The Dragon's Gift [Rewriting]

Chapter 6

In which she needs our help

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The morning started out slower than I wanted.

First, I overslept. Then breakfast lasted longer than I wanted. And finally, people kept talking to me, and there were these two little girls that wanted to braid my hair, and I let then. But I must admit, they did do a pretty good job at it. The sun was almost rising, and I was getting anxious.

At last, Daniel appeared where Naji and I were, talking with people.

He wore a brownish green jopula with tan fur lining. Iron gauntlets gaurded his wrists and a thick leather belt wrapped around his waist. In his hand was a crossbow and attached to the belt was a sword. He wore brown trousers and combat boots. A leather satchel was also swung over his shoulder. His dark blue eyes glittered with determination.

"Ready?" He asked, slinging a quiver of arrows over his shoulder.

I nodded, then hoppwd onto Naji. I helped Daniel up, but before we could fly away, a girl ran to us. It was Caasi.

Tears were streaming down her face.

"Goodbye, Daniel." She said.

Daniel slid off of Naji, then wrapped his arms around his sister.

"I'll be back soon." Daniel said.

"Be safe." She said, then looked at me. "Keep him safe, Ayla." She said. "Promise me you'll keep him safe."

I nodded. "I will." I promised. They'd both done so much for Naji and I. I owed them my and Naji's life.

"Thank you." Caasi said, whipping her tears away. "But what if the bandits come again?"

"I have a feeling they'll stay away for a little bit." I said, "they took a lot of gold, didn't they?"

Caasi nodded weakly. "We won't be able to survive." She cried.

"Don't worry." Daniel said, "I'm going to talk to the Queen. She'll help us."

Caasi sniffled, then nodded. "Okay..." She said slowly, then hugged Daniel again.

"Please be safe." She cried.

Daniel laughed. "I will, Caasi." He said. "Don't worry about us."

Caasi smiled weakly, then broke the hug. "Go." She said. "And may the Gods be on your side."

Daniel nodded a thanks, then hopped onto Naji. He looked one last time at Caasi.

"Ready?" I asked, feeling a bit bad for ruining their moment.

"Yeah." Daniel said with a nod. With that, Naji took off. I looked down at Caasi, who was waving a goodbye to Daniel and I. I watched as the village faded away into just a tiny speck.

I looked at Daniel. "So, what did you bring?" I asked.

"Money. My weapon. Kalwin said he put blankets and clothes in one of the pouches in the saddle." Daniel said.

"Kalwin?" I echoed. "Who's that?"

"The blacksmith who gave you Naji's saddle."

"Oh." I said, looking through the pouches of the saddle. "Tell him I said thanks."

I opened the fourth pouch, then found two soft blankets and cloth.

I pulled out a blanket, careful not to let anything fall out of the pouch, then wrapped it around myself. It was getting colder and colder the higher we flew.