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"And you have something we want. Perhaps a trade is in order?" One of the archers spoke up, eyes darting around the dragon. "You give us Saya Eneeya of Han Seyanal, and we'll give you the bird." Someone whispered something in the archer's ear. "He might also be going by 'Gold'. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about?"
Aspen growled. Kayin tipped her head. "Hm. The prince for the bird, as well as a hundred gold pieces," he said. "I'm sure you can afford that. And if you choose not to accept, I'll just take the bird myself."
"Hmm, a hundred gold?" The archer tapped his chin, eyes darting between the dragon and the rest of his peers. "What about fifty and a living bird, eh?" The archer gestured to one side. Gold, who had spent the conversation searching for Lekin, followed his hand to see one of the archers step out holding Lekin, a knife poised over them.
Aspen roared at the prospect of his newfound friend having their throat cut. "Surely the prince is worth more than fifty gold and a raven, no?" Kayin said in a sharp voice.
Aspen pawed at the ground, taking a step forward, toward the head archer, blowing a plume of fire.
Gold had hoped that Kayin would go along with whatever the archers were demanding, but they didn't seem to want to. The archers all took a nervous step backward as Aspen advanced.
"Alright, alright. I agree. He's much more valuable." The head archer held up his hands in surrender. "One hundred gold pieces and the raven." He gestured for one of the other archers. They rummaged around in a bag for a little while before pulling out a large pouch. "Now, the prince first." The head archer accepted the pouch and turned to Kayin.
Kayin slid off of Aspen's back and yanked a knife out of the sheath on his thigh, and marched right up to the lead archer, took the bag of gold, then stabbed the wrist of the one holding Lekin and then promptly turned back to Aspen.
"Any objections? I'm sure Aspen would have no trouble assuaging your fears."
Aspen roared in agreement.
Gold was glad that it looked like Kayin was cooperating with the archers. He kept his eyes on Lekin, only noticing that Kayin was not cooperating with the archers anymore when they stabbed the wrist of Lekin's captor.
"What are you doing?" Gold exclaimed, turning to look at Kayin in horror. The archer holding Lekin started screaming, or at least that's what Gold thought they were doing, and moved to stab Lekin. "You idiot! Insul ajix." Gold lept off the dragon, flinging his hands towards the archer as he did. Magic poured through his body, probably more than he needed to use. The archer collapsed to the ground, finding that they could no longer move any of their limbs… or see, or hear. He might have gone a bit overboard. But Lekin was safe. Gold scooped the bird into his arms, glad to find them relatively unharmed.
"Oh, dear. I had that under control," Kayin said, sounding mildly disappointed.
Aspen inspected the archer on the ground. He isn't dead, is he? the dragon asked.
"I doubt it. He looks quite miffed."
True, Aspen conceded.
"Really, Gold, if you tell me to cooperate, do you think I'm going to do it?"
Gold wasn't paying attention to Kayin, all his focus turned on Lekin. "Lo, Lekin, nanar. Jeia sa vet daoa." When Lekin didn't move, Gold decided to give them a little magic. Just in case. "Oh, I'm awake, I'm awake! No need to shock me!" Lekin exclaimed, flapping out of Gold's grasp. He let out a huge sigh of relief, suddenly realizing that Kayin was talking to him.
"Well, it really was a stretch. But did you have to be so reckless? Lekin nearly got killed!" Gold whirled on her, eyebrows drawing into a glare.
"As I said before, I had that under control. I am not reckless." Kayin swung himself up onto Aspen's back, grabbing the reins and made sure she had all their knives. "Now, I can leave you here, if you so wish, or you can come with me again. It's entirely your choice." They tied the sachet of gold to their belt and looked at Gold.
"Right. Sure." Gold sighed heavily. He really, really wanted to leave. But… if Kayin left, then Gold would be all alone with no idea where he was. Again. "I'm coming, I'm coming," He grumbled, climbing back onto Aspen's back. "Stay close, Lekin. I don't want that to happen again."
“Lekin is welcome to ride on Aspen’s back if they so wish,” Kayin said. “And the sarcasm was uncalled for.”
"Oh, yes please." Lekin swooped down to land on Aspen's back. Gold let out a slight sigh of relief, glad that he would be able to keep an eye on the bird. "Was it? I don't think it was."
“Really, is it any wonder we don’t get along.” Kayin scowled inwardly, signalling for Aspen to take off.
Gold made a face at the back of Kayin's head but decided that saying anything else would just make everything worse. He didn't want to be fighting the entire way.
“Where to next, my liege?” Kayin said, glancing backward at Gold, a dry edge to her tone.
"The nearest town." Gold gave him a sharp look when she looked back. "Can you not call me that? It sounds weird."
“I don’t have any inclination to obey you. Liege or not, you don’t rule this kingdom.” Kayin gave Gold a crooked grin.
Gold resisted the very powerful urge to hit Kayin in the face, instead closing his eyes for a second. "Ajix jeia." Gold replied, forcing a serene expression onto his face. Kayin was doing this on purpose, and giving in would be playing into their hands. He just had to relax. Kayin shouldn't be getting so much under his skin, anyway. He'd dealt with worse, but here he was. Wanting to attack her.
“Do I annoy you that much?” Kayin said, their amusement growing. “Oh, dear. That’s hilarious.”
Gold chose not to answer, as he was pretty sure whatever he said would only make this even worse than it already was. He had no idea why Kayin was so annoying to him. Why he seemed to be able to make him snap so easily.
"You're welcome to go ahead and attack me," Kayin said. "I saw what you did with that archer. I know you can mess me up pretty good."
"Yes, of course, what a great idea. Attack the person with the dragon while I'm on the dragon in the sky. That won't end up badly at all," Gold said quickly, mostly to convince himself that it was a bad idea.
"That's what you were thinking, though," Kayin pointed out, not unkindly. "Wasn't it? I suppose I can't blame you. And you're right, it's a horrid idea, I just thought I'd give you some options."
"Maybe I was." Gold gritted his teeth. "If it was a horrid idea, why did you suggest it in the first place? Do you really want a midair fight so badly? Hoping I was stupid enough to take the bait?"
“I was appealing to your emotions,” Kayin said with a tilted grin. “And as I’ve said so many times before, I will not let you fall off my dragon.”
"My emotions… right." Gold was running out of ways to be angry that wasn't attacking Kayin. "You've said that many times, but I am yet to actually believe you."
"I wouldn't!" Kayin protested. "If I were going to kill you, I'd do it myself, with a knife. I wouldn't let you fall to your death. That's terribly messy."
"Less messy than stabbing me?" Gold raised his eyebrows. "Pushing me off just takes a little shove and then I'm gone forever. Seems easier."
“Eh. I’d rather see the light fade from your eyes,” Kayin said, with a wide grin that revealed his pointed canines. “And if I didn’t want people to find you, a quick stab and toss into the ocean works much better. Take it from an assassin.”