Finding The Red Dragon

Royal Blood

After hugs and promises to return soon, Ella stepped up to Allan, who picked her up gently and carried her down to a waiting SUV. She was very thankful for the lift since she knew her legs would never carry her this far.

"Hello Torsten." Ella smiled as she laid across the backseat, putting her head on his leg. She was so tired and just wanted to rest.

"Hello wolf slayer. How bad is it?" Torsten lifted her shirt and she flinched. "Allan, there is no time to get her back to the manor like this. I can fly her there." "Yes, let's fly." Ella smiled as her eyes closed.

"We are going to see Ragnar first." Allan told him, then growled at Erik to drive, shouting directions as they went. Ella didn't care where they went, she just wanted to sleep.

"Hold on Ella." Torsten brushed her hair. "I am." She cuddled up into him more, for warmth than anything as she took his hand, holding it as the pain seared through her. How was it getting worse? Every bump was more painful than the last. And just when she thought she could not hold on anymore, the truck stopped, and cool air rushed across her body as she was moved.

"RAGNAR!" Allan called as he carried her through the woods. "Ragnar, Ella needs you." He called louder and she flinched at the pain in her head. "My head hurts, not so loud." She huffed, making Torsten laugh beside her.

"She's half dead and still barking orders." Torsten called out. "Shhh. I will kick your ass when I wake up." She closed her eyes again. "Do not go to sleep Ella, stay away. RAGNOR DAMNIT!" She felt Allan's frustration and laid her hand on his chest.

"Easy, I will be ok." Ella tried to seem unconcerned with her situation. "Where is he?" Allan was looking around and she could feel his unease.

"Allan, it's ok. If we cannot find him, you heal me." "No, he will. RAGNOR!" He yelled at almost a roar and then she heard his voice and smiled. "WHAT?!" He stomped through the trees as Allan stopped and laid Ella on the ground.

"HUMAN!" Ragnar's voice rumbled. "I am fine, just a little scratch." She tried to sit up, but the weakness in her body was too strong. "Human." Ragnar's snout was in her face as she opened her eyes.

"Will you please just call me Ella. And your breath stinks." She smiled and he huffed, blowing her hair off her face. She had missed that so much. If she wasn't so weak, she would have told him.

"A wolf scratched her. It is deep, and she has lost a lot of blood." Allan explained. "Heal her." Ragnar growled. "We brought her to you to heal." Allan let her go and stepped back. "ME?" His voice was confused. "Yes, hurry. She does not have much time." Allan urged.

"I am still alive and can hear you, assholes. Can someone just do something now, or I am going back to let the damn wolf lick me. This burns." She pulled up her shirt and there were gasps. "Yeah, it's not pretty, just lick it, touch it, or whatever the hell you have to do. I just want the burning to stop!" She almost cried out.

"She takes down an army of wolves, yet a scratch has her whining." Torsten poked at her shoulder. "Watch it Torsty. I will hurt you." "Yeah yeah. You think because you are a wolf goddess now we are going to bow to you too." "Uh, yeah." She laughed, opening her eyes to look at him as she stuck out her tongue.

"Wolf goddess?" Ragnar was confused. "We will tell you all about it later big guy, just do your thing." Torsten took Ella's hand. "Come on Ragnar." He added, more serious as she squeezed his hand tightly. The pain was almost unbearable now.

"I am not a healer. I cannot do that." Ragnar whined. She opened her eyes to look up at him. Then slowly she reached for his snout, laying her hand on him. "It's ok. I got to see real dragons and werewolves here. And today I led a pack of wolves, killed the bad guy, and saved the wolf world. It was a pretty great day. In fact, other than the blinding pain, I think it was a kickass day."