The Dragon's Jester

Part 10 - I'm Sorry

Khaota growled and rushed forward, falling to their knees, and skidding along the ground until they were by Kithara's side before putting one hand on the ground by her other side to shield her from these strangers. The couple backed away quickly at this curious creature's behaviour.

"Who are you?" The man asked, both slightly afraid and angry.

"Who's asking?" Khaota hissed back.

"G-get away from her! ...please." The woman pleaded, clearly trying to seem scary.

As Khaota got a better look, they saw that the man was an Elf, and the lady was a Halfling. The Elf was easily twice the woman's height, but they were both the same age. Something about them gave off a feeling of them being much younger than they looked. As if they had aged with stress.

"Why should I? What do you want with her?"

"To look after her. She's injured!"

"And to make up for twenty-two years of absence..."

Khaota narrowed their eyes at the couple, "What are you talking about?"

"She's our daughter."

~~~

Hungry...

When did I last eat?

It's so quiet...

Quiet...

Hasn't been quiet in so long...

My head really hurts...

Did I eat cake?

No...

Something else...

I'm comfortable...

Soft and warm...

Where am I?

"Mnhh..."

"Kithara?"

"Huh?"

Kithara's eyes slowly fluttered open, glancing around at her unfamiliar surroundings, trying to spot who had just spoken. She had a feeling she knew who it was but wanted to be sure.

"Kithara, thank gods, you're awake."

Suddenly there was a face in front of hers. A hand on the back of her neck gently lifting her head off what she assumed was a pillow. Her vision slowly focused on the face. Red hair. Black scales. Blue eyes.

"Are...are you real?"

"Yes, it's me, I'm back."

Slap!

Khaota gasped as a stinging pain coursed through their cheek. They turned their head slowly back to Kithara who stared at them with an expression they couldn't read.

"What was that for?"

"I was checking."

"Okay...I deserve that I suppose."

"Yes."

Khaota blinked with surprise. She was behaving oddly. Even for her. Then it struck them as to what was so strange.

She wasn't smiling.

"I...it's been a strange few days. I can hardly believe what's happened to me. I'm...I'm glad I am not away from you."

"Poor you."

It occurred to Khaota in that moment that while their time alone was tough, at least they weren't insane. She was.