"So, here's the deal. I tried to slay a dragon for you, but it freaked out and asked me why I was attacking it. That kind of surprised me, and the beast got away, so I drew you a picture of what it looked like so you could appreciate how hard I was willing to work to impress you."

Prince Owen held up a crude image of a dragon. Claire took it in her hands daintily, scanning it briefly before placing the paper on the table with disinterest. Owen's confident smile disappeared.

"You don't like it? . . ."

"It's fine," Claire said simply.

Owen lifted the parchment and examined his work, wondering why it failed to impress her. He gulped and backed out of the room humbly.

"I'll . . . make a few adjustments. Don't go anywhere until I get back, okay?"

She did not reply, but he took her silence as confirmation that she would stay put. Across the room, Karen shot her an icy glower.

"You're being cruel."

Claire sighed.

"I can't let him get in the way. Every time I focus on his deeds, I forget my own quest."

Karen tilted her head.

"I don't see how that's possible. Have you forgotten your people? Have you forgotten yourself?"

"I've forgotten what I am."

"You're a unicorn, and no one can ever take that away from you."

Claire lifted her head suddenly, her eyes burning with new energy.

"What did you say?"

"You're a stegoceratops, and no one-"

"You said unicorn."

"Did I?"

"Yes! I'm certain of it!"

"Certain of what?"

Claire's face fell.

"I . . . I don't know . . ."

Karen smiled.

"That's alright. The cat told me a riddle. If he's to be trusted, we may very well find your people soon."

***TLS***

Penumbra hoisted her traveling companion onto a ridge, deciding against her previous plan of abandoning him once he had given her a boost. She had to admit that his efforts to assist her had been tolerable, and perhaps even agreeable. It had been a long time since she'd wanted to make idle chit-chat with someone. It was only natural, considering most of her relationships existed for the sole purpose of advancing her mission to destroy Claire. Although she was basically using this man for the same reason, he seemed keen to talk to her in a casual context. It was nice to have a relationship that extended beyond formality. She could get used to this kind of thing.

"Can I ask you what sort of a murder was considered bad enough to land you in the Beneath?" she pried.

"You can, but I don't particularly enjoy telling the story. Are you dying to know?"

"No. That's okay. Do you have any family in the world of the living?"

"Not anymore. They're long dead, and besides, I was taken away from them at a very young age, so I don't recall what kind of people they were."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

"See, I find that odd. I've had family taken away from me, and through the years, I've wanted nothing more than to be reunited."

"Maybe you should pursue that goal instead of trying to kill this woman."

"I would, if it were possible. My mother is dead. There's no way to bring her back. I must avenge her."

"And this woman of yours killed her, along with the rest of your people, correct?"

Penumbra gulped.

"Well, no. It's more complicated than that . . . Don't give me that look! She's guilty!"

"Are you sure you're not just using her as a scapegoat?"

Penumbra glared at him and began to walk a little faster.

"Don't accuse me of such things."

"You have a funny way of speaking when you're upset."

She clenched her teeth, resisting the urge to slap him.

"Idiot. I should have left you behind."

They were traveling across a plateau that overlooked a jungle with no visible border. Every once in a while, a flock of birds would swarm out of the canopy, giving a collective cackle. Monsanto was tempted to bring up the fact that the landscape reminded him of his home, but he sensed that his friend was in no mood to listen to his anecdotes. The silence made him uncomfortable, so he spent the next few minutes trying to come up with something meaningful to say.

"It's nice to finally see some sunlight, don't you think?"

"Yes."

"I mean, it was difficult living in the Beneath, because the only light came from torches and crystals-"

"I already agreed with you. You don't need to explain your reasoning."

He nodded.

"Fair enough. I'm sorry if I offended you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Do you honestly think I care about the stupid things you say? The only sentiment I'm experiencing right now is annoyance, which you can easily cure by shutting up."

He scoffed.

"That's a fine thing to say to someone when they've wasted their day trying to help you."

"I never asked you to follow me. If you think this time could have been put to better use, that's your own fault."

"You're very rude, you know. In a place like this, you'd think a person would learn to accept friendship when it's offered to them."

"And why would I want to be your friend, when I'm going to be out of here in a few days anyway? I don't belong in the Beneath. I'm not a criminal like you."

He did not move for a second or two. Then, with a tight-lipped expression, he waved his hand dismissively and changed direction.

"Alright. I'll find someone else who requires my services. There are plenty of pretty girls in this world. Nothing is binding me to you specifically."

She laughed like a goose.

"Are you trying to flatter me?"

"No."

"Then why call me pretty?"

"Would you rather I say twiggy or pale? There are only so many words I can use to describe you. You don't leave much of an impression."

"No?"

"No. You're perfectly ordinary."

She snuffed.

"I am not ordinary. I'll have you know that I'm not even human."

"What are you, then?"

"I'm a stegoceratops."

He paused, then shook his head in disbelief.

"I don't know why you'd lie about something like that."

"It's the truth!"

"Prove it."

"I can't, or the monster would come after me. This world has changed in a way that won't allow me to use magic safely, or else I'd have done it long ago."

He said nothing. Penumbra quirked a brow.

"Well?"

"I changed my mind. I'm coming with you."

"Why?"

"If this woman you seek is responsible for the extinction of your species, she must be brought to justice, one way or another."

Penumbra twisted her mouth.

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"The stegoceratops are a good people."

"And?"

"And I owe them my help. If assisting you will allow the stegoceratops to rest in peace, I'm with you all the way."

"What makes you think I'll let you follow me?"

"I'm asking nicely."

He met her gaze with pleading eyes, and she knew that he was serious about his request. Whatever she had said to make him so determined, it was enough to have him reconsider their situation. He hadn't explicitly stated that he would go through with murder, but something told her that he was seriously considering her proposal. Assassinating a Queen was a two person job, at least, so perhaps it would be wise to keep him nearby, now that she was sure he was on her side.

"Alright. You can come."

Although she had been expecting some degree of gratitude, the sheer amount of joy he radiated surprised her. He must really care about the stegoceratops, though Penumbra couldn't fathom why. Ah, well. She was in no state to question her good fortune.