Mara was surprised by how observant Nox was. Was it a lucky guess, or did Nox really think about it? Mara had no idea, but going to dry off sounded wonderful. Although she really wanted to go back with them, she knew people from her village would be there looking for her. "Do you have a cloak I could barrow?"
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Aurelius unclipped the silver fastener on his purple cloak, and he draped it over Mara's shoulders to keep her warm on the way home.
"I'm Aurelius, and this is Nox. Our village should welcome you and Riven. Most people there have dragons," he said, "You know… if you're worried about that. We're not so welcomed everywhere else."
Nox glared downstream. You didn't answer my questions. I ask for the safety of our village. If someone was following you, we can have more patrols sent out in case they try to come this way.
"Yes, some people have followed me. And it's too late for you to send more patrols, they already are in the village. But no need to worry, they are only after me." She reassured Nox. They were only obsessed with finding her, nothing else. "And why exactly is the dragon coming with us?" She couldn't have possibly bounded with him, right?
"That's not possible. Everyone knows everyone in this village, and we have tight security," Aurelius replied, becoming a lot more on guard than even before.
It's a safe haven for dragons like us. He doesn't have to come, but he is welcome to, Nox said. She turned her gaze to Aurelius. Nothing is impossible, my dear. We need to head back immediately to tear these intruders to shreds.
"Wait, but how do we know she's not lying? Trying to lead people to the village?"
Love, I'm more in tune with people than even you are. I sense no ill intent.
"Right, let's get going, then."
Aurelius started to get on Nox's back.
"So what your telling me is you're turned away everyone. Travelers, people who need help. My people may have climed to be traveler's. You shouldn't doubt the evil that every human has." Pulling the hood up she looked at the ground to hide her face. "Everyone is evil in their own way." Even her, she's done horrible things in the past. Things she would never be able to undo.
Riven followed behind. Even if she didn't want him, he felt the bound.
"We don't take many travelers for a reason. If they don't coexist with dragons, they're not allowed to visit. We're secret and secluded because lots of people want both of our kind dead," Aurelius explained, "We usually try to steer travelers away before they can get to our village, and we avoid violence if possible, but… this just doesn't seem right. We don't let people in. It's too risky. Dragons are sacred, and although strong, they must be protected at all costs."
He stopped to breathe for a moment.
"Yet here you are, with a dragon. You can hear the words the dragons say. So you're welcome to visit, or even stay if you want. These people that followed you, unless they speak to dragons too and are willing to live peacefully among them, are not supposed to be here. But I doubt they are. It's a rare gift."
No, theres only one other besides me who can talk to dragons. And I'm sure he didn't follow me." Theere was a twinge of sadness in her voice. He was the one to snap the villagers out of their trance and told them she was getting away. Although she knew he hated her, there was a little part of her that wish he still cared, like when they were younger. "Thank you." She felt grateful. But there was something she needed. "Hey, does anyone here know how to change hair color?"
"Yeah, some of the village women who dye cloth and deal with fabrics also know how to apply similar techniques to hair. Why do you- oh… you're trying to hide, aren't you?"
Aurelius sighed.
"Well, I guess we should get going, yeah?"
"Thank you, again." She said in a whisper. It was embarrassing to be in this kind of situation. As the village built got closer, the more anxious she got. All this was new to her. All she had k own was her village and dark rooms.
Robin froze and looked at the beautiful dragon who slowly made its way over. 'Hello, child. I am Isolde, dragon of ice and fire. Who might you be?' It asked. Robin took a shaky step back and looked at Isolds "I-I'm Robin. Nice to meet you." She stammered
"No problem," Aurelius replied before turning around to look at Mara, "Hey, I got the dragon's name, but I never got yours, did I?"
"Call me Mara." She smiled at the ground. He was nice, well nicer than she thought he would be. "So, not to be mean but can we walk a bit faster, I really need this black hair to go." Maybe, if she can disguise herself as her twin maybe nobody will bother her.
"Yeah, of course. Let's go, Nox!" Aurelius picked up the pace and Nox followed.
She was making sure to guard them both from the back.
Riven had been trotting next to them silently. He was unsure of what to do, but since he was the last of his kind, he rather not be alone. Mara was paranoid, her eyes darted around looking for anyone that may have come from her village. "Will this kind of place really accept me?"
"Well, yeah. I'm like you and I live here pretty peacefully. And most of the people living here are too," Aurelius explained, "For people living here, as long as they pull their weight and are generally okay people, they're accepted."
"I've never cooked before, nor have I done any hard labor. So I'm not sure of how much help I'll be. I do have a Vast knowledge, if that helps any." She felt ashamed and embarrassed. Growing up already decided to be a sacrifice since birth, they though there was no need for her to do any of that. But when she started to get bored and get into trouble, they decided to give her books to keep her mind occupied.
"Doesn't matter. Knowledge is great. Even if you don't have skills of any kind, that doesn't matter either. There's someone here willing to teach you," Aurelius reassured her, "We've had plenty of people come here with little knowledge or skill. One of the more recent ones couldn't read or write as an adult."
"I could teach people to read and write. Maybe I can start a school. That is if you don't have one already." She finally looked up and met Aurelius's eyes. Her face brightened up. She had always wanted to teach people. "I know a little history as well."
Isolde studied the girl, Robin, and smiled to herself 'would you like to fly?' she asked. Robin nodded and slowly walked forward. After a few minutes if struggling, she sat on Isolde and looked around. 'hold on child' Isolde said and took off. Robin screamed in shock then stopped, taking in the view 'amazing right?' she asked. Robin nodded and held onto Isolde tighter.
Some time later, they stopped on a rocky mountain point and Isolde turned towards Robin. 'I havent found my rider yet, but I sense a bond between us. Will you accept?' she asked. Robin nodded and suddenly felt more aware of her surroundings. Isolde laughed in joy and took off again, heading towards the village.
"We have a school, but new teachers and tutors are always more than welcome. We also have a huge library, if you're interested in that sort of thing."
He smiled at her.
"You'll find a place for sure."
A few minutes later, Isolde landed at the edge of the forest and Robin got off. "We should get a saddle for you."
(Do they have a book or something where they record who has a dragon and who doesn't?)
(I mean, they probably have records, yeah.)
(Alright)
"We should also record you in the Drago. Records." Robin said and walked towards her house. Intending on putting her basket inside and taking Isolde to the marketplace
"Alright." She looked around and the first thing that caught her eyes were the library. It was huge and she couldn't wait to explore it. But first, she needed new clothes, these were making her cold.
Robin walked over to the main hall thing and told the man working there to record Isolde and her. After that finished, she decided to go over to the blacksmith and have a saddle or something similar created so she didnt have to pull on Isolde's horns