Pryce stood to leave. As he reached for the doorknob, a sudden thought struck him. He turned back to Gavin.

"Mr. Brooks, I forgot to mention something important," Pryce said. "Stormwing could protect Crystal Shores from marauders. Surely that's worth a lot, right?"

Gavin leaned back in his chair. "Protection, you say? Well, that certainly would be valuable. But Crystal Shores hasn't been invaded in a long time."

Pryce noticed the fine quality of Gavin's clothes, and the sparkle of crystal decanters on the side table. This was a man who appreciated the finer things in life. And if Pryce wasn't mistaken, he had quite an ego to match.

Taking a chance, Pryce pressed on. "It could happen, though. And if it does, you'd be famous for protecting Crystal Shores and its people. Imagine the recognition, the gratitude . . ."

He watched as Gavin drummed his fingers on the armrest, clearly mulling it over. After a moment that felt like an eternity to Pryce, Gavin nodded.

"You make an interesting point, young man," Gavin said. "Very well. I'll give you a small loan to get started. But mind you, I expect to see results."

Relieved, Pryce scrawled his signature on the loan contract. With a pocket full of coin, he left the Rusty Anchor Inn, his spirits soaring. He decided to wait until he got back to the barracks before buying anything, wanting to assess how best to spend the precious funds.

As Pryce made his way home, a glint in a store window caught his eye. He paused, admiring a beautiful jewelry box on display. He made a mental note to buy it for his mother when he had more money. It would be the perfect way to thank her for everything she'd done for him.

The familiar scent of home greeted Pryce as he pushed open the front door. His family was just finishing their meal, and the sight of them gathered around the table made him smile.

"Pryce!" Ellie called out. "Get yourself a plate of food before I put it away. You look famished."

Pryce filled his plate to the brim. As he sat down, he felt his family's concerned gazes.

"What happened to your face, son?" Tyler asked. "You look like you've gone ten rounds with a Dryad."

Pryce shrugged, trying to downplay the incident. "It's no big deal. Just had a bit of a . . . disagreement with Gordan and Dirk."

Ellie sat a dish on the counter harder than expected. "Oh, Pryce. You need to stay away from those boys."

"Believe me, Mom, I tried," Pryce sighed, shoveling a forkful of food into his mouth.

Faye let out a laugh. "Bet you gave as good as you got, right?"

Tyler cleared his throat, clearly eager to change the subject. "So, did you manage to meet with Gavin Brooks?"

Pryce nodded, swallowing a mouthful of stew. "I did. He gave me a small loan to get started."

His father's expression grew serious. "Tread carefully, son. Borrowed money has a way of becoming a noose if you're not mindful."

"I'll be able to repay it. I've got it all planned out," Pryce said, then added, "Once I'm done eating, I'm heading back to the island. Mind if I borrow the skiff?"

"It's yours to use, but for the love of the old gods, be careful out there."

Suddenly, Faye's eyes lit up. "Oh! We have a surprise for you, Pryce!" She bolted from the room, returning moments later with a package wrapped in rough cloth.

Ellie smiled warmly at her son. "Your birthday's just around the corner. Since you'll be away on the island, we thought we'd give you your gift a bit early." Her voice softened. "You're of age now, nearly a full-grown Shorling. You're free to chart your own course, but please, promise me you'll stay safe."

Pryce unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautifully crafted quiver filled with arrows. ""This is . . . Incredible." He ran his fingers over the smooth leather.

"Your bow's still in good shape," Ellie said, "so we thought a new quiver and arrows would serve you well."

Tyler nodded approvingly. "Take it to the island with you. Keep honing your skills."

Faye leaned in. "Did you notice the blue sapphire sewn into it? It's not just for show. Mom told me it's Royal Sapphire---rarer than a dragon's tooth and twice as valuable. They say it holds ancient magic, giving its bearer wisdom beyond their years. And get this---it's a symbol of royalty. Whoever has it is said to have the blessing of the old kings."

Pryce looked at his mom. "Are you sure you want me to have this? Especially since it was a gift from Pip, that Quibnocket you told me about?"

"I'm sure. It might come in handy for you someday." She reached for the necklace around her neck and unclasped it. Pryce had seen her wear countless times. It was a dragon pendant with a glass bubble filled with a red, sometimes glowing fluid.

"This pendant," Ellie said, holding it out to Pryce, "is a connection to our family's seafaring heritage and the mystical forces that have shaped our lives. I want you to have it."

Pryce took the pendant. "I remember you telling me about this. That fluid is our family's blood mixed with dragon blood, isn't it? Why are you giving it to me?"

"It is," Ellie said. "Keep it for now, and later, you can pass it on to Faye."

A half-forgotten memory stirred in Pryce's mind. "What about that compass you used to talk about? The Seafarer's Sigil?"

"My, my, brother dear. Aren't we getting a bit greedy? First the pendant, now the compass. What's next, Mom's wedding ring?" Faye teased.

Pryce felt his cheeks flush. "That's not what I meant. I just thought . . . well, with Stormwing and all . . ."

“Okay, you two,” Ellie said. "The compass was lost in a river, in a cave in the Thornveil Wilds. It had the same Draconic essence as this pendant, and it could be used to find it, but . . . I never went back to that forbidden place again—and neither should you."

Pryce thanked his family for their support. The next hour passed in a blur of stories and laughter. As the conversation wound down, Pryce began packing his belongings, preparing for his journey back to the island.

His family gathered around him.

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Pryce?" Ellie asked. "Raising a dangerous dragon . . .  it's not like training a hunting hound."

"Stormwing isn't dangerous, Mom. He's gentle, I promise. And I won't be alone---Finnegan and Kai will be there to help."

Despite his reassurances, Ellie nervously adjusted his collar and smoothed non-existent wrinkles from his shirt. Then she bustled around the kitchen, adding crusty bread and other provisions to his already bulging pack. "If there's even a hint of trouble, you come straight home, you hear me?"

With his bow  across his back, the new quiver at his hip, and his pack full of supplies, Pryce set off through town toward the docks. As he approached Finnegan's cottage, the old man stepped outside, as if sensing Pryce's approach.

"Off to tame that beast of yours, are you?" Finnegan called out.

Pryce nodded, walking up to the weathered porch. "That's the plan. Say, Finnegan, I've been wondering---do young dragons hunt for themselves, or am I going to need to buy out half the fish market?"

Finnegan chuckled. "That dragon's wing isn't broken, lad. Stormwing can get all the fish it needs from Lake Dragontide. And since it's a freshwater lake, there's plenty to drink too." He fixed Pryce with a stern look. "Don't let that scaly devil take advantage of you. It's more than capable of fending for itself."

Pryce laughed. "No worries. Stormwing won't be pulling the wool over my eyes."

"Good lad. I'll drop by when I can to lend a hand, but if that dragon gives you any real trouble, you lock it up tight and hightail it back to the mainland, you hear?"

"I will, but I know there won't be any problems with Stormwing."

"I'm sure you're right, lad." He paused, then added with a wink, "Just remember, a calm sea never made a skilled sailor. It's the storms that teach us how to navigate."

With a grateful nod, Pryce climbed into his father's skiff. As he set out over Lake Dragontide, toward the Island of Emberfall, he felt the pendant against his chest and the quiver at his side, praying to whatever gods might be listening that he was making the right choice.