The river flowed along smoothly, gently guiding the small boat across its length. The thief sat as comfortably as he could, only occasionally touching the water with his paddle to keep it on the right course. In front of him on the spare seat sat the bag with the dragon egg, slightly lulled to one side. He hadn't let it out of his sight since his escape, and a small part of him wondered whether it would be worth keeping it.

He sighed and shook his head. It wouldn't be worth the trouble, especially since it likely wouldn't hatch any time soon. And the man he was doing this job for... it wouldn't be a wise idea to cross him. If he did the only safe place on the planet would be somewhere far away from anything in Alageasia. So he continued his way down the river, keeping one eye on the banks and the other in front, searching for anything that could cause him harm.

The trees swayed in the light breeze and nearby birds chirped inquisitively at the passing stranger. A doe darted from the bank when she saw him. A group of hares quickly disappeared into their holes around the river back when he passed. He hadn't seen much else along the banks. Occasionally he would pass a stranger walking by to which he would give a curt nod, making sure to touch their minds to make sure there was no ill will.

One man he passed had a wall around his mind, and there had been a tense couple of seconds as the two travellers watched each other suspiciously, before continuing on their way. The Thief had been travelling for over a week now, and was getting a little cramped in his boat, but it would be well worth it in the end. The amount of coin he would get from stealing this dragon egg was absurd. It would be enough to set him up for the rest of his life if he was smart with it.

He sighed softly as he felt himself drift off into his own thoughts. His real name wasn't Cayden, of course. He wouldn't give it out so easily. His real name was Ragin, a twenty-year-old man who had lived on the streets pretty much all his life. He was an infamous thief in the underground, one that many relied on for all assortments of jobs, from breaking into rich houses to delivering secret and dangerous messengers. He had even been contacted by the riders at one point, though he refused to do the job. He had a deep hatred for them, one that many people didn't understand.

That was partly why he had undertaken the mission for the dragon egg. But he was no fool either, it had taken a good deal of bribing on the byer's part to have him even consider the mission. Nothing like it had been done before, at least not in the past two hundred and fifty years. It hadn't stopped people from trying however. Trying and failing.

Ragin looked down at the bag holding the egg and sighed. He sent out his mind in multiple directions, making sure no one was near, before picking up the bag and pulling the egg out. Its warm surface was comforting to hold, like cradling a newborn babe. He studied the surface of the egg with interest. The dark blue shell reminded him of the night sky. He would have loved to keep the egg, and was loathed to give it up. Such a prize was so rare nowadays. Five eggs every five years. And this one was his. Well, not his, but he had it in his hand.

Another sigh slipped out of his mouth as he pushed the egg back into the bag. Part of him wondered what his hirer wanted with it. Nothing good, he expected, but he had no right to ask questions about it. That was one problem with his job. He never knew what happened to the items he stole.

He looked to the sun again. He would arrive at Gil'ead soon, by the end of the day with the speed the river was moving. He had made sure to stay close to the west side of the river, as it was wide, to a point he could barely see the other side. The west side was also safer, considered Illirea was on the east. They would likely be looking for him on the east bank.

He hadn't seen many of his pursuers, thankfully, though he had spotted a dragon a couple of days ago flying over the river. During that he surrounded his mind with thoughts of fishing and ideas of how to get in a specific type found in the river, one that was quite difficult, pretending not to have seen the dragon. His ruse had worked, thankfully, but he had been lucky that they hadn't examined further.

The day wore one and, just as he had thought, Gil'ead appeared as he entered the lake Isenstar, being forced to row his boat now as the flow that had been pushing him all this time began to take him away from the banks of the lake. Like before he stuck to the banks of the lake, moving at a reasonable pace. He kept his eyes on the trees and forest on the edge of the lake, searching for something.

His byer had told him that he would find a wooden building hidden in the trees. More like a fortress, with a dock that he could tie his boat. Apparently it was very difficult to find if one didn't know what to look for. He assumed magic was in use for that to be possible, considering the elves and humans often used the lake for trade and would probably pass by these spots relatively often.

He searched for hours, rowing his boat along until his arms were getting tired and his stomach grumbled for food. He glanced at the sun as it slowly sank into the horizon and gently pulled rowed his boat to the bank of the lake. He would search for an hour more, then call it a night. He didn't really want to be tired and exhausted when he met the man he was supposed to deliver to.

He filled up his water skin with water from the lake, using a few magic words to purify it, and drank deeply. He rested for another ten minutes, before pushing his boat back out and continuing to paddle. It had been a leisurely ride along the Ramr river, as he had the flow with him, but now the flow as gone he was surprised at how much effort it took.

* * *

He nearly missed the fortress, it came up so suddenly. The sun had just about set and he was getting ready to settle in for the night. Gil'ead was only a couple of leagues ahead of him, and he had no intention of going near that city. He had passed by a small river that ran out from the Isenstar, unmarked on any map, and glanced along its length. He had nearly startled in surprise when he spotted the small dock jutting out from the unknown river's banks and quickly turned, paddling down the river toward it.

He was slightly relieved that he had found it. A warm bed and a feed would be nice. He had avoided fires for the past week simply to make sure that no one found him. He slept with the ring on as well, as it was rather difficult to guard one's mind when asleep.

As he rowed up to the dock he spotted movement in the trees, a lookout most likely. He stopped and tied the boat up, before leaping onto the wooden surface and looking up at what was supposed to be his destination.

It really was a fortress, made mostly from hard wood with the occasional outcrop of stone. A wall surrounded it, also made from wood and stone, with a metal gate out the front. There were two guards stand by the gate with spears in their hands and a short sword each at their hips. As Ragin approached them they straightened up, regarding him with suspicion.

"What is ya' business 'ere, young 'un?" asked one of them, eyeing the bow on Ragin's back and dagger at his belt.

"I've come to see your master," grinned the thief, patting the bag he had tied to his belt, "I've got a delivery for him."

They hesitated a moment, "Mr... Ragin, I presume?"

"The one and only."

"Hold on a moment, I will alert Mr. Foeswarn to your presence," said the guard.

He opened the gate and quickly went inside. Ragin smiled slightly and allowed himself to relax as he took in everything around him. This place was certainly well guarded. Not only were there two guards out the front, but there were several people manning the walls as well, watching him from above, and he had counted three... no four hidden archers in the trees around him, arrows in their bows, ready to shoot fi the order was given.

Eventually the other guard returned. Ragin was allowed inside. The walls hid a beautiful garden, with trees of all sorts. He even recognised a sapling of one of the great trees of Du Weldenvarden. The door into the mansion was opened up to him, and he entered.

The inside was no less grand than the outer, with expensive looking pieces of art hanging from most walls. The wooden floorboards were covered by a red carpet with gold lining. The walls were smooth and glossy, with torches settled into the walls to provide adequate light. It would be extremely dark inside otherwise.

He was led to another set of double doors, which opened into a large open chamber, one that reminded him of a throne room. There was a table with a set of chairs in the centre, and one man sitting with two more guards at his side. He was a refined man, with fancy rich clothes and a mop of neatly brushed brown hair. But he had hard eyes, eyes that studied Ragin's entire person in a single glance. His hands were calloused with years at a sword and there was a hint of magic around him as well, wards that would defend him against most anything. Ragin didn't think he had another mage cast them around him.

"Aah, you must be Ragin, it is a pleasure to finally meet you," said Mr. Foeswarn, "I didn't expect you to be this early."

Ragin bowed his head slightly in greeting, "Mr. Foe..."

"Please, call me Tharin," said the man, "You have no need to great me so formally."

"Tharin," corrected Ragin, "I'm glad to be here. Things went far more smoothly than I expected them to."

"That is good to hear," Tharin sat up in his chair, "May I see it?"

"Of course."

The thief pulled the dragon egg out from the bag, holding it up for everyone in the room to see. A smile crossed Tharin's face, one that made Ragin shiver inadvertently. There was something unnerving about this man. While it was he that had given Ragin the mission, it had all been done through messengers and other points of contact. It was the first time the two of them had met.

"Very well done," he said, "I must admit, I did not expect you to succeed."

Ragin shrugged, "As I said, it went far more smoothly than I expected it too. They were completely unprepared."

"Yes, news of the theft has already spread throughout most of Alageasia. I do hope the riders do not come to suspect you as the thief. I would like, maybe, to do business with you again at some point in time."

"Of course."

"Now, if you hand the egg to me I will give you a place to rest for the night and a full stomach."

Ragin nodded his head, "But first, what you owe me."

Something seemed to flicker through Tharin's eyes, before he nodded his head, his smile unwavering, "Of course. Jarrod! Bring the man his gold!"

A large man walked in carrying a heavy sack. He heaved it onto the table, letting the contents spill out onto the table. Gold coins clattered against each other, catching the light. Ragin's eyes instantly focused on them, and inside his heart leapt. Suddenly the egg didn't seem so important any more. Tharin hadn't lied about the payment. There were enough golden crowns in there to afford a castle. The only problem was transporting them.

"Well?" said Tharin, holding out his hand.

Ragin smiled and walked forward to give the egg over, when suddenly it moved. The whole room froze and Ragin looked at the egg in disbelief. Is vibrated again and a massive squeal echoed from inside the shell. The thief dropped it, taking a step back as it began to shake and shiver, like it had come alive.

"Ragin... what is the meaning of this?" asked Tharin, seeming to be trying to keep calm.

"I... I don't know," replied the thief, suddenly very nervous, "It... it wasn't doing this before."

Suddenly a loud crack echoed through the room. Everyone stared at the egg as it continued to rock, the squeals inside becoming louder and more frequent. Then, part of the egg suddenly was pushed upwards, cracking and breaking, and a head poked out. The dragon yelped in victory, before continuing to push itself outwards until it forced its unwieldy body from the shell.

Ragin stared, half in horror, half in amazement, as the hatchling began to clean the membrane of its scales. It was a dark blue, almost black colour with what looked like stars sparkling across its shell. It flapped its unwieldly wings, which were almost three times the size of the dragon's body. It then curiously looked around at the humans staring at it, the peeped slightly, before focusing its gaze on Ragin.

The dragon to a step forward, and Ragin took a step backwards. It then yelped, tilting its head in confusion, as if wondering what he was doing. The thief gulped and glanced at Tharin, who was watching with an unreadable expression. He glanced back at the dragon as it slowly began to walk over to him. It nuzzled his leg with a long purr and looked at him expectantly. Hesitant, Ragin reached down and gently touched the dragon's head.

Almost immediately a searing cold shot up his arm and through his entire body. A cry left his lips as he fell to the ground, nearly crushing the hatchling who barely had time to move out of the way. It felt like his entire body had frozen solid and tears sprouted in the corners of his eyes as the pain continued to eat away at him, all the way into his mind. He didn't remember much after that. Only being picked up and carried through the mansion, and the dragon's squealing as it was taken away.

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Here's the next chapter of the book! Hope you enjoyed. Vote and comment if you did and tell me what you liked. Reading back through this one it felt a little bit rushed, but otherwise it was alright. Next chapter will be out next week. See ya!

Pennator^^