The final stretch into the basin by itself took most of the evening.
The slope had never seemed so steep, but with my ribs stiff and my wing dragging, every step felt longer than the last and caused me constant discomfort. The snow had long been packed down by the traffic of sleds and boots, leaving a slick surface that forced me to use my claws for purchase.
Aerlinn walked beside me, highlighting my heavy breathing and pained grunts with graceful strides and amusement dancing in her eyes.
Her pace matched mine which, being a dragon, was impressive for our size difference. The wind was a constant, with my body serving as a buffer, while her eyes kept constant vigilance along the journey. I am extremely grateful because I could hardly focus on anything.
When we crested the final ridge, the basin opened up before us.
Steam drifted upwards from vents that were snatched away by the wind once it got too high and a sled was being pulled toward the central fire as the humans moved around doing their usual duties. Children ran around in between adults who shouted when they were surprised resulting only in the kids laughing and running away faster.
This was home.
As I halted to admire the view, definitely to take a break, Aerlinn took in the scene before her eyes slid toward me.
"They look… comfortable," she murmured.
My keen dragon ears – holes? – picked it up with ease. "They are."
"They don't look like people running from monsters or struggling to survive," she observed.
"Because they have a monster protecting them," I puffed out.
Her gaze shifted slightly. "A… curious answer."
"It the truth," I shrugged. I had never once thought that I would not have to earn my reputation and work even harder to keep it. I did not want to let my Mom down.
Taking a deep breath, I continued my descent.
The first hunter saw us before we were halfway down. His head snapped upward and froze as he took in our presence before turning and shouting across the basin.
Several heads turned immediately and people began moving towards us, excitement and joy emanating from them. The kids didn't wait and sprinted towards me.
Luckily I reached the bottom before they got there and started swarming me, their questions coming out in rapid fire I could hardly keep up with.
The adults were far more reserved, some even noticing my wounds and frowning in concern. I was almost overwhelmed by their joy. Their questions. Their concerns.
The warmth in my heart was indescribable. I was blessed.
Settling in right there, I answered the questions I could while letting my story slowly unfold. My pain and discomfort forgotten. I even forgot about Aerlinn.
While I was exaggerating, Ráni arrived quietly. From the corner of my eye I could see him taking in my injuries, concern in his brow before his eyes landed on a certain elf scout. His eyes squinted as hostility flashed through them before they flicked back to my animated storytelling. The hostility receded but the wariness remained.
Aerlinn remained calmly beside me with her bow slung across her back and one hand resting loosely on the knife sheathed in her belt.
Eventually, I ran out of steam, and the adults started to subtlety guide the children away. Ráni must have given them a signal or something because before I knew it, there was just me, Aerlinn, Ráni, and a dozen hunters.
The warmth in the air had tightened into focus as my guest became the center of attention. Ráni kept his eye on her while speaking to me, his tone more serious.
"Friend?"
I nodded. "A friend."
That seemed to relax him a little more, the hunter around also standing down. Ráni turned to them, his voice steady and reassuring, as they dispersed to resume their duties, I presume.
One of the women returned with a bowl of steaming broth that, with Ráni's nod of approval, she offered to Aerlinn.
She accepted with a cursory nod. "Thank you."
The woman watched her sip, smiling, before nodding in approval and returning back to the fire.
Ráni stepped forward once she left and started asking Aerlinn questions about where she had come from and why she had come.
Aerlinn answered as best she could, each word careful and slow, while Ráni occasionally corrected her pronunciation.
Seeing as they were occupied, I picked myself up and made my way to the closest vent. The heat rising from the ground seeped slowly into my exposed flesh and melted the snow trapped between my scales. I winced as I brought my shredded wing close as well.
After soaking in the heat for a bit, the sound of light steps woke me from my bliss. Aerlinn plopped down next to me, her gloved hands held out over the vent. I guess Ráni finally let her go.
Children, curious about the new guest, circled closer as they stared at her beautiful cape and shiny armor underneath.
One of them finally worked up the courage to ask the first question. "Sivullinen?"
Sivullinen was the word for "Outsider." It was not limited by race or gender, just a general word for people not part of the tribe.
Aerlinn glanced at the boy. "Yes."
The children stared openly for several second before one of the girls pointed at Aerlinn's bow.
"Hunter?"
Aerlinn's eyes slid towards me, almost pleading for me to do something. I just huffed in amusement.
"Yes," she gritted out. I almost laughed.
The flood gates now open, she was barraged by an unending wave of excited questions.
My own rumbling laugh sounded behind her as I watched her growing frustration and exasperation. She tried her best, she really did. But it was also clear social interaction has been non-existent in her life for a while.
The fact she wasn't fluent in the language didn't help either.
Ráni eventually approached carrying a bundle of furs. The kids scattered as he barked at them before setting the pile down beside Aerlinn. The almost desperate thanks radiating from her sent him into a fit of laughter.
After wiping the tears from his eyes, he spoke with her briefly before pointing towards a tent that had been set up near the vent. Aerlinn listened before nodding once.
"I stay," she said.
Ráni grinned at that and clapped her shoulder. Her visible cringe at the contact sent him into another barking laugh while I just watched it all with fond amusement.
As the night deepened, the village settled into the usual rhythm. Meat was divided at the fire, hunters repaired their equipment, and the elderly serenaded the young with the tribe's stories.
Aerlinn remained with me by the vent, listening as best she could to the chatter.
Sometimes a tribesman would stop by to ask her a question. She would answer carefully, trying her best to speak the language as the others helped her along when she stumbled.
When most of the camp had fallen asleep, Aerlinn relaxed the tension I never noticed as the wariness faded, replaced by fondness.
"You were right," she said.
"About what?"
"The people."
I tilted my head slightly. "You expected something else?"
She shook her head. "I expected frightened people hiding behind a monster."
How flattering. "And instead?"
She watched the women kissing children good night and men stroking their wives' hair with love.
"They are at peace."
"You can thank Ráni for that. He is a good man."
"You are a good man."
That froze me. The conviction in her voice, the burning intensity in her eyes told me she had decided what or who I was. My heart fluttered and heat creeped up my neck. Hopefully, my scales blocked my blush from being seen.
"For a lizard."
Like cold water, the words doused the mood as I rolled my eyes. With a huff I turned away, laying my head on the ground. Women.
I missed the mischievous glint in her eye.
Sleep claimed me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerlinn POV
Aerlinn observed as the dragon slipped into slumber, its breathing evening out and guard dropping. She could easily slay him.
But she did not. Could not.
He had shown her, uniquely, the good inside despite his evil origin and the way the tribe looked at him… Loved him.
She was grateful for her restraint at their first meeting.
One by one the fires burned lower while the voices around the basin slipped into silence. Eventually, she lay against the pile of furs the tribe leader had provided and adjusted her armor, so it didn't dig into her skin.
She would remove it in the morning. Her eyes started growing heavy as consciousness sought to flee her exhausted mind.
How long had she braved the biting cold and bitter wind. How long had she rested half-awake, never truly embracing sleep. How long had she been alone.
The thoughts faded as sleep finally claimed her. For the first time in a long time.