The Challenge

In the clearing Phineas smirked when he saw her dragon coming out in her. That she could summon it's help without knowing anything was quite impressive. If she had had the proper training since she was young, she might have been able to do what she had in ten years. Being able to shift only part of ones body was a treat reserved for royalty and as such took longer to master. He couldn't imagine shifting her hands back to being hands would be much different than shifting as the nonroyal dragons did.

With his human hands he held Alexa's in his own. "Take a deep breath," he instructed, demonstrating by breathing with her as he had taught her before to calm her emotions down. "Close your eyes," he added afterwards and watched as she did so. "Imagine your hands as you know them. Human. Skin. Your fingers. Your nails. Everything that you can remember about your hands." His voice was soothing, calming not only to her but the slaves that were starting to edge out of the trees and back into the clearing. Shortly after she closed her eyes Phineas smiled. "Open your eyes."

Alexa did as directed and opened her eyes, immediately looking to her paws. Well, hands! They were hands again! She smiled proudly. She hadn't even felt the shifting that had happened whenever it did. Smiling up at her fake father she nodded her thanks. "I hope mom won't mind. I… promised these people a meal," she admitted to him.

Phineas just laughed and shook his head. Her kindness would serve her well when she became the ruler this kingdom needed. "Well then let's get back and do so," he said simply. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder to Jacks' horror and walked back towards the edge of the clearing where they would have to walk to get to the house.

Charles was standing there looking shell shocked. His mouth was agape and his eyes were wide, never leaving Sar - Alexa! When she and Phineas were close, he finally realised that she was this princess they were talking about and gave a clumsy half bow.

Alexa saw what he was doing and rolled her eyes. "Don't be dumb," she said simply.

Charles gave a half laugh before turning and running to walk just beside her, Misty's reins in his hand.

The walk home was mostly uneventful. One of the slaves stepped on a thin thorn accidentally and couldn't walk without limping. It was an easy decision to put this woman on Misty's back and let her ride the rest of the way. No one else was doing so. The procession continued with Phineas and Alexa in the front, Charles often beside them but falling behind if the path turned out to be too thin. Jacks made sure to stay at the back the entire time, wanting to protect them from behind if needed. Truth be told he saw no point in worrying about all these humans. It would have been much faster and easier for the three of them to shift back into dragons and fly back to the house to pick up Gemma and be off for the Imperial City. But that was not the way this was planned. Phineas outranked him and so Jacks bided his time, merely protecting the princess as best he could while they walked.

When they arrived back at home, Gemma immediately began cooking for the many mouths she hadn't planned to feed. But tonight it would be a feast. They were leaving in the morning, Phineas had told her and Jacks privately, so they didn't need to leave much food behind. A chicken was cooked, most of the vegetables from storage were pulled up, and there was all the leftover bread from the market that was sliced thickly for all to share.

Quiet conversation filled the home while many of the slaves told stories about where they were from and how they planned on getting back there now that they were free. Anymore talk about Alexa being a lost princess was stalled for now. The less people that knew details of their plans the better. Dinner came and went. Charles took the free slaves into town to help find them beds and possibly work for when the morning came.

Once it was only those of dragonblood left in the house, there was a feeling of excitement in the air. Well, at least from the three that knew about their heritage. Alexa merely sat there and looked around at them all, not entirely sure what to say. It was Gemma that first broke the silence. "Your father will be so happy to see you again, Princess Alexa."

Phineas gave a happy laugh at that. "Might not be too fond of us when we return. If you can, try to remember to call us Phineas and Gemma from now on, I'm sure it will help," he offered.

Alexa shook her head at them all. "So...all those stories about a princess and the dragon king losing his daughter. Those were all about...me?" she asked. For years when she was young they had told her bedtime stories about this little princess and how she had to be hidden before she was able to save the world. Of course, none of those stories were about half dragon half vampire princesses. But they were her story, it seemed. A nod from them both was the only confirmation she needed.

Jacks jumped in at this opportunity. "King Freryr has been preparing for your return. While he understands you haven't been trained properly in the ways of the court, nor in any fighting style, he hopes that you will be able to assist shortly after your return."

Both Phineas and Alexa looked at Jacks with rather offended looks, Gemma kept her eyes down but couldn't hide the smirk. "I'll have you know that she has indeed been trained in fighting styles," Phineas told him simply. "You didn't think I would leave the crowned ruler to the nation defenseless, did you?"

Jacks was surprised at this and seemed to start backpedaling rather quickly. "I… I had just assumed that...As you wanted to stay hidden. Swords are not easy to come by," he started rambling.

"Who needs a sword?" Alexa asked. "Let's go outside now. You use your sword and I will still out fight you," she challenged.

Jacks looked at her surprised. He gulped. Sure he was a dragon and had a hyde like no other. But she was also part vampire. Surely this wasn't intended to be a fair fight. "Your grace… I couldn't-" he started but was interrupted.

"No. You can," Phineas said, amused. "No one here will tell the King if you manage to hit his daughter."

Jacks looked in shock between the two.