The next morning, Aeron prepared to leave for the nomads, just as he had said in the war room. He moved out of the castle and walked down toward the dragonlair, where Draco stayed.
As Aeron reached out to him, a voice ca from behind.
"You don't actually think I'd let you go to those ruthless people alone, did you?"
Aeron turned quickly, and there stood Nyella. She was dressed and ready, with her sword at her side, prepared in the sa way she always was when leaving the kingdom.
"You know you don't have to," Aeron said softly.
"Yes, I do," she replied at once. "You need soone with you. How could you even think of going alone? What if they try to hurt you?"
"I have Draco with ," Aeron said with a faint smile. "Who would dare hurt with him by my side? Together, we are unbeatable."
Nyella's lips curved, though not into a smile. "Yeah, but tell that to the Bone Hydra."
Aeron's eyes narrowed slightly. "I am looking forward to it," he said.
"Never wish for it," Nyella warned.
"But it is happening already," Aeron answered. "I will face them, and I will fight them."
Nyella looked straight at him. "Yes, you will. And it will be the worst mont of your life."
"These are our battles," Aeron said firmly. "They are ours to fight."
"And they are worse than you know," Nyella replied as she lowered her voice. "Their fighting is as good as ours. But the truth is, they do not die. Not unless you manage to cut off every bone, to break and disconnect them completely."
Aeron stared at her, studying the unease in her face. "I have never seen sothing frighten you like this," he said quietly.
"In a matter of days, you will," Nyella answered. "And you will understand why this frightens so deeply."
Before Aeron could reply, they heard a whistle. Both he and Nyella turned their heads. Two figures approached, Ronan and Yvarra. They were dressed for travel with weapons on their backs.
"No," Aeron said at once, shaking his head. "Not you two as well."
"You left without us last ti," Yvarra said, crossing her arms. "But not anymore. And don't try to avoid us with your excuses again."
"I'm not, I just don't want anything to happen to both of you. I don't want to involve you in my troubles." Aeron began, but Ronan stepped forward and cut him off.
"We left our village and ca here to stand with you," Ronan said. "Not to stay behind in this kingdom with people we do not know. We ca here for you, Aeron, and from now on, we'll be with you everywhere you go. Do not worry about us. We can handle ourselves."
Nyella turned to Aeron and then spoke with steady eyes. "Stop trying to protect everybody while you walk alone on the dangerous path. You need us. You need every person you can trust."
Aeron let out a deep breath. His gaze moved from Nyella to Ronan, then to Yvarra. Their faces were set, they were determined. At last, he nodded slowly.
"Okay," he said. "Alright then. Let's do this."
A smile spread across each of their faces, faint but sure. Together, they stepped forward and climbed onto Draco's back one by one. And as the sun began to rise, the four of them set out, leaving for the nomads' camp.
Up in the air, Nyella was guiding them, for she alone knew the way to where the nomads were camped. She leaned slightly forward, eyes fixed on the vast stretch of land below. Then she said to Aeron, "You had wanted to go alone, and seeing as you don't even know the road, how exactly were you planning to find them?"
Aeron turned his head towards her and gave a faint smile. "I trust my instincts."
"Instincts?" Nyella shook her head. "What have your instincts got to do with this wild land? You think this is Ivarion?"
Before Aeron could reply, Ronan pointed into the sky. "What is that?"
They all turned and saw a flock of massive birds flying directly toward them.
"Whoa, that's huge," Yvarra said, with her eyes wide.
Nyella's expression grew serious. "The next battle is almost here."
Aeron looked at her. "What do you an?"
She answered calmly. "That is how we know the Hydra is close. Wherever they march, the birds flee in fear. And the nearer the birds are to us, the nearer the Hydra has co. When the battle begins, you will see thousands of birds fleeing south."
Everyone beca quiet at that as no one said a word. Then Ronan broke the silence. "You an the bones are close?"
"Yes," Nyella said. "With how many birds we just saw, they are much closer than we thought. They may be upon us within seven days, if not sooner. We need to hurry, and hope this journey does not fail."
The group fell silent again, each of them lost in thought. Aeron kept his eyes forward and his grip firm on Draco's scales. He knew Nyella's words were not an exaggeration.
It didn't take long for them to reach the camp. Draco circled a few tis before landing in an open space. Aeron and the others climbed down. As their feet touched the ground and they turned, they found Chief Uzek standing before them, soldiers gathered at his side.
Aeron stepped forward. "Hello, Chief," he said, eting Uzek's gaze. "I told you we would et again."
Uzek's eyes narrowed, and he gave a cold reply. "And it is not a pleasure."
Aeron scoffed. "Not a pleasure, you say. You must detest us so much that you do not want to see us."
Uzek did not answer at once. He looked Aeron up and down, then asked, "What brings you to my camp, young dragon rider? Why have you co here today with your creature and your princess? What do you want?"
Aeron t his stare. "All right. I will go straight to the point. We have co not to fight you or to challenge you, but to help.
"..."
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