Chapter Two: Alavira P.O.V. 

If someone told me this morning that while I was out hunting I'd encounter a dragon I would have called them crazy! Much less trying to help one who is injured! I can hardly believe my feet moving closer to this poor, injured, majestic, deadly creature all on their own. I can't stop myself, even though I've tried twice now, it almost feels as though something bigger than myself is urging me toward this beast. Or at least I'll blame it on that, and not my bleeding heart for things that are injured. The teeth on this beast look as thick as trees and almost as long as me! I must have a death wish to keep getting closer, and with meat! It looks like it's about to snap its jaws and I'll be torn clean in two.

I shouldn't even be sharing my kills with it, but I can't find it in my heart to just leave it alone, injured and in no way to hunt for itself right now. Luckily the hunt today was bountiful. Two deer, a boar, four rabbits and even a few birds had gotten caught in my traps. So sharing the boar with the poor thing couldn't hurt…. The others are unaware of what I've caught anyway. So what they don't know won't hurt them.

My feet finally figure out how to stop when it growls deeply at me. The sound is so low and loud it feels like my bones are going to shake right out of my body. Gripping the heavy boar tightly, everything in me stops, even my breathing. The feeling of something between fear, curiosity and pity war within me, each trying to take control.

"Hello….. Please don't eat me. I'm trying to give you some food. It's a freshly killed boar. I've already skinned it, I hope that doesn't change anything for you." My whole body is shaking, even my voice as I try for some unknown reason to negotiate with this beast. I'm not even sure why I'm trying, or what I'm even trying to do at this point. I'm not even sure it can understand me. I've never heard of a story where someone could negotiate with a dragon and walk out alive, or them even understanding what is being said. I've heard a few could shapeshift to look more human to walk among us, but those are just rumors since I've never seen one. The look in its eye as it watches my every movement shows me its intelligence. Laying its head back down, but still keeping an eye on me, it lets out a long huff, shaking the leaves of nearby trees. Almost knocking me right onto my ass, but catching my balance I approach with cautious steps. My nerves are on edge as I stare at this magnificent creature, appreciating its beauty.

Setting the boar down in front of it, close enough for it to eat, but far enough for me to run if it gets too eager to have more than boar for dinner. It waits until I take a few large steps back before it reaches its long mouth out to eat. Being this close to a dragon is a miracle in both senses of finding one and still being alive at this point. As it eats I take a moment to really assess it. Its neck is long, covered in scales and cuts; three horns curve in different directions, while a fourth looks to be broken off; it has six legs, but one of its back legs doesn't look right, as if its broken and twisted in an uncomfortable position; its wings are covered in cuts, but one of them has a large gash through it that looks painful. Large teeth poke out of a long, sharp mouth; intimidating, round eyes filled with what looks like liquid fire and a black, empty slit in the center stare at me curiously. Its emerald scales catch and reflect the sun's light, making it appear as though it's covered in small jewels, while its teal horns, claws and small patches around its eyes, snout and wings seem to suck the light into it and hold it hostage. It's beautiful, possibly the most captivating thing I've ever seen.

"My name is Alavira. I'll come back tomorrow with more food and something to help you heal, as long as you give me a sign that you won't eat me or harm me in any way. I have people that depend on me, so I can't go missing. Understand?" The words leave my mouth without my consent, but there they are…. Hanging heavy in the air between us. It'll either answer and surprise me to death, or confirm my suspicion that it has no idea what I'm saying and I'll feel foolish. I wait for what feels like hours before it turns its head to me and gives me a small nod. To say I nearly died on the spot from surprise would be an understatement! Smiling like an idiot, I nod back and back away with a wave. Retrieving my makeshift sled with the meat on it, hooking my arms through the rope so it wraps around my shoulders and pulling the heavy mass forward with what energy I have left. "See you tomorrow then!" I call over my shoulder before heading out of the forest.

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Hearing the small laughter of children and parents trying to quiet them down is what I'm greeted with first as I arrive back to the small, falling apart, houses. At this point they're more shacks than housing, but we all make it work.

"ALAVIRA IS HOME!" A child yells as everyone comes to the doors to see what the commotion is about. Smiling I wave to everyone as I can finally set this extra weight down and sooth my shoulders from where the rope was digging in.

"Hello Ava. Nice to see you made it back!" A large hand pats my back, nearly knocking me over. "I see hunting went well! We thought we were going to have to send a search party for you soon if you weren't back by dark!" Ginta informs me. His smile never wavers as he looks around at everyone then at the food before barking orders at the other men in the area to start dinner and get things ready for the evening.

This place isn't much, but it's all we have. All of us here have been bought and sold as slaves most, if not all, of our lives. Paying back debts, either our own or a family member, to just being born on the wrong property has landed us in our misfortune. Luckily there are enough of us to make a small community and help each other out. The birth of a new baby recently has boosted our morale, and has everyone in high hopes. Our new owner isn't a horrible woman. She has been nice enough to give us these shacks, which is already something most others wouldn't even think twice about doing, and she allows us to communicate freely and hunt as we please in our own time.

It may not sound like much, but every piece of food we can get, either from her good favor, or our own luck will become life saving in the winter. Considering that another two births may happen during that time. War has torn most of this village apart, making it the perfect place for so-called adventures, and thieves alike to come through and take what remains as their own. Leaving us to fin for ourselves and scrounge up what little we can from the forest. Most of the forest is deadly, whether that's poison, beasts, thieves, or just misstepping into a trap someone else has set up, it's not hard to become part of that forest quickly. I'm usually sent to do the hunting on account of how small I am, and how quickly I can set and unload traps. I've memorized where other traps have been set and the best spots during the seasons to set mine up.

Sitting next to Ruth on a fallen log, helping to sort through branches others have collected for tonights feast. She's new, just recently acquired by the mistress after her husband had passed of fever and she needed extra help around the house. Ruth is young, full of energy, but the look in her eyes tells me she has lost hope. What should be sparkling blue eyes full of life, are dull and sad. Something I have seen a few times when I was lucky enough to catch my reflection in glass or freshly polished silver when passing by. That was until I had ended up here. Here other people understood my pain, they helped me through it and showed me that I was able to make the best with what I was given. They are admirable people, who I am proud to know. Ruth has yet to learn that.

"That log is a good one for winter, we should not burn that tonight. You have a good eye." I point to the thick log she holds in her hands, her eyes far off as if she is somewhere else. She startles for a moment, as if she was lost in thought and my presence brought her back to the real world.

"Thank you. I'll put this one to the side then." Her voice sounds small and fragile. The sadness in her eyes seems to seep into her actions, as she picks up another log.

"I'm Alavira, I don't believe we've met yet." I hold out my hand to her with a small smile. I hope she perceives it as welcoming.

"I'm Ruth." She shakes my hand weakly and barely meets my eyes for a moment, before returning to her task.

"Not much of a talker, huh? That's alright! I can catch you up on the latest gossip and what's what around here." She looks at me amused for a moment before separating logs again. Ginta yells across the way to a young boy, making Ruth jump slightly. "Ah, don't worry about him! He's just loud, lost part of his hearing in an accident I believe. He's all bark, no bite. Let me see… where should I start to get you caught up on all the things happening over here?"