1465 Words, this Chapter

Chapter Seven

Emma flew back to the Wisdom Clan. The orange dragon bent down so she could climb off. "Thank you," she said. "It was fun and a very smooth ride. You took good care of me."

The dragon bowed it's head. "It was my honor, Lady. I thank you for not ruining my scales."

She laughed and jogged over to Killian, sitting beside Hu and the blue dragon.

Hook greeted her with a hug. "Swan, at last. I was in great distress while you were away."

She blushed and smiled. "Yeah. I'm fine. It went well. My parents are passing the word. Soon the whole kingdom will be looking for the Dragon in Human Form. Discreetly."

"Thank you," said the blue dragon. "We shall keep our part of the deal. Our dragons will guard your town and villages."

"How will your parents and the others know these dragons from the Riders?"

Emma laughed. "Um, they won't be trying to kill them?"

Killian chuckled and shook his head. "That would be a tell-tale sign."

"Yeah. They'll be looking for the orange dragon to return. Other than that, I guess they'll just have to be on alert and watch the behavior of the dragons?"

"I'll be careful, believe me," said the orange dragon. It was younger than Great Blue, it was apparent from the shiny gleam of it's scales and the relatively few scars. It's voice was also much gentler and easy-going.

"I'm sure it will be fine," said Killian. "Good job, Swan."

She blushed again. "Thanks. Well, come on. Let's go find a girl."

Hook smirked. "I never expected those words to fall from your lips, Love." He played with a strand of golden hair as she shook her head. He leaned in and whispered, "Never fear, you are the only lass I need."

She sighed, but a smiled tugged at her lips. "Lucky me. Come on," she said.

"May I give you some words of advice?" asked Great Blue. "Your magic is unlike anything I have felt. I believe that may be because it is not touched by dragon magic. Use it. Perhaps you can feel the strangeness of the Dragon Spirit magic the same way I sensed yours."

Emma frowned. "I...I'll try. Thank you, Hu and uh, Great Blue." She gave a slightly awkward smile. The dragon nodded it's head and Hu smiled warmly. "We'll be back, soon if we're lucky."

"Let us hope," said Hu.

They walked out of camp.

After they had put a fair amount of distance between the Wisdom Camp and them, Emma cleared her mind and focused her magic. She pictured Great Blue and thought of how it felt being in a camp full of dragons.

She tingled. She heard a faded roar and saw misty images of a great powerful beast. Her eyes jumped open. "Ahead of us. I feel...something."

"The Dragon Spirit, or the thing in Human Form, whatever?"

"Yes, Killian. I mean, I think. It's weird, unlike anything I've felt and it's buzzing with magic."

"Sounds like the right direction to me."

"Yeah," she said.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering his arm.

She stared at it. Her dragon ride had loosened her mood but now seeing him be all gentlemanly set her back on edge. She remembered something that had happened before that had bothered her. She pushed past him.

His eyebrow jumped up. "Something bothering you, Love?"

She continued walking.

He jogged up and grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Swan, talk to me."

She growled. "Fine. I wish you wouldn't pull stunts like the one at the camp."

It took him a minute to conjure an image of what she could mean. "You would have preferred Hu's death?"

"Not that."

He stared clueless at her.

"When the Rider attacked me, Hook, I had the shot. You got in the way. I nearly shot you!"

"Emma you were in danger! When I saw you, he was mere seconds from striking. You were on the ground, weaponless."

"I found my gun, I got the upper hand. You can't...you can't keep jumping in front of me!"

Hook scoffed. "If there's a man with an ax advancing on you, Love, I bloody well can." He looked into her eyes. "I will, every time."

Emma groaned. "You might of died, at my hand! You scared the hell out of me!"

He smirked. "I am sorry, Emma," he said gently.

The tenderness in his voice shook her. She wasn't sure why. "I can take care of myself."

"I realize that, Love. It isn't the point."

"Of course it's the point!"

"No, Swan, it is not." He stepped closer to her. "The point, my darling, is that I care about you."

She took a step back.

He sighed. "And you cannot keep doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Walking away from me, Emma. You sometimes act like...you don't want this," he said, "you and me."

She looked at him. "It's not that, Killian," she said softly.

"Then tell me what it is."

"I.." she sighed. She shook her head and growled. "I don't want to have this talk now. Just...give me some space."

"How much space would you like? Shall I follow several places behind her highness?" he asked, taking several steps backward and bowing with exaggeration.

She glared at him. "That's not fair. I don't want to be treated like royalty. That's not what I'm asking."

"I don't know what you are asking, Love."

"Just...argh! We have dragons to stop! A girl to find!"

"I realize that, Emma," he said, stepping in front of her again. "I am trying to assist you."

"I don't want your assistance!"

"That is becoming painfully clear."

They frowned at each other. Then Hook's attention was diverted. "Swan," he whispered, "behind you."

She gave a barely perceivable nod, slowly drew her gun and spun. Killian had her back, his sword drawn.

"Whoa!" cried a youthful, male voice. "Don't hurt me, please!" Before them stood a young man in his early twenties. He had the same Asian features as the Wisdom Clan.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Emma, eying him suspiciously.

"I am with my family. I...lost our goats," he said. He looked nervously at them. "We only had a few of the herd come with us from our land. My father will be furious if we lose them."

"You're lying."

"What?"

"Sorry, Mate. She can tell."

The boy looked at them carefully.

"Who are you?" Emma asked.

"My name is Wang. I am unarmed." He dropped his gaze and smiled sheepishly. "I am not...with my family. I do not know where they are."

Emma was silent. "He's telling the truth...now," she said, slowly putting up her gun. Killian lowered his own weapon.

"What are the two of you doing out here?" the boy asked.

Emma shrugged. "Trying to avoid dragons."

Wang chuckled. "Yes. Me too."

Emma studied him for a moment. "Why did you lie?"

"I wanted it to appear that I had others to protect me. How am I to know if you are dangerous or not?" he asked. "Riders are everywhere, not to mention rogue dragons. I'm new to this land and...uncertain...about it's people."

"Are you Wisdom Clan?" Emma asked.

"Or a Rider?" suggested Killian.

"No, no," said Wang. "I'm just a farmer. Honestly."

Emma stared at him. "He isn't lying about that."

The young man laughed. "I just don't have goats. I...uh, I am, I guess you could say, keeping my distance from the Wisdom Clan. I don't belong to them, but I do know that they are peaceful. They wouldn't hurt me. I can't say the same about Riders. I don't want to live with any of them. I want to be left alone."

Killian looked at Emma. "No lies," she said.

"Good," said Killian. "Do not threaten us boy and we shall not cause any harm to befall you."

Wang smiled. "Agreed. So, shall we start over then?"

Emma looked at Killian, who shrugged. "I suppose," she said. "I'm Emma. This is Killian. We're...traveling and trying to avoid danger."

Killian smiled. It wasn't a lie, after all, just maybe not all of their information.

Wang nodded. "It's getting dark. My camp is not far from here. Would you like to join me for my evening meal?"

Emma thought for a moment. "Thank you. We, uh, left home without supplies," she said, smirking at Killian, who chuckled. "We appreciate your hospitality."

"Of course," said the boy. "Besides, there is safety in numbers. This way, please."

End of Chapter Seven