The days after the trip to the dragon cliffs passed in a blur of ordinary village life. Eirik chopped more wood than usual because Gunnar had twisted his bad leg again. Alaric helped Freya collect honey and listened to her stories about her husband who never came back from the sea. Soren hammered iron in the smithy until his hands blistered and learned to keep his thoughts even quieter than before.
But something had changed between them. The oath was not just words anymore. It lived in the way they looked out for each other without being asked. Eirik saved the best pieces of bread for the other two when food was scarce. Alaric made sure to leave small gifts of honey or smooth stones on their doorsteps. Soren watched the village paths and warned them when strangers were coming.
One afternoon the village buzzed with news. Royal scouts had arrived. They came on tall horses with banners flapping in the wind. Their armor was polished and their cloaks were deep blue trimmed with silver. They asked questions in low voices and looked at every boy old enough to stand straight. They were searching for the lost heir. Whispers said the old king had died without a clear successor and a boy of royal blood had been hidden among the common folk for safety. The scouts carried a small golden medallion with the royal seal. They showed it to every guardian and asked if any boy in their care had strange marks or stories.
Eirik watched from behind a stack of barrels. His fists were clenched. "They act like they own the place. I do not like it. What if they take one of us away?"
Alaric stood beside him eyes steady. "They will not take us. We are brothers. Remember the oath."
Soren was quieter than usual. He had overheard Harald talking with one of the scouts late the night before. The words had stuck in his mind like a thorn. "The boy we seek bears the mark of the dragon line. A small birthmark shaped like a wing on his left shoulder." Soren had looked at his own shoulder in the mirror that morning. The mark was there faint but clear. He had never told anyone. Not even his brothers. Now the secret felt heavier than the hammer he swung in the smithy.
That night the three boys met in their secret spot behind the old barn. The moon was thin and the air smelled of coming rain. They sat on hay bales and shared a stolen apple.
Eirik spoke first his voice hot. "Those scouts are trouble. I heard them say the king's bloodline must be found or the clans will fight. I say we stay away from them."
Alaric nodded but his eyes were thoughtful. "There is more to it. I felt something when they rode past. Like the air changed. Like the dragons knew they were coming."
Soren took a deep breath. His hands shook a little but he kept his voice even. "I have to tell you something. The mark they are looking for. I have it. On my shoulder. I think I am the one they want."
The words hung in the air. Eirik stared at him open mouthed. Alaric reached out and put a hand on Soren's arm. "Are you sure?"
Soren pulled down the neck of his tunic. The small wing shaped birthmark showed clear in the moonlight. "I have had it since I was born. Harald never spoke of it but he always looked at me different. Like he was protecting something bigger than me."
Eirik jumped up and paced. "Then we hide you. We tell them nothing. You are our brother not some royal prize. No crown above us remember?"
Alaric's voice was soft but firm. "We can not lie forever. If they find out they will take him. But we will go with him. Brothers stay together."
Soren looked at them both. His eyes were wet but he did not cry. "I do not want a crown. I want our life here. The cliffs the dragons the three of us. But if this is who I am I will face it. As long as we face it together."
They made a new promise that night. They would protect Soren's secret as long as they could. They would watch the scouts. They would run if they had to. The oath held them tight.
The next morning the scouts left without finding what they sought. But the seed had been planted. The village felt different. Whispers followed Soren now though no one knew why. Eirik walked taller and glared at anyone who looked too long. Alaric stayed close and listened harder than ever.
They did not know that the scouts had sent word back to the capital. They did not know that the hidden royal blood had been marked. They did not know that the war was already stirring far away.
But they knew they had each other.
And for now that was their shield.