Dragon Healer

By the time I woke up, it was still dark outside, so I tiptoed in to check on bane. He was sleeping soundly, so I grabbed some jerky from my cabinet, and walked to the cave’s entrance, I sat down and watched the sun rise over the treetops, the clouds moved lazily through the sky, it was still, and quiet, even the birds haven’t started singing. I heard a rustling in some bushes, and then, a young red fox jumped out. “Up so early?” I said. And Jess shifted to a semi-human appearance, with big paws, fox ears and a tail. “Nope, I’m not. So are you okay? Did that vampire come back?” I explained to him, that I was fine, and we had reached an agreement. “Well I’m relieved, can I get a hug this morning?” he grinned a wide phony grin and opened his arms wide, he gave me a nice big hug, and stole my jerky. “ Sweets for the sweet.” I said under my breath, “what?” “Oh, it’s nothing, Jess. By the way, you won't have to worry about me becoming attached to bane." he gave me a stern look, and stashed the remaining jerky in his pants pocket. “And what makes you think that I even see him as competition?" he raised one eyebrow comically, "when you have this stud-muffin hanging around?" he puffed out his chest and did his best cheesey smile, when I barely reacted, he put back his ears, and adopted a look of concern. "Are you alright? What’s going on? " His look of confusion softened a bit, but then he narrowed his eyes, and flattened his ears to his skull, he practically growled, "what did he do?" I looked at him, and told him the truth. "He did nothing. He is simply engaged. To...a lycan hunter."

he took a shaky step back, "a hunter? How stupid is he? She could turn on him if she finds that I’ve been helping you treat him! Do you at least know her name?" I shook my head slowly, and crossed my arms. "No, the only clue I have to her identity is that she hunts with her father, and she is mute." his pupils constricted, the blood drained out of his face. "Mute?...but that means...bane is betrothed to silent scythe!"

I wasn't one to keep up on current events. If I approach people who could not identify me, and they asked me something about some current event. I would have no idea. I met a woodsman once, he asked if I had heard of the outbreak of some disease in some city, and I couldn't even comment. He had laughed when I had said, what disease? And then he asked, "what? Do you live in a cave?" I never told him, but I’m pretty sure he knew anyway. I had heard a little about silent scythe once, it was a rumor, so you can't tell how much is true, but is was whispered the silent scythe always killed her targets with stunning accuracy, and the only thing that was ever heard, was the sound of her scythe cutting through the air.

This was going to get messy if i couldn't see the whole picture. Fast. I opened my mouth but Jess blurted "good morning Bane!" his voice was a little too shrill, his face still pale. He turned around and then called over his shoulder "mummy's calling gotta-go-bye!" and he ran, breakneck, into the woods.

Bane walked up behind me before I could turn around, and looped his arms around my shoulders, resting his head on my neck, he breathed in my hair, and idly played with a wayward strand. "Bane!" I cried indignantly, what do you think your..." he stopped playing with my hair and heaved a heavy sigh. "i don't care." he leaned some weight on me. "I’m happy here." I opened and shut my mouth like a fish. "Well you may be happy, but think what your fiancé will do! She’ll hunt this whole valley if she thinks you're here!" he loosened his grip so I could pull away. "I..." he began. "I want to tell her the truth." that softened my expression a little, "who?" he fiddled with the bandages on his side, "my mother. I need to tell her what happened," he looked at me, gorgeous eyes pleading, "will you help me travel? If we go to see her? I think we can get Core to help. And she can set this right." my thoughts wandered to jess, and what he might think. "I just want to keep this valley safe for you..." he pressed, so finally, I gave in.

"I’ll help you travel, I’ll talk to Core tonight if he visits." No, I thought, Jess can't learn of this, it was just too dangerous. He would understand when we get back. And most of all, he would be safer here.

I opted for fishing today, and hooked the tiniest rainbow fish I ever saw, he was so cute, in his seven colored scales; I had to throw him back without wishing. I caught a big catfish, and cut it up quickly, so I could use what I didn't need for bait, and just to feed the fish. The little rainbow fish ate some of what I offered before swimming off, cute as a button. Unfortunately, watching the fish means not watched the wicked iron hook I used. I slipped and nearly hit muscle on the back of my hand. I bit my lip to hold back the expletives. The fish was just too cute to cuss at. I patched my hand up, of course it was my good hand, but at least it didn't cause any damage that wouldn't heal soon. My other catches were not nearly as interesting, or edible. I caught a brown mudfish, who croaked in protest to it's capture until I could remove the hook, a few hawk fish, fish with strange faces that look a lot like the bill of a predatory bird. And...One dork-fish. A fish whose upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw, with goofy looking green blotches clashing horribly with it's orange and pink body. no wonder no one can eat them. Such a person would be found in the early daylight hours, passed out in a puddle of their own drool from laughing. I giggled and threw it back. Uncommon, but hardly something you would want to eat. They were common pets when I was a girl. Their goofy looks hid a sweet demeanor. They were cool fish, those dork-fish. I sat up and got a good stretch before packing what was left of the catfish, and heading down the river, I had all day to wash and enjoy myself before I had to go home in the afternoon.

Now, was me time. after a short walk i came up to a spectacular waterfall, it was about a hundred feet high, but it's waters were gentle, cool, and overall good for bathing. This was one of the reasons that i had chosen this valley in particular. I didn't have to worry about Jess; he knew I wouldn't stand for him peeping. Bane was in the cave, (hopefully) and I had time to myself. I took off my shirt and shirt, and folded them neatly, then carried them out to a nice flat rock by the waters edge were I could see them, I folded my underwear into the middle of the pile, and waded out into the water. it was refreshing, and clear. So I waded out to where the water fell, and rinsed out my hair, I hadn’t made new soap yet, so I would have to bear with it. I washed up and waded back to shore, were I dried off sufficiently with my shirt, then rung it out to carry it with me, I had an undershirt, and I was the only one there, who cares?

I had just though this when I saw movement in the water! What was that darting shadow? I had heard of many rumor were there are fish-people! I will kill them. I marched back to shore, and picked up a nice heavy rock, I looked carefully, at the shadow, and relaxed, no peeping fish. (Yes I know I am a bit paranoid about that, but you would be too.) I put down the rock and looked around, seeing some blueberries, I picked a handful, and waded out as close to the thing as I could. It was a HUGE dork-fish, it's normally green spots were blue, and it's comical grin was a bit exaggerated. I smiled and threw a few berries, and watched it gobble them up greedily. I played with the giant fish for a while, feeding it, and petting it's sides when it swam close for more food, it seemed to enjoy the attention, wallowing in the water so I could scratch her belly. That’s right! Females had blue spots. I had learned that a long time ago. I forget when. But she was loving the berries, and sweeping her trailing fins around them so she could catch the floating morsels. I had fun, and fed her the rest of the berries, then picked a few little parasites off her while I could. She swam off and hid under the waterfall, no wonder, the same mist I like for privacy, she used to her advantage, smart fish. And now I had another reason to visit every once in a while. I waded back to shore and saw that the sun was setting fast. Well, it was worth the time. I smiled, nothing like a new friend. I traveled back in kind of a hurry, since it was starting to get dark, and I’m sure to have three men at my door.

I got home to see chunk, sleeping like a hatchling, on my doorstep. I guess I’m just too maternal for my own good. I walked up, and absentmindedly stroked his craggy old shoulders. Yea, he was a pain, but he was always happy for my help. He snorted in his deep sleep, and I snickered, and walked in to see how bane was doing. "Do I smell fish?" he said, I blushed, and quickly turned around. All he was wearing very tight leather pants, they were my leather pants, I only had them for messy work since it protects my legs better than a normal skirt. But he had obviously seen them laid out in my emergency med kit, and decided to wear them. I stammered "wh-why are you wearing my le-leather pants?" he got up from the chair he had been lounging in, and started to me, hey, when all else fails, rely on chunk. I briskly walked outside and petted chunk on his dull muzzle. "I need to see what chunk wants. Hold on...I was still blushing profusely. He sauntered out, he then picked up my backpack, and carried the catfish back to the fire pit, I was a little puzzled, since we still had pig left, but I let it be.

Chunk opened his eyes sleepily, and blinked slowly at me, and yawned a full set of teeth a young dragon could envy, and sat up, he rubbed his eyes as he stared to talk "I was told to tell you you will soon be visited by this area's queen, i am honored with this duty," he scratched his chin with his back leg, pausing for effect, “and I urge you to show much respect, " he looked at me with big slitted pupils. Then settled back down. A huge silver darkened the sky; I hadn't even seen it on the horizon! It alighted, and I saw that it was a male, wait? Then where...just then, from the silver's shadow, waddled an old green as obese as chunk, this one was a female. Chunk looked up with amusement, "Emralc... this is the healer that has been helping all of your greens," she looked at me with a very maturnal expression. And puffed her scales out slightly in a motherly gesture, "why, I am so sorry that I haven't met you sooner" my jaw hit the ground, she spoke perfect English. She saw my awe at her mastery of languages, "I am truly thankful that you have treated my mate and my children, and I wish to know your name" I bowed slightly, and replied "Lily," she graced me with a warm smile and transformed into an elderly, motherly woman, her illusion was perfect, and she was still as rotund as her natural form. I liked her already. Her sliver, I was pretty sure he was a guard, turned into a big man, with tightly curled silver hair that was cut short, and nice sliver eyes, that almost seemed reflective. unlike bane or jess, he had the build of a weight lifter, with masses of muscle, and a short neck, making him look serious. he wore traditional scale mail, and if I heard the name right, Emralc was wearing a cozy button down dress. Chunk stood up and walked over to plop down right behind her, he turned his head to regard me, like he was slightly bored.

Emralc pursed her lips, and smacked chunk upside the head, it was a playful blow, but i couldn't help suppress my laughter. Chunk transformed into an obese elderly man who was going bald, he wore a patchy shirt, and wide legged slacks. He slinked over to the sliver's side, the sliver, looked down on him with half-concealed laughter, but masked this with a dull-eyed stare once chunk looked up. I remembered bane and the food. So I tried to cut it short. She thanked me for my services, and offered her help when and if it was ever needed. I thanked her profusely, and acted nervous, like I had things to do but really respected her. We talked small talk for a while, until the sun had set. It was then that the silver spoke up. His voice was gravelly, “do I smell…catfish?” I remembered the big fish and invited them to a nice fish dinner; I had plenty, why not?

We ate and made merry late into the night before Emralc and chunk bid a fond farewell to go and roost for the night. I had sat next to the silver, whose name turned out to be Rawst. He left shortly after they did and thanked me for the dinner. Bane had sat directly across from me, and had eaten in peace. After eating, Bane walked over to sit down beside me; he scooted close, and rested his head on my shoulder. “Well I see you like my pants,” I said, and he leaned some weight on me. He leaned in and I grabbed him by the shoulder, he was asleep. His eyes closed in blissful repose. I had to smile a little, pushy as he was. I threw him over my shoulder and carried him back to his room. I set him on his bed, and closed the door quietly as not to wake him.

I walked back out to clean up the meals mess, when I heard something coming from inside my room. It was a delicate scratching, faint enough that if you weren’t paying attention, you never could have heard it. I walked back to the door, and saw that it was slightly ajar. I gave it a gentle push and peeked inside to see core. I relaxed a bit, but something was nagging in the background, something I forgot…I walked in and saw him stretched out on a chair. He was wearing a loose white shirt, it was low cut and tied around the waist with a dark ribbon that looked a very suspicious shade of red. With tight, brown, leather pants. What is with men and leather pants? I guess I will never know. Well I blushed, and seeing this core gave me a small smile, showing delicate white fangs. “Took you long enough,” and he moved to pick him self out of the chair, “well I had to talk to this area’s queen, Emralc.” He nodded, and walked his way over to me, and I backed up instinctively, he laughed a soft laugh, that seemed to linger in the air, as he came closer, and carfully placed his hands on my shoulders. I flinched,and my back hit the wall. I looked at him with a sudden fear, he had said the last time we met, that he had not fed. I had vagely wondered why. now i could only whisper, "core...why are you?" and he silenced me with a finger across my lips, "say nothing..." his voice seemed to have an odd echo to it. I was about to protest my capture, but for some odd reason i stayed quiet. i raised my hands and put them squarely on his chest, to push him away, and he spotted my bandage. his hands slid from my shoulders to the wall, pinning me. I was shocked, I tried pushing him off, only succeding in tiring myself out. a lump of fear lodged in my throat. I couldn't budge him, he opened his mouth showing those fangs, and I closed my eyes and turned my head away. his breath was sweet on my neck, he hovered as if to bite, but gave me the lightest of kisses. and whispered in my ear, "i must.." he kissed me agian, higher, and little less sweet, "apologize for my..." he pressed his face into my neck."bad behavior..." I was too stunned to say a word. I just stood there helplessly, I couldn't push him away...and if I fought back...all it might do would be to help his appetite. so I did all I could, I clumsly excepted his embrace, and stroked his hair, as he stood over me. I was shaking as he moved back a step, and took my hand in his, and carefully tore off the crude bandage. "you know this needs to be cleaned..." he used his other hand to push me sleeve down to my elbow, then placed it back on the wall. he sort of sighed, and i shuddered, he watched my face as he pulled out the healing scab. I winched, but i did't frown or cry, I just gave mirrored his expression. this seemed to bring him back to reality for a second, he blinked, and shook his head so his lushious hair flew in every direction. he froze for a moment before looking back at me. and when he looked back, huge leathery bat wings emerged from the back of his shirt, and his ears crawled up the sides of his head and grew pointed and suited for sonar. his nails grew long and they bit into my skin were he held me. my hand was bleeding openly, and he bent to lap the flowing blood. he drank for what seemed like forever, not once entering the little wound, then very carefully, he let himself clean it, pulling himself away as best he could. then faster than i could follow, he let me go, and retreated to his chair. he sat up straight, nails digging into the upholstry with his head down and face hidden. "i must do as my current employer requests, but I have to let you know." I could see he was having a hard time restraining himself,he was shaking. "I was ordered to kill you. and take the dragon half back to the queen. I despise her, almost as much as that brat of fiance that the queen has ordered her son to wed, they are both spoiled and care not for who they harm to get their way." he paused and took a noisy breath "I haven't fed since I was assigned. if they find I have fed on any other, or failed at my mission, they will see me burned. you..." he took another noisy breath, and walked shakly over to where I stood, "have earned the respect of the creatures here..." this time I stood my ground, no more chasing. "and you look so much like her..." he stopped right in front of me, "but you are opposites in demeanor and in personality." I watched his face, "who?" he took my chin in his hand and held it up, I held on to his arm in a futile gesture. he spat the name like it tasted bad, "Camula...Camula of the citidel, daugter of silver sword, nicknamed silent scythe." the pupils of his eyes spread to cover the emrald green irises...and he cocked his head to the side. he was a predator. just like that. if I survive, I would thank him for the information. his wings spread out behind him and he hissed, curling the wings around me like a cloak, he decended, fangs beared. I screamed, and put my hands in front of me, he grabbed my injured hand and licked off the remaing blood, tearing it open a little more, and I watched the wound heal completely, he looked me in the eyes just as jess and bane both knocked the door down. he hissed and released me, spitting, and flew out the door like a whirlwind. both jess and bane rushed to my side, I collasped, overwhelmed.