DragonTribes #1: RiverTribe

Chapter 8: Adieu

"Are you sure about your decision?" Chieftan Taurence looked Alicia in the eyes.

Alicia fidgited in her seat, "Yes, I am sure, but I'd like to say goodbye to Tanu before Ramses gets here."

"What if we don't find someone to be a dragon tamer, would you come back?" Chieftan Taurence pet the leaf of the plant on the table.

Alicia shrugged, "Maybe."

"I don't think you need to worry about that,  I believe Tanu has his eyes on a woman to marry perhaps his child can take his place." Chieftan Taurence smiled.

Alicia stood up, "May I be excused?"

Chieftan Taurence nodded. Alicia fled from the Chieftan's tent. She walked to the dragon pens. Tanu was leading the RiverDragons back from their tred. He glanced at her, but continued walking.

Tanu snorted, which oddly reminded Alicia of a dragon, and spoke, "Back, not for long though, huh?"

His voice was spicy, not the kind, comforting voice Alicia was used too.

"What's eating you?" Alicia asked ignoring his question.

"Well I thought you would stay. You seemed to make up your mind so quickly to leave. I thought you'd stay at your home tribe and continue to help me. I thought..." Tanu trailed off.

Tanu fidgited with the rope he untied from Iguana's harness. Iguana looked at him, concerned. Alicia glanced at the ground and back up at Tanu. His eyes quickly averted to the wall. Does he like me? He is only 6 years older. If Chieftan Taurence was right, then maybe Tanu was planning to marry me. Don't be silly Alicia, it's not you.

Tanu sighed and untied the rest of the ropes. He worked quickly and clumsily. Alicia hesitated then helped Tanu lead the dragons to their pens. Tanu sighed once more and slowly walked back to the wall to hang up the harnesses.

He spoke quietly, "So are you leaving soon?"

Alicia tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat instead she nodded.

Tanu slowly reached for Alicia's hand. Alicia slightly extended her arm. He held her hand and looked her in the eyes.

"Be careful out there. If you ever change your mind you can always come back." He said his eyes still locked on hers.

I thought I was speechless before! Alicia nodded again. Tanu shrugged and walked away. Alicia wanted to run and hug him, but her feet were planted on the ground. She let out a deep sigh then turned and left.

She ambled to her house. She choked down her thoughts about Tanu and ignored the feeling of his hand holding hers. Instead she thought about Ramses. Ramses said I can take two things. I know exactly what to get first. Alicia hurriedly walked down to her room. She glanced at her bed. It looked peaceful as if it hadn't been touched in a long time. Alicia took the painting off the wall. She stroked her father's face with her thumb. It's hard to believe it's been almost 10 years since I've seen him. Mother's had a large smile on her face. It filled Alicia's heart with passion. Then she looked at her former baby self, held in Mother's arms. Alicia had chubby cheeks and a dark head of hair. Alicia ran her fingers through her much longer hair. In a ponytail it went down to her mid back. She held the painting close to her. What else to bring. Alicia scanned the room. Ramses said only two things so the other one has to be just as important to me as this painting. Alicia eyes stopped on a small wooden box. She set the painting on the table, her eyes still locked on the box. Mother used to look inside this all the time for comfort. Alicia hand slowly slid down the table towards the box. She hesitated then picked it up and set it in her palm. She said I couldn't look in it whenever I asked. Could I look in it now? Alicia slowly lifted the top off the box. She felt scared even though she knew nothing would jump out at her. Alicia looked inside. There was a green scale. Alligator's green scale to be exact. Mother never hated dragons... She just acted like she did, she tried everything to keep me away from them. I was so persistent though. Alicia gently picked up the scale and rubbed its smooth surface. Alli was a good dragon. Alicia glanced in the box as the sunlight reflected off something.  Under the scale, Mother had put Father's ring. Alicia put the scale on the table and picked up the ring with awe. How did she get this? Alicia rolled it between her fingers. Alicia froze remembering before the Grassland Tribe burnt their village. How could I have forgotten? When Father had leaned in to kiss Mother's cheek, he had handed her his ring. So he didn't think he was going to make it either? I don't understand... Alicia shook her head no longer wanting to ponder about the ring. Instead she placed the box and ring down and went on a scavenger hunt for Mother's ring.