BERT OPENED HIS eyes to the feel of Cat reaching back and clubbing him on the shoulder. “What?” he asked.

  “Look,” she replied simply.

  Bert peeked over her shoulder and saw the city ahead. It was at least the size of Wyrmgate, but much more spread out. Keelwick’s main industry was obvious, even from this far away. While Wyrmgate was a compact city, built with tall buildings housing many families, Keelwick spread like a rash from the coast of the sea. Where Wyrmgate went up, Keelwick went out, hugging the coast. The city did spread out from the coast, with warehouses and other buildings closer to the walls, main gates and the great road that connected everything, but it was clearly the sea that kept this place working and growing. The water was filled with boats of all sorts, and the docks filled with even more, presumably being loaded and unloaded with all variety of things.

  The sun shone off the water, making the town look beautiful with the sparkling blue just past it. The buildings of Wyrmgate were built mainly with stone bases and wood on top, but many buildings in Keelwick were more open to the weather than Bert was used to. Primarily wood structures were prevalent, with rectangles of canvas blocking the sun and wind. The whole town seemed somehow lighter than Wyrmgate. A large castle stood at a high point in the city, looking like it was built on a natural hill from this distance. It would be easy to defend in an emergency. The castle looked similar to the one in Wyrmgate, but also had towers of wood and large stretches of canvas as well. A large flag showing the storm cloud and lightning bolt of House Storme was visible even from this distance.

  Bert suddenly realized he had just awoken on dragonback and his first thoughts were not of fear. To that matter, he had fallen asleep on the back of a dragon. It wasn’t that long ago he had barely been able to stop from puking up his breakfast in the air, and now he was able to doze off. It was amazing how quickly things could change. The closeness to Catrin certainly helped. He felt more comfortable around her than anyone he had ever known. He patted his friend Yellow, earning a rumble from the dragon. Whatever else this adventure brought, his two friends were a prize he had never expected.

  Cat guided Yellow into a valley created by some hills still quite far from Keelwick. It was possible they had been spotted by someone out hunting or working in the woods, but they were much too far from the town to have been seen by many.

  Bert disembarked and thanked Yellow while he sorted out the few items they had. He heard Cat talking to Yellow, telling Yellow that he would whistle when the dragon was needed. She thanked Yellow for keeping them safe and wished him good hunting.

  Still, Yellow looked to Bert after she was done, and he nodded to his friend, smiling and giving him a wave. He has secretly happy that while the dragon clearly trusted Cat, the two of them still held their unbreakable bond.

  “Well, Dragontongue, we’ve got at least an hour of walking,” Cat said, starting off down an animal trail that took them in the direction of the main road. “Let’s talk strategy while we walk.”

  “I’m all ears, Wyrmblessed,” he replied, earning a sly grin for using her surname as well.

  “Our goals should be simple. Obviously, the overarching goal is to earn some allies on this side of the border. The Stormes are reasonable people, especially Darian’s mother. She will be the key. We need to act quickly before any word from my father and Crowe get here. News of their arrival at Wyrmgate will not have reached here before us on dragonback. That means, we’re also ahead of word reaching the capital and the High King. News travels there by ship much faster than horseback. So, that is one advantage we must use.”

  Bert actually stopped walking. “I cannot believe how smart you are.”

  Cat reddened slightly. “Keep walking, Bert.”

  He followed her instruction, but caught a smile on her face as she turned around.

  “We also need to convince them to get Darian to return to us. Whatever else, he is a leader of men. You saw him in the melee. When used correctly, he can rally royals and knights to our cause. Plus,” she spoke awkwardly now, “I need to speak to him.”

  Bert simply nodded, then realized she couldn’t see him. “Right,” was all he could think to say.

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  She seemed to struggle with what to say next. “Obviously, they need to think things are…as they were between Darian and myself.”

  “I understand. Of course.” It rankled Bert a bit that they had to keep playing this game, but he had given Cat his word and he would keep it. Feelings could wait. Saving lives was more important.

  “Yes…well,” she continued finally, “we need to keep our identities secret for now. Word of dragonriders has certainly reached them by now, and likely Crowe’s defeat by Mira and the Wyrm People. And you. They won’t recognize you, of course, but they may know your name. You’ll need to use another, at least for a while.”

  Bert felt pride at her words. It wasn’t so long ago he had been just one of many orphans taking up space in Wyrmgate, but now he was someone people talked about. What a journey! “Don’t worry, Cat. I have everything ready to go.”

  “Hmm, well, we’ll be well-to-do travelers there to do business. Not a princess and the person who managed to befriend a dragon and fly him in battle. Let me handle the talking.”

  “Of course, Cat!”

  “Next!” a guard shouted at the gate. The guards had the gate open and were milling around, allowing entry only after writing the names of anyone who passed in or out of the gate. Bert and Cat had been waiting for quite a while. Cat assured him this was normal for Keelwick. “Names?” he asked as they approached.

  “Catherine Cooper, guardsman,” she replied quickly. Her accent sounded different to Bert’s ear. More like the guards.

  “Reason?” he asked without looking up.

  “My father is looking for some new buyers for his barrels and also a new source of metal for the hoops,” she replied quickly.

  This got the guard’s attention and he looked up finally. He didn’t speak for a moment after looking at her, searching for words. “Lady, my cousin knows a man who gets metal from the capital each moon. Ask for Ban Forgeson in the market.”

  “My thanks,” Cat replied, giving a quick curtsy.

  Bert stood awkwardly as the guard looked Cat up and down, taking in her face and body. The man was clearly used to using his power over others. It was gross.

  “Say…I could probably help you myself, fair maiden.” He stopped slouching and stood up fully. “I’m off work at sundown and would love to show you the town. A pretty thing like you can’t go about alone. It’s a fine town, but it has its rough parts, just like any other. I’d hate to see you taken advantage of. I know a good food stand as well, I do.”

  Cat smiled widely at the man. “I’d appreciate that, kind sir. I do have my hired sword here, but a local guide would be much appreciated. We’re staying at the Three Wheels Inn, do you know it?”

  A huge smile split the guard’s mouth. “Of course! I’ll be there as soon as I’m done my shift.”

  “I will look forward to it!”

  “Well, in you go then,” the guard replied, bowing and waving his hands as if welcoming them to the town. “Oh, I need your sell-sword’s name as well.”

  Bert had been stewing watching the exchange, but trusted Cat to know what to do. Finally it was time to introduce Catherine Cooper to his identity. “Berk Nightshade,” Bert replied, adding swagger and deepness to his voice.

  “Pardon?” the guard asked. “Did you say your name is Nightsoil?” he added loudly.

  All the other guards began laughing and looking over at the two of them.

  Cat turned and gave him the look. “Berk Pike!” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “These men are professionals, not like our local guard in little Milltowne. Don’t waste their time with your games. My father hired you to keep away wolves and cutpurses, not the fine men and women of the Keelwick guard!” Her rebuke earned several nods from the guards.

  “Uh, apologies. I’m Berk Pike,” Bert replied again, using his normal voice this time, but turning slightly to show the guard his sword.

  “Well, Berk Pike,” the guard said, writing. “I’ll take your blade.” He held out his hand.

  Bert looked to Cat who nodded, mouthing it’s fine to him.

  Bert removed his sword and sheath carefully and turned them over.

  “Heavy, but well balanced,” the guard replied, surprised. “May I?”

  Bert reluctantly nodded his assent.

  The man drew the blade, whistling as he did so. The red runes shone in the sunlight. “A fine blade, Berk. You must be a better swordsman than you look.”

  Bert simply stood there, trying to look tougher than he felt.

  The guard shrugged. “Well, it will be here in the guardhouse with your name on it. One silver piece fee per day.”

  Cat smiled at the guard and ran her hands through her hair.

  “Er, I’ll just write here that it’s already been paid,” he said quickly, earning a nod from Cat.

  “Hurry up!” a ragged old woman pulling a cart of hay by herself yelled from further back in the line.

  “Shut your mouth, you old bag!” the guard yelled. Then, quietly, “The Three Wheels, then?”

  Cat curtsied and started walking, pulling Bert with her.

  When they got past the walls and into the town proper, Bert looked at her and saw her laugh. “What’s so funny? Now I have to follow you and that guy around town all night? We’re just going to sit at the Three Wheels and wait for this dragon’s droppings to show up and leer at you?”

  “Oh, Berk Nightshade,” she laughed. “You’re the only man I’ll be seeing the town with.”

  He had been stewing in his anger since they started talking to the guard, but her laugh and smile and playful prodding melted his anger in a moment. He smiled back.

  “We’re staying at the Red Turkey, not the Three Wheels. You need to be more trusting.” She took the sting off by locking arms with him and pulling him close quickly, as two friends might while waking together.

  He smiled to himself and enjoyed the closeness as they walked through the dusty street.