The Last Dragon

Chapter 12 - Heading Out

"Thank you." Ilia touched Eri's arm. "I thought I'd have to sneak out and go alone."

Eri snorted. "I doubt you could sneak away again." He grinned at her. "I'm pretty sure he's afraid of Master Silvan. Most knights are. He promised to protect you and get you back to the castle."

Ilia stared at him. "Afraid of her? Really?" Her hand fell away.

Eri nodded. He walked to his bed and pulled his pack out from under it. "Really. You think injured knights willingly lay in bed when their friends are in danger? She's terrified nearly all of them into resting at some point, and he's known her longer than most." He rifled through his pack.

Ilia pressed a hand to her mouth and tried to hide her grin. "She can be rather—intimidating, I guess. Maybe I'm used to it."

Eri took some things out and tossed them in the trunk. He pulled some clothing from the trunk and tucked them in the pack. "You're not nearly as intimidated by Master as most people. I'll give you that."

Ilia giggled. "I'm shaking on the inside." She sat on the bed beside his pack.

Eri smiled. "I honestly couldn't tell."

She shrugged. "As healers, we're trained to look confident and act brave, even when we're falling apart inside. It helps the most seriously injured patients recover when they might otherwise have died."

The big knight returned, a small pack in his hand. He held it up for her. "Come try it on, and I'll help you adjust the straps."

Ilia stood and walked over to him. She smiled to herself. It was easy to see why people were intimidated by him, even though he'd only been good to her. She wriggled an arm under each strap, and he let the pack hang from her shoulders.

"You tighten the straps like this." He kneeled in front of her and adjusted a buckle. "These two bring the pack up higher, and these two hold it closer to you."

Ilia smiled. "It's a lot like the herb collection bags we use. Just a bit heavier and thicker."

The big knight nodded. "Same design, but a bit more rugged. Is it too heavy for you?"

Ilia chuckled. "No. Ask me again after we've been walking all day, though."

He grinned at her. The big knight stood and went for his own pack. "I got us a wagon ride to an outpost. You can rest on the way, and we'll spend the night there. We'll set off on foot in the morning. Eri, are you packed?"

"Yes, Master." Eri picked up his pack and slid his arms through the straps.

The big knight left the room, Ilia and Eri behind him. Her pack bumped against the doorframe when she turned down the hall. It was light enough, but bigger than the collection packs she was used to. Ilia moved to the middle of the hallway, right behind the large man. Eri walked behind her, his footsteps silent.

She gripped the railing going down the stairs. Everything seemed small, like the walls were closing in. She couldn't see around the large man, and he blocked much of the light. Ilia took slow breaths and focused on each step. It seemed too long when she finally emerged back into the light on the main floor.

Ilia swung wide around the door frame. Her pack hit the desk. "Drat it all," she muttered under her breath.

"It gets easier," Eri whispered, his hand on her pack as he helped her through the door.

A wagon stood on the street, supplies in crates under a tarp in half the back part. It had gigantic wheels and was raised higher than carriages. It must go cross-country, or through fields, she thought, as she looked at the varnished and shining wood.