They walked on late into the night, the crunch of snow beneath their boots, the only sound breaking the silence. The sky was a deep, velvety black, dotted with stars, and a thin layer of frost was beginning to settle on the trees. It was somewhere between midnight and dawn when Lanni finally raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. They were all exhausted, breath steaming in the frigid air and their bodies begging for rest. “We can’t keep going,” she said, looking around. Little shelter was nearby, only a few sparse trees and a rocky overhang that provided scant protection. “If we take our true forms, our wings can shield us, and the trees will help.” Keltis shook her head, concern evident on her face. “No fire. We’re still too close to Chervil. Any light would make us an easy target.” Lanni gave a faint smile, nodding. “Our bellyfires will keep us warm enough,” she assured her. “Everyone, huddle close. We’ll create a tent with our wings.” The horses, surprisingly calm, settled in by the trees without much fuss despite the nearness of the dragons. Once a small dinner was shared and drinks warmed with dragon breath, they gathered together under the protective arch of Lanni and Tercala’s wings. Though it was crowded, the heat from their dragon bodies created a cozy cocoon in the otherwise freezing night. As they started to drift into a light sleep, Shan tensed. “I hear something,” he whispered. “Shut up,” Zan grumbled. “We can’t exactly stop breathing.” “No, it’s not that.” Shan’s voice was insistent. “It’s coming from the wagon. “Samar’s not in there anymore,” Trema reminded him. “I’m here,” Samar confirmed from nearby, looking at him with a mixture of concern and confusion. But Shan was adamant. “Someone’s in the wagon.” In an instant, everyone was on their feet, weapons ready. Lanni and Tercala stayed in dragon form, flames curling faintly from their mouths as they prepared to defend the group. Shan moved to the wagon, climbing inside and looking around. There, curled up under a rough blanket, was a small figure. “What are you doing here?” he asked, gently but firmly, and scooped up the small form. When he emerged, he was holding a young girl. “Shri!” Loka exclaimed, rushing forward as she recognized the girl. Shri’s face was tear-streaked, and she clung tightly to Shan, trembling. “I wanted to come with you,” she whispered. “The magic eater hurts. Dad said it would only hunt for a little while, but it won’t stop. He said that would only happen for bad mages. I’m not bad. I don’t want to be collared.” Lanni’s dragon eyes narrowed, and she let out a low growl. “Collared? They threatened you with that?” Shri looked up, eyes wide, as she noticed Lanni’s dragon form for the first time. She pressed herself against Shan, fear flickering in her gaze. Lanni softened, crouching low so her massive face was at Shri’s level. “It’s me, sweetheart. It’s Lanni,” she said, her voice gentle. “I won’t hurt you. Remember? I’m a nice dragon.” Shri’s face lit up with hesitant recognition. “Lanni? You’re really Lanni?” Lanni nodded, offering a reassuring smile. “Yes, dear. And this,” she gestured toward Tercala, “is Captain Tercala.” “Are you a nice dragon too?” Shri asked quietly. Tercala nodded, his dragon form still and unthreatening. “I was nice as a human, wasn’t I? We don’t change who we are just because we look different.” Shan shifted, hugging Shri closer as he hopped out of the wagon. “She’s freezing,” he muttered, alarmed at her shivers. Loka stepped up, peeling off a glove and pressing her warm hand to Shri’s forehead. “Her temperature is low. She doesn’t have enough layers on.” She looked at Lanni. “You should take her.” Lanni extended her arms, and Shan carefully passed Shri over. Lanni cradled the girl close to her chest, her own warmth spreading over Shri. The child’s trembling slowly subsided, though she continued to stare at Lanni with wide, curious eyes. “You’re so warm,” she murmured. “Are you sick?” Lanni chuckled, holding her close. “No, it’s my bellyfire. I use it to stay warm.” Shri’s eyes grew round. “Your belly’s on fire?” “Not exactly. It’s a special warmth inside that I can let out when I need to. Watch.” Lanni tilted her head to one side and breathed a small, controlled flame into the snow. It melted a tiny patch, and Shri’s eyes widened further, a mix of awe and a touch of fear. “If we keep it inside, it warms us,” Lanni explained. “Tercala and I were making a tent with our wings to keep everyone else warm. And once you’re warm, we’ll do it again.” Shri managed a small smile, nestling deeper into Lanni’s arms. “You can make a tent out of wings?” “Yes, we can.” Lanni nodded. “Can I come with you? I don’t want to be collared,” begged with pleading eyes. “They said they’d collar the mages?” Morina asked. Shri looked around at the others, her expression still worried. “The servant to the peasants and ones they can’t control.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I don’t want to be collared.” “We’ll see,” Lanni told her. Soon, the girl was warm and dozing. Trema glanced at Lanni, concern written across her face. “What are we going to do with her?” “We can’t take her,” Keltis interjected. “If they find out we have her, Rantar will hunt us down even harder.” Morina agreed, her brow furrowing. “If we tried to return her, we’d be seen, and we’d lose all the distance we’ve covered. We’ve no guarantee she’d be safe either way.” Tercala’s eyes softened as he listened to the child’s breathing, slowing as she warmed up. “I was collared at her age. It stunts magic and hinders its growth. We can’t subject her to that kind of cruelty.” Lanni tightened her hold on Shri, her mind made up. “She comes with us. The law says runaways are to be placed in a foster home until their claims are investigated. We’re heading to New Trito to report anyway.” Trema sighed, shaking her head. “Technically, we should bring her to an official foster home.” Lanni gave him a knowing look. “I’m still an approved foster mother. They bring children to me if there’s nowhere else to place them right away.” Kritalla nodded, turning to the others. “Chapado is too. I say she the girl stays. Loka can help her with the pain. It’s doubtful they’ll do that.” “Are you in pain too?” Morina asked. “Is this an augmenter thing?” “It’s not that bad,” Kritalla assured her. “I’ve been through worse, but she’s a little girl.” “It’s settled,” Lanni said, her voice firm. “She comes with us. Once it’s safe, we’ll take her home. For now, let’s try to get some rest.” Jahan came forward, reaching for the child. “I’ll keep an eye on her.” He carefully took the now-sleeping girl, holding her protectively as he settled near the others. With everyone huddled close again, the warmth from the dragons encircled them all, a reminder that despite the challenges ahead, they were together, and they would protect one another no matter what lay in their path. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands