Chapter Seven: Getting To Know You
Sam awakens from his sleep as the rays of morning light hit his face. He sits up and stretches slightly as he let's out a yawn. He was feeling like himself again thanks to Ayame's medicinal teas. He looks around, everyone seemed to be asleep. He gaze then drifts back over to Ayame who was curled up with her head nestled in her arms. A book laid sprawled beside her.
Curious, he quietly gets up and walks over to her. He then picks up the book and opens it. It looked to be a spell book judging by the art within the pages. He then thinks to himself, "She must've been studying to pass the time til she fell asleep."
He glances at her sleeping face. She looked quite beautiful lying there peacefully as her raven black hair glistened in the morning light. He then thinks to himself, "It'll be awhile before everyone wakes up and when they do they'll be hungry." He then smirks to himself as an idea occurs to him, "Maybe I can show my thanks to her by making a surprise meal. From what I hear around human villages, a woman likes to be treated special every now and then."
With that thought in mind, he transforms into his wolf form and lopes out into the forest to hunt. He catches a few meaty rabbits and transforms back into his humanoid form. He then carries the rabbits back to the campsite. He then guts the rabbits and removes their furs. He spears them onto stick then lays them over the fire to cook, turning them every once in awhile.
Ayame stirs slightly at the noise and opens her eyes. She slowly sits up and looks around sleepily. Sam crosses her mind and she thinks, "That's right, I should check on how he's feeling." Suddenly a warm delicious aroma wafted into her nose and she sniffs the air, "This smell is familiar..smells like, roasted rabbit."
Sam notices her and gives her a warm smile as he says, "Good morning, Ayame."
Instead of greeting him, Ayame's eyes widen in shock and she rushes over to him as she says worriedly, "What are you doing up? Are you sure you are well enough to be moving around?"
Before he could respond, she brushes his bangs aside and feels his forehead as she places her other hand upon hers. She then says, "Hmm, ya temperature seems normal." She takes her hand away and examines his face, his cheeks were no longer flushed. He looked to be okay.
Sam blushes slightly as he says, "I-I am alright now Ayame, you can relax."
Ayame gives him a small smile as she says, "I'm happy you've recovered." She then looks at the rabbits that were cooking over the campfire and asks, "You caught rabbits?"
Sam fidgets slightly as he replies nervously, "Yes, I caught them for you as a way of saying thanks for taking such good care of me."
Ayame blushes as she looks at the food in awe and thinks to herself, "He did all this for me?"
He takes one of the cooked rabbits off the fire and hands it to her as he says, "Here, eat up."
She takes it from him as she says shyly, "Thanks." She then asks, "Where'd you learn to cook?"
Sam looks up at her and says tentatively, "I..taught myself actually. Being on one's own, you learn to make such things so you can survive. Hunting in my wolf form is easy enough. But in places like this, animals like me aren't very well liked among humans so traveling in my human form is safer as I'm able to defend myself better."
Ayame nods in understanding as she says, "I understand what you mean. We're kinda alike you and I." She looks down sadly, "You see, no one in my homeland has powers like I do. I've always wonder why I was different from everyone else. Ever since I found out about them I've kept these powers a secret. No one knows I have them, not even my own family."
She then adds, "If anyone were to see me use them it would cause trouble for my family from the other townsfolk as they would deem me a demon or monster. Their hatred due to misunderstanding is something I did not want to burden my family with." She looks up at him, "Thus I began to study plants to become a herbalist and help the sick and injured as a way to cope."
Sam listens to this in awe and after a moment of silence he says, "I don't think you to be a monster. I think your powers were given to you for a reason and one that is for the good." He then adds, "Whoever would think such bad things of you should be ashamed. You saved me when you coulda left me to be killed and helped nurse me back to health. You are a good person in my eyes, powers or not, and a great herbalist."
Ayame gives him a small smile as she blushes and says, "Thanks Sam."
It was then that the others woke up from their slumber. The smell of food brings them over and they sit down at the fire and begin to eat. They found the food to be delicious and thank Sam for the meal after Ayame told them he had been the one to catch breakfast. After abit of morning chatter, Ayame gets up and motions for Sam to follow her to which he nods and follows after her. As they leave, the others look after them curiously.
Sam looks at Ayame as they walked along and asks, "Where are we going?"
Ayame stares ahead as she replies, "Nowhere specific, just wanted to go for a walk."
Sam gives her a incredulous look as he asks, "...So we're just walking? Abit strange. So why with me?"
Ayame chuckles slightly then replies, "Full of questions, huh? Well, tis dangerous to walk alone in this place...and I rather have someone I trust with me." She then gives him a small smile as she adds teasingly, "Besides, didn't you say you would follow me as long as I wished?"
Sam is taken aback by this as he thinks, "She's willing to entrust her life...to me?" He looks away as he blushes and replies, "Y-Yes, I did say that didn't I?"
Ayame nods as she chuckles slightly then says, "Furthermore, I'd like to get to know you better since you will be traveling with us. So, if it's ok with you, can I ask you some things I'm curious about?'"
Sam gives her a cautious look and asks tentatively, "Um..Alright. What did ya want to know?"
Ayame thinks for a moment then asks, "Your homeland and people..what are they like?"
Sam gets a far away look on his face as he replies, "Our homeland is ordinary as we live within a forest far from here. It provides pretty much everything we need so we do not have houses like human villages do. The manner of beasts within our tribe range from large to small. We mainly keep to ourselves and avoid humans when we can. Despite being made up of different species we are all one big family that cares for one another."
He frowns as he looks down at the ground. His fists clench as he continues, "Our leader Pacula is wise and strong and many of us look up to him. Our lives have been quite peaceful until Dober turned against us and now seeks to enslave us under his rule." He then adds, "Though Pacula and many of the tribe members who are loyal to him have been doing their best to keep this from happening. Many have been injured or killed due to the constant fighting."
Ayame looks at Sam in awe as she asks, "That's terrible, why would he want to do such a cruel thing when he is one of you?"
Sam meets her gaze as he replies with a shrug, "No one is sure, some believe him to under evil influence."
A thoughtful looks crosses Ayame face as she thinks, "Evil influnence? Could it be possible that Dober might be one of the devils Mayana was refering to? If so then it's my duty to fight him and put him out of existince." She then asks, "If your tribe is at war with him then why were you out here alone and not with them?"
"There are many reasons, but the main one was to get help from other tribes who owe favors to Pacula. They said they would aid us. Then, afterwards I got caught within that steel trap, and thus, was found by you." replied Sam.
He was quiet for a moment then says softly, "I am good with the sword but even with myself fighting along side them it will not matter much. Finding more help was the best thing I can do for our people."
Ayame listens to all this then says sternly, "If help is what you need then count me in." She gives him a small smile as she adds, "By the way, ya alot stronger than you think Sam. Wether you believe it or not. One's strength does not come from just wielding a weapon." She taps his chest as she adds, "It comes from in there. That is what makes a warrior who he is. His blade is only an extension of himself."
Sam stops and stares after Ayame with a surprised look on his face as she continues walking ahead, humming to herself. He then catches up to her and asks warily, his curiosity getting the better of him, "Why would you want to help us? Our troubles doesn't benefit you in any way."
To his surprise, Ayame replies, "Fair enough, but a person of my skills would benefit your cause." She then adds, "I consider you to be a friend and friends help each other no matter what. So if there's danger so be it, at least I be doing good in saving innocent lives."
Sam thinks in awe to himself, "She'd risk getting killed just for that?" He then says with a grateful look, "I must say, you're a brave human. Pacula will be most appreciative of this." He then asks, "So, anything else you'd like to know?"
Ayame looks away as a tiny blush paints her cheeks and she asks sheepishly, "Well...D-Do you...have anyone special..back home?"
Sam blushes slightly as he understood what she was asking. He then replies, "N-Not really no." He then adds, "I do have a childhood friend named Shizune who cares a lot for me though and is also the daughter of Pacula." He frowns slightly, "Before I left she had said she liked me. She is nice..but I do not feel the same. Furthermore there isn't much time for anything else with this war going on."
He gives Ayame a inqusitive look as he asks in a curious tone, "Is there a reason why you ask?"
Ayame moves her gaze to the ground as she replies tentatively, "N-No reason...just curious."
Sam nods, then with a small blush, asks gently, "What bout you...anyone special back home?"
Ayame blushes as she replies, "I have had many suitors ask for my hand but I had no intentions of settling down just yet. As you know, I wanted to be a herbalist. Some were nice. Others...not so much. It worried my family slightly as I got older for in our land someone my age was usually married by then."
She then adds with a dreamy look, "Though if I am to marry someone I want it to be out of love not for money. Money does not bring happiness as there are things you can't buy. To be as equals and to support and protect each other like a sword and sheath."
She then adds, "And to be honest, I prefer a simple life where one does not need to worry bout such thing as coinage as it causes nothing but problems. Same goes for my job as an herbalist. I want to do it to help people, not for money." She blushes again as Sam stared at her in awe and she says sheepishly, "Ah sorry, I got carried away. You think it weird huh?"
Sam shakes his head as he replies, "Weird wasn't the word I was thinking. To be honest, I find it fascinating that you would use your life for others while the only thing you desire is a simple life. You are quite the selfless person." He then adds, "I do agree that one should make their own path instead of it being chosen for them. Life is full of events and paths. The one you have chosen is good and that good will be repaid with more good in the long run."
Ayame smiles and silence comes between them for abit. As they walk along the trail, they hear a loud disgruntled growl nearby and stop in their tracks. They look around warily for an oncoming attack only to hear the growl once more.
Her curiosity getting the better of her, Ayame goes towards the direction of the noise and a bewildered Sam asks, "Where are you going? Come back. We don't know what it is. It could be dangerous."
She pays him no heed as she disappears into the brush and comes to a small clearing and gets the shock of her life. She then yells back over her shoulder, "Sam, come here! You got to see this!"
Sam reluctantly comes over into the brush and appears next to her. What he sees causes him to step back slightly. Tied down in chains before them was a large reptile-like creature. It's skin was red with yellow under it's neck, chest, wings and underbelly. Upon it's head with two silver horns and scaled fins on the sides of it's face. Purple spikes adorned it's spine down to it's tail.
He stares at it in a mixture of both awe and wariness as he asks, "W-what is that thing?"
Ayame replies with an unsure look, "I have no idea. Though the poor thing is all tied up. It looks so sad and uncomfortable."
She begins to make her way over to it in a calm and slow fashion to which Sam says in alarm, "What are you doing?! Come back!"
The creature notices her movement and swivels it's head in her direction to watch her warily as she approaches, the chains making jingling noises as it did so.
Ayame whispers back to Sam, "I'm gonna see if I can get those chains off it."
Sam eye's widen in shock as he replies, "I don't think that's a good idea, he might attack you."
Ayame shakes her head as she says, "For some strange reason I doubt that'll be the case. It would've struck me by now. He probably watching to see what I do and might be thankful to us for freeing him."
As she moves closer, her eyes locked with creature's, and she speaks softly towards it, "It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you. You want to be free, yes? I can help. Me friend."
When the creature makes no move to attack her, she takes it as a sign that it understood and begins the process of removing it's chains after finding the key to the shackles. It was then that they heard a male voice yell, "You there, young lady!"
Ayame stops what she is doing then looks around. Her and Sam then see a old man coming towards them. He stops before them, hunching over with his hands on his knees as he tries to regain his breath. He then stands up straight and says gently, "I'm happy to have found other living beings. Though I am quite surprised you are attempting to free Arez."
She gives him a wary look as she asks curiously, "Who are you? Why do you have this poor creature chained up?"
The old man dismisses her first question with a wave of his hand as he replies, "My name matters not. I am merely a doctor who unfortunately was trapped in Oslya for thirty-eight years til I made my escape using Arez here."
He grimaces slightly, "Dreadful place and very dangerous too due to the creatures that reside on it. I don't advise going there." He gives her a sad look, "I did not chain him up willingly. I did it merely for his safety so as not to attract attention and alarm from the locals, though it appears my efforts were in vain."
He then adds, "As you can see, I am currently in the possession of a fire dragon, which is the second one that I raised myself in Oslya."
Ayame eyes widen in shock as she stutters, "D-d-dragon? As in like the ones from fairy tales?"
The old man nods as he replies, "The very ones, though as you can see they are quite real miss." He then adds, "If it's not too much trouble I'd like you to do a favor for me."
Her curiosity getting the better of her, she asks tentatively, "What kind of favor?"
The old man replies, "I ask that you become this dragon's master. In my feeble state I am no longer able to care for him."
Ayame and Sam stare in awe at the dragon then Ayame asks the old man in a unsure tone, "I am honored, but are you sure you wanna give him to me? And you spoke of another dragon. What happened to the first one?"
The old man looks down sheepishly as he replies, "Yeah...Many years ago I made a small mistake in raising and the fire dragon became huge and furious. One day it escaped from the cave and I never saw it again. I assume it flew to the novel of the world where it's suitable for it."
He then looks at Ayame and adds, "You look to be a person with a good heart. I rather leave him with you instead of in the hands of someone evil. Arez will be of good assistance to you as he had with me." This made Ayame blink in surprise. She glances at Sam who shrugs in response.
He turns to the dragon and says, "Arez, my old friend. It is time for us to part ways. You shall follow this woman from now on. She is your master now."
The dragon lets out a soft growl and nuzzles the doctor as if to say goodbye. It then swivels it head towards Ayame and lowers it to puts itself at her height. It stares into her silver eyes with it's yellow ones as if to judge her.
Ayame stood still as she stared into the dragon's eyes and for a moment there was silence then the dragon comes closer and nuzzles her hand slightly, begging to be petted. She obliges the dragon's request and nervously pets it upon it's head. She feels warm heat on her hand as it lets out of soft growl of contentment though she thought nothing of it, thinking it the dragon's warm breath.
She then turns to look at the doctor as she says, "I'll take good care of-"
To their surprise the old man had disappeared. They look around in wonder then Sam turns to her and asks, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Ayame turns to Sam and says, "Honestly, I am unsure myself. But I've been entrusted with a very precious friend who needs caring for so I will do my best. Besides look on the bright side, we'll be able to travel to far away places now and he'll make a powerful ally to have fight along side us in future battles we come across."
She then smiles, "Plus, he'd make a good night guard for us as we sleep." She quickly adds, "Not that there's anything wrong with the way you have guarded us Sam. It's just well... a dragon would be more intimidating to bandits then a lone wolf would be."
Sam nods in understanding as he says, "Fair enough." He then asks, "But how exactly do you plan on feeding him? He's huge. I doubt we'll find the food supplies to feed us and him."
Ayame ponders for a moment then replies, "I don't think food will be an issue. Arez would know how to hunt for himself, most carnivores do. He may have been raised by a human but the instinct is still there." She pets Arez's forehead as she praises, "You're a smart dragon, aren't you?" Arez lets out a happy growl and licks Ayame's cheek and she giggles as she says, "I'll take that as a yes."
As he watched their interaction, Sam notices a red mark on her hand and asks, "Did you burn your hand?"
Ayame blinks in surprise at him and asks, "Burn my hand? I don't remember doing any of the sort."
Sam frowns as he replies, "Well it seems you have." He comes over and shows her left hand to her as he adds, "Look here."
Ayame looks down at her hand and gasps. Upon her hand was of what looked to be a dragon wing burned into it and Ayame glances at Arez, remembering the heat from when she pet him. She then asks the dragon softly, "You did this didn't you?" The dragon let's out a huff in response.
She glances back at Sam as she says, "I guess it a mark of ownership? It doesn't hurt to be honest." Sam gives her a doubtful look as she adds, "May as well introduce him to the others." She motions to the dragon for it follow her as she says to it, "C'mon Arez."
The trio then heads back to the campsite where the others were, who in the meantime were having a discussion about Ayame and Sam.
Roca says to Clive, "I'm telling you, those two got some chemistry going on."
Clive shakes his head as he replies, "I think ya be seeing things lass."
Xaolan nods in agreement as she chimes in, "Nah uh, when they first met, he was holding her hands and being weird."
Roca raises an eyebrow at him as she says, "Oh? Then explain to me why the two of them went off alone without saying anything to us."
Clive just shrugs as he replies, "The woods is a dangerous place to be alone in. He's got animal in him so his senses are better than ours. No sense in all of us going to protect her. She chose him."
Roca pouts slightly as she says, "I still think I'm right about this."
They then hear Ayame's voice as she calls out to them, "Hey guys, we're back! Look what we've found!"
The group turns to look and what they see shocks them as Niss and Xaolan hide behind Roca, who stares in awe at Arez, while Clive takes a few fearful steps back and stumbles to the ground.
Roca points at Arez and asks fearfully, "A-Ayame...w-what is t-that?"
Ayame pets Arez's side and says calmly, "This is Arez, he is a dragon. He was given to me by an old doctor while Sam and I were out." She then adds reassuringly, "Don't worry he won't eat you. I'll make sure of it."
She turns to Arez and points to the others as she says, "Arez, these are my friends. I'm trusting you to behave yourself and not eat them. Understand?"
The dragon let's out a huff then slinks over to Roca, who tries to move away, and nuzzles her cheek then gives her a lick. Surprised, Roca looks at the dragon then to Ayame who smiles and says, "He wants you to pet him. Think of him like a giant horse as he's going to be our night guard and transportation from here on out."
Roca nods slowly then looks back at the Arez who was gazing at her expectantly and reaches out and pets the dragon's forehead. The dragon let's out a growl of contentment. Seeing that the dragon was friendly, Niss and Xaolan come out from behind her and pet Arez. As they do so, he nuzzles them and they giggled as the dragon's warm breath tickled their skin.
Roca then turns to Ayame and asks, "So, where shall we be heading off to now?"
Ayame gives her a smile as she says replies, "Well...with Arez with us now, I believe I can make good on a certain promise I made and take you all to see my homeland as I miss my family alittle so I'll surprise em with a visit."
Roca nods with a knowing smile and the group spends the next three days stocking up on supplies to prepare for their long journey to Ayame's homeland in Japan.
