The Dragon's Gift [Rewriting]

Chapter 4

In which I remember
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The hallways were dark and gloomy. I didn't get to see the sun. I felt a wave of grief wash over me. What if I never saw the sun again? No. I needed to find my sister. I needed to find Calysta.

I could see Daniel shaking anxiously. From what I've heard him say, Caasi was thr only family he had left.

Caasi to him was Calysta to me, I realized.

Suddenly, Daniel stopped, pushing me back.

"What?" I mouthed. He flicked his head towards a door behind the wall we were hiding behind.

"They're here." He whispered. My breath caught in my throat. I knew I would see them eventually, but this felt too soon. In all honesty, I was terrified. I had never fought without Naji by my side. 

I peeked into the room. There were six guards and a young girl with blonde hair and dark blue eyes, just like Daniel. Caasi. Two gaurds were leaning over her, talking and grinning. She looked very uncomfortable. 

"Those pigs." Daniel said through gritted teeth. 

Suddenly, rage filled me. I didn't want to die, but I couldn't stand these thieves. And they had my dragon. Daniel said we'd be sold into slavery and a client wanted Naji's scales. I wouldn't let anyone do that to Naji. I stormed into the room. 

"Where is my dragon?" I thundered, looking at all the gaurds. I noticed a sword in all of their sheaths. I didn't have a weapon. 

"Surprised that thing's not dead." A thief laughed, "but 'er will be soon. Just like yee two kids." All the thieves erupted in laughter. 

"Really, Ayla?" Daniel muttered, taking a step back. 

I glanced at Caasi, who was terrefied. A thief stepped towards me, and I staggered backwards. The thieves all laughed, shouting things like "coward!" and "run little girl!"

"Run." I said, turning around. I grabbed Daniel's hand, then ran as fast as possible. I heard footsteps echoing behind me, then spotted a corner. I ran to the corner, then hid in the shadows. The thieves looked down the hallway I ran into, then continued running straight. 

I sighed in relief, then stood up, looking at Daniel, who was staring straight past me. 

"What?" I said, turning my head to see what he was looking at. 

I almost started crying in relief. Laying down on the cold floor was a big blue dragon with a dark steel muddle on his snout. He was chained, bruised, and bleeding, but he was still alive. I ran to the dragon and embraced him a hug. 

"Naji!" I cried, taking off his steel muzzle. "Thank the Gods you're alive!" 

Naji looked up at me, then purred happily at my presence. 

I looked at a pretty nasty wound on his back. My smile went thin. 

"What did they do to you?" I muttered sadly. He was hurt, but it would take a lot to keep a dragon down. 

The sound of shouting and footsteps filled the air once again, and my reunion was ruined. 

"Ayla," Daniel said, "We need to get going. The thieves will find us soon." 

I nodded, then pulled a sword out of Naji's saddle then sliced off the chains that held Naji. He shook off the iron, then did his cute little dragon smile.