Dream of Dragons

prince.” Loren corrected.
“As far as I know, he’s still a young lion. Mane hasn’t grown in yet.”
“Well when you put it that way…” Loren trailed off. She chuckled, and Kae found herself smiling. “He is still a cub.”
Loren agreed to ordering breakfast at the inn, instead of running off in search of Kaiten immediately. It took Kae a while to coax the princess to have something to eat before they left, instead of using the provisions she hastily took from the castle kitchens. She had the gold for it, and rushing out into the wild of the forests and grasslands would be too much of a shock for Loren, even if the princess herself said she could handle it. Kae had her suspicions that Loren was only saying so to boost her own bravado. The girl was scared.
Coming down from the upstairs rooms, Loren noticed the inn was much emptier than it was last night. Only two of a dozen tables were occupied; one by a lone traveler in Kespian silks, and another by a weathered old man nursing a stein of ale. Loren went to talk to the inn keeper’s wife, and Kae stood staring at the old man. He looked like a merchant that came a long way, and his head bobbed as he dozed off. Kae chuckled as the old man’s beard slipped into his cup as he slept.
“Kae, this way.” Loren said, taking the huntress’s arm and leading her to a table. “The inn keeper’s wife is nice, she told me she will serve breakfast once it’s done. We just have to wait.”
Kae raised an eyebrow and leaned across the table. “Does she know you’re the princess?”
Loren shrugged. “I don’t believe she knows. She spent a while talking about how much I look like her granddaughter.”
“Why, are you related?”
“No, not at all. And her granddaughter ran off to Thalassa with a ‘flea-bitten, mongrel, son-of-a-whore’ sailor.”
Kae chuckled. “Her exact words?”
“That was the paraphrased version.” Loren smiled. “She went on for a minute without taking a breath.”
The two shared a laugh as they waited for their food. In the corner, the Kespian traveler suddenly looked up. It was the scholar from the market. He frowned, and recognized Loren immediately as the girl who’s horse spit all over his books. He stood, his chair scraping loudly on the floor, and stormed over to Loren and Kae’s table. He clutched a heavy tome under his arm.
“Excuse me.” He said in a stern tone, and adjusted his traveling cloak over the layered silks he wore. “I believe you owe me an apology.”
“What?” Kae scoffed, staying seated with a look of disdain on her face. “Do we know you?”
“I know you.” He answered, pointing at Loren. “We met at the market. Do you remember? When your horse ruined half my books and scrolls?”
The recognition came fast. Loren suddenly stood. “You’re the Kespian scholar!”
“What are you doing here?” Kae asked. “Did you follow her all the way out here to get her to say sorry? You’ve got determination.”
“No! No, I did not!” The scholar answered. “I was beginning my travels to survey the land.” He shook his head. “I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
“If it’s an apology you want, then I deeply apologize for damaging your wares.” Loren said, slipping into the formal tone she was taught to use when addressing those in court. “Compensation for your damaged goods will be given by the Trademaster of Aldoran. May I have your name? I will send a message to the Trademaster immediately.”
The scholar raised a brow, not believing a word Loren said. “My name is Cassendir. And who are you, that you think you can simply order one of the masters of Aldoran to do anything for you?”
Kae laughed at that, throwing her head back and clutching her sides. Cassendir rounded on her. “What do you think is so funny?”
The huntress took a while to calm her laughter down to sporadic chuckles. “Who is she? She’s only the princess of the kingdom. Loren Cyrael, heir to the throne? You’re a smart man, I’m sure you heard of her.”
Loren sighed, but smiled at Kae. “Kae…You don’t have to tell everyone. But yes, I am. Here, as proof.” She fished out a silver dragon pendant from a chain that was kept hidden under her traveling cloak. Shimmering gold formed the dragon’s eyes, gazing out in a curious stare, reminiscent of Lind’s watchful gaze.
Cassendir looked to the girls, eyes wide and mouth flapping like a fish. He suddenly dropped to his knees, the tome falling out of his grip and clattering to the floor. “My lady! I’m sorry, I didn’t know!”
“Please don’t.” Loren said, wincing. She tucked the dragon pendant back out of sight before someone else could see. “Please don’t do that. And not too loud, please, someone might hear.” She helped the scholar up.
“But you’re the princess. Shouldn’t I grovel appropriately?” Cassendir asked, genuinely confused.
“What? Grovel? No, why would you?”
“That’s how its done before the queen of Kespia.” Cassendir picked up his tome. “She absolutely loved being worshipped. I suppose I don’t know enough of the culture in this part of the world just yet. There’s much to learn.”
“You’ll get there.” Kae said with an air of nonchalance, more interested in the inn keeper’s wife who approached their table with plates of food. Sizzling rashers of bacon and fresh eggs sat atop thick slices of bread. The innkeeper’s wife set the two plates on the table, and chuckled with a knowing smile as she saw how Kae’s eyes widened at the sight of it.
“Do close your mouth, deary.” She said to Kae. “You’re starting to drool on the table.”
Both Loren and Cassendir turned to Kae, who was just starting to wipe the saliva from the side of her mouth. The huntress