(Silver POV)

I need a drink...

My lips pursed together, resisting the urge to reach for the flask attached to my belt and take a swig. One, because I was riding a horse and I had somewhere to be. And two, I may need to save it for my meeting with Dragnir's General. I've heard from Jet that he has... quite the reputation for being an uptight asshole. Sigh... welp, might as well get it over with.

I pulled on my horse's reins, halting him just at the borders of Dragnir so he was far enough away from the extreme heat. He wouldn't be able to survive an hour in those conditions. I had to walk the rest of the way.

After tying my steed to a nearby tree and making sure he had what he needed I made my way to the borders. It had no walls or guards surrounding it, as most species cannot handle the heat of the rocky terrain that took up most of the kingdom. And even if they could, Dragnians could dispose of them with ease if they happened to be a threat. Foxen were just one of those lucky races that are immune to extreme temperatures--

Snap

I instantly reached for my hilt, eyes sharp as they flickered around the area. I wasn't the only one here in this terrain...

"Come out, don't be a pussy." I growled, ears pinned back.

"D-Don't swear! It's bad!"

I faltered for a moment, raising an eyebrow at the voice. It was soft and innocent; the voice of a child. My eyes focused on a large rock placed in the space, where the voice seemed to have come from.

"Hm..." My brows crinkled together, my lips pursed as I bent my legs slightly.

I jumped on top of the rock and glanced down, taking note of the figure sitting with their back pressed against the other side of it. Their head snapped up and a pair of wide cerulean blue eyes stared at me. Their hands covered their mouth, probably to muffle any noise that came out. As I suspected, it was a child. A small girl that couldn't be any older than ten. Her longish raven hair was in a ponytail, with the exception of one strand that was braided to the left side of her face. From what I could tell her clothing consisted of a strapless shirt and a skirt, both made from black leather, and she was bare footed. For some reason, she reminded me of a certain hotheaded dragon prince.

She brought her hands down to rest on her knees, which were bent under her, and gave me a tight nervous smile.

"Um... Hi?" She squeaked.

I squatted down on the rock, eyes narrowed "Who are you?"

The girl frowned "I'm not supposed to tell strangers my name. In fact, I shouldn't really be talking to you at all."

Her statement made me scoff "And yet you are talking to me."

"You surprised me! Who sneaks up on people like that?"

"Who hides behind rocks and then tells passerbys to watch their language?"

"People with class, that's who!"

The corner of my lip twitched slightly "I take it you're a royal?"

"So what if I am?"

"I thought you looked similar," I sat down on the rock, legs crossed "You're Jet's little sister, aren't you?"

Her eyebrows shot up "You know Jet?!"

"We go on missions sometimes." I shrugged "But I doubt you'd care about that, I am just a 'stranger' after all."

"Wait!" She yelled as I attempted to leave "You're friends with my brother, so you aren't a stranger anymore."

I smirked, sitting down again "Well then, let's start over. Who exactly are you?"

The girl stood, giving me a proud grin and a small curtsey "Saria Rader; First and only Princess of Dragnir. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, traveler."

I hummed, blowing my hair away from my face "Charmed. The name's Silver."

Saria giggled lightly "Why do you look so serious?"

"I'm always serious." I answered.

"Why?"

"Because that's how I live my life. Being an airhead will get you nowhere."

She puffed her cheeks "Yeah but being serious is boring!"

"Life's not supposed to be fun, kid."

"You sound just like Arvrok." She huffed, looking close to stamping her foot.

I raised an eyebrow "You know the General?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Can you take me to him?"

Saria blinked "Uhhh, I guess... Why?"

"I have something important I need to discuss with him."

"Oooh, what?"

"Grown-up stuff you wouldn't understand."

"Why not?" She whined. She was beginning to get on my nerves. I grinded my teeth.

"Because, you are too young to understand the importance of Eriska law and the safety of its people. Also, I doubt you'd know anything about joining forces." I explained as calmly as I could.

"Oh you mean when there's a possible threat approaching and a bunch of kingdoms join together to fend it off, because one kingdom simply doesn't have the strength and resources to do it alone?" Saria questioned, blinking her large blue eyes up at me.

My jaw dropped "How old are you?"

"I'm nine!" She declared proudly.

What the actual heck? What kind of smarty-pants kids do they raise in Dragnir?

"Whatever," I coughed "I have news from the neighbouring kingdom of Alzdrak, meant specifically for General Arvrok of Dragnir- And before you ask, the information is strictly prohibited to anyone but him. So, I would highly appreciate it if you stop dawdling and actually take me were I wish to go, princess."

She shrugged "Okay, let's go." She grabbed my hand and began dragging me towards what looked like a giant mountain with a butt load of houses built into it. I frowned at her.

"Why weren't you so cooperative at the start of our conversation?" I asked, holding back the growl threatening to escape. She sent me a mischievous grin from over her shoulder.

"I dunno, I was bored I guess." she guesses?! "Also I was trying to get you to loosen up a little, but I failed. You're waaaaay too serious, lady. I guess I'll just have to try during our trip. Oh my gosh, we can have road trip! This is gonna be great!"

I groaned at her rambling, smacking my free hand over my face. This is why I hate kids...

---

"Hey, miss Silver?"

"What..."

"Can you carry me?"

"No."

"But I'm tired~!"

I groaned for what seemed like the millionth time. Saria and I had been hiking up the mountain for awhile now, and even though it was impossible for me to burn to death in Dragnir's heat I could still sweat from it. It was highly irritating, especially when there's a brat that complained every five mother-clucking seconds!

"Hey why don't you, I don't know, fly the rest of the way?" I suggested behind gritted teeth "You're a Dragnian, aren't you?"

Saria giggled nervously "Oh yeah, I guess I kinda forgot about that..."

Yup. Jet's little sister all right...

Saria skipped over to the edge of the cliff, making me stop walking and watch her with a tad of confusion. She faced me with a grin and opened her arms out, before leaning back and literally falling off the ledge. I gasped and scrambled to the cliff, peering over it with wide eyes as I tried searching for that stupid little girl.

Shit shit shit... What am I supposed to do now, that was their fucking princess!!

"Boo!"

I jumped sideways, arms taking a defensive position as I glared at the new possible foe beside me. It was a small dragon, about two feet log. It was black with blue eyes, almost identical to Jet, except this one had no horns and seemed to have strange blue markings running across its scales. Also it was hovering upside down. A strange sight, I must admit.

The dragon let out a childish giggle, doing a quick somersault before hovering upright "Did I scare ya~?" It- She asked playfully.

My eyes narrowed "Saria?"

"Who else, dummy?"

My eye twitched "Wha- You just- What the hell kid, who just casually throws themselves off cliffs?!"

Saria giggled, her tiny wings flapping like a dragonfly's "It's how Dragnian children learn to transform. It's fun, so I still do it even though I completed training. With flying colours may I add. Ehh? Ehhhhh?"

This kid. This fucking kid.

"Still, give me a warning next time will ya! You almost gave my a heart attack!" I yelled. The heat was really starting to get to me.

"Aww," She grinned, showing off her pointy little teeth "You were worried about me."

"Oh my Gooooooood..." I groaned yet again, exasperated, running my hands down my face "Can we just go see the General, please?"

"Well okay, but only because you said please!" She replied cheerfully, proceeding to fly up the track.

"But only because you said please." I mimicked under my breath, crossing my arms and grumbling. I was seriously about to reach my limit with this kid, with her smart ass explanations and happy go-lucky attitude. I swear to God, if I hear anything about loosening up from her one more time I'm gonna--

Oh God.

I'm becoming Iris!

"Come on, lady!" Saria called from further up the track, beconing me over with her head.

"I have a name!" I yelled back, proceeding to jog towards her.

You know what. A meeting with an uptight asshole suddenly doesn't seem so bad...

---

"Arvrok!"

Saria burst into the General's office, still in her dragon form, and literally flew onto a giant's shoulder. Well... not literally a giant. But a very tall man. He had his back to me, meaning I could only see he had long black hair, which was tied in a ponytail, and a black leather coat. He had a menacing aura, and-- I'm doing it again. Auras, really? Dammit Odd-Eyes.

The man turned his head to glance at the small dragon "Saria, what have I said about bursting into my office uninvited?" He asked in a low, almost flat voice.

"I have a reason this time!" The kid whined "Someone wanted to speak to you about something important!"

"About what?"

"Something about Alzdrak and forces, I dunno."

I sweatdropped. So much for smart.

"Alright..." The man sighed "Where are they?"

"She's right behind you~" Saria sang.

The man turned around, finally showing his sharp facial features. He had dangerous looking grey eyes, pale skin and a small scar on his top lip. The shirt he wore under his coat exposed half of his chest, as well as the scars embedded on it. One of his coat's sleeves hung freely at his side, meaning he was probably missing an arm. I also realised something; Dragnian's sure liked to wear a lot of leather.

He cleared his throat "Greetings, I am Arvrok; General of Dragnir."

I raised an eyebrow "Gee, go-figure."

"Oh, she's reaaally uptight by the way." Saria whispered to him, but I heard. Arvrok hummed.

"So you've been babysitting the princess, then?"

"It wasn't my pleasure." I replied stoically, leaning against the doorframe. Saria giggled.

"In any case, thank you for making sure my little sister didn't get hurt. Or into trouble."

...Huh?

"Sister?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh right. You're not from here..." Arvrok sighed "Yes, Saria is my sister. And I not only am a General, but also the First Prince of Dragnir: Arvrok Rader."

...

Small world, huh?