Damsels and Dragons

Chapter 12 - Mornings...

(POV Liv)

I untangled from my sheets. Today was going to be a busy day. It took a while to untangle the knots out of my hair so I could brush it. I probably should take Millie's advice and just braid it so it stops doing this. I refuse to entertain Dan's notion I should cut it short.

I checked myself in the mirror. Same brown hair and blue eyes as always. The scar on my cheek was as prominent as ever. I held my hand over it to imagine what I'd look like without it. It didn't help.

Washing the dirt and grime off my face took a minute. Finally my dusting of freckles could be seen once more. Nissa knocking us down must have gotten me dirtier than I thought.

I found Millicent working since closing up shop for an entire day just meant a bunch of people coming in today. Her skill with alchemy was the best in the whole valley. People traveled from their little hamlets to Littlerock just for her concoctions. Her talent with alchemy made her one of the wealthier people in town. It also meant she couldn't take many days off.

Daniel was helping her but when he saw me leaving he gave Millie a kiss goodbye and came to follow me.

I looked at him and asked. "You sure you shouldn't help her out? The place is pretty busy today."

"We talked about it last night, and even though giving you two some alone time seems like a fun idea. Nissa clearly needs friendly faces around. She's emotionally vulnerable and both of us no showing would hurt her." He put on a sloppy grin, "Besides, you can't afford to buy her food like we can. Not to mention carry it all."

I blinked, "Are you calling me poor?"

"I'm not calling you rich. You do live in our house rent free." He ruffed the hair I spent so much time getting untangled.

"Alright, Alright I get it. You don't need to rub it in." I straightened out my locks. "Also Tristan's tagging along."

"Really, you told Tristan?" Daniel only had my second hand accounts about what he's like. Most people in Littlerock knew his name but had never spoken to him. The mysterious hunter of Springvalley, slayer of monsters. He's just a retired adventurer who likes to be cryptic.

"Leo complained and got him interested. Look you can't really lie to Tristan. He's a living lie detector. Which should work in our favor for convincing him Nissa's harmless."

He looked skeptical, "She's nice and probably wouldn't hurt someone on purpose, but Liv she's a dragon. She'll never truly be harmless; her walking around destroyed part of the forest. That tower almost collapsed from her putting a bit of weight on it."

I rolled my eyes, "She's clearly aware of that. Also she did not almost knock the tower over. You're being a baby."

"If you say so. Let's get the meat and pick up the old man." Daniel was startled when he heard someone clear their throat behind us.

I only noticed him a moment before. I turned around, "Oh, you're already here." Daniel went slightly pale as he looked.

"I am." He stopped leaning against a store front. "Forget the meat. She won't need it."

I shared a look with Dan. He asked, "Really? Are you a dragon expert?" Tristan just shrugged and started walking towards the edge of town. My friend leaned over to me and whispered. "You sure we can trust this guy?"

"Mostly. He just gets off on being cryptic." I whispered back knowing full well Tristan could probably hear the exchange.

Just as we were at the edge of town, Tristan and I saw something in the distance. Oh fuck is that Nissa?! A moment later a distant roar passed over the town. I was immediately aware everyone just heard that and turned to look in fear. No one in town had the eyesight Tristan and I had thanks to our magical talents for hunting, but they had been fed stories by Leo.

I looked to my companion's reactions. Tristan was staring at the distant sight of Nissa before she vanished below the tree line. Daniel looked a little scared.

"We should get going." I quickly said before leading the way. The two of them follow not long after.

I went at a pace Daniel was struggling to keep up with. Tristan likely could have gone ahead but he stayed behind me as I lead. Just like in training.

We reached the trail Nissa had left in her wake. At this point anyone could follow the path back to the tower. Which wasn't great for hiding a dragon.

Tristan grew more cautious with his movements as we approached to the point I had to actively turn my head to look at him, as he was too silent even for my superb hearing.

"Liv you're back! But where's Millie?" She said that before we could see her and before I announced our presence. I could hear her sniffing before she asked another question. "Did you bring someone else with you?"