The group moved quietly to the stable Sinnett had pointed out. The morning air was cold, and the sky was still slightly dark.
Sinnett raised his hand and made the van disappear. They wouldn't need it anymore.
Inside the stable, they found four horses, two black, one gray, and one white.
The white horse was tall and strong, with a clean mane that looked too noble for battle. It was a horse ant for a leader.
"Asher, you should take the white one," Tay said, motioning to it.
Asher shook his head. "No. Give it to Tay. I'll take the gray one."
Nova raised an eyebrow. "You're letting soone else ride the leader's horse?"
"I won't be riding long anyway," Asher replied. "I'll be moving through different paths when needed. Tay can lead this part."
With that, the team got ready and mounted their horses. They split into two smaller groups to avoid drawing attention when they entered the city.
Nova, Tay, and Asher would go first. Cinder and Zain would follow later from a different entrance.
The road was longer than they expected, with how visible the tower was. They moved through deep forest, then crossed quiet plains.
So days, they passed other travelers. Most of the ti, they kept to side paths, avoiding towns and large groups.
During their journey, they stopped often to rest and check their direction. At night, they made small fires and spoke in low voices.
Nova kept watch from above, flying when she could. Zain kept their trail covered with spells. Cinder was quiet but alert, always watching the trees.
It took them two days days to reach the outskirts of the city. The dragon city, though calling it that now seed wrong, stood tall and mysterious.
At the center was a tower so high, its top touched the clouds. The rest of the city spread wide around it, hidden behind stone walls covered in vines and runes.
As they reached the edge of the forest that led to the city gates, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
He looked almost human, but sothing about him was off. His eyes were a strange shade of silver, and his ears were slightly pointed.
"How did you find this city?" he asked, with a low voice like he was trying to hide sothing. "It is hidden for many reasons."
Asher tilted his head, "We followed the path that led this way."
The figure studied him for a long mont. His eyes then swept over Tay and Nova.
"This city does not house dragons," he said slowly. "Only humans and mixed bloods who believe dragons did nothing wrong to be wiped out."
Nova's body tensed slightly, but Asher placed a hand on her shoulder,. "We an no harm," he said.
The man's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "Then co. Enter quickly and stay out of trouble."
With that, he turned and walked toward the gates. They followed in silence.
Inside, the city was calr than expected. It didn't shine or glitter like one might think a dragon city would.
It looked more like an old human city, built from stone and wood, with narrow roads and busy markets. The air was filled with voices, laughter, and the sll of food being cooked.
People moved around, so in robes, others in armor. Children ran through the streets, and shopkeepers shouted about their goods.
But there was sothing else too. Power. Asher could feel it. The kind of pressure only strong people gave off.
"They're here," Zain said from the other side of the market. He and Cinder had just arrived and caught up without drawing attention.
They stayed hidden until the group passed a corner, then joined in quickly.
"I thought you were taking the longer path," Tay said.
"We did," Cinder answered. "But we hurried. The guards are more focused on the east gate now. Sothing happened there."
Asher nodded. "Good. Now stay close, but not too close, we don't want anyone suspecting us for worse things."
They walked deeper into the city. Around them were people who didn't look fully human. So had strange eyes or markings on their skin.
A few wore gloves to hide claws or rings to hide horns. These were the mixed bloods Zain had talked about before.
"These are the people you're ant to raise," Zain whispered to Asher. "They're powerful. Most don't even know it. They're the ones left behind after the wars. Either Hunted or forgotten."
Asher didn't respond, but his mind raced. These people looked normal enough, they were even alive, but he could feel it, the sa energy his soldiers gave off.
Just as they reached the center of the city, near the base of the tall tower, a strong presence filled the air.
Everyone seed to pause for a mont. A man stepped out from a nearby building.
He was tall, with a long coat that marked him as soone important. His hair was short, his face stern, and his silver eyes sharp like blades.
He looked human, but he walked like soone who had seen more than most.
"Stop," the man said, his voice cutting through the air.
They froze. The people in the street stepped aside, sensing his authority. So whispered to each other. Asher's hand moved slightly to Nova's side, to keep her clam, and also ready to summon if needed.
The man's eyes scanned the group until they landed on Nova and Zain. He stared for a long ti.
"You two," he said slowly. "You're dragons."
Nova's eyes widened, and Zain alighted his horse and stepped forward. But before either could speak, the man raised his hand.
"I don't an to harm you," he said. "But explain this to …"
His gaze turned to Asher.
"You. A human. Why are you traveling with hybrid dragons? Do you know how dangerous that is?"
There was fear in his voice, though he masked it well. Not fear of them attacking, but fear of what their presence ant.
Asher didn't flinch. "They're with because I trust them. And I'm not just any human."
The man's expression didn't change, but he seed to asure Asher again, then he spoke.
"This city believes dragons did no wrong. We believe they were wiped out unfairly. But belief and proof are two different things. You bring proof. That changes things."
Nova raised her hand, "We don't want to cause problems."
The man shook his head. "No. You've already caused it, by being here. But that's not your fault. Co with . We need to talk."
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