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Artos didn't pursue the issue for which I was grateful. He allowed me to finish eating without interruption, then watched me as I cleaned myself once more. "Going to have to put a tub in here for you to bathe and wash in," he mused. "I'll look into it."

He reached out and carefully pet me a few times and I allowed his touch. He still made me a little nervous even with all that he had done, but I was rapidly coming to trust Artos completely.

Phaegus speculated at the time that it was an instinct of mine and he was correct. But that is again getting ahead of my story.

"I have to go, Dracius," he said. "I hate leaving you alone all day especially...well now that I know how intelligent you really are. Can you read?" he asked, suddenly curious.

I was confused, not having any idea what he was talking about until he showed me a codex. I looked at it in confusion and he laughed. "That's a codex or book; those lines on it are like talking, but without sound."

I looked up at him as if he had suddenly grown a second head and he laughed again and patted me. "I'll show you later. You should learn to read that way you'll have something to do when I'm gone and you can learn more about the world."

I nodded, a gesture I had picked up, and told him yes, mostly just to please him as I wasn't completely sure of what he was saying. It took some time before I became fluent in their language and a bit longer before better understanding how humans think. I still do not claim to fully understand it. Fortunately those who are close to me are patient.

Artos smiled again. "I'll come back as soon as I can my friend," he said and walked out the door with one final look over his shoulder.

I was growing less nervous when Artos would leave, feeling more secure in the room. Generally I would spend time sunning myself or exploring about the room. Sometimes I would play around with the toys, trying to figure out what the purpose for them was.

I examined the shelves of books that Artos collected, wondering at them. Artos seemed to think they were important somehow and that they would help me. A small spark of excitement welled up within me, the idea that Artos was going to teach me something, something that would give me more knowledge.

I wondered at that. Why would I care to know anything? What purpose did it serve? We later learned that it's something that comes naturally to me and that left to my own devices I'll study whatever I can. There are other reasons that you will find out later

"Come along, Dracius, we need to go see Phaegus and get your weight again," Artos said to me, smiling.

I huffed in annoyance. I still didn't trust Phaegus fully after the incident with that spell. Artos convinced me that he had not done it on purpose but even still I was leery of the mage. Plus he seemed all too curious about me. Artos laughed at my reaction. "Come on, he won't hurt you and you know it. He just wants to weigh you and see how you're growing."

"Yes, Artos," I said in my halting way and followed him to Phaegus' lab.

I was still uncomfortable walking in the hallways, even if Artos made sure they were mostly clear before we went anywhere. He never said at the time, but I did not think that the general public knew about me and it seemed Artos preferred to keep it that way. I, of course, thought it was because people would otherwise wish to harm me. It was not exactly the case, looking back in retrospect, but at the time it was all I really understood.

We entered Phaegus' lab and I instinctively drew closer to Artos. Ren was there and gave me a friendly smile and wave. "Hello, Dracius!" I nodded to him, as I had observed the other humans do in acknowledgment, but did not say anything.

Both Ren and Phaegus were aware that I could speak but I do not recall that either of them had heard me at that point. I was ever shy around Phaegus in particular. He had started to keep track of my weight and height as of late, as well as occasionally just looking me over which I did not at all like. Had Artos not been standing there within reach I would have likely fled.

Artos coaxed me onto the scale while Ren busied himself with setting up the weights on the other side. The scale started to rise as it became balanced and I chirred nervously. "Easy, Dracius," Artos said in a soothing voice.

"Hmm, he's a little over 3 stone which I think to be pretty good for his height," Phaegus said. "It appears that he has grown a few inches so I would say you're feeding him correctly. Do you think he will allow me to listen to his lungs?"

"He's right there, Phaegus, why not ask him yourself?" Artos said with some amusement.

Phaegus looked surprised. "Well, I suppose I did not think of it. His speech is a rather new development. Dracius, would you mind if I listened to your lungs?"

I looked to Artos who shrugged. "It's up to you."

I swallowed nervously. "You may listen," I said softly.

Phaegus looked startled then grinned. "Well, you do have a voice don't you? That's just wonderful, Dracius!" He carefully put an ear to my chest and I tried my best not to tremble or bolt away from him. Artos smiled at me and nodded which made me feel better about the situation. "His lungs sound fine, heart sounds fine as well if a little odd."

"What do you mean?" Artos asked, frowning.

"Oh, it just does not sound like a human heart. I think he's well enough, however."

"If you're certain."

Phaegus laughed. "As certain as I can be without having another one of his kind to examine or one to dissect."

I squealed in alarm and dove into Artos arms, knocking him over. He grunted as he fell back. I clung to him, shivering. "Well, that was a brilliant thing to say Phaegus!" Artos said sarcastically. "Easy, Dracius, he isn't talking about dissecting you."

I looked at Phaegus in fear. "Cut."

"No, no cutting," Phaegus said, putting his hands up in front of him. "I shouldn't have said it, Dracius. I'm sorry."

Artos carefully untangled my arms from his neck and stood up, setting me on the ground. Phaegus looked at me for a moment then bent down and looked at my leg. I took a step backwards, chirring again. "How did that happen, Dracius?" he said, gesturing to the scar on my leg. It was barely visible anymore.

I looked at it for a moment. "Stick," I finally said.

"Stick? You mean someone hit you?" Phaegus asked.

I shook my head. "No. Shoot."

Artos frowned. "An arrow?"

I looked at him bewildered. Phaegus walked over to a table and brought back an arrow. "One of these?"

I looked at it warily. "No. Short."

"Could it be a crossbow bolt, master?" Ren asked.

"Possibly," Phaegus replied. He concentrated and muttered for a second and a crossbow bolt appeared in his hand. "One of these, Dracius?"

I recoiled away from it. "Yes. Hurt!"

"Get that away from him! It's scaring him!" Artos exclaimed. Phaegus muttered something and it vanished, to my relief.

"Where did this happen, Dracius?" Artos said.

I cocked my head. "Out?"

"Yes, out. But where?"

I frowned, trying to think of the words, then shook my head as I had seen them do. Artos looked frustrated and Ren said. "Here, I'll bring a map." He rummaged around in one of the drawers and brought over a map of the duchy. Artos spread it out on the table.

"Here, Dracius. Where did it happen? Just point."

I gestured to the map. "Pretty," I murmured.

"No, Dracius, what town on the map? Where were you?"

I looked at him, confusedly, not understanding what he meant. All I understood of a map at the time was that it was an interesting combination of colors. I did not understand that it referenced reality.

"He doesn't understand what it is, Artos," Phaegus said.

"I want to find out who did this to him."

Phaegus looked at him curiously. "And why is that, Lord Artos?"

"To punish them!" Artos said angrily. "Dracius doesn't deserve to be shot at!"

"I agree, Artos, but it's an old wound and I doubt Dracius remembers where he got it or what was happening."

I looked between them, confused at what they were saying and a little nervous. I thought I recognized the word punish and wondered if I had done something wrong. I chirred nervously and took a step closer to Artos. He knelt down and hugged me briefly. I had become quite used to the gesture by that time.

"Easy my friend, you've done nothing wrong. I just want to find who hurt you so I can punish them. They had no right to do this."

I shook my head, finally understanding. "No. Not know."

"Not know what, Dracius?"

I rumbled, trying to come up with the words. "Not know," I muttered, sighing. "You know. Phaegus know. Ren know. They not know!"

Phaegus rubbed his chin for a moment. "Not know something about you, Dracius?"

I nodded. "Yes. Not know."

"What about you, Dracius?"

I sighed again, shaking my head and wishing the words would come easier. "Talk."

"Do you mean they thought you were just an animal?"

I nodded. "Yes. Animal."

"You are not an animal, Dracius!" Artos said angrily and I skittered back from him, frightened by his sudden outburst.

Phaegus reached out and put a hand on Artos shoulder. "You're frightening him, Artos," he said quietly

Artos stopped and looked down with a big sigh. "I'm sorry, Dracius. It just makes me angry that someone hurt you."

I shook my head. "They not know."

"It's still not right."

I cocked my head. "Not hurt?" I rubbed my leg where the bolt had grazed me. After it had healed it had caused me no further pain.

"I suppose not Dracius," Artos said. "I guess there's nothing to be done."

"You can't blame them for thinking he would be a threat, Artos. I'm sure all they saw was a dragon like creature trying to steal their food and you well know how hard it's been lately."

"True enough."

I looked back and forth between he two of them, still uncertain as to what they were talking about and how it pertained to me. I could tell that Artos was upset and that in turn upset me. He noticed my anxious glances and smiled at me, rubbing my head.

"You're fine, Dracius. You've done nothing wrong." He looked up at Phaegus. "Is there anything else you needed from him?"

"I would like to draw some," he hesitated, "draw some of his." Phaegus leaned over to Artos and said something that was beyond my hearing. I cocked my head, wondering what he was saying about me and Artos shook his head.

"No. Not right now. You'll have to wait and see if he's willing later. We're not going to force him."

Phaegus nodded. "Well then, that's all I have for him to do unless you had any questions."

"Oh lots of questions but I fear you won't have any more answers than I have," Artos said with a laugh.

Phaegus chuckled. "True enough. You probably know more about him than anyone else."

Artos nodded and headed towards the door. "Come along, Dracius."

I followed Artos back to his rooms, still looking warily around the halls, worried that someone would see me.