I have some good news! I have planned out how I want the rest of this story to go, and may even be planning a sequel in the future… You'll just have to wait and see! I am actually some chapters ahead at the moment writing this, so even with finals coming up, I can still hopefully release chapters on a regular basis.

Hope you enjoy this! This was another of my favorite chapters to write.

Chapter 11: A Truth Revealed

Two weeks of hard travelling cursed them, as they continued the trek north, following the Spine. The monotony was difficult for Phineas, and it continued to grind its annoyance into him. He was forced to lift the stone he had everyday with magic, each time causing him stress. Towards the end of the two weeks, however, he could keep it floating in the air for almost a full two minutes before his loss of focus and strength made him cut it off. Varen still kept instructing him on history, now focusing more on the responsibilities of riders, from peacekeeping, to fighting, to healing, and everything in between.

The only reprieve he had was with Vervada. They spent all the time they could talking, learning what it meant to be dragon and rider, while also deepening their connection and understanding of one another. It was joyous for Phineas. He had never been so close to anyone ever.

When two weeks had passed since leaving Nerghain, Phineas and Veran stood on a hilltop midday, overlooking the town of Yazuac. They had purposely attempted to avoid human contact as best as possible, but their provisions were running thin. They had skirted the town of Daret, hoping they could last a bit longer, but by the next day, it was obvious they needed to stop at Yazuac, as their last supplies had run out.

"Be careful in Yazuac. Remember, you are an important dragon rider. You must not put yourself in danger. If you find yourself in a bad situation, run. Don't attempt to stand and fight. You are still not ready for it, even though you have a decent aim with a bow." Veran instructed.

Phineas nodded, and the two of them set off down the road toward Yazuac, leaving Vervada behind. They entered the town from the southwest, donning their cloaks so they would not be recognized. "Meet me back here in one hour," Veran said, "Do what you feel, but stay inconspicuous. I have some things to take care of, and I will gather new provisions." And he trotted away toward the other side of town.

Phineas walked around for a little bit, before stopping outside a tavern. Why don't I have a glass of mead. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. He hopped off Fury, tying him to a post outside and headed in.

The air was thick with a strong stench, but surprisingly the tavern was mostly empty, save for a small group of three farmers sitting on a table in the corner. Phineas walked up to the counter, still a bit wary.

"Welcome traveler! The name's Marcus. Can I get you anything?"

"I'll take some mead," Phineas stated, sliding a few coins onto the table. Marcus went scurrying around, grabbing a mug and filling it to the brim with the frothy liquid, before handing it over to Phineas, pocketing the coins that were laid on the table. Phineas leaned back, happy to enjoy the mead. It was the first time he had to relax since Vervada hatched almost a full month prior.

"Sorry the town is not the beauty it once was. It was bustling ten years ago, but people have started moving to the larger cities like Ceunon and Gil'ead. It's been strange though. In the past week or so, more and more soldiers keep coming into the city. And just the other day, they started posting up wanted posters all over town." Marcus spoke.

"Who are they looking for?" Phineas asked.

"I don't know. I'm not a man of reading so I haven't bothered looking at them. Word from my patrons is that they're after some elf. I don't know. Apparently he's wanted for treason? According to word of mouth, it's heard he kidnapped the son of an earl close to the king. I'm not sure all the details. But, the men tend to exaggerate a bit, so I pay it no mind."

A slight twinge of panic shot through Phineas. He wondered if they were referring to himself and Varen. "Where is this notice board where these posters are?" he asked.

"Take a right when you leave and straight down the street. You can't miss it."

"Thanks." And Phineas quickly got out of his chair and headed toward the door.

"Hey sir!" Marcus yelled after him, "You didn't finish your mead!"

"Don't need it." Phineas burst out of the room into the blaring daylight. He mounted Fury and hurried him down the street for the notice board. It was not one hundred yards from the tavern and easy to find. He jumped off Fury, and scanned the board. What he saw made him froze.

It was a wanted poster for Varen. The drawing hit his features perfectly, from his scowling slanted eyes to his long white hair. The poster said he was wanted for treason against the crown for kidnapping Phineas, being that he was the son of Lord Antor. Phineas glanced over to the right. He gasped. He saw a perfect likeness of himself, smoothed out next to Varen's own drawing. It described him as a lost person, with a substantial reward of ten thousand crowns each offered for Varen's capture and the safe return of Phineas. He glanced down the street a ways and saw a group of soldiers marching his way. He cursed. He needed to warn Varen and get out of town.

Vervada! He called out with his mind, hoping she was close enough to hear him.

What is it? She answered, sensing his tense emotions.

Find Varen for me. I think we're in grave danger. We need to leave as soon as possible.

What's going on? Never mind. Tell me later. I'm going to contact Varen. Stay safe Phineas!

She released contact, and Phineas leaped onto Fury, putting him in a quick trot away from the soldiers, rounding a corner and stopping, hoping to hide out without being caught. He looked back around the corner, but the soldiers had diverted course some ways back. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Phineas! Vervada spoke to him I talked with Varen. He wants you to meet him outside the town to the north. Do not attract attention to yourself! They don't know you and Varen are here, so don't give yourself away.

Wait! How did you contact Varen?

There's no time to explain! You must leave now!

Phineas grunted, and nudged Fury forward into a gallop, rounding the corner back and headed north, careful to keep his head down. Unfortunately, he had neglected to look where he was going. Another group of soldiers had double backed, now walking on the cross street to the one Phineas was on.

They crossed right in front of Fury, throwing the horse off balance. It reared back on it's hind legs, throwing Phineas off the saddle and into the dirt, throwing off his hood. The soldiers stepped backward in a tumble to avoid Fury, who panicked, and took off in the direction they were heading, leaving Phineas on his own.

"It's him!" A soldier shouted, pointing at Phineas. Phineas gave the soldiers no time to think, as he pulled himself to his feet, and he took off sprinting in the opposite direction from the soldiers. "Get him!" the captain yelled. And, the whole squad pulled themselves up and gave chase.

Phineas ran through the town as fast as he could, weaving in and out of alleyways to hopefully lose his pursuers. Vervada! I need help! Soldiers are chasing me and I've lost Fury!

I'm coming Phineas!

No! We don't want to reveal you to everyone yet!

There's no time to argue!

Phineas cursed and forced himself to run faster, but the soldiers who were more fit, were gaining on him. He rounded another corner and found himself facing the same square as Marcus' tavern. Damnation! I've gone in a circle. He realized, and continued running, panting the whole way. His hopes were dashed when another group of soldiers charged out of a cross street thirty yards ahead of him, forming their ranks across the street, blocking his only escape route.

He turned back, only to see the soldiers chasing him catch up, mirroring the other squad, blocking all chances of escape. Phineas looked left and right, hoping for anything he could find, but he was stuck in the middle of the street with large brick walls on either side and soldiers blocking both exits to the street.

The captain stepped out in front of his men from one side, clearing his throat. "Young Phineas! We mean not to hurt you. We only wish to return you to your father in Illrea. Surrender now, and no harm will come to you. I promise."

"I'll never go back to Illrea!" Phineas shouted in defiance.

"I wish it wouldn't come to this. Whether you like it or not, you will be coming with us." The captain signaled to his men, who slowly closed the gap toward Phineas. Phineas pulled out his bow, expecting the worst, but willing to go down fighting with every breath left in his body.

Phineas get on! Vervada yelled into his head.

Wha…?

CRASH! A jarring impact smashed the earth, as Vervada hit the ground from above, staggering Phineas. He looked behind him. The soldiers stopped immediately as soon as they saw Vervada, mouths agape. Phineas gave them no time to react, scrambling up Vervada's violet leg and pulling himself up to the nook in between her neck and shoulders, grasping the spike in front of him with all his might.

Hold on! She yelled back at him. And with a few strong wing flaps, she gained altitude, soaring above Yazuac and the astonished spectators below. Looking at the ground far below him made Phineas extremely dizzy, so he focused on the neck scales in front of him, hoping not to be sick.

She turned course and started heading straight north, leaving Yazuac far behind. What about Veran? And Fury? He asked.

Veran is still alive. He got caught up in the commotion, and with the soldiers swarming, he was recognized. He barely had time to contact me before he had to escaped with soldiers on horseback racing after him. He told me that we need to meet him on the most southern tip of the Atnora river, some leagues north of here.

What about Fury?

I'm sorry Phineas. The horse got scared and galloped away. And since we had to leave town so quickly, neither myself or Varen had time to locate it.

A tear brimmed in Phineas' eye. Fury was one of Illrea's finest ever bred. And now, he was lost to them. Wait. He said. How can you talk to Varen? Can you touch his mind as well like we do?

In a way yes. But it is different. You and I are linked, so our bond is stronger. With some training, you can reach out to other beings' minds. It's harder to do than with you and me. Ask Varen about it when we meet up with him and all this is behind us. One more thing. Don't clench too hard with your legs, or you'll cut them up against my rough scales.

Phineas gulped, adjusting himself on Vervada's neck. He clung to the neck spike in front of him, as Vervada's wings maintained a constant rhythm. Vervada had been revealed that day, and Phineas knew that word would spread quickly of a new dragon rider in the land, and that he was the son of the Right hand man to the king.

Everything would change. Phineas only hoped that things would turn toward the better, as he and Vervada flew off into the unknown.