There weren’t many things in this world Sargent Taranath Yinquirell wouldn’t do for a Dragon egg, let alone ten. For ten eggs he’d risk it all.
    A soft glow captured his eye while he walked toward the wicker basinet. The slightly cracked iridescent egg laid by his daughter, glistened under the warm light of an oil lamp, snuggly wrapped by her. He smiled when she let out the most adorable baby snort. 
    Her mom had assured him she wouldn’t hurt herself with the shimmery golden scales, but he wasn’t too convinced, so he meddled with the soft blanket, making sure there was enough padding between the egg and his daughter’s chubby little hands.
    Taranath stroked her golden-brown curls, a gift from her mom, and her tiny pointy ears quivered as she rubbed her plump, cute cheek against the blanket. Taranath held his breath for a moment, almost sure he had woken her up, but she settled back in and softly snorted some more. 
    A smile crept through his thin lips.
    I love you so much, Sol!
    It was always spring on Varrfoss and although the weather was mostly beautiful, sometimes it got chilly at nights. “They keep each other warm”, Setrine said by his side, caressing his back with tender motions. He gripped her waist, bringing her into his embrace, and glanced into her dark eyes, playfully hidden behind her copious curls.
    “Let me buy you a fire contract”, he pleaded. “It’s my duty to you”, he insisted, but she shook her head before stepping away from him to tuck the baby in. His little Sun didn’t even flinch with her mother’s soft touch and Taranath grinned again for a moment, before worrying once more. 
    Setrine didn’t spend much time in one place and always kept her accommodations humble, but now they had a baby, and he could easily afford to get a heating contract from the Wizards. 
They were the only bloodline in Blood Island who could craft practical charms like lamps that didn’t need fuel or fire that never got extinguished at any point during the duration of your contract.      “It’s too risky. It could alert the Guard”. 
    She hired a small room with a bed in the lowest level of Varrfoss, a place all too familiar to Taranath, where Wizard contracts were not common, and officers of the Royal Guard didn’t spend much time. 
    Taranath’s heart shrunk in his chest; the idea of losing them weighing over his shoulders… the truth about his intentions conflicting his loyalties. 
    His fists tightened and he tried his best to conceal his inner turmoil.
   “We can hide the eggs somewhere else. There’s no reason for my girls to lack the basics when I’m an officer… a Sargent”. The word tasted bitter like bile on his tongue. “Let me provide for you”. 
    He glanced at the cluster of opalescent orbs gathered on the dirt ground by the open fire. Some were colorful and scaly, like his daughter’s favorite, with metallic hues and impossible color combinations, while others resembled silky smooth pebbles of flat, earthy colors. They all varied in size, though he could fit any in the palm of his hand. 
    “We just need to hide a bit longer, until she can travel”. Setrine pecked him softly and gave him the kindest, warmest smile. His stomach dropped and the taste of bile coated his mouth, instead of letting himself enjoy the affection from the woman he loved.  
    “My dear…”
    “And then we will be free”, she added. 
    Will we ever?