Part two! I really should get around to getting some more writing done, instead of just editing… Hopefully soon!
As always, thanks for all the love and happy reading!
Lucy turned back towards Invel with a smile, silently agreeing with Leo's assessment. "I'll have to go ahead to open the door, but you should have enough space to circle around and bring him down. You'll want to follow the path along the long gray building to the back side. You can back into the building or pull all the way through if you prefer."
Invel gave her a small bow. "We appreciate you accommodating us so quickly. We will make our way down there immediately."
"It's not a problem," Lucy assured him and then turned to hurry down to the building. Once she made her way through and opened the door, the vehicle was quickly backed up and the men left the truck while Lucy deactivated the barrier runes around the enclosure. While the second man began to unchain the drake, Lucy moved to speak with the other.
"I have a few questions if you don't mind," Lucy said. "We try to keep everyone here as comfortable as possible, and when it's a creature that's brought in by people who know it, I like to get as much information as I can to help me keep them happy."
"I can certainly try to answer your questions."
Lucy got momentarily distracted as she watched the massive chains being removed from the trailer. "Why do you have him chained? He doesn't seem to be aggressive."
"We dosed him for the drive, but that's not always effective, so we have to take precautions. We'll be leaving his muzzle on when we leave as well. I'm sure you have your own ways of handling violent beasts in your facility, but he's stronger than he looks. I would advise using the modified muzzle we brought with us."
"I appreciate you telling me." Lucy watched as the beast didn't even flinch as the chains were dropped and clanged noisily right next to him. "Can you tell me about food preferences? Perhaps what temperatures he likes or if he likes being pet or playing?"
"He'll eat whatever he is given and he's okay in any temperature. We are not encouraged to interact with him, so I don't know if he likes to be pet or played with. He's a guard after all. That kind of thing would just distract him."
"Can I assume since he's red, that he was produced from the scales of a fire dragon?"
"I do not know," Invel said. "My boss already had him when I started working for him a few years ago. I can tell you that his fire is very hot, so I think it would be safe to assume that he was."
Lucy slowly nodded as she watched Larcade finish. "Alright. I have a lift that runs the length of the barn, so if you'll just give me a moment to go fetch the controls-"
"That won't be necessary, Lucy," a voice called. Lucy turned and saw Leo returning with Freed a few steps behind him. "I can get him for you."
"Thank you, Freed. I'd really appreciate it." She turned back towards her guests. "Invel, Larcade, this is Freed Justine. He's one of the other members of my guild who comes out to help when he has the time."
"I don't do much," Freed said, "but any help I can offer is worth it for Lucy's cause."
Invel reached forward once Freed had finally joined them. "It is nice to meet you, rune mage." When both Lucy and Freed looked at him in surprise, he gestured to the runes running along the front of all the enclosures. "I assume this work is yours, correct?"
"Yes, it is."
Invel nodded. "I have heard about you. You do remarkable work."
"Thank you," Freed said as he drew his sword. "If you don't mind, I'd like to fix the runes on the enclosure before moving your drake, since he appears to be docile at the moment."
"That is perfectly fine," Invel said as he moved a couple steps away. "Please, don't let us get in your way."
As Freed moved to do his work, Leo sat next to Lucy. They smell weird. Like chemicals, but chemicals mixed with magic. I'm worried that whatever that drake has was caused by them doing experiments. It's not uncommon for people to do that to beasts like him.
Lucy nodded subtly as she watched Freed. She had suspected the same thing. She'd never had a creature dropped off by an owner, or friend of the owner, who knew so little, and seemed to care even less, about the creature they were asking to be fixed. It wouldn't do for her to give away her suspicions, though, so she kept her thoughts to herself and put a plan together to help the poor thing.
She had been working hard since she'd opened her facility to get measures passed that helped creatures that were being abused by their owners, especially the ones that passed through her facility. It had been a struggle, but now she was able to legally keep creatures from their owners if she was able to prove they were being abused or mistreated. Within the month after they are dropped off, however, if she was unable to prove her suspicions, she had to return the creature and pay a fine. The latter had been the only way she'd been able to get the right parties to agree to her pleas, but she didn't care. She'd much rather have the ability to save the creatures that needed help than not.
Once Freed was done, he placed his hand on the barrier as he lowered his sword. "Mute Runes, Freed Justine." When he removed his hand, all the runes dimmed until they were dark and still. Then he turned towards the trailer and wrote a quick set that created a large box around the drake.
"You may want to step back," he warned as he created another small set of runes and then placed his hand against it. His hand began to glow and then he easily lifted the box, drake and all, and carefully moved him towards the enclosure. He stepped into the space, which was set up to mimic an ordinary forest, and then set the box on the ground. With a couple of swipes from his sword, the enchantments fell away and the drake was left slumbering in peace.
As Freed stepped out and worked on turning the runes back on, Invel returned to Lucy's side. "I apologize for this, but we must return to our boss."
Lucy frowned. "Are you sure you can't stay for a while? He might be more comfortable if one of you were here when he wakes up."
"I'm afraid he's not very fond of anyone but my boss, so it would be a waste. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience, but we really must be going."
"Alright, well before you leave, do you mind leaving a number so I can call and let you know how he is doing?"
"No need," Invel said as he climbed into the truck. "We will return in five days to retrieve him."
"Five days?" Lucy blinked incredulously. "I'm not certain we will have him fixed by then. It would be easier-"
"If he is not ready when we return, we will just have to figure it out on our own," he said as the second man shut his own door. "Have a good day."
As he turned on the truck, Lucy hurried to the open window. "Wait, I really think we should talk-"
"We can't, I'm sorry. We're very busy."
As he put the truck in gear, Lucy grabbed onto the window. "Can you at least tell me what his name is?"
"He doesn't have one," the man said, and then began to drive off.
Lucy hopped out of the way as they left the building and then turned to follow the same path back off of her property.
Leo growled as Freed came to stand next to her. "Lucy, I don't think it would be wise to return this drake to them."
"I was thinking the same thing." Lucy put her hands on her hips as she watched the dust slowly settle. "They don't seem to care at all about him, not to mention that they know nothing about his preferences, and they didn't even give him a name! If they've had him for years, what do they even refer to him as? Animals," she spat as she moved to shut the door.
"At any rate, I've updated the enchantments. I apologize that I can't create a more broad range, but with the limited space, it's better if I'm specific to each creature you put inside them."
"I really don't mind," Lucy said as she moved to watch the drake through the clear barrier. "It's nice having you visit and I'd rather everyone was safe rather than try to save my time. As long as you're okay with continuing to come out, then I don't mind you doing your work in whatever way you prefer."
Lucy's heart ached as she studied the poor creature sleeping just a few feet away. He was obviously sick, and with the way Invel had spoken, he probably didn't get much love or affection, so there was no way to know how he'd respond when he woke up. "Leo, do you mind keeping an eye on him?"
Leo cocked his head as he watched her studying the drake. You want me to stay here with him?
"Yes, if you don't mind. I'd like to know the minute he wakes up."
The lion moved to sit next to her and then rubbed his head against her shoulder. I'll do whatever you want me to do.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I'm just really worried about him."
I'm sure you'll fix him, so don't worry too much.
"I'm sure we will, too." Lucy stood and turned back towards the rune mage. "Come on, Freed. Since Mira is here, perhaps we can convince her to make us a snack. I think you've earned it."
He returned her smile and then moved into step beside her. "That sounds good to me. See you later, Leo," he called over his shoulder. The lion made a low sound in response and then stretched out next to his new charge.
"So any ideas?" Freed asked.
"Not yet." Lucy sighed. "I've never seen anything like it before, on any creature. Leo thinks that he may have been experimented on. I'm going to try and get a feel for his personality today and have Levy and Gajeel come out tomorrow. Perhaps they can help me."
"It would be good to consult them. Plus, Gajeel would get upset if you had a drake here and didn't tell him."
"Yeah, and I'd rather avoid the scolding if I can manage it." Once they were outside and the shed was sealed up, they continued to make their way towards the house. "I think I'll have Mira make some chicken with broth for him. If he's not eating, perhaps that will appeal to him."
"Perhaps. Couldn't hurt to try."
She nodded and then pulled out a pad of paper from a pocket and a pen from in her ponytail. "Do you mind giving Levy a message for me when you go back? They should still be at the guild hall by the time you return."
"Sure thing," he said.
Lucy quickly scribbled out a message and handed it to him. "I don't think I pay you enough."
He chuckled. "I think it's plenty. The medicine you give me keeps my little guy healthy, so this is the least I can do."
"If you insist. Just let me know if you change your mind."
"Will do."
Freed walked up the steps first and led the way into the kitchen, where Mira called out a hello. Lucy paused at the door to look back at the shed across the yard.
Don't worry, buddy. We'll figure out what's going on with you.
"Are you sure about this, Invel?"
"Of course. You heard how upset Zeref was that he was sick. The Heartfilia Rehab center has been the highest ranked magical creature facility for the last four years. If there's anywhere that can fix him, it's that place."
"It just seems like a risk to leave him there alone."
"What is he going to do?" Invel asked. "He's only an animal. We'll be returning before he can be a problem, so stop worrying. He's easier to fix this way, so for now we'll give Ms. Heartfilia her chance. At worst, they might be able to narrow it down for us, and at best fix him."
"But what if they figure it out while they're fixing him?"
"They won't figure out anything because they have no reason to look or suspect. Don't worry so much."
"If you say so," Larcade said with a shrug , then went back to staring out the window.
Too bright. Don't like it. Too bright.
So sick. Don't want to move. So sick.
Too bumpy. Stop moving.
Too bumpy.
Dark. Nice and dark. Smells nice.
Moving. Stop moving. Feel sick.
Soft. So soft. So quiet.
Warm. It's warm.
Smells so good. So warm. Like it here.
More sleep…
For those that are curious, for my story, I am using the version of drakes that are created with magic from dragon scales. They use the same element as the dragon who gave up their scales, but they have a slightly different physique and no wings.