Chapter 8- Lela's Follower
Disclaimer- See chapter 1.
"Let me go," I heard as two men entered the tent behind me. Still reeling from Rapion Howltt's confession, it took me a moment to recognize the girl that they were holding between them.
"Merry?" I asked. "What are you doing out here?"
"I followed you, Lela, to make sure you're safe," she said, continuing to struggle for her freedom. She was dressed in a brown tunic and green leggings, clothes that I had seen on Gavin the day we met. A sword was tied about her waist, and a bow and quiver strapped to her back. Herwavy b;pnd hair was pulled back into a complicated braid behind her head, to allow her maximum vision.
At that moment, I felt very flattered. Merry had tried to protect me. I looked over at my uncle.
"Please," I said, "This is Princess Meryl of Bamarre. She is not a threat to you."
"Let her go," he ordered. Merry's arms were released, and she picked up her cloak, the clasp of which had come undone, and the whole garment had fallen to the ground. "Princesses, you will dine in comfort tonight. You are among allies! Come now."
Late into the night the camp was lit up with the light of the fire, as Rapion Howltt told stories of himself and my father as boys, detailing all the trouble he had gotten Father into. The campfire was not the only thing roaring, as our laughter emanated through the darkness. Merry was having as much fun as I, and it was shown by the grin on her face, a grin that mirrored her brother exactly.
Her striking resemblance to her brother made me sad. I wished that I had talked with him before I left.
……
I awoke early the next morning, and snuck quietly out of the tent I had shared with Merry. I went back to the nearby stream, to splash the cool water on my face. I took Tefaw out and let him stretch his legs as I did several times each day. He barked happily, chasing his toy, and lapped up water from my palm. I giggled as his tiny tongue tickled my skin.
Soon Merry appeared, looking as though she had only just woke up. I greeted her, and put Tefaw away. We sat in silence for awhile, until Merry asked me if I wanted to learn how to use a sword.
"I suppose that it is a talent that is useful," I said. Merry handed me a stick, and began to teach me different lunges and parries. I watched her, amused, and followed her instructions, failing miserably. After awhile, some force drew my eyes back towards the camp, and I saw my uncle watching approvingly. Suddenly though, his face went pale. I followed his gaze to the sky.
My breath stuck in my throat. It was a dragon, a Great Blue, and it was the most magnificent creature I had ever seen. Beside me Merry was as mesmerized as I was. We gazed upward at the dragon, not realizing how close it was until its shadow covered us. We turned and ran back towards the camp, where men were gathering with their weapons.
But as fast as we were running, our feet could not save us. The dragon reached down and grabbed us, one in each paw, and turned, leaving as fast as it had come.
"Lela!" Rapion Howltt shouted.
My uncle's cry was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.