Page 64 of The Lost Princess

“I’ve never smelled it before,” the one with the earring offered tentatively. When he received no assault for this, he continued. “Smells big though. Scaly?”

The leader huffed. “And carries knives. Let’s head back. We need to report it. Perhaps one of the old timers can place it.” He paused in front of the bear. “Take it along. Shame to waste fresh meat.”

The others chuckled, and the next biggest after the leader hefted my kill over his shoulders. They marched on, uncaring of the forest around them as they stomped saplings and slashed through the underbrush.

I poked my head out from the tree, confused and irritated that I’d lost my kill. Who (and more importantly)whatwere those creatures?

Either way I needed to leave. This forest wasn’t as safe as I’d originally thought. And I was still hungry.

Another day passed, and I knew I was getting closer. The faint scent of salt and ocean breeze tickled my nose, evoking memories and scents I’d long forgotten. It was tempting to push myself and travel faster, but I had to be cautious. I ran into several more groups of these creatures as I continued traveling east, grabbing roots and berries where I could and eventually snaring a few rabbits. The meat was tender, and the skins were enough that I quickly made another waterskin. I finished stitching the sides using its tendons and gratefully filled it from a nearby stream. I didn’t have the time to tan the hide properly, but it would have to do. I’d rubbed as much fat as I could on the insides to keep it intact.

I didn’t know exactly why I kept going east, but it felt right. At least the water in these woods was plentiful—clear and crisp. I could go a few days without eating if I had to, but water? Not so much.

I wondered what Kaida was doing right now.

Probably sitting on a fancy throne,my inner voice argued. Wearily, I tightened the cap on my waterskin and splashed cold water on my face. I shook my head vigorously though whether to expel the sweat and grime or thoughts of Kaida, I wasn’t sure.

I had to keep moving.

I’d been traveling on foot most of the way and using the shade of the forest to keep my body temperature down. Though if I was honest, I was still reveling in the amount of vibrant life around me. I’d been stuck in the desert for far too long.

The sudden sounds of livestock hit my ears, and I paused. Shimmying up another tree, I spotted a farm about a half mile to the north. With the forest game as plentiful as it was, I didn’t have to steal anymore. I was curious about who owned the farm, however. I hadn’t seen any humans yet. I glided from the tree down toward the fields.

The farm turned out to be a large manor that was situated in front of a sizable meadow. Wide gardens stretched on either side of it. A small lake rested between the meadow and the house, and a flock of chickens ranged freely around the perimeter, and a single cow stood next to a medium-sized barn. It looked too old to consider wandering off. The sounds of horses whinnying from the nearby barn floated out to me.

Then I saw them: human females. They were hunched over a bed of vegetables, bent over and intent on their task of harvesting and maintenance. Sweaty and red-faced, they looked overheated and exhausted. I frowned, not seeing a single waterskin in sight. If they weren’t careful, the heat would make them sick!

I approached carefully. I didn’t scent any males around—just the females. I took a few steps toward the property, then paused. It would be foolish to give myself away, wouldn’t it?

I concentrated, and my wings and claws disappeared. My scales retreated into my body, leaving only the tiniest ones visible against my skin, and only when the light hit it a certain way. My feet and chest were bare, but my knapsack with my waterskin and knife covered my waist in the front and the back. I remembered Kaida being funny about my nakedness, so I assumed these females would be similar. At least everything important was covered.

According to Kaida at least.

Kaida.

She was the reason I approached the females slowly and carefully, clenching my waterskin tightly in my hands. There were many useful things Kaida had not known before I found her. Perhaps these women were like her. I would help them if I couldn’t help Kaida.

I walked into their line of vision, and the female closest to the edge saw me first. She dropped her tool, a long stick with a flat metal blade on it, into the soil. Her gasp made the others turn and look.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I simply held the water skin out. They were all frozen, staring at me like prey realizing a predator was stalking them. I would have to say something.

I cleared my throat. “Water?”

I took a few more steps toward the woman closest to me. She took a step back. Maybe they didn’t understand I wanted to help. I set the waterskin on the ground, and backed away to the edge of the garden.

The female snatched the waterskin up as soon as I was a healthy distance away and drank greedily. Another approached, hand out as if asking for a turn. The first female scowled and pulled it away, taking a step back. I flinched as the second punched her straight in the face, grabbing the waterskin for herself and drinking so fast I knew she’d make herself sick.

Then the others attacked her. I was horrified.

“Stop! I can get you more! Stop this right now!”

They either didn’t hear me or didn’t believe me. Emotion churned in my belly at seeing these females brought this low, turning on each other for a basic resource that was freely available. Were they not allowed to drink from the nearby stream?

I was so upset; I didn’t consciously make the decision to step in. All I know is that my body lunged forward, pushing them easily apart and grabbing my water skin back. They shrieked and withdrew from me the moment I touched them, a few even falling to the ground and covering their faces.

I drew back, horrified. But my horror apparently didn’t touch theirs. They stared at me, eyes wide and afraid. I glanced down at the waterskin in my hands, my claws nearly slicing through the top.

Myclaws.

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