Hareth grimaced in pain while slowly walking towards the direction where he had heard the scream and later the voices of the battle. His leg was killing him but he had to keep moving.
It had been silent for a moment now so everything must have been settled already. He really hoped that everything had been settled in Faz’s favor.
The prince felt a little uneasy that his friend had gone to murder the humans but in these days it was either kill or be killed
The dry leaves rustled under his steps and Hareth stopped for awhile. In witch direction had Faz gone? How far?
He could smell the blood in the air. Not so far anymore. With a grimace he continued to the direction where the coppery smell of blood was strongest.
After few minutes’ walk he stepped out of the bushes and stopped dead in his track as he heard a low and menacing growl right beside him. What now? A hunting dog?
Faz was taken by surprise and hurriedly called off his wolf who was baring her teeth to Hareth.
“What the hell are you doing here Hareth?! You could have killed yourself! My wolves are independent hunters.” There was anger in Faz’s voice and his expression was dark.
Hareth too was in foul mood. He had been nearly killed by human scum and he was hurting like hell after walking so much with his bad leg. And he had only worried about his friend. Not very warm welcome, was it?
The dragon stared at Faz an unreadable expression on his face. “That would have saved me from the trouble of drowning myself in the blessed lake, don’t you think?” Hareth’s voice was deadly calm as he carried on. ,,Yet it would have been much more easier if you hadn’t played a knight in shiny armor at the lake, wouldn’t it?”
Faz was stunned for a moment and tried to understand why the dragon was so aggressive. Then it dawned to him. He had brought up Hareth’s painful mission not too gently. He had been too agitated to consider his words. Damn!
“I’m sorry Hareth... I shouldn’t have said that..” The werewolf heaved a long sight and looked the corpses on the ground. ,,This was a messy party..”
Hareth gazed the dead hunters and there was a grim cold smile on his lips. “So it seems. You could’ve done better though. They died too quickly.”
Faz hurried to look at his friend and saw a dark expression on usually so serene face. “Hareth…”
Now the dragon did lift his gaze to meet the werewolf’s. “Sorry, but I have no compassion left to these bastards.”
Faz had never seen so much pain and loathing as he saw in his friend’s eyes. Hareth had hidden it well earlier but now it all was showing clearly. The poor dragon was struggling with more than he was able to handle.
The werewolf took a step towards Hareth. “Next time I meet the hunter group I give them nice warm welcome with my wolves. That I can assure to you Hareth. So don’t let the hatred get the best of you.”
Hareth gave a little nod his eyes fixing on to the lean body on the ground. “Who’s that? He’s not a hunter.”
Faz turned to look the oblivious young man. “Maybe he’s a faerie? I think he was shot down by the hunters and when I got here he was going to be raped by at least one of them. It never happened though.”
There was a strangled little sound from the dragon and Faz turned around. There was a very odd expression on Hareth’s face and the prince walked to the unconscious man. “Poor little guy. He’s in bad shape...”
The werewolf watched how the prince crouched over the lithe body and caressed one multicolored wing. Something made him feel uncomfortable.
“We need to help him. His wounds are serious and he might freeze out here in those flimsy trousers of his.” Now there was only worry in Hareth’s voice and his expression had turned in gentle concern.
Faz didn’t say anything but he looked around searching for something warm to their new patient. Soon he spotted some furs, maybe the hunters’ beddings, and picked them up. “These will have to do for now.”
Hareth looked at the furs and nodded. “Let’s move him away from these corpses.”
***
He was tired. There was no place to rest or eat or even stop safely. Why had the hunters turned against them? First it had been dragons then centaurs and now his kind.
The young man stretched his multicolored wings and took off again. His thin body was covered only by pare of silky pants. Not a good choice on early spring morning when snow had barely melted but there wasn’t anything else.
He flew higher and hoped against all hopes that the hunters had lost his tracks.
At the same moment he felt a sharp pain on his lower back which tore a scream of pain out of his throat and then he fell.
The ground stopped his fall not too gently and another scream escaped as his delicate wings were torn by the branches. After that everything went black.
***
“Do you think we could get his wing in better position? That looks painful.” The voice was kind and worried.
He was about to open his eyes to see who this kind soul was when he heard another voice.
“Really, Hareth… There are other much more serious problems with this arrow here. Do you really have to think some silly appendixes in a moment like this?”
Now he was hurt. His wings were his pride and a status symbol higher than any medal.
“That is rude Faz. Even unconscious can hear you and you choose to mock him. You know how sensitive flying creatures are about their wings…” A moment’s silence and then the same voice continued. ,,By the coloring of his I think he’s one of high status among his folk.”
A sigh and after that he could hear a low whisper.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
Now there was a low chuckle and he felt how his wing was moved in better position easing some of the pain lurking underneath his drowsiness.
“You’re a gentle spirit Faz, even though you claim otherwise.”
Soon he felt the arrow leave his flesh and gasped as the pain came back all at once.
A warm hand came down on his hair and caressed it soothingly. “Try to relax, you’re with friends now. Nothing bad is going to happen to you...”
He tried to open his eyes but he couldn’t do it. Why wouldn’t they open? He tried to ask it but only some incoherent mumbling came out. What was wrong with him?!
Then there was a hand on his shoulder and a soothing whisper right next to his ear. “Shh, stay still. You were shot down and it seems that you fell a long way until you hit the ground. We chose to give you quite a lot of numbing herb so you wouldn’t be in too much pain when you wake up. You can’t control yourself right now but soon it will wear off.”
He tried to nod but even it seemed to fail so he had no other option but being still and trying to relax. A pair of hands nursed the arrow wound on his back and one more hand kept caressing his hair. He felt peaceful and cared as sleep soon took all the pain away.
***
Hareth looked over his shoulder to see what Faz was doing over the campfire and saw a thin bone needle in his friend’s hand.
The werewolf was burning the needle to disinfect it and Hareth watched in mild anticipation for he knew the needle was for him. Faz had made few of them from the bones of their yesterday’s dinner.
They had nursed the newcomer’s wounds and now would be his turn. The wound on his leg had opened while they had carried the man away from the human corpses.
“Hareth? What’s wrong?” Faz had felt the dragon’s stare and raised his eyes from the needle to the prince sitting next to the oblivious man.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just…” Hareth tried to think quickly how he could tell Faz that he was actually afraid of the coming procedure but nothing came. ,,Oh, nothing. Forget it.”
Faz raised his brow and smiled knowingly. “Nothing? You sure about it?”
Hareth cave a curt nod and turned his attention to the sleeping man next to him. He couldn’t tell Faz that he was afraid of more pain. He was a dragon! No dragon feared pain. …Except me…
The winged man was sound asleep and his wings fluttered ever so lightly once in a while. He really was a beautiful one.
As Faz laid his hand on Hareth’s shoulder the dragon woke from his musings.
“Let’s fix that leg of yours now Hareth.”
The dragon nodded tensely and steeled himself for the coming pain. “Do what you have to.”
Faz looked his friend for the moment and then kneeled next to him starting to open the prince’s robes. “These are in the way. I must sew the wound.”
Faint noise escaped Hareth’s mouth at the mentioning of sewing and Faz seemed surprised.
“Are you afraid of this Hareth? I thought…”
The dragon looked away embarrassed. “You thought that dragons fear nothing. So does my father too. I must be a failed one for I fear the pain and death now...”
Faz shook his head and put his hand back on his friend’s shoulder. “I’ll try to be as gentle as possible...”
Hareth didn’t look at the werewolf but helped him open his robes and revealed his bandaged leg staying completely still while Faz started to examine the wound once again. There was some blood but it was a minor bleed, not a life threatening one.
“Hareth, lie down… I’m going to clean this first and then I sew it close.”
The dragon gave no answer but lay down on the ground closing his eyes.
Faz started to clean the wound and every so often gazed to Hareth’s face. “Hareth, how did you survive?”
Hareth opened his pain filled eyes and looked back to Faz. “You saved me Faz…”
The werewolf shook his head and turned his gaze back to the gash he was tending. “No.. I mean how you survived until I found you. You were alone then.”
The whining sound came from the dragon when Faz opened the wound a little and poured hot water in it from little cup. “I’m sorry my friend. We’re out of herbs…”
Hareth blinked back the tears that threatened to leak out. “You could have warned me about that Faz…” A little pause and then a shuddering inhale. ,,I already told you that I tried to escape the hunters and ended to the shore losing my consciousness…”
Faz nodded once. “I could have but then you would have panicked.” The werewolf let out a huff of breath. “What I’ve seen, the hunters make sure their victim is dead... So why they left you alive..?”
Hareth let out a little growl and hit his head to the ground. “Too true. Can you hurry up Faz? I think I’m going to faint soon.”
Faz smiled faintly and put the other matters aside. “I’ll stitch the wound now.”
The dragon groaned and steeled himself once more for the pain. “Just do it fast.”
No answer from the werewolf but soon Hareth felt a sharp needle pierce his skin right next to the wound. A low moan left his lips as a thin thread run through the hole the needle had made. It feels gross…
“Just stay with me Hareth. I’ll try to be quick.” Faz gazed his friend’s face for a moment and then carried on with his operation.
***
After few more moments of agony Hareth felt a little tug as Faz made a nod to the thread.
He looked his friend in amazement. “Are you finished?”
Faz smiled calmly. “I’m quite good at this even if it me to say it.” The werewolf tied a new bandage around now sealed wound. “Now it should hold better. Just take it easy for a while.”
The dragon sat up reaching to close his robes and realized that Faz’s hand was still on his leg. The heat from the palm seeped through the bandages and his leg started to tingle nicely...
This was neither a right place nor the right time for anything like this and Hareth forced his mind back in the matter at hands. “Um... Faz..? Can I cover myself or is there something you haven’t done yet? “
“Huh?” Faz seemed to wake up from his thoughts and jerked his hand away like it had been burned. ,,I..I’m sorry.. I was just…thinking…” What was I doing?!
The dragon closed his robes with a sigh and turned to look at his flushed friend one brow raised in question. “Thinking? What could possibly make you blush like that?”
The werewolf was in complete loss of words but to Faz’s relief their new companion stirred and Hareth’s attention was turned away from him.
“Hi there, how are you feeling?” The dragon asked in gentle tone.
The man stretched a little and winced as the wounds reminded him about their existence. “Like a dragon had run over me…”
Faz couldn’t help but laugh at the remark and even Hareth smiled. Oh, you would be much more battered if I had run over you.
“I’m Hareth and the laughing one is Faz. May I inquire your name?” It was too easy to assume the polite ways of court speak.
The man’s amethyst colored eyes sparkled and he reached to finger comb his pale blue hair. “I’m Crysafiel from southern woods. Thank you for helping me.”
Faz had calmed down and now watched keenly the man sitting on furs. “Your garments don’t suit in this weather. Why are you this far away from your home clad only in trousers I can nearly see trough?”
Hareth gave his friend a sharp glance. “I don’t think it’s our business Faz.”
“Oh Hareth, cut the crap already! If I save somebody’s sorry ass from hunters I want to know the reason why the poor bastard had been chased! I want no more troubles I already have.” Faz didn’t know what annoyed him so much in their new companion but he knew there was something fishy.
Hareth bowed his head. “Forgive my friend. He is very cautious as I too have been attacked by humans and at the moment he’s the only one capable to fight.”
Crysafiel smiled politely and turned to look Faz. “I understand your concern. I was visiting some friends on the shore of Shalon but then a group of hunters came in the middle of the night. My clothes and everything else I had with me burned with the cabin. Luckily every one escaped as the hunters chased me.”
Faz seemed satisfied and let the faint smile rise to his lips. “That explains a lot.” But not everything…
Hareth sighed and forced his legs to move. “I think we’d better to continue our journey.” With some difficulties the dragon stood up. ,,If we’re going to travel to your home Faz we have quite a long way to go.
Faz offered his hand to Crysafiel and pulled him up. “Can you walk?”
The man nodded and then looked mournfully his torn wings. “I can walk but flying may be out of question quite a long time.”
“It’s amazing you didn’t break any bones when you fell.” A miracle I would say.. Hareth tested his left leg taking a small step and leaving weight on it. It doesn’t hurt too bad…
“Yeah, I got lucky…” Crysafiel wrapped one of the large furs around his shoulders wincing as the fur pressed his wings against his back. “I think I need something on my feet…”
Faz took one fur and just ripped two pieces of it. A little bit too lucky… The werewolf tossed the furs to Crysafiel. “Here, wrap them around your feet. Tie them in place with these…” Two long leather straps were passed to the man also.
Hareth watched how their new companion tied the furs on his feet and then turned to Faz. “How long journey we have?”
The werewolf seemed to think for a while and then looked back to the dragon. “When I travel alone I walk home in two days but with you two I think it’s going to take at least four maybe even five days. We have to be careful not to strain your wounds too much.”
Hareth nodded a serious expression on his face. “Then we’d better start walking. We need to find a safe place to spend the night.”
Suddenly the dragon felt a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not the only one who is afraid of the hunters. Don’t carry that burden alone.” Crysafiel smiled sadly and then took off his hand.
Faz rolled his eyes and started to walk towards the west. “Are you coming?”
“Faz, wait!” Hareth hurried to follow his friend with a grimace of pain on his face. What is wrong with him today!
Right after the dragon Crysafiel walked with easy steps disregarding his wounds a small knowing smile painted on his lips.
***
That night they all were exhausted. Hareth and Crysafiel were acutely aware of their wounds and Faz was feeling the soreness of his muscles after fighting with hunters earlier that day. He had managed to find a small clearing near the path they were following. In that clearing they would spend the night.
Hareth sighed as he sat on the ground and massaged his throbbing leg gently. “This bloody leg is completely useless!”
“Does it hurt that much?” The werewolf raised his brow looking at his friend while trying to set their little bonfire on fire.
Hareth smirked a little and continued his massaging. “No, it’s only throbbing now but it feels so weak and at times even numb.”
Crysafiel tried to stretch his wings and made a distressed sound. “That’s not good. Is your wound infected?”
Faz left the bonfire walking to his friend a concerned flicker on his eyes. “Let me see your leg.”
The dragon gazed at his friend and moved his robes aside revealing his bandaged leg. “Do what you want.” Anything you want…
Just a moment Faz had a very clear picture in his mind just what he wanted to do with the prince but he managed to clear his mind. Now was not the time for fantasies. With steady hands the werewolf opened the bandages to see nicely clean wound.
“Good. The stitches endured your walking and the wound seems to be clean. This is healing nicely. Maybe the smarting is from the strain you put on your severed muscles… This walking won’t do any good for you.” There was gentle tone in Faz’s voice while the werewolf bandaged the wound again.
Hareth smiled tiredly and put his hand over the hand bandaging his leg. “Thank you Faz. I owe my life to you.”
Crysafiel coughed smiling. “Do you want some privacy?”
Faz felt his face burning bright red and he yanked his hand away. “What are you implying?!”
Hareth smirked under the fall of his hair and closed his robes turning to look at their new friend. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. We have known a long time and sometimes our relationship may seem a lot more than it really is.”
Crysafiel nodded smiling. “Ah, it was my mistake. I thought you were lovers.” There was playful flicker in the amethyst eyes.
Faz snorted and returned to the bonfire starting to make a fire again. “And why would you think that? There’s obviously nothing between us.”
The dragon prince closed his eyes in the smirk that seemed a little too much forced. “As you said, my friend, nothing at all. If you two will excuse me, I have a little need to attend.”
Hareth stood up and left the clearing before Faz had time to respond.
Oh, great! The werewolf threw a dry stick from his hand to the crackling fire and huffed tiredly. He should have picked his words more carefully.
***
Outside of the clearing Hareth leaned against a tree closing his eyes for a moment. Great, just so bloody great! So there was no chance at all that Faz could consider him more than a friend. That was disappointing sure but he had expected it. The werewolf had always talked about girlfriend of same species in his future. Not a boyfriend from the dragon race.
The prince sighed and ventured a bit further away from their campsite. He needed some time to be alone, to get his composure in check. He would keep his disappointment from the others, especially from Crysafiel. The winged man was perceptive and sharp in his mind.
The dragon was sure the other man was more than he let them know. Only now wasn’t the time to ponder minor things like this. The rampaging humans were far more serious problem.
As soon as he would be healed he would return home and speak with his father. He was wise and had seen a lot; maybe he knew a way to get the tear without a sacrifice. That was a dangerous strain of thought. As soon as Hareth had thought the last he remembered how he was selected to sacrifice himself for their race’s future.
The dragon shook his head to hunt the suspicions away. His father had done what was the best for them. He couldn’t have wanted his only son to die... Hareth gaze to the dark evening sky where stars started to flicker as night slowly painted it black. How fitting…
***
Faz stared at the red and orange flames of their bonfire. What had ticked the dragon off? He had thought their friendship clear as the daylight. It seemed to be not so clear to Hareth.
A snapping of the dry twigs informed the werewolf of the return of the dragon prince.
There was a serene expression on Hareth’s face and he smiled warmly at his two companions. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
Crysafiel inclined his head as acknowledgement. “No need to apologize. You have to answer to the nature’s call.”
Faz didn’t know what to say to the dragon. Obviously the prince had left the camp for something else than simply relieving his bladder and he had done it right after his badly calculated words.
Hareth sat down on the ground near Crysafiel who seemed amused by something.
“May I inquire where were you going before the hunters got you?” There was a sharp commanding tone in the politeness of the dragon.
The winged man inclined his head smiling leisurely. “I was escaping those horrible humans with no sense of direction. I only hoped that the direction I was heading would offer me some safety.”
Crysafiel raised his beautiful eyes to meet Hareth’s. “It was such a fortunate coincidence that you two found me. I’m glad I can travel with so noble dragon as you are prince Hareth.”
Faz followed the conversation silently and directed his bemused gaze to Crysafiel. The man was obviously hitting on Hareth.
Hareth had other things in his mind. How had the stranger known who he was?
“You know my heritage. How did you recognize me?”
Crysafiel smiled fondly. “I have heard so many stories about the kind dragon prince and everybody knows your name. I just made a lucky guess. I’m honored to travel with you like this.”
The dragon laughed at this happily. “I see. My reputation is way ahead of me. But I must tell you I’m not as wonderful person as you may have heard. I am a dragon after all.”
Faz snorted at this. “Oh please!” The werewolf felt like throwing up. How could Hareth play along with so obvious flirting game with another male?
Hareth turned to look at the werewolf. “Did you have something to say Faz? I didn’t quite hear you.”
Crysafiel smiled innocently behind the dragon his eyes sending a challenge to the werewolf.
The werewolf growled deep in his throat baring his sharp fangs to the winged man. He hated challenges, especially ones thrown onto his face.
The dragon stood up a serious expression on his face. “I’ll say this once and only once so listen carefully Faz. As long as humans are hunting us down we don’t need any animosity amongst us. So keep your fangs hidden or we end up killing each other to the humans’ great amusement.”
The prince turned to Crysafiel with bemused frown. “And you, my new friend, should stop playing with fire. I’m not dense enough not to notice what game you’re playing. If you truly want to challenge Faz I won’t stop either of you even if it took a life out of you. But if I am the reason of this brainless bickering here I can assure you it’s futile. I am not a price to compete for.”
There was a hint of icy cold in Hareth’s eyes as he stared at Crysafiel. “Am I making myself clear?”
Faz tilted his head. Once more his friend had showed his royal heritage and dignity. Hareth was a remarkable person when he chose to be. He had to give his respect even if he didn’t bow to anyone.
“I’m sorry Hareth. You’re right. This is not the time for arguing.”
Crysafiel felt chills run down his spine. Who was this man in Hareth’s body? He had thought that the prince was gentle yet a little naïve young man but this man standing in front of him wasn’t naïve. He was composed and serene yet still he gave off an aura of threat. He couldn’t tear his eyes off the ice cold eyes of the dragon and swallowed nervously. This young prince wasn’t one to toy with. He knew this now and he would act by this knowledge.
“I’m sorry for my behavior. I was too bold and ignorant in my actions.”
Hareth nodded once turning towards Faz smiling warmly. “I know you Faz. I know that you have a bit of a temper. You only need someone to remind you about the time and place.”
Faz raised his gaze to the dragon’s eyes. There was warmth and caring glimmering in them.
“And you are the one to do that.” The werewolf smiled a little.
Crysafiel watched the scene quietly. The friendship between the two had chanced a long time ago to far more intimate but they didn’t see it themselves.
Hareth let out a sigh and settled down once more. “We need rest but one of us must stay awake while others sleep. This is not exactly the safest place in this forest.”
Faz nodded his agreement. “I’ll take the first watch. You two just go to sleep.”
Crysafiel stood up. “No. I’ll take it. You have done a lot today and must be tired. I can wake you up to the second shift.”
Faz nodded and stifled a yawn. “Thanks. Wake me up when the moon is at the mid sky.”
Hareth smiled a satisfied expression on his otherwise serene face. “And keep sure to wake me up when the moon starts to set Faz. Don’t you dare to let me sleep through the night.”
Faz grinned, his fangs glinting in the light from their fire. “Aa. You got me Hareth. I was intending to take the rest of the night and let you get your beauty sleep as a good prince should do.
The dragon smirked. “Oh, how gallant you are Faz.”
Crysafiel laughed at this. “It’s good to know that our sleep is guarded by a death tired half sleeping werewolf who has used nearly all his endurance to the fights with the humans.”
Hareth nodded at this and looked seriously to Faz. “We need your strength when we travel. So please wake me and get the sleep you need.”
Faz inclined his head in acceptance. “I’ll do it. I know I’m not capable to protect you if I haven’t rested at all.”
The dragon laid down and pulled his robes tighter around his body. “Now when all is settled we can sleep. The night hours are precious to us.”
Crysafiel settled to sit near the fire. “That’s right. So Faz, go to sleep already. Sleep well.”
Faz shook his head and settles near the dragon closing his eyes sighing tiredly. His muscles were killing him. He hadn’t had the time to stretch himself enough. “Good night.”
Hareth closed his eyes few moments later. “Good night.”
The winged man sat there next to the happily burning bonfire and stretched his wings. They were healing already. He couldn’t tell that to the others.
He watched his companions who had fallen to the sleep nearly immediately. They hadn’t asked too much questions about him yet but the werewolf was suspecting something and the dragon prince had seen right through his game. He had to be careful from now on.
With glimmering eyes Crysafiel turned to look in the dark forest around them his lip curling to a small smile. This was so very amusing.
***
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