Daughter of Redmoon

Ch2: XIA

"Release me, mortal." Her voice is weak and lacks any sort of threat.

I glance over at the woman I've got tied up across the camp. I've wrapped her in blankets to keep her warm, but I've also bound her hands and feet so I feel safe.

She struggles with the ropes around her wrists, but fails to loosen them.

"I could have finished you off back there," I say with as much bravado as I can muster. "I chose to spare your life instead. A little gratitude would not go unappreciated."

She glares at me as best she can.

"Would you prefer that I put you out of your misery?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. "I can, you know? You're already at death's door."

A single glistening tear rolls down the side of her cheek.

I study her for a moment before continuing. "You want to tell me what happened back there? Why did two of your kind attack you and leave you for dead?"

The redhead dragon woman chooses not to answer and looks away.

"You're used to commanding what you see as lower forms of life, aren't you?" I ask and fold my arms. "You dragons have immense power and you use it to control others through fear."

Still no response.

"Well, perhaps I was wrong to spare you then. Shall I simply leave you here like this so you can slowly transition to Oblivion? You killed my battle companion – I woman that I loved very much. I owe you a death, wouldn't you say?"

"Get on with it then, mortal," she mutters without looking at me. "The cold embrace of death is preferable to your meaningless prattle."

I extend my dragon mace and spin it in my hand a couple of times. I'm quickly losing my patience with this haughty being. She did kill my love. I do owe her a death.

She turns her head even further away from me as I rest the mace ball on her shoulder.

"My name is Claudia of clan Redmoon," I say through gritted teeth. "Only by the grace of Mother Redmoon am I currently sparing your life. You'll send a prayer of gratitude her way if you have any sense."

The redhead continues to sit in silent defiance.

I feel my anger rising. Mother Redmoon, grant me the strength to carry out your will.

Another sparkling diamond tear rolls down her cheek. I feel my anger begin to abate. She must be experiencing a great deal of inner turmoil at the moment. A being of such majesty suddenly weakened to the point of near-death and now a prisoner of something that she considers to be beneath her. Perhaps she's punishing herself more than I ever could.

She shudders as I pull open the bandage I had placed across her chest. The Lovejoy dagger wound hasn't begun to heal yet. Her dragon essence slowly continues to evaporate.

"You're still going to die, dragon," I say in a grave tone. "You're going to have to tell me how to treat this wound if you want to live – which means you're going to have to get over your inflated opinion of yourself and treat me with some respect."

She takes several deep breaths to gather her strength. "You will do as I command because I am superior to you in every way!"

I slowly shake my head.

"Shall I place those words on your grave marker then?" I ask. "I hope you find solace in your hubris, dragon – for no one shall shed a tear for you when you pass."

I turn my back to her and begin busying myself with tidying up the little campsite that I had quickly thrown together. Daisy stands under a tree and nibbles at a few tender blades of grass. She's not bothered by the uncomfortable exchange that just took place.