I left the city of Reytor to go off on an adventure; our pack had long ago given up looking for me for it had been years. I was restless and upset at how my brother had been ripped from life so quickly by the Keltcher. I hoped whenever Eveline returned to the capital she wouldn't worry too much, but there wasn't much she couldn't handle with Alistor at her side. I sighed seeing my frosted breath escape me. I still liked him, but I knew even before Eveline decided to let him in, that they were a great match- they were kindred spirits.
It was odd to see the pine forest in front of me after so long- all I had seen was the swamped streets and the angry, tired faces of the lower city civilians. I couldn't bear the city alone without Twill especially with Eveline no longer around. I glanced back once more at the high wall that broke up the dense forest around me- a city that had once held all my hopes for a better life and future- before dashing into the forest toward the Crystilian Mountains- the landscape of wonder that was said to hold the ice dragons of the north as well as the half dragons- my distant cousins. No one had seen them in years and everyone assumed they were all extinct.
Another reason for my travel, my need for adventure, was that it is common for a she wolf at a certain age to go wandering for a few years to find her mate if she hasn't already settled down by then. I think that was also what spurred me to leave Reytor and Twill's passing had sparked the flame.
Half of the time I really didn't notice the landscape other than to dodge out of a tree's way or miss a rock. I felt branches scrape my face and as it got dark, I had to slow down in fear of not seeing something in time, but even then my lousy feet still found a rock to stumble on and I felt my ankle give and I fell to the ground hard. The most intense pain I had ever felt in my ankle shot through my leg and stars danced in front of my eyes. I knew it wasn't broken, but it was definitely sprained- at least I hoped. I tried to stand up, but fell. There was no way I was going any farther tonight. I huffed, but crawled my way to the base of the nearest tree and began to get as comfortable as possible in the nook. It was cold and I was starting to miss my straw mat back in Reytor.
"Cold?" asked a voice in the darkness.
There was a slight hiss to his words and I straightened against the tree. Did he mean me harm?
"I have no food," I growled.
He laughed a low, gravelly sound.
"I don't mean you harm. It's just cold here and you seem to be freezing."
How long had this stranger been watching me?I sighed.
"I am."
I heard him move closer. Why didn't I have night vision as good as my brother's?
"If you follow me, I can take you back to my cave. I have fire there and there's room for us both."
I bit my lip. I didn't trust easily, but I was freezing. Would I be able to walk? What if I had to defend myself?
"Unless you want to stay out here and freeze. I have a feeling there's going to be frost on the ground by dawn."
I saw his outstretched hand. "Well?"
I took it and he helped me to my feet and I let out a gasp of pain, almost falling, but he caught me.
"You alright there?"
"Mhm," I mumbled.
"Seemed that caused you a lot of pain."
"I sprained my ankle."
Before I could register what was happening, I found myself lifted up and thrown over his shoulder. He smelled of smoke and pine. As he walked, I felt his muscles tense and relax- if it came down to it, there was no way I could really fight him off.
"This is … slightly embarrassing," I mumbled.
Again he moved me before I could register and he was cradling me in his arms as he walked.
"Is this better?" he asked.
I could tell he was trying to conceal his amusement. At least one of us was enjoying this. I growled.
"I take that as a no."
He kept walking and I fell into rhythm with his footfalls and slowly fell asleep in his arms. It really wasn���t like me to fall asleep around someone I didn't trust, but hurting myself had taken a lot out of me.
***
I awoke to the smell of porridge and fresh baking bread and I slowly opened my eyes to see the first rays of sun entering the cave where I lay sleeping under furs. I sat up, stretching. A man straightened by the fire.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing- a dragon Halfling. My heart hammered with enthusiasm. He was handsome- long, silver, unruly hair with pale skin. On the top of his head were two short, slightly curved horns. He was as muscular as I thought- all taunt, bulging muscles. On his back were two folded, dark purple, leathery wings. How had I not felt his wings last night?
"So the she wolf finally wakes," he said with a grin.
"A ... aye."
"I bandaged your ankle," he said, pointing at it with a wooden spoon.
I moved the covers to see he was right.
"Breakfast is done, if you're hungry," he said. "Don't try to walk. I'll bring your food to you."
Who did this guy think he was? I wasn't the usual damsel in distress here.
"I'm not that hurt."
He chuckled. "Trust me, you sprained it pretty bad. I would take it easy for a few days."
I tried to stand up glaring at him. Who did this guy think he was? Saved me from the cold and dampness and now thought he could tell me what to do. Men.
"I wouldn't."
As soon as I put weight on my foot, it shot searing pain through my whole body, making me fall back down.
"I warned you," he said with a hint of 'I told you so'.
I growled.
"Is that your answer to everything, she wolf?"
"No," I said as he handed me a bowl of steaming porridge and a hunk of bread. He chuckled. "How about things you don't like?"
I sighed, taking a bite of the bread. It had a taste of dried berries and wild cinnamon and it was the best I had actually tasted in a while. It tasted of my home before Reytor. Back when my mother was alive to bake such things.
"With strangers, yes," I said icily.
"My name is Sebastian," he said, offering his hand. "I saved you from frostbite and tended to your sprain. And you are?"
Oh, his sarcastic attitude just made me want to do something drastic like stab him.
"Thorn," I said, grasping his hand.
Sasha was my city name and out here where I was once again out in the wilderness it seemed fitting.
"Fitting," he said, flashing me a smile. "And see we aren't strangers now. Are we?"
"I glared at him. "Fitting how?"
He laughed. "That you are called Thorn with your attitude. You could be a little more appreciative of me saving you. Being nice wouldn't be too much to ask would it?"
"Sorry," I mumbled.
"It's fine."
We ate in silence after that. I guess there could be worse people to be saved by, but other than this man had more sarcasm than any other person I had ever met and I had to resist the urge to hurt him.