An Immortal Love

Fish

It is midday the next day when the dragon finally opens his eyes. Under a shade of a tree, Yijun is fanning the flames over his campfire. Two fish on a skewer are placed around the fire while root vegetables roast in the center. Wild apples and berries are placed leaves on the side. A tasty aroma wafts from the fire. Yijun rubs his hands together excitedly as he watch his delicious meal cook when suddenly, alarm flashes through his mind. He looks over. His eyes connect with the dragon who is looking at him through half-lidded eyes.

His smile drops. The dragon doesn't notice me much of the time but why now? Yijun thinks. Heart racing, reasons explaning how heave gotten the dragon's notice run rapidly across his mind. One hasn't settle yet when the dragon rises up and walks over to him.

His alarm goes into full-blown fright as the dragon stands over him. He drops to his knees, kowtows and asks for forgiveness and to spare his life but the dragon does not respond. Yijun looks up and sees the dragon was looking at the fish cooking in his camp fire.

"Um, are you hungry, my lord?" he asks.

The dragon did not answer, merely staring at the fish.

Yijun slowly plucks the fish skewer out the firepit and offers it to him.

The dragon then shifts his gaze from the fish to him. The air around them immediately goes cold as the dragon recognizes his presence. His icy amethyst eyes rakes him from head to foot. Yijun cringes and the skewer in his hand trembles.

Offering a water god with a water creature may not be such a such a good idea, he thinks sadly and belatedly.

He feels his body about to turn completely frozen when the dragon finally speaks.

"Getting sustenance through flesh, how low have I fallen," he murmurs and takes the skewer from Yijun's hand. His face is crumpled in displeasure as he brings the fish to his mouth and bits it.

His face relaxes in surprise as the taste of the fish hits his tongue.

Yjiun may lack many qualities but being a good cook is not one of them. The fish was not just simply roasted, but stuffed with herbs and glazed with a sauce he made from the fruits he gathered and sesame paste he made the night before. Not even a god will say nay to it.

As the dragon enthusiastically munches at the fish, Yijun plucks out the roots from the coals and peels the skin off. He then places the peeled roots on the broad leaf he prepared beforehand.

"Please, enjoy, my lord," he says with his head bowed as he offers the roots.

The dragon does not respond and continues polishing off the fish. When only the head was left, he looks around and bends down to pluck the second fish skewer from the campfire.

Yijun holds his bowed pose as the dragon eats his lunch, internally telling his stomach to stop growling and scratching inside him. When finally, he hears no more sounds of eating, he cautiously looks up. The dragon is licking the last of the fish and when there is nothing more to be eaten, throws the skewer to the side.

Then he looks down at Yijun.

Yijun quickly ducks his head.

"Why are you still here?" the dragon ask.

"I wish to assist you, my lord," Yijun answers. He dares not ask help to return him to civilization. At least not this early.

"A foolish wish. What can you, a mere mortal, offer as help to me?"

Yijun does not answer immediately. He racks his brain on how best to answer. He did carry him away from being eaten by wild animals back at the battefield but he's not sure that will be enough. What if the dragon answers that he can take care of the wild animals himself? Besides, what if he remember that Yijun nearly killed him by assuming he'll be recuperating from his injuries with the warmth of a campfire?