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The smell of cooked meat woke her up from her slumber and her nostrils filled with the scent of it. She was starving! Her head felt light and when she opened her eyes, it became hard to focus. Her arms and legs were sore and maybe even bruised from the brutal fall she took. After laying there for a while, she tired to sit up but a sharp pain shot up her left arm. She cursed slightly under her breath as she remembered that she had been badly injured and with such an injury, she would not be able to take flight for a while. Her arm was covered and delicately wrapped in soft animal skin and cloth. Whoever she had come across, had known how to treat her injury well. She let herself fall back down and groaned in frustration, her eyes once again closing. Where was she anyway? She opened her eyes again and realized that she was in what appeared to be a cave. There was a small fire in the far corner and as she looked around her, she realized that she lay on soft animal furs. The soft texture of them and the soft ground of the earth beneath her gave her comfort but other than that, she was unsure of whose dwelling she had come across. However, the meat that was being cooked in the small fire made her insides hunger for it. The fire cast a golden glow about the cave and the smell of earth and rock mixed with the meat made her head spin. She only hoped that whoever had taken her in would be as pleasant in character as was the smells and feel around her. She closed her eyes once again, trying to figure out a way to get back home as quickly as possible. Her family would be worried.

For a moment, she thought on Avaram and her relationship with him. It was a slight thought and he had come into her mind uncalled for. She wondered if he would worry for her as well. Sometimes, he could be so distant from her, despite the fact that they would pair bond soon. Everything had changed when Nicias left. It could almost be said that Nicias had held them together. Now, with Nicias gone, nothing was the same.

A rustling sound startled her from her thoughts and she opened her eyes, frightened that she was in danger again. Beside her was a man, wearing nothing but old clothes that were out of fashion and a bit tattered. His face was covered in a dark and unruly beard that made him look older than what he probably was. What really startled her was the splash of silver and gray color in his eyes. She looked down to his hands where a small bowl full of cooked rabbit meat was being offered to her silently. She figured that he must have been the one who had saved her. She raised herself up with her right hand and then took the bowl. The man eyed her warily, checking to see if she was strong enough to eat the meal without his aid. Before taking of small portion of meat with her hand to eat, she smiled at him in appreciation. His eyes were still watchful of her. It was unnerving to him watch her so closely but she was far too hungry to complain.

After she was done she gave him back the empty bowl. He took it and placed it on the ground beside him and then looked at her once again. Her temper flared for a moment but shechecked herself before saying something stupid or regretful.

"Thank you…for the food." She said her words tentatively and hoping he would understand them. She then pointed with her right finger to her injured arm. "Did you help me with this as well?"

He looked at her blankly.

She sighed softly, "What am I saying…you've probably never spoken a single word at all."

It was then that the strange man laughed. "Who are you?" He asked.

She was startled by the sound of his voice, which was like a soft deep growl. She then thought about his question and knew that if she answered with the truth, she might as well be in danger. Whoever he was, he was not avian or serpiente.

She answered with a lie, "I am Namidia..." She was barely done before he interrupted her, his eyes still on her.

"You have feathers at the back of your neck. You must come from the Avians." His voice sounded far younger than he looked but then again his large beard covered most of his face along with his shaggy dark hair. She began to get nervous and she hated that feeling.

"Yes…I come from Wyvern's Court…" She shut herself up when she realized she was giving too much information and then looked away. It was better to stay quiet.

Finally, he looked away from her and then glanced at her arm. He touched it lightly and she flinched at the pain.

"You won't be able to fly in a while…" his voice was cautious and not as somber as it was a moment ago.

Oliza sighed softly, "I know. Anyway, thank you for going through all this trouble...and sorry about that comment of you not…knowing how to speak." Her words came out in a rush and he laughed at this. She gave the stranger an uncertain smile, taking the laugh as an acceptance to her apology.

"I am Ulrik and you're welcome here as long as you like." With that he walked back to the fire and they talked no more. A few minutes later, Oliza fell into a deep sleep once again.