The Dragon Who Was Left Alone

4. The Story Of Soleil

After a day of walking and talking of this and that, they had reached the other edge of the forest. The land was full of fields and few houses were seen here and there, surrounded by some trees. The path ended into a crossroad at the edge of the forest, one road continuing by the edge of the forest to left and right and one road going through the fields towards a village. The sun had slowly travelled down on the sky, but there was still daylight left enough for the rest of the walk.
The dragonling looked around confused. Even tho he had lived in the forest, he hadn't ever travelled far from the little opening with the little pond, where he first hatched. The area he had explored was more or less a circle around it, so he had never gotten close to the east edge of the forest.
He ran across the dirt road and sniffed the growing wheat. Taiga followed behind and slightly touched his shoulder, preventing him from running to the field.
"Why is there no trees here?" He asked from Taiga while trying his best to see as far across the low land as he could.
"People have cut them down to get space to grow food", she answered, slowly continuing to walk the road that left the forest behind.
"They take care of the fields and when autumn comes, they collect and store everything away for winter. Please don't run into the fields, it'd ruin part of their work."
The dragonling nodded slightly and followed Taiga nervously to the open. They were now good distance from the forest and he felt so little in the world. For once he saw long way ahead of him without there being trees or mist on the way and he could understand how big the sky actually was. He felt small.
Taiga stopped to check on the boy, who was dozen meters behind her. His gaze was locked behind them, behind the forest, where the mountain peaks could barely be seen from the mist. Slowly he turned towards Taiga and ran to her side.
"Were you going up there?"
"Yes, I was travelling there to see something."
"What could possibly be on so high place? Do you think I could touch the moon from there?" The curiosity was clear in his voice.
"I don't know, maybe you could", Taiga smiled back and continued
"But what could possibly be up there? I hoped that one of the ancient magical spots would be on top there. I've used years of my life to travel and find those places, so far I've found two of eight."
"Tell me more Taiga!" The boy asked when his stomach kept a grumbling sound.
"Now, now. I'll tell you more after we've arrived to the village and eaten something. We better continue, don't you think?" Taiga said and turned around. The dragonling nodded and his little hand grabbed Taiga's left sleeve, while they followed the road more away from the forest. Step by step the village was closer and Taiga became more nervous of their welcome.

There wasn't many people outside when Taiga and the little dragonling arrived to the corner of the first house. Above the door was a sign that told "The Golden Sun" in faded yellow letters. Above them was a carving of a sun, once painted orange, just like the edges of the sign. Lovely smell of food flowed out of the windows. The dragonling looked around a bit, but followed the smell to the closest window. Taiga walked to the door and opened it for them to go inside.
Dragonling was holding Taiga's sleeve tightly as they stepped into the dim room. The hall like space served as the main area of the tavern. On the left back wall there was a lit fireplace. Otherwise the whole room was filled with tables and chairs. In front of the wall right across the room was a bar counter with several shelves behind it and next to them, a door to kitchen. Dragonling could almost taste the food and his stomach made a little sound again. Taiga walked to the counter and knocked it sharply few times.
A woman on her thirties emerged from kitchen. Her blonde hair was on messy bun above her head and on her blue dress she had an apron, that once had been white.
"Good evening! How may I serve you?" She asked and smiled at Taiga. Then she ran around the counter to hug Taiga tightly.
"Taiga! Did you already return from the mountains? Hasn't it been just two days since we saw?"
"I didn't actually go that far, you see, I found company who couldn't follow me there", Taiga answered while glancing the boy quickly. He had hidden behind her and the tavern keeper leaned a bit forward to see him.
"Hello there, no need to hide. My name is Sera and I welcome you to my taver, Golden Sun", she said gently. The dragonling nodded slightly.
"Do you know if he is lost? How did you find him?" Sera started to question from Taiga.
"Can we go speak in private Sera?" Taiga asked slowly. Sera looked slightly confused and worried, but lead them past the kitchen to a private room. On the way she called her helper that she'll be there if needed and they were in charge of taking guests in.
After sitting down, Sera shot a questioning look at Taiga.
"Can you tell me what is happening?"
"This is slightly complicated and definitely a secret. Can you promise me, or more like us, that you won't tell anyone of this?" Taiga asked on a serious tone. The dragonling was standing behind her, looking Sera curiously.
"Yes, if this has something to with your researches."
"Well, actually no. This has to do with him."
"I promise to keep this secret. I've known you several years and I trust you wouldn't ask this unless you really felt the need to." Taiga nodded at the answer and took a deep breath. She looked at the dragonling and asked
"Are you okay if we tell Sera?"
"Tell her what?" He asked confused. He didn't understand the fuss, but was more interested of the painting hanging above the fireplace in this room.
Taiga turned back towards Sera.
"During all my travels I never even hoped this would happen, but I've met a legendary beast." Taiga kept little break, thinking her next words. Sera's jaw had dropped. Thinking the most simple way would be the best for her friend to understand, Taiga continued her explanation.
"Sera, this boy is a dragon. I found him from the forest alone and promised I'd take him with me to my travels." The dragonling turned to watch Sera, who was clever enough to close her mouth.
"Are you sure Taiga?" She asked while taking eye contact with the boy.
"Yes lady, I am a dragon", he answered before Taiga continued. He wasn't sure how to call her. Taiga was obviously Taiga for him, but speaking to a new person felt slightly weird, even if they knew Taiga.
"What is your name?"
"I don't have a name", he explained hiding a bit behind Taiga. Sera seemed thoughtful. The silence was disturbed by a surprisingly loud grumble.
"We haven't eaten much today Sera, do you have food we could eat?" Taiga asked, slightly blushing because her stomach had kept such loud noise.
"Of course! This is a tavern after all! I made stew tonight, I'll get you both a plateful", she said while already hurrying out of the door.
It didn't take long for Sera to return with a tray full of food. The stew on two plates was steaming hot and she had also brought bread on third plate. Two cups were filled with fresh water. The dragonling sat carefully on a chair next to Taiga. He waved his legs back and forth a bit and imagined that he was sitting on a tree branch. Sera put one plate in front of him and gave him a spoon. Taiga had started to eat her dinner already, but stopped when she noticed the dragonling frozen still.
"Do you need help?" She asked and put her spoon back on the plate. Dragonling nodded slightly.
"This is spoon, we use it to eat foods that would be hard to eat with something else, like hands. You just hold it on other hand, like this, and then pick something on it from the plate." Taiga demonstrated by eating a piece of meat. The dragonling tried, but dropped his carrot slice back to the plate with a splash.
"Be careful that the spoon won't turn around and drop your food. If you hold it slightly tighter, it should help." Sera was watching in silence from the other side of the table. She couldn't quite believe that this child would be something else than that, a child. Dragonling picked another carrot slice on the spoon and leaned forward above the plate, successfully getting it to his mouth. He munched it happily and continued to eat slowly, but steadily. All the new flavors were delicious and he was totally lost to the eating, not paying attention to Taiga and Sera talking of the last few days. Taiga had explained how they had met and then about all the things she wanted and had slightly promised to teach him. Sera was listening quietly, nodding from time to time, obviously in her thoughts as well.
"Can I help you in any way?" She asked when Taiga was finished.
"He will need a cape and a bag. And he needs some clothes. If you know anyone in the village with a child around same age, who we could buy few clothes from, that'd help. We also need a place to sleep..."
"Obviously you'll stay the night under my roof! I'd be poor tavern keeper if I kicked my friend out while we have empty rooms."
"Thank you Sera", Taiga smiled, obviously relaxed that Sera had room.
"As for the clothes, I know few families to ask from at the morning. Leave that to me."
Sera was already leaving when the dragonling spoke.
"Who are they?" He asked and pointed the painting above fireplace. There was 3 characters in front of a house that looked like the tavern. Sera looked at the painting and smiled.
"They are my parents and the little girl is me as a child. It was painted right after the tavern was built, let's see, 25 years ago. My father was the one keeping this tavern before me. I grew up helping mother to cook in the kitchen and listening travelers' stories in the hall with father."
"How are they doing, your parents?" Taiga asked while finishing her food.
"Father died a year ago, mother lives in the little house next to the smith."
"My condolences", Taiga said and lowered her head slightly.
"Father is missed by everyone here, he truly was the sun of the village. Always brightening others' days, always lending a hand or making time to listen someone's troubles. A sickness got him last Autumn, his powers faded fast and then he was gone. But everyone here will remember his name, Soleil. This tavern was his work and he used to make cider from our own apples, he used to do many things." Sera's voice faded a bit.
"I'm keeping the tavern up now with few helpers, since my husband is a worker at the saw."
Dragonling had finished his plate and was drinking little sips from the cup.
"Thank you", he said and smiled to Sera.
"I hope you liked the food", she answered and collected plates to the tray.
"Would you have wanted more?"
"Yes please! It was delicious." Sera laughed warmly and told him she'd be back soon. After that, she disappeared again from the little back room. Taiga was nibbling a bread and thinking.
"Soleil sounded like a great person."
"I only met him few times, I think first was 4 years ago. I have known Sera from that, we've mainly been keeping contact rarely. I've made it a habit to stay night in this tavern while travelling nearby, she is so welcoming and makes this place feel comfortable." Taiga took a break to sip her water a bit.
"But yes, her father was a warm person too. He welcomed everyone here, listened, gave advice, helped the best he could."
"I want to be Soleil."
"Hmm?"
"I want to be Soleil too. I want to be a warm person."
Sera had returned to the doorway. She was holding a plate with more stew on it, but had frozen still, staring at them.
"Oh, Sera, we didn't hear you", Taiga said.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I just thought I heard my father's name."
"You did. Dragonling said he'd like to be a warm person like your father." Sera turned to look the boy and placed his plate in front of him to the table.
"Lady?" He asked shyly.
"Can I be Soleil too?"
Sera's confused face turned to shine happily and she answered:
"Of course you can, little one. Should I ask you again then, what is your name?"
After a little moment, the boy smiled.
"My name is Soleil."