I was stressed out. I could hear the constant tolls of a bell igniting the disappointment I had for myself. I returned to Tigrisia, feeling that being in Edre without Bayezid was not something I could bear. All the cowards had left him. They were already clumped together around Temur, like mosses growing on a stone. I was going to take him and his revenge in my own way. I had already planned which Balkan countries I would gather to achieve it. This time, I would sustain the alliances with fists, not words. 

Adonis was injured heavily. I provided anything he needed: a horde of sanitarians and pharmacies. The council of Rumelia put forward archives of documents that state who would wardship the king in the case of his dysfunction. I knew this was a scheme the moment I seized the glimpses of cunningness in the eyes of the royal counsellors. Thus, I ordered spies to follow Adonis's cousin Prince Georgie, the would-be guardian of Rumelia. As I expected, he was seen talking with many Mongolian despatchers. I needed to cut it at the roots.

Adonis was not awake. I didn't hesitate to seal a new document clarifying that I would be the wardship in his absence. I was careful not to take the ring that carried his seal out of his finger while pressing it on the paper. It was a must-do, and I was sure Adonis would want it, too.

Rumelians received it gladsome. Nevertheless, I was the Dragon. I charged two hatchetmen to ensnare Georgie in the tunnels of the castle. It was a quick, clean-cut, painless death. I felt that it was my responsibility to do so with respect to Adonis. After all, they were cousins. 

I never planned to wear Adonis's crown, but it was a tradition, a display of authority. I took it, whispering in his ear that I would give it back to him in one piece. 

Mother was not talking to me. She was turning her head to the other side to avoid seeing me. I knew the reason. Oksana was a hostage because of me. It haunted me constantly and prevented me from falling asleep. Deep down, being awake at night was an undeserved relief because when I went to sleep, nightmares chased me. Nightmares that I always fail to save Bayezid. 

The soldiers I sent to look for Vukasin returned without him. I learned that Durad was taken from Edre, and Danishmenthan couldn't capture Vukasin. Hence, instinctively, I knew that my brother was fine and he would return. Nevertheless, above all the struggles I faced, his absence hit harder. 

After the coronation in Rumelia, I returned to Tigrisia. The first night was equal to a thousand years of thralldom. Feeling the urge to ask Bayezid what to do made me feel sick. He was not there, and I needed him to tell me how to save him. 

I went into the tunnel and found myself before the vault. I grabbed the handle of the door pretty long without moving it. The idea of dishonouring myself burned my spines. I went back to my room. I was not going to eat a humble pie, they wouldn't help me anyway. Them who lacked the sense of nationalism and true purpose. My calling would be worthless, they hated Bayezid. I was sure that I wasn't the Dragon they oathed to put their lives forward for. I lay on my bed till I thought the sky was brightened a bit to make it appropriate to gather the army. 

I never needed the Dragon Chevaliers. They were overexaggerated. Despite my memories where I recall them as warlords, geniuses of battle, as inevitable, irresistible and absolutely victorious, I was just a child then. It was twelve years ago, Bayezid know that they were selfish and unreliable. In fact, they might already be dead. Nobody had seen them since they desisted to their precious holly monastery. 

What I need to do was punishing the ones who left me alone along the way. With a hundred soldiers I headed to the Siren Stone. 

While the soldiers row the boats I stared at the sharp and dark edges of the stones that the castle in the middle of the sea was made of. The reflection of the grey sky made the waves look dreary than ever. The guards tried to prevent us to enter the gates, then they faced me and drew back. The castle seemed abandoned, there were seagulls nesting on the windows. Inside there were women hurriedly hiding their faces. I saw Lord Isle's wife. She was standing, looking at me indifferent. As I approached her I could break her stained face. "Come to speak Lord Isle," I said like demanding. She gulped and tried to escape her old eyes. "He is not here, he went for a negotiation," she squeled. 

I walked into the throne room, they didn't even try to stop me but I could see that they were absolutely distressed of my presence. "A negotiation with the Mongolians," I yelled, then turned back to the woman preserving my utmost stillness. She denied. "No, he never get in touch with them after your last visit." I nodded showing off my dissatisfaction. "He went for the new agreement with the traders on the harbor." I couldn't help myself laughing. "The nearest trademark harbour is in the land across, my lady. Do you find yourself too clever? You are telling me that he won't be here soon to get me going. Let me ease your concerns, I won't wait for a half-man like Isle. My second visit is not going to be for a discussion. Thus, I advise you to tell your husband to come find me before I will find him." Her eyes were tilting in fear, she bit her lips in rage, but too startled to speak it. 

Abruptly, I saw Helena at the corner of the room. Seeing that she was also scared shook me. I walked towards her, overcoming my hesitation in a moment. She was standing there, looking at me purely innocent. As I moved towards her some of my soldiers attempted to follow me. I stopped them by raising my hand. 

Helena's long hair were combed diligently, hanging down from her shoulders. When we were close enough, she gave a quick glimpse at her mother and faced me. I sensed that she didn't want her to hear what she was going to tell me. 

"You won't hurt my father, will you?" she whispered acridly. Her eyes started to get soaked, her cherry lips quickly got wet as she blinked her eyes. I realized that I wouldn't hurt him knowing his family, being married to her daughter. My hands were already heavied with too much blood. I promised myself that I after I take Bayezid back, I would never kill anyone out of a battlefield. 

"I promise you, Helena. I will never hurt you or your father even though I am not a knight with a white horse," I whispered. She was relived and resigned.