Page 23 of Their World

“Some have elemental,” he answered with a nod. “Fire powers are the most common.” He paused and looked at me. “Though, none have powers to grow or nourish plants like you do.”

Why would they have elemental powers, but no plant powers? That seemed odd. Since they didn’t differentiate themselves by races, like we did, I couldn’t be sure of the answer to my next question.

“Are there certain demons capable of it? Ones that look a certain way?”

“Oh yes, the ones that look …” he stopped talking and scoffed. “You’re just trying to get information out of me! Sneaky woman.”

“What? I’m not asking for malicious reasons,” I said, though, it would be helpful for my family to know which demons to watch out for if they did go to battle.

“Tsk. You’re just like the others, conniving!” Zoman got to his feet angrily and turned away. “I’ll wait over here until you are ready to leave.”

Dhun whined and set his head on my knee.

I stroked his quills carefully and asked, “You know I wasn’t asking for malicious reasons, right?”

He whined again and closed his eyes as I continued to pet him.

A small demon child noticed us and ran over. “Your skin is so weird!” he shouted and poked my bare arm.

The child had small, thick horns at the top of his head, long, thick fangs like a vampire, and a tail that swished wildly behind him. His skin was covered in scales, similar to that of a dragon.

“Is it?” I asked, and let my snake scales flow over me. “Look again.”

He looked down and gasped. “Scales! Like me! Wow, lady, you’re super weird!” He laughed and the sound was so joyful that I found myself laughing with him.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“I’m Elrith!” he shouted.

“And what is your dream?”

He flexed his arms, though little muscle moved, and said, “I’m going to be a great warrior, like our king!”

Smiling, I patted his head between his horns and said, “I’m sure you will be. Where are your parents?”

He looked down. “They are dead, lady.”

An orphan?

“Do you have no one to take care of you?”

He shook his head, but quickly looked up and smiled. “I can take care of myself! I don’t need anyone.”

My heart hurt to see the orphan boy, but I also knew so little about this place that I couldn’t provide a way to help him. “Are you eating well?”

He nodded vigorously. “We have soup and bread most days at the town center.”

Like a soup kitchen back home?

“I’m glad to hear that,” I admitted.

He frowned. “You must not be from this area.” His eyes narrowed on my hair. “And you have no horns? You must be picked on a lot.” This time, he patted my head. “You poor thing.”

The urge to laugh was high, but I held it in. “Yes, I am hornless, a truly sad occurrence.”

“If you become a strong fighter, you can prove yourself worthy and get many mates!” he said with conviction. “You should do your best to help the demons.”

Do my best to help the demons …

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