That was enough for Tae. She did not think him a fool. He hoped his ramblings would get her to tell her story soon. Now, he had a solemn duty to perform.
There were twenty pyres at the base of the waterfall. Twenty soldiers had given their lives on Savra. Their families stood by the pyres, waiting to light the fires that would send their loved ones on. Powdered minerals of each weredragon's color had been sprinkled on the wood beneath their designated pyre. The smoke would rise in the beautiful hues to honor the dead.
Tae lifted his end of the soldier's lifter This weredragon was almost as young as Tae. His color had been yellow. He was to be mated soon. Now his intended stood by his pyre with his family. Tae took a deep breath to stop his tears from falling. He owed it to the soldier to carry him with dignity.
Once the all the soldiers had been placed on the pyres, the king spoke. "It is with sadness and honor we meet here today. War is not what we desired. We tolerated the torment of the Savra for years, but then they began to harm our world. If they were allowed to continue, their behavior would have escalated to more disastrous weaponry. I am sorry that it became necessary to send our soldiers to their planet in order to spare Talonia and its population. These valiant weredragons gave their lives to save yours. Send them off with your heartfelt love and honor. Do not hold back your tears, for they are a symbol of your grief and love. We will never forget those who burn here today. Their ashes will be spread either in the waterfalls or the volcanoes. Each family will choose. They will eternally be a part of Talonia. You may light the fires."
Entire families transformed into dragons. Their combined dragon fire lit the wood. Bright colors of red, blue, green, and yellow filled the sky. All of Talonia waited until the last ember went out before leaving the families to scatter the ashes according to their loved one's wishes.
Tae did not want to go home. He would find more sadness there. He was relieved when Michelle and Keshel found him in the crowd. The little boy held out his arms for Tae. His childish giggle was refreshing in the midst of all the grief.
"You've made a friend, or maybe a playmate. Keshel likes you. He is getting heavy. Perhaps, I can impose upon you to carry him to our home for me. Kelan has been called to a meeting with the king. When he comes home, we are going to have a rare treat. I have a small amount of popcorn left from my stash of Earth food. Would you like to join us?" Michelle asked.
Tae knew Michelle had seen that he needed a friend. She had given him a helping hand while still preserving his dignity. He liked her all the more for it. "I would be pleased to carry this young man. His laughter soothes my soul. A child to play with is exactly what I need. What, may I ask, is popcorn?"
Michelle started laughing. "It is impossible to describe. It contains no nutrition whatsoever, but we ate it by the bucketful on Earth. Keshel may even share his hot chocolate with you. That treat is not only special, but addictive."
"I get the impression that humans eat a lot."
"You have no idea how much. We eat to celebrate. We eat when we're sad. We eat to fill loneliness. Food isn't just nutrition for us. It represents love. Some humans carry it to extremes and grow very fat. I must say, I would have eventually become one of them. I do love to eat, especially junk food," Michelle replied.
"Junk food?"
"Worthless food is the best way to describe it. There's a whole list. I'll tell you all about them. Kelan learned to like them too," Michelle explained. "Liked is actually the wrong word. He was obsessed with some of them. You'll see."
Tae did enjoy the evening, as well as the food. The salty popcorn made the hot chocolate taste sweeter. He was growing comfortable with Kelan and Michelle, almost like he had a second family. He had sat on the floor building towers with the blocks of wood Kelan had cut for Keshel and laughing when the boy took such glee out of knocking them down.
After Keshel went to bed, the mood changed a little. Michelle broached the subject of Eveline. "She is so quiet and reserved. I can't imagine what she has had done to her. I was brutally abused, but I was an adult, and I lived on my own planet among my own species. Eveline was a child among reptilian aliens. Tae, what shape was she in when you found her?'
Tae replied, "I first saw her as a Savra soldier dragged her across the battlefield. She was covered in grime and blood. Her body was bruised, and the skin scraped. Her hair was a mass of tangles, dirt, and blood. A metal collar was around her neck and connected to a chain. As I got closer, it became clear that the collar had become too small and was cutting into her neck. The chain was wrapped around a pole. I cut it loose and tried to get her to stand. She screamed and fell. That is when I saw that her leg was broken and untreated. It was swelling; so was her neck. Dragging her by the collar had deepened the cuts. It needed to be removed before she was strangled. The leg was losing circulation."
Michelle flinched and began to choke on her tears. Memories of her beatings by Jackson's hands had come flooding back, adding to her dismay over Tae's description of Eveline. Kelan wrapped his strong arms around his wife and said, "She is safe now. She will heal just as you did. No one will ever treat either of you like that again. You know I would give my life to protect you."
"I do know that. Please, can we take care of her? Would you ask the king to let her stay here? I need to help her. It would empower me as nothing else could," Michelle begged.
"If that is your desire, I will gladly grant it. Tae, ask Eveline if she is willing to stay with us. If she says yes, then I will go to the king and request it," Kelan answered.
"I will go to her immediately. Knowing she has somewhere to live will take some of her fear away. Keshel's sweet laughter will relax her and aid in her healing. A safe haven and kindness may get her to talk. I think she fears talking about her experience," Tae replied.
"I can promise you she does. It hurts to repeat the things you went through almost as much as when it was happening. I'll tell her about Jackson. She will open up."
"No, my love. It would hurt you too much to relive that all over again. You have had to repeat it so many times: to the police, me, the king, Daer, and then all of Talonia." Kelan could not stand for her to go through more agony.
"The more I say the words, the easier it becomes. The pain seems to be absorbed by the air as the words leave my mouth. I'll be fine. Eveline needs to know she isn't alone in her pain. Let me do what I can."
"So be it," Kelan answered.
"May I take her the rest of my hot chocolate? Surely, she has missed the Earth treat," Tae asked.
"Let me make her a fresh cup. Keshel can spare some more. Finish yours, and by that time Eveline's will be ready."
