The man looked hurt. “I’m sorry. I…” His voice broke, almost a whisper, as he tried to collect himself. His hands trembled slightly, and he looked away as if shielding himself from some internal pain. Lanni narrowed her gaze, watching him closely. “Krina, how do you know him?” she asked, her tone holding the authority of someone used to issuing commands but tempered with a hint of compassion. Krina’s head jerked up as he focused on her for the first time since landing. “Princess? I hadn’t realized it was you. Forgive me. I thought one of my people was being attacked.” Lanni raised an eyebrow, her voice measured. “We have a treaty. Why would we attack?” Krina hesitated, looking around as though he expected to find the answer in the faces of the crew. “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but the magic is gone, and only a few have the strength to cast spells like this. The barriers we put up to protect our people are failing.” Lanni’s expression grew serious. “It’s a blood charm created by the Yarbs. We were stationed there. We’re on our way to warn the kings. Have you noticed anything like that in Trarell?” Krina’s eyes darkened. “Not in Trarell. But there’s a settlement about a day’s swift flight east of here. It’s been touched by something. I sensed it.” He glanced at Shan, who had been silent, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You know him?” he asked Lanni. She nodded. “This is Ambassador Krina,” she said to Shan. “But I would also like to know how he seems to know you.” Shan shook his head, clenching his fists. “I’ve never seen him before. I don’t know him.” Krina took a steadying breath. “Forgive me. I guessed who you were when you used Menthan to speak to me rather than Traren. Shan is the only roc I know of who grew up in Menthanla.” Lanni tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “How do you even know about him?” she pressed. Krina’s face contorted as if the answer pained him. Finally, he managed, “Because he’s my son.” The words hung heavy in the air, and Shan stepped back, his expression one of pure disbelief. “Son?” He spat the word like a curse. “You’re my… No. No, you lie.” He spun as if to leave, but a firm hand caught his arm. Kritalla whispered, “We need answers.” Shan jerked his arm free but stayed rooted to the spot, indecision warring on his face. Loka moved to his side, slipping her hand into his. Krina’s gaze flickered to their joined hands, but he said nothing, waiting, resigned. “Krina, explain,” Lanni ordered, her voice gentler this time, as though she knew he was about to dredge up a painful story. Krina nodded. “Ambassador Shuni and I had been working together for years to get a treaty between our peoples.” “Shuni is one of the merfolk ambassadors,” Lanni filled in. Krina nodded and continued. “We fell in love. We had hoped we could stay together if the treaty was entered. Unfortunately, it failed, and I had to go back to Trarell. It was five years before I saw your mother again.” “She’s not my mother,” Shan spat. “Before I saw Shuni again,” Krina amended his eyes filled with sadness. “It was longer before she told me about you. She worried what the others would do if they found you, so she wouldn’t tell me where you were.” Krina sighed. “I can’t leave Trarell often, but when I got the chance, I came looking for you. A few years ago, I learned of a boy in one of the foster homes with sensitive hearing. I spoke to the couple who ran the place and learned your name and that you had enlisted. I never told them who I was. I’ve returned to the continent every chance I got to find you. I volunteered to investigate the magic block for another chance. I heard your call and came to see who it was. I saw the dragon and thought you were under attack.” Shan’s gaze was unyielding. “Lies,” he snarled. “I know what my foster parents told me. My parents barely knew each other. They got drunk and slept together, and my mother dumped me at the foster home as soon as I was born. She didn’t care about me.” Krina paled, looking horrified. “Is that what they told you?” he asked, voice tight. “That’s not what happened. Shuni loved you. She mourned not being able to raise you.” Lanni cleared her throat, the weight of her years of experience showing in her eyes. “Is it possible Shan’s not your son?” she asked. “There were other rocs and merfolk in Menthanla for a long time.” Krina sighed, shoulders sagging. “It’s possible, I suppose. I don’t want to force this on you, Shan, but I believe I am your father.” Loka put a hand on Krina’s shoulder. “Sometimes things aren’t what they seem. This war may give you a chance to spend more time in Menthanla,” she murmured, her voice soft, grounding. Krina nodded. “Perhaps,” he said, a note of hope coloring his tone. Loka squeezed Shan’s hand and glanced at him, an unspoken message in her eyes. She’d checked the man, confirming that he was Shan’s father. He could feel the weight of her certainty and knew Lanni had also understood. Shan swallowed, his throat dry. “Shan and I were just fishing. How about I cook something up for us, and we can catch up?” Lanni suggested. She led the man away, possibly to keep him from overwhelming Shan further. Once they were alone, Loka turned to him. “Are you alright?” Shan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “How would you feel if you met your father one day, and he claimed he’d been looking for you all your life?” She smiled gently. “I can’t say it would be any different from what you’re feeling. But remember, you don’t have to tell him everything if you’re not ready. It’s your choice.” He took a breath, steadying himself. “Maybe I should. If my mother never told him, if he really didn’t know… I’d want to know my child, Loka.” She squeezed his hand. “Then tell him.” They walked together to the galley, and Shan’s fingers tightened around Loka’s hand. The room fell silent as they entered. Krina looked up, a tentative smile touching his lips. Shan straightened, his voice steady. “Loka’s a healer,” he said slowly, meeting Krina’s eyes. “She said you are my father.” Krina’s smile widened, but he caught Shan’s wary expression and understood. “If you need time, Shan, I understand. I’d like to get to know you, but I won’t rush you.” I’m in the middle of something at the moment,” Shan pointed out. “I understand. Perhaps we can visit once this trouble with the Yarbs is done if I can find an excuse to come back,” Krina suggested, attempting to hide any disappointment. Kritalla laughed.“You said that in front of the most manipulative dragon to ever fly Torthoc skies and who hadn’t met her own father until she was around Shan’s age. She’ll request they send you for some reason.” Morina smacked the back of his head. Can’t you behave? Don’t encourage her.” “You think I didn’t already think of doing that?” Lanni asked, “And I’ll have a list of reasons why I need him specifically by the time we reach Menthanla if Shan wants.” “Don’t rush me,” Shan requested. “Of course,” Lanni nodded. “Like Kritalla said, I’ve been where you are.” Shan looked at Krina.” But perhaps we can talk while we eat and get to know each other a bit.” Krina nodded, I’d like that.” Krina left after lunch but promised to return. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands