Lyra stood in his study. Her amber eyes cold. Silver hair catching morning light. Still glowing softly
In her hands were letters. Old letters. His handwriting. The original Auryn's handwriting. Evidence
"Who are you?"
Her voice echoed. Distorted. Like speaking underwater.
"Who are you really?"
He tried to answer. But his mouth couldn't form words. His throat felt closed off. He'd been thinking of this moment for so long yet when it confronted him. He found all his preparations disappear like fairydust.
She stepped closer. Letters falling from her fingers like ash.
"I know what you are. What you've done." Her voice was quiet yet heavy.
The study walls pressed inward. Shrinking. Suffocating.
"Tell me the truth."
Her hand reached for his face. Slowly…
---
Auryn's eyes snapped open. Dawn light seeped into his chambers. He looked around and he was alone.
His heart was hammering. Cold sweat on his skin glistened with the sunlight.
*Dream. Just a dream.*
But the echo remained. Her voice. Her eyes. The accusation.
"Who are you?"
It replayed in his mind as he sat up. Pain flared in his ribs. His hands burned—layered damage from Cinderfang and training.
Those scars were ever present. His healing factor was still too slow as a dragon.
"I will have to get that relic soon." He whispered to himself while rubbing his eyes.
That would come after dealing with Martens and My wife. But Martens first… I need that bastard drowning first.
He touched the Life Anchor through his shirt. It's presence felt cold and yet grounding.
He shifted the soft, silky bed sheets from his body while he yawned.
I have to avoid her today. Stay busy. Give her no opening
The door suddenly opened. Borin entered carrying a breakfast tray. "Morning lad, you look like you slept in a ditch."
"Feel like it too" Auryn swung his legs out of bed. Pushed the dream aside.
"The warehouse?"
"Burned clean. Guards think it's vagrant fire. Body's ash." Borin set down the tray.
"No one's asking questions."
"Good."
Borin studied him. "You do look like shit."
"Just the ribs and hands" Auryn stood. Moved to the dining area. "Nothing that won't heal."
"Didn't last night feel too easy. A professional like that, alone?"
"My brother is careful. Sends professionals, not amateurs."
The dwarf shrugged. "Aye. Still."
Auryn picked up bread, broke it and handed to Borin. "Eat first. Then we discuss Marten."
His lingering fear of food had disappeared awhile back but it always made him feel safer when he ate with Borin.
---
Borin spread documents across the desk.
Rusty Colt ledger. Raven tracking logs. Hand-drawn map of the network.
"Eight ravens in forty-eight hours. All to Castor's estate."
Auryn studied the map. "Panic or escalation. You decided yet?"
"Both." Borin tapped names. "Marten here. Five underlings identified. Merchants, clerks, one guard."
*Hmm, A web with Marten at the center.*
"We arrest Marten, the others scatter." Auryn traced the lines. "Need leverage first."
"Godfrey."
"He's conflicted. We flip him first."
Borin nodded. "But if you summon him to castle, Marten would notice."
Auryn smiled coldly, some bread crumbs on the edge of his mouth. His tongue licked at them.
"Then I don't summon him."
"Then?"
"Godfrey travels province roads weekly. He's a steward, that makes him predictable." Auryn tapped the map.
"We intercept his carriage at a private area"
Borin grinned. "Aye. When?"
"Tomorrow. Send scouts today. Track his schedule. Report tonight."
"Consider it done." Borin smirked. He was obviously pleased to see Auryn acting like a prince though worry still lingered.
After they finished eating. Borin left, and Auryn pulled Godfrey's file. He skimmed through.
Name: Godfrey Harin
Age: 52
Position:Steward
Family: Wife, three children
Leverage: Son's gambling debts (10,000 gold), suspected affair (castle servant), Marten's must've blackmailed him.
Auryn recalled how his Aura was pale silver with shallow crimson veins. Conflicted, not committed.
Not evil. Just scared.
Blackmailed. Bribed. Desperate.
Offering an out and protection should work
He closed the file.
Tomorrow I'll flip Godfrey. Then expose Marten.
The day passed in careful avoidance.
Later that morning Auryn trained in the yard. Fire magic drills. Four-point flame patterns holding longer. Trying more partial transformation on his legs now.
He felt eyes on him. Daggers from within the walls of the castle.
Lyra stood at a second-floor window. Watching. Their eyes met briefly.
She didn't move. Didn't wave.Just watched.
She's waiting. For a moment alone. I won't give her one. Imagine running from your wife. He shook his head.
He returned to training. Pretending full concentration. Creating more flames. When he looked again, she was gone.
He did his best to while awwy time. spent his afternoon in his study. Strict orders to not allow any one barge in except Borin of course.
He was going through mundane work like reports and documents to audit before signing.
There was a knock at the door. He looked with author's eyes. A silver aura.
"Do, make your way in."
A nervous young servant entered.
"Your Highness. The Lady Lyra requests audience."
There it is. He thought.
His breath hitched slightly. He wanted to just tell her to come in and get this game of hide and seek over.
He sighed..
"Tell her I'm occupied. Province business."
"She said it's urgent, my lord."
"Then it can wait until this evening. I'll send for her when I'm available."
The servant hesitated. Bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
She left and Auryn returned to the documents.
Evening I'll be preparing for tomorrow. Meeting with Borin. Reviewing routes.
Still no time for private conversations.
---
Evening came and the scouts reported to him in the council hall where he stayed alone.
"Your Highness. Godfrey travels the western road tomorrow afternoon. An inspection in that district ."
"Route?"
"Forest road after midday. Two guards in his employ."
"Good. Dismissed." Borin remained after the scouts left. "Forest road. Good cover."
"Bring four men. Enough to control. Not an army."
"You're going personally?"
"I am."
"As expected" Borin paused at the door. His eyes looking for his.
"Lad. Lady Lyra tried to see you three times today."
Auryn didn't look up from the map. "I know."
"Avoiding her won't work forever."
"Who says i'm avoiding her?" He looked up but Borin stayed quiet not buying his bullshit.
"After Marten's handled. Okay,"
"And then?"
"Then I'll face it."
Borin studied him. He had high hopes when he saw them at dinner the other night but something seemed to be changing again.
He stayed silent, just bowed and left.
—-
Meanwhile Lyra stood in her chambers. Three times today she'd tried to speak with him.
Three times denied. Avoided.
"Occupied. Territory business. Will send for you."
All lies.
She'd watched him train this morning. Seen him moving through forms. Fire dancing at his fingertips.
He'd felt her watching. Looked up. Met her eyes. Then turned away.
Avoiding me. He knows I'm close. Knows I have questions.
What is he planning? She pondered.
She moved to her desk. Pulled out the hidden journal. Opened to the latest entry.
"Day 24: Avoided me deliberately. Three requests denied. Something happening. He's preparing for something."
She closed the journal. Locked it away.
I'll try again tomorrow. You can't hide forever .
Auryn sat alone at his desk. Territory map spread before him. Marten's estate marked in red. Underlings noted in smaller marks.
A web of treachery.
They think they're safe. Hidden behind layers. But I see the threads now.
His fingers touched Marten's file. The councilor who'd smiled while betraying him.
His mind drifted back to dream of Lyra's accusations.
"Who are you?" Soon she'll ask that for real and I'll have to answer. But not tomorrow. He thought.
Tomorrow was for hunting traitors.
Tomorrow was for establishing authority.
Tomorrow, they learned what happened when you betrayed a dragon.
He rolled up the map. Extinguished candles and the lay down.
Eyes glowing menacingly in the dark. Sleep tugged at him reluctantly and when it finally won.
The dreams stayed quiet.