Disclaimer: I can't even spell most of the names right, you think I could OWN anything!
I love Lidan, just so you know. His thought > signs weren't really showing up so i switched to single quotes. He think-talks but he's not pshycic or anything. Just a weird little dragon.
Chapter Nine: Good Intentions
After the little meeting in the corridors of the palace with, well, everyone, Lilolla made her way into the upper levels where infirmary patients were kept. It was a little ways, trailing through constantly winding hallways. There was also a number of completely different ways to get to the rooms and Lilolla actually found it refreshing to take a new route.
Truthfully, the whole situation scared the nurse to the core. The idea that the little blond lying in bed could actually repeat past events and bring upon a demon army was enough to frighten even the Dragon Lord.
She exhaled all her fear and inhaled what she hoped was a refreshing breath. She continued to tremble, however. It's a strange thing, she thought, how easily something can change everything. A tortured soul becomes a twisted one. Such a shame. She could've found a home here, too.
The corridors seemed vaguely familiar. The while curtains hanging from each and every window framing the beautifully arranged flowers triggered a calming feeling in the pit of her stomach. It felt good.
'You are feeling better, I hope.' Lidan landed gracefully on Nick's shoulder.
"Thank you," she said taking a step into the hall from her opened door. "I feel great. Now, shall we see where and why we are?"
'The Dragon Castle,' the tiny creature said. 'Though why we are here has become unclear, even to me. There seems to be powers working here. I must go.'
The girl turned suddenly. "What? No!" The black dragon could see the girl's fear. "Lidan, how can you leave me here with these people that you haven't met? I have questions. Like what happened to my body? My eyes, my ears, my hair? I don't even know who I am and I don't know where I am and-"
'Hush, child.' Lidan cooed. 'I leave so that I may help you. With your presence altered, I myself have changed. This concerns me. I seek the answers to your questions. Now,' Lidan rubbed his head against her cheek to calm her, licking it as a friendly reassurance, 'I'll leave you.'
"But, I've never been anywhere. I've never interacted with people before! How will I-"
Lidan hoped from her shoulder onto the window ledge. "Just be yourself, child, and they will love you." Then he was gone in the blink of an eye. Nick leaned against the ledge with her hand under her chin.
"But I don't know who I am anymore," she whispered to the flower petals blowing in the wind.
She finally turned from the window, composed herself and walked down the hallway with immense interest. Everything was bright and wonderful! Woodcarvings ran along the white ceiling and down the hallway. Curving and simplistic patterns painted in off-white paint decorated the walls. She hadn't even noticed until she watched the light reflect off of the glass vases in the windows. She walked a little more comfortably, her fingers following the lines behind her.
After a little ways the patterns turned a golden color and became more decorative. She guessed that she was nearing the main part of the castle, though way she did evaded her. She just liked being able to walk in the sun without it stinging.
"You there," a voice behind her said and a moment later a very tall man was walking beside her. "Have you told anyone that you're up?"
Nick looked at the man as they walked. He had jet-black hair and she vaguely remembered his face. "Uh, no, I haven't. Is that bad? Who should I tell?"
The man shook his head. "Never mind," he said. "It doesn't matter if I'm with you. But next time, you must tell someone. The Lord has asked that someone from the Dragon clan be with you always. Is that understood?"
The blond nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." They walked in silence after that and she went back to following the lines on the walls. They seemed more interesting than the man anyway. Not many people passed but when someone finally did, the man had ordered them to tell someone named Lilolla that "the girl was up and being supervised." Nick thought it was funny that the boy the man had stopped had at first seemed utterly frightened when addressed. How could someone be so scared of the tall, slender, black-haired man in a dark trench coat? She thought he was funny looking, actually.
"Hey, what's your name?" she asked once the boy had run away. "I'm Nick, I think. I can't really remember some things." She thought she saw the funny-looking man raise an eyebrow for a fraction of a second but she couldn't be sure.
"I'm Tetheus," he said in his deep voice, "Black Dragon Officer in charge of security so if you decide to go on another little escapade with Rath I will be there to apprehend you."
Nick was sure she saw fire in his eyes and laughed. At least he was passionate about his work. "Um, Mr. Tetheus? Who's Rath? Oh, the black and white-haired guy, right? Or is it red…"
"Correct, he's one of our Knights." He led her a little ways and opened a door for them both.
"Um, where are we going?"
"To see our fortune teller. She has yet to meet you and I'm curious."
"That's dangerous," she mumbled as she stepped through the door.
TBC...
Like I said, suggestions would rock. Please and Thank you for reading!