Forged in Flame

Bound by Duty

The sun had barely risen when the group set out, the road ahead stretching into the horizon as the early morning mist hung low over the fields. Arin led the way, her armoured figure marching at the front, determined and unyielding. She glanced back only to make sure her companions were keeping up, her mind already set on the task ahead: slaying the dragon that threatened her kingdom.

Behind her, Rethis walked with an unhurried pace, his gaze drifting to the sky every so often, admiring the colours of the sunrise. The scholarly mage seemed far more interested in the natural beauty of the land than the looming danger ahead. Thorne, the grizzled mercenary, followed at a steady pace, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats. He was silent, a stark contrast to the bubbling personality of Lyria, who hummed softly to herself as she walked beside Rethis.

"Why are we going so slow?" Arin snapped, turning on her heel to glare at the group behind her. "We're on a mission, not a leisurely stroll!"

Rethis gave her a patient smile, his staff tapping lightly on the ground with each step. "There's value in observing our surroundings, Your Highness. The world has much to offer if you simply take the time to—"

"Save the lecture," Arin interrupted, rolling her eyes. "I don't need a lesson on nature. I need us to move faster. We've got a dragon to slay, remember?"

Rethis sighed but said nothing, merely falling into step beside her. Thorne's eyes flicked between them, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips as he watched the tension unfold. He clearly found the bickering between the princess and the mage amusing, though he didn't comment.

They continued their journey in silence for a time, the only sound the crunch of gravel underfoot and the occasional chirp of birds from the trees lining the road. The atmosphere between Arin and Rethis remained thick with unspoken frustration—her impatience clashing with his methodical pace.

"So," Rethis began again after a few minutes, his voice mild, "I was thinking we could take a short break soon. There's an excellent vantage point just up ahead where we can observe the stars tonight."

Arin stopped dead in her tracks, her hands clenching into fists. "Are you kidding me? We're not taking breaks just to look at the stars, Rethis! We have no time for that."

"But the stars tell us much," Rethis countered calmly. "They could help us navigate and—"

"Enough!" Arin barked, her temper flaring. "We don't need to navigate by the stars. We know exactly where we're going—the Ashen Peaks. So stop wasting time!"

Lyria, sensing the growing tension, stepped in with her usual warm smile. "Rethis, maybe we can stargaze another time? Right now, I think Arin just wants to get to the dragon as quickly as possible."

Rethis held his hands up in surrender. "Very well, no stars tonight. Though you're all missing out."

Thorne snorted from the back. "Missing out on what? A pretty sky? I'd rather keep moving."

Arin shot Rethis a triumphant look before turning to continue leading the group down the path. As they walked further into the wilderness, the atmosphere grew denser, the trees taller and more twisted. The sense of foreboding settled over them like a thick blanket, and Arin's unease only increased.

And then they heard it—the low, menacing growl of something stalking them from the shadows.

"Stay alert," Thorne said, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. His eyes scanned the trees ahead, his body tense as the growl echoed again, this time louder, closer.

Rethis' gaze sharpened, and his fingers tightened around his staff. "It's a spirit wolf," he murmured. "A powerful one. Likely drawn to the dragon's presence."