Lost and found

Humans were greedy and malicious beings... That was one thing he learned throughout his lifetime. Because of such, he first avoided them just as much as he avoided the Faries, yet it proved to be a hassle in more ways than one. Living a lifetime of solitude, wandering, wondering why you were alive or even born. These were all Lindel considered during his lifetime, and even he knew he couldn't avoid the things he despised the most.

So choosing the path of a mage was the best route he took for himself. Learning the ways of magic in a world of a dying breed was the only reason he became the mage he was. But, even after overcoming these obstacles, he still couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be loved. Maybe some things weren't meant to be for people despite how hard they tried...

The wind was heard blowing through the Dragon's Aerie as it was early morning. Every morning was the same routine for Lindel: waking up, eating some form of breakfast, and making his rounds across the lands to check for anything abnormal. Occasionally, he'd go check on the dragons, but they were pretty self-sufficient creatures for the most part. He'd be looking out for poachers or humans who had found their way into the lands. Anything that would bring harm to the dragons was handled swiftly.

Walking up the paths as he normally did, Lindel didn't find anything out of the ordinary, and his familiar Merituuli popped up and said, "Lindel I found a human not far from here!" The man sighed, saying, "So much for a quiet day lead the way, Merituuli." Following his familiar across the land, they walked until Merituuli stopped and pointed to a cliff where someone sat. Lindel started to approach, but he saw the woman holding a knife which made him put his guard up more. That was until he saw her turn it on her own throat.

Not wanting to bury a body, Lindel said, "Stop are you sure that's what you want, miss? There certainly must be something worth living for." He said it loud enough to get her attention, but she also got startled. Looking at the man as her face was stained with tears, she said, "Are you going to tell me I'm making excuses as well... Just because I was born different, I get called a monster or worse, a demon." "I never said such things, but that's how humans are... Take it from me I've felt the same way you have. But more importantly, you should go home it's not safe in these lands." Lindel said.

"Are there things worse than that creature beside you wandering out here..." The woman asked as her eyes fell on Merituuli. Lindel was shocked, as normal humans normally couldn't see his familiar, and he went over and sat down next to her. Holding out his hand, he said, "Give me that knife it's dangerous for you." "You didn't answer my qu-" The woman said, but the knife was taken from her, and Lindel said, "There is no point in lying to you considering you have the sight, but you've wandered into the Dragon's Aerie, and I am it's caretaker Lindel. I am what you call a mage, and the blood you carry grants you the potential to be one. What is your name, if I may ask."

The woman looked at Merituuli, who sat right on Lindel's lap, then at the man before saying, "It's Luna..." "Do you have a home to return to by any chance?" Lindel asked as he gazed out into the horizon. "No, I just turned nineteen a month ago, and the place caring for me threw me out, calling me a devil's child. What do you mean by mage what can you do, some magic or something?" Luna questioned, not sure whether to believe him or not.

"That's exactly what it means, Luna, and it seems you were fortunate enough to land on my doorstep. I want you to come with me and find your reason for living again and know life can be cruel, but there are some beautiful things to it as well." Lindel said, standing up as he smiled. Luna was pulled up to her feet, holding out his hand to her, but she paled when a shadow loomed over her and Lindel.

Paulina came swooping down, and Lindel pushed Luna onto the dragon before he got on. They then took off to the sky after Merituuli hopped on. Luna was starting to freak out as she grasped Lindel, deathly afraid of heights, and the man laughed, saying, "What's the matter look at the view is it not beautiful!" "No, please let me down I do not like this one bit I'm going to fall off and die!" Luna cried, freaked out. "That's funny coming from someone who was about to slit her own throat it's okay we're almost to my home," Lindel said. "She sure is a funny human, Lindel I mean, don't humans fly in those metal contraptions in the sky?" Merituuli asked grinning.

"That's an airplane, and it's way safer you little monster!" Luna cried out as she hid her face she was that scared. The wind whipping past them made her freak out further, and eventually, they landed. The second they touched the ground, Luna had gotten off and staggered backward, falling right on her rear end. Lindel was laughing as he said, "You're right, she is a funny human, Merituuli, but come on, Luna, you didn't die, and we're on solid ground, see, that wasn't too bad now, was it?" "Never again..." Luna said, standing up, her legs shaking and making her wobble.

But looking around, the woman saw the camp set up and all the dragons roaming around as Lindel said, "Welcome to my home now we have chores to do. He ushered Luna along, gently pushing her as she said, "Excuse me, I didn't ask to be brought here, you weirdo, and now you're making me do your chores?" "If we don't chop firewood, we don't get to eat lunch. I am sure you'll be hungry soon enough. Now be a dear and go gather some wood. Merituuli, do you mind going with her I need to handle some other stuff." Lindel said, handing Luna an ax. The woman just stared Lindel down before she sighed and said, "Show me the way..." "This way, miss!" Merituuli said, dragging Luna along, and Lindel watched them leave, silently hoping he was doing the right thing.

Luna wasn't sure what to say and even more unsure why she was doing this as she followed Lindel's familiar. "Here, right here!" Merituuli said as he pointed to a few trees and Luna sighed as she got to work. Once she had chopped what she thought was enough wood, the woman sat on her ass and leaned against the tree. For some reason, the air felt nice and cool, and the sky looked even more beautiful. Luna found herself falling out to sleep.

You damned monster!

Luna startled awake with a cry and patted herself down frantically, looking for her knife. But it took her a moment to realize she didn't have it. She then realized she wasn't at the base of the tree anymore. Pushing the blanket off her, she felt warm and cozy, and the tent flap opened as Lindel came back in before closing it. Taking the lid off the pot, he stirred the food and said, "You must have been exhausted, Luna you've been out asleep all day. You fell asleep shortly after you got the wood, and Merituuli and I could not wake you."

"S...Sorry..." Was all Luna said as she hugged her knees to her chest, and Lindel smiled, saying, "All is well... now here you go and eat up you need to keep your strength up after all." Taking the bowl, Luna looked at the food, and her stomach growled loudly. Instead of staring at her meal, she started eating, which tasted amazing as she practically scarfed it down. Lindel just watched her and was happy to see at least she had an appetite. Before Luna realized it, she had cleared her bowl and saw Lindel staring, which made her blush. The woman realized she must have looked like some pig the way she had eaten. But Lindel took her bowl and gave her seconds.

"T...Thank you..." Luna said softly, her face red still, and Lindel smiled. "Any time, a healthy appetite means a healthy mind. In times like these, good food always brings comfort and gives the feel of a place to call home..." Lindel said as he, too, made up a bowl for himself. It didn't take long for the meal to settle inside Luna after she ate, Lindel burned some incense, making her drowsy. "Lindel... what is that stuff I feel funny..." The woman said. Lindel lay a blanket over her shoulders, saying, "Do not worry, it's to help you sleep at ease and have pleasant dreams... Do not resist and let it claim you..."

Luna tried to resist it further, but eventually, she fell into the lure of sleep. Entering the land of dreams, the woman had a pleasant dream. Seeing herself sitting there with a child on her lap, the boy practiced some form of magic while she watched him, and he said, "See, I did it, mommy!" Luna couldn't see his features as his face was blurry, which confused her. Looking around, somehow, the area looked very similar to the tent she had been staying in. The tent flap opened, and the boy said, "Daddy, look at what I made mommy teach me!" Before Luna could see the face of the boy's father, her eyes snapped open, and it was morning.

It was still dark outside, and Luna saw Lindel had yet to wake up as he was asleep on the other side of the tent. Quietly getting up, Luna left and stepped outside to see the sun had barely even started to rise. She was confused about that dream, but that boy had blond hair, not that she could see his face. For some reason, she felt warm as her thoughts wandered. She didn't get to ponder much when a hand rested on her shoulder, and she shrieked, whipping around.

Luna had fallen on her ass, and she saw Lindel there looking concerned the man said, "You're up awfully early go back to bed Luna..." He tugged her to her feet, and she was red in the face, saying, "I-I'm fine; I can't sleep anymore, Lindel." "Would you care to accompany me on my rounds then?" Lindel asked. Luna nodded, and the two started walking the paths with Paulina. The silence was quite bothersome to Luna, but even she didn't know what to say."Lindel, can I ask you something?" Luna asked as they walked while the man pulled up his hood. "Go right ahead I'll do my best to answer you," Lindel said. The woman stopped and looked at him, saying, "I want you to teach me how to become a mage."