It was the day of his thirteenth birthday and Tarc was awake before the sun was up. The night was filled with fitful dreams and he had a nagging feeling that something was definitely wrong. Jaden was up and fully awake, pestering for her breakfast before his feet could even hit the floor. She had certainly grown a lot over the past year and honestly was too large to still be sleeping at the foot of his bed. However she insisted on it and he had learned to trust her. She had never led him wrong . Secretly he thought she just didn't want to sleep alone outdoors but he didn't say so. It was, after all such a small thing to grant her and he really did enjoy her company, especially late at night when he had trouble sleeping. The family had to make a few modifications to the house in order to accommodate her size but that was nothing major and Pa was thrilled to do it. Tarc had to keep reminding himself that even though Pa was in human for now this was and always will be, his sister. Even though he was fiercely protective of Jaden like most brothers are of their younger sisters, they also fought like regular brothers and sisters. Jaden was not at all surprised to discover that Pa was her brother. She said that she had sensed it when she first saw him. They did not share a bond like the life-bond between her and Tarc but they did have a very special bond. Pa had spent hours telling her all that he knew about their mother, including how she had been killed. Tarc would never forget the day she learned of that. They had been outside in the meadow when Pa had finally told her the story. Tarc was down by the lake giving them some much needed privacy. He had known this news would be upsetting to Jaden and thought that it was a private family matter. He heard her painful cry all the way out there -- felt the pain of a broken heart as it gripped his body. He fought for every breath, feeling as if any moment his own heart would stop beating to evade the pain. He called out to her but she was not responding and he grew worried. It was Pa's voice he heard instead, telling him that Jaden was ok and just needed time to accept these things. He left the door open so Tarc could plainly hear the rest of the conversation. Pa continued explaining to her what they must do and why it was so urgent. Jaden gladly accepted the task, vowing to end the life of the man that robbed them of their mother. Even if she must do so with her dying breath. It had been a very sad day indeed for the young dragon and it seemed to change her in many ways. She took their training a lot more serious after that day, focusing less on playing and more on mastering the much needed skills such as flying and strengthening the bond between herself and Tarc. These would be the things that brought them through as victorious in the end when they finally faced the Wizard. As Tarc got out of bed and prepared to face the day, he realized that it was his birthday. There was no big surprise party awaiting him downstairs like last year and he was glad of that. The hair on the back of his neck was still tingling and he couldn't figure out why. Eventually, he passed it off as worry because he knew that they were out of time. Any day now he expected to be called through the portal and then his life would suddenly be forever changed. It had become a part of his daily routine to stand outside the garden area and stare at the portal each morning. Each day he was relieved that no-one came through to ask for his help. This day was no different although he did take less time staring at the portal than usual. It was as he made his way back to the house that Pa approached him. He had heard rumors that the Wizard was in the nearby town of Tremont and he was going to go see if he could locate him. He asked Tarc to come along and help, stating that two minds were better than one and could cover twice as much ground, especially when both of those minds could hear the thoughts of others. Tarc agreed to come and help in any way he could. Anything was better than just sitting around here. Although Jaden was furious for being left behind, she did understand that the humans there would spot her in a instant because she couldn't blend in the way they could. When they set out for the town shortly after breakfast Tarc still had that nagging feeling. He told Pa about it but he had no idea why Tarc felt that way either, unless it had to do with the sudden return to the town where life had been so cruel to him. This was not going to be easy on Tarc and Pa knew that but he also knew that it was necessary. He could never check the entire town in one day alone and was not keen on leaving the family unattended any longer than was necessary. Elizabeth knew what to do in an emergency and he trusted her completely but he still wanted to hurry up and get back as quickly as they could. It was odd for Tarc to be back in the Tremont after all this time. He had all but forgotten what the town was like. As soon as he stepped foot onto the street, the once-hidden memories flooded his mind. He had never thought that he would return here. The town was just as it had been several years beforehand. They passed the house where he used to live....the place his mother died and he felt like he was to be sick right there on the road. After several hours of searching, they found no sign that the Wizard had ever been there and had not come across anyone that knew of him, so they decided to return home. Upon arriving home, they knew at once that something was wrong. The front gate was unlocked and standing ajar. When they entered the house no children rushed out to greet them and there were no sounds of laughter or playing anywhere. It was deathly quiet. Tarc called out to Jaden but she didn't answer and this terrified him. Where could she be that she wouldn't answer him ? They searched the house and found no signs of the family. In the study, lying in the center of Pa's desk was a single green stone. It appeared to be an emerald and Pa explained that this was the secret signal from Elizabeth that there had been trouble here and she had fled to safety with the children. He rushed Tarc out of the house towards the portal. They saw at once that it looked different than before. There was an eerie glow coming from the portal and Tarc knew at once that this was the signal. The portal had been opened. Swearing under his breath, Pa told him that it was time and he should prepare to enter the portal. Tarc called upon the magic to bring him his sword and the small pack that he kept ready at the head of his bed. Within seconds it was soaring through the air to land gently in his hands. Now, the only thing they were waiting on was the invitation to cross through into the other world. A few minutes later, the portal started glowing a deep red color and a centaur stood before them. "My name is Rohan, eldest male of the Centaur family. We heard that the Chosen One has come forth and is now ready to fulfill his role in the prophecy that will bring peace to our world once again. I bring the worst of news and require urgent assistance. Are you indeed the one I seek, young man?" Tarc went to one knee, his sword held in front of him in an offering, "Indeed I am. Direct me to your greatest need Rohan and I assure you I will do my best." Rohan bowed his head to the boy and then to Pa before telling them why he was there. He said that the Dragons were in grave danger. There was a human living in the mountains that they now call home. Until now, the dragons were safe because no human could withstand the extreme cold of the mountain ranges. This human has apparently figured out a way. It was living in the caves used by dragons and thriving. They were not sure, but this human could possibly be a spy for the Wizard. Rohan said that they needed Tarc to check it out and if this was indeed a spy, it needed to be disposed of quickly. The dragons were the root of all things magical and if they were destroyed, the entire magical world would vanish, forever.