Chapter 26

We flew for a while on the wyvern's back looking over the top of the forest as we kept moving. Gray's shoulder was bleeding pretty bad, the wolf practically shredded his entire upper arm. He was holding that arm with his other, our eyes met and he met my eyes nodding at me. I didn't hear the wyvern's voice again until we got to a large field with armed guards waiting for us and he started to land in the middle of them. Once he landed we slid off his back and I grabbed Gray before he fully fell to his knees. He was still cradling his bleeding arm, the guards came over and started looking over his arm and making sure I wasn't injured. Once I was cleared with minor scrapes and bruises they focussed on Gray. I heard a different voice then while I was watching them focus on Gray, "Why were you at our borders?". I turned to see a fair toned man almost fully naked, putting clothes on. He was chiseled and had long black hair maybe to the bottoms of his shoulders, I couldn’t quite tell with him moving. He had dark blue eyes that were almost hypnotic. I heard someone clear their throat and snapped back, I became embarrassed because I realized I was staring at him. “Apologies, my name is,” I started but he cut me off with his own sentence. “I know who you are very well Princess Immyria, but my question still stands unanswered. Why were you at our borders?” He finished and although I thought it was rude, I understood the tone he was using.

“We have come to see the king of wyverns. We have urgent business that we need to discuss. However it is also personal, so I will say no more until I have an audience with him. However if you would be willing to give my companion medical attention we would both be very grateful.” I finished and he held my gaze for a minute. “You are already in the presence of the wyvern regent. We have not had a king in quite some time. Whatever you need, you will have to discuss with me or you can leave and my guards will escort you both to the borders. As for the medical attention i’ve already alerted my people and they will be here shortly. I am Regent Neero.” He finished. He was dressed in the same color of his scales, a purple suit with gold trimming. If I tell him what I know and there’s no king would he actually help me? Could I take the chance or would he turn me down? I guess if there really is no king then I don’t really have a choice do I?

“Alright, but there’s a lot of information to go over. Is there a place we could go to be alone?” I asked. I knew I could at least try to take on one person rather than a whole order of guards. He looked at me but didn’t hesitate to give a quick answer. “Alright I know a place, however your friend stays with my guard and if you try anything, high royal or not I will roast you. Follow me” He finished and started walking towards the end of the field we were in. I followed and knew he meant exactly what he said, which put a bit of fear into me as well. When we reached the edge of the field I could hear a stream and saw it as it ran through the field and into the forest. It was really pretty and the sound of the water was comforting. I wouldn’t mind staying here for a while. Neero cleared his throat and I saw him gesturing towards some rocks by the edge of the stream. I joined him. “You have questions and you came here for something princess. Why don’t we get the obvious ones out of the way?” He said not really asking a question. I nodded and sat on the rock across from him. “I have been alive for more than a hundred years, Princess Immyria, wyverns have a very long lifespan compared to pretty much everyone else. Every other species. The only ones that would rival our lifespan were the dragons. You are not aware of our history since we separated from the other kingdoms, but that is because we have our own problems here that need to be handled and no one else bothers with recording any history. I don’t know how much you know about us but we keep all the histories of all the kingdoms and nations.” He finished and looked towards the stream.

“There’s a lot to say, and I already consulted queen Aster, she said you and your people would be able to help if any help could even be given.” I started and paused.. I really didn’t know how to even start or how to explain things. He repositioned himself on the rock he was sitting on to face me. “If you went to the witch queen you must have a serious problem.” He stated with a raised eyebrow. I nodded and faced him as well. I started to explain everything to him and when I was done his whole face was blank. He was quiet for a minute and then said, “I know you are not the true high royals.” I was shocked, “What do you mean?” Was all I could say. He looked at me and said, “I know because my nephew who is the rightful king went missing the same night your ancestors were taken and replaced in their own beds as babies. Yours was stolen in the night and replaced, my nephew was kidnapped and never found and my brother and sister in law died trying to protect him. But we know he is still alive because his life crystal has not stopped glowing, and we know where he is, we just can’t find him.”

He finished and I was shocked. “Why did you tell me that?” I asked. He looked at me again and simply said, “ Because you trusted me with your truth. So from one ruler to another I will give you the same treatment.” This was information I never expected to learn, but it was good. Maybe we could help solve each others problems and maybe they would consider coming back into the kingdoms instead of isolating themselves from all of us. “What do you think of my problems? Any advice?” I asked. I really wanted someone to just tell me what to do at this point. He looked at me and said, “Let’s go back to the castle. We might be able to figure something out. But there is another matter I’d like to discuss with you.” “And what is that?” I asked back. “You heard me when I was trying to get to you. Now usually you cannot hear outside your species. Only wyverns can hear other wyverns in their wyvern form. You are not of our lines that i’m aware of. So how could you hear me?” He asked. “I have no Idea,” I said and continued “I thought I was going crazy when I heard you.” “Something for us to also explore. If you are of our race I would like for you to stay here and learn from us. Would you consider that if you are?” He asked. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?