Three days passed and the blizzard finally stopped. The three went through ten of the twenty crystals available and used them carefully. Mostly, they were used for food and water. Aries continued to practice his spellwork along with Cadmus' supervision while Giscela scouted around the cave system and used her skills in order to track any unexpected patrol movements.
When everyone was back at the cave, they would have a meal together. Aries would share stories of his time training, Giscela of being shown off at balls by the King, and Cadmus would speak of his time patrolling the halls of his grand palace. Both Giscela and Aries would stop whatever stories in order to put their full attention into Cadmus' grand telling. He would speak of the most luxurious dances, the mages decorating the environment in colors that would stimulate the eyes and use pyrotechnics that would boggle philosophers. Riches and opulence fueled by magic. It would be incredible and so hard to describe that Cadmus had to stop himself in order to phrase just what he was trying to say.
Cinere sounded so wonderful. Like a paradise cut straight out of a fairy tail and Aries wanted nothing more than to visit. However, there was always a darkness to the stories. Cadmus would sometimes have to stop himself, the pain of the happy times cut with the fact that the once nobleman would not return unless it was with a sword in hand.
A month passed. Aries was wondering if anyone would even show up. Villagers were beginning to come up to the cave and drop off supplies. They no longer had to use crystals to eat and survive. Cadmus would sometimes have to leave the safety of the cave and would give an explanation of what he was doing. Usually it was something along the lines of defending farmland from actual beasts. Wolves, coyotes, and bears would much rather find animals that were not defended by a seven foot tall dragon.
When he returned, he usually had something in hand and shared it with either of them. Aries found it endearing. They truly were becoming a weird, dysfunctional family and Aries found himself spending time around where Cadmus was. Partial curiosity and enjoying his company but he always walked around the cave smiling after his conversations with Cadmus.
Aries sat in the living room, his legs crossed comfortably. His body was maintained, the muscle he developed still strong since he did exercises in the cave. Generally, he did them before a bath. Cadmus would watch with interest as Aries did push-ups, planks, and squats.
The dragon took extra attention in watching the muscles flex and move and how sweat collected on the skin. It humored him that Aries cared about his body well enough. Cadmus figured that he would work out when the need struck him. After all, he did live for thousands of years. He had plenty of time while time was a constant on Aries' mind.
Sword in his belt and in leathers, Aries was ready for a fight. He had been ready ever since the blizzard started to clear. He only took off his sword and clothes when he needed to bathe but the rest of time, he wore them. Even when he fell asleep, his sword would be at his side. He had to be alert.
Cadmus was off running errands since it was midday leaving Aries alone at the cave and Giscela was scouting. Perhaps they thought the dragon was too big of a threat or not worth sending another knight in training to die? The thought was comforting. The idea of disappearing to give Aries time to collect himself would be nice. The cave was comfortable and Giscela, who appeared standoffish at first, was starting to grow on him. She would always switch the conversation to courting and made sure that Aries' armor looked well put together. She would click in buckles and polish the metal. Aries shook his head. Cadmus was probably lonely and Aries was feeling stressed from previous events.
Aries adjusted the sword at his hip and looked towards the table. The cave was much more organized now. Both Aries and Giscela made it their mission to organize the cave how they saw fit. Vases were filled with water and flowers set around the table. The banners were well taken care of and not covered in dust and filth. The torches were replaced and the glass clean and maintained. It was the least they could do. After all, Cadmus did change their lives.
A small satchel was at Aries' side which contained the crystal he had been using to practice his magic. There was still a small warmth that radiated off from it and the canvas of the satchel did little to stop it from getting to his thigh. It was like a comfortable friend; a reminder of why he was there. When Aries got worried about not feeling it, Cadmus would smile.
"Do not worry, we have nine more."
Aries rolled his eyes at the thought. The last nine crystals going towards his little bird would be pathetic. If another blizzard came in, he would be more than happy to sacrifice his own practice so they could live. When Aries retorted back with the sound logic, Cadmus' smile would get irritatingly bigger.
"Yes, but it makes my heart lighter to see you happy."
Aries couldn't argue against that.
Cadmus suggested breathing techniques and ways of meditation to make it easier to get to the astral space needed in order to see strings. With all the practice that Aries had been doing, there were times that strings would randomly appear in his visions like spider thread. When he blinked, they would disappear as if they were a trick of the mind. Cadmus reassured him that it was normal to start to see connections beginning to appear.
Speaking of, a string started to appear at the mouth of the cave. One that was pronounced; it was Giscela. She was moving in at a fast pace, her boots were echoing off the stone.
"Aries, Edward is coming. Four are with him. You should come out....Cadmus is going to be here any minute!"
Aries gathered himself. His heart was racing as he launched himself off of the chair and ran past Giscela. She followed him in toe, moving so fast that the tail of her cloak ran against the rock. She had a quiver on her back, a gift from Cadmus and made from the wood of a teek tree. The bow was made of the same wood and had draconic runes carved into the beautiful woodwork.
Aries could feel the bite of the cold winter air on him already. The sky was grey with clouds and snow still building up on the entrance of the cave. It reminded Aries of the time he first came to the cave but somehow calmer now.
The two ran out of the cave to be greeted by four men each seated on stallions. Giscela recoiled, grabbing an arrow out of her quiver and knocking it against the string. The four men were dressed in beautiful, ornate armor. They were from the King's guard, their armor shining. The fabric itself was red and white checkerboard and a sigil of a gryphon wings extended and claws up was patched into the top right of it. Two of the King's guards had bows while two others were unarmed. The one in the middle held a banner which he stuck through the snow and into the ground. His armor was distinct from the rest, a forest green with black checkers and a deer instead of a gryphon.
Pulling off his helmet, the man was lean but muscled. His eyes looked over the cave and he clutched his helmet in his right arm like he was about to accept a trophy. Sword gleaming on his belt, he walked forward to two obliviously.
"It is I, Edward of Barthon from the province of Lanish. Son of James and kin to Brantly. I have come to take my Princess home and rid this land of a foul be-"
He finally glanced at the two. He blinked.
"Princess? Is that....is that you?"
Giscela rolled her eyes. "Yes, you nitwit."
He smiled wide. "Ahh! What a jest! No dress to be seen and you look touched by the elements!"
His eyes moved to Aries and glared. "And who is this...pray tell?"
