The dream was never a dream, but a memory. It reoccurred so many times over the past few years Kayla gave up trying to make sense of it all. Why this particular moment in time with Aonghus comforted her Wizard sleep, only the gods knew. They had so many intimate moments she caressed and held locked in her heart. Perhaps magic allowed it to become more real even though it happened so many years ago.

Kayla worked as a scholar in Tamberlain under the direction of Otis, the town healer and some time keeper of the peace. Her family requested her to research the history of the mountain Dwarves and to assist in finding the location of lost Dwarven artifacts. She knew of Aonghus and had always admired the Man from afar. She had seen the Knight many times and knew of his quests. One morning, the Elf sat sealing documents in Otis' study when she heard the commotion out in the street. Kayla peered through the window to see what the ruckus was all about.

Aonghus stood as a titan over a mob that gathered around him. His winged helm revealed green eyes and a gaze of locked determination. His long blonde hair peeked out in chaotic strands across his face in a sweaty struggle. He went through a great battle, yet his resolve held. His polished plate armor glinted in the sun's rays. An eagle in flight lay inscribed on his breastplate. In one hand he wielded his sword, Darkstalker. In the other hand, he held a beaten and battered Half-orc wrapped in chains. The mob screamed and pleaded for the hanging of the wretched creature that they believed murdered a local farmer. But the Knight was fair and just.

"You look upon him as a monster...a Half-orc," Aonghus cried out to the crowd, silencing them with just the will of his voice. No man would dare cross swords with Aonghus of Tamberlain and those that knew no better, found swift justice. "I say he is Half-man. Any man guilty of a crime deserves fair trial. Those who have words otherwise may well take me to the gallows beside him, for I no longer wish to live in a world where justice is a mob's fury!"

One man in the crowd started to defend their actions and tried to incite the townsfolk yet again.

Kayla didn't know why, or how, but her soul lit aflame when the mob dared to threaten the Knight. She ran fast as a deer up the flight of stairs to her tiny room above the town hall. She grabbed her hunting bow and quiver of arrows from the wall rack. The She-elf swiftly strung the bow in a single pull and leaped from her bedroom window, landing in a pathetic crash and a loud cry outside the circle of the mob. The mob turned as her wild actions grabbed their focus. She limped, then stood balanced on one foot...her ankle throbbed in new found pain. She nocked an arrow and drew back the bow scanning the crowd. Her vision was fuzzy from hitting her head and the dust she kicked up from the street.

Kayla let out a series of coughs, blew wild strands of silver hair out of her eyes and eventually worked out something to say. "Anyone who takes step toward the Knight will feel the sting of my arrows."

The crowd stared wide-eyed to see the quiet bookworm even talking let alone pointing a steel broadhead at them. They all heard tales of Elves and their skill with the bow and froze still as ice.

Both the Knight and the Half-orc looked on in wonder at the beautiful Elf maiden. Then they looked at each other with raised brows. Reality snapped back to them and the Knight took hold of his bounty once again and readied his sword.

"Disperse you mangy lot!" cried an approaching Dwarf wearing a long black beard. His own armor had a patina to it and many dents as an unkempt antique would. It was Otis, of course, with his warhammer slung over his shoulder. "I'm sure he'll swing by twilight. Go back to your homes, or the holes you crawled out of. Aonghus, let the Watch take the prisoner from here."

Behind Otis, Kayla's new friend, Wesley, seemed to appear from nowhere and meandered into a flanking position across the street. His hands were on two small crossbows.

No longer liking their odds, the mob went on their way to await the finding of the court.

Otis said, "Lower the bow, Kayla. It's over." He walked over to her and laid a hand on her drawn elbow.

"Yes, yes, of course," said the She-elf. She began to tremble. Never had she drawn her weapon and aimed at a Man. She was a skilled hunter but never had she raised her bow in fury. "I'm sorry, Otis. I don't know what came over me. I feel rather silly." Her ankle throbbed and started to swell now. She reached down to touch it. She whimpered but bit it to silence.

"Your ankle looks broken," said the Dwarf. "Let's get you to the temple. Wesley, take her bow."

"You alright, Kayla?" Wess asked. "That was amaaaazing! You flew out of the window and everyone scattered!" He parted his small hands hastily.

"I'm fine, Wesley, thank you."

"Personally, I would have just shot them from the window," continued the Faeling, "it's a better perspective you see."

"I hadn't really thought about it," she said handing him the bow. "Be careful with that, please. It's my Father's."

The Faeling took her bow and the Dwarf stepped next to Kayla to get a hold of her, but Aonghus stopped him short.

The feeling of flight overcame Kayla as she was lifted from the earth by powerful, but gentle arms. The cold steel of the grip frightened her at first until she looked up to find Aonghus holding her close to him and her fear melted. Her heart raced and face flushed as her trembling subsided in the safe arms of the Knight.

"Allow me, Otis," said Aonghus. "She did come to my rescue after all."

"Thank you," Kayla managed to whisper.

"You're most welcome, milady. I am Aonghus, of the King's Royal Guard."

"Yes, I know," said the Elf. "I'm Kayla Windshaper."

"Yes," the Knight said with a grin. "I know—"

"Kayla. Kayla..."

[][][]

Kayla awoke with a start. A horrible stink lay in the air. The Half-man from her memory stood over her, waving his hands in her face.

"Time to rise," said Haygen. "Otis needs you."

"Yes, of course, my friend." She stood up in the protective dome that guarded them through the night. "Haygen?"

"Yeah, what's up?" asked the Tribesman.

"I'm...I'm just so glad you're here," she said. Standing, she gave him a soft embrace. Her throat tightened a bit, but she bit her lip and it passed.

"Hey." He patted her on the back. "You okay?"

"I am now," she let him loose and stretched her muscles as part of her morning routine.

Otis atudied his map of the land. It had very little detail, but he compared it to the one Haygen worked on and tried to calculate the distance to the city of Corfé.

"Kayla. I need to know my options. Can you, by chance, get a message to Corfé?"

"Yes," answered the Wizard. "I can have it there in a few hours straight as the Dragon flies."

Otis nodded his head. "Good then. I will get you the message once Wesley returns and I have all numbers I need. Have what you need prepared." He patted her on the shoulder.

"Not a problem," Kayla said. She turned and packed up her belongings. Kayla cracked open her grimoire and looked up the spell she would need and the necessary ingredients. She pulled them out one by one: the teapot, incense, basil and, most importantly, fat of a Dragon. She set the teapot on top of the crystal of her staff and on command there rose a dull glow and it heated the pot. The contents began to smoke and she started her spell. "Cunehla Le Draconis Faeridah Takitus." As she sat chanting the incantation the smoke burned away.

Nothing happened.

She clenched her teeth, worried that the spell failed. She let out a soft whistle, and then from above the trees swooped down a small blue Dragon, just the size of a kitten. His wings were of a Butterfly's and his long tail slithered back and forth. He had sharp teeth and purple spines with purple marks on his wings and belly. Kayla outstretched her arm and the little Dragon swooped down and landed on her like a falcon would a hunter.

"Takitus, you came!" She quickly gave the Dragon a small reward of ration meat.

The Faerie dragon roared a tiny roar in reply then spoke in Fae speech to her.

"Yes, I know, you do look very handsome." She kissed the top of his head and Takitus replied with a flap of his wings.

The Dragon spoke again. The language high-pitched and squeeky.

"I missed you as well," the Wizard replied.

Faerie dragons lived primarily among the Faeries, but served some Faelings and often Wizards if they successfully bound to them. Kayla always felt fortunate for Takitus to bind to her years ago in the towers.

"What in the blazes is that?" asked Otis who appeared ready to hit the Dragon with his hammer.

"This is Takitus. Say, 'hello,''" She raised her arm a bit. The Dragon screeched and flapped his wings appearing harmless.

"Why am I not surprised you have a Dragon on your arm, Kayla?" asked Haygen with a laugh. He approached the Dragon and fed him a bit of dried fruit. "Hey, little guy."

"He's going to send your message when you're ready, Otis," Kayla said full of pride.

Otis threw up his arms. "As long as you get it there, I don't care how you do it."

After an hour passed, Takitus got used to the camp and found a warm rock to curl up and rest on. Soon the companions found themselves waiting and their thoughts returned to the Faeling. Was Wess ok? Was he trapped? The thought weighed heavily on their minds.

Thank you for reading! I hope that you enjoyed this one. A few people were wondering about how the companions met, so I thought this would be a little taste of that. This one had a bit of the feels, but when I think of classic fantasy tales there is always a bit of a love story going on.

Music: Mumford and Sons - Winter Winds - youtuber: wkrsten