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“Not to be rude,Your Majesty,” Lasla/Kashvi says, with a tone that’s anything but daughterly, “but if we’re truly your children, then why would you need to capture us and chain us? We’ve been searching for you and would have gladly come on our own.”

“Because I have learned I cannot trust anyone in this world, even my own children. I had heard you were searching for me, but many want me for my riches or what I can provide for them.”

Sloane is doing such a good job as the king that I barely even register their voice anymore. I only hear the deep arrogant tone of King Thalun and can imagine him looming above us, his thick brows furrowed in distrust.

“Are you open to providing for us? Because I’d love an actual mattress and a warm dinner tonight,” Lynx/Sanjiv asks.

“I’ll take the gold,” Rolo adds. “I’m used to sleeping on the ground.”

“The only thing I’m prepared to give you is a proposal. I have a mortal enemy and I need you to dispose of it.”

We shift in our seats. I’ve only played in a few campaigns but it’s clear that we’re about to get our first big quest.

“And what is this enemy?” I ask.

“A dragon. It has been plaguing my kingdom and killing my soldiers, and it cannot continue.”

We all look at each other in concern. Killing a dragon is a pretty cliché D&D quest, but that doesn’t make it easy. We’re only Level2. There’s absolutely no way we can kill a dragon without more experience.

“But surely you couldn’t expect us to defeat a dragon that your own men cannot defeat?” Adris/Logan asks.

“That is why I chose you five. Each of you has particular skills that make you more valuable than a foot soldier, and my children must be eager to prove themselves to me. If you are able to defeat this dragon, you will be richly compensated.”

“Give us a moment to discuss, dearest Papa,” Rolo says, and we all chuckle.

“Don’t anger him further,” Logan warns. “He’s already sending us on a doomed quest as it is.”

“Should we try to negotiate with him?” Sanjiv asks. “Or use our relationship as children to get him to soften? He can’t really want to send his own children to their deaths.”

Kashvi glances at Sloane. “How many other soldiers are in this throne room with us and the king?”

“There are only two, one on either side of the king,” Sloane replies.

“I say we try to get out of these chains and attack them,” Kashvi tells us. “This might be our best chance.”

“No way,” I reply. “We’ve already tried that and we know what’s going to happen. There might only be two here now, but they probably have a whole battalion outside those doors waiting for us. I think we should agree with his request.”

“Agree?”Logan asks. “But Nasria doesn’t trust anyone or anything.”

It isn’t lost on me that Logan and his character areinteracting more with me this session. I have to say, it makes the game much more fun.

“True, I don’t trust the king at all,” I reply. “But if we agree, he’ll have to let us go in order to track the dragon, and then we can decide what we’re actually going to do.”

Mark nods approvingly. “Sneaky.”

“Makes sense to me,” Sanjiv replies.

Logan turns to me. “I half expected you to try negotiating with him to save yourself since you aren’t actually in his debt like I am.”

“That’s harsh even for me. You’re one of my party members.”

He cocks his head and gives me a small smile. “Does that mean you’re beginning to trust me?”

“I…I’m not sure yet.” A jolt of adrenaline shoots through me at his expression. “I’m possibly beginning to think about trusting you.”

“Good to know I’ve made a small amount of progress, then.” His gaze is warm, without a hint of sarcasm. “For what it’s worth, I’d trust you with my life.”

I make a strangled sound before I can stop myself. He raises an eyebrow and returns his focus to the others.