-1They reached Ethenum as the sun began to set. As they walked through the gates, Daniella couldn't believe how big it was, and she couldn't help but to say, "Wow…"

Connor looked at her, and smiled; he'd been wanting to take Daniella out to see Ethenum for a long time, because he knew that she'd be surprise to see it. "Is this what you were expecting, Daniella?" he asked her.

"No; this is much bigger!" she replied with awe in her voice.

"It gets bigger the closer you get into town," Evan replied.

She looked at her father, and asked, "Dad, who's this friend we're looking for?"

"He's a really good friend of mine, Hudson," he replied.

"You've mentioned about him before; and I think I saw him a few years ago." She remembered seeing him when she was twelve.

"That's right; he came to visit that day."

They reached one house while Evan went to an inn to find a room, and Connor knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" came a booming voice, startling Daniella.

"Hudson? It's me," Connor replied.

The door opened, and a man came out. He had beady eyes the color of varnished wood, and silky, straight, medium-length hair the color of valuable rubies. When he saw Daniella's father, his eyes widened. "Dear Lord…Connor?!" he said in amazement. "You're actually out of Ferratrur?"

"Yes, but not for the reason you think." He put a hand on Daniella, and Hudson smiled.

"My God…Daniella, you've gotten so big since I last saw you! You were taking care of a foal, am I right?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir." Eclipse, who was behind her, nickered at the sound of her voice.

"Where are my manners?! Put your horses in my stable and come in!" Hudson suddenly exclaimed. He helped put the horses away, and they went inside, ready to talk about Connor's reason for coming.

Hudson's living room was unlike anything that Daniella has ever seen. The floor had comfortable carpeting, and the walls were a soft dark green. There were windows that were covered by delightful-looking velvet curtains.

"Now, tell me why you're here all of a sudden!" Hudson said as he motioned for them to sit.

While Connor explained what happened, Daniella looked around before hearing Abimo's voice.

"Daniella, where are you?"

"I'm at my dad's friend's house. Why are you curious?"

"I was worried." There was a moment of silence. "How long are you planning to be there?"

"I don't know; we might have to spend a night here." She felt his displeasure. "Abimo, this is important; Hudson might be able to help us get to Indygon."

The sooner we leave, the better. I do not like having to wait."

"I can tell."

"…So we need your help," concluded Connor.

"How am I supposed to help?" Hudson asked. "I got my house to take care of; I can't possibly go with you."

"You're the best smith I know; if anything, you'd be helping out this empire. No more Isaac will be good for all of us."

There was silence, before Hudson said, "I have to think about this. In the mean time, stay here for the night; I got two rooms that aren't in use right now."

"Thanks, Hudson."

He led Connor and Daniella to two rooms upstairs, Connor to one on the left, and Daniella to one on the right.

This room was very similar to the living room, only the walls were painted a light blue, and there was a comfortable twin-sized bed that, when putting your head on the pillow, you'd easily fall asleep.

Daniella sat on the bed, wondering if Hudson would help. She knew that he was a good friend of her father's but as of right now, she didn't know if she could trust anyone but Connor, maybe Evan. She didn't think about that for long, for she felt her head land on the pillow, and she closed her eyes, falling asleep with ease.

She woke up at the crack of dawn out of habit, and stretched, watching the sun rise. She took a deep breath and looked around, seeing herself in Hudson's guestroom. Feeling lonely, she tried to contact Abimo.

"A-Abimo?" she said.

"Daniella?" was his response. "What is it? Are you hurt?"

"No; I just need to talk with someone."

"Oh…" Abimo sounded relieved. "You seem worried."

"I'm not sure about trusting anyone else anymore; now that I know why many people don't like Isaac…"

"I can understand; from my understandings, he has killed many dragons in order to make sure that there would be no more Riders."

"Abimo…"

She heard him make a small laugh. "Do not worry; that tragedy is not the most important thing."

Then, Daniella heard someone knock on the door. "Daniella, can I come in?" It was Connor.

"Yes, Dad," she replied. He came in, and when she saw the worry on his face, she asked, "Dad, what is it?"

"We can't stay long; Hudson's agreed to come with us, but we have to be quiet when we leave. Apparently someone told Isaac that we're still alive."

Worry began to flow within Daniella. "A-all right."

When he noticed the quiver in her voice, he asked, "Daniella, what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Abimo, we're going to be leaving," she said to her dragon.

"You are? Has anything happened?"

"Someone told Isaac about us."

Connor and Daniella left the room, and found Hudson with all of his things packed. "Have you told Evan?" he asked.

Connor nodded, and looked at Daniella. "Go get Eclipse and Kricket ready."

She nodded, and hurried to the stable to get the two horses ready, while Hudson took care of his own horse, a bay stallion with a white star. Once they were ready, they hurried out of the town, with Evan not far behind after they passed the inn. When they were out of the town, and far away from any viewing eyes, Abimo and Connor's dragon flew over them, making sure that noting was there to hurt them.

As soon as they had their horses stop, the dragons landed, surprising Hudson. "Dear Lord…I don't remember the last time I saw a dragon like that…"

"It's been a while, let's stick with that," Connor replied, smiling. It comforted Daniella to see a smile on her father's face; ever since the dragons came, he wasn't like himself until now. She looked at Eclipse as she slid off his back, and he nickered, nudging her with his nose.

She looked at Evan and Connor, and asked, "How much longer do we have before we get to Indygon?"

Evan looked in the direction they were heading. "It's a little over twenty miles from here. If we take our time, which we may or may not have to do, then it'll be about a month."

A month… she thought, as she looked at Abimo.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A month's a long time," she replied to him only.

"Are you worried?"

"A little."

He smiled. "You need not to be worried about anything; I am here to protect you, and protect you is what I will do."

She couldn't help but to smile at his words, and looked at Connor, who was petting Kricket's neck. The old horse sighed, and then gently nudged Connor in affection.

"When will we see Talzorth, Evan?" Hudson asked the old man.

"I'm not sure…dear Lord, I haven't spoken with him in ages," he replied.

"Who's Talzorth?" Daniella asked; it was a habit of hers to be curious.

Evan smiled. "That's my dragon; he's been in Indygon for a while, and we've lost contact for quite a while."

"Is it common for…Riders to lose contact with their dragons?"

"No, actually; dragons normally spend their entire lives with them. However, due to a predicament, we were forced to separate for a while."

Daniella looked at Abimo, who said, "I will not leave you, Daniella."

She nodded, as many thoughts buzzed in her mind. What else is going to happen? Will we be accepted into Indygon? And if we are, then will any of the people there betray us?