Anniya

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West had gone down three streets before he heard the whistle. He had heard it before, was why he suddenly grabbed Anniya and threw both her and himself off the horse. Diobla made a sharp turn as well, narrowly missing a shower of fire. West stood up, brushing the dirt off himself.

" So we meet again, you dirty little lizard." West told Anniya's dragon.

It's Forest green scales shined under the light from the lanterns. He had grown from the size of a small dog to the size of a large Labrador.

" I see you've learned how to fly as well as flame since the last time I saw you. Now understand something here. I am not going to hurt Anniya." West told the dragon, forgetting it's name.

It cocked it's head, studying West. West gave it a short smile, then tried to pick Anniya back up. The Lizard snapped at West, and smoked a bit, threatening to flame.

" Oh for-- Damn you, stupid creature, I'm trying to help her here! Do you want to try and carry her someplace? I didn't think so." West picked her up again, only to have the baby dragon hiss warnings at him.

West sighed, and leaned down.

" Ok. Look- friend is hurt. West needs to help friend. West can't help friend unless you stop unleashing hell."

The dragon studied him again for a moment, then studied Anniya. It nudged her, then started frantically whistling when he discovered she wasn't moving. This would take all night. If Anniya wouldn't kill him, West would be very tempted to end the dragon's annoying little life. The dragon started whistling wildly, upset.

" Are you going to let me help her, or are you going to hoot like an owl for the rest of the night?"

West asked, reduced to talking with an oversized lizard. The dragon nudged West. West didn't move.

" Look you stupid, stupid, creature, I might have to sell your hide to the local baker if you do not let me-- What the.....?" West gave a sudden cry of pain as the dragon bit him.

He jumped up and checked his leg. It hadn't gone in deep, not as deep as it could of. And apparently no poison had been released. The dragon pointed it's head toward Anniya, as if to say, " If she dies it's all your fault because your sitting here when you should be helping her. It's your own fault I had to bite you." West glared at the dragon, almost kicked it but then thought better. He hoisted Anniya up on Diobla, then went on his way, with Anniya's dragon swooping behind him.

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" Dear god, West, where have you been? We have to get out of here! I just robbed Dragon's Door clean!," John rushed at West, his face clouded with anger. He stopped when he saw Anniya. After studying her for several moments, he spoke.

" She looks familiar. The Elfin girl, Anniya?"

West nodded.

" She needs a Healer."

" Aye, I can see that well. Her head's bleeding a river. Is he tagging along?," John asked, indicating Gleex.

West nodded. John sighed.

" Very well, then. What's this?"

John glanced at Anniya's necklace.

" Some necklace."

" Why is it glowing?"

West looked at it closely. In truth, a faint green glow was growing steadily brighter.

" What the-."

Suddenly, a burst of extreme green light came out, blinding West temporarily. He stumbled back, almost dropping Anniya. The green light from the necklace suddenly disappeared into her skin.

" What was that?," John demanded. Before West could reply, he caught a glimpse of something glowing under her skin.

" Let's get a healer."

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" In all my years, I have never seen anything quite like this," the healer told them.

" Aren't you going to bandage her?," West asked impatiently.

The ancient man should at least bandage her, for the number of KJ's they were paying. The old man shook his head.

" Look at this, boy."

West glanced at Anniya's head. And stared. The blood, the wound nearly down to the bone, had healed. Completely. The only thing that showed she had the injury was the dried blood in her pale hair. John looked at the Healer.

" You did this?," he asked, amazed.

The old man shook his head.

" I don't know myself, but I didn't do it. Something more then healing caused this. Deep, powerful magic. There was a good chance that your friend could of never woke up again. Tell me, are either you skilled in the magical arts? Fairy blood?"

They shook their heads. The old man went on.

" Whatever happened, you are indeed very lucky. Her entire skull seems to have healed itself. Bones set in the right place. I'd like to keep her here for overnight observation, if you permit."

West glanced at John. This would put a damper on their plans. Overnight meant in the morning, Knights and the Royal Guard would be milling around, looking for evidence. A dragon wouldn't be much help keeping them anonymous either.

" Dawn we need her," John said finally.

The old man nodded.

" Dawn it is then."

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" Now then, pretty missy, open your eyes for me. Ah, that's a good girl."

The first thing Anniya saw when she opened her eyes was an old man poking around her. She bolted up right, ready to run.

" Ah, sit back down. You just had a mighty bad injury, and miraculously healed or not, you'll need your strength."

" How much do we owe you?," Anniya heard a familiar voice ask.

It sounded a little like West's. She bolted upright. It was West. She turned to the Healer.

" What are they doing here?," she demanded.

" They were the one's that brought you here." Anniya snorted.

" No, really. I thought he was the reason why I was brought here."

The Healer looked between the two, and sighed.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door.

" Open up, in the name of the King!" a voice called.

Even before the door opened, West and John froze. The old Healer frowned, but went to open it. A tall man bowed, and Anniya could see that there were quite a few men behind him. The tall man pushed his way past the Healer, as did the other men, stopping in front of West and John.

" You're under arrest. Seize them."

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