Rise of Fire: Dragons Reborn [COMPLETED]

Chapter 14

Recovery was a slow and terrible affair. The hours passed like years, sometimes Talia felt nothing and other times she was boiling alive. The ups and downs were wearing on her body and her mind. Madora was eager to discuss the future of things, the way the world was spiraling, But Talia had no care for the mumblings of the old blind woman, especially when all she wanted to do was sleep.

"Your cuts are getting a lot better." Nico mused as he sat in the corner. He hadn't stopped reading his books in days, his only breaks were to eat Astor's gruel and to sleep. Talia humphed, eyeing her reflection in the old dresser mirror. From what she could tell the hideous claw marks were still quite prominent on her face, though the seeping black blood had finally ebbed to a stop. She raked her fingers across the rough scabs and wondered just how badly her eye was damaged.

"I look like a maniac now." She frowned, almost in a pouting mood. Maybe she just wanted to feel sorry for herself. She certainly looked to be in a sorry state.

"Good, now your outside can match what you are on the inside." Nico grinned at her with his usual over-cocky sneer. She flashed her teeth at him in return but said nothing. Instead she peered back at her reflection, pulling on random strands of her hair and detangling them. She certainly looked a mess.

"Appearances are shallow kids, what do they matter in the end anyway?" Madora sang from her corner. Talia eyed her again from the side but didn't bother to retort to the woman. What were looks to a blind woman? That was the real point.

"Just be glad you can't see her face, it's a real horror show." Nico sniggered. Talia threw a brush at him and he neatly dodged with a sharp laugh before settling down on her bed to continue reading.

"Bah, you've barely even started to heal girl. The scars will fade." Madora moved up and lay an ancient hand on Talia's shoulders. Talia sighed, the coolness of the woman's hands a welcome change from her hot skin, and for the comfort.

"What about my eye? Will that heal too? How can I fight when I can barely make anything out anymore. Half my visions gone... And I ain't got nothing to show for it." She looked at her hands lying in her lap with a sigh. Not a single thing to show for it. No dragon bones, no scales, nothing. From what Nico had said the beast practically started melting after it died, the likelihood of any remains remaining was low.

"In time... Perhaps. I can't say for certain, not even my foresight can show me. That is a secret the gods are keeping to themselves. And what of it? An eye's just an eye. You're more than capable of meting out suffering with just one eye. And maybe the look will help keep scum away." Madora moved back to her corner where she started to pack away her various herbs and bottles.

"Have you sent the raven to the others?" Talia turned to Nico. He nodded.

"I sent it about an hour ago so they should be meeting us on the road at dusk. Do you have everything you'll need?" She looked to the bed and mulled it over. Most of her supplies were still on her saddle with Jax.

"Yeah I think so." She could get what she needed in the next town if she forgot something.

"Good. You want me to take flight and scope around?" He offered after placing his book down. She shrugged, what could the harm be in that?

"Go ahead, but be quick we need to rest before we travel tonight." She looked out the window to see the mid-morning sun. Too many hours to wait and she wasn't tired.

"You live by your own advice then ay?" Nico called as he leapt out the window and changed into the midnight feathers of darkness. He was gone in an instant leaving nothing but uncomfortable silence behind.