“Has your bonded not answered your call Rune?”
The dragon growled in frustration, scaled tail slamming down on the cave floor. His claws raked the ground, single eye closing as he reached out once more. He needed his bonded to Sin, he needed the thirst or the blood would do nothing for him. A long moment passed until finally he shuddered, letting out a beastly sigh that sounded of relief. The dragon rose, approaching the two forms in the middle of the cave. He eyed Layrion disdainfully before lowering his head, a low hum sounding out as he bit down. He drank his fill without issue, laying down as his body began to heal.
Ammy sighed, the tension leaving her shoulder. “When you’re done Rune I will have to look at your eye.” When she received no answer, her eyes narrowed. “Rune.”
The dragon lazily thumped its tail down in response, the scales shifting as his body slowly repaired itself, wings snapping back into place.
Rolling her eyes she knelt down next to Layrion, a hand reaching out to touch her now still shoulders. “I understand you are mourning. But you need to get up sister. This is not befitting an Elder.”
Yggdrasil bit his tongue to hold back his comment. Sometimes Ammy seemed to be cold and calculating, but he knew her heart was in the right place. She just need to use a bit more tact he thought. He stepped forward when Layrion did not stir. “If nothing else, we need to let the Humans back in here Layrion. You two should finish so that I can cover his body again. We need to talk to Alina.”
Layrion moved after a moment longer, sighing as she lifted herself up. She wiped the blood from her chin, stretching her wrist to test its strength to find it healed completely. She would not look down at Kiran. She couldn’t. Not anymore.
She pulled herself back to the cave wall, leaning back against it carefully, letting her armor’s weight pull her down with a low groan.
After a moment, the dragon lifted its head, stretching its now mended wings out with a contented growl. Ammy clicked her tongue, gesturing him back against the wall.
“Quit being lazy. Change back so I can make sure you’re alright.”
Rune gave her a baleful look, moving back at a slow pace to the furthest cave wall. Once there he curled about himself, and very gradually his form began to shift to his smaller human form. Scales fell from him like rain, revealing his healed pale skin beneath. As the last of the scales fell, he was able to sit up, the cool air of the cave seeping into his now bare form. His left eye remained tightly shut, scarred with red irritated skin. Ammy picked up one of their travel cloaks, walking over and draping it about him to keep him warm until he was able to dress. She knelt down, reaching out to trace the scars that ran over his eye.
He hissed softly, but did not pull away. “You can’t open it, can you?” She murmured softly.
“No.” He drew back from her touch. “It’s not there. The Humans took it.” He grab his under armor and began to dress, turning away from her. She sighed, standing and walking to Yggdrasil to help him move Kiran. Once everything was settled once more, Yggdrasil went to the caves opening.
“Please, you may come back in. We are sorry you had to leave.” The guard carried the child back in, and Alina followed behind silently.
She immediately went to Layrion, slowly kneeling down as best she could. “Are you still hurting?”
The light that had once shone brightly from Layrion’s single golden eye was now dulled as she looked up sadly at her friend. The power was still there, but the spark of life was not. Alina frowned. “Are you still hurting?” She asked again, this time more clipped.
Layrion shook her head.
"Then pick yourself up and tell us what is going to happen next. You're an Icchorian aren't you? I thought you were stronger than this."
All four Icchorians stared in surprise at Alina. Rune looked shell shocked that a Human would dare speak to them in that manner, while Yggdrasil was beyond amused. Layrion was very still as she considered Alina's words.
Then she smiled weakly. "I suppose we are, aren't we?" She sat up. "For now we rest until nightfall. We can make out way to a settlement not far from here to restock and get what we need. There you two may decide if you will stay with us, or head to the Human village far from Leben Festung in the south."
She stood, helping Alina up as well. "But before we leave, we will bury Kiran." Alina smiled gratefully, nodding.
It was a subdued group that set out an hour after sunset. It did not take long for two of the Icchorians to bury Kiran, and Alina had already said her goodbyes before. Layrion kept close to her side, helping her as they walked further south. Rune was oddly silent, keeping to the back of the group and watching the Humans suspiciously. Ammy took the time to fill Layrion in on the discovery of their new potential home. She described it in such detail that even the guard and Alina were captivated.
It was two days into their trip that the young boy awoke. They had to stop to rest, feeding him as best they could from what Rune and Ammy hunted. He had a bad cough that concerned Yggdrasil, but none of them were skilled in Human sickness or health issues. It was decided that once they reached the Icchorian settlement, the guard would set out to the Humans further south to find a doctor. But the boy's condition grew worse, and Yggdrasil decided to take the guard with him and set out, they would bypass the settlement and get the boy to a doctor as soon as they could.
As soon as night hit they left, Yggdrasil carrying the boy and the guard following swiftly. Layrion was quiet throughout, her concern focused solely on Alina. The pregnant woman constantly waved her away, even as she moved slower and slower each day.
“We are at a snail’s pace now.” Rune growled lowly. Ammy sighed, walking next to him.
“It can not be helped. Although...my concern lies beyond this.”
Rune glanced at her. “Taking the Human into the settlement is not a good idea.”
She nodded. “She would be torn apart. Surely Layrion has considered this.”
“I have. In fact, you two will go ahead. Secure what we need and have it ready by tomorrow night. I will stay with Alina until then, to let her rest.” She looked back at the two, head tilted. “And find out about a carriage. It will make our traveling easier.”
Rune sighed in relief. Anything was better than having to drag behind the Human for another step. “Let’s go.” He set out quickly, not sparing a glance for Alina as she walked by, missing her indulgent smile.
“He really doesn’t like me, does he?” Layrion shrugged, offering an apologetic smile.
“He doesn’t really like anyone.”
Ammy approached her sister, hands ever clasped before her. She favored the old language, not wanting Alina to worry over her words when she spoke. “Will you two be alright? We haven’t tracked anyone following us...but we’ve only covered so far.”
Layrion nodded. “I will let no harm come to her.”
Ammy’s eyes narrowed. “My concern only ever lies for you sister. Do not die for her.”
Layrion returned her stare evenly, until the younger Icchorian broke her gaze away. “I do not hold regret for my concerns. Take care of yourself. No good fortune follows that Human.” She moved on, back stiff as she disappeared into the forest. Layrion sighed, turning to Alina.
“There is a small safe hold up ahead we can stop at. It’s for travelers who are caught out in the sun. Should be deserted at this time of year, we can rest there until they have what we need.”
Alina nodded, allowing Layrion to help her over to the secluded entry point. It was a lot like the cave they had first taken refuge in, except this one showed signs of occupancy.
She settled herself down on a chair, sighing in relief. She watched Layrion moved about the cave, still rather impressed that all four Icchorians wore such heavy golden armor but could move so silently. Soon her feet were propped up on a stool and a warm fire made the cave more cozy.
“You know...if I knew who to brag to, I would tell them I have a mighty powerful Icchorian Elder acting as my nursemaid. They would die of shock I am sure.” Alina teased playfully watching as Layrion made some kind of soup with what rations were left. She smiled as the single golden eye caught hers over the fire.
“I did learn from the best. My sister and I were raised by Kali when our parents died. We could not have asked for a better teacher and friend. She told us stories of the outside world, even when our caretaker forbade it. She never wanted us to grow up ignorant of what was beyond ourselves. It was the reason I knew we would eventually have to leave.”
“She sounds like a smart woman.” It was rare of Layrion to speak of herself, especially something so personal. “Tell me more about her.”
As they ate dinner, Layrion told her stories of her childhood, shocking Alina when she spoke of the years that had encompassed. She knew Icchorians were long lived, but to see and get to know one who had been alive so long… it was humbling. They laughed together and shared memories late into the morning. By mid afternoon, the two were tired. Layrion helped Alina to lie down, silencing her murmurs about the child needing to hurry up and come into the world with a smile. Once she was sure her friend was sleeping comfortably, Layrion sat on the furthest side of the fire, facing the doorway. Her mind drifted to what Ammy had said about their potential home. A vast underground city, sprawling and complex with a river running through it freely. Slowly she drifted to sleep with these thoughts in her head, a bright future for them, and Alina at her side to see it all. To raise her child in peace.
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