Flare climbed over it in just a few seconds, his body packed with the muscle to move mountains. It’s fine.
“We’re almost there. It’ll be better soon.”
A slight tone of panic colored his voice. Will my scales still be glorious?
Sometimes it felt like she was talking to two different people. There was the calm and collected version of the dragon, and then there was the rude and vain version of the same beast. “Yes, they’ll be fine.”
Will I have a scar? I can’t have a scar.
“I’ll make sure you don’t have a scar. Don’t worry.”
Flare released a deep breath that sounded like a sigh.
Cora made it to the top of the cliff then brushed the dirt off her pants. “So, can you read my mind all the time?”
No. I can’t read minds.
“But you’re doing it now.”
No. I’m speaking into your mind. You’re responding verbally.
“So, could I communicate with you the way you’re communicating with me? Just by thinking in my mind?”
Yes. But I don’t suggest it.
“Why?”
Unless you’re skilled with mind craft, I can hear your other thoughts, thoughts you may not want to share.
“So, you can read minds.”
Flare’s facial expressions didn’t change much as a dragon, but he could manipulate the air around him, change the tone. Right now, he was clearly irritated. No. It’s how I converse with humans and other dragons. Humans can choose to communicate internally, but most of them don’t know how. They just respond out loud.
“They don’t know how? Then how come I know?”
Flare shook his head slightly. I don’t have an answer to that.
Cora grabbed her water sack from her bag and took a drink. “Would you like some?”
Flare glanced at it. No. That’s a mere drop for me.
She returned it to her pack. “Suit yourself.”
I can sense people’s thoughts and emotions but only if they are willing. And I can’t look into their minds and see anything I want, such as the past. I can only feel whatever that person is thinking in that moment of time.
“Couldn’t you force yourself into a mind and manipulate it?”
Yes. But I never would.
“Why not?”
It’s rude.
“The whole thing sounds complicated.”
Not really. Sharing your mind with someone else is the most personal thing two beings can do. It belies a level of trust that can’t be explained in words. When two beings agree to that level of communication, they usually possess a profound relationship.
“So…could I penetrate your mind?”
He snorted. Not unless I allowed you to. My mind is much stronger than yours.
Cora shot him a glare.
I don’t mean that as an insult. Dragons are distinct. The level of security around our minds is impenetrable. Our anatomy is simply different. The only opponent who could break me would be another dragon. But of course, a dragon would never do such a thing. It’s our only rule.
“Your only rule?”
The only rule our society abides by.
“So, that means you could kill each other?”
Yes.
“And that’s something you do?” Killing was illegal among humans. It surprised her that ferocious beasts didn’t practice the same law. Bloodshed must have been common during the days of the dragons’ reign.
Never.
“Then why isn’t it a law?”
Why have a law for something that never happens?
“Just a precaution.”
Not worth our time.
“Do you have any other powers?”
Flare stepped forward and continued their journey, dismissing the question. You ask a lot of questions.
“I’m curious. Before yesterday, I didn’t know dragons still existed.”
We are remarkable creatures.
She rolled her eyes.
I saw that.
“Like I care.”
He swatted her playfully with his tail and made her trip.
Cora caught herself before she hit the ground. “Jerk.”
Child.
She jumped to her feet then brushed the dirt off her hands. “You’re lucky I’m still willing to fix your wing.”
And you’re lucky I’m still willing not to burn you alive.
She adjusted her pack before she resumed their path to the river. She had a hole in the knee of her pants from climbing the rock face. When she’d left Vax, she didn’t have time to grab everything she might need. Hopefully, Dorian would bring extra supplies. “When a dragon and a human fuse together, do they have that level of communication?”
Yes.
“Have you ever fused with a human?”
Flare flinched slightly, clearly offended by the inquiry. Again, you ask a lot of questions.
“I’m just curious. I learned that it used to be common between dragons and humans…before we went maniacal.”
If I wanted you to know that information, I would have presented it long ago.
Cora didn’t understand that response at all, but she assumed it was a complicated no. “For what it’s worth, everyone in my village hates the king for what he did to the dragons, including me.”
Flare didn’t respond outwardly to that information.
“I’m sorry.” Cora knew Flare must feel alone. Even if there were other dragons in the world, there couldn’t be many. She couldn’t imagine that type of loneliness, to be one of the last remaining people of her species.
No need to apologize.
“If there were ever an uprising against the king, you would have the support of many humans.”
I know.
“And you would have my support as well.” Flare was abrasive and harsh at times, but she was beginning to realize he was harmless. What happened to his race was a crime, and he deserved justice for it.
I appreciate that.
She faced forward again and heard the faint sound of a stream in the distance. “We’re almost there.”
Good. I need a bath.
They reached the stream and lay under the large willow tree that provided plenty of shade as well as cover from unfriendly eyes. Flare extended his wing out so Cora would have access to the wound located at the base.
“I’m going to clean it, so it doesn’t get infected.”
My scales prevent such diseases.
“Well, let’s clean it just to be on the safe side.” She grabbed a fresh piece of cloth from her bag then soaked it in the river. After she squeezed out the extra water, she attended to the pierce in his hide.
Flare didn’t flinch as she treated him. He stared across the water and watched the sun move in the sky.
Cora wiped away the dried blood and scabs and examined the wound more closely. Most of the area was singed from the fire that struck his scales. It was black and reeked of burned flesh.
It’s bad, isn’t it?
“It’s not as simple as I thought.”
Flare took a deep breath in disappointment.
“But I think I can fix it. I just need a special plant.”
What?
“Root tip. It’s good for burns.”
Maybe for humans. But not for dragons.
“It’s worth a shot.” She set the cloth down then headed deep into the trees. She knew basic information about plant lore from the town’s workshops. While her main occupation was a blacksmith, she was interested in all realms of academia.