Chapter One
Astryl
The great hall is filled with members of my clan. While they chat and joke amongst themselves, I stand alone. The cold of being an outsider wraps around me more tightly than my own wings ever could. I watch as Dravon, our most skilled hunter, regales the younger ones with tales of his latest conquest. The way his muscles bulge beneath his shirt is enough to make even the eldest dragon shifters swoon, and his story is so enthralling that he draws the entire clan into his tale.
But when he reaches the climax where he has to fend off an attacking griffin with his bare hands, a small child interrupts him. “What about the eggs? Couldn’t you have just taken their eggs? It would’ve been safer than trying to kill one of them for meat.”
Dravon pauses, his golden eyes flicking down to the child. The adults snicker, clearly thinking the question is hilarious, but Dravon’s gaze is anything but amused. His face is an impassive mask, his tone controlled. “And then what story would I have to tell?”
But the truth is, as we sit here, our store of food is running dangerously low. A few griffin eggs would go a long way to ensuring no one starves.
As Dravon finishes his tale with a dramatic flourish, his audience bursts into applause. I clap along with them, although inside I’m dying a little bit more. I want to join their ranks; I do, but every time I try, I just can’t seem to fit in. Instead, I’m here, nursing a mug of fermented berry juice, pretending that the sharp tang doesn’t remind me of Bellatara’s favorite drink.
Once upon a time, the angel was my best friend. She was a guardian angel and the most incredible one I’ve ever met, at that. But after she got married, her visits became less frequent. Then one day they stopped altogether. I suppose that’s the way of life, but it still hurts. Now, I’m alone and there are times when the pain is so much that I feel like it’s suffocating me.
Don’t get me wrong. This clan welcomed me as a toddler when I stumbled through a portal on the edge of the Enchanted Forest. They’ve taken care of me since. They’re a tight-knit group, and they’ve always treated me well. They love me. I know that, but there’s something that makes me feel as though I just don’t belong here. And now as I listen to Dravon talk, my chest feels even tighter. The feeling grows so strong that I think it might devour me whole.
Unlike all of the adult dragon shifters, I agree with the child. The eggs would’ve been the smarter option.
“Maybe it’s time to think practically,” I murmur under my breath.
Beside me stands Lyria, a petite dragon shifter with shimmering green scales that catch the torchlight. She’s the closest thing I have to a friend in the clan, and she’s always there to lend an empathetic ear or offer a comforting shoulder.
“Astryl, you know how Dravon loves his tales. They’re more than just stories to him; they’re a part of who he is,” Lyria whispers. “Best not to dampen his enthusiasm.”
I nod, acknowledging her point, but the gnawing worry in my gut remains. Our dwindling food supply is a pressing issue. We shouldn’t just be sitting here entertaining a hunter’s ego.
“You’re right, as always,” I reply anyway, forcing a smile. “But we still need to find a solution.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” whines a young dragon shifter, tugging at his mother’s sleeve. His stomach growls loudly, echoing in the quiet hall and drawing sympathetic glances from those nearby.
The child’s complaint serves as a stark reminder of our precarious situation. The murmur of conversation fades, replaced by an uneasy silence.
“We need to be careful with what food we have left,” cautions Elder Thrain, his voice grave. “Rationing is essential now more than ever.”
We’ve reached a critical point, and drastic measures are needed to ensure our survival. Someone has to step forward. And I guess, today, that someone should be me. It’s time I earned my keep.
“I’ll go and search for food,” I announce. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Are you sure, Astryl?” Lyria asks, her expression clouded. “You’ve never hunted alone for the clan before. It can be quite dangerous. The Enchanted Forest has some peculiar challenges, especially on this side of the forest.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “I’ve hunted before. Besides, the last time we hunted as a group, we didn’t catch a single thing. We make too much noise.”
Lyria purses her lips, but after a moment, she nods. “I’ll come with you. Just or backup. There’s no reason for you to risk your life alone.”
I want to argue, but her words make sense. The Enchanted Forest is beautiful, but it can be deadly, and I’m not eager to spend an extended period of time there alone. “Thanks, Lyria.”
The clan goes back to their conversations, but they’re still subdued; uneasiness lingers in the air. I can’t blame them. The threat of famine looms over us. I doubt they have much confidence in me returning with food. I haven’t exactly proven myself as the most dependable clan member after all, but I’m determined not to fail the clan this time. I need them, especially in these uncertain times. I’ve always been independent, preferring to spend my time alone or with Bellatara – my angel friend – even though I was raised by the clan. I’ve never known my real parents. Nobody seems to know, or want to tell me what happened to them.
So now, I’m trying to be a better clan member. A valuable member.
“All right, let’s get started.”
The dragon clan is situated on the northern edge of the Enchanted Forest, so if we fly directly north, we should reach the griffin nests in no time. Straight there, straight back.We can do this, I tell myself as I collect my satchel.
As Lyria and I take to the skies, the towering trees of the Enchanted Forest pass beneath us like a sea of green. The wind rushes past, filling my lungs with the earthy scent of the forest. For a moment, I feel free. For a brief second, it’s just me and the sky and the endless possibilities it holds.
But the feeling is gone all too soon, and I’m thrust back into the present. My wings beat steadily as I glide above the treetops, and a few birds dart away in alarm. Lyria follows close behind, keeping a wary eye on the ground below. Flying alongside my friend, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re not as coordinated as we could be. Our movements lack the effortless harmony I imagine I would have had with Bellatara if she were here. Any time the angel and I flew, our movements flowed seamlessly. It was like we were a single creature, working together to achieve whatever task we had our minds set on.
