Ember Magnificence pressed her snout against the frosted window of the castle throne room. Inside, knights stood at attention beside the empty throne. Their armor gleamed under the chandeliers. She wanted what they had—not the metal or the swords, but the trust. A real knight who chose to follow her, not because of fear or magic, but because they believed in her. That was the dream. The young dragon pulled back from the glass, leaving a patch of fog where her breath had warmed it. She turned toward the mountains beyond Frostbloom. Somewhere out there, a brave soul waited. Ember trotted through the castle gates and down the cobblestone path. Her claws clicked against the stones. She needed a plan. Knights didn't just appear and pledge loyalty to a small dragon. She had to prove herself first. Show them she was worth following. But how? She passed through the market square, barely noticing the merchants who scattered at her approach. Then she spotted it—a courtyard with stone archways and green vines climbing the walls. Training equipment lined the edges. This was where warriors practiced. A wooden dummy stood in the center of the courtyard. Ember circled it slowly. The wood was scarred from countless sword strikes and arrow hits. She raised one claw and swiped at it. The dummy rocked but held firm. She tried again, harder this time. Her claws left deep marks in the wood. Good. If she trained here every day, knights would see her. They would watch her improve. They would know she was serious. Near the courtyard entrance hung a brass bell with carved patterns on its surface. Ember had seen bells like this before—travelers rang them when they needed help. When danger came. If she could answer that call, if she could protect someone when it mattered, maybe then a knight would notice. Maybe then someone would choose to stand beside her. She looked back at the training dummy, then at the bell. This courtyard would be her starting point. Here, she would become worthy of loyalty.