"An academy?" Theon asked, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Yes, your dragons are useless if you can't cultivate them properly. I'm sure no one in this village has the knowledge to cultivate a dragon effectively," Prince Elric replied. "If you decide to become an official part of our empire, we can ensure your dragons blossom to their fullest potential."
Everyone's gaze turned to Varkari; the final decision was up to him after all.
"How do we know this isn't a ploy to steal our dragons?" Varkari questioned.
"I offered you this proposal before I saw the dragons. Plus, four weak dragons aren't any threat to us; we could eliminate them without breaking a sweat."
Tension filled the air at his words. They instinctively knew he wasn't bluffing; he had the dragon behind him to back it up.
Varkari pondered the thought carefully. As the leader of the village, their safety rested solely in his hands. His ancestors had always remained free and proud people. Aligning with the Aztez Empire would mean sacrificing that freedom. Yet, if he refused, it could spell the end for his people, rendering all their sacrifices meaningless.
"Don't think about the dead," Sigurd said, as if reading Varkari's mind. "They are gone anyway. Think about who is here right now, alive."
Varkari looked at Sigurd, understanding the meaning behind his words. He turned to address Prince Elric.
"I accept." He extended his hand for a handshake. "From today onwards, the Norrvik village will be a part of the Aztez Empire."
Prince Elric took his hand and shook it firmly.
"As for my children, I leave them in your care. Help them cultivate their dragons."
Elric nodded. "I will ensure they are enrolled in the finest academy, the one I myself once attended."
The atmosphere lightened as both men shook hands. After everything was settled, everyone gathered to celebrate their newfound partnership and the acquisition of dragons, while also mourning the loss of those who died in the Red Tomb.
As usual, Sigurd stayed away from the festivities, watching from a distance until Theon approached him, holding what appeared to be roasted beef. He handed a piece to Sigurd, and the two began eating in silence.
The quiet was broken when Theon asked an unexpected question. "Did Arya get to tell you how she felt?"
Sigurd paused, looking at him. "She did, yes."
Theon let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. You know you're one clueless moron, right?"
"So I've heard,"
The conversation ended there, and they quietly enjoyed their meal together, taking in the sight of the village they had spent their whole lives in. They would be leaving in just a few short hours.
…
Before he left, Sigurd had something he needed to take care of—something he had failed to do the last time he ran away. After what felt like years, he stepped into the wooden slumber at the edge of the village that he and his mother called home.
The wooden floor creaked as he took his first step inside. The once-familiar scent of herbs and potions enveloped him as he entered. The place was as untidy as ever, with bottles and papers strewn across the floor. His mother was slumped over her makeshift work desk, sleeping.
He approached her and gently shook her to wake her. Her eyes slowly opened, and a smile spread across her face as she saw him.
"Sigurd?"
"Mother, you're hard at work as always. I came to talk to you about something."
"What is it?" his mother asked curiously, while stretching to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"I would like you to come with me to Aztez. You can't stay here by yourself."
She smiled and cupped his face in her hands, which annoyed him a little. "I'll be fine here in the village. It's only here that I can practice alchemy to its fullest."
"It's here where you'll be mocked and ridiculed as a witch."
"I don't care about that. You're the only thing I care about." She looked him straight in the eyes as she said those words. It was then that he noticed the dark circles under her eyes.
"How much did you sleep while I was gone?"
She instantly averted her gaze.
Man, she's terrible at lying.
"Were you so worried about me that you could barely sleep?"
He found it strange that she was holed up here while everyone else was celebrating outside; she would usually be clinging to him at least.
"If you're so worried about me, then why not just come with me? There, we can be together, and you can continue studying your alchemy."
Sigurd's mother shook her head. "You need your own space to grow, Sigurd. I don't think I have much to worry about since you have Joyrax by your side. The same way I have Sigrid."
"What kind of son would I be if I left you behind?"
"The same kind of son you've always been—the selfish kind," she teased.
Just then, her familiar, a giant white owl, landed on his shoulder.
"Sigrid." Sigurd petted the familiar on its head. "Take care of Mother for me, alright?"
HOOT-HOOT
Sigrid seemed to accept his request with a small hoot.
Sigurd knew his mother well; he was confident she would survive. He also knew she would continue to spy on him with her all-seeing eye—an ability granted to her by her familiar. He had no doubts she was using the necklace she had given him to make it possible. Such was the way of an overprotective mother.
After saying his final goodbyes to his mother, it was time to leave.
He headed to the spot where Prince Elric and the others were waiting for him. His father was also there.
"Sigurd," his father called out. Sigurd approached him, and the two stood face to face. "Good job on taming a dragon," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Sigurd accepted it, albeit reluctantly. "Thank you."
Varkari smiled. "Your brothers are old enough, but look after your sister."
"Only if you look after Mother… from a distance, of course."
Varkari nodded. "Deal."
Sigurd then went over to the carriage where the others were waiting. It made no sense to travel by dragon since they didn't have the proper equipment. Over the last couple of days, their butts had become so sore that they could hardly sit without feeling discomfort.
Prince Elric, on the other hand, proudly climbed atop his large dragon with orange scales. The dragon opened its massive wings, creating a gust of wind as it began to flap them.
He took off flying, with Joyrax, Aquarax, and Hope following closely behind him. While Sigurd and the others trailed, from the ground, inside the carriage.