Ralem had just taken Arianna on the greatest date like, ever. They had gone horse-back riding, talked in the field, and had enjoyed each other’s company. Ralem couldn’t believe it had gone so well and he found himself smiling as he neared the gates before sundown. To his annoyance, the gates were guarded by two burly men with large double-sided axes. As he tried to tell the guards to let him in, none other than the blonde Rider edged up beside him. “She’s with me,” Daemon said, a smirk on his face that was dangerously cold at the same time. Ralem was taken aback, Where the heck did HE come from? He wondered, before freezing up, was he out there eavesdropping on us?

                        The guard only shook his head again, “Sorry, but security is tightened. Go on over to Vali real nice-like kids. We don’t want trouble.”

                        “I don’t think that suits me,” Daemon said, taking Arianna’s hand. Ralem could feel the dragon part of him rising up inside of him, roaring in his chest. His eyes turned a ferocious green even as Daemon curled an arm around Arianna and led her outside, where Fraylon was waiting with a reptilian smile. Ralem tied up the Friesian to a post before stomping out after them, his face twisted into a snarl. Arianna looked back at him, and in a split second he looked as innocent as could be, then turned back to hateful as she turned back to Daemon. “Fraylon will take you over the castle gates. I’ll be right behind you.”

                         Arianna swept her hair off her face, but mounted the horse-sized dragon anyway, “Why can’t you go on behind me? I’m pretty sure Ralem could fit too.” Fraylon made a face and spread his wings before she could say another word. With a running jump, he was airborne and he powered upwards and out of ear shot.

                        Daemon turned on Ralem as they left, “Who the heck do you think you are?” A cold sneer distorted his handsome face as he shoved him

                       Ralem (who hadn’t even been moved) gathered himself to his full height, looking stonily at the other Rider, “Don’t touch me.”

                       Daemon ignored him, “I see what you’re doing, peasant. I can see past that mask of yours. What do you want her for? Her kingdom? Her riches? Her-”

                      Ralem balled his fists, his voice taught, “Since when was this any of your business?”

                      “She’s my Princess! I’d say this is my business!” yelled Daemon.

                        “Oh, she’s your Princesss now, is she?” Ralem said, deadly even as he stalked closer, “Daemon, you were eavesdropping weren’t you?” He spat at the ground by Daemon’s feet, “Just what I’d expect from a sniveling coward like you.”

                      “Me? If you haven’t forgotten, I spent four years battling the wilds of Grunde. I endured more danger in one month than you have all your life! No,” He said, poking Ralem in the chest, “You are the true coward. Just look at you, hiding behind your dragon for everything.”

                      Ralem growled, “If you touch me again, I’ll-”

                     “Do what?” Daemon asked sarcastically, “Call your dragon?” he mimicked Ralem’s voice, “Oh, Jaydon! Come save me! I’m so scared!” he gave a crooked smile and stood on his tip-toes to look Ralem in the eye. “You know the truth, Ralem. You are a no one. A nobody. The only thing that makes you special came in an egg.” He spat, before turning serious, “And I think Arianna deserves more than that. She needs someone who can take care of her and this,” he gestured to Ralem’s whole body, “Is not it. So, if you truly care for her, you’d back away. Because the truth is, you’ll only break her heart.” He turned away and started walking towards the gates.

                       “And who are you to choose who is and who is not right for her? Can she not decide for herself?” Ralem called after him, his fists curling until white shone on his knuckles.

                      Daemon spun around, his eyes a fiery blue, and laughed. “Ha! You think you’re the one, huh? Ralem, you’re a peasant. You always will be. I doubt you can even read! Do you honestly think you’re the match for a princess? Do you think that you deserve her hand?” he walked fast back to Ralem and poked him once more, hissing like a snake, “You break her heart and I will do everything in my power to make your life a living hell. You hear me?”

                       The dragon part in Ralem was at its peak and his eyes glowed blindingly, “I said DON’T TOUCH ME!” he screamed, pouncing on Daemon and smashing him to the ground. Dust flew as Ralem’s arm curled back like a spring before crashing down on Daemon’s face. Crack! His nose broke and soon blood was all over his face and Ralem’s fists. His heart pounding in his ears, Ralem rained fury on Daemon without mercy, roaring like a dragon.

                     Nervous guards rushed to the scene, trying to pry the two apart. Ralem hardly twitched. At a motion of his hand the wind responded to his call and blew them off their feet. Wham! They flailed like beetles on their backs.

    The two kicked and punched in the dust, neither getting the advantage. Ralem was going the speed of lightning, using his greater weight to his advantage to smash Daemon into the ground with his tremendous punches. Daemon was curled up in a ball, his hands over his face, spitting blood out of his mouth.

     Suddenly Daemon’s hands were curled around Ralem’s shoulders and he felt searing cold. Ralem shrieked in pain as his skin turned an exotic blue, rearing back as Daemon surged forward, knocking him to the ground. “My turn,” Daemon said, breathless. Daemon’s face was stark white in contrast to the dark red blood, blue veins sticking out perilously; his hair ruffled and eyes a paralyzing blue. Ralem blinked and just had the sense to swing his arm up to block a vicious blow. Holy crap, he thought as a rock-solid fist smashed into his arm. Daemon readied himself for another blow, and as he did, Ralem noticed that he was slower. His bones clicked and his movements were stiff and jerky. Taking advantage of this, Ralem snatched his fist before it could hit his chest, gritting his teeth as his palms turned white. Daemon jerked away and smashed the same fish into Ralem’s temple.

“STOP!” The shrill voice of an elderly woman made them freeze, Daemon’s fist poised over Ralem’s forehead. The wrinkled face of the healer lady appeared, crouched over them. “What on earth is your problem, boys? Get a hold on yourselves! This is no way to act in public!”

Daemon got off Ralem and his bones creaked as he got to his feet. Ralem scrambled to his own feet, feeling the his blasting headache slowly recede. The old woman rapped them both with her cane in one sweeping blow. “Come on, explain your behavior!”

“It’s nothing. Ralem here is just getting a little big for his britches,” Daemon wiped his bloody nose with the back of his hand and winced when he saw all the blood.

Ralem sneered at him. “You think you’re better than everybody don’t you? Well-”

“Stop it, boys! You asked for this!” suddenly the old lady slapped a little cookie into both of their hands. “Eat it!”

“What- are you trying to poison us?” Daemon asked. He was rapped smartly on the skull with her cane. “Okay, okay.” He squinted his eyes and took a bite. Ralem did the same.

“There, now that it’s done you must remember. The only way to get out of this is to find that the difference of classes is worthless, and how to respect one another- like a man should.”

“Wait- what’s done?” Ralem called after her. But she was scurrying back to the gates and was soon gone.

At that moment a very ticked Jaydon touched down. “Ralem, did he hurt you?”

The corner of Daemon’s mouth curled, as if taunting him. Ralem looked away. “No. Let’s get out of here.” He crawled up his dragon’s side and they took off.

Fraylon swooped down a second after they disappeared from view. “Ready, Rider?” he called, extending a foreleg for him to climb up. Daemon shook his head as if warding off a persistent fly and mounted.

That night they both went to bed with troubled minds. What had that old lady meant? Ralem didn’t tell Jaydon, he didn’t want the dragon to get any ideas. Thankfully, Jaydon was tired from a long day of training and pulling up trees and was soon asleep, his huge head resting just inches from Ralem’s. Daemon, on the other hand, wrote in his journal until late, Fraylon curled around his chair. He finally patted Fraylon’s scaly brow and undressed, slipping into his bed. He watched the stars from his window until his tired eyes bid him to rest.

The next morning Ralem woke sprawled all over the bed. He yawned, stretched, and rolled over with a groan, blinking in the harsh sunlight. “Wow, how late did I sleep in?” he muttered to himself, slipping out of his comfy bed. The sun was well up. Then he realized he wasn’t in his room at all. His room wasn’t painted a light blue, nor did it have all these ridiculously fancy paintings! A desk sat in the corner, a leather journal resting on top and a dragon figurine holding up a couple books on a shelf. Fear clutched at his heart. Had he sleep walked?! Whose room was he in?

“Jaydon?” he croaked, amazed at how strange his voice sounded. No reply. He shuffled across the room sleepily. Jaydon? he tried again.

I don’t know where he is. Good morning, Rider. When you didn’t wake I went for a flight before it gets too hot. Are you well?

Ralem gasped like a fish. It was Fraylon’s voice- talking in his head! Fraylon?

Yes.

Just… nothing. Even in his head his voice sounded different… like… oh no. He shut down his connection and stumbled for the bathroom. The mirror met him, tall and proud. And standing in it was a shirtless Daemon. “Oh no,” Ralem squeaked, and the Daemon in the mirror did the same. He clutched at his chest. It was smaller, and white. His arms were white. He pulled at his hair. It was blonde! He backtracked, shaking his head. “Oh no, no no. This is bad. This is really bad.”

Suddenly the door to the room slammed open and sent him reeling back to the bed, quivering like a mouse and ready for anything that came at him.

He wasn’t ready for this.

A man was standing in the doorway, green eyes ablaze and raven hair wild. He was wearing nothing but a undershirt that outlined his impressive muscles and baggy pants that had been carelessly thrown on. He stomped in, his finger pointed accusingly at Ralem. “Who are you?” he demanded, sounding exactly like Ralem. “What are you doing on my bed? Where’s Fraylon? What did you do to me? Why do I look like this?”

“I could ask the same about you!” Ralem about screamed, his voice rough and regal like Daemon’s. “I don’t know! I just woke up this way!”

The man grabbed him and picked him up as easily as if he were a doll. “What did you do to me? Who are you, imposter?!”

“Put me down!” Ralem yelled, kicking the mirror image of himself in the chest as hard as he could. “Do you think I wanted to look like Daemon? And who are you, pretending to be me? A cat? I’ll kill you!”

The man’s face softened and he slowly put him down. “So you’re Ralem? How did we end up in each other’s bodies? What is happening? I need to call the authorities.”

“Yeah, and like they are going to believe you,” Ralem spat, “They’re just going to call you crazy- and you have my body. They’re going to think I’m crazy. Who did this to us?”

They both paused before looking at each other. “The healer!”

“We got to find her,” Ralem said.

“Now,” Daemon agreed. “But not before you get a shirt on.”

“You’re still thinking of your image- even now?”

Suddenly they heard the soft padding of footsteps and Jaydon slid next to Daemon, who flinched visibly. “Come on, what are you doing here?” Jaydon glanced at Ralem distastefully, “Lauri’s waiting for us. We’re going to be late!”

Ralem made frantic hand movements.

“Jaydon- can you possibly- erm- let me have a minute with Ra-I mean Daemon.”

Jaydon cocked an eyebrow before shrugging. “Okay. I’ll be waiting at the fountain. Hurry up!”

As soon as he left, Daemon let out a breath. “Whew, that was close.”

“You’re going to have to go with him.” Ralem said, his face twisted in anxiety.

“WHAT?”

“Lauri’s going to hunt you down if you don’t. You have to. Listen, it will only take a couple hours, then you get back and I’ll find the healer for you. Then she can change us back,” Ralem said.

“But Jaydon hates me, remember?” Daemon wiped the hair out of his face. “I can’t do this!”

“But you look like  me- remember? You just have to act like me. For instance, just try your hardest to be nice to him. And if in doubt, scratch him under the chin. Work as a team and promise him a pie after that and it should be fine. Treat him as your equal. He’s a lot better than you think. You’ll be fine. Just don’t tell him that you’re not me. He’ll think you’re a cat and he will kill you, okay?”

Daemon’s eyebrows rose to his hair. “But- I’ve got something this morning!” Daemon cried, cursing in Grundian. He ran his hands through his hair and got his fingers stuck. “Wow you got thick hair,” he mumbled aloud.

“What is it?” Ralem asked, getting to his feet. It suddenly felt like he was so small. “You are so short,” he snickered.

Daemon glared at him. Then realization seem to flicker in his eyes that he was actually looking down to look into Ralem’s eyes and he shut up. “I’m going hunting with Arianna and a couple friends and I simply can’t miss it.”

“But I don’t know how to hunt!” Ralem exclaimed, throwing his hands up.

“And I don’t know how to use your wind powers!” Daemon shot back.

Ralem felt himself freeze up. “That’s easy. You just focus on it and direct it where you want to go. The hard part is hunting. I can’t even shoot a bow and arrow!”

“Fine. You don’t have to shoot a bow and arrow,” Daemon snapped, “Just don’t look stupid on my horse!” He leaned down until he was face to face with Ralem. “And mark my words, if you makes a mess of my life or embarrass me in front of Arianna I will get you back for sure. I’ve got your powers and your dragon now, remember?”

“Ralem!” Jaydon bellowed from outside. Daemon bit his lip and slipped out the door.

                A few minutes later found Daemon riding Jaydon. It was the strangest feeling. Jaydon didn’t flap, or hardly even move it seemed. He just went BOOM! And he was off, speeding so fast Daemon almost let himself whoop in exultation. Lauri was behind him, evidentially enjoying herself. Daemon was kind of nervous at having a lesson, but at the same time he was pretty excited. I’m sort of sneaking in on their top secret little training sessions! He thought.

                What were you talking about with Daemon? Daemon jumped at the sound of Jaydon’s voice in his head.

                None of your business! he said hastily.

                He could feel Jaydon’s hurt. Don’t yell at me! The dragon started to lean forwards and they tilted towards the ground, a small plain in view.

                Daemon remembered he had to be extra nice to Jaydon. Ralem pampers his dragon, he thought, annoyed. Then he reached out to Jaydon. I’m sorry. I just didn’t have enough sleep. Erm, pie later?

                Jaydon snorted. Hah! You slept like a rock, Rider! Remember, we dreamed together about that story you told me of Daniel and the Lions?

                Yes, Daemon lied. Wow, they dreamed together? That was strange. Now Jaydon had landed and Lauri tapped Daemon’s shoulder before sliding off. Daemon slid off as well.

                Lauri dusted herself off before plopping her bulging bag down to the ground. “Today we’re going to start out with your air shield. You did well yesterday, but I think we just need a tad more work. Don’t worry, we’re not doing javelins this time. This time we’re doing something smaller and faster. Arrows. She pulled out a bow and sighted down the shaft, straight at Daemon. “Get into battle position.”

                “What- already?” Daemon squeaked. He had no idea what he was doing!

                “In three, two, one,” and with that she let it loose into the air.

                Daemon pathetically tried to control the wind but it was extremely hard to gather all the wisps into one place. Thock! Daemon screamed as it dug its barbed head into his shoulder.

                Jaydon belched fire, “He wasn’t ready yet!”

                Lauri was impassive as Daemon sank to his knees. “What’s gotten into you, today? Feeling suddenly weak-legged? This stuff happens, Ralem. You got a javelin through the stomach yesterday and hardly put on a show like this.”

                He did? Daemon thought, naseauted. He grabbed the arrow and yanked it out, the shot of pain following it enough to almost make him black out. He looked at the bloody arrow with wide eyes. “You could have killed me! This is… outrageous!  Ach! My shoulder!” He turned his head to look at it, but found the ball of muscle was quickly healing over, the flesh reknitting until there was no pain and not even a mark to show for it. He gaped. “It healed! Did you see that?”

                Jaydon leaned his head down next to Daemon and inhaled deeply, smelling him. Daemon flinched. I’m not a cat. Don’t eat me! He thought hard.

                “Ralem, you’re acting strange today,” Jaydon said slowly.

                “Really? That must be because –erm- I didn’t have any breakfast.”

                “You didn’t have any breakfast?” Lauri said incredulously. “Are you well? You never miss breakfast.”

                Daemon felt his stomach rumble in agreement.  “I woke up late.”

                Lauri shrugged. “Your fault. Now look sharp, we don’t have all day.” She aimed her bow.

                As she let it fly, Daemon jumped out of the way. He was surprised at how high he could jump. “Are you crazy, woman? You trying to kill me?”

                “Ralem!” Lauri shook her head. “I couldn’t kill you with a bow and arrow if I tried. Come on, remember yesterday? Make a shield and tell me when you’re ready.”

                Make a shield? Daemon thought. This was going to be harder than he thought. Jaydon was looking at him strangely. Daemon gulped under the hard stare. He better do something quick. He reached out for Jaydon. Erm- Jaydon, I don’t feel so well today. Could you perhaps help me make an air shield?

                Of course, Rider. But what is wrong? Daemon could feel Jaydon trying to dig into his mind and quickly blocked off his mind.

                “Are you ready yet?” Lauri asked drily.

                Daemon held up his hand, amazed at how different Ralem’s body was from his own. His new skin was a dark tan, his hands large and callused. His black hair always seemed to fall over one of his eyes and Daemon found himself constantly wiping it out. He needs to do something with his hair, he thought. Now he felt Jaydon’s air shield constructing around his arm and he helped, trying to direct the wily wind under his power. Finally they were done and Daemon nodded at Lauri. “Ready.”

                Immediately the arrow flew and Daemon had to stop himself from trying to dodge it. He raised his invisible air shield and the arrow fell mid-air. He sighed. Another came out of nowhere, pelting the air shield. Daemon found himself able to move it around, reaching out for the wind as if he could actually grab it with his mind.

                Lauri struck him from all over and Daemon was proud to find he could keep up. I bet Ralem isn’t this good, he thought haughtily. After about half an hour Lauri was done. “Okay, now it’s time for your favorite; fox and rabbit. No groans? Okay then, this time Jaydon is going to be your partner and run with you in human form. If one of you gets tagged then both of you are out. I’m going to give you a thirty second headstart. Believe me, you’re going to need it.”

                “What?” Daemon said. Jaydon swiftly turned human and grabbed his arm.  “Come on! Run!”

                Lauri started counting down. “Thirty, Twenty nine, Twenty eight…”

                Daemon started running after Jaydon, who was speeding at an insane rate. He loped after him, amazed at how every move he made sent him bounding over the ground at ten feet per step. Heck, might as well see how fast Ralem can go, Daemon smiled breathlessly as he took off. Whoom! He zigzagged through the grass, laughing as he almost floated over the ground. He felt so strong! I’m like a flash! He thought, rather childishly.

                Suddenly the air was smashed out of him as Jaydon almost pummeled into him. Daemon flinched at his angry face. “Ralem, what is wrong with you?” Jaydon hissed, holding Daemon’s arm. “Why are you not opening up to me? What’s wrong? Why don’t you tell me? We’re a team, right?”

                Daemon gulped. “I’ll tell you tonight.”

                Jaydon looked even more hurt. “Why not now? What did Daemon tell you this morning? Did he upset you? I could kill him if you want. You know I would do it any time you wanted.”

                Daemon was so shocked he almost tripped over his own feet. “Why would you do that? Daemon’s a good man, really. In fact I think he’s a rather nice chap. So don’t ever try to kill him, okay?”

                Jaydon cocked an eyebrow. “Since when did you think that? Just yesterday you nearly punched the lights out of the puny human.”

                Daemon flinched at ‘puny human’. “I’ve changed my mind, that’s all. A man is allowed to do that, isn’t he?”

                Jaydon flicked a forked tongue at Daemon. “You sound strange, Rider. Are you okay?”

                “Yea-” suddenly Daemon cursed in Grundian,  “Lauri’s right behind you!” They split, racing off in different directions.

                This was more fun than he thought.

                Ralem was not having as much fun. He had watched Jaydon fly away with a heavy heart.  Jaydon is mine! He thought as he saw Daemon mount his dragon. He wanted to reach out to his dragon, to talk to him, but Jaydon was out of his reach for the first time in his life. What if I’m stuck as Daemon forever? Ralem thought grimly. He imagined himself being Fraylon’s Rider- and being a five-foot-seven blonde royal forever. It would be horrible. He clenched his fist. “Jaydon would never take Daemon. I’m his soul brother! We are a team!” he whispered as he leaned over the balcony, watching where Jaydon had disappeared. Somehow, deep within, he was desperately hoping that Jaydon would somehow figure out that Daemon wasn’t him.

                “Daemon,” a purr distracted him from his thoughts.

                Ralem suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be Daemon. How did Daemon treat Fraylon? I don’t know! A chin scratch couldn’t go wrong, though! Ralem reached out a hand and scratched Fraylon lightly on the chin. “Good morning Fraylon,” he said, pasting a smile on his face.

                Fraylon purred, a melodious sound that put Jaydon to shame. His beautiful blue eyes rolled up in their sockets and he leaned forward, begging for more. Ralem scratched his chin until his hand grew tired and he patted Fraylon’s neck before letting his arm fall back to his side.

                “What did I do to deserve that?” Fraylon asked, pleasantly confused. “That’s the first time you’ve done that in years!”

                “Years?” Ralem echoed. Daemon definitely doesn’t spare anything for his dragon. Fraylon dug his head into Ralem’s chest. “I cannot thank you enough, Rider,” he purred.

                Ralem immediately felt horrible. “Oh, it’s nothing Fraylon. Hey, think you can be my mount for the hunt?” It would be a lot easier to ride a dragon than a horse! He thought.

                “Are you serious?” Fraylon yelped, hopping like an excited cat, “Go on a hunt- with you?”

                “Who else?” Ralem joked nervously.

                “Yes! Thank you so much!” Fraylon whooped, sweeping his majestic wings out. “Thank you thank you thank you!”

                “You’re welcome,” Ralem said tightly. He crept around the ice dragon and started going through Daemon’s clothes so he could go to eat breakfast. If he was assured that he would be himself by the end of the day he would just go down shirtless and act stupid to ruin Daemon’s prissy life. But he knew that Daemon would probably do worse. Ralem snorted and pinched his white forearm. Seriously, did Daemon ever work out? He was so ropy and thin. He had no guns. Ralem flexed his biceps. Nothing compared to what he had in his own body. I like my body, he thought glumly, grabbing one of Daemon’s numerous shirts and shoving it on. I never knew how much I liked it until now. And now Daemon’s running around in it.

                He walked downstairs with Fraylon flanking him. Ralem found he had no grudge against the softspoken ice dragon. He was just annoying, but he seemed so genuine. His face lit up when he spotted Arianna.

                Arianna spotted him first. “Hyvaa Huomenta!” she called cheerfully,  “Valmis?”

                I don’t know Grundian! Ralem thought frantically. He just smiled and nodded, sliding beside her. “Good morning, Princess.”

                Arianna took a sip of her soup. “Morning. Where’s Ralem? I haven’t seen him at all!”

                Ralem was tickled that she asked about him. Now he wished Daemon was here to burn. “Oh, he’s off training, didn’t even have time to eat.”

                “Oh poor baby,” she murmured, “He is going to be so hungry! I better make sure the maids have something for him to eat.”

                Oh my gosh I love you, Ralem thought. She really cared about him!

                “So you ready for the hunt, Dae?” she said absentmindedly.

                “Yes. Is it alright if I ride Fraylon instead of a horse? He really wanted to go.”

                “No problem. I’d love his company,” Arianna said.