Valera returned with a stack of leather-clad volumes in her arms. “A sailor’s myth. A place lost when the dragons died out. It’s called The Dragon’s Nest. Starfall Break is the region. The Dragon's Nest is hidden somewhere inside it. I believe it was the dragons' most sacred sanctuary.”
She laid one of the books open on the table between us, the pages smelling of old ink.
I studied the worn parchment, tracing the curling script with my finger. “The Dragon’s Nest lies where stone sings and scales remember. Reached only by sea, veiled in mist, guarded by silence.” My heart flipped over, and my gaze swept across Lore and my friends. “It’s real. We just need to find it.”
Lore stood. “We’ll leave immediately.”
We rose and scattered to our chambers to prepare. Lore and I dressed quickly in leathers, strapping on numerous blades. We packed a bag with a few things, and with our cloaks slung over our shoulders, we joined Dorion and Laphira in the foyer.
Lord Briscalar bustled over, his gaze traveling up and down our frames. “Unusual costumes for a formal dinner, my queen and king, but I find it delightful.” He clapped his hands. “I’m sure you’ll set a new trend.”
“We’re leaving,” Lore said. “I’m not sure when we’ll return.”
“But what about your birthday party, sire?” the lord asked, his shoulders drooping. “We’ve made plans. It’s going to be a delightful celebration.”
“We’ll do our best to be back by then,” was all I could say.
“Very well.” His spine stiffened, and he dipped his head graciously. “May the stars and fates guide your course. Return safely, my king and queen.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The four of us flitted to the pier.
Wind tugged at my hair as salt air carried the cry of seabirds overhead. Sunlight scattered across the bay, captured by the waves. The pier planks creaked beneath our feet.
Farris trotted at my side, his ears twitching as he took ineverything. He pressed against my leg, and I scratched behind his ears, feeling the tension loosen from my spine a little. He’d chosen to come with us. I didn’t have to ask.
The ship loomed ahead. Sleek, swift, sturdy. Lore’s personal vessel, ever ready. Its polished wood glowed like gold in the late-day light.
Captain Christoff met us at the base of the gangplank in his full uniform, every button gleaming, his boots polished to a blinding shine. With military precision, he bowed low. “My king. My queen.”
“Captain,” Lore said. “Can you depart immediately?”
“Of course.” His grin rose, and he flashed a look of longing to the sea. “Where would you like to go?”
Lore’s hand slipped into mine. He tugged the map from his pocket and handed it to the captain, who unfurled it, pointing. “There.”
The captain blanched. “Are you sure you wish to go to Starfall Break? It’s quite a dangerous area. No one goes there.”
“We need to. We’re seeking a place called the Dragon’s Nest. It’s in that area.”
Christoff frowned. “I’ve never heard of Dragon’s Nest, and I’ve sailed this part of the world for most of my life.”
“We’ll know where to go when we reach that area,” I said. Please let this work.
“Very well, Your Highnesses. It will be an…adventure.” His face flushed. “Yes, that. An adventure.” He called out to the crew, telling them to prepare to leave port before turning back to us, waving to the gangplank. “Welcome aboard.”
We climbed onto the ship that swayed gently beneath our feet, and stood on deck while the crew bustled around us. Lines were loosed. Sails readied.
The ship left the pier, slowly gliding to the mouth of theharbor, where the crew released the sails and windrams, who climbed up onto the rail and started blowing.
“Amazing,” Laphira breathed, watching the creatures create enough wind to billow the sails.
Christoff came over to join us. “We should reach Starfall Break by early tomorrow evening.”
The eve before lore’s birthday.
I bit back my gasp. “Can’t we get there sooner?”
