Rose felt something shake her by the shoulder. She sat up only to see it was the man, sitting up from the bed. He spoke.
"Did you find anything?"
He asked, Rose sighed standing up.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't find your, axe."
A look of what seemed like sadness crossed his eyes. He nodded, and said.
"Okay."
Rose went and got a new cloth with water, and handed it to him.
"Here, you can wash off off the soot with it."
The man glanced up at her, raising an eyebrow, before taking the soaked cloth, and washing his face. Cleaning the blackness off his eyelids. As he did, Rose went to prepare dinner. She brought porkchop and melon slice. But she saw that his skin was still covered in cinders. Once she placed his food in front of him, he asked.
"How's it look?"
Rose answered, "You got some of it off, but theres all this grey stuff still on your skin."
He looked at her strangely before replying.
"That's because it is my skin."
Rose blinked, completely surprised.
"Really?"
She asked, not realizing it came out of her mouth. He answered.
"Yes... Don't you know what I am?"
Rose took a moment to think, and answered.
"Well, you're a survivor."
"So you don't know then?"
"I supposed not."
Rose sighed, but before she took a bite out of her dinner, she said.
"Oh, I'm Rose."
The man looked at, and nodded before saying.
"Caden."
Rose gave smile, now knowing how to address him. Rose was the first to finish eating, she looked to him, she asked.
"So, what happened, out there?"
He gave her the same strange look.
"You, really don't know?"
"I was stuck down here the whole time."
"There was a- fight."
After a few moments, he looked to her and asked.
"You're lost aren't you?"
Rose nodded, and then braved another question.
"Where are you from, Caden?"
At that, his eyes widened a little.
"I Was sent here. With my unit, to- help."
"Why's that? This was a secure place."
"Okay, here's what happened. Me and my unit received word about an incoming attack, at this village. When we arrived, this place was already being attacked, we went right into action. We fought the enemy bravely, but... They had backup. You're not gonna believe this, they had, a dragon."
"What?"
Rose asked, completely confused, she said.
"But dragons are nothing more than a childs story."
"I thought that too," Caden said, and he continued.
"But as we helped fight off the intruders, it came without warning. Camouflaged to the night sky, breathing fire in flames of purple."
He pointed to the trapdoor opening.
"Right out there's your proof of it's damage. We almost completely wiped out the enemy, when we decided to take the beast down. I was just about to give the monster a good blow from my axe. When, something smacked me right in the chest."
Caden gave a look of realization, as he continued.
"I remember falling to the ground, and people rushing back and forth. I closed my eyes, knowing I was a goner. Next thing I know, theres you, waking me up, and then I'm here."
Rose was surprised at his story, and felt a great deal of sympathy. She spoke, her voice felt weak.
"Thank you. God bless you."
Caden shrugged, looking down at his plate.
"It, uh, could have gone better."
The two ate in silence, Caden finished his plate quickly, then asked.
"So, how long do I need to keep this bandage on?"
Rose answered, "About a week. You injury wasn't as bad."
She paused, then asked, "Where are you from?"
"Uh... I honestly don't remember."
Rose nodded, saying, "That's alright."
She took his empty plate, and put them in a box. Then, she went and sat on a stool, and grabbed a book from a nearby shelf. Trying her best to look calm for Caden, even though she was completely shaken with fear.
She prayed that everything will ve alright.
