Drakonis

Gathering

"We will be leaving in five days," my father announced at the table as we ate our breakfast.

Everyone nodded, but I found myself only half-listening, pushing the food around on my plate. He was adamant about heading home to meet Aunt Eldrith and offer our support, but I still felt like there was more we could do here. My mind kept drifting to the forest and the creature I had encountered there.

I glanced at the clock, the time ticking away too slowly for my liking. Suddenly, I stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Loran, why are you in such a rush? Where are you heading this early?" my mother asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched me hurriedly pack my bag with all types of fruit.

"Still on wall punishment, remember?" I shouted back, giving her a quick, forced smile as she nodded, clearly unconvinced.

"I'll catch you all at training," I added, not waiting for a response from my siblings as I dashed out the door.

I took the stairs two at a time, bursting outside into the crisp morning air. The town was already bustling, the early risers filling the streets, but I weaved through them with ease, my mind set on the mountains.

Once I reached the lake, I paused for a moment to catch my breath, scanning the area for a boat. My eyes searched the water's edge, I heard my name called from behind me.

"Loran?"

I turned quickly to see Nymara walking up, her arms laden with textbooks. She looked at me curiously, her eyes scanning my body as if trying to piece together my rushed appearance.

"Good morning," I said, perhaps a bit too quickly, my attempt at calm failing to mask the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.

"How—how is Kairos?" I asked, glancing at her as she managed a small, reassuring smile.

"He's recovering well," she replied, her tone comforting.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" she asked then, her voice light but tinged with concern. She shifted the weight of the books in her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as they settled on my packed bag.

I hesitated, searching for an answer that would satisfy her. But nothing came. I couldn't tell her about the dragon—not yet.

Instead, I just shook my head and mumbled, "I need to get to the forest."

"Why?" she pressed, stepping closer, her curiosity clearly piqued.

I felt the pressure of her gaze, the concern in her voice, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. There were too many secrets buried in my heart, secrets I wasn't ready to share—not even with her.

Without another word, I turned and sprinted toward a boat and I began rowing fast. The trees were calling me, offering a sanctuary from the questions I couldn't answer. I heard Nymara call after me, standing at the edge but her voice grew distant as the forest enveloped me, its familiar embrace closing in around me.

Once I reached the other side, I hooked the boat securely, ensuring it wouldn't drift away. Gathering my bag, I began to walk into the forest, the familiar scent of damp earth and pine filling the air. The trees, towering and ancient, seemed to lean in as if welcoming me back. It was quiet today, the only sound being the wind rustling through the leaves. As I ventured deeper, the forest seemed to embrace me, the canopy above casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

I continued along the winding path, my steps careful and deliberate. The further I went, the more I felt the forest's energy, an almost imperceptible hum that I had come to recognize as Olha's presence. The trees swayed gently, as if nodding in acknowledgment.

Then, a low, familiar rumble reached my ears. I quickened my pace, my heart pounding with anticipation. As I rounded a bend, I spotted him—my dragon friend, lying in a small clearing, his massive form partially hidden by the underbrush. His scales shimmered with a dull luster, and his usually bright eyes were dimmed with pain.

"Hey," I called softly as I approached, not wanting to startle him.

The dragon lifted his head slightly, his golden eyes locking onto mine. A soft huff escaped his nostrils, a sign of recognition. As I drew closer, I noticed the stick lodged in his leg, the wood splintered and jagged against his scaled skin.

"I've got something for you," I said, reaching into my bag. I pulled out a few apples I had grabbed earlier and held them out. The dragon's nostrils flared as he caught the scent, and he slowly craned his neck forward, carefully taking an apple from my hand.

While he munched on the apples, I knelt beside his injured leg. "This might hurt a bit, but I'll be gentle," I murmured, more for my own reassurance than his.

Gently, I began to work on the stick, easing it out bit by bit. The dragon remained still, his eyes watching me closely. Once the stick was finally removed, I tore a strip of cloth from my shirt and wrapped it around the wound, hoping to stave off any infection.

"There," I said softly, patting his leg. "That should help."

The dragon rumbled again, this time with a hint of gratitude. He nudged my shoulder with his massive head, almost knocking me off balance, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"Take it easy, okay? You'll be flying again in no time," I said, giving him one last apple before standing up.

The dragon finished the last apple, crunching it between his teeth with a contented sigh. I stayed by his side, my hand resting on his warm scales, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. It was a strange comfort, being near him—like being close to something ancient and wise, yet still untamed.

"I never caught your name, by the way," I said with a smile as the dragon looked at me, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the rising moon.

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering my words. I could see the intelligence in his gaze, the way he seemed to understand more than just the sound of my voice. But of course, dragons don't speak—at least not in the way we do.

"Hmm," I mused, studying his features. "You need a name that suits you. Something strong, but not too harsh."

The dragon huffed, a puff of warm air ruffling my hair, and I chuckled. "Alright, let's see... How about 'Gorath'? It sounds powerful."

He narrowed his eyes at me, and I could almost swear he rolled them. Clearly, that wasn't it.

"Okay, okay, maybe not Gorath," I laughed, holding up my hands in surrender. "What about 'Bronn'? It's simple, strong—"

Another dismissive huff, and this time I could tell he was almost amused by my attempts.

"Alright, you're a tough one," I muttered, trying to think. I ran my hand along his scales, feeling their cool, smooth texture. "What about something softer? Like... 'Elion'? It means 'star' in the Infani tongue."

The dragon gave me a long, unimpressed stare, and I sighed, shaking my head. "Not Elion either, huh?"

He nudged me with his snout, a gentle push that nearly toppled me over. It was as if he was saying, You're not even close.

I grinned, rubbing his head affectionately. "I'm starting to think you're just enjoying watching me struggle."

His eyes glinted in the moonlight, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw a flicker of amusement in them.

"Alright, I give up," I said with a sigh of mock defeat. "I guess you'll just have to tell me when you're ready."

The dragon let out a low rumble, almost like a chuckle, and curled up beside me again, resting his head on the ground. He seemed content, as if our little exchange had been enough for him.

"Well, whatever your name is, I'm Loran," I murmured, leaning back against him once more.