The Lost King

Chapter Two

I suddenly realized these two were my only hope of survival. I was too weak to move far, and nobody else would be around this eery meadow. I knew this place was cursed by Ilios, I'm not an idiot. We may very well be the only living things for miles.

"Come on, Birch, let's go. This thing is mad." The dragon turned to leave, Birch looking at me with pity in his green eyes. I used this to my advantage.

"Wait...please, I can help you," I stuttered, calling after them. Setty didn't stop, but Birch did.

"Why would you be of any help to us? All we need is money." He said, nervously trotting back to Setty. I realized what I had to do.

"Your ruler will find me of great value, I can assure you," I successfully stood up, moving my stick-like legs carefully. Setty froze.

"Why would he want you?" She asked with a sneer, whipping around to face me. I sighed.

"Long ago, my kingdom fell under fire from a group of angry foreigners. Everyone died, but I was turned to stone. They wanted me dead, but they failed. The cursed creatures failed!" I laughed madly. Setty looked at me, seemingly thinking this over. Please believe me...

"Well, if what you're saying is true, you might be worth something. I don't get why you'd offer yourself up so easily, though," Setty eyed me suspiciously. I did think this over. I would most likely starve out here, but there was a chance of survival if I went with the odd pair.

It has never been the role of a king to put his life in another's hands. This was going to be a first. I was weak and vulnerable. I had no choice.

"Come on, Birch, feed the poor thing. We are not carrying him." Setty said. And with that, she stalked away. Birch rummaged through a leather sack he had with him, and produced a few apples. He sat down next to me, his four legs tucked in near his chestnut belly.

"Thank you." I said graciously, taking a shiny red fruit gingerly from the ground. My tiny front fangs broke the skin on top, releasing a sweet, crisp flavor onto my tongue.

I haven't eaten in centuries...

I wolfed it down in five seconds flat. Birch gave me an incredulous look, but I shrugged it off.

"This is great," I said through mouthfuls of my second apple. Birch just shook his head and took one, leaving me the rest. I ate them without hesitation and felt a lot better. My strength was somewhat replenished, but it would take time to fully heal. You could count almost every bone on my body, and I was mostly just skin over bones. The stone prison had had taken its toll on me.

In the stone embrace, I had been in a sort of trance, forced to relive every terrible memory that put me there. I never grew hungry, or thirsty, or tired. Only sadness and guilt were allowed in my body.

I cleared my throat, embarrassedly looking at the snickering centaur beside me.

"We'd better catch up to Setty, she seems like she wouldn't wait for us," I said, wobbly standing up. Birch nodded and stood up as well, shoving the sack over his bare shoulders.

"You're right. But after a while, she'll stop. After all, I'm the one with all the supplies," And with that, we set off at a fast pace.

I only fell twice.