Zoe was instantly surrounded by a large crowd of people, few she knew well, but most she hardly knew. Questions were shouted at her from all directions, none she could comprehend. Then, a familiar voice shouted her name. Zoe's headache cleared as she saw Mom shoulder through the crowd. Zoe instantly slid off Petunia's white back and was engulfed in her mother's arms.
"I'm so happy you are alright, once again." Mom said softly.
Zoe nodded and hugged Mom tighter. She saw Dad over Mom' shoulder. He had his arms crossed, but he smiled at her.
A loud squawk sounded. Zoe turned to Petunia quickly, worried. The crowd had gone silent. Petunia stood, motionless. It wasn't her. Then a bright orange dragon emerged from the crowd. Paradise squawked again at two men who had begun to murmur. Chieftan Taia smiled at Zoe. The crowd stayed silent. The feeling of embarrassment surged through Zoe as she stood there, the center of attention.
"I was very worried, I met with Flora earlier, and she said you had already left. Since you had not returned yet I fretted you ran into something." Chieftan Taia spoke calmly.
There was something about Chieftan Taia's voice that relaxed Zoe, she spoke solely to her, as if there wasn't a large crowd gathered.
Zoe spoke quietly, "I'm fine."
Chieftan Taia nodded then she studied Petunia.
She had an eyebrow raised as she questioned Zoe, "What happened to Petunia's wing, and where's her reins?"
Petunia arched her neck back to her wing as she sniffed her cast.
"After the crash I woke with a concussion and Petunia traveled with me on her back. I woke at Flora's camp. Petunia had broke her right wing and Flora patched it." Zoe explained.
There was a few gasps in the crowd and then murmurs broke out. Her mother hugged her again. Petunia scooted closer to Zoe and nuzzled her hand. The murmurs proceeded to get louder and more obnoxious until Paradise crowed loudly. Petunia flinched. Zoe stroked her neck to comfort her. Chieftain Taia glared at the crowd and then waved her hands until the people dispersed. Zoe relaxed her tense muscles and slightly leaned on Petunia. Dad approached them.
"Who's this Flora?" Dad asked, suspicious as always.
Before Zoe could reply, Chieftan Taia grinned and spoke, "She's an old friend, in fact, my mentor for using herbs. She retreated into the forest after the attack on the RiverTribe. Not really sure why."
"I'm surprised I hadn't seen her around before." Mom said.
"She's a very solitary person." Chieftan Taia said.
Zoe begged to differ. Flora seemed very friendly and seemed to like me being there with her.
The unmistakable yellow dragon, Peep, landed a little ways ahead. Michelle dismounted and ran towards them.
"Zoe! I was so worried!" Michelle ran to her and squished Zoe in her arms, then held up Petunia's missing bit and reins, "I found this."
Zoe grinned and took the bit from Michelle's hand. She held the metal to Petunia's nose. The white dragon sniffed it then lowered her bottom jaw. Zoe slid it into her mouth then flipped the reins over Petunia's head. Petunia chirped and her tail slightly wagged.
"So you can't race then?" Michelle asked quietly.
"No." Zoe replied and for some reason relief filled her.
Petunia lowered her head. Paradise chirped in a low tone at her. Petunia looked to her with her eyes, but her head stayed motionless.
"It's okay, Petunia." Zoe said and petted Petunia's forhead.
YOU ARE READING
DragonTribes #2: ForestTribe
ФэнтезиZoe froze as a loud squawk sounded ahead of her. She looked down to the ground were she followed a blood trail. The dragon had stepped on something sharp as it fleed from Zoe. The poor thing, I just want to help. Zoe walked forward as quietly as she...
