Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Gathering Fire for the Future
A sliver of dawn slipped over Lowmoor's east wall, staining frost-tipped rooftops peach and pale gold. Zephyr leaned on the parapet of the abandoned observation tower, Star perched on his shoulder inside a wool-lined cowl. The hatchling's scales gleamed faintly beneath the cloth, silver eyes following every bird in the winter sky.
Below, the academy stirred. Caretakers hauled feed carts; first-year tamers hurried to drills; two unfamiliar men—hard-jawed, cloaks too fine for staff—loitered near the eastern arch. Dragon Sense traced subtle mana threads clinging to their belts, the signature of Guild scouts. The watchers Seer Kalthis had promised.
Zephyr's gut tightened. They will stay until they find a flaw.
Star nudged his cheek, humming a quiet note. Zephyr stroked the little dragon's neck. "We have work to do, small scout. Forty days isn't long."
He descended the tower and crossed frost-slick flagstones to the supply yard, where a cart already stood hitched to an old mule. Grent barked orders while swinging sacks of grain onto the flat bed.
"Valorian!" the grizzled caretaker called. "You're late. We ride into Hollowford for winter minerals—feed stores say we're low." His scarred hands tossed a ledger. "You keep count, I keep the mule alive. Deal?"
Zephyr climbed aboard, cloak drawn tight. A trip outside the walls—chance to gather rarities for Star's growth.
The mule plodded along a rutted road dusted in white. Pines bowed under snow; distant peaks shimmered with fresh ice. Star rested warm against Zephyr's ribs, hidden. Two hours later Hollowford appeared: a huddle of timber inns and smoky taverns around a moss-grown bridge. Market stalls lined the square, flames from brazier pans chasing off the chill.
Grent unloaded standard feed from the cart and haggled noisily for salt blocks. Zephyr slipped away, following memory of a note Wren once muttered: "Old Binder's mineral booth sells decent sunstone grit."
Down a narrow alley he found a canvas awning. Inside, boxes overflowed with raw crystals—fiery orange sunstone shards, violet charrock, green mana-salt. An elderly vendor raised wiry brows. "Caretaker coin or Guild seal?"