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I drifted slowly back to consciousness, and though I could vaguely hear the sound of the wind blowing from outside somewhere, it seemed a distant thing, barely registering in my thoughts as I lay in my bedroll, feeling warm and protected.

Something was wrong with that, my mind suggested, but I ignored it; I was comfortable, warmer than I had been in some time. The bed roll was nicely heavy, radiantly warm, and I was quite content to lay like here as long as possible before I began my day.

I smiled as my mind drifted about in that half conscious state, not really recognizing time nor place and not really caring about either. Whatever I had to do could surely wait longer while I enjoyed some much needed warmth and sleep. Even opening my eyes seemed like too much of an effort.

I gradually became aware of a deep, rumbling vibration that seemed to come from everywhere but even this was wonderful, a deep, soothing sound that seemed to melt away any and all cares I had and encouraged a blissful forgetfulness about the world.

I turned in my bedroll and yawned and the rumbling decreased in it’s volume and intensity but didn’t stop. That was certainly odd. My sleep fogged had no idea what was causing it but it was a welcome thing and there was a feeling of discontent that it had lessened.

I lifted a heavy arm to brush back my hair, then stretched it out to feel it bump up against something warm, not at all feeling the walls of my tent. I frowned again. What was this?

A weight that had laid across my lower back increased for a brief moment, then I heard a heavy sigh and light suddenly creeped into where I was laying. I opened my eyes, blinking stupidly at the light and the face of the dragon who was looking down at me, ears lifted.

“You slept well? You are warm enough?” Teras asked.

I froze.

By the Maker, what had I done.

It all came rushing back, the blizzard, trying to stay warm and keep the fire lit, then the confusion that set in as the cold became unbearable and Teras pleading with me to curl up in his arms.

“I…I…” I stammered.

He cocked his head. “You are well?” he asked, sounding concerned.

“F-fine, Teras,” I said, trying to come to grips with what had happened.

He bobbed his head and his ears dropped a few notches. “Good. Was worried. You were not wanting to come to me and were cold. Shaking.”

I stared at him for some time and he kept his eyes averted, then lowered his head further, ears drooping. “I am sorry if I did wrong,” he said in almost a whisper. “I know you do not like close but you were so cold…”

I closed my eyes and swallowed deeply, trying to master my very confused emotions and thoughts. “No, Teras, you did the right thing by keeping me warm. You probably saved my life. Thank you.”

The dragon perked up slightly at this praise and looked down at me. “You are warm enough now? Snow stopped but there is still snow on ground and a lot of wind. Much ice on branches.”

I nodded and carefully tried to get to my feet. Teras opened his arms and hesitantly offered his paw and I stared at it for a moment, then carefully used it to leverage myself to my feet, groaning with how stiff I was. The wind picked up and I flinched at the cold of it and bent down to pick up the cloak I must have shrugged off during the night.

Teras reached for it and hesitantly lifted it up to me and I took it from him, nodding as I wrapped myself in it. The dragon’s ears came up to full mast and his eyes practically lit up.

Teras stood carefully, shaking the snow down his back and stepped away from me, mantling his wings around to keep the wind off me as best he could as I hobbled over to my tent and pack to get some herbs to relive the stiffness of my joints. Dragon warmth or no it had been a rough night.

I dug through my pack for the herbs and frowned. Normally I made them into a tea. I supposed I could have just chewed on them but that was a rather unpleasant thought at best.

I looked over to see Teras watching me with his head cocked slightly to one side. I cleared my throat and he blinked and cocked his head the other way. “Teras, do you think you could clear the area for my fire pit? I’m going to try to get a fire started so I can make some tea. I think the wind has died down enough for that.”

He nodded, looking eager as he carefully turned and shifted the snow that had fallen with two sweeps of his claws, then dug down until he found the remains of the previous nights fire. He looked over at me, “I get wood?”

“If you like, Teras.”

The dragon nodded again and stretched himself out like an overgrown cat, then minced his way through the snow to some of the branches he had piled up and pulled a few out with his jaws, shaking the snow off them. He turned and carried them back to the fire pit and spit them out. “They are a little wet.”

“I’m sure dragon slobber didn’t help.”

Tears winced and looked down and I sighed, shaking my head. “I was just joking with you, Teras. I doubt you made them any more wet than they were just by carrying them.”

He looked at me uncertainly then bobbed his head in his odd way. I walked over and pulled the branches onto the pit, then went back for my staff. The wind had died down enough my magic would be able to start the fire. I concentrated and traced out the designs in the air, muttering a prayer and smoke started to curl up from the branches.

A moment later and there was an audible pop and snap as the flames suddenly burst forth and the branches started burning merrily. I leaned on my staff and looked at the fire with a smile, giving a prayer of thanks to the Maker for giving me such gifts.

“Your magic burns,” Teras said, sounding a nervous to my ears.

I turned to him, still leaning on my staff. “Yes, it’s for starting fires. It won’t burn skin or anything but wood and, as you saw, it can’t keep a fire going in rough conditions.”

The dragon looked at my staff nervously, then licked his lips. “Not burn dragons?”

I shook my head. “No, Teras. Not dragons.” I watched him as he stared at the staff for a moment more the bobbed his head at me. I wondered at what had happened to make him so nervous but decided not to ask; there was no need to upset the creature further.

I drank down my tea as I stood near the fire, savoring the warmth of them both. The dragon stood close hesitating now and again, his wings partially opening and closing as if he couldn't decide if he should put them out or around me to help keep me warm or not.

I finished my tea and looked up at him. “We’re not going to be able to travel for awhile, Teras. The snow is too deep and I don't have skis or snow shoes.”

His ears drooped. “But they have my hatchling! They will get away!”

I winced and looked down. “I hope they're stuck too, Teras, but there's nothing I can do about it. I can try to gather the things to make snow shoes but it will still be very slow going.”

He watched me for a moment. “I can help gather what you need?”

I nodded and told him what items I would need to make the shoes. “You may have to fly a little to get them.”

He turned to leave then stopped and looked back at me. “You will be warm enough?” he said, looking at me worriedly.

“I’ll be just fine, Teras. The fire is large and I have my furs. Go.”

The dragon bobbed his head, shook out his wings, then bounded into the air and quickly flew away to gather what I would need to make a pair of snow shoes. I watched him fly off then hunkered down next to the fire with a huge sigh.

I wasn’t honestly certain I would be able to make any progress, even with snow shoes. The snow was terribly deep and the pass down the mountain likely completely clogged with it. I rubbed my hands together and sighed again. No need to borrow trouble.

As I set up my tea pot to brew another cup and warmed myself, my mind kept returning the previous night, a night spent in a mortal enemies arms by all accounts, and yet one of the most peaceful nights sleep that I’d had in weeks if not months.

That troubled me.

It was just that I was so cold, I reasoned. It had been days since I slept in a warm bed and the dragon’s warmth was very soothing, that’s all it was. And yet there was a part of my mind, perhaps my heart, that denied that was the whole reason.

I scoffed. What possible reason could there be otherwise? I needed warmth, I was going to freeze to death, and the dragon intervened because I was the only way he would find his child. That was it. Nothing more.

I went to my back and pulled out the small codex of scriptures and set myself to my morning lauds, keeping my mind firmly fixed on them and the ritual bows and motions that went with it, forcing out any thoughts of the dragon or the current situation.

Teras returned a little later carrying the wood and thick bark I needed to craft the shoes. He landed a little awkwardly on three legs and carefully sat the materials down in front of me, then settled back on his haunches to watch curiously.

I looked over the wood and bark he had gathered up. “This will do fine, Teras. Thank you.”

He bobbed his head and watched as I set to cutting strips of bark and weaving them into a lattice, then bending and binding the wood around them with some of the rope that I purchased in Frostford.

It took me well into the afternoon to finish and rig up some straps to hold the shoes to my boots, the dragon watching me the entire time, cocking his head this way and that, sometimes peering closer and even sniffing a little.

“Those help?” he asked, sounding puzzled.

“They should.”

He shook his head “How?”

“They spread out my weight on the snow so I don’t sink down,” I told him as I carefully stood up and took a few experimental steps. The shoes were not the nicest I had ever made but I figured they would hold together long enough to get me to the next town where I could either purchase some or get materials to improve the ones I had cobbled together.

The shoes held decently well but it was going to be slow going no matter. After a few more steps and adjustments I made my way over to the tent and packed it up. Then looked up at Teras. “I suppose we should set out.”

He cocked his head head, then nodded. “Yes. You know the way?”

“More or less. The road is marked with large stones that should stick up above the snow,” I said as I started back towards the road we had abandoned the day before, the dragon mincing his way through the snow, not seeming to have much trouble with it.

It was slow going but we made our way down the road, keeping the stones in line with each other to insure we weren’t getting off the path. Teras would occasionally take flight to insure I was on track as well as keeping a lookout for the men who stole his son or other travelers he would need to avoid.

I didn’t want to think about what would happen if he were discovered close to human settlements or, even worse, walking along with one of the white sisterhood. They would likely think he had kidnapped me and would try to kill him to free me from his clutches.

The closer we came to human settlements the greater the risk of discovery. I shook my head; there was no need to hash it over in my mind again. I could only pray the Maker was watching over this foolish sister and what she was doing.

Dusk was setting on rapidly and I looked up, trying to catch sight of the dragon but to no avail. I shrugged, hoping he would return soon and set out looking for a place to camp, hoping to find a place where the winds had cleared enough of the snow away that I wouldn’t be forced to camp on top of it.

I heard the sound of dragon wings approaching and turned to see Teras backwinging in for a landing. I found myself pausing to watch him as he dropped easily from the sky and admiring the grace with which he flew and landed. I gave myself a shake. I wasn’t supposed to be thinking like this…

But then I wasn’t supposed to be doing what I was doing either: helping a dragon. I shook my head again and walked towards him to distract myself. A little voice inside said that I’d have to deal with these thoughts and feelings and my actions sooner or later.

I quickly silenced that voice.

Teras lowered his head and looked me over as he had done each time he left, as if making sure I wasn’t bleeding or freezing to death. I started to snap at him but stopped. He was only worried for me, I told myself, and that was hardly a bad thing. There was no need to scold him for it.

“I need to find a place to camp for the night, Teras.”

He bobbed his head. “I thought you would so I stayed out to find a place. There is hut not too far. I think you can walk there,” he said, ears coming up.

“That sounds fine, Teras; lead on.”

His ears perked further and he held his head up proudly as he walked though the snow, pushing his way though the trees and occasionally stopping to hold some back for me so I could walk though more easily. I patted him on his flank as I walked past in thanks.

The hut was a woodcutters shack that had been closed up for the winter. I hesitated, not wanting to break in to someones hut, but at the same time camping in the snow was not an appealing thought. I shrugged and undid the latch to the door. I reasoned if I left the place in good shape and didn’t take too many supplies it would be fine. Surely whoever owned it wouldn’t begrudge a Sister hospitality as it was tradition to grant it to us.

The inside was tidy, consisting of two small rooms, one with a bed, the other with the fireplace and other supplies that were stacked along the walls and hung from the ceiling with very little wasted space. I quickly went to the fire and pulled some wood off the stack then turned poke my head out the door where the dragon was standing.

“Teras, could you look at the top of that chimney and remove the cover if there is one?”

He looked up at the chimney, considering. “The pile of rocks?”

“Yes, it carries the smoke away from the fireplace.”

He bobbed his head and padded over, looking up at the top, then reared up on his hind legs to peer at the top of the chimney. I quickly turned away and went back to the fireplace.

“Is there anything there?” I called into it.

“Rock. Move it?”

“Yes, please.”

I head the sound of a rock shifting and could see a little more light coming down. “Thank you, Teras. Step back, I’m going to light the fire.” I heard him drop down to all fours and held out my staff to light the logs.

The sprang to life and started burning merrily, providing light to push back the fading light of day. I smiled at the feeling of warmth coming from the fire place. This night would surely be better and warmer than the previous!

My mind flicked back to waking up in the arms of the dragon. I shuddered and quickly started to go over the foodstuffs left behind to see what was available. I found corn meal, dried roots, and several other things that would make for a very satisfying meal.

I set out to prepare the food, humming softly to myself, when I heard Teras outside the door. I went over to open it to find him standing there with a paw half suspended in the air as if he were about to scratch at the door but was uncertain if he should do so. He quickly lowered it and looked away.

“Yes, Teras?”

He looked up at me ears down. “The door was shut. I was not sure what I should do.”

“What did you need?”

His head drooped further. “Nothing,” he mumbled. “Just wanted to see.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling a little confused. “Well, there’s not much to see in here. I’m just fixing food. I’ll make some tea and you can have some with me if you like.”

The dragon instantly lifted his head, his ears perking up. “That would be nice.”

“Ok, Teras, give me a moment to get it ready,” I said and turned to shut the door then stopped at the quiet sound of the dragon whimpering. I almost told him to stop but hesitated a moment. “Would you like it if I left the door open so you can lay your head inside?”

“Yes,” he said, brightening, and carefully put his head through the door and lay it down to watch as I prepared the food.

I put the water on to boil for the tea and prepared a meal using the food I had found, again softly humming to myself. Once everything was cooking I glanced over at Teras who was watching the whole thing in rapt fascination. “The tea will be ready soon,” I told him.

He lifted his head and nodded then set it back down to simply watch me. The observation made me nervous. Why did he have to watch every move that I made? I supposed it was just curiosity but did he have to stare so? I nearly asked him to stop but hesitated, thinking back to how he’d reacted each time I had told him to stay away or yelled at him for getting close.

Just having the door shut between us upset the dragon for reasons I didn’t understand. It seemed as if the moment I was out of sight he became worried and started to fret. Each time he returned from flying he looked me over as if afraid that I’d been hurt.

Or was scared that I’d abandon him.

A part of me grew angry at the thought. After all this how dare he think such a thing! I left my comfortable home and agreed to chase after men who were likely dangerous, how dare he think that I would just up and leave! Why in the world was he so…attached to me?

But then he had lost his mate and child. I was starting to suspect that he has also lost whatever family he had as well, something that I would never have considered mere days ago.

Perhaps I was really the only person he had in the world to rely on or have some sort of companionship with.

Oh, Maker, why did you place me in this situation?