15

Ethan left Vernon there, and walked out the big doors before they could even finish rising. Followed by me a few seconds later as I squeezed beneath the mostly open doors. Hardly breaking my stride in the process.

"This is Nix," Ethan pointed back at me with his thumb, "He's my tamed beast. Usually he's very mellow, but he can be picky about who he allows to approach him. If you walk up to him, and he growls that means you don't have permission to come closer. If he doesn't growl then that's him allowing you in his space. I don't recommend pissing him off." Ethan patted the side of my head twice, "I'm going to send him out to hunt now. He's a very active creature so he can get antsy if he doesn't have enough to do." Ethan turned his attention fully back to me, " Go eat."

I flared my wings. Drawing several startled shrieks out of the crowd around us, and leapt into the air. Buffering everyone below me with a surge of air as I flew away from the settlement.

{Nicely done} I complemented Ethan on his growth in public speaking.

Now I could have some real fun for a little while.

*****

Channeling some of the confidence that Wyatt had gave me a feeling of raw power. Wyatt was immovable, invulnerable, and strong beyond measure. I didn't know if I'd be able to do it a second time as I lapsed into silence. Standing a few paces away from the vice guild leader.

"Stay away from Nix," I narrowed my eyes at him as I looked over my shoulder at him, "He doesn't seem to like you."

I walked past the crowd that had gathered around us. They'd come to see Wyatt, but they should leave him alone now that they'd seen him. I went back to the place we were staying in next to the warehouse. It was an old office of some sort at one time, but it had been turned into a residence. It was directly connected to the warehouse so we could enter it at any time we wished.

The small communal kitchen/ living/ dining room was comfy for just the three of us. My confidence shrank as Wyatt flew away. I sat on the worn out couch, and stared at the outdated holo screen. It looked like the guild leader had managed to throw together some furniture for us to use. It wasn't the best, but I appreciated the gesture.

I stared at Jax for a few seconds. I still couldn't believe all the work he'd actually been putting in since he learned to use his mark. Savannah took to it like second nature so I didn't need to worry about her control. Mine felt different. My bond was stronger than both of theirs, and it was obvious in what I could do with it.

The amount of power I got from Wyatt was two stats as Wyatt liked to refer to his strengths. If I borrowed one I could use it for a long period of time, but when I borrowed two I could only use them for a few minutes, but the increase in stats was more than enough to end battles. If I borrowed his strength, and speed at the same time for example.

I could use both at the same time without worrying about any negative effects besides exhaustion. I wouldn't be able to use the ability again for a little while. It seemed to be a once a day kind of thing. The range at which I could accurately tell what Wyatt was doing was larger as well. I rubbed my cheek as the last little bit of confidence I had faded.

Making me go back to the quiet shut in I'd been before the boost in confidence. I didn't know what sort of plan Wyatt had, but it seemed like he wanted to lie low for now. I stood up, and looked at Savannah. She knew I was inviting her to come with me so she did without me needing to ask. We walked out into the settlement, and started looking for a blacksmith.

There was a specific project that Wyatt had mentioned to me that I wanted to actually pull off. It would simplify a lot of things for the other two, and I wouldn't need to cling so desperately whenever Wyatt wanted to do barrel rolls. We just needed to find a blacksmith that was willing to do the project. According to the map Savannah managed to get there were three blacksmiths living in this settlement right now. I really hoped one was crazy enough to do what we were going to ask.

The first turned us down as soon as he heard he'd have to work with a dragon. The second humored us by hearing us out, but still said no. The third was an apprentice that had been kicked out of his teacher's practice when his master had found a better apprentice. The kid wasn't making shit for money, and he was struggling to get any jobs at all. His name was Bryce, and he was terrified of the idea of working with a living beast, but he was so desperate for jobs that he couldn't really say no.

Savannah told him we'd bring Nix by later. Then he could get measurements, and the first batch of materials. He looked confused by the mention of materials, but we left before he could ask us to explain ourselves further. The guild leader came by about the same time we got back from looking for a blacksmith.

"I heard you caused some trouble," Calen looked right at me.

"You're vice guild leader pushed his luck with our beast," Savannah cut in, "He's lucky we heard him growling or the dumb bastard might have gotten his head bitten off."

"I also heard that you let him loose," Calen continued angrily.

"Nix gets fidgety if he doesn't have something to do," Savannah stepped in front of me, "So Ethan sent him out hunting."

"You do know he can speak for himself," Calen snapped at her, "There are other parties he might hunt out there. People he could decide to kill."