The Dragon Lord's Wish

Ep 8: Cedric

“GOOD MORNING!!!”

A voice booms, throttling me out of my dreamscape. I awake with a start, and I gasp for air. I look around and see no one. My head throbs and my neck screams as I try to locate the source of the tectonic power. I drag myself across the floor as quietly as I can and look down from the hayloft. After a few blinks to clear the sleep from my eyes I find what I'm looking for.

I see a large burly man going from stall to stall greeting each of the horses. He has long dark hair and a very large beard that looks like it could house a flock of birds. He walks like I imagine gentle giants do, with authority but respect for others' space. He walks over to Marvelous Max, and he is so large that he can look this beast of a stallion in the eye. His hands are so large they look like they could crush me in one blow. I need to leave before he finds me.

I start to sweat, my heart races as I think of how to escape. I look around the loft attempting to will there to be a way for me to escape that did not involve me being near the man downstairs.

I feel the skin on my back breaking away from my shirt as I try to stand. Getting these clothes off is going to be hell.

I try to step on the hay to soften the noise my too tight shoes make. As I’m hobbling around, a loose board makes a loud thud. I freeze, not daring to breathe.

Please… please don’t let the man hear me.

I crack an eye. Well, no one is up here, so there's a positive. I listen, still holding my breath, trying to hear if the man has noticed me moving about. The low rumble of his earthquake voice reaches me as I hear him still fussing over the horses. Looking down, I can see that the board beneath my feet is loose.

Maybe, just maybe my luck is changing. I move the board and see another ladder that leads to a room I didn’t see the night before. Looking at the ladder, I find myself nervous to climb down. Everything hurts, and I'm not steady on my feet. But I can’t chance staying here knowing that Chappon is most likely still on the hunt for me and offering rewards. If I am found I will be killed, slowly and without mercy, that I know for certain. I use my good arm to help me down the ladder. It’s slow moving.

I know today I can’t run now that the excitement has worn off. My body is protesting with every move, I feel my burn wounds open with every move. I struggle not to scream. As my foot reaches the floor, I take a breath to celebrate the small win and steady myself. I start looking for an escape. There are storage barrels on the far wall across from me and one small window above them.

After I have crawled on top of a barrel and my hand is reaching for the window, I freeze when I hear a voice boom behind me, “Mademoiselle, we have doors if that is easier for you.”

Surely now this is the end. I’ve been caught, and I will be handed over to my death.

A cold sheen of sweat covers me instantly. My heart races, pounding in my ears, becoming a energetic hum. I turn my head to see the very large, mountainous bearded man leaning against the doorway. He is smiling at me. A smile as if we are friends sharing a joke. No one has smiled at me without ill intent for such a long time, I don’t dare trust him. My eyes dart around the room trying to find a way around him.

He is so damn big he filled the entire doorway blocking the only way out other than the window. His smile fades as he picks up on my uneasiness. He starts to walk towards me, thunder coming from each step. I shrink back into the corner, my heart threatening to come out of my chest with fear.

“Please, don't run. I don’t mean to scare you. I don’t wish to hurt you my queen. Please let me help you,” He says as he crouches down in front of me.

Queen? What is going on? Did Chappon hit my head so hard that I’m having trouble hearing things?

He is now close enough I can reach out and touch him. He holds out his hand to me. I see all the scars that crisscross his coarse skin. I look from his hand to his eyes. They are a warm brown, they remind me of coffee. What I wouldn't do for a hot cup of coffee with milk and sugar.

“I know Chappon is after you."

My head whips to meet his steady gaze. Chappon must be desperate to find me if he is putting out pleas to the public. I won't be able to go in public, let alone get out of Paris.

While my mind is reeling with what to do I hear the man clear his throat, "I know of a safe place you can go, but you must rest before you go. The journey is difficult even for those in better condition. Chappon will not find you here, he dares not to come into my stable.”

I suppose I have nothing to lose. Not like I could escape from this man anyway. I place my good hand in his. His hand easily envelopes mine. It’s rough but so warm. He helps me to my feet.

“My name is Cedric, my lady. You seem to be greatly injured. Here, let me take you to a nice bed where you can rest.”

I start to panic.The last time I was offered a bed, I ended up being tortured in a dungeon. I start to breathe rapidly and just as quickly as it started my vision goes black as my knees buckle beneath me. A strong hand catches me before I hit the floor. My body has finally given out. Too tired, too hungry, too hurt. I feel myself lifted from the floor as someone, as if in the far distance, calls the name ‘Estelle’ but I have no idea who that is.

I dream I am in a warm bath with jasmine and vanilla. While the dream is nice it all feels incredible familiar at the same time. I hear a familiar voice, I can't make out what the voice is saying but it's comforting to me. Arms wrap around me from behind, bringing me to rest against a broad and warm chest. As I relax into it I am brought out of my dream.

When I come to, all I can make out is the dim glow of the candles in the room. I try to blink the blurriness away, but I can't. I'm so tired.

"Here, drink this," I heard a voice say as my head is lifted and a cup brought to my lips. I taste what seems like broth but it’s also sweet?

After I take a few small swallows, the hand places my head back on the bed. The bed has a soft blanket on it and my head is cradled in a pillow. The bearded man is looking at me with a worried look, but for once I don't think I'm in any danger at the moment. If they were handing me over to Chappon they would have done it by now and I would be dead.

My eyes grow heavier as I fight sleep, but ultimately exhaustion wins. As I take another deep breath, I slip back into my dreams. I float through space and time watching the stars burst and glow. I float back into a pair of arms that hold me so tight, and I feel safe again.