The gang huddled together in the quiet clearing just outside the castle grounds, their breath faintly visible in the cool morning air. The urgency of the mission had pulled them close, instinctively forming a tight circle as ideas bounced between them. Aeron leaned against a jagged snag, arms crossed, brow furrowed in deep thought. Violet paced in small loops, voicing every possibility that crossed her mind. Starfania stood with Atlas at her side, one hand resting against his neck as his soft, steady rumble grounded her racing thoughts. Aeron finally nodded, breaking the rhythm of the clearing.
" I get it," he said. " It's the perfect hiding spot."
Violet stopped pacing and leaned in, her expression caught between curiosity and concern.
" But how are we supposed to get there without drawing attention?" She asked. " I mean—sneaking onto palace grounds with a dragon isn't exactly subtle."
Aeron exhaled through his nose, glancing toward Atlas.
" And we definitely can't fly," he added quietly. " Something tells me when Bone…when he passed, someone was watching. That's probably how they knew he was in the cave."
Starfania stiffened slightly.
" I felt it too," she admitted after a beat. " Like an eye on us. I brushed it off at the time…told myself I was just being paranoid."
Violet nodded slowly. " Yeah. That doesn't feel like a coincidence."
Starfania turned to Atlas, stroking the smooth scales along his head as she thought aloud.
" We'll have to stick to the shadows," she said softly. " Slow. Careful. Atlas is smart—he'll stay quiet, won't you?"
Atlas responded with a low, gentle rumble, his sapphire eyes flicking to her with calm awareness. Aeron smirked, folding his arms tighter. " Smart and quiet? I'll believe it when I see it."
Starfania shot him a playful glare. " Oh, he's definitely smarter than you."
Violet snorted, clapping a hand over her mouth to hide her laughter as Aeron lifted his hands in mock surrender.
" Alright, alright," he said with a grin. " Lead the way, princess."
Starfania groaned. " Have I not made it abundantly clear that I hate being called that?"
" Of course, princess," Aeron replied smoothly. Violet giggled. Starfania shook her head, but she couldn't quite suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
With a subtle gesture, she stepped forward, signaling them to follow. The air thickened with anticipation, the kind that made her pulse quicken, Atlas stayed close, his movements deliberate, eyes scanning their surroundings. Drogo padded alongside Aeron, his dark scales catching far less light than Atlas's pale ones. As the foliage thinned, the towering silhouette of the castle rose before them, its stone walls washed in daylight. Starfania slowed near a crumbling section of the wall, half-swallowed by vines and wildflowers. She raised a hand, halting the group.
" There," she whispered. " Beyond this wall is the garden. My mother's sanctuary."
Her voice softened. " And now…it'll be Atlas's."
Aeron and Violet exchanged a look—this time, there was no humor in it.
" How do we get in without being seen?" Violet asked. Starfania's lips curved into a knowing grin. " Follow me."
Before moving, Aeron gestured quietly to Drogo. The dark dragon shifted position without a sound, angling his body so that Atlas's bright white scales were partially concealed in his shadows. Starfania noticed—and gave Aeron a small, grateful nod. Then, with the castle looming ahead and the forgotten garden waiting just beyond the wall, she led them forward.