🐲 Dragon and Phoenix (Path of Light and Fire Book #2) (Completed) 🐲

Prologue: The Road Less Traveled

A Year Ago

Aegis put the edge of his greataxe on his pursuer's throat. "I offer you your life once. Keep following me and I will not be so generous again."

Aegis knew that when Sabin left, it would be time for him to make the long trek home. Despite the protests of those in Toro, he'd left soon after, offering his shop and home to anyone who would have it. He had a duty, one that he'd put on hold to mentor the boy.

Besides, the forge reminded him too much of Sabin. He needed to leave as much as he needed to return home.

Aegis noticed the traveler following him a few days ago. He wore a dark brown woolen cloak, a much too obvious giveaway in Heat Cycle. Aegis had given him some leeway, but after some false turns that did not see his follow leave, Aegis decided to take more direct action.

Aegis's Pitch, a solid black, two-dimensional replica of his shadow, wrapped its spindly limbs around the man's, preventing any escape. Aegis wanted to make sure the man he knew he could kill him now if he was so inclined.

He was not. Not at the moment anyway.

Aegis spotted a stream of urine running down his tracker's leg. "Ae....Ae....Aegis," the voice squeaked.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but fear had changed its tone. It was definitely feminine and Aegis' mind worked to place it. It didn't seem hostile so he lowered his blade.

His Pitch made sure to keep its grip, however.

"Name yourself."

The woman's hands shook as his Pitch grabbed her hood and pulled it back. Shortened black hair fell.

Kaita.

"What do you think you're doing? Okkai and Yitta will be worried sick!" Aegis yelled. He immediately released his Pitch, sending it slithering across the grass and back in place behind him where it rested lazily on his shadow. The sudden release of pressure caused Kaita to take a half step forward to regain her balance.

"You told me you were going home and that Sabin would not be coming back." Kaita clasped her hands in front of her. "I am not simple, that means he isn't going to Covica."

She is clever. I will give her that.

The truth was that the other Seriens: Darren, Ira, Zannick, Garold and Rea entrusted him to train Sabin in the ways of battle. His people, the Rwabu, were trained in every weapon available. You'd never know when you lost a sword and had to use a spear in battle and the ugar were an unforgiving foe. With Ira preoccupied with Yulan, he was the natural choice.

Schewa save us if Zannick raised the boy.

That mentorship had grown into something he hadn't expected. He'd formed a strong attachment to the boy, much stronger than that worthless monarch who would have slit Sabin's throat but for Ira's intervention. Sabin was his son, no matter what vagina he had crawled out of.

Kaita would not understand those things. After that scene at Toro's gate when Sabin left on his journey, Aegis should have known she'd try something like this.

Kaita shifted her legs, likely embarrassed from having soiled herself. Aegis pretended not to notice.

Aegis holstered his great axe. "If I told you what Sabin was doing, you would not believe me."

Kaita took off the heavy cloak, revealing a plain pink dress beneath. It was soaked with sweat, so much so that he couldn't tell where it ended and the urine began. Aegis smiled despite himself.

She is determined.

Kaita folded the woolen thing. "Aegis, tell me. Please."

Aegis shook his head. "Sabin is a Serien and is going on a journey to find the other ones. Once they are together they will marshal the armies of men against the Guan so that humanity might survive another generation."

Kaita to her credit did not call him a liar immediately.

"If you do not want to tell me, I understand. But I will not return home."

She had an inner strength that Aegis could admire. She was not content to wait home and do nothing, she would make her own way. Sabin was lucky to have someone like this who cared for him.

Aegis folded his arms. I will test her now. Okkai and Yitta will not forgive me, but the world never runs out of the need for warriors of substance.

"I am returning home to the Rwabu. Are you aware of my tribe?"

Kaita shook her head.

"We are all warriors. All of us, the men, the women and the children. We have seen ugars and other Guan creations that are much worse, but we do not run. We fight. It is unfair to place the burden of humanity's survival on the Seriens alone.

"I will not stop you from following me, but I will not help you. You will hunt, forage and live on your own. If you can survive, I will train you. If after all of this, you still follow me and brave the trip to the Rwabu territory, you will forsake all that makes you Acadian and become one of us. We never turn away warriors."

Kaita hands started to shake again. Aegis' words finally hit home and he knew he would have to take her back to Toro.

Kaita's next words proved him wrong.

"You cannot scare me away, Aegis. You will lead me to him, one way or another."

Aegis grunted. He was serious about his threat, so he walked away. Her training would begin now.

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A/N: Welcome to the world of the Path of Light and Fire! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the story. Votes and comments are always welcome.

Best,

R.