Gabriela and The Mad Dragon Pt 5

As Theodor offered Gabriela his hand, she questioned his sincerity. Given the fact she herself had been attack by another being less than eight hours ago, she felt it could be trap. She began to scan the cave for anyone else that might be hiding. She spotted none but kept her body poster in a defensive stance just in case.

“I do appreciate what you did their killing the raptor, but how do I know your not just as bad or worse?”

“Why my lady I am absolutely cut to the heart that you don’t trust me after saving no less.”

“It’s just that in the last day I’ve been attacked by some snake thing with several heads and it almost turned me into a snack.”

“I see well I won’t make you join me in the hut for a bowl of stew and coffee, however that’s where I will be if you wish to tag along.” With that he turned and headed for the hut. She didn’t get any of the creep vibes from him that she had from the snake creature. She started to hear the sound of many legs on the ground and decided it wouldn’t be so bad to have company for a change.

The cave had so many colors from bright pink florescent moths to dark brown backed beetles, that when they weren’t moving looked like tiny pebbles. This long-lost world is what gave birth to legends and lore. She made sure that her bracer had complete readings of everything, tunnels, insects, birds, fish. Gabriela wanted to have as much information to sell as possible.

“So, what brings you to this great hall of lost history?” Theodor asked.

“My mother is missing and this, or I should the fortress above ground was her last known location.”

“I see. Well, me and mine have looked over this cave system for a few days now and haven’t run into anyone.”

“You and yours?”

“You didn’t think I’d be stupid enough to come here alone? There is a dragon on the lose around these parts, and he doesn’t like it when people start snooping.”

“Just how many of you are there?”

“There were admittedly more of us a few weeks ago, now there are decidedly less.”

His none answer and the rambling way in which he chose to speak was not filling her with confidence. She steps in front of him placing her hands on her hips, giving him a scowl. “Three. There are in point of fact only three of us left.” His gaze is nervous looking away to the side.

“Out of how many?”

“Two hundred.”

“Two hundred! What exactly where you looking for with that size of group?”

“Keep your voice down you might attract those raptors again. We were looking for a place called Bacuri’.”

“Let me guess you never found it just an angry dragon.”

“O no we found. Your standing in it. We just didn’t know it was inhabited by some snake people that sacrifice trespassers to the big Blue dragon they worship.”

“So, how did you and the other two get away, and why haven’t they found you yet.?”

“Camouflage, they have a hard time seeing anything through this foliage, or at least this particular plant. That being said we should get you indoors before they spot you.”

The huts door was lined with the same florescent plant Theodor was covered in. Before entering he knocked three times. Gabriela followed behind once inside she could they weren’t in much better shape than she had been. There were two others as he said. An older human male who seemed to be suffering from the same poison she had to deal with less than eight hours ago. He was tall muscular with dark thick ash colored hair. His breathing was very labored, he didn’t have long before the poison ended his time. Reaching into her bag she pulled out the antidote and handed it Theodor.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“The antidote. One of those snake things bit me I just so happen to keep antivenom around for such occasions.”

“Get bit often then do you?” the third one says. she a Ratak’kus with white fur except one eye which is gray. She also has one arm that is mechanical from the elbow.

“Often enough that I learned to be ready for what you don’t expect. He will die if you don’t give him this.”

He takes the vile and pours into his friends mouth. They wait for what seems like hours before seeing signs the poison is regressing. Slowly blackened ichor seeps from the would where he had been slashed. His breathing returns to normal as his flutter open. They are deep orange which is strange for a human.

The Ratak’kus looking up with tears in her eyes grabs Gabriela by her hand. “Thank you for saving him. You could have kept that to yourself, but you chose to help us.”

“Hay it was technically self-serving our chances of survival are better with four instead of three.”

“Thank you all the same.”

What a strange group people you’ve managed to find Gabi. She thought to herself. Now all they had to do is make past the snake people, and massive dragon that for some reason wants her new neckless.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…