, remembering the words of the half-dragon, he agreed to it even if it would put him in danger. She understood perfectly his need for privacy concerning his life. There were so many tricksters who wanted to attack her because of her control over the legendary element of life. In fact, they had already caused a lot of damage and she suspected that it would only get worse over time. At this thought, she wondered what kind of life Argoshin was leading. Was he a loner? Was he torn between the desire to survive and the desire to connect with others?

- Pass me a sheet of parchment. I don't want anyone to hear me. I want to respect the privacy of one in particular.

Reaginn raised an eyebrow, but got what the teenager had asked for.

- That's it.

Azena wrote the names, race and some basic information about Trish and Argoshin on the paper and passed it to her captain. The latter read and reread it a few times and then passed it to Baldur who was to his right. As the message made its way around the table, he crossed his fingers and watched the grey dragon girl sternly. The suspense was unbearable and Azena almost lost her temper as they waited for all the members to finish reading.

Sanah, who was the last to finish, uttered a little squeak of ecstasy. She was clearly excited by the news that another purple dragon, though not a purebred, existed. Reaginn raised his hand as a sign that she was keeping silent.

- Did he prove it to you? the captain asked Azena.

- Yes. He gave me a demonstration of his powers.

- Did he seem dangerous?

- Of course he did. He's half a dragon after all, but that's not the point. He wants to help us, but he had to reveal a secret that could cost him dearly. That's why I trust him.

Sanah, with her face now purple, looked like she was about to explode emotionally. Reaginn realized this and gave her permission to speak.

- How did he look? the alchemist asked in a sharp squeak. I mean, how was he? His personality...

- He sounded pretty serious, described Azena who didn't know the hybrid creature very well. I think he's withdrawn into himself, revealing only what he needs to.

- That's not surprising, said Sanah sadly. I feel sorry for him. What he is must make his life difficult and he has no control over that.

Sanah was a little crazy, but she was very empathetic. Azena liked her very much, now being a minority herself.

- Enough talk, Reaginn said. I want to meet this Trish and this Argoshin to form my own opinion about these famous cards. We have very little time to lose. Have you finished your breakfast?

- Yes sir! Azena exclaimed enthusiastically.

The half elf stuck the rest of the slices of ham in her mouth and swallowed them almost whole. Baldur smiled faintly at this action, then went serious again. He seemed to be in a good mood today.

- Baldur did you sleep well? asked Azena to tease the young boy.

The short bodyguard nodded, finished eating his poached egg and drank his glass of orange juice. Shyly, he got up from the table and adjusted his two battle-axes that were criss-crossing behind his back.

The group followed their captain to the counter where he paid for the group's lunch. Meanwhile, a hooded woman near the entrance caught Azena's attention with a mischievous smile. The teenager immediately recognized her as Trish. The fortune teller motioned for her to follow her and headed outside.

- Well, they kept their word, Azena whispered, referring to Trish and Argoshin.

- What's going on? asked Reaginn who had turned to her subordinate.

- Trish was there. She probably wants to take us to a more private place.

- I guess we should follow her, said the captain, frowning.

Obviously, he did not trust a stranger who claimed to possess prophetic powers. At first glance, it sounded fake.

The captain led his squad into the heart of the city where Azena spotted the hooded lady watching them. They followed her to a deserted alleyway that was poorly lit because of the multiple layers of linen hanging above them.

- Wait here, she said, revealing her face so that the group could identify her.

She walked further down the alley and eventually disappeared after turning a corner to the right. During Trish's absence, Azena took the opportunity to tell her teammates all that had happened last night and all the information she had been given. Reaginn did not say a word during the exchange. He seemed unimpressed by what he heard or by the behaviour of his subordinate.

- I can't wait to meet him, Sanah squealed, talking about Argoshin.

- Don't bombard him with questions, the captain ordered sternly.

- Ugh... Yes, Captain...

- After all, he's not a cactus, but a being with feelings, Morcan pointed out in a mocking tone.

- I'm going to choke you out, threatened the herbalist. Of course I'm aware of that!

- It was just a friendly little reminder.

Finally, two hooded figures emerged from the darkness and slowly approached the squad. All eyes were riveted on the mysterious individuals. Sanah adjusted her glasses, widened her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, completely under the charm, even though she hadn't really seen the half-dragon yet. Morcan realized this and gave her a little nudge. The herbalist stiffened up and paid more attention to her appearance. Baldur put a hand on the handle of one of his axes, but Reaginn motioned for him to stand relaxed.

- Do not offend them, whispered the tracker.

At that moment, Argoshin looked almost human; most of his body hidden under his broad garment. Only the color of his liquid gold eyes didn't match his false identity. Now that Azena was aware of his true anatomy, she noticed some clues that pointed to the truth. A small movement betrayed his discomfort regarding the large wings being squeezed under the layers of tissue.

- Good morning, he said in his hoarse voice, reminiscent of a dragon.

Sanah noticed the difference immediately, having studied the dragons on her journey as a dragon rider. No human had that tone unless their vocal cords had been terribly damaged.

The captain hesitated before replying, suggesting that he did not appreciate the presence of the winged hybrid. Shocked by his behaviour, the herbalist hastened to do it for him:

- Good morning to you too, she squealed in amazement.

Azena laughed a bit and then stood between the two groups facing each other. She introduced each individual and briefly described them. When she had finished, she returned to Reaginn, who seemed slightly more relaxed.

- I don't want to waste your precious time, Argoshin confessed. I know that you are skeptical about who I am and about the powers that Trish and I possess.

He removed his hooded cloak, revealing his face, tail and wings, and his tunic, revealing his torso and arms. Just as Azena had guessed, his entire body was strewn with amethyst scales. He was both muscular and slender, which seemed extraordinary because it was rare to see this combination.

- You are splendid, Sanah said, blushing immediately after the comment that she had impulsively vomited.

She must have felt the piercing eyes of Reaginn who had momentarily glared at her because she began to stammer half incomprehensible excuses.

- I appreciate your positive reaction, Miss, said Argoshin, bowing his head slightly in respect.

Sanah's cheeks turned from soft pink to bright red in an instant and she looked away, completely dominated by her embarrassment. Argoshin had been very polite since their meeting in Myssa. Perhaps Azena had misjudged him. On the other hand, if we forget all the most recent events, he remains suspicious. Confused, the teenager wasn't sure what to think.

- Your looks seem to measure up to your claims, but are you really of draconian purple heritage? asked Reaginn. I've already read that there is a race of cold-blooded lizard-men.

Azena wasn't even surprised by this kind of behavior on her captain's part. If ever there was a master of caution, it was him. She was suspicious, but he was even worse.

- They have no wings, Argoshin pointed out.

He performed the same demonstration as the night before, but with unfortunate thirsty grass because there were no trees nearby. Half of them were killed while their brothers were reinvigorated.

- Impressive, Sanah whispered.

Reaginn showed little expression during the procedure, but he nodded when the half-dragon was finished, visibly accepting that the stranger could indeed control the evasive element of life. For almost all dragon riders, the purple dragon flight was extinct and any notion of its existence seemed to be a legend. In a sense, Azena and Argoshin were like the reincarnation of these mythical beings. It was hard to believe it when you saw the living proof.

- It's not possible, said Morcan, who couldn't believe his eyes. Well, it is... It's possible, but damn it...

He turned to Argoshin and asked shyly:

- Have you ever met...

- A purple dragon, interrupted the hybrid down. Unfortunately, I haven't. I don't understand my origin. It's as if I was born out of nothing, out of a myth buried under so many others.

That truth broke the heart of Azena, who was in a similar boat as him. Certainly she knew her racial heritage, but where she came from was a mystery. Even her adoptive parents had no idea. They claimed that a servant had found her at the gates of their palace with a small note revealing her first name and simple thanks for taking her under their wings.

- Did you search for them? Or for other half-dragons? Sanah asked.

Argoshin simply nodded, had a long, silent pause to answer the questions of the herbalist, and then drew attention to Trish as he withdrew behind her. Sanah and Morcan stared at the hybrid all the same. Strangely, it was Reaginn who defended him.

- That's enough, grunted the tracker. We're here for a different purpose.

Morcan and Sanah went slightly pink and apologized with an inhibited murmur.

Azena wondered if her captain was that indifferent, or if he was simply hiding his emotions regarding the discovery of half purple dragon. This being was not just a rare creature after all.

Reaginn laid his eyes on the fortune teller who was waiting for the signal to begin her work.

- Miss... Trish, I believe?

- That's right, the young woman replied.

Reaginn gave her a small smile. He seemed to be trying to be polite to the charming lady who evoked a feeling of discomfort in him.

- I hope you will bring us some useful information.

- I'm sure it will, Trish replied mischievously. I have full confidence in the power of my cards for they are divine.

The captain, who still did not seem impressed, motioned for her to begin.

- Cards don't work by themselves, Trish explained. They require a catalyst.

- What do you mean? Reaginn asked.

- The said catalyst could be any living or dead being. I only require a drop of blood. That way, the result will revolve around whoever provides the sacrifice.

She paused and observed each member of the squad one by one.

- Who will be the catalyst?

Azena and Reaginn did one step forward simultaneously.

- I'll take that risk, said the tracker confidently.

He hadn't noticed that the half elf had also volunteered.

- There's another volunteer, Trish pointed out.

- No way! Reaginn exclaimed with a sudden passion after turning to Azena. I am the captain of this team and I take responsibility for it.

- They're just cards, Azena replied angrily. Besides, I'd like to contribute a little bit as I'm just an observer.

- I refuse, Reaginn replied more tactfully. We don't know what the potential powers of these cards will reveal to you. I have a more hardened mind than yours.

- So deep down, you do think these cards are potentially dangerous. And I'll have you know that my mind is strong, too.

- Stop acting like a child. I'm your superior officer and I've made my decision.

Trish had watched the exchange carefully and decided to handle it herself. She opened the wooden box engraved with strange runic symbols and pulled out a single card. It was made of the same material as her container and was also precisely engraved with what seemed to be a blade. In its centre was the clumsy drawing of what appeared to be a seed that was beginning to germinate. She chanted a few words in a foreign language and a faint halo of greenish light appeared around the card, which floated gently in front of the fortune teller.

At that moment, Reaginn and Azena stopped arguing and looked at the card with both suspicion and wonder.

- What kind of magic is this? Reaginn asked.

- It's not magic, Trish explained. There's no mana involved. It's the same with the elements. It's actually with the help of the Herald of Beyond that they work.

- You mean Thalic, the minor god? Sanah asked.

- I prefer demigod, but minor god is fine too.

Sanah seemed offended at the time. Intrigued, Azena dared to ask:

- Is there a difference between demigod and minor god?

- It depends on the culture, Argoshin explained before Trish could say a word. A minor god has less power than the major ones, so they are technically demigods. In my opinion, these debates are pointless and lead to the same result.

- Yeah, yeah, Mr. Ram, growled Trish, who seemed to have heard this explanation before.

Argoshin squinted, obviously not impressed by his companion.

- Well, let's decide who will be the catalyst, Trish said. Here's the card that initiates the process; this one represents the beginning, birth and growth.

- Wh-what? exclaimed Reaginn. Wait...

Before he could continue his protest, the tracker found himself in front of the card that glowed in front of him. For a long time. The object remained motionless, as calm as the sea during low tide. Finally, it reacted and wavered slightly from right to left.

- Mmmmhmmm, Trish mumbled.

Then the card approached Azena. Immediately, it vibrated, pulsating like a beating heart. Trish's eyes widened with interest.

- Sometimes cards reveal mysterious things, prophecies, but that's rare. They only seem to do so when a soul inspires them.

- No divine power controls destiny, Reaginn said.

- You're skeptical, Trish continued, staring at the card that fluttered in Azena's proximity. That's good because cards are not absolute. On the other hand, certain events cannot be avoided.

The two individuals continued their discussion, but Azena could no longer hear their words. The little wooden card that glowed in front of her seemed to call out to her. She felt strangely attracted to it as if it wanted to share information with her. Was it interest? No, it couldn't be. A card has no emotions. And yet...

A pinch in her index finger awakened her senses.

- Ouch, squealed the half-elf-elf, startled.

She lowered her gaze and only had time to see Trish's hand guiding hers over the floating card. The fortune teller applied some force and the drop of blood on Azena's index finger made contact with the card.

- That's it! Trish exclaimed as she released the archer. The contract has been sealed.

Reaginn grumbled, clearly unhappy with Trish's decision.

The wooden box opened by itself and about thirty cards swirled around the one that represented the beginning. They made a few turns, until a few of them seemed to calm down. Eventually, only four of them connected to the middle one, creating a strange symbol that glowed the same green as the one in the center, all in unison.

Trish hiccupped and gently placed her trembling right hand on the five cards and closed her eyes. For long minutes she stood still, but despite her calm, she seemed agitated.

When she finally opened her eyes, she seemed both surprised and disturbed.

- I saw much further than you asked me to, she admitted to the squad.

Suddenly, the three cards that had connected to the middle one turned over to reveal their symbol and then they arranged themselves in the box in perfect order, the one from the beginning being at the top of the pile.

Azena memorized the three symbols in her mind as if her life depended on it; that's how she felt at that moment. The first: a cheerfully grimacing face, the second: the head of a roaring feline creature, the third: a whirlwind of spirals that honestly gave her a headache directly behind her eyes, and finally, the fourth: a hand that supported a dozen figures, both humanoid and animal. What did the combination of these drawings mean? She was eager to demand an explanation from Trish, but she didn't want to annoy her captain, who was already uneasy with their situation.

For his part, Argoshin suddenly seemed intrigued. He had gotten up from his improvised bench which was actually just his long tail. It looked like he was about to speak, but he remained silent.

- None of your prophecies is needed, Reaginn said. Give us the directions we need to take. We're running out of time.

Trish glared at him, then she turned to Azena.

- I saw a boy... rather, a daughter of the storm in this very kingdom. She was in distress about half a season ago.

Immediately the benevolent image of Argent took shape in the mind of the archer. She knew that Trish was referring to her older sister. Her blood froze and she nearly burst into tears.

- Where exactly? she asked, hoping with all her heart that the fortune teller would give her a clue that would not point to her sister.

- Golden stones. It must be the capital or some house in the vicinity. This young woman shares a friendship with a horse of superior intelligence. She seemed once lost in a sea of sand and once, in forests and mountains.

- That's not possible. You... you have to be talking about Argent. She's not supposed to be in distress. She should have been in the capital safely long ago.

The angry teenager turned to Reaginn and gritted her teeth.

- The academy didn't keep me informed about Argent's situation, she accused.

- What makes you think we knew? the captain remarked.

- Don't play games with me. Someone, at least my mother, would have told me about such a tragedy.

- It's part of the family's transitional detachment.

- So you knew... Anyway, is she safe now? she asked Trish.

- The cards didn't tell me her destiny, the fortune teller confessed. It's not a good omen, but maybe they just weren't interested. On the other hand...

Reaginn cut off their conversation, grabbing Azena's shoulders tightly to draw her attention to him.

- That's enough now, he said firmly. Don't lose sight of our mission. How many times do I have to tell you that you're a dragon rider of Atgoren now. You may still be an apprentice, but you are still one of us who has sworn to follow the philosophy of Guardians of Aerinda.

- There's much more I have to tell you, young dragon rider, Trish pointed out. That was just an appetizer. The cards like you. I could offer you a private reading.

- I don't know, Azena confessed nervously.

- Sometimes it's better not to know. On the other hand, if you're able to manage your emotions, this vital information allows you to shape a different destiny.

This time Reaginn expressed himself in a thunderous voice what was rare and surprising coming from him:

- We're here to find out which way to go to save our brother and sister. Don't make me repeat myself, gypsy.

- All right, Trish said with slight irritation. Go where the sand and the bloody earth intertwine. To the east. They're waiting for allies, for reinforcements. You must act quickly and effectively.