Freya's flying beetle came back from Rose's room and projected on the wall all of the conversation between Simeon and Rose. Freya rose from her desk and went to her armoire where she took a small vial and placed it in her dress.

Freya sat next to Simeon at the ball in a matching purple gown, the diamonds in her crown sparkling in the light from the thousand candles that lit the Great Hall. King Simieanon and Queen Drasila were sat at the top of the large banqueting table, whilst she and  Simeon sat immediately next to them.

Freya would have to make small talk with the Ambassador from the Northern Realm, she ached to know how the search for her brother was going. Did they know where the Takers were hiding him. Did they trace the ransom money her father paid this and every year? She boiled over with frustration when every conversation was. "In due course Your Highness." Why hadn't the Takers got Simeon?  Rose of course, she saved him. Why couldn't there have been someone for her brother?

When everyone had taken their fill of wine and they began to file away Freya took her opportunity. She slipped into one of the servants back stairs and took the potion. In moments Freya was transformed to Abbess Liai. The pain of the transformation took her breath away and it took several minutes for her to adjust to the new body she had to convincingly use if she wished to reach her goal.

Freya made her way to the Temple of the Many Faced God and saw Octavian asleep, wrapped around the tallest spire. His platinum scales glistening in moonlight. As she moved towards the steps of the Temple she heard the great dragon's breathing change and she gasped as she watched his large amber eyes open. Freya hurried up the stairs and she jumped back as the dragon's tail dropped down in front of her.

The dragon started to growl his dissent at her presence. Her heart quickened as she watched him begin to climb down the spire.  Freya darted across the courtyard and slid under the gap of his tail and made her way into the temple. The dragon began to roar, crackles of fire darting onto the stone. The ground shook as he stamped his feet outside the door.

"God Lord!" cried one of the nuns as she crossed the inner courtyard. " that dragon is a total menace!"

"I will go to Rose," stated Freya, "she will be able to calm him down".

Freya ran off in the direction of the Infirmary, cursing the dragon and hoping that the commotion did not disrupt her mission. Tearing into the Infirmary she scanned the rooms until she found what she was sure was Rose's bed.

The sound of Octavian growling and bellowing woke Rose from a fitful slumber. She knew that he sensed she was in danger. With Octavian raising the alarm Rose got up from her recovery bed and almost collapsed with weakness. She clasped on to the bed side cabinet to steady herself when she spotted a small glass vial with a note attached to it.

She read the note hastily.

Hide this immediately, only use this to revive someone you love

It was signed in a handwriting that was unfamiliar. Rose found her battle leathers and as quickly as she could and dressed herself in them. She placed the vial in her inside pocket and grabbed her helmet. She winced as she placed the helmet on her shaven head. She was unable to pull any hair through the top, devoid of a mane of hair which she knew gave her an odd appearance.

Rose gingerly made her way to the door when an out of breath Abbess Alia appeared at the threshold.

"What are you doing out of bed!" The Abbess scolded.

"Octavian is causing all sorts of damage Abbess, I need to go to him, to comfort him, to find out what ails him."

"He has always been a pest," the Abbess spat at Rose.

Rose's eyes widened in shock. The Abbess was always very supportive of the Platinum Dragons seeing them as wise gifts from eager souls given from The Many Faced God. The Abbess strode towards her and Rose took a step back.

"You are an unworthy Halfling who will never wear a crown and never be with Prince Simeon again."

Rose's mouth dropped open, she grabbed on to the chair behind her to steady her legs as she took in the words of the Abbess.

"Princess Freya is the only person worthy to be at the side of a King. It was she who saw the Takers' raid on her family. She watched her brother go with the Taker's to the Unit's lands. It was she who was given to Simeon so that the dowry could pay the ransom on her brother."

"I didn't know any of this Abbess." Rose replied weakly

The Abbess snorted, "You didn't know that I knew about your little affair when you saved him from the Takers during the Finding? Did you!" The Abbess raised her voice to almost a shout.

Outside Rose's window she could see Octavian's amber eye. She could hear his pitiful cries and bellows.

Shut that creature up!" she shouted.

Rose stumbled to the window and whispered the soothing words she knew Octavian would respond to.

"I am coming Octavian, I am well, I am with you, we are together." She repeated the words until his cries reduced to a whimper.

"Abbess, I need to attend to my dragon."

Rose made to move past, however The Abbess grabbed her arm roughly.

"I don't have swords or dragons but I am a formidable foe. You will not take my son, husband or crown." Rose watched open mouthed as The Abbess then transformed back into Freya before Rose's eyes. Rose nearly fainted at the shock. Freya loosened her grip on Rose when Abbess Liai ran into Rose's room.

"Oh, Your Majesty," The Abbess bowed, "I came to get Rose. I need her to calm Octavian down before he takes down my temple."

"Great minds think alike Abbess," Freya smiled thinly at Rose, "I too, came here to give Rose direction about caring for that dragon. We wouldn't want it banished."

Rose stumbled past them both and found a balcony where she could reach Simeon. He gently allowed her to climb on his back and he flew her to their quarters in the school. Every night from then on he slept curled around her tower. Guarding her from what he knew would be certain death at the hands of Princess Freya.