Dream Walker✔️

7.1

I came out of Saefera's portal to see the end of Vance's crossbow pointed at me.

He lowered it with a huff. "Why'd you run off like that?"

I shrugged, not wanting to admit that I'd wanted to limit potential casualties if Saefera was leading us into a trap. "Aster's back."

The half-dragon in question stepped into view with Saefera.

Vance scowled. "Where was he?"

I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell him. He would undoubtedly refuse to follow any plan including Saefera, even if she might offer the safest option for transport to Kadelt.

Aster interrupted before I could come up with what to say. "Sae was working for Ren, and she tricked me into being bait for Mars."

"Oh?" Vance aimed his crossbow at Saefera. "Just say the word."

I pushed his crossbow away. "Don't. She also saved my life, and she regrets working with Ren, right?"

Saefera nodded solemnly, not quite meeting my gaze. "Sorry, I just remembered I forgot something in the lab. Be back in a sec." She disappeared into the void.

Weird. "Anyway, I have an idea for you and Iz-"

Izzy burst out of the tent, clutching Fleck to her chest like a lifeline. "What is wrong with you? You can't just run off by yourself without any weapons. We thought you weren't coming back."

A twinge of guilt made me uncomfortable. "Well, I did come back, and I'm fine."

She stomped her foot. "You're stupid lucky. That dragon's huge." She rounded on Aster. "And where were you when your girlfriend was storming off into danger?"

He explained what had happened, including how Saefera had saved me. "And now Mars has an... interesting idea." The way he said 'interesting' made me think he didn't think it was a good idea at all.

"It's a good idea," I insisted.

"If we trust Saefera."

I raised an eyebrow. "You two seemed awfully friendly when you were gossiping about me."

He rolled his eyes. "I wasn't going to say anything mean to her face. She's stronger than both of us combined."

That was true, unfortunately. "Look, I get that it's kind of out there, but this way, we actually have a chance to save Fleck's family without dragging all of us to Merlin's death lab." I translated the plan into Bontair for Fleck.

"Really?" She squirmed in Izzy's arms. "You're really helping me?"

"I'm going to try."

Aster shook his head. "It makes more sense for me to go to Merlin's place alone. That way, if Sae ditches you guys, at least you'll have someone who knows a bit about the world."

"They'll have the translation amulet. They'll be fine."

"There's a big difference between having a translation amulet and having someone who's been studying the geography, culture, and language of a world her whole life."

I wished I could argue with that point, but he was right. "They'll be safer wandering around aimlessly than going after Merlin directly."

"Unless they thirst to death or wander into the den of some monster animal."

"Look, what would you suggest-"

With a pop, Saefera reappeared with a large coin pouch hanging from her neck. Possibly sensing the tension in the air as we all fell silent, she shifted from paw to paw. "So, uh, I've been thinking."

"This'll be good," Vance muttered.

She cleared her throat. "It would be safer if the group that's going to the more dangerous place has the stronger dragon, right?" She winced at Aster. "No offense."

"None taken."

"Anyway, I think I should take Mars to Merlin's place, and Aster should take Vance, Izzy, and Fleck to Kadelt. I have enough money for fake paperwork, and Ren knew a guy who could make it, so you guys could take the train, and Mars and me will travel through the void."

Vance scoffed. "How'd you know Mars wants to go to Merlin's place?"

She shifted nervously. "Astie told me about Fleck's family, and I figured that's where you were headed?"

"It is," I said, mulling her idea around my brain. As much as I hated to part from Aster, it would be nice to have Izzy, Vance, and Fleck protected by someone I trusted with my life. On the other hand, I would be stuck with a dragon I'd be defenseless against if she had ulterior motives. Then again, better me than my friends. "I like your idea."

"You do?" Aster frowned. "Are you sure-"

"Yes, I am. This is the best solution for all of us."

Izzy glared at me. "Do we get a say?"

"You? No, you're a minor. I guess Vance does."

"Thanks, Queen Mars." Vance rolled his eyes. "With dragonboy and the language charm, we'll be a lot better off than you, 'specially if Sae is telling the truth about her ID guy."

"I am," Saefera murmured.

"See, I'm not crazy for thinking-"

Aster cut me off with a huff. "Did you miss the part where you'll be alone except for a dragon who-" His tone softened to something less accusatory. "-has no experience with humans? She has no idea how to take care of you."

"I can talk. I'll tell her." I shot him a look that I hoped said 'I can take care of myself.'

He seemed to miss it. "And what if Merlin and Ren come after you two, and you escape into the void, and Saefera walks just a little too far away by accident and you freeze to death?"

"I'll keep up with her."

"Unless you're injured or distracted."

"Yeah, I guess."

Saefera's ears flicked back. "You don't have to worry about her, Astie. I swear I'll take good care of her, and we can talk every night through the void, so you'll know if anything happens."

Warring expressions on his face told me he couldn't decide whether to accuse her of something to her face or not. Instead, he turned to me. "You know why this is a bad idea."

I crossed my arms. "And you know why this is the best idea for the most amount of people."

"Right, 'the good of the many over the good of the few?'"

"Exactly."

He looked like he was going to argue more, but Saefera cut in with a nervous titter. "I'm serious, guys, I won't let Mars die. And she'll be able to take care of herself soon enough. We're going past a greater life dragon who can give her her powers back."

"Really?" Aster and I said at the same time.

She nodded. "You didn't really think I'd drag an unarmed human to Merlin's lab, did you?"

"Of course not," I said with a false sincerity that seemed to reassure her. The idea of getting my powers back was bittersweet. Of course I wanted them back so I could help Fleck's family and transform Aster back into a human, but regaining my powers would mean slowly watching them fade away once we got back home. Obviously, I wouldn't put my own unhappiness over the safety of the others. I would do whatever I could to get my powers back.

"I suppose..." Aster sighed. "...I would worry about you a lot less if you had your powers back. We should stay with you until you get them."

Saefera jolted. "No," she said with an unusual amount of force. "I mean, it's in the complete opposite direction of Kadelt. I, uh, I don't have enough money for train tickets for rides any longer than from here to the coast. Not to mention the boat tickets--and the ID papers, which are a lot cheaper if I can get them from Ren's friend instead of a stranger."

"Makes sense to me." I squeezed Aster's hand. "Don't worry. I'll be okay."

"I wish I could believe that."