GALECREST, capital of the wind-ruled kingdom of Notus, smelled nothing like the sea. It smelled of fear.
Egan stood at the edge of the slave market, arms folded beneath his cloak, watching the auction platform with growing disgust. Iron chains rattled across the wooden boards as a burly man was dragged forward and displayed before the crowd like livestock.
People were already bidding on the man. Egan could just blow up the market in a storm of fire and ire, but he had no desire to be the spark of war between Notus and Pyraeth. Drevan would never let him hear the end of it.
There's something brewing in that wind pit, Drevan had said with infuriating cheer. Take a look, will ya? Egan had been looking for three days, and all he'd found so far was cruelty.
The hammer struck. "Sold!"
A fat, odious man whose fancy outfit did nothing to improve his visage won the final bid, waddled forward to claim his purchase.
Egan turned away, stomach churning. A crack of a whip and the dragging of chains over wood had him hastening his steps only for him to halt suddenly.
Dragon?! Egan thought, No, not even these airheads would be so stupid.
****
The air stunk of despair as Sienna was whipped and dragged up onto the wooden platform to be displayed naked to the crowd below. He could feel the bite of iron chains on his wrists and ankles, fresh whip marks burned across his back, and dull throbs denoted the colorful patches of bruises, which littered his skin.
The collar around his neck pulsed with sickly purple light that signaled the enchantment which trapped him in this weakened, human form of his. His long black hair hung in tangled curtains past his hips, doing little to preserve his modesty before the leering crowd.
He kept his blue eyes fixed on the middle distance, refusing to meet the gaze of any potential buyer. His body trembled despite his best efforts to remain still; fear coiled tight in his gut like a living thing, but he would not give these humans the satisfaction of seeing him cower. He was two hundred years old, young for a dragon, but he had soared through storm clouds and bathed in lightning, and he would not break.
A slaver's whip cracked once more across his shoulders. Sienna flinched but did not cry out.
"This one's got spirit," the slaver announced, his voice carrying over the marketplace. "Freshly caught dragon from the Windspire Mountains." A murmur of surprise fell over the crowd before the slaver continued. "Not to worry, good folks of Galecrest, see this collar here?" The slaver gestured toward Sienna's neck. "Not only does it bind the dragon to his human form, it also robs him of his power. This may be the first time that we're selling dragons to the public, but we have taken all care to ensure our customers' safety and satisfaction." The slaver grinned, a cruel smile full of yellow teeth. "Now, shall we start the bidding?"
"Just a moment," a deep timbred voice called out. "You say he is a dragon, but what proof is there that you are not simply trying to sell near dead goods for far more than they are worth?" The murmuring of the crowd seemed to agree with the man's assessment.
The slaver frowned unhappily, "Now, my good sir, surely you can see how the tips of his ears are slightly curved here and how his eyes have a hint of a slit."
The deep timbred voice that belonged to a man draped in a dark-colored cloak took on an air of disbelief. "Is that all?" He drawled. "Both things are easily faked by ma… ah… well it's easy to fake."
The slaver could apparently hear the lazily aborted insult as he sneered at the cloaked speaker. "With all due respect, good sir," the slaver began with gritted teeth, "if you're not interested in the product, perhaps you should move along?"
Magic subtly filled the air as the wind blew toward the cloaked man, in an attempt to remove his hood. It blew fiercely enough that it lifted Sienna's hair and whipped it toward the stranger, but it only slightly stirred the edges of the stranger's cloak before it whooshed back toward the slaver and Sienna, flinging the dragon's hair out behind him causing both the slaver and Sienna to glare albeit for different reasons.
Under the cloak, Egan grinned in satisfaction. He was now certain that the slaver was convinced he was a wind elementalist when, in reality, he had quickly superheated the air causing the flow to reverse back to where it came from.
Casually, Egan drawled, "I never said I wouldn't buy him. I was just surprised by your blatant fraud." Egan was smiling under his cloak at the slaver's obvious fury as he continued, "Considering how he looks one step from the grave, I think it's quite generous of me to offer 30 gold for him."
"Thirty gold!" cried the slaver. "It's worth far more than that!" The slaver had been hoping to get at least a thousand gold if not more for the dragon.
Egan snorted derisively, "Doesn't look like he is from the care you've bestowed upon him." Egan sighed dramatically, "In truth, thirty gold feels like a scam as it is."
The slaver glared in fury at Egan and the surrounding crowd that was nodding in agreement with Egan's words. He knew he had lost, and clenched his fists in barely controlled rage. "Very well, good sir, it's yours for thirty gold." He was clearly trying to foist the cargo he was no longer sure he could sell onto the man who had never actually agreed to buy the dragon, but had caused this fiasco.
Egan grinned under the cloak, but gave a huff of irritation toward the slaver. Egan headed to the back of the wooden platform, making sure indignation showed in every measured step. When he reached the back of the platform, he found another slaver holding the dragon's chain while another man flanked them.
Egan threw a bag of gold toward the man holding the chain. "Count it and hand him over now." Egan grunted feigning vexation.
The slaver holding the chain smiled viciously as the man who had been flanking the slaver and the dragon stepped forward and raised his hand, wreathed in magic of sickly grayish-black color that quickly flared out and surrounded Egan and the dragon.
Egan didn't flinch even as the dragon staggered, and a cry of pain escaped him. "What…' Egan growled dangerously, just barely holding back his more volatile nature, "was that?"
The slaver gave a brutal smile as he threw the chains towards Egan. "A binding." The slaver gestured placatingly towards Egan. "For your safety, of course, good sir. With this, it can never turn against you. It must obey you and can never be more than 30 feet from you."
Egan clenched his fists under his cloak. "I never asked for that!" He spat.
"No, of course not! Why would you need to request what was mandated by the crown?" The slaver replied, practically oozing malice and insincerity.
Egan's fists tightened and he could hear his teeth creak, but he managed to reply, "Fine. Then remove the chains. They're an eyesore."
The slaver complied and shoved Sienna toward Egan, who managed to catch him before he fell.
Egan supported the dragon and turned him away from the slave market and towards the inn he'd been staying at. He said nothing as he did so. He could not afford to give the slavers any more openings. The binding was enough of a surprise, Egan didn't need any more issues cropping up even if he truly wanted to comfort the dragon.
By the time they were closer to the inn than the slave market, Egan guided the dragon into the shade of a narrow alley and finally gave in to his desire to comfort him. The dragon trembled violently.
Egan reached out a hand and gently cupped the dragon's face, who flinched in surprise. "I have no intention of harming you. I know how my act must have appeared to you, but I was truly only intending to free you from that place." The dragon wouldn't meet his gaze. Egan sighed and moved his hand away, taking the cloak from his own shoulders and draping it over the dragon. "I know you have no reason to believe me, but I vow here and now to protect you and one day see you free."
The dragon startled at the declaration, glancing up briefly before looking away again. Still, his hand rose to clutch the folds of the cloak.
Egan scanned the alley and spotted a boy of nine or ten who clearly lived on the streets. "You there, boy." The dragon stiffened at the sharp call, and Egan rested a steadying hand on his shoulder. "A silver coin is yours if you run an errand."
"A 'ole silv'r!" the boy cried, hurrying closer. "What ya' be want'n, mist'r?"
Egan pulled a never-dry pen and parchment from his magic bag, scribbled a note, and handed it to the boy along with the coin. "Take this to the Fair Winds Inn and give it to the innkeeper. If you're still there when I arrive, you'll earn another."
The boy grinned and bolted, "Ya' gots 't, mist'r!"
Egan turned back toward the dragon. "My name's Egan. Would you honor me with yours?" he asked gently.
For a long moment there was only silence. Then, barely audible: "Sienna."
Though Sienna couldn't see it, Egan smiled, "Sienna, that's a beautiful name. It suits you."
Sienna jolted slightly but still refused to look up.
"The inn isn't much farther," Egan continued lightly. "Can you make it, or shall I carry you?" There was a bit of slyness creeping into his voice at the end of his question.
Sienna's head snapped up. "I…I can walk!" he sputtered tempestuously.
"Oh? Well, then shall we?" Egan drawled, failing to hide his amusement.
They set off. When Sienna faltered, Egan steadied him without comment, keeping a supportive hand beneath his arm as they approached the inn in silence.
The inn stood near the Highwind Cliffs of Galecrest, where the sea met the endless plains and the wind never truly rested. It was not the grandest building in the capital, but it was clearly beloved; guests lingered outside despite the steady breeze.
From a distance, the inn seemed almost in motion. Its timber-framed upper stories leaned outward as though shaped by years of coastal winds. Pale sandstone walls anchored the structure, and wide balconies wrapped around the second floor, hung with wind chimes of shell, glass, and polished bone. They sang constantly — soft, layered tones woven into the ocean air.
Sienna eyed the carved wooden sign, which hung from iron brackets above the entrance. It bore the image of a three-masted ship sailing beneath stylized swirling currents. The lettering on the sign read: The Fair Winds Inn.
Inside, the inn bustled with noise and warmth. Dark oak beams crossed the ceiling, and wide-planked floors were worn smooth with use. Long communal tables dominated the main room to the right of the entrance.
To the left, a broad hearth burned low and steady — more comfort than spectacle. Gauze curtains danced at partially open windows, carrying in the scent of sea salt, roasted meat, and fresh bread.
Sienna inhaled sharply.
He had not eaten in days.
At the entrance, Egan spotted the street boy and tossed him another silver coin before guiding Sienna toward the stairs. Their ascent went largely unnoticed amid the lively din.
The room Egan unlocked was simple but comfortable: a wide bed dressed in linen sheets, a folded wool blanket for cool nights, and a small writing desk and chair positioned before shuttered windows that rattled faintly in the wind. Near the door hung a small glass orb that hummed softly when storms gathered offshore.
Sienna noticed none of it. He saw only the two copper tubs in the center of the room, filled with steaming water.
The errand, he realized.
Wary, he stepped away from Egan.
Egan huffed a quiet laugh. "Don't look at me like that," he said gently. "You're injured. In your current state, infection is a real risk. A bath will help."
His "current state" being absolutely filthy, Sienna thought. Sienna rather thought the bath was likely to hurt and sting badly before it helped anything. But he also longed to be clean — to shed the grime that clung to him, so he nodded.
"You're bathing too?" he asked flatly.
"No, they're both for you." Egan rubbed the back of his head sheepishly at the unavoidable insult.
"I-I d-d-don't know," Heat flared beneath the grime on Sienna's cheeks.
Egan stepped back, giving him space. "Sienna, I won't hurt you." Egan tried to reassure Sienna, but he could see Sienna still trembling beneath the cloak he clutched to himself.
Egan frowned in thought on how to soothe Sienna before he realized he did have a way though it was somewhat dangerous. If misworded, it could easily destroy him. Still, he thought, It's worth the risk.
Egan stepped back from Sienna and raised his hand, palm out. "Sienna, I'm a flame elementalist." Fire bloomed in his hand. "Do you know what it means for an elementalist to swear on their element?"
Sienna couldn't take his eyes off the flames dancing in Egan's palm as he shook his head in response. As a dragon, he had mainly spent his time high in the mountains; he had yet to become so bored as to travel among humans and the like. The mages capturing him had been mere bad luck, so he didn't know much about other species.
"If I or any elementalist swears on their element and then breaks the oath, the element that lives inside of us will turn on us. For flame elementalists like myself, it means our blood would turn to fire and cook us from the inside out in a very slow painful death." Egan said without inflection.
Sienna's eyes widened, "Why are you telling me this?"
Egan smiled faintly, "I, Egan of the Wandering Flame, swear upon the fire that grants me life: I shall never intentionally harm Sienna the dragon. Should I break this oath, may the flames consume me and leave nothing but ash."
The fire surged bright — then collapsed into nothing leaving the room feeling colder.
"Why did you do that?" Sienna demanded.
Egan rubbed at the hand that had held the fire before replying, "Sienna, I know that your only experience with humans so far has not been good by any means, but I hope you will not paint all humans with the same brush. There are good and just humans as well as cruel ones." Egan's lips quirked upward, "Besides, I'm not human."
Sienna blinked, "You're not?"
"Nope." Egan rocked back on his heels with a laid-back air. "No elementalist truly is. We are bound too closely to our elements. Enslaving a dragon would be like enslaving one's own brother. If a flame elementalist ever enslaved a dragon, the fire would destroy us — oath or no oath."
"I had no idea." Sienna muttered quietly.
Egan smiled, "Now you do. Do you feel better about bathing now?"
Sienna flushed again — but this time, he felt steadier.
He removed the cloak and handed it back.
As the dragon took a tentative step toward one of the tubs, the steam curled around him like a comforting embrace. He hesitated, lifted a foot to enter the bath only to fall off balance in his weakened state. Egan caught him, careful not to touch his open wounds.
"Will you allow me the honor of aiding you, Sienna?" Egan asked quietly.
Shame burned hotter than the water.
Seemingly reading his mind, Egan offered, "Someone once told me that true strength is being able to ask for help when you need it." Egan squeezed the hand he held. "You're not weak, Sienna. You have survived, and that makes you strong."
Sienna squeezed his eyes shut at Egan's words before giving one slight nod of assent. Egan supported Sienna as he moved to enter the bath and slowly lowered himself into the warm water.
Sienna gritted his teeth and hissed as the water viciously reminded him of his wounds, but he did not let it deter him. Sienna felt rather than saw Egan move away from him as he had closed his eyes to focus on adjusting to the water.
"Here." Egan offered. When Egan offered the soapy cloth, Sienna braced himself and took it.
A knock at the door startled Sienna and sent the water sloshing dangerously close to the edge of the bath.
Egan moved toward the door while tossing a smile at Sienna, "No worries." He assured, "I know who it is. You can keep washing."
Egan opened the door a fraction and stepped out into the hall for a moment before returning with two dishes, one on his palm and the other balanced impressively on the same lower arm as he closed the door with his spare hand.
Egan set each plate, laden with meat and vegetables, on the desk by the bed before returning to lean on the wall near Sienna.
"We'll eat when you're finished bathing." Egan explained.
Sienna nodded and continued to bathe until all that was left was his back and hair.
Egan stepped forward and knelt beside the tub. "May I help you with your back and hair, Sienna?" He asked tenderly.
Sienna hesitated for a moment, but he nodded once as he handed Egan the rag.
Egan worked gently, pausing to remove barbs embedded in his wounds, warning him before each touch. His hands were careful. His voice steady.
Once Egan had finished with his back, he started on Sienna's hair. His touch was so soft and soothing, Sienna was surprised to find himself lightly dozing from the care.
Egan, having gotten as much of the soap and dirt out as he could in the murky water, murmured "Let's move you to the clean water."
Sienna winced as he eyed the chilling water causing Egan to laugh. "No need to make that face." Egan gestured to the water, a small flame jumping from his hand and into the cold water, which began to steam once more. "There," Egan said in a jovial tone, "Comfortable?"
"Thank you," Sienna said shyly.
Egan smiled softly, "Sure." He offered before helping Sienna switch over to the clean bath water.
Sienna gazed into the water's reflection, the surface shimmering in the dim light of the room. It felt like a small victory when he saw his clean face and hair that Egan was making shine. There was still fear in his eyes, Sienna noted, but there was a flicker of hope too. With the steam wafting around him, Sienna felt the memories of the slave market, the jeering crowd, the biting chains, and the slavers' cruel laughter melting into the fog of his past. For the first time in days, he was beginning to believe that freedom might not just be a fleeting dream.
Egan wrapped a towel around him after helping Sienna stand and get out of the bath. Egan helped him remain upright while he dried his body and then took another towel to dry Sienna's hair for him.
Taking both the wet towels, he offered another towel for Sienna to wrap around himself. "Let's eat first then I will dress your wounds after as they don't seem to be bleeding right now."
Before Sienna could say anything, his stomach growled loudly in response to Egan's offer.
Egan gave a hearty laugh as Sienna's face flushed, "Here." Egan said as he offered Sienna a plate where he sat on the bed. "Fill your belly to your heart's desire."
Sienna devoured the food with little dignity. He was so focused on his food, he didn't see Egan's troubled frown, and when he finally looked up Egan's face was impassive as he ate his own food at a more measured pace.
Seeing Sienna eye his food, Egan's lips twitched in vague amusement. "Would you like mine?" Egan asked.
Sienna jerked his head up before he turned away in embarrassment. "No…I'm fine." Sienna looked back at Egan as he felt him remove his empty plate from his hands and replace it with Egan's still laden one.
"I don't-you don't…" Sienna tried to protest.
Egan just shook his head, "You need it more than I do.
"I don't—"
"I insist." Sienna hesitated a moment before his stomach got the better of him.
Sienna drank deeply from the waterskin Egan had given him as he watched Egan pull medicinal supplies out of his magic bag and place them on the table.
Egan took the empty waterskin back from Sienna and gestured to the bed. "Do you think that you can lay down? It will make this easier, I think."
Sienna clenched the sheets, hesitating at being even more vulnerable in front of Egan, but he eventually released the sheets and laid down.
Egan showed Sienna an open container made of polished shell with intricate wave designs carved into it. "This is a salve crafted by a water elementalist. It should be fairly effective." From there Egan told Sienna everything he intended to do before he did it, and Sienna felt something warm bloomed in his chest under Egan's care.
Wounds now treated, Egan sat back in the chair by the bed. "Sienna, I would like to summon one of my elementals to have a look at you."
Sienna gazed with confusion at Egan's face. "Why?"
Egan frowned in contemplation, "I am not sure what the mages did to us when they bound us." Sienna paled at the words, but Egan shook his head. "I do not believe it to be a slavery bond."
"What?!" Sienna exclaimed.
"The magic felt very old and similar to something I came across in the past, and although I do not recall what specifically it was, I am fairly certain it was no cruel bond like slavery." Egan explained with a faraway look in his eyes. "That's why I would like to ask a summons. There is a chance they would remember what I cannot. They may also have some idea about the collar around your neck, which feels ancient to me too."
Sienna was shocked by Egan's observations. He had not noticed anything about either, but he had also never encountered ancient magic before.
"Then…please summon one and ask them."
Egan nodded and took a leather-sheathed dagger from his belt. When he removed the blade from its sheath, the obsidian it was forged from glowed eerily in the dim light of the room.
Before Sienna could protest, Egan, with eyes glowing as embers, swiftly drew the blade over his arm. It bit into the bandages that ran the length of his forearm to the middle of his fingers, causing blood to bloom and stain the white bandages crimson.
Egan began to speak in a low, melodic language that seemed to hum in the bones as though drums were playing while he spoke.
Blood dripped from his arm, scorching the wood of the desk, as he spoke, voice low and dark.
Smoke wafted up from the wound and the edges blackened before a scar could be seen between the bandages. From the smoke emerged a being wreathed in flame, no larger than Egan's hand. It bore a vaguely humanoid shape, with fiery wings unfurled.
"Child of flame and ash," the elemental intoned, its voice echoing like embers shifting in a hearth. "Why have you summoned me?"
"For your wisdom," Egan replied solemnly.
Before Egan could say anything else, Sienna cried out "What's going on? Why did you cut yourself?"
Egan was taken aback, "I did tell you I was going to summon an elemental."
"What does that have to do with cutting yourself?!" Sienna half screeched.
Egan tilted his head, "It is the price all flame elementalists must pay to summon an elemental." It had been so long since summoning had started to cost that Egan rarely thought about it, for him, it was normal. That did not mean there was no danger involved, but Egan was a man who did what needed to be done and never hesitated to sacrifice himself when required.
"What?" Sienna whispered, appalled.
"It is a reminder… but that is not important." Egan turned back toward the elemental that was watching their conversation with bemusement. "Agni, I would ask you to look at the bond that was forced upon myself and this dragon, Sienna, by mages, binding us together, as well as the collar on Sienna's neck. Then I would have you tell me all that you know on both that I do not." Egan had to be specific when he bargained with elementals. They sometimes either misunderstood, which would leave Egan paying a large price for nothing, or they were mischievous and found loopholes in his speech to mess with him.
Agni's form shifted like fire sparking from a turned log, "Very well, I will require payment first."
Egan nodded and held out the same arm he had just cut to the elemental, which moved in a streak of flame, its form solidifying again with razor sharp teeth gleaming in its maw and sinking into Egan's arm.
There was a cry of horror, not from Egan but Sienna. "It is the price." Egan explained without flinching or any hint of pain in his voice.
The elemental stayed latched onto Egan for what felt like ages to Sienna, but was at most a minute.
The elemental released Egan's arm and turned its visage toward Sienna, who flinched. It flew, the movement causing its form to once again blur, toward Sienna. Egan's hand reaching out to clasp his shoulder was the only thing keeping Sienna from shuffling away from the creepy being.
It touched the collar, and a purple glow lit up the room for a moment before fading once more. Agni then returned to its position in front of Egan.
It spoke with a voice like cracking wood in a hearth, "Child of ash and flame, you are bound to the dragon. The collar is from the time when lava first gave birth."
Egan wanted to sigh. No, kidding, he thought. He knew that much. "Is the bond harmful?" he questioned with patience he did not feel after his rather long day.
"No," Agni rasped, "It is one of control but for guidance and protection. It will not harm you or the dragon."
Egan raised his eyebrows, "It's for guidance and protection? How so? The mages said it was a slave bond."
"I do not understand human ways enough to explain; however, know that it is no slave bond. Those mages have misunderstood the ancient magic. It seems knowledge of it has fragmented over centuries. It would not have worked on you if it was a slave bond; He would not have allowed it."
"He?" asked Sienna, but the elemental didn't answer him. It was not obligated to do so.
Egan also ignored Sienna's question, "What of the collar? Can you tell me more?" Egan continued in hopes that Sienna forgot about his question.
"That man had it made. He would put it on those who broke his rules as they were all more powerful than he. It was created to be able to bind the powers of the most powerful." Agni intoned.
Egan frowned, "How do I remove it?"
Agni shuddered like fire in the wind, "I do not know. They who made the collars have all joined the Ashes, and they who wore the collars shared their fate."
Egan cursed and rubbed at his eyes. That makes things much more difficult, he thought. It's been almost 7,000 years since the fall. Just how in the name of the thrice accursed Gods am I supposed to find a way to break that collar?! Egan thought with exasperation.
Egan sighed, "Thank you Agni for sharing your wisdom. You may leave if you wish."
The flames which made up Agni sputtered and sparked before vanishing into nothing. The scorch mark on the desk was all that was left to denote its appearance.
Sienna grabbed Egan's arm, shaking him from reverie. "What does all that mean?" Sienna asked, desperation making his voice rise in pitch.
Egan closed his eyes for a moment before he finally said, "It means that you're not in danger for now, but it will be arduous to remove the collar." When Sienna slumped, his hand sliding away from Egan's arm, Egan hurried to continue, "I don't think that it's impossible, just difficult. If you're okay with it, I think that we should focus on getting the collar off over the bond."
After a moment, Sienna reluctantly nodded his head. "You won't use the bond to control me, right?"
Egan frowned, "I'm not sure that is even possible. Agni didn't seem to think so. But we can test it if you would like." When Sienna's head shot up, face pale white, Egan shook his head in protest, "No, wait. That's not what I meant." He began to explain, "Agni said it was meant for protection. There are probably some serious consequences coming to those who misuse it, and I would be unable to misuse it."
Sienna frowned, calming down a little, "What do you mean? Why would you be unable to misuse it?"
Egan smiled, relief coloring his voice, "As an elementalist, I'm tied to them. If I were ever to do something so heinous as to usurp another's will and force harm upon them in that manner, my element would turn on me…violently."
Sienna raised his head and looked Egan in the eye, much more at ease. "Then what did you mean by test?"
Egan looked thoughtful, "Hmm…Well, I think that I can control you somewhat, but more like making sure you eat and sleep, the sort of thing that would fall under guidance or protection. I was suggesting we test that."
Sienna eyed him suspiciously, "How?" Sienna realized his mistake when Egan smiled mischievously at him.
Egan reached inside himself where felt the bond that linked him with Sienna and grabbed it. "Sleep, Sienna." Egan commanded.
Sienna's eyes widened for a brief moment before they drifted close, and he slumped. Egan caught him before he fell off the bed. Mindful of Sienna's injuries, Egan laid him back down on his stomach. He pulled the sheet back up from where it had fallen to cover Sienna's lower half.
Egan sat back in the chair with a sigh, shoving back his hair with a rough hand. Now what? He thought.
A myriad of thoughts ran through his head, but he eventually decided he needed help. I can't handle this by myself, and that old man owes me one. It's his fault I'm in this mess in the first place. He thought with some irritation.
Night was beginning to fall, so Egan lit the candle that had been left on the desk with a dismissive wave of his hand. He glanced at Sienna with some reservation, but, once again, pulled out the obsidian knife and slashed it across his arm. This time; however, he intoned a name at the end of his chant.
"Kine." He whispered with glowing amber eyes, and felt the name reverberate within him.
The smoke from his wound sparked and sputtered as newly created fire sometimes does before, with a loud whoosh, a large flame the size of Egan's forearm surged into being.
"Egan." A voice crinkling with affection came from the fire beginning to take on a humanoid form. As the figure solidified, its semi-solid body smoldered like coals beneath glass, hair lashing like restless flames and eyes gleaming molten gold. "Why have you summoned me again so soon?" A hint of irritation seeped into Kine's, the elemental's voice.
"I need you to deliver a message t-" Egan began but was cut off by an irate Kine.
"Do I look like a messenger bird?" Kine hissed, sparks snapping off her shoulders.
"To Drevan." Egan finished with a sigh. Not only was Drevan currently on the Eastern Continent with his guild, The Veiled Current, but Kine loved taking messages to and from him as Drevan had the tendency to speak, well, rather crassly.
Kine, who always managed to add to her vocabulary after every visit, flickered from irate to falsely subservient, "Of course, I will do whatever my contractor needs me to," Kine smiled showing off a terrifying set of double rowed razor-sharp teeth that were serrated like a shark's and glowed faintly red at the edges, "for an equal price, of course."
Egan smiled back faintly, "Of course." He affirmed without fear. "I need the message to reach him tonight."
There was something apprehensive in the shift of flames that made up Kine as she replied, "Across the sea and a tight deadline," Her eyes of molten gold met his own glowing amber ones, "It will cost you."
Egan inclined his head in agreement. "I'm aware, but it is necessary."
Kine huffed in disbelief, "Whatever, just speak your message."
Egan's lips twitched at Kine's badly concealed concern, "The Kingdom of Notus is capturing dragons, and selling them as slaves. I bought one in an attempt to free him; however, the mages bound us together somehow and fit the dragon with a magic collar that I suspect is from the Kingdom of Ash. I got the impression this is a new venture on the part of Notus. The dragon in question was badly wounded by them. I will have to go to the Kingdom of Thalasseren to see him treated. Contact me there." Egan nodded once to indicate his message was done.
"Thalasseren? That'll be fun for you." Kine's voice was dripping with sarcasm. As Thalasseren was the kingdom of water elementalists, just being within its borders was a bane to all flame elementalist. Only those of Egan's kind that were referred to as Ashbound, a rare and the most powerful class of flame elementalist, could enter the kingdom entwined with water and not fall immediately ill. However, even they would grow ill with time.
Egan shrugged, "As an Ashbound, I'll be fine."
Kine's flames crackled and popped with skepticism, "Ashbound, humph." She snorted, but she continued, "Either way, with the distance and the length of the message, you owe me a considerable amount."
Egan winced before unwrapping the torn bandages of his abused arm and offering his arm to her. Kine's maw opened far wider than her body should allow and offered Egan a disconcerting view of all her teeth before they snuck into his flesh and black smoke began to wisp into the air with the sickening smell of cooking meat.
Kine drank from him for over a minute before releasing him and leaving a fresh new scar among the myriad of others. "Child of ash and flame," Kine addressed him formally and gravely, "I should tell you that you're burning through your reserves. You have summoned too many in too short a time betwixt the summonings." That was as close as she would ever get to be careful, but Egan was grateful nonetheless and smiled at her.
"Thank you for the warning, Kine, but I'll manage." He could feel the weakness from the blood loss, and he knew even Ashbound had their limits.
Kine huffed her disbelief, transforming into a burst of sparks, which flashed and vanished into the night.
Egan rebandaged his arm with a fresh wrap, and dragged the lit candle towards him. What he was about to do required a flame already born. As he stared into the flickering flame, his eyes once again glowed an amber color and voices began to drift to his ears.
Fire spoke to those who knew how to listen to it, and, in a city such as Galecrest, it existed everywhere. Hearths and torches, lanterns and cooking fires, all connected in a web of flame and heat.
Egan's awareness drifted among that web from within the inn where the innkeeper was banking the coals in the kitchen for the night and outwards among the many torches lining the streets down toward the slave market. Amidst the cries of pain and sorrow, the fire brought the sound of grim murmurings.
"-est be certain." a gruff voice demanded. "That dragon should have brought in far more profit. How dare you allow it to be sold for such pittance! And after we sold the other dragon-" Egan almost lost the connection with the fire in his shock, "-to the king! Do you intend to destroy us?" The voice was roaring by the end.
Another, more familiar, voice quavered, "I'm sure! I'm sure!" it pleaded, "He took the dragon to the Fair Winds Inn! The shadow I sent to follow him was careful not to be discovered."
"Fine!" The voice snapped, "Pay off the innkeeper, kill the interloper, and seize the dragon just before dawn. If you fail, it will be your life!"
Egan separated from the fire before he heard more. He gasped from the strain of "hearing" that far away, and the sudden break of the connection snuffed out the candle and had him momentarily dizzy. "Shit!" he hissed when he had somewhat recovered. There was so much wrong with what he had just heard, it took a minute for him to sort it.
Another dragon, he thought, I need to find out where it's being kept and - No, damn it! I've got to get Sienna out of here. His condition isn't good. Egan threw back his head and shoved his hands through his increasingly messy hair. I need a horse. He concluded and pulled out a piece of paper to write a quick message and left a small amount of coin to hold the message in place on the desk. He had already gotten supplies in hopes of leaving the city soon, but he had wanted to fetch more supplies due to the addition of Sienna.
That's not going to happen now.
It would take a miracle to get a horse and flee the city unnoticed let alone be able to get more supplies.
He would let Sienna sleep for another hour or so before they would have to leave. He knew a trader that owed him one, and could, for some coin, be counted on to wait until dawn before spreading the news of their escape for additional coin.
Egan looked at Sienna, who only had a towel covering him, and dug into his magic bag to find a white tunic and black pants that should fit him. He didn't have any spare shoes, so Sienna would have to do without for now.
Egan waited until it was just after midnight before waking Sienna. "Sienna, wake up." Egan lightly shook Sienna's shoulder to rouse him.
"Hmm." Sienna groaned as he woke. He fully woke when his eyes met Egan's green ones. "You!" he cried with distrust rising in his voice, "You made me sleep!" He had thought he could trust Egan, but…
Egan sighed. They didn't have time for this. "Yes, I did. You need to get up. We've got to leave." Egan kept his voice low and calm, devoid of the urgency he felt.
Sienna carefully moved to sit up while still glaring at Egan, "Why?"
"The slavers are coming. They intend to kill me and recapture you. Apparently, they weren't happy with your sale price." Egan replied as he helped Sienna dress.
Sienna paled and began to move more rapidly. "W-when a-are they coming?" Sienna stuttered in his fear of being forced to return to that horrible place. Anywhere was better than there.
"I heard them talk about before dawn, but it's best we leave now. I'd rather not take those jerks at their word." Egan frowned as he unlatched the shutters covering the only window in the room and pushed open the casement.
Sienna's eyes widened. "What are you doing? Aren't we too high for a human to jump from?"
Egan stood on the desk, glancing back at Sienna with a grin, "I told you I'm not human." He stretched out a hand toward Sienna, "Come on. I'll help you."
Egan gripped Sienna tightly by the waist, apologizing for aggravating Sienna's wounds. Egan tried to be careful, but some pain was unavoidable. He then leaped off the second floor and down to the ground with surprising ease.
Sienna was surprised at how gentle Egan managed to make the landing feel; he had been bracing for the pain, but it wasn't as bad as he was expecting.
Egan released him and began walking towards an alley. "Let's go."
Sienna scrambled after him as Egan led him through the alleyways. Egan slowed as the alley narrowed, the scent of damp stone and refuse thick in the air. The moonlight barely reached between the leaning buildings, leaving the passage shrouded in shadow.
Sienna struggled to keep pace.
Bare feet slapped softly against the cobbles. Every few steps he faltered, catching himself against the wall. The borrowed clothes hung loosely from his frame, the fabric occasionally painfully brushing against half-healed wounds that still throbbed beneath their wrappings.
Egan noticed. However, he didn't think that Sienna would welcome help right now, so he said nothing, but his stride shortened and he kept an eye on Sienna in case he fell.
They walked for maybe fifteen minutes in silence beneath the moon, when Egan murmured, "We're close."
"To what?" Sienna huffed in a combination of exasperation and exhaustion. He acts as though he told me where we are going! Sienna thought with irritation.
"A contact," came Egan's unhelpful response, and Sienna had to resist the urge to scream.
They turned a corner and the alley widened into a cramped courtyard cluttered with crates and broken wagon parts. A lantern swung from a nail driven into warped timber, its flame guttering in the wind.
A hunched figure sat atop an overturned barrel, chewing on a stem of dried wheat. The man's hat was pulled low, its brim shadowing a sharp, weathered face. He did not look surprised to see them.
"Took you long enough," the man muttered.
"Corvin?" Egan said, surprised enough that Sienna stiffened beside him. "I didn't expect you to still be awake."
Corvin spat to the side. "Wasn't planning to be," he said. "Just had a feeling I should wait."
His eyes flicked to Sienna. "Now I see why."
Egan's expression tightened faintly. "You still taking coin for quiet work?"
Corvin snorted. "Coin talks."
Egan tossed him a small pouch. Corvin caught it, weighed it once, then grunted in satisfaction.
"Girl," he barked. From the darkness stepped a small figure. She looked no older than twelve.
Thin. Barefoot. A ragged tunic hung loosely over her slight frame. Catlike ears poked through dark tangled hair, and a thin tail trailed behind her. A dull metal collar circled her neck.
Sienna's stomach tightened. Another slave.
The girl kept her eyes lowered.
"Show them the door," Corvin ordered already counting his coins.
She nodded silently and walked toward the far wall of the courtyard. Egan followed, and Sienna started after them but paused when he noticed something strange; Egan had slowed, just slightly.
When the girl reached the warped plank wall she stopped and pressed a hidden latch. Wood shifted quietly, revealing a narrow stone passage descending beneath the buildings.
She stepped aside, and only then did she look up, her golden eyes meeting Egan's. And for a moment—the air changed. Egan inclined his head, not a bow, but unmistakably respectful.
"Breaker of Chains," he said quietly.
The girl smiled faintly. "Wandering Flame." Her voice carried an ageless lilt.
Sienna blinked. What…?
The kitsune's gaze flicked toward the collar on Sienna's neck. "You've brought an interesting companion."
Egan stepped slightly aside so Corvin could not hear them. "It was my intention to free him, but the mages have that goal hard to reach." He hesitated, but eventually decided this opportunity was not likely to come again, "I have a request."
Her head tilted. "Of course you do." Though Egan often ignored and even forgot about his own reputation, it preceded him. The kitsune knew he was honorable being.
Egan gestured subtly toward Sienna. "Can you break it?" His words had Sienna looking at her hopefully as the kitsune stepped closer and examined the collar. Her fingers brushed the metal, and for a moment her playful expression faded. At last, she shook her head.
"No."
Sienna deflated somewhat, and Egan exhaled slowly. "I thought perhaps—"
"It is older than my kind," she interrupted gently, her golden eyes glimmered with regret. Her kind liked to believe they could sunder any binding, but it was not so. "I believe it is from the Kingdom of Ash."
She sighed as she stepped back from Sienna and Egan, "Those chains were forged before fox spirits ever walked this world, and we cannot break what came before." She tapped her own collar lightly. The metal flickered, and for a brief moment the iron simply… vanished and then it returned. Illusion was the kitsunes' forte.
"Chains do not bind us," she elaborated softly, "But neither can we unmake the first ones."
Egan nodded grimly. "I feared as much."
The kitsune's gaze lingered on Sienna. "You protect him."
It was not a question, but Egan answered, "I do."
Her tail flicked thoughtfully as she gazed at the pair before she seemed to shake herself from her thoughts, and the kitsune glanced toward Corvin, who remained distracted counting coins.
"You should leave quickly," she said.
Egan nodded once before stepping past her and into the tunnel.
Egan didn't think that the kitsune would do anything to the dragon, but…well…better safe than sorry. "The dragon is under my protection." He murmured too quietly for Sienna to hear.
The kitsune's eyes glimmered with interest. "I know." She answered simply as her gaze drifted toward Corvin. "And the trader?"
Egan shrugged faintly. "He chose his bargains."
A flicker of amusement crossed her face. "A wise answer." She stepped aside and gestured toward the passage. "Go."
Though very curious, Sienna followed Egan down the hidden tunnel where the stone steps wound downward, heading deep beneath the city.
At first, they silently made their descent, but eventually, Sienna could not hold his curiosity back any longer.
"…Who" Sienna shook his head, "No, what was that?"
Egan glanced over his shoulder at Sienna.
Then he said quietly, "A kitsune."
Sienna blinked. "A what?" He had never heard of them.
"I'm not surprised you don't know of them. They're long-lived creatures from the Eastern continent. They don't generally harm others, but they only malice for those that would bind others against their will." Egan paused a moment in thought. "They're treacherous creatures."
"And Corvin owns one?"
Egan snorted softly. "I doubt Corvin knows what she is, but he'll soon find out."
Sienna frowned in thought, "And then, what happens?" He asked without letting emotion show in his voice.
Egan shrugged uncaringly, "He dies."
Sienna was silent for a minute, "Good." He said seriously, "Slavers should all die."
Egan didn't disagree and nodded his head as the tunnel began to lighten before opening into a sheltered cellar carved from the stone cliffs. There, they found a saddled horse waiting quietly.
A horse?" Sienna whispered with concern. He had eaten horses before, but he had never ridden one like he had once seen a human do. Even if he wanted to change into his human form, why would he ride his dinner? Horses also didn't care much for his kind for obvious reasons. Sienna worried how this was going to work.
Egan checked over the horse's tack as Sienna stood frozen staring at the horse.
"I've never ridden a horse." Sienna reluctantly admitted.
Egan blinked at the nervousness he detected in Sienna's voice. "Are you…worried?"
"…Yes, I've only ever eaten them." Sienna admitted.
A beat passed.
Egan's lips twitched. "Well, this one doesn't seem to know that." Egan patted the tranquil horse, "And there's a first time for everything." He admitted wryly and casually swung himself into the saddle before extending a hand towards Sienna.
Sienna stared at it as memories flickered — chains, commands, forced obedience.
Egan seemed to sense his hesitation, and, keeping his outstretched hand in place, said quietly, "Your decision."
After a moment, Sienna took his hand, and Egan lifted him smoothly onto the horse. Sienna stiffened at the unfamiliar feeling of being on top of the horse, and clutched at the saddle.
Egan settled behind him, careful of Sienna's injuries, and took the reins and led the horse from the outcropping of stone protecting it and along the cliff wall for several minutes. Upon finding another opening, he steered the horse within it.
"This is the smuggler's route to the Kingdom of Thalasseren. Hopefully, we'll make it their unnoticed." Egan explained without Sienna having to ask. Sienna really liked that about Egan.
They rode through the caverns at a measured pace for the rest of the night and into the dawn. It was morning still when the smuggler's tunnel dumped them out near the mangroves bordering the Kingdom of Thalasseren.
It came while they were adjusting to the sudden light, which was in stark contrast to the fireball that Egan had used to light their way through the tunnel.