Ronnie returned from the training area in a dense part of the forest, where humans and elves did the obstacle course or practiced new things with their abilities.
Sweat drenched her from her workout, and she hurried to the hut she shared with her brother, Fabian.
Since their parent's execution, Fabian had been distant. He hardly ever spoke and didn't go out to play with the children. Fabian hardly ever ate and sat up most nights gazing out the window lost in his world.
Ronnie often wondered if he thought about his time down in the mines - the deaths, the horrors - he must've witnessed. Or perhaps something happened to him that he never told anyone about.
Ronnie pushed open their door, stepping into their living space. It was average-sized, with a bookshelf along the back wall, a potty in the corner with a door for privacy. Over on her right was the kitchen where Fabian spent most of his time when she wasn't here.
"Fabian?"
His unruly head of brown hair could be seen floating past the oven as he stepped into view, he was barefoot and worn an apron. His apron looked like it had been in a battle with spaghetti sauce and lost, with more stains than a detective's notepad. It seemed to be held together by a combination of patches and what could only be described as "vintage grease stains."
His black eyes were narrowed as he took in her appearance - when she passed his inspection - he gestured to her glistening skin with a raised brow.
He's only eight - yet acts like he's my caretaker.
"I went to get a workout in." Ronnie moved toward their pile of clothes and pulled stuff out. "I'm going to clean myself then go check on Alexius."
Fabian's shoulders slump. He signed wildly. "Can Zander's parents come over?"
This question was expected of course, and Ronnie knew better than to decline or else face the wrath of his attitude later.
"I'm sure they'd enjoy your meal." Ronnie started. "But they said they were going to the bonfire tonight maybe-"
Fabian gave a nod.
"Really?" Ronnie blinked. "You'd-You'd go?"
Fabian folded his arms over his stained apron, pursing his lips. Ronnie fumbled with her next words. "No..I mean that's g-great, I-"
"Just clean up so we can go." Fabian signed with an exaggerated eye roll.
Smiling to herself, Ronnie gathered up her clothes and hurried to the washroom.
...
After leaving Fabian at the bonfire, Ronnie made her way to the medical hut stopping once to check her reflection.
Her luscious brown hair cascaded down to her shoulders in gentle, natural waves as she ran her hand over her outfit. She wore a stylish sleeveless top paired with a skirt that she had managed to find. Ronnie tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear before hurrying on.
When she arrived at the hut, Zander was sitting in a chair twirling a lock of silver around his finger.
Sawyer was pacing back and forth, his brows curled in confusion - which was not a look Ronnie found on him often. Sawyer was a goofy elf and would be seen pranking people; he never let many people see what went beyond the surface."You ok?"
Zander's voice startled her and Ronnie stumbled forward nearly falling flat on her face before Sawyer reached out and steadied her.
Ronnie blushed and pulled away, his cheek lighting up like a fire. "Thanks."
She hurried over to Alexius and pressed the back of her hand to his forehead.
She raced to the cabinet and pulled out some medicine and a glass. Once the drink was prepared she woke Alexius and asked him to drink the yellow liquid.
Ronnie was aware that both elves were watching her, either to make sure she didn't screw up or so they could do this when neither she nor River were available she didn't know.
When Alexius drained the drink he drifted off to sleep, and Zander leaned forward.
"I know I've asked this what seems like a hundred times, but," Zander licked his lips. "Is there really no way to heal him?"
This was the one part of her job that Ronnie hated. She swallowed. "We're doing everything we can to slow the progression of the disease down...I'm not entirely sure if there is a way to stop it but-" Ronnie bit her lip. "It's nothing. Forget it."
Ronnie stood, grabbing the glass. She moved to go clean the dish, but Sawyer stepped in front of her and Zander shot up from his seat.
"What do you mean it's nothing?" Sawyer asked, cocking his head.
Zander snapped. "There's a way to save him and you didn't think you share?!"
"Because it's just a story!" Ronnie spat. "Something my mom used to tell me when she put me and Fabian to bed."
She pushed past Sawyer to the counter. Her shoulders shook from the memory and tears threatened to spill onto her cheeks.
"I don't care." Zander retorted.
Slamming the cup down, Ronnie whirled toward Zander who stood a foot from her, cheeks blotchy and red, his teeth gritted.
"Well, you should."
Ronnie snipped. "Before Kojo came and destroyed our home, my grandfather had become deathly ill. My grandmother was the one who passed the stories down to my mother, and it was my grandmother who went to great measures to help my grandfather." Ronnie sniffled and wiped her nose. "In the story, the so-called 'healing grapes' could be found on a distant island and my grandmother went there with high hopes." Ronnie turned back to the counter.
"She never came back and my grandfather suffered greatly before he passed."
"So, there's going to be risks." Zander said "I don't care. if there is a chance Alexius could live...I...I have to take it."
Ronnie sighed. "How if you're going to speak with Kojo?"
Sawyer gripped her shoulders. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I'll go and get it," Ronnie said, turning and looking between them. "Nico gave you a job you should focus on that."
Ronnie wiped her hands off and took a step toward the door. "I need to go."
She hadn't gotten far when she heard someone running from behind.
"Ronnie! Wait!"
Ronnie came to a sudden halt, her eyes fixated on the scene in front of her. She didn't turn, instead, her gaze remained glued to the individuals gathered around the crackling fire. Among them, Fabian darted to and fro, his joyful laughter resonating. The murmur of adult conversations wafted toward her, enveloping the entire vicinity in an atmosphere of anticipation and energy.
Sawyer skidded to a stop beside her. "Can we talk?"
Ronnie glanced at him.
"Like. Alone?" he grabbed her wrist before she could protest and dragged her toward the field where the dragons were.
The scene was filled with dragons engaged in various activities. Some were frolicking with their riders, while others were sprawled on the ground, playfully interacting with each other. The younger dragons, in particular, seemed to be enjoying themselves, rolling around and engaging in lively play.
Sawyer waved at a little boy feeding a massive brown dragon jerky. "Hey, Foster!"
The boy excitedly waved and dashed over. His eyes sparkled a brilliant green, and his curly hair kept getting in his face. He brushed aside some of the curls and grinned happily. "Heya Sawyer." His cheeks were smudged with dirt. His gaze slid to Ronnie who tried to shrink away. "Who's she?"
"Ronnie. Foster."
Foster's smile grew. "It's nice to meet you. I don't bite." he laughs. "What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for Nova."
"Ah. She's a restless one, but friendly." Foster tapped his chin as if contemplating. "Now that it reminds me - kinda like you."
Sawyer made to swat his head, but he ducked, laughing. "Come on." he turned on his heel and walked away.
"Hey, Foster."
"Hm?"
"Where's your brother?"
Foster shrugged. "Luca said he'd be here after he finished his shift at the palace."
Ronnie fought the urge to run away, the only memory that came to mind when she saw humans was her parents' execution. They had shouted, "Kill them! Kill them!", they had thrown rotted fruit and vegetables, and cheered as if killing were just a sport.
Ronnie shivered.
"You col?" sawyer asked, rubbing her arms. "It is getting a little chilly."
"Here we are!" Foster said, he whistled and the ground began to shake as a dragon bounded over.
Sawyer went to embrace its leg, feeling the rough texture of the scales under their fingertips. Ronnie glanced up to see the enormous beast, whose scales were a deep, shimmering black like the night sky devoid of stars. The creature had powerful wings folded neatly against its side, and it leaned in to nudge Sawyer affectionately.
Foster clicked his tongue. "I'm going to go back, and yell if you need anything."
When the boy skipped away, Ronnie could finally breathe. She took a cautious step toward Nova and touched her scales.
"Nova. This is Ronnie."
Warm breath blasted her in the face and she looked to see the dragon peering down at her with purple eyes.
"She's-she's beautiful," Ronnie whispered, reaching up to rub her scales.
"You can use her when you leave," Sawyer said. "It should make the journey a little easier. Also, you don't have to do this."
Ronnie retracted her hand and smiles. "Anything to make Alexius better."
"But-"
"You don't think I can take care of myself?" Ronnie asked. "Why? 'cause I'm a girl?"
Sawyer blinked, cheeks red. "Great Mother, n! I believe you can handle anything...but Fabian."
Ronnie's smile vanished.
Bored, Nova raced off, kicking up rocks and dirt as she left.
"Why about him?"
"Well..did you want him to come with me and Zander or have River look out for him?" Sawyer chuckles. "I hear the kid is a master chef."
"He is." Ronnie nods.
Fabian had already been through the mill in the mines and then witnessed his parents being executed.
"I'll ask him." Ronnie decided. "A lot of decisions for him growing up have been made by others. I want to give him the freedom of choice again."
Sawyer hummed thoughtfully. "Good that. You ready to head back?"
"Yeah. I'm ready."