Ice Crystal: Chaos Storm (book 2) Finished

Chapter 24

The next day, I could barely move a muscle. The wounds on my back made me feel stiff. Ritoru said that he stayed up all night dressing the wounds and changing my bedding. Irin was correct about the wounds. They won't heal up like all my other wounds had. As much as it pains me, I have to come to the realization that there is ancient magic that can harm me.

"Can you walk today?" Ritoru asks after bandaging my body, "I'd like to show you around our home."

"If I have some help." I giggle, "My body is still pretty stiff from the ritual."

"Of course!" Ritoru quickly stands in front of me, "Here! You can lean on me!"

"Aren't you a little too excited?" I suppress my laughter, "You remind me of an old friend of mine." I grab his arm as I stand. As much pain as I'm in, I'm excited to see my new home.

"There isn't much difference between the system of caves we call our home and a human city." Ritoru explains as we exit the infirmary, "We have a tavern, a barracks, and various shops for the people."

"I've no money, so-"

"We've no need for currency." He smiles as we pass a small group of mages preparing herbs, "Everyone has a specific talent that they put to use. I'm a soldier at my core, but I wanted to branch out and learn more techniques. Like I told you before, you'll most likely be a soldier. We mostly patrol the mountains searching for bandits and intruders. No one is allowed entry into our territory without permission. All trespassers must die."

"That harsh huh?" I look around the large cave. This must be a square like that in a large city. Looking around, there are a lot of tunnels that go even deeper inside the mountains and to other parts of the city. "What's this place called? I grew up in Icelia where I learned how to fight. I'd like to know the name of your home."

"We only call it the Sanctuary." Ritoru's face nearly goes rigid, "After the war with the humans, there were so few of us left. We retreated here and began to rebuild our race. That's why there are so many half-bloods and barely any pure blooded Dragons. It's taken a few thousand years, but we're finally stable."

"Didn't my Father command you to lose that war?" I look away from him. Thanks to my family, the Dragon's nearly went extinct.

"That may be, but Kazle was a very intelligent being." Ritoru smiles, "Irin was alive back then. He could see the future and even beyond that. He knew that...he knew that Kazle meant well. Our sacrifice then, prevented the world's destruction now."

"Where are we headed?" I ask looking at all the symbols above each tunnel. "I guess I have to learn your language then."

"We're heading to Tipik so that you may get fitted for your clothes." Ritoru points at the middle tunnel, "He's a little eccentric, but he's a master of his trade. He's been proclaimed as one of the best tailors in the land. I'd say he's gone a little mad in his old age, but he knows what he's doing."

"Right..." I nervously chuckle and quickly grow red from embarrassment. You're more fearsome than provocative.... Irin's words echo in my mind and I sadly look at the ground. I've no right to be embarrassed by anyone looking at my battered body. Years of fighting has taken its toll on it. I wonder if there's a spell that can get rid of scars...What am I saying!? I should be proud of what I've done and gone through....but I want to be beautiful. I glance at Ritoru who sat in on the ritual. He didn't care what I looked like, he still thought I was beautiful to him. The last man that made me feel that way, was Thoron...

We exit the large tunnel into another district overflowing with even more Dragons. It seems as if living in peace for so long has completely changed how the Dragon's live. I'd hate to see a race go extinct when they've found the perfect way to live.