Chương 68: The Quiet Invitation

Aurelia had discovered that Zephyr's flying speed gave her considerably less time to worry. Normally, the journey from Drakehaven to Bellhaven was long enough that she could spend several hours imagining every possible version of whatever waited at the other end. On Zephyr, she barely had time to begin. The Gale Drake banked gently beneath her. Aurelia tightened her grip around the harness more from habit than necessity as the forest rushed past below.

"Slow down a little." Zephyr made a pleased chirping noise, but she did not slow down. Aurelia sighed.

"At least pretend you're listening." Another chirp. The trip was extraordinarily convenient, at the least. What had once taken the better part of a day now took so little time that Drakehaven and Bellhaven almost felt like neighboring streets instead of separate settlements.

Unfortunately, that meant Roy had handed her two encoded inventory manifests, told her Dorian wanted to speak privately, mentioned that Selene was apparently ready to come live with them— —and less than a day later, Aurelia was already approaching Bellhaven. She still had no idea what Dorian wanted. Technically, she was here to return books… That was the explanation everyone else had received.

Mira had lent Aurelia several medical texts over the previous months, and Aurelia genuinely did intend to exchange them for others. It made the excuse wonderfully convenient. Zephyr abruptly slowed. Wind pressed against Aurelia as the Gale Drake spread her wings wide and descended toward Bellhaven. She observed the dark timber, the blue-gray stone, and the curved roofs shaped almost like overturned boats. Bellhaven had become familiar enough that Aurelia no longer needed to search for landmarks.

Dorian's warehouse sat near the eastern edge of town, surrounded by open ground useful for carts, cargo, and more recently… dragons. Zephyr glided into the field and landed with barely a jolt.

"See?" Aurelia said, climbing down.

"You can move at a reasonable speed." Zephyr looked away.

"Don't act like you didn't hear me." Aurelia had just finished loosening one of the travel straps when a familiar voice carried across the field.

"Well! That was quick." Dorian approached from the warehouse with his usual confident stride. His coat was nicer than anything appropriate for a warehouse. Aurelia had long since accepted that Dorian considered looking like a successful merchant a major part of being one. He spread his arms.

"So Roy must have returned home."

"This morning."

"And understood the assignment." Aurelia stared at him.

"I have absolutely no idea what the assignment is." Dorian's smile widened.

"Even better. That makes the performance more convincing."

"What performance?"

"The one where you know absolutely nothing." Aurelia frowned.

"I dislike conversations with merchants."

"You wound me." Something crashed from inside the warehouse. Aurelia turned just in time to see two shapes come hurtling through the open doors.

"Oh no." Clover reached her first - the Rotbloom Drake slammed bodily into Aurelia's legs. A heartbeat later, Spark struck from the opposite side. Aurelia yelped and nearly disappeared beneath both of them.

"Okay! Okay!" Clover pressed his head against her stomach. Spark wriggled around her side, bright yellow scales flashing in the sunlight. Aurelia laughed and dropped to her knees.

"I missed you too." Spark shoved his head under her arm. Clover immediately objected and tried to occupy the same space.

"You both have entire bodies. You don't need the exact same spot." Neither cared. Dorian chuckled.

"I'll leave you to your reunion." Aurelia looked over Clover's head.

"Where are you going?"

"To fetch our other guest." That caught her attention.

"Selene?" Dorian merely smiled.

"I'll be back shortly." He walked away. Aurelia narrowed her eyes at his back.

"Merchants." Spark chirped.

"Yes. Exactly." She scratched beneath his jaw. Clover immediately demanded equal treatment, and Aurelia obliged. It had been longer than she liked since she'd visited Bellhaven properly. Roy and Orion came through more often now, and Talia had practically lived here before her training with Sevrin started. Aurelia— Aurelia had Drakehaven. The Healing House, the other drakes, and everyone else who inevitably needed something. She knew they could function without her, though not always without overdoing it.

She was still wrestling with Clover when movement inside the warehouse caught her eye. A larger shape slowly emerged, causing Aurelia to stop. The drake was unlike any she'd met in person. Pale gray scales, broad wings, and subtle ring-like patterns running across her body. She was perhaps the size of a deer, though leaner, with an alert posture that made it seem as though she were listening to something far beyond the field around them. Vision.

Orion's description had been accurate, though he had failed to mention how serious she looked. Aurelia carefully stood, with Clover and Spark remaining pressed against her legs. She took a few steps toward the newcomer.

"Vision?" The Echo Drake lifted her head as a soft clicking trill answered. Aurelia smiled.

"I've heard a lot about you." Vision studied her.

"Apparently you're always up there keeping everyone safe. Orion says you stay in the air for days." Vision's wings shifted.

"That is too long." The drake froze. Aurelia planted her hands on her hips.

"You need rest." Vision's head lowered, prompting Aurelia to stare. The posture was so immediately guilty that she softened.

"Oh, don't look like that." Vision made a quieter sound.

"If you enjoy it, that's different. But you still can't work yourself until you drop." Vision considered that. Aurelia nodded.

"Good." The Echo Drake stared at her, and something finally seemed to click. Her entire posture changed.

"Oh—" Vision charged, leaving Aurelia barely enough time to brace before the larger drake collided with her.

"Oof!" She wrapped both arms around Vision's neck as the Echo Drake pressed against her with surprising enthusiasm.

"You figured out who I am, didn't you?" Vision trilled brightly.

"Yes, yes," Aurelia laughed.

"I'm Aurelia." Vision bumped her shoulder.

"Yes, the sister who tells everyone to rest. Though that reputation is unfair." Spark chirped from behind her. Aurelia looked over.

"You're not helping."

"Aurelia?" She turned. Garrick stood at the edge of the field, simply staring for several seconds. After his brain properly registered her presence, he started jogging toward her. He looked different, though not dramatically. A little leaner, a little harder through the shoulders, and his posture carried more confidence than it had when he'd first arrived at Drakehaven months ago. He slowed as he approached. And then, inexplicably, all of that confidence vanished.

"Hey…" Aurelia stared at him. Garrick shifted while she waited, but he began to look increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, Aurelia asked, "That's the best you have?"

"What?"

"You haven't seen me in weeks, and you ran over here to say 'hey'?"

"I wasn't prepared." Aurelia crossed her arms.

"You hear from me every day." Garrick blinked.

"The messages."

"The messages you demanded." Garrick rubbed the back of his neck.

"I guess that's true." Aurelia's expression softened.

"You know you can come home whenever you want." Garrick glanced toward town.

"Staying here simplifies training." The answer came quickly - too quickly to be more than a kneejerk response made from nerves. Aurelia raised an eyebrow.

"Where did all that bravado go?"

"What bravado?"

"The part where you dragged me around Bellhaven on a 'date' and then informed me I had to report to you every day." Garrick's ears reddened.

"I did not drag you." Aurelia laughed, a laugh which finally seemed to break his nerves. Garrick exhaled and laughed too. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know. Being weird."

"You're always weird."

"Again. Not helping." Aurelia smiled. Garrick looked toward Clover, Spark, and Vision, then back at her.

"I think Edric has just been beating the confidence out of me." Aurelia's smile disappeared.

"He's hurting you?" Garrick immediately lifted both hands.

"No."

"Because if he's actually injuring you—""He isn't." Garrick laughed.

"He's hard on me, but he's good." Aurelia continued staring.

"He doesn't cross lines?"

"No, he doesn't." His answer was firm enough that Aurelia accepted it - mostly.

"He actually gave me the break because I saw you coming." Aurelia glanced toward the distant sky.

"You saw me from that far away?" Garrick smiled.

"Vision." Aurelia looked toward the Echo Drake.

"You can see through her?"

"No," he tapped beneath one eye.

"Concordance. If I lean into it, my own eyesight gets… ridiculous."

"How ridiculous?"

"I spotted Zephyr before anyone else knew something was coming." Aurelia looked toward the horizon, then at him. Vision made a proud sound, to which Garrick grinned and crouched to scratch beneath her jaw.

"I spend a lot of time with these three." Clover shoved into his side. Spark followed, and Garrick nearly tipped over. Aurelia laughed.

"They seem to agree."

"They're basically my little family over here." Something in Aurelia's chest softened on hearing that. It wasn't pity - he had chosen to stay in Bellhaven and train. He wanted to become someone stronger than the wounded boy who had originally stumbled into their lives. Still— Aurelia stepped forward and hugged him. Garrick stiffened for only a second, then hugged her back.

"It's good to see you," she said.

"Yeah," his voice was quieter.

"You too." They separated. Garrick looked at her more carefully.

"So… Third Seal." Aurelia smiled.

"You heard?"

"Everyone heard."

"That's embarrassing." He examined her Status briefly.

"You feel stronger."

"So do you." Garrick's smile became slightly smug, prompting Aurelia to point at him.

"There. That's better."

"What?"

"The bravado." He laughed, then hesitated.

"If you're not rushing back…I was going to ask if you wanted food." Aurelia narrowed her eyes.

"You're trying to get another date."

"No."

"Suspiciously fast denial."

"I genuinely just want to catch up." Aurelia continued staring, holding it until Garrick sighed.

"Fine. Food that is not a date."

"That sounds safer."

"Dinner sounds wonderful!" Both turned. Dorian was approaching again. Aurelia stared.

"How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough." Someone walked beside him. A teenage girl with black hair pulled into a neat ponytail. Thirteen, if Aurelia remembered correctly. Dark eyes, and carefully maintained clothing better suited to travel than ceremony, but still formal enough to identify someone accustomed to representing important people. Aurelia saw Velara immediately. Not an exact resemblance, but enough. Face shape, shoulder posture, and even the expression she wore while approaching— Far too composed for thirteen. Dorian gestured.

"Aurelia, this is Selene Dault." The girl stopped and gave a small formal bow.

"A pleasure to meet you." Aurelia almost bowed back, then realized she'd probably look ridiculous.

"I'm Aurelia."

"I know…" Selene paused for a moment. She seemed to realize quickly how that sounded.

"I've heard a great deal about Drakehaven."

"That makes more sense." Aurelia discreetly examined her as they continued introductions. [Selene Dault] [First Seal] Aurelia's attention lingered for half a second. The class was almost certain hidden deliberately. Given what Roy had told her, that made sense. Garrick lifted a hand to wave.

"Selene."

"Garrick." Aurelia glanced between them.

"You know each other?"

"A little," Garrick said.

"She's been training with Edric's Awakened group since she got back." Selene nodded.

"Captain Vane believes practical defensive training is useful regardless of Class."

"That sounds like Edric."

"He is very thorough." Garrick grimaced.

"That is one word." Selene looked at him.

"You requested additional training." Aurelia covered a laugh. Garrick pointed at Selene.

"You're supposed to be on my side."

"I wasn't aware that sides had been assigned." Dorian clapped his hands together.

"Wonderful. Everyone knows everyone… Which means we can proceed to the luxurious boat dinner." Aurelia stared.

"Boat dinner?"" Luxurious boat dinner," Dorian lowered his voice.

"In private." Ah - there it was.

"I'm guessing Mira's books can wait?" Aurelia asked as she scanned across the three others present. Dorian smiled.

"Please do actually visit Mira before you leave. Good lies contain administrative follow-through." Aurelia sighed.

"Merchants." ─── 🐲🐲🐲 ─── Dorian had not been exaggerating about the boat. She had expected a fishing vessel with a table shoved onto it and Dorian declaring the meal luxurious because the cups matched. Instead, they sat aboard one of his nicer merchant vessels several hundred yards from shore. The cabin was polished wood, the seats were padded, and actual glass windows looked out over Averin Lake.

Someone had prepared roasted fish, vegetables, fresh bread, and enough side dishes that Aurelia suspected Dorian had planned this well before Roy decoded anything. She looked across the table.

"So." Dorian lifted his cup.

"So?"

"You found a settlement that might trade with us because of Vision."

"That is the condensed version."

"And nobody can know Vision is how you found them."

"Particularly Sevrin." Garrick tore a piece of bread.

"Because Velkaryn learning Drakehaven can watch movement across most of the basin would be bad."

"Very," Dorian said. Selene quietly ate beside him. She had remained quiet for a majority of the explanation that Dorian had given prior to this moment. Aurelia leaned back.

"And this settlement is…"

"Ironvale."

"Never heard of it."

"I'd be surprised if you had," Dorian pointed vaguely north.

"It's in the outer ring. North of Bellhaven and somewhat north of Drakehaven."

"How far?"

"A proper trip would take close to a week depending on weather and cargo." Aurelia blinked.

"That's not nearby." Dorian smiled.

"You own Zephyr. Fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty if she's carrying weight and behaving responsibly."

"Zephyr does not behave responsibly."

"Then twelve." Aurelia sighed.

"What's Ironvale like?"

"Small - about fifty people. Don't underestimate them, though. They sit directly against one of the mineral veins near the basin wall. Not valuable enough for anyone powerful to care about seizing it, but valuable enough to keep Bellhaven supplied with local metal when larger shipments become inconvenient."

"Mostly iron?"

"Iron. Some copper. Small amounts of other material depending on where they're digging." Selene spoke for the first time in several minutes.

"They also quarry stone from the lower slopes." Aurelia looked toward her.

"You've been there?"

"Twice," Selene's answer was matter-of-fact.

"The mine is the reason the settlement exists, but they trade more than ore. Their masons and smiths are quite good." Dorian nodded approvingly.

"The dwarven families help with that."

"Dwarves?"

"A few," Selene said.

"Most of Ironvale is human."

"What does it look like?" Selene thought.

"Steep."

"Steep?"

"The settlement is built into the foothills. Most buildings sit on terraces. There are retaining walls, lifts for ore, and narrow paths between levels."

"That sounds exhausting."

"It is." Garrick nodded gravely.

"Excellent diplomacy." Selene looked at him.

"I am not currently negotiating with Ironvale." Dorian chuckled. Aurelia decided to take that as a sign that they should return to the important question.

"So what do they want from us?"

"Security," Dorian's expression became more serious.

"Information, specifically."

"From Vision."

"Yes," he gestured toward the lake.

"Imagine living beside a mine with fifty people. You have enough wealth to attract opportunists, but not enough people to patrol miles of approach." Aurelia nodded.

"Vision can tell them something is coming… So we're selling them warnings." Dorian smiled.

"I am proposing that you consider selling them warnings." Aurelia caught the distinction.

"You didn't make an agreement."

"Of course not."

"I'm surprised."

"How hurtful."

"You like making agreements."

"I like making agreements I am authorized to make. Ironvale's leadership is willing to meet someone from Drakehaven. What you offer, what you ask for, and whether anything comes of it is your decision."

"Metal?"

"Could be." Aurelia frowned.

"So there's no specific trade yet."

"That is because you are going there to learn what each side actually needs." Aurelia stared, then looked around the table.

"Why am I going? Roy does this, and Talia is literally an Envoy." Dorian leaned back.

"Because you are inconspicuous." Aurelia's narrowed eyes at him. That did not sound complimentary." Dorian spread his hands.

"It was, though. Orion disappears from Drakehaven for several days and Sevrin notices. Roy disappears immediately after returning from his road project and Sevrin notices. Talia disappears while actively studying under him and - once again - Sevrin most certainly notices." Aurelia's eyes narrowed.

"And me?"

"You come to Bellhaven to study medicine under Mira. You visit Clover and Spark. You occasionally disappear because someone needs healing."

"That makes me sound unreliable."

"It makes you useful," Dorian smiled.

"You can leave Drakehaven, spend several days elsewhere, and return with a perfectly boring explanation." Aurelia frowned.

"Several days?" Dorian nodded.

"A proper relationship isn't established over one meal."

"How many?"

"Three? Four? Potentially longer." Aurelia glanced toward the window. Drakehaven wasn't visible, but she knew exactly where it was anyway. Several days wasn't terrible - she had spent longer away before - but not often, and that had been before the Healing House. It was beforeKindle became human, and before half of Drakehaven seemed to decide she was the person to ask whenever they were sick, injured, worried, or simply unable to locate Orion.

"They'll be fine," Garrick said. Aurelia looked at him.

"I didn't say anything."

"You made the face that wonders who's going to take care of everyone." Aurelia frowned.

"I know they can take care of themselves." Garrick nodded.

"Of course."

"You sound like Roy."

"That seems unfair."

"You have a week before the meeting," Dorian interjected.

"You can arrange whatever needs arranging." Aurelia nodded slowly.

"And Selene?" The thirteen-year-old looked toward her. Dorian answered.

"She'll accompany you." Aurelia hesitated.

"Why?"

"Two reasons. First, Selene knows Ironvale." Selene gave a small nod.

"Second, she is an established representative of Bellhaven," Dorian gestured toward her.

"The people there already know who she is. Having Velara's adopted daughter involved makes the conversation feel considerably less like some strange new settlement attempting to sell magical surveillance."

"That does sound better."

"And," Dorian added, "Sevrin already knows Selene travels around the basin." Aurelia understood.

"So nobody wonders why we're gone."

"Exactly." Aurelia looked toward Selene. The girl had listened to almost the entire conversation without interrupting. A First Seal at thirteen, already traveling settlements as a representative. Already expected to someday— Selene noticed her looking.

"Is there a problem?"

"No," Aurelia smiled.

"I think it'll be nice having you along." Selene returned the smile.

"I look forward to it." Garrick set down his cup.

"I'll go too." Aurelia blinked. Dorian looked at him just as quizzically.

"You will?"

"Yes."

"What about training?" Aurelia asked.

"I've been training for weeks." Aurelia raised an eyebrow, but Garrick continued.

"Real experience is still training. If you're going into a settlement you've never visited to negotiate something involving secret surveillance magic, having somebody around who can fight isn't terrible." Aurelia stared.

"I can fight. Selene can probably fight as well." Selene spoke calmly.

"I can." Garrick nodded.

"Great. Then having another person who can fight still isn't terrible." Dorian considered him.

"I don't object, but there is one practical problem."

"What?"

"Zephyr carries two people comfortably." Aurelia glanced between herself and Selene, as if confirming Dorian's concern. Garrick nodded and simply leaned back.

"That won't be a problem." Dorian raised an eyebrow.

"You've acquired another Gale Drake without telling me?"

"No," Garrick smiled. Aurelia narrowed her eyes.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing yet," Garrick's smile widened.

"But I can get there."

"How?"

"I'll show you next week." Selene took another bite of dinner as though mysterious transportation abilities were an entirely normal topic of conversation. Aurelia let out a defeated sigh. She was now responsible for helping establish Drakehaven's first relationship with another settlement, traveling with the future Reeve of Bellhaven, concealing a dragon capable of watching half the basin, and apparently discovering whatever Garrick had learned while she wasn't looking. She reached for another piece of bread.

Several days away from home suddenly seemed like the least complicated part.