24 Chapter 24

This time, when I woke up, I felt much better, and the sun was peeking over the trees. We could continue our trip today. It was when I tried to move that I realized we had slept with my head in his lap and him sitting against my curved neck. How did we stay like this the whole night?! Ugh...this means that if I move, he'll wake up. How long do I need to keep still? Unknown at the moment. Or, I could just forget it and get up. I looked at him and understood that he had been awake all night. He even took all the bags off me at some point. That must have been hard...but I can't stay here. Carefully, I lifted my head and glanced around. As far as I can see, there aren't any monsters here right now. I pulled away slowly, taking care not to bother him. Cupping my paws around him, I set him down right next to the smouldering fire and backed away. Good...he's still sleeping. After placing his blanket over him, I leapt as high as I could, trying not to blow the blanket back off. Let's find out what muscles need taken care of. A few twinged immediately, and I nearly fell right back down to earth. Ouch...that needs attention quickly. I focused my magic on them and flew steadily. I have to heal them while they're being used or they won't get stronger. I wish I'd known that sooner in this life. I can't believe she waited until I was ready to pass out to tell me something that important. Mother...I need her to be okay. The sound of branches and twigs snapping made my wings lock up for a few seconds in surprise. What's that?! I trained my senses in on the source, searching for answers. Short, cut-off breaths--they're running in panic. Would it be a good idea to help? Whimpering, crying...definitely not someone or something hunting. From what I can hear, they're using two legs and words, so it's not an animal, but a person. But what are they saying? I glided in closer to make it out. "Help...help me…" They kept repeating that line over and over, nonstop. A low roar that made the birds scatter alerted me to a monster. They're being chased.

Since I didn't have much of lips, I bit my tongue. They want help. Should I? Or is there a reason someone was abandoned out here? No...there's no humane reason to leave somebody out here to die, especially one so young, from what I can tell. This is a child. Giving in to my innate protective instincts, I furled my wings and dived for them, sheathing my talons and reaching out. I'll grab the kid and fly off. Everything can be explained to them later, after I've gotten them out of danger. It was a challenge to fly between the trees, but I managed, snatching the child the moment I saw them and got within range. Alright, saved. Of course, they freaked out and wiggled, but what shocked me was how quickly they gave up, going limp. Geez...it's not like I'm going to hurt them. Still crying, but not putting up any kind of fight. Curious, I lifted my front right paw and curved my neck to get a better look. A little girl...her hair is dark red and tangled, her frame tiny...she doesn't have any fat or a healthy color of skin from malnutrition. So delicate and yet treated so harshly. She wore a torn up simple black dress that went just past her knees as well. I feel like I have to be incredibly careful or I'll break her. Because of that, my grip was loose and gentle. Do I return to Xyon with her? No, it might not be the best option at the moment, seeing as I don't know how she'll react. I've already frightened her enough, I don't need to make it worse. I noticed a small stream and angled for it. There are a lot of those here. I set down quietly beside the water, lowering her to the soft grass. Her breath hitched when I let go and she went still. Is she breathing? Her heart is hammering away in her little chest...I could've handled this much nicer. Experimentally, I said, "I'm sorry. I seem to have scared you." She turned her head ever so slightly. Good, she's listening. "It was a surprise to hear someone calling out for help...I promise I won't hurt you. Cross my heart and hope to die?"

I heard her breathe in and swallow, so I fell silent. "R-really…?"

"Yes. My name's Zavi. you?"

She curled up. "I'm...Minca."

"That's a lovely name. Can you sit up and let me untangle your hair?" She nodded slowly, a little smile pulling at her lips from my comment on her name. I waited for her to sit cross-legged and turn her back to me. Takes a lot of courage to show your back to a dragon. I unsheathed the talons on my right paw and flipped my paw over so I could use the dull side to brush it out. I took care no to cut her accidently, slowly but surely getting out all the knots. "Does this hurt?"

"No." Her voice was meager. She quivers and her heart accelerates every time I touch her. I narrowed my eyes. She was most likely tortured...but why? I sheathed my talons again when I finished, placing my paw down next to her.

"I'm done. You should bathe in the stream to get rid of your previous scent...we don't want that monster to track you down." There was hesitance, but she obeyed. It kinda pissed  me off that she was obedient. A slave-like life, no doubt. But her curly, shoulder-length hair is amazing...ah. I shook my head slowly when I saw the small horns on her head, then the thin tail ending in a spear-shaped tip. Classic demon tail from all those games and movies...hm? How'd I know that? Oh well, forget it. It's clear that she was mistreated because she's a demon...but I don't recall ever being told there was a demon race? Or I was and I just don't remember. She washed the dress at the same time she cleaned her body. All those bruises and cuts...it took a lot of effort to not growl when I saw them. Don't scare her, don't scare her. Minca left the stream wearing a wet dress and an unsure frown. Her eyes...they're violet. Cool. "You're wet...hold on." I touched the hem of her dress carefully and sent magic into it. The clash between the hot and cold air I controlled created a warm breeze, but it didn't last long because I then pulled all the water off her skin and out of the fabric, turning it into steam. She gasped, startled by the magic. That should work. "Do you feel better, Minca?" I sighed when all she did was nod. "Say something...or not. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes…please...don't leave me here…"

"I won't if you don't want me to." So she wants to go with me. How do I get her to Xyon? Carry her in my paw again? No, that's too dangerous...but I don't have any bags on my back, so there's not much for her to hold on to. Either one is bad.

"Thank you...take me away from here...please." I unconsciously rubbed my snout against her, my aim to sooth her.

"Alright." Xyon will be able to do more. I have to remember I'm a dragon now, and that makes taking care of a child hard. "Stay still, spread out your arms." She did as I asked and I grasped her frail body delicately. "Let me get you to someone who can help." After making sure I wouldn't lose her, I took off, cradling her close to my chest. I've met so many people after leaving the north...more live here, where it's warmer.

"You...you're from the water tribe, right?" I flinched when she spoke, but looked at her. So now she wants to talk.

"Not really. My father was, but my mother is part of the fire tribe. I don't belong in any tribe. How about you? What's your story?" Ah...my muscles are screaming in various places. Is it because I'm carrying someone? Most likely.

"I...was thrown away." I sighed, not surprised.

"Don't worry, I won't do that. My friend should be able to help you more than I can."

"Your friend…? Another dragon?"

"No. He's half human, half beastkin." She became quiet, and I stopped talking. Something I said definitely bothered her. The small clearing we'd slept in came into view and I swerved in for a landing, spotting Xyon cooking with the restoked fire. "Xyon." I set down and held Minca out to him. "She almost died. Can you help her?"

He stared at her in surprise. "Isn't this child a demon? She should've been able to handle any of the monsters in this place." Even so, he still stood and walked up to her. "I can, but you owe me." He held out his arms evenly, so I placed her in his arms. She kept still from a mixture of fear and confusion. He almost lost balance, but quickly caught himself. "Do I look scary?" Xyon carried her to the fire and sat down with her, rummaging in his bags. "Is it because I look like a human?" When she didn't respond, he said, "I'll take that as a yes. Does this help?" His wolf ears and tail popped up out of nowhere and her eyes went wide.

"Yes…"

"Not much, but just enough." I tilted my head at him when he took out some green paste. "This is some medicine. Show me your wounds." Nervously, she pulled the dress down so it rested around her waist, presenting her back to him. "Whip marks." He gently started putting the paste on her, making sure to smile when she glanced at him. I could've  used my magic to do that...I'm way more tired than I thought. "There. That should help them heal faster." I can't help but feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew this time...is it really possible to care for her?

"Xyon, what places are safe to leave her?" She stiffened, but he completely ignored it.

"Back in the land the demons claimed, or just anywhere but with humans. We won't come across either one for a while." He wrapped any open wounds and set her in the grass. "Stay here." Now what? We'd have to take her with us, right? "Are you feeling better? If so, then we should leave after eating." Why the hurry? There's so much stress emanating off him it's almost nauseating. Saying nothing  more, he took care of the pot and doused the fire. After, he handed Minca a bowl of the soup inside and waited for her to finish before getting his own. Seeing as there's only one bowl in the first place, it makes sense they'd have to take turns. When they had their fill, he walked up to me and dumped the rest of it in my mouth. Yum. Xyon was still being nervous, but he was doing an impressive job  of hiding it at the moment. I still couldn't figure out what was bothering him as he gathered our supplies and tied them to my spikes. He held out a hand to Minca. "We have to leave. Get on her back." She took his hand cautiously, then let him help her up.

"I don't know how far I can go with this weight."

"Just go. We can stop to rest periodically." His voice is monotone. Yeah, this is definitely setting him off in many different ways. I took off, my wings halting momentarily from the surprising weight of another person. At this rate I'll only be able to go for maybe an hour or so...unless I can find some nice winds to help me.