The Dragon's Speech

Chapter 3: Keeping my Father's Promise

We still had a few hours to prepare for the feast so when we returned to our camp, my father and brother went their separate ways to notify the men of our upcoming social gathering. I headed towards the stable house. It was one of the few standing structures in the area where they had set up camp. Our forces took residence in an abandoned town on the outskirts of a vast forest that signified the border of this regions developed land.

As I saddled up my horse and set out to find the residence of Rulf, I heard the stable door slide open, then closed again. Distracted by my thoughts, I figured as the highest standing noble in this area, Rulf may have an idea where I could begin my search for a tutor. My musings were interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat behind me.

Lief feigned innocence, "What have we here, is our resident princess fleeing so soon? We've barely set up camp and your already restless to leave?" He teased, turning I saw him clutching one hand over his heart dramatically, the other shielding his eyes from the sight of me.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes at his exaggerated movements. "Leif, you look like an old biddy fretting over me like that." I snorted through giggles.

He dropped the act and strolled over to sit on one of the hay stacks lining the makeshift paddocks. "But really Eilea, I heard that we have a party to prepare for, where could you possibly be going?"

I sneered at his excitement, "you know I hate those things, but still, I'll be back in more than enough time to prepare. I have something I need to go investigate first."

"Investigate? We just signed the contract, relax a little. I'm sure it can wait until first light tomorrow." He was cut off at the sound of the barn door sliding open once more.

"What is this, a party?" I heard my brothers voice cut across the room. Upon seeing me preparing my saddle, he groaned deeply. "Lea, you can't miss tonight, you know how angry father will be if you're late," he stated sitting down next to Leif. Leif shifted to lean his upper body against my brothers chest, pulling Terrowin's arm over to rest across his shoulders.

"I'm not going to miss anything, I'm just going to get a head start on father's mission for me."

"Ohhh a secret mission, do tell!" Leif said excitedly snuggling closer to Terrowin's chest.

Leif and I had been friends for as long as I could remember, his goofy and caring nature stood out in contrast to my sarcastic and sometimes coarse demeanor. Neither of them would ever show their affection for one another in direct view of anyone but me. It was my father's hope that as I grew, my affection for Leif would similarly deepen. Little did he know that the affections for Leif did grow in one of his children, it just wasn't me.

"Oh it's not that secret, father has devised another way for get Lea a man." My brother teased, a sly grin spreading across his features.

"Ughh, this is serious Erro, I'm just going to pay Rulf a visit and make sure every scholar type in the region is in attendance of the feast tonight." I heaved, aggravation lacing my tone.

"Okay, okay. Whatever you say, but you should probably take Gareth with you. Do you even know where Rulf lives?" he retorted.

I groaned loudly at his logic, "You know I don't need someone watching over me every minute, plus I don't need that block head tailing my every movement." I stated rolling my eyes.

While I had zoned out earlier, I could tell that glazed look that covered Gareth's features had not come from him losing himself in thoughts other than the meeting discourse, rather from the complete lack of thought in his head all together.

"Be nice Lea, plus I think he could use your rescuing right about now. I heard he was sent to collect you for the event later and is in the process of explaining his presence outside the eastern border of camp." He stated, his grin becoming wide.