"Henri?! Henrietta!" cried Thomas, desperation evident in his voice. "Don't do this to me again!"

  "Calm down, Thomas," said Shana, walking towards him. "She's just unconscious."

  He got his confirmation of her survival after noticing the slight movement of Henrietta's body. She was still breathing, evident by the hot air that came out of her nostrils. Thomas let out a sigh of relief.

  "We still have to treat her wounds and remove the anti-draconic effect on her," said Shana, once she noticed Thomas sigh in relief. "She's not out of the woods yet."

  "I know," said Thomas, holding back tears. "But I'm glad she's safe. I can't bear seeing her die again. I...I...."

  Thomas's feeling was all over the place, considering how everything was suddenly revealed to him in just a day. The things that were revealed to him were shocking on their own, but all three at once within the span of an hour? it all overwhelmed him once he started to ponder about them.

  The one he started on, however, was not the question of Henrietta's survival, but Rory, his friend and guardian. Henrietta's survival was a pleasant surprise he accepted, considering how he had moved on from her supposed death. Her returning as a dragon brought a lot of questions onto the table, but until she regained consciousness, Thomas would have to wait.

  What he was more confused of was Rory. He had, for two years since his escape from the massacre of his family, believed Rory to be a good friend, who had his back when he was at the lowest point of his life. He did not mince his words when Thomas was in despair. He implored him to continue living as a legacy to his family, and to honor the sister that saved him by sacrificing herself (who, again, happened to survive as a dragon). His words struck a chord with Thomas, even more so when he asked Thomas what he wanted to do in life.

  Thomas remembered giving his answer.

  "I want to be a mage that can protect others."

  Rory respected his answer, beginning his association with Clydeth, the kingdom of mages, which unlike Wyrith, practiced elective monarchy where the leader of the country is given the title king or queen of wizards. Thomas remembered Rory telling him that everyone had a fair chance, even Thomas, if he wished to be a king. Thomas kept thinking about it, but decided that he would find his answer when his life was better.

  He did turn his life around, and he was grateful for Rory's persistence. He was determined to make sure he was having the best time of his life since the massacre.

  Then it all crashing down the moment Thomas was properly reunited with his sister. It's like the world did not wish for him to have both good things.

  Or perhaps it was just Thomas, who did not give Rory a chance. Even so, it was still hard for him to see him as a friend after revealing that he was one of the lizard people. He may have denied to be involved, but Thomas was reluctant to believe him when he looked like the people that traumatized him and gave him nightmare.

  This in turn caused to wonder if everything Rory did was a long game, a big lie to lower his defenses, and strike him when he was the most vulnerable. But then why would he reveal himself and protected him like that? Why did he reveal who Henrietta was? In fact, why did he punch him instead of slashing his throat with his sharp, talon-like claws?

  Was this part of his game, or was he genuinely tried to help him despite knowing that he could give Thomas nightmares?

  He sat by Henrietta's unconscious body, sinking his head in his arms and legs, unable to process anything that happened in the past hour. Too many unanswered questions. Too many lies. It's like the world he had built for the last two years came crumbling down. He was just made a fool by his own personal hero.

  "Why, Rory?" said Thomas, raising his head. "Why must you be one of them? What is your game?"

  He caught a glimpse of Henrietta, who by now had been treated by the dragon healers. He looked up to the magnificent creatures and those who worked closely with them. It felt different, now, knowing that his sister had become one. Thomas wanted to ask Rory, but at the moment, thinking about him only gave him conflicting feelings of betrayal, anger, and regret.

  Then looking at Henrietta made him sad, then anger. Why did she had to keep her secret? Then, he thought better. He knew he wouldn't believe her, at least at first. But still....

  "She has her reasons."

  This caused him to gasp, prompting him to pull out his spellbook in reflex. He realized that his book was blank; he used up all his reserves protecting Henrietta before Bartlett and the others came. He had no choice but to sigh and turn his attention towards the owner of the voice.

  Bartlett, covered in bandages, gave him a sympathetic look. He undoubtedly understood his situation.

  "Oh, Bartlett," said Thomas. "I'm sorry, I--"

  "Don't be." Bartlett let out a smile. He then looked at Henrietta. Thomas wondered if he could ask anything about his sister, whether she had something that she shared with Bartlett. Before he could say anything, Bartlett spoke first.

  "I know what you want to ask," said Bartlett. "But other than the fact that she's a princess, I know nothing of her curse."

  "Did she confide with you of anything else?" asked Thomas.

  "Whatever she has in mind, she keeps it to herself. She did tell me about who you are and her reluctance to put you in danger. Then again...she thought secrets protect those she cares about, and because she isn't ready to tell the truth. I have a feeling she was reluctant to tell you the truth was because she was afraid that you'd not take it seriously."

  Thomas looked at Henrietta, as if silently asking her if that was true.

  "This is...an unprecedented situation," said Thomas. "Nobody would be able to accept that a human could be cursed into a dragon outside of legends."

  "Legends and myths have a shred of fact in it."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "I guess so. I do hope she's alright, though. What can you tell?"

  "The healers told me that the dark magick that ravaged her body put her in a coma. They said she's luckier than most dragons as she wasn't flying when struck by the anchored harpoons. The other dragons that were struck fell to the ground and died of wounds that were made worse by the anti-draconic enchantment. But her survival is due to something else."

  "Something else?"

  "Rodvar told me about her fire's property. Shana confirmed that something in her fire protected her from the worst of it. She believes that Henrietta had a protector that manifested in her fire beyond her fiery breaths. She wanted to know more, but until she regains consciousness, that fact remains a mystery. Still, her survival won't change the fact that Manarithia's air dominance is compromised. This fact would make people worried."

  "I can understand. Dragons are tough, smart, and fly like a bird, despite their sizes. If that can be overcome, then Manarithia is going to have a hard time."

  "You do know your dragons, eh, Tom?"

  "It's part of our history, too," said Thomas. "Do you know Wyrith once had an air force, too? We used dragons for air warfare in the past."

  "When was that? I never know that."

  Thomas shook his head. "Not sure. I didn't think too much about it because I was more fascinated by the fact that Wyrithians were once a kingdom of dragons like Manarithia, 500 years ago. I don't know why they didn't continue using dragons like Manarithia, and at this point, unless I can find any archive that old, I wouldn't know."

  "You might get them if you ask for it as a prince," commented Bartlett. "But I doubt they would let you in."

  Thomas sighed. "Henrietta told you everything, didn't she?"

  "It's our secret," Bartlett then glanced around. "Would you mind if we find a better place to sit and talk?"

  "And leave Henri behind so someone can finish the job?"

  "I got Rodvar and Ellie to keep her safe. While I don't know if the Sybarians can disguise themselves as either a dwarf or a cheetah woman, I know I can tell if they are acting strangely."

  Upon hearing that, Thomas looked away, troubled. Bartlett did not need to guess why. They both walked to a nearby wall, away from the busy dragon riders and dragon healers dealing with Henrietta's ailment. Thomas looked at them suspiciously, keeping their eyes on them. Bartlett noticed this.

  "I know you can't trust anyone, not after what happened," said Bartlett. "I saw them shed their disguises with my own eyes. I have reasons to believe you."

  "You haven't seen them at their best, then," said Thomas with a scoff. "How do you think they could infiltrate a heavily-guarded castle? They can take the disguises of the people you know. My family...the king and queen of Wyrith. The real ones. They were killed by their own advisors. My brother...my sister...."

  "You don't need to recall what happened," said Bartlett. "Let it rest, Thomas."

  That's what Ro...." He hesitated to utter his name. "He said to me, during one of my...sulks."

  There was an uncomfortable silence between the two, especially to Thomas. Bartlett only knew him for barely a week, and he had many reasons to cast doubt on whether Rory was helping Thomas own interest or for genuine sympathy. The reveal that he was a Sybarian all along seemed to make it clear where his allegiance lies.

  Yet, part of him believed that this was more than just Rory. Bartlett had no reason to believe Rory after revealing himself. So, then, why did he stay? He wanted to ask Thomas that.

  "Thomas," said Bartlett. "Rory surrendered himself. He's under heavy guard in the constabulary."

  "That doesn't change anything," said Thomas, raising his voice. "He betrayed our trust, Bartlett. He betrayed me! He was the one who took me out of depression after my family was killed. I am not going to cope by telling myself that the real Rory was killed by a Sybarian who disguised himself at him because I know him! We lived for two years together, and he was always on my side, whether it's high or low! Even then...when I was in danger, and he was out of reach, he...he...."

  Thomas couldn't hold back his tears, but he kept himself from crying out loud. Bartlett noticed him biting his own lips and clenched his hands into a fist. They shook vigorously, turning white as he clenched them so hard.

  Bartlett couldn't say anything, not when it came to Rory. Yet, he could ask him something.

  "What are you going to do now?" asked Bartlett.

  "What else am I supposed to do? I'm going to stay and take care of Henrietta."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I want to be there when she wakes up," said Thomas. "I don't know if people know who I am yet, but if not, then I'll use that fact to keep this secret for as long as possible. I can't bear losing her again."

  Bartlett nodded, understanding Thomas's choice. Both Henrietta and Thomas were the last remaining witness to the truth, one that would surely change everything in the developing situation in the war between kingdoms. From the young former prince, and from the dragon who was once a human princess, Bartlett knew that there was more than meets the eye. He always stood in his belief that nothing was ever as it seemed, that there was always a part of the story that was left out so that Bartlett always got what he wanted to hear. Not all people wished to be confused, nor do they want to be forced to choose when the choice presented itself.

  His meeting with Henrietta, Thomas, and even Rory were all the experience he needed to substantiate this line of thought. He became privy of a secret that he would never even know if he walked away from the two Wyrithians asking him for assistance. He could turn away once he realized the truth, but he couldn't. In fact, he still wondered why he would trust a dragon's words. She was convincing, as did the Wyrithians that hunted her.

  But was it all truly something as mundane as that? Rory's words to him made him think.

  Moments before Bartlett started his conversation with Thomas, he witnessed Rory surrendering himself to the guards who bound him and took him away. He could be killed, but his words convinced the constables.

  "I am not going to resist," said Rory. "If you have to kill me, then do it."

  The commander, understanding his resolve, stopped them from doing so. He told his people to keep him secured until they could interrogate him. This caused Bartlett to suspect that the commander was a Sybarian in disguise, probably someone who was one of Rory's allies.

  "I do have one request, though," said Rory. "I need to speak to Bartlett Evans."

  The name surprised the constables. They knew the significance of that name, but Rory clearly did not. This gave Bartlett the opportunity to walk into them and said, "I'll talk with him. Don't worry."

  As Rory was restrained by some magick ropes, Rory told him what he had in mind.

  "I won't try to escape," said Rory. It was hard to determine his expression, now that his face resembled a dragon, complete with a snout. "I am not working against you, and I am going to prove that. One last thing, Bartlett. Thomas doesn't need to talk to me. I doubt he'd want to see me. This time, you are his guardian. Keep him safe, no matter what happens."

  "Why are you so interested of him? Didn't your kind kill his family and responsible for Henrietta's current form?"

  "Does humans not make other races' lives miserable?" retorted Rory. "You once discriminate against fellow humans. Once that was gone, you turn towards the other races that were not even remotely human. It's the same with us. Such is our nature."

  "You didn't answer my question, Rory. Besides, is 'Rory' even your real name?"

  "Well...all in good time. I doubt it, but if we happen to resume this conversation again, I'll be happy to tell you everything. For now, you need to know more about us. For starters, don't lump me with those lizards."

  "You know, I start to understand why people hates cryptic answers like that."

  "Just find me in my cell if you want your answers. That is, provided you can believe me."

  He was then led away by the constables.

  It did not help Bartlett in the slightest. He was hoping to learn more about the current situation beyond the Manarithia-Wyrith war that had been going on for almost a year. At this point, Bartlett wanted to know, not because he wanted to profit out of it, as he would before meeting Henrietta. He genuinely wanted to help, like he used to do almost ten years ago, when he was a young, optimistic man who believed in justice, who wished for adventures that would be told as stories, that would one day become legends, while getting the riches he could only dreamt of

  He thought he grew out of it. In the end, he was still that heroic young man who, despite the horrors of Rogaria, saw that the world was always in danger, that there were still evil lurking in each corners.

  If he could do something, he would. Whatever it takes to reach the truth.