Ordinary man

Chapter 9

We arrived at the big field where they built up tents and huts with food and drinks, some people also sold their wool, their clothes or some jewellery. I noticed how nervous he got, I just gave him a smile with a nod and he smiled back, taking a deep breath.

"Are you okay?"

"It's been a few hundred years since I last went to something like this..or met people."

"It'll be great come on.", I showed him around.

"Hey Arthur! Is that the guy you found in the woods?", John and Jane walked over.

"You told them?!", he whisper shouted.

"I told them you were homeless and I help you find a new home. They asked too many questions where I was.", I whispered back.

"My name's John, this is Jane, hello. And you are?"

"Marvel.", he shook his Hand.

"Like the one in the legend?"

"What legend?", Marvel lied.

"He doesn't know it, it's just an insider.", I answered, trying to avoid any Long conversations.

"Would you like something to eat or drink?", Jane asked.

"Yeah sure. What have you got?"

"Come with me I get you something you will love! It's a speciality here."

We followed her to a small hut and bought some drinks and food. Carefully Marvel tried it, I knew most dishes so it wasn't special for me.

"And? Do you like it?", they asked excited.

"Not really......it tastes weird", he stared into his cup and shook it a bit.

"You don't have taste.", John laughed. "I'll get you something else then."

He came back with a small plate with small colorful bits of food.

"You like this?"

"Nah.....it tastes even worse than the stuff before.", he swallowed it anyway.

"I think your friend is broken.", Jane laughed.

"Maybe.", I fake laughed, something was wrong, I could feel it.

"Anyway we have to go, we join later again.", they walked away.

We went for a few minutes as Marvel tapped my shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"I don't feel so good.", he looked at me with worried eyes.

"Ehm, okay, let's head to my house okay? You can lay down and rest."

"Okay, maybe that's better."

I looked at him and he was pale, something went completely wrong. He started sneezing and his eyes turned back to his lizard eyes for a moment, as he continued sneezing his scales showed too.

"Okay, we need to hurry, that's bad!"

"I can't control it anymore!", he panicked.

And I dragged him to my house as fast as I could, running past John and Jane. I pushed him inside and slammed the door right in time before he transformed completely.

"Stay here I'll be back in a minute.", he nodded and laid down.

"What was that drink and food?!", I stopped my friends.

"Dragon roots, why?"

"Dammit!", I ran back, I should've known better!

"Help me.", the half dragon rolled up on the floor.

"It's okay, it'll be over soon it's dragon roots, but it won't kill you."

"How can you know that?"

"I studied it for years, before I met you.", I placed my Hand on his cheek.

"Okay, I trust you.", he grabbed it.

"What the hell?!", my friends stood in the door frame.

"It's not what it looks like!", I tried to hide him, but they pulled out a knife.

"It's the dragon! You hide the monster who attacks us?!"

"No, I.....", but he transformed and growled at them.

"Get rid of him! You wanted it for years!", John cried in panic.

"I.....", I looked over at Marvel as he placed his claws on my cheek, he gave me a sad look and jumped out of the window, flying away.

"What was that?! Why is he here?"

"I...I can explain."

"You hide the monster in here! When did you want to tell us?"

I heard noises from outside and saw the people were running after Marvel, he tried to fly but was way slower than usually.

"Dammit!", I yelled with teary eyes, jumping on my horse to follow them.

"Wait! Why do you care that much about him?"

"He's my friend.....and I love him.", I whispered.