With the morning sun only just peaking across the forest’s edge and the wagoneers preparing to set out on what would be our final trek through the Howling Forest, I knew it was time to see what my level two Vengeful Mount was like.

Wondering what the others would think, I looked at the crouching dragon and focused.

Please be something special, I thought as I drew in a vengeful spirit. A mass of spirits swirled around me instantly, but to my surprise, they just hovered around the statue.

Now what? I thought, widening my search. More and more spirits came until a massive amount were spinning around us like a spirit cyclone.

Shit, this is going to draw too much attention.

I had barely finished the thought when, as one, the spirits turned to the east, then dispersed. Like a storm cloud, a massive entity approached, and for a moment, I feared I had drawn Nimron's attention. Then I felt the familiar anger of a Vengeful Spirit, just far more intense than before. The spirit circled the statue as if looking to see if it was worthy, then it poured inside. A ping from my status was drowned out by a mental wind blowing all around me. It felt like a hurricane was on top of us, but the guards and wagoneers just moved around idly, the charbulls stayed calm, and the sand lay quietly on the ground.

A soft creak came from the statue as the dragon's eyes opened wider and its neck uncurled. It stared at me, and I sensed anger and despair that quickly faded. All that remained was a slightly haughty curiosity as the statue began morphing. The dark and gleaming wood, like black steel before, changed to almost blackish green. The areas with scales remained gleaming, but the rest turned slightly dull, like flesh. At the same time, the statue grew and widened as if it was expanding its lungs.

A startled shout came from behind when someone finally noticed, but I ignored it as I watched the dragon stand on its four legs. It had been only a bit over one meter high before, but as it stood, I realized I had underestimated its size when standing. It towered over me, with its back almost three meters high. As it stretched its muscular neck, I could see it try to peer over the wall. Its eyes were bright, glowing with a deep green fire, and as it opened its mouth, I saw a greenish fog curl between flickering white teeth.

Shit, how will I even get on top, I thought.

Don't worry, Est, a dull, dry voice sounded in my mind. I can always lower myself back down.

Stunned, I looked at the dragon that turned to me.

You can speak!

Correct, the voice responded. Now, I had better sit back down before these pesky mortals decide to do something regrettable.

The dragon lowered itself back on the ground, curled its body, and put its head on the tip of its tail. Turning around, I saw that the guards were holding their blades, arrows pointed at the dragon as the entire yard was looking at it. Everyone seemed terrified.

"Yeah… how about you lower those things and don't attack my mount?" I said, wondering how the dragon would react to those words.

A wave of hilarity came from the dragon, and I could feel no anger at being called a mount, which was a relief. The guards and people around just looked at me as if I was crazy.

In the end, it took me ten minutes to make them understand that there wasn't some massive monster in our midst. Even then, some still remained to stare at it. Only when Galir told them to get back to work did the last stop watching the dragon and continue getting the caravan ready.

Galir took one look at me, then the dragon, and headed to the gate to talk with his hooded archers.

Sitting down, I pulled up my status window, wondering what I would find.

> Special requirements met during summoning Vengeful Spirit

> Masterwork vessel and mindscape

> Your masterwork vessel has drawn in the mind of a long-dead Dracoserp

> The Dracoserp has changed your masterwork carving to fit it. No longer may any other Vengeful Spirit be called inside.

> The Dracoserp requests access to your mindscape to dwell within when not inhabiting one of your carvings - Yes/No

What's a Dracoserp, I thought as I looked at the request.

We used to be one of the mightiest races in this world, the voice spoke casually. A small sense of despair and pain followed the words.

You can read my mind? I thought - slightly annoyed as it was one of the things I'd been trying so hard to prevent

Yes, but only the surface thoughts, and only while I am summoned.

I sighed, guessing it could be worse. After staring at the request for a bit, I mentally selected yes. I was confident enough in my mindscape, the power from the barrier, that I would be able to deal with the Dracoserp if need be. Then I looked at the Dracoserp.

Do you have a name?

I used to, long ago. But I would prefer a new one, as the old one only brings back bad memories.

I examined the dragon, looking at its scales' beautiful, dark green luster, and a name popped up into my head.

How about Jade? I asked.

Despairingly short, but it will do, the Dracoserp replied. The words didn't match the weary reluctance I felt, and I frowned.

What kind of names did your kind have? I asked, deciding to take a few more seconds on it.

We were called by the moments we were born, like 'Wind in the summer breeze, or Raindrops on the frozen lake, the Dracoserp said wistfully.

I wasn't exactly sure what to say, but I didn't wanna call him something like 'First light on the creepy forest.'

I'd barely finished the thought when I sensed a wave of joy from the Dracoserp.

That is a great name, thank you.

A ping came from my status window, and I almost groaned as I pulled it up.

> The Dracoserp, 'First light on the creepy forest,' has bonded with your mindscape

> Until you revoke this right, he can enter and exit your mindscape

So... I thought after I'd managed to calm down a bit. Do I have to call you all of that all the time?

Rumbling laughter echoed across the yard, and I gaped at the dragon. It could make sounds? I looked around to make sure there wasn't any more commotion, but to my surprise, no one else seemed worried. Either they hadn't heard, or they hadn't expected anything else. Still... a dragon that was laughing should cause some commotion. Right?

I could speak if need be, the Dracoserp said, as I felt the hilarity slowly subside. It might be somewhat difficult to use my new name fully in this cumbersome language. In my language, it would be Casiron iru Fuargon. You can use the first part as is custom.

Casiron? I could work with that. A grin spread out on my face as I wondered if that meant first light or creepy forest.

It means creepy forest, the Dracoserp replied to my unanswered question, and more rumbling laughter came from him.

Between Casiron's projected hilarity and the weirdness of having a dragon mount called creepy forest, something inside me popped, and I burst out in laughter. So many things had happened lately, so much change that I hadn't even had the time to work through the fact that Eliandra wasn't with me. Like a release valve that was opened, the laughter just continued as I fell on the ground, barely able to breathe from the insane laughter constantly welling up from inside me. Casiron had stopped by now, and through the pained laughter, I sensed his worry and ignored it. How long had it been since I laughed like this? I couldn't even remember.

"Have you gone insane again?"

The cold voice from behind was accompanied by a barely hidden threat which made me sober up almost instantly. I turned around to look at Libidi or Dibidi and wiped my arm across my face to remove the tears.

"No. The dragon just told a really good joke," I said, and a grin spread on my face again. It took all my willpower to stop from bursting out again. Instead, I focused on the Isirow, wondering how I was ever going to tell them apart.

This one is called Libidi, Casiron said.

How do you know? I asked in surprise.

There is power in names, Casiron replied. I can tell you the name of anyone here that has no Mindscape to guard them.

I gazed forward, through Libidi, without really seeing her, as I thought on what that meant.

How much do you know of Mindscapes? I asked.

Not that much. Only that you are the first… mortal, that I know who has one.

His hesitation at the word mortal made me frown, and I was about to ask what he meant when Libidi coughed. I focused on her. Her eyebrows were minutely closer together, which for anybody else probably meant they were frowning at me.

"What's wrong, Libidi?" I asked, wondering how she would react.

"Galir told me to tell you that we are going to leave soon. He wants to know if you are going to keep that thing around?" she pointed at Casiron, showing no surprise or joy at me using her name.

Somewhat let down, I nodded. "Casiron is my mount, so he will be coming with me."

"Then he requests you to walk at the back of the line, so the Charbulls don't panic."

I turned to examine the charbulls. They were simply standing there, waiting for the caravan to roll out, and I didn't see any fear or panic at all. I was about to say something about it when I noticed Galir looking over and shaking his head quickly.

What is going on? I thought, then noticed the slight fear in Galir's eyes right before he averted his gaze.

Right... so that's how it's going to be, I thought.

"I'll stay at the back," I said, and Libidi nodded, staring at me intently. Her lips quivered a few times as if she was about to speak.

I waited quietly, having a good idea of what she wanted to ask. It had been a while since she 'fed' on my pain. To my surprise, she finally just pursed her lips and walked away. She moved back towards the gate, where Galir snuck one more look at Casiron before moving away. Ever since Wyerg had appeared the day before, Galir hadn't come anywhere near me. I started to doubt they would let me stay with the caravan after we left the forest. If that was the case, there were things I needed before then.

I'll be back in a bit. I need to find something, I thought to Casiron. It only got me a confirmative mental grunt.

Let's see if we can find some leather armor, I thought as I headed towards a group of wagoneers.

--

I tried to ignore the slight cramp in my legs as Casiron moved forward. My fingers were holding the edge of a large bag bound to his neck with a rope. In it was an almost new set of leather armor and all the wood I'd not put in the second bag behind my back. The merchant had only asked for a single small knife, something I'd been able to make in under ten minutes.

My body swung sideways, and I gripped the bag to keep it from sliding off. I hadn't realized how oddly reptiles moved until I sat on him for a while. It was a good thing I wasn't prone to seasickness, with how much he swayed.

The edge of the forest is up ahead.

Finally, I thought as I struggled to stand, holding on to the long spines that had mysteriously grown across Casiron's neck.

When I could finally stretch my legs, I sighed in relief. From my current position, I could just look across the wagons. Far ahead, the road curved out of the forest and into something like a yellow hill. I wasn't sure, but it looked like dry grass was covering it.

Those canines are leaving, Casiron said. He'd been keeping me up to date ever since I'd found his sensory abilities were far better than mine. His eyesight especially was incredible.

I nodded as I looked around to find only a few red eyes still glowing through the cover. The Wyergin had escorted us all the way out of the forest. I was pretty happy about that, but I was the only one. The guards and the wagoneers had been on edge constantly, and Casiron's presence wasn't helping.

I remained standing for the rest of the trip, holding on tightly to keep my balance. I had an inkling of what would happen when we reached the border of the forest, and that probably meant I'd have to ride normally again. Standing at any speed higher than this wouldn't work.

I'll need to make a saddle, I thought as I looked at the muscular back. I'd not made a built-in one, and I regretted that.

There is smoke and fire ahead, Casiron said, interrupting my wishful thinking.

"Of course there is," I said as I tried to see what he saw to no avail.

A few hundred feet from the forest edge, the wind turned abruptly, carrying a heavy scent of smoke. I didn't see any yet, but the first part of the caravan that exited the forest was turning sideways and stopping. Something was going on.

"Alright, enough of this," I said as I sat back down.

Get us up there, please.

Casiron sped up, passing the wagons as his claws scattered sand and mud everywhere. The Charbulls showed no reaction, but one of the wagoneers yelped. I ignored it, holding on tightly so I wouldn't fall off. Casiron was loping like a cat now, head forward like a spear. I grit my teeth in preparation for the pain in my legs, but the movement was less painful than the previous slow swaying.

Probably only for a while, I thought as we passed the edge of the forest. A wide sloping landscape lay before us, going up to the right and down to the left. Far down and below, I saw a town. The walls and buildings were black, and even from here, it was obvious the burning scent came from there.

"That's Lertian… or what's left of it," Galir said. He was riding towards me, forcing his skittish mount forward. The hooded archers weren't anywhere to be seen, but if I had to hazard a guess, they were on their way to Lertian.

Galir took one look at me, then turned back to the town. "That wasn't monsters or demons. I've seen armies passing through before."

I frowned, looking around to see what made him say this, but found nothing besides the burned town. Why did he think that? It could have been anything.

"Trust me. You will see," Galir said as if he knew what I was thinking. "Can you come with me to check?"

One look at him showed he wasn't sure I'd agree. Rightfully so, as it proved what I'd thought. He had been planning to ask me to leave after we exited the forest, either because of what happened with Wyerg or because of Casiron. Still… I turned my gaze at the town. I needed to reach the coast, which was far beyond that town. If there was an army between me and there, it might be better to stay with the caravan.

"Alright," I said.

Galir smiled gratefully, then turned towards the town and kicked his horse. It bolted forward, probably hoping to get away from Casiron.

It had no chance.

Stay with him, and keep an eye on the forest and the town. There might be trouble ahead.

Casiron sped after the horse, easily keeping up as I kept my eyes on the town.

Damnit. Why can't it ever be easy?