“Jahree, do you want to go flying?” Lanni asked, her eyes sparkling with the prospect of soaring through the skies. “Are you trying to start another panic?” Jahree responded warily, recalling the tumult their previous flight had incited among the unaccustomed townsfolk. “I need to change and fly sometimes. I was thinking about going down to Menthanla this time. They’re used to dragons there, and besides, it’s a lot warmer,” Lanni reasoned, yearning for the freedom of her dragon form in a more hospitable and accepting environment. “I’d love to join you, but I told Tell I’d go into town with him.” Jahree tried to sound casual, hoping his slight alteration of the truth would be convincing enough. Lanni was astoundingly perceptive when it came to untruths, and it always made Jahree a tad nervous when he had to skirt around the complete truth. She studied him briefly, then nodded, seemingly satisfied with his explanation. Leaning in, she kissed him gently and said, “I’ll see you later.” Lanni transported away with those parting words still hanging in the air, vanishing from Jahree’s sight. Once she was gone, Jahree breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to meet up with Tellic. As planned, they headed to town, specifically to the jewelers. They had both recently received their pay, and with the weight of the coins in his pocket, Jahree could hardly wait to purchase the ring that had caught his eye before someone else claimed it as their own. The ring wasn’t just any trinket—it was a symbol of his intentions, a heartfelt piece he hoped would soon adorn the finger of someone very special to him. Good day, Master Jahree,” the jeweler greeted with a respectful nod as Jahree entered the shop. His regular visits had made him a familiar figure, frequently inquiring about a particular ring he had his eye on, ensuring it remained unsold. The jeweler’s eyes briefly darted to Jahree’s companion, Tellic, and a frown momentarily creased his brow, but he held his tongue. “He’s my guard,” Jahree hastily clarified, noting the jeweler’s discomfort. “Carrying around a lot of money is much safer when you’re accompanied by a troll for protection,” he added, gesturing towards the hulking figure of Tellic. “A lot of…” the jeweler started, but his voice trailed off as the implication of Jahree’s words dawned on him. His eyes lit up with understanding. “So you’re finally ready to purchase it?” With a confirming nod from Jahree, the jeweler’s demeanor brightened. “The ring you’re interested in is indeed still here. In fact, a lady showed quite an interest in it just the other day, but I managed to divert her attention to another piece.” “You did that for me?” Jahree was taken aback by the jeweler’s unexpected show of loyalty. The jeweler gave a nonchalant shrug, downplaying his action. “I knew you had your heart set on buying it; fortunately, the other ring cost more.” With that, he turned and retrieved the ring from a secure display. Presenting it to Jahree, the ring sparkled under the shop’s lights—a delicate band of silver from which stars seemingly burst forth, each cradle carrying an opal that shimmered with the fire of distant nebulae. Lanni had told him her mother had been called Star, and the ring matched the star on her cloak, but the jeweler’s words rang in his ears. Lanni was a princess. She deserved the best. “What do you think?” Jahree sought Tellic’s opinion, hoping for affirmation. The troll, a figure of might and limited words, peered at the ring with surprising gentleness. After a moment of contemplation, he uttered a confident response, “She’ll love it,” his gruff voice betraying an unexpected sentimentality. Jahree’s doubts dissipated, replaced by a warmth that spread through his chest at the thought of presenting Lanni with a ring truly befitting a princess. Jahree returned the ring to the jeweler before stepping aside to have a private discussion with Tellic. Concern etched his features as he pondered, “Do you think it’s good enough? She’s a princess. Maybe I should talk to the bankers, take out a loan, and buy something nicer.” Tellic regarded him with an exasperated expression. “If you do that, I swear I’ll hang you by your ankles from the town bell tower. I don’t see the point of jewelry, but I do see Lanni. She likes simple things. Even at that party where she was showing off that she was a princess, her jewelry was simple. She had one metal band for a ring, and her necklace was a single stone. She didn’t even wear a crown, and if she’s going to continue acting like a servant, something fancy won’t fit.” As these words sank in, Jahree found himself acknowledging the truth in them. Besides, even with a promotion to under-general, the highest military rank he could hope for, his earnings would never match those of nobility. And Lanni knew this; she understood and accepted their financial reality. With newfound resolve, Jahree returned to the jeweler, his decision firm. “I’ll take it,” he declared. The jeweler responded with a nod, “Very good. The price remains as it was.” After Jahree completed the transaction and watched the jeweler carefully wrap the ring, the jeweler offered a parting thought, “Your daughter will cherish it. It’s a lovely choice.” Taken aback, Jahree corrected him, “Daughter? No, this ring is for my pledged.” “Pledged?” The jeweler’s surprise was evident. “Yes, she’s of age. She’s just petite. You must have seen the cook at Lord Rantar’s estate?” Jahree explained. The jeweler’s expression shifted to one of recognition. “Lanni, the albino, she’s the one you’re pledging to?” Jahree smiled, a mixture of pride and hope crossing his face. “That’s the plan.” “Well then, I don’t doubt she’ll accept,” the jeweler said with a confident nod, affirming Jahree’s choice. Carefully tucking the wrapped ring into a hidden pocket, Jahree left the jeweler’s shop with Tellic. He resisted pulling it out to look at the simple band that symbolized his love for Lanni, but he restrained himself. It would be far safer to admire it later, away from prying eyes, in the protective confines of the barracks. “So, tell me. How do what customs do trolls follow for getting married?” Jahree inquired earnestly. Tellic appeared contemplative for a moment before responding with a shrug, indicating its complexities. “It’s different. I don’t know if I could explain it so you understood,” Tellic replied, uncertain if he could adequately convey the nuances of his culture’s rituals. Curiosity piqued, Jahree continued, “So, do you have a girl?” With a succinct shake of his head, Tellic answered, “No.” Pursuing a more personal angle, Jahree probed further, “Are you as shy back home as you are here?” Tellic was quick to clarify his demeanor. “I’m not shy. I just don’t want to get involved with anyone. One broken heart is enough,” he confessed, hinting at a deeper sorrow. Caught off guard by the sudden revelation of heartache in Tellic’s past, Jahree couldn’t hide his surprise. “Wait, what?” “I was pledged to a girl back home. I was thinking of marrying her. She didn’t like my enlisting or my wanting to be a citizen. She ended it,” Tellic explained, sharing the outline of a story undoubtedly full of personal pain and disappointment. Seizing upon an optimistic thought, Jahree suggested, “Maybe she had a change of heart, like Areen.” However, Tellic quickly dispelled that hope with the reality of his situation. “I scried her once. She didn’t want to talk to me. She wants nothing to do with me. I gave the scrying charm to Jahan. At least Nalli wants to talk with him.” Expressing his condolences, Jahree offered a simple, “I’m sorry.” Tellic, demonstrating a sense of resolution about his circumstances, said, “I knew the risks when I chose this path.” Jahree offered encouragement, “Perhaps you’ll find someone else, someone who’ll support you.” With a pragmatic and somewhat disinterested shrug, Tellic responded, “Maybe. But I’m not going to worry about it. I’m already an uncle. That’s good enough for me.” He then turned the conversation away from his troubles to remind Jahree of his imminent concerns. “Don’t let my problems upset you. You have a proposal to plan.” Jahree acknowledged this with a nod, his mind weighing the financial considerations that were part of his proposal ambitions. He had plans, albeit ones that would need to be postponed until he could afford them. All he had at his disposal was his emergency fund. As important as his proposal was, it fell short of an emergency that justified tapping into that reserve. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands