The Dragon of Charred Scales

Safe Space

Oculeera

"Your foster parents got you a passport and gave it to me. Jheecu has some old documents floating around that a friend was able to use. You, Oculeera," said Servina, pointing to me. "Not your fault, but you have nothing to work with. So, my friend forged something that should hopefully get you on a plane. Hopefully."

"And if it doesn't?" Jheecu asked.

"If it doesn't, Oculeera knows how to sneak into a baggage compartment. You probably should prepare for that. A week is short notice for this kind of thing."

A week. More dragon sightings around Oita, and a lot of pacing amongst all four of us. Still we have not been found, which is a comfort. Jheecu has been getting irritated about her inability to transform into her dragon form due to lack of space, but otherwise is doing fine, all things considered. Novayar and I have definitely benefited from a week together with no training.

"I thought the process of actually getting a legal passport takes weeks," Novayar said.

"It does. They got it for you months ago, after you were taken to Hasinji. That way you had it to return to Florida in a normal way. Unfortunately, that mail got returned to the sender."

"Why?"

"Keep you in Hasinji, probably," Jheecu said. "They wanted you there for a reason, and they were not going to let you leave for any reason."

"Quite right," said Servina, nodding. "I told them that things happened and that you spent time in the clan that is making news. I kept a lot of other... information from them for your safety and mine. All they know is that you will be hiding in a dragon neighborhood for the time being."

"Can I call them?"

"No. I don't want any trace of information about your location leaking anywhere."

I gave Novayar a little hug. We have been hugging a bit more since Jheecu ordered him, and indirectly me, to reveal our true feelings. A year and lots of turmoil have made us very good friends at the very least. We agreed that we both felt comfortable with little human and dragon displays of affection and comfort. Hence the hugs. "We'll give them a call as soon as Harogbas is dead."

"Sure. Anyway, I got your papers and stuff. I'd really like to charge you for all this help, but you have nothing to give me. I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow."

If humans could growl threateningly, Jheecu would have. What came out of her throat sounded a little silly. "Is killing Harogbas not payment enough, elf?"

Servina smiled. "Actually, I lack the same quarrel with him that you have. But anyone who threatens dragons and humans will eventually threaten elves, so yeah, that is a good favor. I'm not paying you for the task, though."

"Save your banter. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. That's when your plane takes off."

"Uh, I don't think this has been discussed," said Novayar sheepishly. "But where exactly is Talbagu? Other than in the Middle East."

"Syria. Al-Safa volcanic field or some sort," Servina said. "Jheecu, you know where to go, right?"

She nodded.

"Closest I could get you in such a short notice is Ankara. You'll be flying on your own for a while."

"Good enough," said Jheecu.

I wish I had a map handy so that I could see where Syria and Ankara are.

"Syria and Turkey are pretty far from each other," Novayar said. "And I didn't know they had volcanoes there."