"I have to get in there?" Elric grumbled as they stood next to the glacial river that ran from the Bluffs. "At least you have scales," Saffron retorted as she shivered violently next to the small fire she had built. She was constructing a small fan of leaves to smudge Elric after he was in the icy water. "True but if this works, I won't for long," he retorted and sniffed at the water. "Well that is why I brought furs," Saffron replied impatiently. Her nerves were threatening to get the best of her. What if it didn't work? She couldn't think like that. It had to work. It had to. "Well get in! I need to get the smoke going and I don't want it to all be swept away in the wind," Saffron commanded. Elric growled as he tentatively placed his foreleg into the icy deluge. He hissed as it licked at his scales. "How far in?" he asked. "All of the way," Saffron replied after consulting her journal. She heard him cursing as he strode further in. "There is ice floating past me," he sa
"Mira," Elric nodded. She stared down her long pale nose at them before inclining her own head. "We have been expecting you," she replied and swept away, her long black cloaking trailing a path through the snow. Saffron and Elric exchanged a smirk before following the princess up to the castle. The castle was as cold and distant as it had been during their first visit. They were led to the drawing-room where a familiar couple sat on the settee. August jumped up and pulled his brother into a hug, pounding his back with his fist. "It's good to see you back to yourself. Not that your scales weren't formidable," he said, a giant smile on his face. Elric snorted. "It's good to be back. Now, let us not waste time. Do we have an army?" Elric asked, his green eyes glittering. #### Saffron stood outside of the large black castle, watching as the snow fell lightly to the earth. She loved winter, but would hate to spend most of her days in its cold embrace. Footsteps crunching on the fro
Its scales glittered in the afternoon sun, sending sparks of light shimmering down from the clouds. It swooped around, its talons brushing the treetops as it searched for its quarry. The dragon's large head swept side to side. There! The hooded figure was dashing through the trees below, its black cape billowing out behind it as it ran through the thick forest. With a roar, the dragon dove, its claws outstretched toward the figure. Branches slapped against its thick hide as it broke through the canopy, but the dragon barely noticed. It would soon have its prey. The cloaked figure suddenly disappeared, seemingly into thin air. The dragon slowed its descent and came to a rest on a large branch, the bough sagging beneath its weight. It lifted its head and sniffed the air deeply, a few tendrils of smoke trickling from its nostrils. The scent had disappeared with its own. The large beast let out a frustrated growl. It had been hunting this…thing for over a week now and this was the clos
The man had thick dark hair that tumbled past his shoulders. Saffron couldn't see the color of his eyes since they were still shut while he slept. Saffron looked him over, pleased to see that he was resting peacefully. The body did its best work during slumber. To keep him from catching a cold, she started a small fire on the other side of the cavern. It gave the dank space a cozy golden glow. The cave seemed much larger now that the strange man had appeared where the dragon once was. The chilly evening air still reached into the temporary lair, it's long fingers reaching for the man's exposed body. Saffron only had her shawl on her since she had not anticipated on spending the evening out of doors. She crept towards the edge of the cave and looked out. The sun had fallen below the tree line and she could smell the hint of snow in the air. Winter was coming and it was coming fast this year. A gust of wind rushed towards her and through her thin woolen dress. She shivered and glance
"I noticed that I was suddenly able to do things that the other children couldn't do. I could run faster, jump higher, that kind of thing. The first time I shifted, I thought I was dying," he said with a laugh. "That would be very frightening," Saffron agreed, desperately wishing to sketch this in her journal. She kept the thick book with her. She used it to document and press herbs and flowers and their medicinal properties. She also had a section for creatures she encountered. She was heavily interested in natural history, despite it being forbidden for women to learn. She learned in secret instead, borrowing books from her father's library late at night. "Do you know how you came about these abilities?" she asked, her earlier trepidation gone in light of her fascination. His face looked pained. "That part of the story I do not wish to tell," he said, almost apologetically. She understood even though she was brimming with questions. "What about you? How did you come to be a…M
"Your future wife you say? I find that hard to believe since I am the one that she is eager to marry," Abbington replied with a smile that did not reach his eyes. Elric strode forward a few steps. Errol and William moved to flank the Baron. Elric's lips twisted in a mocking smirk. "Then why is my ring upon her finger? I see no such bauble of yours," he sniggered, his green eyes flashing with anger. His hand strayed towards the hilt of the large sword that was belted at his hip. He did not grab it…yet, but his fingers brushed the pommel. Abbington took an aggressive step forward. "This is my town where I am the law. What I say, is as good as if it was directly from the almighty Anros's lips above. And I declare, that this woman is my property and I will do with her as I please. A simple token of affection from her whoring with you is not enough to yield a claim. I believe a night or two in my barn here will help you see that I am in charge," he sneered. Errol and William made to gra
The carriage bumped and rattled along the road that was carved with deep ruts from the recent autumnal rains. Saffron was thrown into Elric, nearly landing on his lap. With a laugh, he helped steady her, but he left his arm around her shoulders for a moment longer than what was necessary. She was vividly aware of the close proximity of his body to hers. Inside the coach was warm and dry but Saffron felt a different heat flood her body as she reluctantly moved away from the handsome stranger. His hair was different today than when she first saw him. He had braided the top half while the rest hung loose. Most men in her village wore their hair short but she was finding that she found his longer locks rather attractive. "So, I suppose the proper thing for me to do is tell you where we are headed," Elric said, smiling at her. She returned the smile. "I would assume Runswick," she replied, absentmindedly rubbing her wrist which was still a bit red from the ropes. She looked back down
Saffron's blue eyes grew wider as she was swept into the palace. The polished marble floors shone brightly under the myriad of candles glowing in the large chandeliers overhead. People rushed everywhere, servants in their neat robes, soldiers in their pressed uniforms, and nobles in their finest dress. Panic began to grow beneath her ribs as everyone turned to peer at her as she walked alongside Elric, terribly aware of her torn dress beneath the cape. "I just need to speak with Verita about making sure your rooms are ready. You weren't exactly expected so I want to make sure that the room isn't buried underneath a century of dust," Elric murmured into her ear. Saffron clutched at his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. She suddenly felt very alone amongst all of the people swirling around them. Elric led her down the large hallway. Saffron gazed up at the soaring cathedral styled ceilings. She had only ever seen the castle from a distance and now she was in its depths. It wa