Page 7 of Dragon Heir

He slipped away and over to the others as they tried their best to help the hapless woman. Vargas had grown frustrated enough that her hands were now claws and she sliced the air like a crazed food blender that had escaped its bowl. It was all Allard could do to push Raines out of the way before he became shredded lettuce. For the doctor’s part, scales sprouted all over his arms but his clothes couldn’t be saved. She sliced through them like they were melted butter, but she also did the same to the thorns.

Vargas was freed in a few frenzied moments and the brambles were in tatters. She flopped over onto her hands and knees, and crawled out with all the dignity of an earthworm. Her hair, so perfectly done, was a mess that would have made Medusa blush. The fine clothes were now strips of cloth and both her shoes had lost their heels.

Allard assisted her to her feet and she stared daggers at the oblivious Ware. “You oaf!” she snapped as she marched flat-footed over to the man and grabbed his arm. She yanked him around so he faced her in all his bewilderment. “You swine!”

Vargas drew her hand back and gave Ware the mother of all slaps. The sound echoed through the forest and the force behind the blow spun him in a full circle. His eyes became crossed and he staggered to one side. Vargas lifted her chin and marched off down the path toward the manor. Ware lost his balance and dropped to the ground.

“Was it something I said?” he asked us.

Allard hid his bemusement behind his hand and the rags of his sleeve. Raines wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief but only managed to smudge the dirt on his face. Will sighed and shook his head.

That’s when I heard the noise.

Chapter Five

I froze and tilted my head to one side. Will noticed my sudden stiffness and came up to my side. “What is it?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I thought I heard something-” There it was again. “Did you hear that?”

Will listened for a moment before he frowned. “I hear nothing.”

My ears perked up at the noise. This time it was louder and my heart skipped a beat before I whipped my head up to Will. “It sounds like someone crying!”

The others now listened to our conversation and Raines and Allard joined us. “In what direction do you hear the noise?” the lord asked me.

I swept my eyes over the area and shook my head. “I-I don’t know. It’s not very clear.” I stopped my study and looked at each of the faces of my companions. “Don’t you hear it?”

Will pursed his lips. “Not at all.”

The strange sound came to my ears again. My blood ran cold when I realized what it was. The sound was the wail of a frightened child.

“They’re over there!” I shouted as I rushed off the path and dove into the brush.

“Rose!” Will shouted and a moment later I heard him crash through the bushes behind me. “Wait!” The others made the same noise as they hurried to help.

I pushed my way through the brambles and bushes and soon emerged from the brush. My ears had led me to a tiny round grove some ten feet around. Dead leaves littered the ground and the tree branches hung so low I had to stoop to avoid them. A large tree with a wide trunk stood opposite where I had entered, and at its base was curled a tiny figure. The girl child was maybe six with short brown hair and a pale figure. They wore a simple ensemble of leather pants, a tan blouse shirt, and leather sandals wrapped around their tiny feet. The knee of one of her pants was scuffed with dirt and a small patch of freshly dug earth sunk into the ground not more than two feet from her.

The girl had tucked her legs against her chest and hid her face behind her knees. Her arms were curled around her legs and her whole body quivered. The soft sounds of sniffling I had heard through the brush were now loud and clear.

Will crashed through the brush and grabbed my arms. His face was a picture of fury and fright. “Don’t run off like that-”

“Her!” I interrupted him as I pointed at the little girl. “I heard her!”

Will followed my finger and frowned. He narrowed his eyes and drew me slightly behind him. “Have you tried speaking with her yet?”

At the sound of his voice, the little girl lifted her head. Her face was the typical cherub of a child and her dark eyes revealed her terror. She shrank back and her eyes darted over us. “W-who are you?” she whispered.

I smiled and drew myself out of Will’s grip so I could kneel on the ground. “It’s alright. We’re friends.”

The little girl’s eyes darted behind us as Allard and Raines made their appearance, and what an appearance. They hadn’t had as much luck pushing through the brambles and their clothes were littered with stickers. Their faces were grimy and Raines looked like he’d rather swallow cyanide than go back through the mess.

Our new little friend shrank away from the two bedraggled men. I scooted closer and held out my hand. “Are you hungry? We could get you some food.”

The child’s expression perked up at the offer of food and her tiny voice came out of her parched lips. “C-could I have some sweets?”

I grinned and nodded. “Of course. Anything you want. And there’ll be a warm fire, too.”

The little girl studied us for a moment before she pulled herself out of her shell and crawled over to me. She made an effort to stand but her legs wobbled and she fell onto her knees. Tears sprang into her eyes and she glared down at her legs. “Walk! Walk!”

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