"My Lady," The man chuckled, "please be careful with my sword, it was a birthday present."

"What did you do to her?" Zephrine repeated, using all of her energy to keep up her act.

"Her wing was injured, I just redid the stitches. I promise you, I didn't harm her."

"Seyr?" Zephrine looked to her dragon for confirmation.

"That's all he did." Seyr glanced to the man. "I promise."

Zephrine shoved the sword back into the man's scabbard. "I'm sorry."

"You know, I think we got off on the wrong foot." He adjusted his belt. "I'm Xavier Quillsnake." He held out his hand.

"I don't have to tell you my name." Zephrine, noticing she had Eetu's necklace, a black wolf claw, in her hand still, tied it around her neck.

"Well, that was a little rude." Xavier's voice was steady and sarcastic. "Where are you from? What's your family like?"

"My family is dead." Zephrine's last drop of energy faded on the last word, and her tough act crumbled with it. Tears fell almost as soon as she inhaled. "They're all gone."

"My Lady, are you alright?" Xavier grabbed Zephrine gently by the shoulder. "I apologize if my question upset you, that wasn't my intention."

Zephrine's lungs fell feeble as her sobs grew stronger, collapsing under the heaviness of the air. She found herself clutching Xavier's shirt so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"My Lord, are you alright?" Two men burst through the trees, drawing their swords.

"Gabriel, Elys, go get some water. Now." Xavier snapped at the two.

"Yes, sire." They ran toward the river.

"Just breathe, just breathe." He whispered to Zephrine.

"Zephrine, calm down." Seyr's soothing voice entered the mix. "You don't have full control of your magic yet, you don't know what you'll do."

"My Lady, you need to drink." Xavier held a canteen in front of Zephrine's face.

Zephrine grew dizzy, everyone's voices swirled around in her head, clouding her vision, crowding her lungs. She felt herself fall forwards, into Xavier's arms, the world blinking in and out of focus. Her face was numb and puffy from her crying, and her voice felt raw

"Give her space, she's panicking!" Xavier sent the two men away. "What's your dragon's name?" His soft hands stroked back Zephrine's hair.

"Seyr." She managed to force out one word.

"Seyr!" Xavier shouted to her. "You're in charge of her while I get her some food." He set Zephrine against Seyr's side. "My Lady, breathe, breathe. I'll be right back."

"Here." Xavier had returned with some sort of soup, pressing the warm bowl into Zephrine's hands.

"Thank you." Her breath had regulated, as had her vision. She pushed around the vegetables with the spoon until she got a heap of carrots with the broth. It was a very herbal soup, she could tell just from the aroma as she raised the spoon to her lips.

"My name is Zephrine." She said, setting the empty bowl on the ground. Xavier's deep brown eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face.

"Would you by any chance be Zephrine Geûld?"