I didn't like the dragon one bit but Belle seemed fragile, and my personality didn't let me feel anger towards her.

I was about to say something to her when someone came over from the crowd. A man who was three times my size and that is saying a lot. He wasn't taller but he looked like a bodybuilder. I didn't want to find out what his punch felt like.

I wouldn't consider myself weak looking but in my job, I had to be more agile so I wasn't as bulky. If you were to compared us two it would be like a bear and a wolf.

He eyed me suspiciously and then turned to the dragon “Lady Arlene it is good to see you back already.”

She nodded politely “How are you doing Rick?”

He grinned “I'm well, kids are being busy buddies but it's worth it.”

Belle joined in “And how is Jenna?”

He hummed “Tired, but she is fine and healthy.”

Belle finally smiled, while Rick asked “And who are you? I thought you'll be bringing a woman, my lady?”

The dragon shook her head “Plans do change.”

“I see so what is your sin?” He then pattered me on the shoulder and I thought it got crushed. He didn't just look powerful.

I stayed unmoving trying not to buckle, and the dragon answered for me, “He doesn't have one, he sacrificed himself for the sinner. So I decided to give her last chance to atone in her village.”

Rick hummed “I see, well aren't you precious?” He grinned and got a hold of my neck in a Nelson after which he gave me a ruffle of my hair. I wanted to choke out my lung. I wasn't convinced he understood his own strength.

When he let me go I frowned gasping, “Are you sure you're a human?”

He shrugged “Of course, I can prove it if it eases you.”

I nodded, curious, and he threw a punch. However, it was not directed at me. The dragon caught his fist in a one-handed grip. She then twisted his arm and pinned him down on the ground.

He sighed “Always on guard…”

The dragon let him go and said: “I don't know why you expected anything else from me.”

He chuckled scrambling to his feet “My apologies my lady.”

If I was scared of her before I became terrified after seeing that.

Belle explained from the side "Rick was one of the first ones here, that's why he is friendly with lady Arlene.”

I hummed looking at Rick, all of them were talking about sins, and that made me curious. I asked, “So what exactly is it with the sins?”

Belle explained as if she was a walking encyclopedia at my disposal “There are many evil people out there, some can change but some need help with it. Those sinners are brought here so we can help them.”

I glanced at her “Then what's yours?”

Belle shied away while Rick said, “Some don't like to speak of it, we are different people now, but I can tell you mine.” I tilted my head and he said in the matter of fact tone “Thief and killer.” I went quiet and Rick continued “Not proud of it but I was quite the popular murderer back in the day. Now, however, I am someone else.”

I listened to him and couldn't shake off the feeling that he was giving off the idea that the dragon helped him by bringing him here. I turned to her and asked “So what was Natalie's sin? She killed no one.”

Dragon dropped her head and started to walk off while saying “Take him around you two. I need to meditate.”

Belle bowed her head and Rick grinned “Of course lady Arlene.”

Once she was gone Rick then said apologetically "I have few things to do first though. Would it be all right if I gave you the tour tomorrow?"

"Yes, I am busy as well." Belle chipped in.

I nodded not having any other choice, and so Belle led me to one of the empty houses where I will be staying at. Once she was gone it dawned on me just how bad my situation is. I am stuck with strangers and a dragon in a mountain... Just wonderful.

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