Jade Goldlight's Arc

Chapter 1 of 20

Jade rode into Blue Moon Hallow on the back of a white lion with a mane of fire. A black wolf with purple eyes padded beside them, smoke curling from his fur. She tightened her grip on the leather satchel slung across her chest. She never went anywhere without it. The villagers stopped to stare, but no one waved. She wanted to be more than a stranger with strange animals. She wanted to be someone these people could count on. Solar Flare slowed at the door of the Blue Moon Hallow Inn. Jade swung down and stepped inside. Her boots hit the polished herringbone floor with a soft knock. Heads turned. Conversations stopped. A broad woman behind the bar wiped a mug and looked her over. "Travelers wait by the post out back," she said. "Beds are for folks we know." Raihan growled low. Jade rested a hand on his shoulder and the sound died. Jade set a coin on the bar. "Then I'll wait," she said. "And I'll earn the bed." She turned and walked back out, satchel bouncing against her hip. The villagers watched her go to the waiting post like every other nameless stranger before her. She sat down on the worn bench beside Solar Flare. The door of the inn stayed shut behind her. For now, she was no one here. But she had chosen to stay — and that was where the work would begin.