The sun was unbearable, beating down on my back for the past 3 hours and there were no clouds, no tress for shelter, no shadows to conceal myself in, just the sun. I kept my eyes on the ground, looking at the small patched of grass and dirt to keep my mind from the heat that swelled inside on me. It felt like we had been walking forever, but we had only made camp to sleep three time, that would make this day 5 of our long treck across Alagaesia. I was used to hiking, I loved hiking, but this was nothing close to my pastime; this was just forever walking to the horizon, there were no animals to look at, or trees to rest under, just grass and more grass. I looked up and I saw that I was falling behind the rest of the group, it didn't bother me because I was always behind. Ashley and Collin were walking side by side chatting up at storm while Matthew lead us across the plain.

The first day had been the worst one, Matthew and Collin had fought over who was the lead of the journey; Matthew said his intelligence made him the leader, but Collin argued his strength and skills put him on top. Ashley, of course, backed Collin saying he should lead us, when it came for my opinion I shrugged and said I didn't care. They insisted that I vote so I said Ariana should be the one in charge, everyone ignored me and continued to fight until Quinten silenced them all. He said that Matthew would navigate, but Collin would carry a weapon, and surprisingly that was the end of it. We all walked alone the first day, no one really spoke to anyone else until we set up camp. When the fire was lit, Ashley cuddled up next to Collin, making me want to gag and Matthew retreated to his blanket for sleep. Ariana went with her dragon, Pustrei, to secure that we were safe while Quinten sat staring into the fire. I wanted to talk to him, ask him if he was okay but I fought against my instincts and kept silent.

It has been five days and I still haven't talked to Quinten, I felt like he was mad at me for something but I couldn't decipher what I had done wrong. Granted, he also had been really busy doing his job as escort and keeping us hidden from the people. I remember when we ran into a caravan and we all had to hide while Ariana and Quinten were questioned about their travels. They smiled and laughed, pretending to be on the way to the city for a meeting with old friends, the caravan passed without suspicion and we continued on our way.

I took a sip of my canteen and glanced into the sky, looking past the blinding light of the sun, I saw that two small dots flying above us. Why are they up so high?, I thought right before tripping on a hole in the ground. I spat out the dirt that filled my mouth and stood, no one saw which I was relieved about but also upset me. How come no one noticed me fall? I could have broke an ankle or something. These people are rude.

The hours blurred together as we continued walking until the cool acceptance of evening fell on us. I smiled as the temperature dropped, graciously accepting the darkness.

"This is where we stop for the night," Matthew said as he put down his small shoulder bag.

"Now? We could easily make it another league before the sun disappears," Collin argued.

"If we do that, we have to set camp in the dark. It's not worth it, Collin. Tomorrow we should reach the egg, then we will be able to turn around and start back to the castle before dark."

I saw the red color rise to Collin's face, he was angry and I thought he would start shouting until Ashley grabbed his hand and led him away to talk to him. I sat on the ground and watch Matthew start the fire chant, it was beautiful the way the ancient language was spoken and how it summoned the power to do such miraculous things. Quinten and Ariana landed, demounted their dragons and came to us.

"Are we stopping for the night?," Ariana asked.

"Yes," was all Matthew replied.

"Very well," she turned and strode back to her yellow dragon. "I'll clear the area."

Quinten nodded and then turned to me," Hey..."

My eyes widened slightly, Me? Is he talking to me? "...Hi."

"Uhm... How you been?"

I chuckled," You should know, I've been with you the last few days."

He smiled," Yeah, I guess you have."

"How is patrol duty going?"

He shrugged," It's not all bad. Ariana is fun, we get along really well and I've known her for years..."

"...But?," I could sense he was unhappy.

"But, I'm in the dark here."

"What?"

"Ariana and me, we have no idea what it is we're this mission is, totally blind about where we are going and why. No clue what we're supposed to be protecting you from," he turned to me, his eyes were wide and I could see a hint of fear.

"The Queen didn't tell you?"

"No. All we were told was to get you there and to get you home, no problems."

"Oh...," I didn't know what to say. If the Queen didn't tell him what were looking for, she doesn't want people to know. I can't tell him, I need her to send me home. "Don't you worry, it's just a simple little task, there should be no problems."

"Then why have all of you been so quiet and anxious every night we camp? I know how much Collin has been up the ass of every council member to go on a quest, and no he is disgustingly morbid the entire trip, it doesn't make since," Quinten whispered to me.

"It's... he just has a lot on his plate, I guess." It as really hard for me to avoid question I knew the answer to, Collin was just scared of finding the egg and becoming the Dragon Master, we all were.

"Well, here's another question: Why did none of you bring your dragons? Surely if you had your dragons Ariana and I would not be needed."

"That is true," I said slowly, considering each word. "The Queen thought it was necessary to have stealth, so we were asked to come alone."

Quinten turned away," It just doesn't add up at all."

"Nothing here ever seems to," I said under my breath.

Collin and Ashely returned and sat by Matthew, the all were whispering with their heads together.

"What's that?," Quinten nodded to them.

"How would I know? I'm not in the Rider's Club, the only friend I have on this whole planet is Luna and she's not even here. I'm just...ju-...," my voice caught. I missed her so much, it had been hard to not feel her warm presence lingering in my mind. I had tried to reach out to her, but we were too far from the castle, all I felt was a dead cold connection.

"You must miss her terribly."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I didn't want to cry, so I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, calming my frustrations.

"Come with me," he grabbed my hand and lead me away from the camp. We walked to where Erea lay resting her head on the ground, Quinten stroked her gently. "Erea, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes?"

Quinten did not reply out loud, he must have talked to her through their private link because I stood there in the dark. I glanced behind me to where the rest of the Riders sat behind the fire, Matthew was rifling through his bag while Ashley began cooking, Collin was staring at me. He looked confused and mad that I was talking to Quinten, just like the night of the Ball.

"Are you ever going to explain why Collin hates you so much?," I asked without breaking eye contact with Collin.

Quinten turned to me, then Collin," Uhm... this is not the time for that story."

"It is done," Erea said softly.

"Excellent!," Quinten turned to me," You ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"Oh, believe me, you're ready," He took my hand in his again and placed it on Erea's nose. "Ready Erea?"

"Yes."

"Alright, Alyson... go ahead," Quinten smiled brightly at me.

"Uhm... What am I supposed to be doing?," I smiled nervously.

"ALYSON!? ALSYON, IS THAT YOU?!," a happy loud voice pierced my mind. My warm fuzy feeling returned to me and my head swooned with emotions of excitement.

"Luna!?," my face spread into a smile and I turned to Erea," Luna, is that you!?"

"Yes, Acorn! Yes, it is me! Oh how I have missed your voice."

"Oh my god, Luna!," I couldn't help my emotions now, tears of joy fell down my cheeks. "I've missed you so much."

"And I you, my Rider. Being here without you is dull, but I have taken up so training. I hope to learn to breath fire before you return."

"That's wonderful, Luna. I can't believe that I'm going to miss that. There is nothing here, just grass and dirt and us."

"I will miss out on the adventure you are having, I long to be there with you."

"I know, I wish you were here too, I would actually be having fun. I shouldn't be long now, Matthew says we reach the e-...," my eyes shifted to Quinten who was staring at me with a look I could not read. "We turn around tomorrow," I corrected myself.

"That is news worth shouting!"

"I cant wait to see you, then we can go home."

"The council has not spoken to me on the matter, but I believe our chances are high!"

"That's great, Luna!"

"Soon, my acorn... soon we will be with each other and soon we will be gone."

"I'm sorry, Alyson, but this connection drains Erea's strength, you have to wrap it up soon," Quinten leaned over to me.

I nodded," I'll see you soon, Luna. Really soon."

"Goodbye my Rider," and with those final words, all reminders of her vanished. I felt just as cold and alone as I had before, how did I ever live without her warmth?

"Are you okay?," Quinten asked with a touch of concern in his voice.

I nodded," Thank you."

"It's no big deal, but you're welcome."

Without hesitation I leaned into him and wrapped him tightly in my arms, resting my head on his chest. At first, I knew he was startled, but then he hugged me back.

"Thank you," I whispered again.

Even if he heard me, he said nothing which was just as well, I appreciated his effort to help me. I broke the hug and smiled, turned to camp and began walking tot the crackling fire. It had grown colder in the last few minutes, which was not unusually, the temperature here was so unpredictable. I sat in front of the fire, my mood has spiked; the once grueling, unbearable day had now became a day to remember.

I ate my food quietly while everyone else made conversation, I studied how Collin and Quinten reacted to each other which was quite similar. Every time Collin spoke, I saw Quinten give a small eye roll and when Quinten talked Collin refused to even look at him. What could have happened between them?

Later as I tried to drift to sleep, it was nearly impossible as I buzzed with energy. We are so close to the egg, to finishing this stupid journey. I am so close to going home! The cold whipped around the camp, I drew my blanket closer but it did little to shield me from the wind's harsh bite. I was the only one; Collin and Ashely had each other to keep warm, Matthew had some spell that he used for protection, and Quinten and Ariana had Erea and Pustrei to give them heat. Seeing Erea and Pustrei, my heart throbbed, I was missing my own dragon and even though I had gotten to hear her voice, it only made me miss that much more.