[author's note: Telepathic speech is indicated with ~speech in italics~ ]
Alistair awoke covered in sweat. A lingering sense of unease flooded his senses as he scanned his room looking for an intruder. He let out an annoyed huff and rose from his bed. He grabbed the bell and called for Deidre. He could see the dawning rays of the sun peeking above the horizon. Today was the day they would catch the rebels by the tail.
"Your Highness, you called?"
"Good morning, Deidre. I need my armor."
"Two days in a row, Your Highness?"
"Yes. I have vermin to get rid of," he growled coldly as he strode toward the bathing area. He went inside and slid into the hot waters. He let the heat wash away his restless sleep. He felt as if he'd had a dream but couldn't quite remember it. He shrugged. Whatever disturbed his sleep would reveal itself soon enough.
He extended his magical senses, but nothing was there. He took a moment to calm his mind and relax in the heated, healing waters.
~Your Highness, I have twenty imperial knights to accompany us from our elite infiltration team.~
~That is welcome news, Brayden. I want to eat breakfast, consult with Father, and then we can leave.~
~Understood, Your Highness. We'll be awaiting your orders.~
Alistair took that as his cue to get out and get dressed. Satisfied he was ready, he tapped his Father's mind.
~Father, I wish to speak with you before today's hunt.~
~I am in my study.~
Alistair made his way to his father's study in the west wing of the palace. The protective wards shimmered when he passed through them. If anyone other than those granted access tried to enter, they would be incinerated on the spot.
He rapped once on the door before entering. His father sat behind his desk, papers in hand, as he wrote on the morning's reports.
"Good morning, Alistair. Today will be a good day, no?"
Alistair chuckled. His father liked to pose his expectations as questions. When he was younger, Alistair was often baffled by his father's way of speaking until his oldest brother, Aleph, explained what was happening. Now, he had no issues understanding his father.
"Today will be an amazing day for cleaning. You know how much I enjoy it."
"As long as you have fun, my son. The cleaning will be thorough, yes? No more infestation after today, right?"
"It will be as you command, Your Majesty," he said and bowed to his father. "I will not disappoint you. I promise to bring you a prize at the end of this hunt."
His father's eyes glowed briefly as his dragon nature rose. Alistair felt the heat in his eyes rise to match his father's. His magic rippled along his skin, a promise from child to parent that he would fulfill his duties.
His father tilted his head, acknowledging Alistair's resolve.
"Pyre's Blessings on your hunt, my son."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Alistair bowed and left for the knights' barracks. He let some of his dragon aura slip out, announcing his arrival.
He chuckled at Brayden's bellow of "Salute." The clang of the knights snapping to attention was music to his ears.
"Captain," he said, maintaining the formality of the moment.
Brayden bowed. "Your Highness, we are ready."
Alistair walked down the middle of the two rows of knights, critically assessing their armor and weapons. Satisfied, he moved back to the front of the two columns. "Knights, today we capture a key figure in the rebels' ranks. Do not kill if you can avoid it. We need these rebels alive for intel. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Highness!" shouted the assembled knights.
He smirked and leaped into the air, changing into his draconic form. He bulged loudly, announcing to the palace's inhabitants the beginning of his hunt. The knights followed his lead, shifting into their other skins. Brayden made the change last, before gliding above the knights and coming to Alistair's right side.
~Let's go!~ Alistair flapped his mighty wings, heading west toward the desert.
The first few hours were silent, filled only with the gently flapping of dragon wings on the cool morning air. When they neared the Wastelands' boundary, an oppressive heat rose in the air, stifling in its intensity. It wasn't as bad as dragon fire, but it was annoying to feel.
They passed through the boundary, and the uneasy feeling from early dawn stole across his senses.
~Everything alright, Your Highness?~ Brayden asked on their private mental path.
Alistair thought about it for a moment, then opted for honesty.
~I'm not sure. It's the same feeling I had when I awoke. I feel like something is off. Not sure what, though.~
~Should we abort?~
He turned his head to stare at Brayden.
~No. We will proceed with the plan. Whatever is triggering me, I'll worry about it later. The mission takes precedence.~
He could feel Brayden's worry but chose to ignore it. His instincts had saved his life more than he could count. This nameless feeling wasn't one of warning of danger; more like he was missing something that he should recognize. They spotted the opening to the underground bunker with their spy standing out front.
Just as Alistair expected, no mercenaries had been brought to replace the dead ones. Their spy saw them and immediately prostrated himself. They landed, and Brayden shifted to human form. He quickly strode over to the prone human.
"Spy, are you the only guard?"
"Greetings, and yes, sir," the spy stammered.
"How many?" Alistair asked, the rumble of his draconic voice scaring the spy into trembling violently.
The spy frowned, not understanding the question. "What?" the man dared to ask, his frightened gaze on Alistair.
Brayden growled, and the man dropped his gaze.
"Are you daft?" Brayden barked. "How many rebels are inside?"
"Ah, there are five inside, including the girl."
"Girl?" Alistair glanced at the man, his interest piqued by this unexpected bit of news. His magic stirred, and the feeling of unease resurfaced. Could this sensation have to do with the unknown girl the spy had mentioned? He would ponder that later. Right now, it was time to take care of business. He grinned at the thought.
The spy looked up, saw Alistair's grin, paled, and averted his eyes.
"Hmm, I do believe we are done here, Brayden."
The spy had no time to react as Brayden with one swift swing of his longsword, removed the man's head from his shoulders.
The knights and Alistair shifted to their human forms, ignoring the lifeless body on the ground.
"Remember, to keep alive all those we find inside, if possible. If they try to kill you, you have my permission to live."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Let the hunt begin!" Alistair announced, drawing his sword and striding inside.