I’m going out. Want to give me a ride?
There’s no hesitation.Yes.
Thanks. Let me know when you get here; I’ll be ready.
Be there soon,she sends back.
I actually don’t need the ride. What I have in mind won’t take long, but I know she needs something to do. I grab my fur from my room and wait to hear from Redara. I don’t have to wait too long.
I’m here.
I leave my room and make my way to the front door and go through the process of unlocking the front door. I’m debating whether or not I should leave it unlocked when Elowen comes out of the kitchen.
“I’ll lock it once you leave.”
“Thank you.”
She waves a hand. “Just knock loudly when you get back, and I’ll let you in.”
“Thank you; I won’t be gone long.”
As soon as the locks disengage, I open the giant door and step outside. I wait for the locks to engage before I start down the steps. I take in the red dragon with shimmering scales waiting for me at the bottom of the steps. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over the fact that I’m bonded to this incredible animal. “Thanks for coming to get me.” I pat her back leg.
You and I both know you’re doing this to help me not lose my mind, so maybe lose the false gratitude.
Wow, somebody’s in a mood,I counter. She chuffs out a breath. I wisely don’t push her anymore.All right, I’m coming up.It takes a minute or two to get settled on her back.All right. I’m good.She takes a lumbering step and then another and launches into the sky.It’s not far, but we can fly for a little bit first if you want.
I want.
I bend over, letting her strong neck block some of the arctic wind that whips around me. We fly over the kingdom for a little bit, and when she reaches out again, her voice isn’t as irate as it was a little bit ago.See that building in the center of those three buildings? That’s the one we want.
Got it.
She flies that way and lands smoothly in the snow.Thank you; I won’t be long.
I might still be here,she sends as I walk towards the front door, causing me to smile.
I draw just as much attention as I did last time I was in here, but I ignore it. I’m on a mission. I walk through the large building,looking at each aisle of goods until I find the things I’m looking for. Finally, I take my haul up to the counter at the front. I lay my heavy load down on the counter and step back. “Hi, I’m Harper.” The man behind the counter stares at me, and I double down on my resolve to be polite. “What’s your name?” He continues to stare at me, and I take a deep breath. “I just need to buy these things. I’m sure Rauk has an account here. Can you add them to his account, please?” When he continues to stare at me, I start to lose that resolve. “You do know who Rauk is, right?”
“You mean His Royal Highness?” the woman at the next counter corrects.
“Yes, him.”His Royal Jerkface. “I would hate to tell him that I came here to buy what I needed, and they refused to serve me.” My words have the desired impact. The man finally starts fingering through my pile and writing down what I’m buying. When he gets to the axe, he pauses and looks up at me. I just continue to smile. At least, I’m trying to smile; I’m not really sure if it comes across as a smile. With my luck, it looks more like a deranged smile...but whatever. When he finishes writing everything down, I put my hand on top of the pile. “So, is it all worked out?” The man doesn’t meet my gaze but nods. I figure that’s as good as I’m going to get here, so I start pulling my large bundle of goods into my arms. “Thank you. Have a great day.” I stop at the door and turn back. “Oh, and I will be sure to pass on to His Royal Highness,” I do my best not to gag on the words. “How helpful you were.” I push the door open and make my way back over to Redara, who now has a crowd gathered around her.
Have these people never seen a dragon before?She sends me in irritation.
That's not possible. They live here in this kingdom with Noxlyn, and they have spirit dragons,I tell her calmly.
Well, tell that to them! Stop touching my tail!
Her tail smacks the ground, and I walk faster. “Okay, everybody, back away from the red dragon before she eats you all.”
Wide eyes stare at me, and people scramble backwards.Really?She sends back.
What? It got them to back up.I stare up at her and look down at the pile in my arms. It’s obvious I didn’t think this through.I’m going to have to walk next to you.
Why?
Because I have a load of stuff in my arms, and I won’t be able to get up on your back with all this in my arms.
