CHAPTER 88: YOUNG DADDY

"I really doubt that," Ronan said firmly. "This is Aeron we are talking about. Do you remember how his fighting skills had grown? He was almost unbeatable."

Yvarra crossed her arms. "Yes, that is true. But don’t forget, he said he would be back in three days. It has now been five, and there is still no word from him."

Ronan shook his head. "Even at that, I still doubt something is wrong with Aeron."

"Five days, Ronan," Yvarra replied "Five days. Don’t you think it is strange? Don’t you think it is unlike him? Even his mother has not heard from him. Remember when he traveled to the capital? He wrote letters all the time, almost every week. But now? No letters, no trace of him, not even news of where he is. I am telling you, something is wrong."

Ronan became quiet. Yvarra continued, and then Dra... she glanced around and noticed some of the others were listening, and then she lowered her voice. She stepped closer to Ronan and whispered, "And have you noticed Draco lately?"

Ronan frowned. "What about him?"

"He has been growling," Yvarra said in a hushed tone. "More often than ever before. He has been restless, uncomfortable, always pacing like he wants to leave. You know Aeron once told us that Draco feels whatever he feels. If Aeron is uneasy, then Draco will be uneasy too. That is what I fear."

Ronan’s face tightened. He let out a slow breath. "You have a point. Aeron might truly be in danger. If that is the case, then it seems like it is time for me to leave this village. It seems like I must find him, wherever he is."

Yvarra’s eyes widened. "You mean you, Ronan, leave this village?"

"Yes," Ronan said.

Yvarra shook her head in disbelief. "You have lived here all your life. You have never stepped beyond these fields and hills. And now, suddenly, you want to leave? Just like that?"

Ronan nodded again. "Yes. If Aeron needs me, then I cannot remain here."

She pressed him further. "And where exactly are you going? Do you even know the direction? Do you have a plan?"

Ronan paused for a moment. He looked troubled, but then he answered. "That is true, I have no clear map, no exact place to go. But I know he was heading toward the war. That much is certain. And so, that is where I, too, will head. Wherever the soldiers are gathering for this war, I will search for him there."

Yvarra looked at him to see if he was serious. Ronan did not flinch.

Finally, he turned and began to walk toward his house. Nyella, who had been quiet all this while, quickly hurried after him, keeping close to his side.

As they were walking, Yvarra suddenly stopped. "I think I just might have gotten the solution," she said.

Ronan stopped too and turned to her. "Solution to finding Aeron? What is it?"

Yvarra’s eyes lit up. "I wonder why I didn’t think of this earlier. Sometimes the answers we seek are right before us and we just don’t see it. Draco. Since Draco shares feelings with Aeron, he should be able to sense him, no matter how far he is."

Ronan shook his head. "The dragon? Definitely not. I can’t get on that creature, and you know it. I haven’t even touched him before, let alone riding him."

Yvarra folded her arms. "And who said anything about you riding him? That is why I am here. All you need to do is muster the courage to climb on his back, and leave the rest to me."

"Wait," Ronan said, staring at her. "You mean you plan on coming with me? To search for Aeron? Absolutely not."

"This is not your choice to make," Yvarra shot back. "And besides, there is no better option."

"There is," Ronan argued. He turned and kept walking. "I will take a horse, get a map, and ride down to where the soldiers are."

"And what if you don’t find him there?" Yvarra called after him. "You know there is a high chance you won’t. You don’t even know exactly where he went."

Ronan stopped but didn’t turn around. "Yvarra, I don’t think coming with me is an option. I can’t allow you to do that. I can’t bear to see you in such danger."

Yvarra smirked. "What is this? Are you worried about me? How sweet. Have you forgotten that I can handle myself? I am good with a bow, an arrow, and a sword. You don’t have to look after me, young daddy."

By then they had reached their house. Their mother and Aeron’s mother, Elarya, were both there, and it seemed they had overheard everything.

"And where exactly are you two planning to go?" their mother asked sharply.

Ronan explained all that had happened and what they figured out, or rather believed, and his plan to search for Aeron, while Yvarra explained hers, about riding Draco and finding Aeron faster and more surely.

Their mother listened in silence. After a long pause, she finally said, "This war that is coming will spare no man, no woman, no child. If we lose, all of us fall. And if a woman taking part in it gives us even the smallest advantage, I will not say no to it simply because she is my daughter."

Then she stepped closer to Ronan. "I know you care about your sister and you want to protect her, but if Yvarra says she wants to go, then let her go with you. She will be of great help in many ways. I know my daughter, and I know she is ready."

"Thank you, Mother," Yvarra said softly. Then she turned to Ronan with a grin. "Well? What do you say, young daddy?"

Ronan let out a deep breath. He looked at her, then at their mother, then finally nodded. "Alright then. We go. Together. Let’s go find Aeron."