DRAGON's REFUGE

Jacob, still nursing the pain from his burned hand, followed the young dragon into what appeared to be a proper house carved into the mountainside. The house was surprisingly cozy, with smooth stone walls and warm lighting emanating from crystal-like formations embedded in the ceiling. The young dragon, still nervous after accidentally burning Jacob, led him into the living room where a dragon couple sat.

But Jacob's attention was immediately drawn to a familiar sight—Druid, his small humanoid wooden bull friend, was prancing around happily, playing with the dragon family. The sight of Druid brought a wave of relief to Jacob, easing the tension from the harrowing escape he had just made.

"Druid!" Jacob called out, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and joy.

Druid turned around, his wooden features animated with excitement. "Jacob! You're here! Isn't this place amazing?"

Ignoring the welcoming gestures from the dragon couple, Jacob knelt down to get a closer look at Druid. "How did you end up here, Druid? I thought the dragons had captured everyone."

Druid puffed out his tiny wooden chest, his voice dripping with exaggerated bravado. "I fought dragons full force and made them realize what they were!" He struck a pose, his arms crossed defiantly, as if he had just saved an entire city single-handedly.

Jacob couldn't help but smirk at his little friend's theatrics. It was good to see Druid still had his sense of humor, especially in the midst of the danger they were in. But as he glanced around the cozy, yet foreign surroundings, his expression turned wary. He was far from comfortable in a dragon's lair.

Just then, a warrior dragon stepped into view, his scales a deep, burnished bronze that glinted like metal in the warm light of the fire crackling nearby. He was tall, his wings tucked neatly against his back, and he carried an air of quiet strength.

"I saved him," the dragon said, his voice a low rumble, yet oddly gentle. "His cries were deafening. He was shouting continuously, and it was disrupting my meditation." Regal's golden eyes were calm but piercing as they met Jacob's.

Druid, still riding his wave of exaggerated heroism, tried to explain, but the warrior dragon cut him off. "When I asked Druid about his friend, he described your features perfectly. My little sister found you, and I apologize for her overenthusiasm." Regal's gaze softened as he glanced towards a smaller dragon, who shyly peeked out from behind a large stone pillar.

Jacob stood up, his movements stiff and uncertain. "Thanks for your help, but I need to leave." He turned towards Druid, his voice edged with urgency. "Let's go, Druid. We need to find the others and get out of here."

Regal raised a clawed hand, his expression unreadable. "Wait. My family is offering you refuge for the night. It's not safe out there."

Jacob's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why should I trust a dragon? How do I know this isn't a trap?" His voice was sharp, fueled by fear and anger.

Regal paused, visibly taken aback by Jacob's hostility. For a moment, the warrior dragon looked vulnerable—almost hurt by the accusation. "What if I told you we're not with those dragons anymore?" he said softly. His wings twitched slightly, betraying his discomfort.

Jacob clenched his fists, his distrust evident. "And what if this is all part of a plan to get me to lower my guard?"

The tension in the room was palpable, and before Jacob could say anything more, Druid leapt up, his wooden limbs flailing, and delivered a swift kick to Jacob's head. It wasn't a particularly powerful blow, but it was enough to catch Jacob off guard and knock him out. The last thing Jacob saw was Druid's small, determined face before everything went black.

When Jacob woke, he found himself lying on a surprisingly comfortable bed inside an igloo-like structure. The walls were made of tightly packed snow and ice, glowing faintly in the light of a small fire burning in a stone pit nearby. Druid sat on top of Jacob's chest, looking down at him with a mix of concern and defiance.

"You're awake," Druid said simply, hopping off Jacob's chest and onto the bed's edge.

Jacob groaned, rubbing the back of his head where Druid had kicked him. "Where am I?" he asked, glancing around the igloo.

Regal stepped forward, his massive form barely fitting through the entrance. "This is where my grandmother, Nivalis, takes care of her patients. She's an old ice dragon and a healer." Regal's tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency as if he needed Jacob to understand the gravity of the situation.

Jacob looked down at his hands, realizing that the burns were completely gone. His skin was smooth and unblemished, the pain he had felt earlier replaced by a strange numbness. He flexed his fingers experimentally, marveling at the rapid healing.

A soft, soothing voice filled the room, and an elderly dragon, her scales pale blue and frosted with icy crystals, glided towards him. Grandma Nivalis moved with a grace that defied her age, her long tail brushing the ground softly as she approached.

"Ah, the human boy is awake," she said, her voice like the whisper of wind through a snowy valley. She gently rubbed the tip of her tail against Jacob's arm, her touch cool and calming. "You were in poor condition when Regal brought you here. It's good to see you looking better."

Jacob stared at her, astonished by the dragon's kindness. "Thank you," he said quietly, feeling a lump form in his throat. He had been so ready to hate them, to distrust them, but here he was—healed and safe.

Nivalis gave a gentle nod. "You are a good human boy. Take care of yourself." With that, she turned and glided away, leaving Jacob to his thoughts.

Later, at the dinner table, Jacob sat with Regal and his family. The table was long and made of dark, polished wood. A simple yet hearty meal was laid out before them—strange fruits and roasted meats, none of which Jacob could easily identify. The room was warm, and the air was filled with the soft crackle of the fire and the low murmur of conversation.

Jacob glanced around, feeling an odd mix of comfort and unease. He watched as Regal's little sister, still shy and hiding behind her wings, peered at him with wide, curious eyes. The other dragons ate quietly, their movements deliberate and respectful, far from the monstrous image Jacob had held in his mind.

Finally, Jacob broke the silence. "Why are you helping me?" he asked Regal, his voice cutting through the quiet like a knife.