Tesaldia sat by the horse for a long time before she got up. She had stopped crying, and now she had a throbbing headache. Tesaldia took a deep breath and then walked back toward the lake. She did not look back. It was too awful. Tesaldia was angry at Vyrdaes. How could he let such a beautiful creature be destroyed? Tesaldia walked past the lake then stopped. In the brush a large stone was protruding. Tesaldia went over to the brush and pulled on the stone. It slid out easily. Tesaldia looked at the stone. It was a muddy brown color but it had a strange shine to it. Tesaldia tapped on it. The stone was hollow. Then Tesaldia realized, in her hands she held an egg! Tesaldia looked at the egg. This egg must have belonged to the mare that the dragon had killed, Tesaldia thought. She would have to take care of it now that its mother was dead. With that thought Tesaldia got up and slowly walked back home.

Tesaldia had found a large bag for the egg. She wrapped the egg in a towel before placing it inside the bag. Tesaldia didn't want anyone else to know that she had an egg, especially not Vyrdaes. If he found out she had an egg, he would take it from her she was sure. Tesaldia stared at the bag before closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning Tesaldia woke to the sun shining in her eyes. Tesaldia jumped, as she looked at the sun dial outside her window. It was already eight o' clock, she had to get to castle in half an hour and if she was late Vyrdaes would punish her. Tesaldia jumped out of her bed and got dressed in a hurry. She grabbed the bag, slung it over her back and ran down the stairs and out the door.

Tesaldia barely managed to get to the castle in time. She had run the entire way and was now too exhausted to do anything else. Tesaldia went inside the castle and down the long hallways. She saw Shai washing the windows. He smiled and waved to her and she returned the gesture. Tesaldia looked around. Shai was the only other person in sight. Tesaldia then set the bag down and took out the egg she had found. Tesaldia called Shai over, and he came to look at the egg. "It's not the best looking egg is it, do you know what's inside it?"

"I think so," Tesaldia whispered, "I think it's a horse egg, Vyrdaes dragon killed its mother, I saw the horse and dragon fighting but by the time I got there it was too late."

"You'll have to look after it then, don't worry though, I'll help, I've raised eggs before."

"Really, what did you raise, dragons or horses?"

"Neither, I raised Hyrofers."

"What's a Hyrofer?"

"It's kind of like a giant peacock except its entire body is blue and it has a design on its feathers."

"I've never seen a Hyrofer before," Tesaldia said a little shocked.

Tesaldia had studied animals at her school until she had dropped out and she thought she knew of all the creatures that lived in Falisey. Tesaldia heard the sound of footsteps and quickly slipped the egg back into the bag. A man came down the hallway and looked at Tesaldia, "Vyrdaes wishes to see you in his chambers."

"But," Tesaldia was about to protest when she was met with a slap across the face.

"Stupid servant, how dare you speak to a superior."

Tesaldia's rage burned inside her. How dare he hit her. Tesaldia spun around her eyes bright and her hair standing on end. Tesaldia gritted her teeth and was about to use the water in the bucket that Shai had been using to wash the windows, to hit the stupid man when she realized he would immediately tell Vyrdaes about her power. Tesaldia laid her hands back to her sides and followed the man down the hall.

When they had gotten to the chamber of Vyrdaes Tesaldia was still furious that the idiot right-hand man of Vyrdaes had slapped her. She wanted to use her power to drown him, but Tesaldia knew she wasn't strong enough to do that. Tesaldia stopped thinking about the man and stood up straight. Vyrdaes looked at her. "You will do something for me," Vyrdaes sneered, "I know that you stopped my dragon last night."

Tesaldia looked up but hid the shocked expression, how could Vyrdaes know such things? Vyrdaes continued, "That horse that my dragon," he paused then found a word he obviously thought suit, "disposed of, had an egg, I wanted that egg and you prevented my dragon from retrieving it for me."

Tesaldia stared at Vyrdaes with a look of pure hatred. "That was your own fault, you killed an innocent horse with that damned dragon of yours and I know someday you will pay for what you have done you," before Tesaldia finished the man that had retrieved her came up and slapped her again.

"How dare you speak like that to the king," the man roared.

Tesaldia equally angry screamed back, "He's only king because he can control fire, but once there is someone else that can control an element he will be nothing!"

For a long time the room was quiet and the man and Vyrdaes stared at Tesaldia in horror. Finally Vyrdaes spoke, "Like I was saying before, since you prevented my dragon from retrieving that egg, you must get it for me."

Tesaldia said nothing she just stood. "What if I refuse your request?"

"Then," Vyrdaes growled, "You will be thrown in the dungeon."

Tesaldia cringed, if her parents found out that she had gone against the king's bidding and had gotten herself thrown in jail, they'd kill her. Tesaldia held her breath as if that would help the situation. Tesaldia thought for a long moment before speaking. "I will look for the egg."

Tesaldia was sent to the lake. Tesaldia just sat by the side of the lake and sobbed. How could things turn out like this? Tesaldia wiped her eyes. She stood up and started to walk back toward the castle.

Tesaldia stood in Vyrdaes chamber, he glared at her. Tesaldia had been clever enough to leave her bag with Shai. Otherwise, Vyrdaes might look and find the egg. "Now," he snarled at her, "Where is my egg?"

His egg. Vyrdaes had called it his egg? Tesaldia almost laughed out loud but she quickly collected herself. "I did not find an egg by the lake, milord," Tesaldia said this as she bowed deeply.

Vyrdaes laughed. Tesaldia looked up, shocked. Was he laughing at her? Then he pointed his finger out the door and said. "Take her to the dungeon, now."