Even though there weren't many more plants to collect with winter just around the corner, there was always firewood to gather and water to be fetched from the stream.
One evening, while Brinn was down by the stream, she heard a commotion from the rocky ledge above. Angry squawks and pitiful cries echoed off the rocks around her. Brinn ducked behind a nearby tree unsure of what was happening. She looked carefully back around it just in time to see something fall over the edge and bounce down the cliff. She looked up the cliff and was glad she was not out in the open. There, looking down at where the thing had landed, was the head of a female dragon. The dragon snorted and walked away.
Brinn turned and ran for the cottage. She ran through the front door panting.
"Goodness, Brinn. What has you in such a panic?" asked Talsh, drying her hands at the sink.
"Healer…" gasped Brinn, "I just saw… a dragon!"
"Ah, I see." Talsha smiled. "Tell me about it."
As Brinn told her of the noises from the cliff and the female dragon's response to the object bouncing down the cliff, her look changed to one of concern. "I think we had better go see what fell off the cliff. That sounds like one female taking over another's nest. Usually the young dragons are killed. Let's see if this one escaped too much harm."
When they got to the stream again, all was calm. Brinn didn't have much faith that the young dragon she had seen bounce down the cliff, if that's what it was, would be okay. It was quite a fall. They looked cautiously around but didn't see any angry mother dragons. Then Brinn heard a rustle in the bushes. She looked at the healer who nodded. "Go and see, just move slowly."
Brinn reached the bushes and carefully moved branches aside. There, scratched and bleeding, lay a little green dragon. He was about the size of a medium sized dog and was lying in a ball on his side.
"Well, what and how is it?" asked Talsha.
"Oh, come see. I think his wing is torn," said Brinn. Excitement and worry flooded through her.
"It's… wing?" asked Talsha. "Dragons around here don't have…" She stopped when she saw it. "...wings," she finished as she looked past Brinn at the little bundle. "Oh, my!"
There was no question the little thing had wings, but it was also hurt. "Do you think you could carry it back to the house, Brinn? He needs treating." Talsha held branches out of the way as Brinn carefully picked up the quivering dragonette, which let out a slight whimper and tucked its head tighter into the ball. They headed home. She had to stop a few times and rest, but soon she had the little one on a blanket by the fire.
Talsha checked his legs and, yes, his wings. Nothing seemed broken, but he had many cuts and scratches. While the healer put salve on his scratches, she pointed to the dragon's forehead which had a gash on it. "I think this knock on his head is what has him so quiet. I'm not sure how long it will last. Go fetch some of the dried rabbit meat out of the pantry. If we can feed him when he comes around, maybe he won't be so scared.
When Brinn got back, his eyes were part way open and the poor thing was whimpering.
"I poured a little elixir mixed with milk down his throat. That should help with the pain and keep him sleepy awhile. See if he is awake enough to eat a little piece of meat."
Brinn broke off a chunk of meat and held it to the dragon's nose. It pulled back a little and whimpered. "I think he's scared of me," Brinn told the healer.
Talsha nodded. "I'm sure he is. Set the meat by his nose and back away."
Brinn did as directed. Slowly the dragonette reached out and grabbed the meat, swallowing it whole. It then would have nothing to do with Brinn, even when she offered more meat. Talsha put a hand on Brinn's shoulder. "Go ahead up to bed. I'll sleep down here and keep an eye on him."
"All right," said Brinn. "Please call me if anything happens."
"If anything happens," chuckled the healer, "you will probably hear it before I can tell you."
As Brinn headed to her room, she passed Mousy. The cat was on her way to the main rooom. One corner of Brinn's mouth curled up in a half smile. She wondered what Mousy would think of their visitor.
She had just settled into bed when Talsha tapped on her door. "Sorry to bother you, but I thought you might want to see this."
Talsha led the way back to the main room. When Brinn Looked at the little dragon she was surprised to see him nibbling on the meat she had set in front of him. Then she noticed something else. Curled up against the dragon's back was Mousy, purring happily.