The Queen—Catherine, as Kael would later learn—waited for his answer with an intensity that made the very air feel heavy. Her water dragon companion had moved closer, its presence adding to the weight of the moment. Duke Hadrian stood slightly behind his elder sister, his own dragon coiled nearby, both siblings radiating protective concern for Seraphina.
Kael took a breath and spoke clearly, meeting Catherine's gaze directly.
"We were traveling south toward the capital for the tournament when we came across an overturned carriage on the King's Road. No horses, no people visible, just the carriage lying on its side. We discussed whether it might be a trap—bandits sometimes use that tactic—but decided we couldn't just pass by if someone genuinely needed help."
Catherine's expression remained neutral, but she gave a small nod for him to continue.
"When we got closer and called out, Ripple emerged from the carriage." Kael gestured toward the water ferret, who was still protectively close to Seraphina. "He was defensive at first, summoned water orbs as a barrier. My companion, Vera, can communicate mentally with other mythbeasts, so she asked what was wrong. Ripple explained that his tamer was inside, unconscious and trapped, and he couldn't get her out safely on his own."
"So you went in alone?" Catherine asked, her tone sharp.
"I did. I asked Ripple if we could work together to extract Seraphina carefully—he grabbed the back of her dress from outside while I supported her from inside the carriage. We got her out, laid her on the ground, and I checked to make sure she was stable. Just unconscious from the impact, no serious injuries that I could see."
Kael was careful not to mention the Divine Restoration he'd used. That secret needed to stay hidden.
"We set up camp nearby and waited for her to wake up. Ripple stayed with her the whole time, protecting her. When she finally woke that evening, she thanked us for the help and asked if she could travel with us to the capital since her carriage was unusable and her horses had run off."
"And you agreed," Catherine stated.
"Of course. We were heading to the capital anyway, and we couldn't leave her stranded on the road." Kael smiled slightly. "She mentioned that her brother would probably insist on rewarding us. We said it wasn't necessary—we were just helping someone in trouble. She kept her identity secret, though. We didn't know she was Princess Seraphina until we reached the city gates and the guards recognized her."
"We just talked during the journey," Lyssa added, finding her voice. "Normal conversation—nothing that revealed her status. She was pleasant company, and we were happy to have her travel with us."
Catherine studied them both for a long moment, her intelligent eyes missing nothing. Then her posture relaxed fractionally, and the oppressive weight in the air lessened.
"That checks out, yes," she said, her tone warming slightly. "Seraphina already told me the same story through our mental bond, but I wanted to hear your version. See if they matched, if there were any inconsistencies or warning signs."
"And?" Kael asked.
"And you're either telling the truth, or you're both exceptional liars who coordinated your stories perfectly with my sister." Catherine's lips curved into a small smile. "I'm inclined to believe the former. Thank you for helping Seraphina when she needed it. You have my genuine gratitude."
Behind them, Duke Hadrian was still fussing over his youngest sister, checking her arms and hands for any lingering injuries, asking repeatedly if she was truly feeling well, if she needed anything, if she wanted the royal physician summoned immediately.
"Hadrian, I'm fine," Seraphina insisted, though her voice carried affection despite the exasperation. "It was just a bump on the head. I've recovered completely."
"You were unconscious for hours!" Hadrian protested. "That's not 'just a bump'—that's a serious head injury! You could have permanent damage, or—"
"Such a siscon," Catherine murmured under her breath, just loud enough for Kael and Lyssa to hear.
Kael had to suppress a laugh. The term was universal, apparently, even in fantasy worlds. An overprotective brother who doted on his sister to an almost comical degree.
Catherine noticed his barely suppressed amusement and gave him a knowing look. "You have siblings?"
"No, Your Majesty," Kael replied. "But I understand the protective instinct. When you care about someone, you want to make sure they're safe. Even if they insist they're fine."
"Well said." Catherine turned back toward her siblings. "Hadrian! Stop hovering! Sera says she's fine, and I believe her. Come over here so we can properly thank these young tamers."
Hadrian reluctantly stepped away from Seraphina, though he kept one hand on her shoulder as they both walked toward the group. His water dragon moved with them, its presence less oppressive than Catherine's but still formidable.
Up close, Duke Hadrian was an imposing figure. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features that suggested both intelligence and determination. His eyes, however, were gentle when they looked at Seraphina—the complete opposite of the calculating assessment he turned on Kael.
"So," Hadrian said, his voice carrying authority that suggested he was used to being obeyed. "What do you want as a reward for rescuing my sister and ensuring her safe return?"
"I don't want anything," Kael replied honestly.
Hadrian's eyes narrowed. "Everyone wants something. Name it—gold, property, a position in the court, rare resources for training your mythbeasts. Within reason, I can provide it."
"I genuinely don't want anything from you," Kael insisted. "We helped because it was the right thing to do, not because we expected payment."
"I told you he'd insist," Seraphina said, giving Kael an 'I-told-you-so' look. "My brother is... persistent about debts and obligations."
"Persistent is putting it mildly," Catherine added dryly.
Hadrian ignored them both, focusing entirely on Kael. "I am grateful for what you did. My sister is precious to me—to all of us—and knowing she was in danger, unconscious and vulnerable..." His voice tightened. "If you hadn't stopped to help, if something had happened to her because no one cared enough to check an overturned carriage... I cannot let that kindness go unrewarded."
Kael met the Duke's intense gaze steadily. "Even if I did want something, I wouldn't know what to ask for. I'm a Rank 2 tamer from a frontier city, competing in my first tournament. What could I possibly request that would be appropriate?"
"That's for me to determine," Hadrian replied. "But I will think on it. Speak with Seraphina about what might be suitable, and consult with Catherine. We will find something worthy of the service you've rendered."
"And we'll definitely come watch the tournament," Seraphina added enthusiastically. "I want to see how far you can go in the competition. You've trained so hard—it would be a shame not to witness it."
"All three of us will attend, actually," Catherine confirmed. "The tournament is always a significant event, but this year it holds particular interest. We'll be watching your performance with great attention, Kael Veyrin."
Kael felt Lyssa stiffen beside him at the casual mention of royalty attending the tournament specifically to watch them. That was... a lot of pressure.
"We'll do our best, Your Majesty," Kael said, deciding it was time to extricate themselves before this conversation became even more complicated. "But we should probably find lodging for the night. We've been traveling for eight days, and we could use proper beds and time to prepare for the tournament."
"Of course," Catherine said graciously. "You've done more than enough today. Go, rest, prepare. The tournament begins in less than 2 weeks—you'll want to be at your best."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Kael gave a respectful nod—not quite a bow, but an acknowledgment of her status. Lyssa dipped into a proper curtsy beside him.
They turned to leave, Kael already feeling relief at escaping the intense scrutiny of royalty. They'd made it perhaps five steps when Seraphina's voice called out.
"Kael! Wait!"
He turned back to see her hurrying toward them, Ripple gliding along beside her.
"I could show you guys around the city tomorrow," she offered, her expression hopeful. "If you'd like? You're new to the capital, and it's easy to get lost or miss the best locations. I know all the good places—markets, training grounds, restaurants, everything."
Kael felt a genuine smile cross his face. "That'd be amazing. Thank you, yeah."
"Let's meet at the palace gates tomorrow morning," Seraphina suggested. "Around sunrise? That way we'll have the whole day to explore."
"Sunrise works for us," Kael confirmed.
Lyssa nodded her agreement, though she still looked slightly shell-shocked from the entire encounter.
They exchanged waves—Seraphina's enthusiastic, Catherine's more reserved, Hadrian's accompanied by a calculating look that suggested he was already planning that reward—and then Kael and Lyssa were finally walking away from the palace grounds.
"That happened," Lyssa said faintly once they were out of earshot.
"That definitely happened," Kael agreed.
"You just had a casual conversation with Queen Catherine. THE Queen Catherine. Ruler of the entire kingdom."
"I noticed."
"And you didn't bow. Or use formal titles consistently. Or show any of the proper deference that—" Lyssa stopped walking and just stared at him. "Kael, I genuinely cannot believe you sometimes. It's like you don't understand who these people are."
"I understand perfectly well who they are," Kael replied calmly. "Queen, Duke, Princess—positions of power and authority. But they're also just people. Catherine wanted answers about her sister's safety. Hadrian was worried sick about Seraphina. They reacted like family members who'd been afraid for someone they loved. That's universal, regardless of titles."
Though I'll admit, he thought privately, my perspective might be a bit skewed by coming from a world without a monarchy. Hard to be properly intimidated by titles when you grew up in a democracy.
"Only you, Kael," Lyssa muttered, shaking her head. "Only you could rescue a princess, get personally thanked by the Queen, have a Duke insist on rewarding you, and treat the whole thing like it's just another day."
"It kind of is, though?" Kael pointed out. "We found someone in trouble, we helped, now we're moving on with our lives. The fact that she happened to be royalty is just... circumstance."
Lyssa looked like she wanted to argue, but couldn't find the words. Finally, she just sighed. "Let's find an inn before I get an even bigger headache trying to understand how your brain works."
---
They navigated through the capital's streets, deliberately heading away from the palace district. The logic was simple—accommodations near the palace would be expensive, catering to wealthy nobles and visiting dignitaries. The farther they got from that central area, the more affordable lodging would become.
After about forty minutes of searching and asking locals for recommendations, they found a promising establishment called the Silver Griffin Inn. It was solidly built, clean-looking, and the proprietor—a friendly middle-aged woman with a griffin-type mythbeast lounging by the fireplace—quoted them reasonable rates.
"We've got a room on the ground floor," she explained, leading them through the common area. "Three beds, lots of open space. The door is wide enough for your crystal ox to enter comfortably, and there's a reinforced floor that can handle the weight. We cater to tamers with larger companions."
The room she showed them was indeed spacious—easily three times the size of Kael's room at the Sleeping Drake. Three sturdy beds lined one wall, with plenty of floor space for mythbeasts to settle. A large window looked out onto a small courtyard where Granite could rest if he preferred being outside.
"This is perfect," Kael said. "What's the rate?"
"Nine basilisk coins per night," the proprietor replied.
Kael winced internally. That was three times what he'd paid in Thornhaven or Ironpeak. But this was the capital—higher costs were expected.
"We'll take it," he confirmed, counting out the bronze coins. "At least for the next few weeks, until after the tournament."
"Excellent! Make yourselves at home. There's a common bath down the hall if you want to wash up after your journey."
After the proprietor left, Kael and Lyssa took turns using the bath facilities—the hot water was absolute luxury after eight days of travel—and then settled their companions into the room. Vera claimed a spot near the window, Ember found a perch on the bedpost, Fulminus took the top of a wardrobe, and Mushy settled into a corner. Granite positioned himself near the door, content to rest after days of pulling the cart.
"Food?" Lyssa suggested. "I'm starving, and I don't think either of us wants to cook right now."
"Definitely food," Kael agreed. "But maybe not a full restaurant? I saw some food stalls when we were walking. We could grab something quick and find a nice spot to eat."
They ventured back out into the capital's streets, now lit by lanterns and magical lights that created a warm glow. The city was still busy despite the late hour—people moving between establishments, street performers entertaining crowds, the constant buzz of urban life.
They found a cluster of food stalls near a large plaza and purchased various items—skewered meat, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and some kind of fruit pastry that smelled amazing. Arms loaded with food, they found seats by an ornate fountain in the plaza's center.
The fountain featured a sculpture of what looked like a snake mythbeast—something serpentine and majestic, water flowing from its open mouth. The sound was soothing, and the plaza offered a perfect vantage point for people-watching while they ate.
"So," Lyssa said after swallowing a bite of her meat skewer, "we met the Queen today. And a Duke. And confirmed that the princess we rescued is third in line for the throne."
"When you put it that way, it does sound a bit surreal," Kael admitted.
"A bit?" Lyssa laughed. "Kael, I never imagined being so close to either Queen Catherine or Duke Hadrian. They're... they're legends. Stories. The most powerful people in the kingdom, aside from the King himself, and he rarely appears in public anymore due to his age."
"They seemed pretty normal to me," Kael said. "Concerned family members worried about their younger sister."
"Normal," Lyssa repeated flatly. "Right. The Queen, who controls the entire kingdom, and the Duke, who commands half the military forces, are just normal people."
You're doing that thing again, Vera's mental voice chimed in with amusement. Where you fundamentally don't grasp the significance of social hierarchies.
I grasp them fine, Kael protested silently. I just don't let them overwhelm common sense. They're powerful people, yes, but they're still people.
"Did you see their water dragons?" Lyssa continued, her voice taking on a note of awe. "I've only read about those creatures. They're exclusive to the Duke's territory—nest in a specific mountain range that's been in his family's control for generations."
"They were impressive," Kael agreed. "Powerful, too. I could feel it even without trying to assess them."
"Powerful is an understatement." Lyssa lowered her voice. "Based on what I've studied and the accounts I've read, I'd estimate Queen Catherine's dragon is equivalent to a Rank 16 tamer in terms of raw power. Maybe higher. Duke Hadrian's is probably around Rank 14."
They were far stronger than all of you combined, Vera added through her mental connection, having apparently been listening to the conversation. Even working together, we wouldn't stand a chance against either of those dragons alone. The power differential is staggering.
"We'll reach that level eventually," Kael said with quiet confidence, speaking both to Lyssa and to Vera. "Maybe not soon, but eventually. We're growing stronger every day. Give us time."
Fulminus's presence flared in their bond—fierce determination and renewed motivation. The thunder eagle had sensed those water dragons' power, too, and rather than being intimidated, he'd apparently decided it was a goal to surpass.
That's the spirit, Kael projected to him with approval. Use it as motivation, not discouragement.
"You know," Kael said thoughtfully, "Lyssa, are those water dragons some kind of heritage thing? Like, exclusive to the Duke's family?"
"Essentially, yes." Lyssa nodded. "The species—I don't know their actual name, since we can't use species names—but those specific water dragons only nest in Duke Hadrian's ancestral territory. His family has controlled that region for centuries, and they've developed a tradition of bonding with the dragons from an early age. It's become almost a symbol of their house."
"So Catherine and Hadrian both probably bonded with their dragons when they were children?"
"Most likely. Growing up in that territory, having access to the nesting sites, being taught the proper bonding techniques by their parents who did the same thing—it's a carefully maintained legacy."
Kael was quiet for a moment, an idea forming. "Do you think... if Duke Hadrian really does insist on giving us a reward... I could ask about bonding with one of those dragons?"
Lyssa choked on her food. "What?!"
"Why not?" Kael asked, genuinely curious about her reaction. "I mean, I don't feel any strain from my current four bonds. My psychic capacity seems to be significantly higher than normal. And Hadrian did say to name something within reason. Access to one of his family's traditional mythbeasts could fall into that category."
"Kael." Lyssa set down her food and looked at him seriously. "Are you actually considering asking one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom if you can bond with a creature that's been exclusive to his bloodline for centuries? Because that's what it sounds like you're suggesting."
"Well, when you put it like that, it does sound a bit presumptuous," Kael admitted. "But he did insist on a reward. And he said within reason. The worst he can do is say no, right?"
"The worst he can do is take offense and decide you're being disrespectful to his family's legacy!" Lyssa hissed. "Kael, these aren't just mythbeasts to them—they're symbols of their house, their power, their heritage. You don't just... ask to share in that!"
"I really don't think they're the type to take offense that easily," Kael countered. "Hadrian seemed reasonable, if overprotective. Catherine was direct and pragmatic. And Seraphina vouched for us. They know we're not trying to insult them."
"Only you, Kael," Lyssa said again, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Only you would rescue a princess, get offered a reward by a Duke, and immediately think 'I should ask for one of his legendary family mythbeasts.' I cannot believe you sometimes."
"So that's a no on asking?" Kael said with a slight grin.
"I didn't say that!" Lyssa backtracked. "I just... Kael, you need to understand the magnitude of what you're considering. If—and this is a massive if—Hadrian agrees, you'd be the first person outside their bloodline in centuries to bond with one of those dragons. That's historically significant. That would make you part of their legacy in a way that carries enormous implications."
"Or he says no and suggests something else," Kael pointed out. "Either way, I don't see the harm in asking. Respectfully, of course. Making it clear I understand the significance and would be honored, but also that I completely understand if it's not possible."
Lyssa studied his face for a long moment. "You're serious about this."
"I am. I don't have a lot of wants or needs, honestly. Gold is nice, but I can earn that through questing. Positions in court don't interest me—I'm an adventurer, not a politician. But the opportunity to bond with a powerful mythbeast from a legendary lineage? That directly supports my goals of becoming stronger and protecting the people I care about."
"And you really don't feel strain from multiple bonds?"
"None at all. Vera can confirm—my psychic capacity is unusually high. Each bond actually seems to strengthen it rather than tax it."
It's true, Vera confirmed, projecting so Lyssa could sense it too. Kael's mental architecture is different from that of normal tamers. Where others would feel crushing pressure from four bonds, he feels almost comfortable. Adding a fifth, especially a powerful one, might create some initial adjustment, but I believe he could handle it.
Lyssa sighed, resigned. "Fine. If the opportunity arises and feels appropriate, you can ask. But please, please be respectful about it. Emphasize that you understand the significance and would be honored, but completely understand if it's not possible."
"I will," Kael promised. "I'm not trying to offend anyone. I just figured, if he's going to insist on a reward anyway, might as well ask for something meaningful."
They finished their dinner in companionable silence, watching the plaza's activity wind down as night deepened. Street performers packed up their instruments, merchants closed their stalls, and families headed home. The capital was settling into its evening rhythm, though it never fully slept—lights still glowed in windows, distant music played from taverns, the city's heartbeat continued even in darkness.
"We should head back," Lyssa eventually said. "Early morning tomorrow with Seraphina's tour. And we'll want to be well-rested."
They made their way back to the Silver Griffin Inn, navigating the now-familiar streets with growing confidence. Their room was exactly as they'd left it, with all their companions settled comfortably.
Kael claimed one of the three beds, Lyssa took another, and they left the third for Vera, Ember, and Fulminus, with Mushy being content to stay in the darkest corner. Tomorrow they'd explore the capital properly, get oriented, and maybe start scouting the tournament grounds.
But tonight, after eight days of travel and an unexpectedly eventful arrival, sleep was the priority.
As Kael lay in the unfamiliar bed, staring at the ceiling, he thought about everything that had happened. Rescuing Seraphina, meeting Queen Catherine and Duke Hadrian, and the possibility of asking for a reward that could change his entire trajectory as a tamer.
Are you nervous? Vera's mental touch was gentle. About the tournament, the reward, all of it?
Excited more than nervous, Kael replied. Everything's coming together. The tournament, potential new bonds, and seeing how we measure up against the best. This is what we've been training for.
We'll do well, Vera assured him. All of us together.
Kael smiled in the darkness. "Yeah. Together."
Sleep claimed him gradually, carrying him into dreams of water dragons and tournament arenas, of challenges yet to come and victories waiting to be earned.
Tomorrow would bring a tour of the capital with a princess.
The day after, tournament preparations would begin in earnest.
And somewhere in the near future, a conversation with a Duke about rewards and legendary mythbeasts.
Kael couldn't wait.