A Light in the Shadows.

A Small Child

Finally, I felt able to go back to the castle. I was afraid to turn human, since it was so much easier to see the cuts and bruises, but I made myself do it. Slowly I gazed in shock at the damage done to my body. I was in so much pain, but I didn't think it was that bad. I was covered in blood, and the bruises were already showing through. My belly was torn, and my chest was bleeding from the huge female dragon. I sighed, stepping into a shower, invented by water magic. I slowly, carefully, began washing the blood off my wounds. It was almost worse without the blood covering the wounds. I cringed, and my stomach churned. It was bad. I winced, taking my time to get out of the magical water. I eventually stepped out, wrapping bandages around the worst cuts. I went on to the smaller ones. Soon I was finished. I let out a deep breath, the tenseness leaving my body somewhat. I put on a soft sweater and loose sweatpants. Finally I felt ready to go see Jelequi. I let my eyes scan over my body in the large mirror, wishing I didn't feel so much pain. I looked away and flew to the elf city.

I flew down to the elven city. As always, the window was open in Jelequi's room. Something that was different though, there were sounds of a child running around. I was able to see a small girl running in circles while Jelequi read. I knocked on the window. Jelequi looked over, smiling. "Seraphina!" Jelequi said, relief in her voice. "Hi," I said sheepishly. "Come on in!" Jelequi said. I came in hugging Jelequi tightly. "I'm so glad Xentri didn't let you come," I said. "I hope the potions helped.." Jelequi mentioned. "I didn't have any. Others mattered more than me, but I'm sure they helped. A lot." The child that was in there stopped running, looking over. "Nice person, who is this?" The girl asked. "This is my friend." Jelequi told the girl. "Who is this?" I asked, that being the more important question. "This is Argila, a kid I agreed to babysit." Jelequi said. "Okay," I said. Argila smiled, hugging both Jelequi's and I's legs. I smiled at the adorable child. Argila let go, going back to running in circles. "Endless energy" I marveled. "Like all kids." Jelequi laughed. "I remember that," I said, leaning my head on Jelequi's shoulder. "Nice person?" The kid asked Jelequi. "Yes?" "What is your name?" Argila asked. "I'm Jelequi." Jelequi told the kid. I shook my head slightly, my head still being on Jelequi's shoulder. Jelequi smiled, sitting down with me. "Any word from your friends?" I asked. "Sadly not.." Jelequi said disappointedly, seeming worried. "I set a guard to make sure they would be safe, especially amharic. I'm sure they're okay" I said soothingly. "Thank you.." Jelequi said. "What about Papa!?" Argila asked. "I'm sure he is just fine." Jelequi told her. "I'm sure he's fine," I said. Argila smiled, "He is strong!" Jelequi giggled, smiling. I laughed a little, and I started relaxing. Jelequi smiled softly, hugging me close. I felt a sharp stab of pain and winced. "Are you alright..?" Jelequi asked quietly. "Fine, just in pain," I said. "Do you need a healing potion? I still have some." Jelequi asked. "It's fine, I don't want to take anything." I said, feeling terrible Jelequi had used all her wonderful potions on me and my tribe. "If you need it, you should take it. I don't want you to be in pain.." Jelequi mumbled. "I've already taken a lot from you, besides, I've been through worse." I said. "Don't worry about it. If you ever want it, tell me." Jelequi smiled. "Nice person." Argila walked over, yawning. "Yes?" "I'm tired..." Argila looked up at Jelequi. "Alright, I'll get some blankets, and pillows to get you a place to sleep." Jelequi said, getting up. I watched, yawning. "Seraphina, I'm just going to put Argila to bed quickly." Jelequi told me, heading out of her room. "Okay" I hummed. Jelequi came back after a few minutes, without Argila. "I got her some pillows and blankets, so she is sleeping peacefully on the couch." Jelequi said, sitting back down with me. "Nice," Seraphina replied. Jelequi hugged me, smiling softly. I hugged back, smiling as well. "Should we head to sleep...?" Jelequi asked. "Okay" I replied. Jelequi yawned, hugging me. I rested my head on Jelequi's shoulder. Jelequi closed her eyes softly, drifting to sleep. I fell asleep soon after.

I woke up in the morning, Jelequi not there. I yawned and stretched, and got a book. The door opened slowly, Jelequi quietly entering. "Good morning." Jelequi smiled at me "Good morning" I said. Jelequi walked over, hugging me. I hugged back, smiling. "Should we head down to the shop?" Jelequi asked. "Okay" I said. Jelequi took my hand, gently pulling me to my feet. I followed Jelequi to the shop. we got there, nobody was in the shop. Jelequi unlocked the door. "If you were wondering, I took Argila home this morning." Jelequi told me. "Oh, that's why you weren't there?" I asked. Jelequi nodded, walking back over, hugging me. I hugged her back tightly. Jelequi smiled. I smiled back softly. The door opened, Amharic entered. "Morning.." Amharic yawned. "Morning" I said with a yawn of my own. "Good morning. Are you alright?" Jelequi asked. "Yeah, I'm just sore from fighting." Amharic said, handing a bag to Jelequi, "Those are the unused potions." "By the way, I want to give your family a gift of thanks, as well as Xentri and you Jelequi" I said. "You don't need to, we were just there to help." Amharic mentioned. "Yeah, but i'm really grateful that you risked your lives for us" I said "there's no have to about it." "I'm sure my family would be grateful." Amharic said, a sad tone in their voice. "Amharic, did something happen?" Jelequi asked. "Yeah... Maersial got hurt really badly, and she hasn't woken up." Amharic said, "She has a pulse, so she is alive, but I'm still worried..." "oh amharic, i'm so sorry. I'm sure I can find some magic to heal her." I said. "We've bandaged up all her wounds, so I'm sure she'll be fine!" Amharic said, trying to act like their normal cheerful self, but it was clear that they were still upset. "Amharic, it is a big deal, and I'm going to help you" I said both stubbornly and childishly. "I tried to help you, and you didn't accept the potion." Amharic mentioned. "Because I wasn't as badly hurt." I said. "And i dont feel bad putting myself into a battle for my own people. You didn't have to do that and you deserve for it maersial." "The one you should be doing this for is Melodani." Amharic said. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Melodani has been crying non stop since Maersial hasn't woken up." Amharic told her. I sighed saying "that's what she gets for disobeying my orders." wearily. Honestly, i had no sympathy for melodani, because word could have gotten around and who knows what would have happened.. Amharic shrugged, sitting down on the floor. I shrugged as well saying "I still owe you guys and want to help you. What can I do to help?" I asked firmly. "You don't need to help with things right now." Jelequi mentioned. Amharic nodded, "We have nothing that you can help with right now." "Okay" I said. "Tell me whenever you need help. I'll give it." "Alright!" Jelequi smiled sweetly. "Okay" I said. Jelequi hugged me close. I hugged back, blushing a little. Amharic smiled at me, clearly knowing that. I caught a glimpse of the smug look amharic was wearing and said "don't start." "Aw, alright..." Amharic said, disappointedly. I snorted. "Amharic, stop annoying Seraphina." Jelequi said. I stayed silent, flashing amharic a smug look. Amharic crossed their arms, annoyed with me. I laughed, saying "Xentri's right. Its fun to annoy you." "Hey!" Amharic jumped up, puffing out their cheeks. "What, it's true, besides with all the teasing you've given me, I'm not allowed payback?" I asked. "Whatever, I didn't even say anything today." Amharic said. "Today" I pointed out. Amharic shrugged, smiling smugly. I shook her head, a smile playing across her face. Amharic walked over, smiling. I hummed a song. "Oh, yeah, Amharic. I remembered something." Jelequi said, "You need to pay me back." "For what?" "The bell at the door that has been slammed into the wall." Jelequi pointed out. "What?" I asked. "When Amharic entered the door one time," Jelequi said, pointing to the wall beside the door. The bell that rung when someone entered, was now in the top of the wall where Jelequi pointed. "How did amharic manage to break it?" I asked. "No idea." Jelequi said, shrugging. I laughed slightly. "I'll pay you back later." Amharic said, "I don't have money on me." I hummed quietly.

The day passed by, us just hanging out in the shop.