As if the thought had summoned it, his minds eye conjured a map of the place, moving in and out so that he could see the jungles and the wastelands, the glassy spaces burned by dragon fire and the ash. Then the map became lines on an arm, a tattoo…

Devin was looking at a younger version of his father now, and there was another man with him, wrapped in a cloak. He was looking up at them, as if he were very small, and Devin had the feeling that this was more than some imagining; it was a memory.

Take him, raise him. If I find any harm has come to him…

None will, my lord.

The boy is special, born on the dragon moon, in that place. None can be allowed to know…

Devin woke.

His head hurt, and the whole of the inside of his mouth felt like it was covered in fur. He looked around for the dragon, for the forest, for the youth who had spoken, because it had seemed so real that for a moment he had expected that they would still be there. Instead, he saw the interior of Sir Halfins rooms, where he seemed to be wrapped up in furs in front of the fire.

There was a note there, left by the knight. Gone hunting with the prince. Stay as long as you wish. Maybe learn to hold your drink better.

Devin smiled at the knights idea of a joke, and even that made his head ache. He rose, knowing he couldnt just wait here for the knights and the prince to return. For one thing, there was too much he still needed to do.

He hadnt managed to speak to Master Grey yet, and he suspected he wouldnt until the sorcerer was ready. Then there was the dream. It nagged at him, and Devin knew it wasnt just a dream. Hed been remembering, remembering things that had actually happened to him. If that was true though… that meant he wasnt who he had thought he was. He was someone else entirely.

He needed to talk to his parents.

Devin set off through the castle, seeing that while the servants were up, many of the nobles and commoners were still rising in the wake of the prematurely finished festivities. The servants were tidying away all the mess the feasting had created, which meant that Devin was able to slip out unremarked. He spared a glance for the tower belonging to Master Grey, knowing that he would have to return there soon. For now though, the only answers he wanted were at home.

Royalsport was starting to wake up around him, so Devin found himself hurrying, wanting to get home before his father left for work. He passed an apple cart and brushed it accidentally, sending one of the apples within to the ground. Sorry, Devin called, and tossed the man one of his few coins.