9th day of the season of death 2448

During the last two seasons, Serfantor had befriended several other apprentices whom he had once believed could never have happened. However, he still had difficulty accepting that they were now allies. He sincerely desired from the bottom of his heart to experience peace in their company, but his first instinct was mistrust. So he had kept a certain coldness with them. Only Ariella had succeeded in bringing him out of his shell a little more. She invited him once in a while to go outside late at night for some fresh air. Sometimes they had to sneak back to their dormitory because they violated the curfew. To this day, they hadn't been caught because Serfantor would hide them with umbrancy, the manipulation of the shadow element. The grey elf was beginning to have a highly developed affinity for subtlety, which was not surprising considering his element, his personality and the culture in which he had grown up.

That evening he was at the lake with Shalith who was hiding in the poor willow tree which was beginning to have difficulty accommodating her as she kept growing. Her long tail was snaking out of the hole and could have been mistaken for a huge black mamba, a poisonous and feared snake.

- Things seem to be going well between you and the little half elf, she hissed teasingly.

- Stop it, replied the gray elf. You and Harath are positively awful about it. How do you know we're interested in each other?

Shalith sniffed a few times and remained silent and immobile for a long time, except for her tail who swayed constantly. She was either irritated or excited.

- You humanoids are completely blind to your instincts, she finally said.

- What do you mean? the elf asked. You always answer me that, but you never manage to explain its meaning to me.

- It's impossible to describe it. You'd almost have to be in our heads to understand it. I suppose humanoids have broken away from their ancestral roots.

Serfantor was still not certain he understood. He knew what he felt, but was there anything deeper than that? Anyway, he didn't have time to think about that. He had more important concerns. Tonight he was to meet Sir Bregkhon at the usual place for an update on the situation regarding Azena and that quill that was polluting his life. He was supposed to take her life and bring this mysterious object back to his mother the Queen. The latter had been completely obsessed with the purple feather for more than a year. He'd never seen her so fixated on anything for so long and for so intensely. Honestly, the thought that she might one day hold it in her hands made him nervous. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but he knew it wasn't anything good. His mother was always looking for evil in her enemies, and according to her, anyone without grey elf blood is.

- Worried about tonight? guessed Shalith.

- No, lied Serfantor.

- Of course, the dragon pouted back, releasing a cloud of shadow that floated gracefully from her nostrils into the starry sky.

She didn't believe him. It was useless to lie to her; she knew him too well since she was bonded to him. She could feel his true intentions. She was very perceptive, contrary to other dragons such as Tyrath who was frankly kind of silly. Even so, the grey elf couldn't help but lie to her once in a while because of his instinct to protect himself from others.

- You know, I'm starting to like that big, grumpy female, Shalith mentioned.

The dragon opened her one eye that glowed like a firefly in the dark of the tree. She observed the person she was talking to attentively as if she was looking for a certain body language; something in particular that would be hard to pin down.

- Are you talking about Harath? asked Serfantor, who remained calm without the slightest effort.

- Indeed. She often irritates me, but she has her qualities. She has good intentions, mostly, hiding deep down, a little like you.

Serfantor was surprised to feel vulnerable at this revelation. Deep down, he didn't even know why he was reacting this way. He knew that she knew him inside out, so it was no surprise.

- Come on, you need allies, said Shalith. We can't build a wall around us and then act like the whole world is out to get us. I used to be like that and all it brought me was pain.

- I want to hear the story of this development, said the dragon rider. Unfortunately, it's time.

- Of course, Shalith hissed happily. I'd be happy to explain it all to you.

Serfantor gazed at the dark gray moon among so many small bright spots fueled by hope. The moon was devoid of its usual radiant colors. The prince identified with her now as if the stars were the other apprentices. Perhaps he had the potential to recover his hues too.

When he took his eyes off the sky, he noticed that Shalith was no longer in the tree and was silently waiting for him.

- Sorry, he said. I was just...

- Plunged in a tide of questioning, finished the dragoness for him. I know. You think so much about your life, what more you could accomplish, what you could do differently, what actions to take... It's not all bad, of course. One day the stress will take over and I'm afraid of how it will transform you.

- I'm aware of that. My problems gnaw away at me every day. We need to...

- Solutions, and soon... I know meeting me has done you the greatest good since you finally found a true connection with another being in this world, but you know as well as I do that it's not enough. Now, come on. We have a very important meeting that I would love wholeheartedly that wouldn't exist.

Shalith was right. She was almost always right. Unlike him, she could see more clearly. He, who had always been overwhelmed by his own life... He'd been drowning for too long and his vision was blurred. Shalith was like his light, despite the irony of their element.

It was time for them to leave. He nodded, agreeing to her words, climbed on her meagre leg and then jumped up and landed in the cranny of her withers. His weight being minimal due to his elven heritage, he was not surprised that she did not react to the impact. Slowly, he felt her body defy gravity, moving effortlessly upwards as she flew off.

Together, they crossed the sky hidden by the prevailing darkness of the black moon season. As on the many occasions they had to meet the Black Helm, they landed on the other side of the wall surrounding the academy, finding themselves in the city. This time, Shalith attended the meeting despite the queen's aversion to her presence. This year, she had a bad feeling that wouldn't leave. She worried that something vile was about to happen. So she landed at the top of the Atgoren smithy, which was wide and solid enough to accommodate her without any problem. From there, she watched Serfantor as he made his way behind the building to a dark corner that no human could have discerned in the lingering darkness. Shalith could, and she had already identified two persons waiting for the dragon rider: one familiar and one unknown to her.

Serfantor heard her growl, and he quickly understood why. In front of him was the one he was looking for: Sir Bregkhon who was accomplished by a second grey elf wearing a long black ceremonial robe with ends decorated with strange runes. The latter was in fact a woman, and in her face, one could discern a sense of superiority. She was most likely in charge. But why was she there? Was the Queen losing her patience? Was she simply here to make sure Bregkhon did his part? Either way, it was not a good sign.

He bowed even though it made him uncomfortable. For the time being, it was best not to provoke them.

- Her Shadow The Queen will be here tonight, the gray elf woman announced. I hope for your sake that she will be in a merciful mood... It took us a long time to convince her not to take extreme measures regarding the object of her desires.

Serfantor didn't dare question her and simply nodded.

- Behave yourself, Bregkhon ordered him in a stern voice.

- I would say the same for you, the woman said dryly, addressing the Black Helm. Don't commit the same stupidity again.

At these words, Bregkhon had the reflex of bringing his hand to his right arm as if he had been wounded. Unfortunately, his body was hidden behind his black plate armor and Serfantor could not confirm this theory. Serfantor was beginning to appreciate this strange woman whom he suspected to be a mage or an umbrancian like himself.

She began to chant a formula that Serfantor did not understand. Soon, she accumulated enough mana to accomplish what she wanted: the creation of a ghostly image of the Queen. She looked good as usual with her long crimson dress that hugged her body's generous curves perfectly. She seemed to be sitting, probably on her throne, but the object supporting her was not visible like everything else around her. She brought something to her lips, probably a cup of wine.

- My Queen, said the mage, lowering her gaze briefly.

The two men hastened to imitate her. They, on the other hand, remained bent over for a longer time than she did, showing that they were inferior to her.

- Give me news I will enjoy, she ordered, probing them with her vicious small eyes.

The mage glanced at her fellow warrior and motioned for him to begin. Curiously, she smirked and that did not escape Serfantor's notice. She seemed amused, which was probably a bad omen. The prince had to suppress his instincts so as not to lay his hand on the dagger hanging from his belt.

- Y-you see My Shadow, began Bregkhon with a nervousness which he could not conceal, we have-

He stopped abruptly. His eyes widened at the sight of the Queen's face which seemed to be ecstatic as if... She uttered a groan that confirmed Serfantor's doubts. The Queen was reveling in the presence of another man, probably to punish the Black Helm for the so-called foolishness the mage had mentioned. Besides, she seemed to appreciate what was happening. She must have been aware of this plan from the beginning.

Honestly, Serfantor was so used to this kind of vile reaction from his mother that he felt absolutely nothing but pity for the warrior who had to face this embarrassing situation. He simply waited in silence, not looking away for fear of provoking the queen who was clearly enjoying herself.

In the distance he heard a growl. He recognized Shalith who was surely already at the end of her patience with the queen's disgraceful behaviour.

- Go on! the mage bellowed. The queen is waiting for your report, dirty male!

The bottom of the queen's robe had just been lifted by a hand that appeared in the image formed by the flow of mana that the mage controlled with ease. This hand clearly belonged to a man. It was square with long, broad fingers that slipped between the legs of their sovereign.

- Go on, the queen whispered sensually.

The visible arm began a back and forth movement that was slow at first, but rose in intensity quickly.

- Your report, said the mage.

- Y-yes, stammered Bregkhon, swallowing with difficulty. Well I would say... If you want good news...

- Come on! the Queen shouted passionately.

Serfantor was honestly not sure whether she had said that to her interlocutor or her current lover. Bregkhon seemed as confused as he was. He began to play with his fingers in a futile attempt to control his emotions.

- T-the quill... It is...

Then the queen grimaced. Her limbs trembled for a long time and meanwhile, no one spoke a word. She sighed deeply and aggressively pushed away the arm that was touching her.

- Ask that infernal prince! Bregkhon raged, who had clearly cracked under the pressure. I-I don't know what's going on about it!

- I know, said the queen in a monotone tone. I know all too well.

Of course she knew; she wasn't stupid. She simply wanted to torture him for his foolishness, knowing that he felt it was very important to be her favorite. For once, Serfantor felt pity for the man he disliked the most in the world, immediately after his mother of course. His level of disgust with his mother only increased. She was so filthy, he had to get away from her. He no longer wanted to see her, hear her, or even know she existed.

- So, my son, the queen whispered in a sadistic tone, how are you?

Serfantor felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. He felt as if every hair on his body was spiking up, but he wasn't sure. He didn't have anything good to tell his mother, so he decided to end it sooner rather than later.

- I don't have the quill in my possession, he confessed.

Immediately, the queen frowned, clearly unhappy.

- However, he continued before she could reply, I am getting closer to its owner.

- Manipulation, my son? she questioned with a touch of interest. That's new coming from you. Unfortunately, my patience has a very short limit as you must know. We're no longer interested in the quill, but rather in Azena herself.

Serfantor's blood suddenly froze. How did she identify Azena? He didn't remember giving her that information.

- Ah really?

- Indeed, she continued, tapping her finger on an invisible surface. So, you're going to arrange for her to be in a vulnerable position and cooperate with Sir Bregkhon and Seveth to capture her. They will remain in the vicinity of the academy until...

- No! Bregkhon nearly cried. My Queen, I beg of you, I wish only to be near you!

The mage named Seveth waited for her sovereign's signal, put on a glove with metal claws and savagely slapped the warrior that whined in an attempt to suppress a scream.

- You stay, repeated the queen. You're not coming back until Azena is in chains and on her way to Norkux.

- What about her gray dragon? Seveth asked.

- Slay it. It'll only cause us trouble and I don't care for it.

- I'll do it for you, My Shadow, said Bregkhon with a strange mixture of bitterness and passion in his tone.

At that moment, Serfantor had only one desire: to tear down Bregkhon. He had no idea what it emotionally meant to lose your dragon, the only being in this world you can really trust. His heart was aching at the thought that Azena might lose this precious bond.

Another growl rang out in the night. Shalith had spotted something of interest. A traveling falcon was about to fly overhead. He was carrying what was surely an important message.

- Bring me that information, the Queen commanded.

Bregkhon did so with his crossbow. When he had the scroll in his hand, he unrolled it and began to read aloud:

Grand Master,

The rescue mission is going reasonably well at the moment. We're still on our way to Myssa. So far, we've encountered no obstacles. Azena is doing well despite her poor character. I hope this experiment was a good idea. I'll send you another update soon, when we arrive in Myssa.

Yours truly,

Captain Ruvior

The queen sneered and a sly smile appeared on her pulpy lips.

- So, our little dragon rider has gone on a rescue mission... Probably for Umah and Yuzia. What a bunch of incompetent savages. They won't kill her... And I doubt they can stop the dragon riders.They're far too powerful for them. It's only a matter of time before Azena comes back. Prepare for her return and capture her. She'll be tired and probably weakened. Make the most of this opportunity.

Serfantor had suspected that there might be a connection between the black shaman group and the grey elf people, but his mother had just confirmed it. She was looking for allies to achieve her goals. Allies she saw as pawns on her chessboard. She intended to use them well until their resources were exhausted and then she would throw them away, betraying their trust. It was a game she loved to play, which was not surprising considering her title of Queen of the grey elves.

The queen turned her attention to Seveth and smiled warmly at her.

- You can have fun with him any way you like. He seems to have lost his way... He requires discipline, what do you think?

- I agree, My Sweet Shadow, replied the mage with a sadistic expression that twisted her face.

- No, I beg you, whispered the warrior.

But Seveth severed the mana flow connection and the ghostly image of the queen disappeared.

- We will meet again in three nights, she decided. Young Prince, be assured that we will be watching over you and the other dragon riders. I expect you to let us know when the target returns.

- Yes, simply replied Serfantor.

She motioned for him to leave, and then she disappeared into the shadows with Bregkhon, who was now just a dog like the other male grey elves. He had lost his privilege, and for that Serfantor was delighted.

- What did he do? questioned Shalith as she and her rider flew over the academy grounds towards the tower of the fourth cycle apprentices.

- It doesn't matter, whispered the prince. We're being closely watched now. What are we going to do?

- It's like I told you earlier, we need allies. We could use an outside source.

- No one deserves my trust but you.

- I'm as helpless as you are, you know. I understand you grew up in a hostile environment, but you have to trust someone. We're limited, nearly cornered now that we're being closely watched.

She landed on the Tower of Resistance's roof, home to the fourth cycle apprentices. Serfantor jumped down from the dragoness and hurried to his bedroom's window, but he was stopped by his companion's long thin tail, which blocked his path.

- I haven't finished with you yet, she growled, snapping her jaws.

He turned and stared her straight in the eyes.

- I'm exhausted. What I saw tonight upset me. No child wants to see his own mother cum, especially being touched like that by someone else that is not your father.

- And why not? I don't see the harm in it. My mother wanted more eggs since she was concerned that the black dragon population was growing thin where we lived, so when I was very young, there was a lovely male who came to visit her and...

- I get it, Serfantor cut. I know the rest. Let's just agree that the dragons and the gray elves don't think alike. Anyway, what was it you wanted to tell me?

- Now, the story I wanted to share with you... You know, I wasn't that different from you many years ago. I grew up near a swamp in the Detmor kingdom that was too close to human habitation. So food was scarce and so was the dragon population, since our scales and horns were worth a lot of money. As I explained to you, my mother tried to restore order between our race and the human race by procreating much more than a dragon normally does. She was not difficult and tried to be social, which is behaviour that is contrary to our nature. In any case, she ended up perishing by human hands as did so many of my brothers and sisters. I was one of the fortunate few to survive so long around there on my own. Eventually, the dragons in this area succumbed to cannibalism. It was a real carnage. I fought against a huge female that wanted to devour me. I don't even remember how I defeated her... I was so small next to her. However, that fight had hurt me severely.

She took a long break.

- Of course, she didn't finish you off, Serfantor concluded.

- It should have ended my life, she said.

- What changed that?

- A patrol of dragon riders had heard our roars and they came, but a little too late. Our duel to the death was already over... They found me, nursed me back to health and brought me back to Atgoren. Of course, I was a wild dragon, so I didn't fit in well with the other dragons and especially with the riders. It took me years to trust them, but look at me today.

- All this to tell me that every culture, every environment is different.

- Precisely. The grey elf culture is not the dragon rider's. They're not the same people, just as every individual is unique. All you have to do is find the right pearls that compliment you.

On the spot, Ariella's proud face and the large mass of muscles that was her dragon appeared in his mind.

- You're right, he murmured.

- You just have to go over that wall of the past.

- I will work on it.