Starfania bent down and retrieved the pen-sword from the grass, her fingers curling naturally around Cosmry as if it had always belonged there. The metal felt warm—steady, aware—before settling back into its unassuming pen form with a faint, obedient click. Before anyone could comment, Aeron shifted the conversation, his voice threaded with cautious curiosity.
" So," he said, glancing between Starfania and the massive white dragon beside her, " where exactly are you thinking of hiding Atlas?"
The question landed heavier than expected. For a moment, no one spoke.
Starfania felt the weight of it press into her chest as she exchanged glances with Violet, then with Atlas, whose calm gaze never left her. The morning suddenly felt far too quiet.
" To be honest…" Starfania admitted with a sheepish smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, " I didn't think that far ahead."
Aeron hesitated. His gaze flicked briefly to Atlas—so peaceful, so unaware of how fragile his safety truly was—before settling back on Starfania.
" I'm not sure either," he said slowly. " But we have to consider this carefully. Remember Bone."
The name alone tightened the air.
" If your father—or anyone from the kingdom—finds out," Aeron continued, his voice lower now, " Atlas could face the same fate."
Starfania nodded, her expression sobering instantly.
" You're right," she said quietly. " We can't let that happen to him."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, an anxious habit she didn't even realize she'd fallen into. Atlas shifted closer, sensing her unease, his presence grounding her. Violet broke the tension, lifting a finger as an idea sparked.
" What if we make a list?" She suggested. " We can write down all the places Starfania's father is most likely to check, then work our way down to the least likely. We cross them off until we find somewhere we know—for sure—he wouldn't look."
A silver of hope cut through the heaviness.
" That's a good start," Starfania agreed. " We need to act fast—and we need somewhere Atlas will be safe."
They fell into quiet thought, brainstorming aloud then falling silent again. Starfania rested her chin in her hand, eyes unfocused as she searched her memory. Aeron and Violet stood nearby, arms crossed, faces tight with concentration. Atlas remained still throughout it all, watching—listening—in his own way. Then suddenly, something clicked. Starfania straightened.
" I think…" she said slowly, then with more certainty, " I have an idea."
All eyes snapped to her. Aeron leaned in slightly, curiosity sharpening his expression.
" Alright," he said. " What's this ideal hiding place?"
Starfania hesitated, choosing her word carefully. Then she exhaled and said, " The place is already right in front of us."
They blinked.
" …But," she added, glancing between them, " there's a small problem when it comes to actually getting there."