5

The castle turned out to be large, built from massive slabs. Nevertheless, it was well maintained — there was no mold or dampness, clean dry carpets lay on the floor, and torches burned along the walls.

“The torches burn all night. Special attendants watch them so that you can go out at any moment and not find yourself in darkness,” said Micha as she escorted Aliya to her room. “This is the women’s wing of the castle. On this side are the guest chambers, and in the other corridor are the chambers of Lady Dayana de Ipsen, the mother of Lord Dan and his sister Vinoa.”

The corridors branched to the right and to the left.

“In the guest area, Lady Lucia usually resides; she manages the duke’s bank… along with advisors and guests. The servants live on the lower floor. I have prepared a room for you near the room of Dan’s bride. She will arrive tomorrow.”

Micha turned the lock, and with a creak the door opened. They entered the room.

“I will remake the keys for you. As a guest of Lord Dan, this room is now entirely yours for the duration of your stay.”

The maid lit a kerosene lamp. When the dim light filled the room, it revealed walls hung with carpets for warmth, thick heavy curtains, and small square glass panes in the windows. A painting of nature in a heavy frame hung on the wall. There were bedside tables with decorative carvings and wardrobes, and in the center stood a tall bed with dark red velvet curtains. Nearby were a chair and a writing desk. There was even a quill and an inkwell, and a bit of real paper. In the corner stood a bronze statue of a panther, baring its fangs.

“It seems there are no magical items at all,” Aliya looked around.

“Oh,” Micha sighed, “yes, the economy improves when people create items themselves rather than buying them from the inhabitants of the Border. The duke has followed these rules for 20 years, since he took his position.”

“And people actually like burdening themselves?” Aliya was surprised, examining the paper. “They even started making scrolls themselves?”

“Of course! Masters are paid well. Residents of large cities use magical items more often because they are always busy, but rural people are distrustful. They know that magical beings are not like us and could add harmful components — poisons, curses, or spying devices. A human craftsman would never do that!”

“Right, because he doesn’t know how…” Aliya muttered to herself with a smile.

For a moment, it seemed to Micha that the lady had fangs, but she blamed it on the late hour.

“Heh, it seems we are tired. I will leave you to rest, my lady.”

“Wait,” the girl suddenly said. “This bride… of Lord Dan…”

“Hm? What?” Micha widened her eyes. “Her room is next door. Did you want to ask something?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, forgive me, yes, the toilet will be shared,” Micha blushed. “I am very sorry, it is inconvenient.”

Aliya was slightly surprised, as sharing a toilet with a highborn lady was the last thing on her mind.

“Um… it’s nothing. So why this wedding, do they love each other?” said the dragon shapeshifter lady, slightly twisting her lips.

Micha’s eyes lit up.

“The duke introduced her recently,” she whispered conspiratorially. “He clearly wants to improve the region’s economy through a family alliance with a royal official. The girl is very beautiful and intelligent.”

At the word “intelligent,” Aliya snorted. What human girl could possibly be smarter than a six-thousand-year-old dragon?

“Alright, sorry, you may go rest,” Aliya said what ladies of status usually say to servants.

“Sweet dreams!” Micha smiled cheerfully and left, giggling.

Aliya was left alone, and she did not feel like sleeping at all. She opened the window. It was already dark; stars shone in the sky and fluffy clouds drifted by. What should one do after sleeping for 1000 years and now having to sleep again? The dragon lady sighed.

“Hm, this guy Dan will get married and take care of his and neighboring lands, and of course grow richer. And then he will have his own heirs. The family of my former traitor fiancé lives their life, his descendants have settled quite well,” she said to herself, looking into the distance at the very dark forest. “Because of his ancestor, I was imprisoned in magical confinement, and now I have absolutely nothing to do. All my friends have died out, and even my enemies. Perhaps my family is still alive and has gone north… They call a journey in search of a dragon a Sacred Expedition? Or is it just a display of power to enemies? Hm, even my enemies died over these 1000 years…”

Aliya removed the wreath that hid her small horns. From the forest came the hoot of an owl. A breeze blew, scattering strands of her hair.

“I cannot allow their happiness. Just leave while they celebrate? Hm! I need to ruin his love, and then deprive the duke of all his money! It’s not for nothing that I served the king in the treasury for so many years.”

She climbed onto the windowsill.

“So, people here have already grown unaccustomed to magical beings… it is time to change that.”

Suddenly, two membranous wings appeared behind her, and spreading them, she took flight, heading toward the forest.

Sitting in his room, Dan stared for a long time at the hilt of the sword, trying to understand what had happened today. The hilt had a single ruby stone, which needed to be polished again. No superpower could be felt from it.

He had expected to find a magical sword that would grant him strength and cunning, but instead he had awakened some kind of fairy, and his hope crumbled into ancient dust. The “fairy” Aliya had given him this hilt, and now it would be taken to the blacksmith tomorrow. The best blacksmith in the city would see what could be done, but he still had to be chosen. Two blacksmiths had been rivals for a long time. One was local, and the other was a newcomer. Which one would offer the better solution, and was ordinary steel even needed here?

“I should ask that fairy again tomorrow,” Dan thought.

He washed up and went to sleep.

Aliya flew high above the city so as not to attract unnecessary attention. It was unlikely that people would believe it was just a bat. The city had grown well, with two- and three-story houses, fountains, statues, and tall pointed temples of the new faith in the One. To protect such lands and people, one had to be a wise and strong ruler.

She turned toward the forest. If her memory was correct, at the foot of the mountain there should be a lake. That was exactly where Aliya was heading.

Lightly stepping onto the grass, the dragon girl hid her wings. The calm, smooth lake stood just as it had before. Her lilac hair reflected in the water under the light of the full moon. Aliya stepped closer, looked at her reflection, and waved her hand. On the shore, orange flowers suddenly bloomed, glowing in the darkness.

“These are flowers of wealth,” Aliya whispered. “If you shake the pollen from them, gold will fall.”

She carefully brought a flower closer and shook its contents into her pocket. When touching her hands, the flowers produced golden crumbs. Suddenly, the girl jumped up. Someone was very close, and she had not noticed the presence of this…

(to be continued)