His mother still hadn't come out of their house for two weeks since Doryu's disappearance. The townspeople of Narris began to worry, as her health was deteriorating. Taylen had worked extra hours at the blacksmith, and on his free days, he was selling horses with his father. Renada had taken on a sewing gig to provide the family with a little more money. Everyday with Ronish, it started the same routine; they would feed and water the steeds, clean the stalls, and wash the horses most likely to be bought. In their freetime, they would dust, but today, they sat and talked, watching everyone walk past them, carrying on with their everyday lives.

"What do you think happened to Doryu?" Taylen had asked. He asked this question before, and Ronish had no answer. None of his family did.

"That is a question I would like answered as well. Not only for information, but to stop your mother's grieving." His father sighed and crossed his arms. "I don't know what happened to the boy, or what would drive him to run away." Taylen turned to Clement, Doryu's horse, who had been more bitter recently.

"How's Renada liking her new job?" he asked, trying to spark a conversation that wasn't about Doryu or his mother.

"It's not her books, but she's doing well. Sewing is a very useful skill and it'll help her in the long run. Saneesh will be visiting in about a month, so we'll need to prepare a room."

"He may sleep with me in Doryu's bed," Taylen offered. Ronish gave him a query look. "I mean, it's not occupied right now, and I wouldn't want him to find a tavern with so little in Narris. You know how Jateis is with newcomers." Giving a sigh, Ronish agreed.

"I suppose it'll have to do, though your mother won't be thrilled."

"I know."

Ronish closed up the stable late. Taylen made sure the horses were all accounted for and had enough water before traveling back to the house, Ronish following behind as he locked up. Renada was already home and was fixing up some soup for their mother while making a small chicken for the rest of them.

"What kind?" Taylen asked.

"Vegetable," Renada responded. "The broth will help her. Hopefully." Renada was wearing one of her plaid dresses and her hair was braided with a little bow at the end.

"She's not sick."

"You think I don't know that?" she snapped as she slammed the spoon on the counter and rested her hand on her hip, giving Taylen a glance. "How would you feel if your son were to disappear? Clearly, she loves all of us so much that she will go into a state of shock, disbelief, and grief." Ronish left the conversation by grabbing a wooden bowl and filling it with the soup and heading towards the stairs. Ronish entered the house not soon after, watched Taylen for a second, then proceeded into the kitchen to help Renada.

His parents' room was just as the same it's always been; a bed to the left in the middle of the wall, two small side tables on each side, and a chest at the foot of the bed. The rest of the room was empty. Both tables had a candle. None were lit, making the room match the color outside. His mother laid in the bed, facing away from him. Her plate from breakfast, which contained eggs decorated in herbs, had been left untouched. Grabbing the plate, Taylen set the bowl down and shook his mother slightly.

"I brought you some soup. It's Renada's recipe." Deanna had refused to move, but once Taylen finished speaking, she turned her head. Taylen, despite the lack of lightness in the room, saw that her face was stained from tears. "At least have some of it," he urged as he handed her the bowl. "You'll feel a little better if you do." Deanna pulled herself to rest her head on the wall and took the bowl from Taylen, sipping a little bit without speaking.

"We'll be downstairs if you need us," he whispered. Leaving the room, he looked back at his mother, who was drinking more of the soup, and shut the door behind him and walked down the stairs to Ronish and Renada waiting for him at the table. "She's eating, but I'm sorry about your eggs, Renada. They seem really good."

"I don't mind," she shrugged. "One of us can always eat them later cold." Doryu would. He would always eat leftovers for meals. He never wasted a piece.

"Thinking 'bout him?" Ronish asked. "You have that face when you do." Taylen released a sigh.

"I just don't understand what happened. Why must we be cursed to not know this knowledge?"

"I'm sure it'll come with time. For now, we have to just assume he's hunting in the forest until we receive news." The three then ate their dinner, cleaned up, and went to bed for the night. Taylen sat on his bedside and watched the stars twinkle outside. Silhouettes of birds covered the only light source. The moon was barely visible, as it hid behind the clouds, which looked like a gray fog. He decided it was best to fall asleep than stay up pondering and worrying.

The morning was just like any other; Renada cooked up breakfast, Taylen and Ronish ate while she brung the food up to Deanna, and the two headed out to open the stables. It was the normal routine of washing, feeding, and cleaning stalls. The townspeople carried on with their lives, opening shops and restaurants. Though, it wouldn't be normal if Ronish hadn't received a gift from Akpofure, an old man who cared deeply about the family once he heard about Doryu's disappearance and Deanna's detering health. Past days it had been both bronze and silver coins, thread for sewing, and some herbs that he told was for medicine, but they never used it. He approached Taylen with a grin on his face. His white beard and memorable face always made Taylen smile back.

"Morning, Akpofure. What gift have you brought us today?" he asked as he rested the pail of water on a nearby table.

"Some more coins so you may buy the medicine needed."

"Akpofure, you've already given us thirty bronze coins and twenty silver coins. We appreciate your generosity, but it's too much. We can't have you going poor yourself." Taylen pushed away the box when Akpofure shoved it into his arms.

"Boy, I am old. I am to die sooner or later. With no spouse or offspring, all my belongings will be sold off. I have no use for most of my things now, so why would I take them till I pass? Your family has their entire life ahead of them, as do most the people in Narris. So, please, take these gifts, as I will no longer need them." Hesitantly, and with a little force from the senior, Taylen took the box and set it to the side.

"Thank you," he said. Ronish came up to the two, patted Taylen on the shoulder, then went on to chat with Akpofure. The gift was just a box wrapped with a few threads holding it in place. It was the same appearance as the previous presents. Taylen stored the box in one of the chests inside the storage room, which was off to the side of the stables. He got out just in time to hear the sound of something loud coming close. It sounded like hoofsteps, yet not of their horses. Everyone who could hear all turned their heads to the path leading into the forest. Three horses and their riders rode into town.

The one in the middle was a beautiful white friesian stallion with a tail that contained light brown. Another was a dark brown with a white muzzle and dark brown mane and tail, while the other was a chestnut, blonde hair, and white socks on all four legs. All the horses had black bridles, black saddles, and gold saddles pads. They had breastplates and britching that were thick leather and black, also decorated in gold stars. They had a headpiece running down its snout, from the tip of its ear at the top of the bridle to the nosepiece, which was garnished with the rest of the tack in its black, gold, and starry arrangement. The two riders on the brown and chestnut horses were adorned in silver armor, black clothing underneath and no helmet. Meanwhile, the one in the middle was completely different. He wore gold armor, a white cloak with golden outlines and a white mask. They ran into the middle of town, where they yanked on the reins to make the horses stop, which resulted in dust and neighs. The horses were impatient as they kicked up their legs, wanting to run, but their riders refused.

"Attention people of Narris," the masked person announced. Taylen noticed his voice was lower than he thought it would be, and many people around town did too. It didn't sound like a deep, man voice but a kid. He forced his horse forward. The friesian was the most behaved. "We have information that the Yvon family is in this town. The Lord is in need of their help." Taylen finally noticed the masked figure; the Leader of the Royal Guard. He had been present at Lord Bokon's coronation. Ronish stepped forward to the soldiers.

"I am Ronish Yvon. That's my son, Taylen. We can travel."

"Is there more to this family?" Ronish nodded. "Then all of you is needed. Ready up a wagon and horses. We must leave immediately." Following the soldier's wishes, Ronish rushed to the house to get Renada and Deanna, while Taylen readed three horses; two for the wagon and one for himself to ride. Bringing the steeds out, Renada met him with the wagon and a few supplies. Ronish came out of the house with Deanna, his arms around her.

"Is it of the utmost importance that we leave now? I wonder what the Lord could possibly need. We're just a normal family, as everyone is in Narris." Taylen shrugged at his sister's question as he saddled the horses to the wagon.

"You don't think this could have to do with Doryu, do you?" he wondered.

"Whatever it is, let's keep our mouths shut. I don't like being around soldiers for a long time, and it won't help when we're traveling with them to Oxgarde. So any thoughts we may have on this sudden inconvenience, leave it till after."

~~~

Shahzad kept on peering over at the townspeople as he sat against a rock. He had to make sure they wouldn't wander off as he kept watch, but the urge to sleep was terrible. He often dozed off within minutes, but was reawakened by his horse, Nordror.

Only a little bit till I can sleep, he told him.

Yes, Nordror responded, and I'll keep you up till then. Shahzad chuckled as he watched one of the soldiers approach him.

"Sir," he acknowledged him with a nod. Shahzad didn't nod back, but instead got up and walked away, gripping his sword handle.

You could be a little nicer to them, Nordror nickered.

Please, Nordror. I'm their superior. They answer to me or my father, and aren't expected to be treated nicely. Besides, being more strict on them won't raise questions or start an uprising if you're feared. Nordror flicked his long, light brown tail and lowered his head to sleep.

Goodnight. Shahzad repeated the phrase to the steed before gripling his head. His mask fell off his face as he leaned down. The other soldier who wasn't on watch rushed to his aid before he fell on the soft grass and went blank.

He was surrounded by darkness. A void, more like it. He sat up from his lying position and groaned as his hand held his head. Blinking, he saw his mask lay just a few inches away from him. Standing, he approached his identity protector. Within a foot or two away, it broke in half and a dark orange-brown orb came floating from the ground. When the orb bursted, a creature zoomed out of it, flew around for a minute, then returned to Shahzad and landed in front of him. The creature had orange eyes, two large horns at the top of its head, and spines along both sides of its head. A wide neck and slender body, with spikes running it's neck and back and a tail that leads to spikes at the end. It had two humongous wings, which resided from a talon that it walked on, and its wing phalanges ended with talons that were as sharp as scythes. The dragon was dark orange, almost brown, as his magic color was. The horns were a dark brown, and the wing membrane was a lighter version of the body.

It looks like a Wyvern.

The dragon approached him, its orange spinel colored eyes unblinking, and rested its muzzle on Shahzad's stomach then sighed. The dragon shined brighter than before. It then backed away and disappeared, and that was when Shahzad woke up to the soldier towering over him.

"Sir! Are you alright? You fell unconscious!" the soldier asked.

"Fine," Shahzad snapped before sitting up. Be cautious, Doryu. I'll be turning sixteen here in two days, and now I know what my dragon looks like. I'll be coming after you soon.

~~~