Flying high, Nikulas couldn’t sense from a distance if any of the people below were Birgith. The following morning he landed in the brush on one side of a path. With a roll of his shoulders, he pushed his dragon self down. His body shrunk, compacting into human form. Perhaps walking into the towns would make it easier to search.

He still wasn’t exactly sure how he’d recognise his sister, but he knew he would. Somehow. There would be something different about her, something that made her stand out. She probably was the most popular, or had a natural aura of power, like their mother.

When Nikulas was comfortable in his human skin, he adjusted the clothes that came with his transformation. With no one in sight, he stepped out onto the path. The river ran alongside, gurgling over the stones as it went. A handful of trees leant over the banks, dropping their leaves in the water. They swirled downstream, heading further into the human lands and away from the mountains behind them.

A thrill of excitement ran down his spine. This was his first chance to speak to humans. He stretched his fingers, trying to look casual as he approached whatever town was ahead. Even unfamiliar with settlements beyond the valley, he assumed it had a name.

The town walls stood twice his height, the irregular stones packed together with barely a crack between them. The dirt road approached a gate. More people joined him from a broader road as they drew closer. A horse-drawn wagon creaked past, loaded with barrels. The driver flicked his crop to encourage the horse to pull ahead of the pedestrians. Two guards flanked the entrance, speaking to everyone who passed.

A chill breeze teased Nikulas’ skin, a sign of autumn turning into winter. He pulled his fur jerkin tighter closed across his stomach. His outfit wasn’t designed for this weather. If only he’d thought to bring a bag of clothes with him to change into. At least he had his internal fire to keep him warm, unlike the normal humans, though walking around in fewer layers made him stand out.

“State your business in Muellock.” The guard held one hand out to Nikulas.

“I’m searching for my sister.” The truth was the simplest answer, after all.

He looked Nikulas up and down, frowning. “Where have you come from? Do you have papers?”

Unease bubbled up inside him. “I’m searching for my sister.”

The guard signalled to his partner, who joined the discussion. Sighs and complaints came from those in the queue.

The two guards crowded Nikulas, their human stench overwhelming him. “Look, son. Everyone needs to show papers when they arrive here. We can’t just let you in.”

Nikulas gaped. Papers? What sort of papers did they want? He looked between them. He wasn’t short, so they didn’t tower over him. He squared his shoulders instinctually.

The first guard’s hand dropped to his sword hilt. “Lad, we’re not looking for a fight. All we need are your papers.”

Nikulas breathed out slowly, forcing himself to relax. “I don’t want to cause trouble. I just need to find my sister. Let me look around, then I’ll leave.” He forced a smile. His stomach sunk. How, by the Great Squirrel, would he ever find her, if he couldn’t go in and search? Maybe it had been a mistake to try as a human.

The second guard stepped forward, forcing Nikulas back. “Stop messing us about. You’re causing a jam here. Either show us the papers we’ve asked for, or go back wherever you came from.”

The first guard put one hand on his colleague’s arm, drawing him half a step back. “I see you’re worried she’s missing. I understand that.” The guard sighed. “But we can’t let you in without knowing who you are. Young men travelling alone are inherently suspicious, I’m afraid. Now, are you travelling with anyone?” He looked over the crowd gathering behind them, also waiting to enter the town.

Nikulas dropped his head, shaking it. “No, I ran out to search, leaving everyone else at home.” He needed to get out of this situation before they caught him in a lie. But with a guard either side of him, it wasn’t like he could just turn round and go, even if they said he should, without bringing mroe suspicion on himself.

“I tell you what, I’ll keep an eye out for her. Spread the word that there’s a missing girl. How old is she?”

“Um, sixteen summers.” Nikulas blinked.

The guard smirked. “Oh, just passed her test, did she? Thinks she’s more grown up than she really is. Now she’s joined the clan?”

Nikulas nodded, unsure what test they spoke of. What clan? But this wasn’t the place to ask those sorts of questions.

The other guard shook his head. “I know the type. There are always a few who make their way here, looking for more excitement than wherever they’ve come from.” He patted Nikulas’ shoulder. “Don’t worry, most come straight home after a couple of days on their own.”

“I hope so.” Nikulas’ voice wavered. He couldn’t explain she’d never known home since birth, that he’d never seen her before, or anything else, without raising even more questions. Or exposing the secret of the dragons’ continued existence on Kaitstud.

“What’s her name and description? I’ll pass the word to keep an eye out for her. OK?”

He had no idea, but not giving a description would be more suspicious.“Um, her name is Birgith. She’s got brown hair, curly, a few freckles.”

“Sure thing, lad. Now, off you go. If she doesn’t return in a few days, come back with your papers and we’ll let you in to search.”

Nikulas nodded. “Thanks.” He left, head hanging. The larger towns were barred to him without papers, but he could ask around the smaller groups of dwellings. He would find his sister. He had to.