Home is a Treasure Beyond Price

Chapter 26

"So you're really leaving with the"—Theo faltered as Cadence walked out of the cave on two legs, carrying a mountain of packs in her arms—"dragon." He shook his head. "I still cannot get over that."
The morning air was bitingly cold, and a thin coat of frost silvered the grass of the clearing. As they watched, Cadence unloaded the packs in her arms, Nick's small, battered pack among them.
Everything he needed was in that pack. A drawing of Theo and his family that he'd done two years ago, when Theo still laughed loudly and easily. His bag of herbs. His roll of pencils. His clothes. His phone and charger, and lastly, Around his neck, he wore his mother's locket.
"Yes, I am."
Theo was silent for a moment, then he looked at Nick with serious eyes. "You take care of yourself." He wiggled a finger at Nick. "Don't start any fights. You may have a dragon watching out for you now, but that doesn't mean you get to be even more reckless." He laughed under his breath. "A dragon..." Theo's eyes were sad, even though he smiled. "I'm going to miss you."
Nick found himself pulled into a hug. "No, you won't," he choked out. "You'll be too busy working your way up the ranks." They pulled apart and looked everywhere but at each other. "I'll miss you too," Nick said.
It was already beginning. Once he left the area, who knew how often he'd get to see Theo. Cadence had promised they'd come back often, so he would get to see Antonio and Chris, But there was no guarantee Nick would get to see Theo. The life of a soldier was a risky one, and even though he wasn't at war, that could change at any time.
"Come on, Nick, don't look like that." Theo nudged him. "You were always meant for more than this. And now you'll get the chance."
Nick tried to smile, but gave up when his lips wobbled. He held out the poster paper in his hands. "For you," he said.
With careful fingers, Theo opened it. "Nick," he whispered after a moment.
It was the sketch of the family that Nick had done at the House. It seemed right to give it to Theo since he'd be returning to his post soon. When Theo turned it over, he snorted at the drawing that Nick had added to the back. It was a small doodle of Theo with fists clenched, jaw sticking out, facing a sly-looking Cadence, who was sitting on his haunches, tail crooked at a jaunty angle.
"It's good parchment," Nick said. "Tough. It'll travel well."
"Thank you, Nick." Theo rolled up the scroll and pulled Nick into another hug. "I'll take good care if it."
"You take care of yourself, too," Nick said into Theo's shoulder. "I'm not the only reckless one."
They stepped back and cleared their throats simultaneously. "Well," Theo said, as he started the engine of his car. "I should be getting back."
His attention was caught by something over Nick's shoulder. Nick turned to see Cadence walking over to them. She stopped by Nick's side and held out her hand to Theo. After a moment of surprise, Theo took it.
<Thank you, Theo. I know you have been a good friend to Nick.> Theo shared a glance with Nick, surprised and pleased and also a touch nervous. "It's not always easy being friends with someone who doesn't have the sense the gods gave a cow"—
"Hey!" Nick interjected
—"but I wouldn't trade him for anything."
<I can understand that.>
"Hey!" Nick said again, this time a little louder. Cadence and Theo ignored him and shared a commiserating smile that made Nick want to punch both of them.
<Know that you will always have a friend in me as well, and the friendship of a dragon is no small thing.>
"'Friendship of a dragon is no small thing'." Nick snickered. "Why are you talking like that, Cade?"
Cadence glared at him. <This is a formal parting, and thus deserves formal words. To most people, I am the Dragon Cadenza, a being to be feared and respected, and whose favor is to be sought. Not some poor soul called Cade.>
Theo looked between them and started laughing. "You two are perfect for each other." To Cadence, Theo said, "I wish you the best of luck with this one." He clapped a hand on Nick's shoulder.
"Very funny, Theo."
Cadence put an arm around Nick and tucked him against her side.
<I'm fairly certain I'll need it.>
Theo got in his car and with a final wave to them, drove off in the direction of the city. Cadence was a warm presence beside him, holding him without comment while Nick watched Theo's retreating back. Just before disappearing into the trees at the edge of the clearing, Theo turned around one last time and raised his hand in farewell. Nick raised an answering hand, his vision shimmering for a moment before he blinked furiously. When his vision cleared, Theo was gone.
<Well, Nick?> Cadence said after a long moment. She wrapped her arms around Nick's waist and pulled him close.
<Are you ready to leave this place?>
He thought of his mother, whose memory he carried with him. He thought of Theo, who wanted to find peace in the world. He thought of Antonio, and Chris, both woven into the fabric of city life. He thought of the kindness of some, and the casual cruelty of others. Then he took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Yes," he mumbled into Cadence's shoulder. But he made no move to leave the comfort of the arms that held him.
It was quiet in the clearing as Nick willed himself to take the first step. "Let's go," he said finally.
Just over two months to the day he'd been left in the clearing for Cadence, they flew out together.
<Will you miss it?> Cadence asked.
Nick watched the village pass under them, fields left fallow, and trees bare of leaves.
<Yes,> he said.
<But you're my home now.> He gave a startled laugh when Cadence dipped one wing and banked.
<A home is a treasure beyond price,> Cadence said.
<It is, indeed.>