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I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the next thing I could remember was waking up in a stiff bed with a scratchy blanket covering me. I felt pain radiate through my body. I felt sore all over and I could feel an unpleasant heat from where I had been cut. I shot up as the memory of the encounter I had with those bandits, much to my own pain.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, pressing me back onto the bed. "Don't get up, kid." I looked over and saw green-scaled anthro dragon sitting in a chair next to the bed I was in. "You were severely injured; you need to rest." He looked genuinely concerned for me. He had a small frown on his face as he looked at my wounds.

I felt my forehead and felt that it was bandaged. I looked down and saw that my torso had been bandaged up too, and all my clothes had been removed to do so. I couldn't help but blush as I realized that this dragon must've seen me completely naked. I groaned in pain. "What... What happened?" I asked.

"You were attacked by some bandits out in the forest," he explained. "Luckily, I was able to save you in time. Shot that lion just before he struck the final blow."

"I... I don't know how to thank you," I said softly.

The dragon gave a slight smile and replied, "I was actually tracking them anyway; they had a bounty on their head that I was eager to collect. You provided a great distraction, actually."

I looked down sadly. A distraction... was that all I was good for? I couldn't even hold my own against a couple of lowly bandits holed up in the woods... useless... "I see..."

He poured me a glass of water from pitcher on the nightstand next to the bed and handed it to me. "You must be thirsty," he said. I took the cup appreciatively and drank down the contents. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was until I felt the cool liquid pour down my throat. "I figured you would be; you've been out for two days." That made me nearly choke on my drink. I sat up and coughed to try to get the water out of my lungs. He placed his hand on my back and asked, "You okay?"

After I finished my coughing fit, I replied softly, "I think so." I went back to slowly drinking the water, getting another cupful after I finished the first. "So... what's the name of my rescuer?"

He began checking my bandages to make sure everything was okay. "Dresnath Sarkan," he answered. "And what is yours?"

"Erebus Steele," I said. I went really quiet after that.

"So, Erebus," he said after a while, "what were you doing out in the woods all alone?"

I looked over at him again, this time taking more time to actually examine him. His green scales shone from the sunlight streaming in through a window opposite him. He had long fin-like ears on the side of his head along with spikes atop his skull. His eyes seemed to show a glint of adventure with their vibrant blue irises. He was wearing a simple, sleeveless tunic right now which showed off his arms and seemed to open in the back to allow his large wings full mobility. His wings drew my eyes. They had purple membranes between the green bones. His arms clearly had muscle, but it wasn't too expressed. I had no doubt that he could lift a lot though. Right behind his wrists opposite his body were two blade-like spikes that I couldn't help but admire. I assumed his legs were just as strong as his arms, but I wasn't sure since he was wearing pants that covered them.

I sighed and replied, "Being bandit bait, apparently..."

He gave a light chuckle. "Funny," he said, flashing a smile at me. I could see his sharp fangs cluttering his maw. "But seriously, were you heading somewhere? Away from somewhere?"

I grit my teeth and said bitterly, "Does it really matter?"

"I'm just trying to make conversation," he said calmly. "Thought I might try to get to know how you got mixed up with those thugs." My mind went back to finding the campsite they had set up, but I didn't speak. "I'm not going to judge you on how it happened."

I sighed, "I was stupid. I saw a campsite that had some tents with their owners' absent, so thought I could ask to share it with them and share some food. Didn't even cross my mind that they could be criminals..." I clench a fist in anger.

All he said was, "I see." I felt like a complete fool. My carelessness nearly cost me my life. It should have cost me my life. I was only saved by luck and happenstance. "Well, I'm glad I was able to get to you in time."

Was he being sarcastic? I couldn't tell. I certainly couldn't imagine he was happy to have had to take care of me for the past two days. Who knows how much he had to spend for the room and the bandages for me. And I must have been keeping him from something better.

"Oh, by the way," he got up and went to the corner closest to him. He picked up my scabbard and pulled out the blade, my father's blade. "I believe this belongs to you."

I couldn't look at it. My father had been a great swordsman, but I wasn't even able to draw my blade before I was forced into submission. "Keep it," I muttered. "It's clearly useless in my hands..."

He sheathed the weapon and sighed. "They really did a number on you, didn't they?" he asked. I kept my eyes averted and didn't reply. I heard him place the scabbard and blade back in the corner. "A bruised rib, several bruised bones in the right hand, swelling in the head, a shallow cut across the forehead, a deep cut across the right leg, and a deep gash from the right shoulder down to the waist. All injuries you received during your beating from the thugs, yet you're the one still alive while they aren't."

"Only because you saved me," I said softly. "If you hadn't shown up, I'd be dead. It was stupid of me to leave home..."

He gave me a curious look and asked, "Why did you leave home?" He poured himself a glass of water and drank some. "It's not like you couldn't spend a few more years there. You don't look that old."

"There was something I needed to do." I sighed and looked down. "Clearly I'm not cut out for it though."

Dresnath narrowed his eyes. "Alright, that settles it. You're coming with me from now on."

I was both confused and slightly fearful. I didn't know what he meant by that, and it sounded vaguely menacing despite that not being the tone he was using. "What... What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly. I almost feared the answer, but I needed to know whether or not my fear was warranted.

"You clearly have an agenda or some kind of vendetta, yet lack the will and confidence to carry through," he replied. "I'm going to help you through it."

I was truly baffled by this. I couldn't grasp his reasoning. There's nothing obligating him to help me out yet again. He had already done much more than was necessary. In a cautious yet still slightly defeated tone, I asked, "Why do you even want to help me?"

He gave me a blank look, nothing showing through his obvious façade. "I have my reasons..." A silence followed that demanded I not ask what they were. I needed to look away from his blank face; it was very disconcerting. He suddenly stood up. "At the risk of sounding specieist, would you like some fish stew? They don't have much in the way of culinary variety here."

I hadn't realized how hungry I was until he mentioned fish. My stomach growled at the mere thought of it. I nodded. "Yes, please." He stood up and walked out without another word.

Once the door closed, I grabbed the blanket and moved it to the side for the time being. I felt the need to examine my wounds, or at least the bandages that covered them. The first thing I check out was my hand, seeing as it was easy to check it. I put gentle pressure on the fingers that took the brunt of the attack. They were still very tender, but it didn't seem like there would be any lasting damage.

Next was my leg. The cut was slashed horizontally, so there wasn't much bandage. I was able to move it enough to check the wound. It seemed to have scabbed over already and showed no sign of infection. The fur around the wound seemed to have been recently cleaned, seeing as there was no dried blood on it. I wasn't able to check out the wound on my torso; the bandage had been securely wrapped around it and wouldn't budge. I also couldn't examine the cut on my head since there wasn't a mirror to be seen around here.

Just as I was finishing up my self-examination, the door opened to Dresnath carrying in the stew. I quickly covered myself back up and blushed heavily. He looked amused at my reaction and said in a slightly teasing manner, "Relax, it's nothing I haven't seen before." I blushed even harder at that. "Checking your wounds?"

"The ones I could," I replied. "You seem to know a bit about medicine."

I noticed a very slight twitch in his lips. "I learned what I could," was his simple response. "Seems to be enough to get by with for simple battle injuries." He handed me the stew as I sat up. I eagerly began to eat at it. It certainly wasn't the best I had, but it was still pretty good. He pulled out a piece of bread and handed it to me, which I accepted with my thanks.

Dresnath just stood there quietly as I ate my fill. I couldn't help but feel like he was staring at me for some reason. He obviously had his eyes on me, but it seemed like he was looking for something specific on me. What is was, though, I had no idea. Considering how he saved my life and kept me in good health, I was ready to let him look as much as he wanted.

"So," he asked, "are you gonna tell me what your goal is, or are you gonna keep me in the dark for now?" I instinctively glanced over at the sword before fixing my eyes back on my food. I didn't say anything though. "I get it. Some things need to be kept private."

I nodded and said softly, "Thank you." I went back to finishing up what was left of my stew.

"I just can't really help you as much if I don't know what your goal is." He took another sip of water. "But I'll do what I can." I finished my meal and started scraping the bottom of the bowl, trying to find just a bit more in there. "If it has to do what I think it does, then you probably could do with some combat training."

I chuckled, "Understatement of the year."

He grinned and replied, "I'm sure you would've been able to put up a better fight had they not snuck up on you."

"Maybe. But I haven't exactly had any proper training."

He laughed and placed a hand on my back. It was oddly warm and slightly comforting. "Proper training is overrated. I certainly haven't had any training for archery or swordsmanship. Simple practice and sparring is all you need for them."

"That's how you learned?" I asked.

"Yeah, several years of practice and fighting taught me a lot. Mostly through trial and error, but it beats having to pay for trainers." He still hadn't removed his hand. It felt kind of weird having a stranger this close, but I didn't mind too much. He had saved my life, after all.

"Um... Dresnath, was it?" I asked. He nodded. "Where are my clothes?" I was starting to get a little self-conscious of being naked in front of him, even though my legs and groin were covered.

"Oh, right," he said, reaching to the nightstand. He opened one of the drawers and pulled out my pants. "Your shirt and undershorts were too torn to hold together. They're basically just a rags now." He handed me my clothes.

"What about the clothes in my bag?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"There were supposed to be clothes in your bag?" he asked sounding genuinely surprised.

I sighed sadly that my only clothing now was some ripped pants. "Can you... umm..." I blushed a bit at the thought of him staring at me getting dressed.

"You're a shy one, aren't ya?" he asked in a teasing tone. The question only served to make me even more embarrassed. He smirked at my reaction. "Alright," he said, turning his head, "I won't peek. I promise." I kept my eyes on him for a few moments until I was satisfied that he wasn't going to look. Then I slid out from the covers and slowly stood up. I could feel a sharp pain in my injured leg as I applied weight to it. I wasted no time and quickly slid on my pants and tied the fabric above my tail to keep them up.

Suddenly I felt something pointed poke my rump, making me jump from surprise and give out a sharp squeak. I turned around and saw the dragon's tail held up and aimed at me. Dresnath himself was still facing the other way, but laughing. "I didn't turn around," he teased.

I grabbed his tail. I didn't notice how interesting it was before. It was a similar to his arms in scale color, and at the tip it extended its width a bit to form a kind of triangle. It sort of looked like a pointed spade depicted on the drawings of imps and demons. I only examined it for a moment before saying, "Not funny." I sat back down on the bed and Dresnath turned back around to face me.

"If it wasn't funny, then why am I laughing," he teased. I gave him a blank look, but that only seemed to make him more entertained at his joke. "Oh, c'mon, kid, you need to learn to lighten up a bit."

I sighed and lowered my eyes. "Sorry, my emotions are a bit out of check right now, I guess."

That certainly got him to stop laughing. He moved off his stool and sat down next to me. "Hey," he said in a comforting tone as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "chin up, kid. Things will get better, I promise."

"How can you be so certain?" I asked softly.

I felt his wing stretch out and rest over me. It felt oddly comforting, moreso than his arm. "Because," he said cheerfully, "you get to travel with me now, and I'm a lot of fun to be around." I couldn't help but laugh. His confidence was almost charming and his cheerfulness was somewhat contagious. He smiled and pulled me a bit closer. "See? Better already."

I couldn't help but be curious about his offer. What exactly did he do? Was he a professional bounty hunter, or was that just a way to make some extra coin that he was short on? "Alright, so say I accompany you, what would that entail?" I asked.

"If you couldn't tell," he said, "I'm a bounty hunter. Or at least that's how I make money. I mainly like to wander around and explore. I sell my services to help people where my particular talents are useful. It's quite a lot of fun."

"Well, I'm not gonna be too fast on this leg of mine," I admitted. "I'd probably slow you down." I gently gripped my leg in a futile attempt to soothe the ache.

"Hmm..." he bit his lip absentmindedly bit in though. "I might be able to help with that."

"You've already done more than enough for me," I said gratefully.

He smirked. "Then consider this for me. Can't very well have you slowing me down while we're travelling, can I?" He moved to the other side of me and parted the slit in my trousers where the sword cut to reveal the bandaged wound. He placed his hands just above the wound. Nothing happened for a moment, but then I began to feel a strange sensation around my leg, and Dresnath's hands seemed to glow faintly.

"Are you... Are you using magic?" I asked astounded. He didn't answer as he continued whatever he was doing. Suddenly I felt kind of weak and dizzy, like my strength was being sapped.

"Damn, that wound was deep..." he said sounding exhausted. He lay flat on the bed with his wings extended slightly so they wouldn't be crushed. "Hope I didn't overdo it for you. I used up my stores pretty early and had to draw from yours. And yeah, that was a healing spell."

"I didn't realize that they took up so much... strength," I muttered. I certainly felt more tired than before, but it seemed like it affected him more. Probably because he was the one casting it and I was just helping as a power source.

"Well, that's what happens when you speed up the healing process by about a month. Probably should spend another night here to rest up before heading out again." He yawned. "Maybe ask around if anyone needs some help and is willing to spend some coin for it."

I looked over at him. "What kinds of odd jobs do you usually take?"

"Well, I get some people who are interested in fresh meat," he began. "Deer is a common one. Everybody wants fresh venison, but doesn't want to pay the price for professional hunters and butchers. Unusual local fowl is another. They claim that it tastes good, but I'm not much for exotic birds. In the bigger cities, I get a lot of requests to, and I'm quoting this, 'teach those miscreants a lesson.'"

"Those exact words come up often?" I asked. It seemed odd that he would get so many requests using the exact same wording.

"More often than you'd think," he chuckled. "With those jobs, I usually just knock them around a bit and tell them to quit making trouble. It usually works with the attention seekers. And then there are the people who think that I'm a courier." He sounded a bit annoyed at the idea. "Just because I can fly doesn't mean that I'm a simple messenger boy."

"So you turn those people down?" I asked curiously.

He sat up, seeming to have regained some his strength. "It depends on where they want me to go," he replied. "If I'm already heading out and someone wants me to deliver to someone in a nearby town, I usually do it. I don't exactly have a specific direction I'm going, so might as well go there, right?"

I nodded. "I suppose so."

He yawned. "I think I'm gonna get to sleep. I know you just woke up, but probably should too. You still have a bit of healing to do, and sleeping will assist."

I looked around and noticed that there was only one bed and his stuff was in here too. I couldn't help but blush at the implication. "Have we been, uh, sharing a bed?"

"Yeah." He didn't seem fazed about it at all, as if two strangers sleeping in the same bed while one was unconscious was a common practice. He smirked and said jokingly, "I asked if it was okay, but you didn't respond, so I took it as an 'I guess.'"

He must've noticed that I was feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the situation because his joking tone stopped. "Hey, don't worry. Nothing funny happened. I just didn't want to pay for another room. Kinda have a budget to maintain."

"Okay," I said as my simple response.

"If it makes you feel uncomfortable, you could rent your own room," he suggested. "It's not too expensive."

I shook my head. "No. I... I guess it's okay." I lay back down next to him, facing away, making sure to avoid his wing which he moved closer to himself.

Dresnath didn't seem to have any problem sharing a bed with me. I heard him snoring within minutes. Lucky for me, his snoring was soft, so it didn't bother me much. I, on the other hand, was having a little trouble falling asleep. Considering how I had been asleep for the last two days, I wasn't surprised. Yet I still felt weak and tired. I certainly didn't want to get up, but I was having trouble falling asleep.

As I lay there, my mind began to wander. Am I really going to go along with the complete stranger to gods-know-where? I mean, sure he saved my life and everything, but what do I actually know about him. For all I know, he could have a bounty on his head. No... if he had a bounty on him, then he wouldn't be able to collect the bounties on those bandits that tried to kill me. But just because he doesn't have a bounty doesn't mean he's trustworthy. He certainly sounds sincere enough, though. He might be an honest guy. And he said he wanted to help me learn to use my sword. I could certainly use the practice. But why is he so keen on helping me? Does he feel responsible for me since he saved me? Or does he expect something in return?

I yawned. Too tired to continue my mental ponderings, I decided to just close my eyes and let sleep take hold.