The three of them moved quickly through the night. Aaron and Cobra took turns carrying Lucy over their shoulders. It was a painful way to travel but she wasn't going to make things any easier on them by being a willing travel companion. It was possible that someone would come looking for her and being closer to the point of abduction meant they would have a smaller search radius.

Aaron seemed to have the same thought. At one point, he cast a scent removal spell, ensuring that anyone with keen sense of smell wouldn't be able to follow their trail.

The two men didn't stop moving until the next morning.

"We can rest here," said Aaron. He motioned to a level spot next to a river.

Cobra nodded. "I'm going to see if I can find something to eat." He slipped off into the forest.

Lucy sat on the ground while Aaron washed his face and drank from the river. She watched him closely, trying to understand what kind of man he was. Some of his mannerisms seemed feral; for example, he had stopped to urinate at one point during their trip and hadn't made the slightest attempt at decency. Of course she had turned away when she realized what was happening but she would have appreciated a little warning.

On the other hand, Aaron had proven that there was a cunning mind beneath his matted hair. He had taken down two of the strongest mages in the world, and he didn't even have the use of his Dragon King magic anymore. He was definitely dangerous, but perhaps he could be reasoned with.

"Why do you want to become a Dragon King? Is it the power?" she asked.

Aaron sat up and looked at her suspiciously. "No, although I suppose the power is nice." He wiped some water off his chin. "It's simply better than being human."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I hate everything about this form. I hate the way my mind works. I hate the way my body feels." He paused. "I have a few memories of what it was like to be a human. Everyone I loved—died. My parents, my wife, my unborn child… There was nothing but war my entire life. The things I saw… I know you probably think I'm a monster, but I can assure you, humans are the true monsters. There was nothing evil about being a Dragon King. I simply existed. It was as close to bliss as I ever came."

"But you killed thousands of people."

"From what I've seen, I was probably doing the world a favor."

He stood up and walked over to her. "Being back in this form has done several things to confirm my hatred of humans. Do you know how my wife died?"

Lucy swallowed hard. "No."

"She was raped and murdered, simply because men desired her. That is how human's act." He looked down at her. "Now I'm human and the thoughts going through my mind disgust me."

Lucy didn't like where the conversation was going so she decided to stop asking questions.

Cobra emerged from the brush a few minutes later with a rabbit. He looked between her and Aaron but didn't seem disturbed by thoughts he was picking up. He calmly took a seat and began skinning the rabbit. "So, Aaron is it? I don't think we've been formally introduced but you should know that I can hear thoughts so I feel like we've already become close friends."

"We're not friends."

Cobra shrugged and kept working. "So, it sounds like we're already pretty close to being able to turn you back into a Dragon King. We have the blood of a hundred dragons…" He motioned to the wine bag at Aaron's hip. "We have a dragon slayer who wishes to become a Dragon King…" He nodded towards Aaron. "And a dragon slayer who is willing to cast the spell." Cobra touched his chest. "We also have access to Brotan but I don't think our little princess is going to be a willing participant."

"I suspected as much."

Cobra began assembling some wood for a fire. "Well, what do you think we should do about that?"

Aaron raised his hand and a flame appeared. Cobra stepped aside and Aaron sent a small burst of fire towards the woodpile. The kindling caught fire and began to burn. "I haven't figured that out yet."

"Thank you," said Cobra, motioning to the camp fire. "Well, I think I know a way to get our little princess to cooperate, but it's going to take a couple days prepare. Are you okay with that?"

"If you can truly get her summon the First, than I am willing to work with you but we should hurry. I suspect my brother will find some way out of that cell."

"Excellent." Cobra smiled, revealing his two canines again. "And just so we're clear, don't try anything crazy with me. I don't particularly like the idea of helping a demon, but if it will make his big brother gloomy for the next 400 years, I can live with my decision. Besides, being immortal sounds fun."

Aaron looked away. "It's not as fun as you think."