grounded 3

"Ow don't touch it like that!" Fiel said growling.
"Don't be such a baby!" Adria said focused.
A rather large splinter poked out from Fiel's leg. The bloody state of it looked painful to Adria but she was decided to try and help assess the situation. She had already cut Fiel's raggy pants to allow the cut to breathe, the blood was not gushing which was a plus, and Fiel seemed rather unshaken.
"When I told you to be careful I meant it" Adria snorted looking at the ugly wound with indignation.
"Well I tried" He threw his hands up. "It's not hurting when you don't touch it anyway so it's probably not too bad"
"It can get infected, who knows what is in that." Adria said sighing "Looks like we need to hurry you're lucky we are close to Coven."
"Right... well I hope you're happy" Fiel crossed his arms pouting childishly.
"Oh but I am" She took the dragon fruit she had laid on the ground. "Thank you; that was very kind of you" She gave him a lick over his head. Fiel shivered at the touch, a smile seemed to appear across his face, but he quickly switched to a disgusted look, and rubbed his head cleaning the kiss.
"D-don't do that that's nasty!" He grunted.
Adria giggled and took the dragon fruit, eating it in one bite. She shivered and murred happily at the taste.
"I love these!"
"Don't understand how you dragons do it" Fiel shook his head "Those things taste like tar"
"Have you tasted tar?" She looked at him bewildered
"N-no... but you can tell by the smell it's bad!"
"Of course" Adria smiled.
"You know; now that my leg is like this I'll need to be carried... If it's not too much effort for you or anything, we could always wait for my leg to fall off"
"Oh stop being so cynic we are going already" She smiled and picked him up, placing him on her back with her harness and bags. He yelped as his leg startled at the touch, but he made himself comfortable, and smiled at the view from her back.

"This suits me much better" Fiel said laying back.
"What do you mean?" Adria asked curiously but she suspected what he meant.
"You know, having a dragon carrying me around, not having to do chores and demands, traveling!" He smiled.
"Don't get used to it" Adria snorted. "Your hands are still useful and I do enjoy a belly rub" She said devilishly.
"You also better not get used to it, as soon as we finish your little journey I'll be done with serving you"
"I never said you will"
"You said you would" Fiel lifted an eyebrow.
"I said you could if you behaved" Adria snorted. "I'll let you know trying to get that dragon fruit for me even though I never asked for it gives you a plus.
Fiel smiled, but barked in pain as Adria bumped against a boulder.

The clouds had mostly disappeared, leading a nicely bright day for travel. They had been on the road for a day and a half, and the thick woods continued unwavering through the whole way. As they stepped over a steep hill Adria spotted a small town not too far away; little houses lined up in neat rows through muddy streets, and a large pavilion in the middle, this one much smaller than the one in Quil'tirith. Adria smiled at the prospect of a warm bed.
As they walked into the unprotected town they were welcomed with strange looks. A group of paupers watched the two as they slowly strolled through the muddy streets. Adria couldn't help but feel nervous, yet Fiel seemed unmoved.
"Why are they staring?" She whispered to Fiel.
"Probably freaked out by your missing wing" He grinned.
Adria blushed inwardly and her wing twitched hitting Fiel's head lightly, he lifted up alarmed by the sudden hit.
"Oy! What was that for!?" He barked indignant.
"Sorry I have a tic every time I feel self-conscious about my wing" Adria said pacing quicker away from the onlookers.
She stopped when they arrived at the town plaza, or at least it looked like a plaza, the muddy streets never broke and the only sign that this was so was the large empty space between a single well in the center.
"Not a very lively town" Adria said twisting her nose.
"Coven isn't quite well known no" Fiel shrugged "Did you expect a parade or something?"
"Well no... I just haven't been to a small town yet" Adria snorted "I wonder if they have a doctor at all around here."
"You will find a doctor on the second northern street from here" An unfamiliar voice said from the side.
Adria snapped her head to the source. A short sized young lizardwoman stood looking with solemn eyes. She had dark brownish colored scales with a light tanned under scales; she wore dirty worn out leggings with a torn loose tunic on top. She had a triangular lizard-like head, long unkempt hair trailed down to her upper back, her bright yellow eyes parted into thin slits. She had a thin but athletic body, and stood slightly curved forward.
"Oh hello" Adria said with a smile "I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that where is the medic?"
"We don't need your help lizard!" Fiel barked from Adria's back making the lizardwoman back down sheepishly.
"What? Fiel be quiet, don't talk like that to others!" Adria snapped trying to look back at Fiel.
"No it's quite alright ma'am" The lizardwoman said sadly. "My kind is not greatly appreciated anyway; I am well used to it by now."
Adria eyed her with pity, and sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that" Adria said kindly.
"I'm not" Fiel murmured crossing his arms.
"Be quiet!" Adria snorted at Fiel. "Could you take us to the medic?"
"Yes... Follow me" The lizardwoman darted through the plaza, and Adria took off after her.
They arrived at a wide street just behind the plaza, a rather large building stood before them; by the size of it, it seemed Adria would fit inside comfortably.
"This is the medic; he should be able to help." The lizardwoman said quietly.
"Thank you very much" Adria nodded. "Here." She took a few coins from her pouch and handed it to the liardwoman who took it with bright happy eyes. "Thank you ma'am!" She said happily.
"You are quite welcome; may I know your name?"
"Rathirtis." She answered with a thick accent. "But I've been called Ruth by those not of my race" She added when Adria twisted her head.
"Very well Ruth I am Adria and this smart mouth here is Fiel, we are very thankful for your help"
"Look for me if you need anything else!" Ruth said and quickly disappeared into the streets.
"You shouldn't have helped her" Fiel said pouting.
"Why? She hasn't done anything bad"
"Lizard-people are all the same"
"So could I assume all kruvnir are little thieves? That's the only image I have of them at the moment"
Fiel growled unhappily and settled back.

As they walked in they were greeted by a tall middle aged man, he wore a long white robe, and spectacles over his eyes. Signs of aging showed through his robust body, and he had a clean shaven face.
"Welcome" He said looking over from a book he read.
"Good afternoon sir" Adria greeted with a simple bow "My friend here hurt his leg, could you have a look?" She lowered and helped Fiel descend. The medic quickly ran and helped Fiel, placing his arm over his shoulder helping Fiel difficultly skip beside him and lay on a makeshift bed on the corner of the large house.
"Well seems simple enough" The medic said looking at the large wooden splinter protruding from Fiel's leg.
"Is it infected?" Adria asked curiously.
"How long ago was this?"
"A few hours" Fiel answered.
"It most likely is, but let's have a look shall we?" The medic adjusted his spectacles and walked swiftly to a small desk where various vials of different colors rested. He picked a few of them, and brought over setting it on the small table next to the bed. "You'll be lucky if you don't need to amputate it"
Fiel swallowed a lump, but Adria seemed slightly amused by this.
"I'm only kidding" The medic smiled at the reactions. "Of course we don't have any healers in town, I'm only a physician, but luckily the splinter did not cut through a tendon otherwise you would still be screaming in pain, and then we would have to amputate it."
"Good to know" Fiel frowned.
"Yes... Now I will need you to relax and not move, also you might want to stay clear miss, I doubt this will be clean at all"
Adria stepped back but watched with full interest. Fiel braced himself as the doctor gripped the splinter tightly. Suddenly with one unmerciful pull the splinter was pulled off. The sickening sound of meat giving way filled the room, and quick as lightning the medic threw the wooden splinter onto the floor; he picked the many bandages from the table and placed them over the wound. There was only enough time for Fiel to scream, he gritted his teeth and dug his claws into the bed. To Adria's surprise he remained still enough for the medic to work. She watched as he cleaned the wound and seemed to wait for the bleeding to stop. He slowly removed the bandage to reveal the large deep gash, yellow greenish pus oozed lightly from it.
"It's definitely infected" The medic commented picking one of the vials from the bed. Fiel calmed slightly, but still snarled uncomfortably.
"He should be fine right?" Adria asked worried.
"A little of these should help" he said pouring the liquids into a cotton ball and touching the wound gingerly. Fiel screamed again, this time whimpering slightly. "Gods damnit! It burns!"
"It means it's working" The medic held his leg tighter.
Adria's stomach turned, watching so much pain happen made her feel a cold touch down her stomach.
"Stop poking it like that!" Fiel barked.
"I'm not poking you're feeling a ghost nerve reaction" The medic replied placing a second cotton ball over the wound, this one bubbled, making a strange fizzing sound.
"That should take care of it" The medic cleaned his hands on a towel and turned towards the desk of utilities, he took a large bandage roll and tended to Fiel again, rolling the wound carefully with the soft bandage.
"Stay off the leg for at least a week, after this week try to rest it through long periods of time, don't even think about long travels for at least a month now. The damage won't be permanent but it will be dangerous if you force it."
"Woe befalls me." Fiel smiled.
"Any other cares we need to worry about?" Adria asked.
"If you can get him a batch of lythran herbs to chew once per day it would help"
"Sounds good... we will take care of it." Adria reached for her pouch and took a handful of coins. "How much for your services?"
"That will be thirty silver pieces." He answered as he cleaned his hands on a basin.
Adria counted the coins carefully and regretfully handed them over when he was done. She sighed as the money was taken, and they departed again into the city.

"Well because of that we don't have enough money to get a place to stay." Adria said as they walked through the streets.
"I will think better next time I do you a favor" Fiel frowned. "What's worse is that I have to walk around with these ripped rags."
"We can get you a new pair; how much meat do we still have?"
"Last I checked enough for three days."
"That's only enough for halfway to the next town." She sighed. "We might have to find work and get more money."
"Or if you didn't give those coins to that lizard..." Fiel grunted unhappily.
"I know you have a grudge against them, but this doesn't mean they are all bad."
"You told me that already. But I choose not to listen to you"
Adria snorted and rolled her eyes. "Look there is a tailor we can get you a new pair of pants and maybe a shirt to go with it."

Fiel adjusted his green tunic, tightening the belt around it and pulling his new leathery pants up to level. As Adria walked he felt his leg startle a few times, but the bandages held firm. He checked the bag to make sure the bandages they had bought were secure, and checked the herbs they had bought. The city's activity slowed down, and nightfall approached quickly.
"Please don't! I-it's all I have!" A rather familiar voice sounded from an alley.
Adria perked up, and looked at the source, but all she could see was darkness. She squinted her eyes to try for a better view and heard a muffling sound.
"Don't go in there" Fiel said uninterested "It's safer to stay out of it."
"But I recognize that voice" Adria approached the alley.
"I said don't!" Fiel growled.
"Be quiet!" Adria snapped back.
She walked into the alley gingerly.
"Just hand it over you scrawny bitch!" A raspy, rugged voice sounded.
Adria looked around a corner. Two lizardmen struggled with a small bag in their hands. One Adria quickly recognized as Ruth who with tears in her eyes desperately tried to hold firm to the money.
"Hey!" Adria snarled "What do you think you're doing!?"
The male Lizardman who was trying to force Ruth quickly looked at Adria and in a swift move took Ruth's arm, and rolled her in front of him. He reached for a knife and placed it at Ruth's neck.
"Not a step further dragon!" He demanded.
"Stop! Don't do this." Adria stopped, wearily watching him.
"Stand aside slowly."
Adria swallowed a lump, her legs began to tremble, Fiel on her back watched carefully, he gripped her harness eagerly, but his leg startled again.
"If you do anything I'll slit her throat I swear!" the lizardman started walking slowly around Adria. Ruth whimpered quietly.
Adria did not give her back to him, instead followed his every movement with her eyes, slowly turning as he went past her. Suddenly he dropped Ruth, taking the money bag and sprinting away.
Ruth laid on the ground on her knees, sobbing quietly.
Adria approached slowly, and nuzzled her carefully.
"It's alright, at least you're alive" Adria said softly.
Ruth sniffled and looked up at Adria who smiled. She gripped her belly, and a loud growl was heard, making Adria chuckle.
"Get her a piece of meat Fiel" Adria said.
"We don't have enough for two." Fiel pouted.
"It wasn't a question it was a command." Adria snorted glaring at him.
"Fine" He took a large piece of dried meat and threw it at Ruth, who with inhuman reflexes grabbed it, and began to hungrily tear at it.

The fire burned warmly. Adria yawned and stretched herself where she laid. Fiel was picking at his leg, scratching what part of his wound he could.
"I'm sorry for intruding... I have been trying to hold back my curiosity and I simply must ask... Y-your wing." Ruth pointed at Adria's back, causing her to twitch slightly.
"Ah... Well I was born without it" She shrugged
"Oh... What a terrible fate"
"Well I have other things I'm good at" Adria added "We are heading to the magic tower in the elven lands, that's where I'll be doing something I can."
"That's quite a trip" Ruth said brightly. "Well I... hope you have good luck on our adventure" Ruth got up and sheepishly walked towards the city again.
"Wait" Adria said. "You don't have to go... How about coming with us?"
"Come with you?" Ruth's eyes glimmered for a moment. "But... will I not be a burden?"
"She will definitely be a burden" Fiel said frowning.
Adria glared at Fiel and snorted, but switched back to Ruth, blinking calmly. "You don't seem to have too much to live by here, so why not come with us?"
"We don't have enough food" Fiel barked lowly.
"I can hunt for us if needed" Adria retorted.
"I would be honored" Ruth smiled. "You are the only being to show me kindness in a long time; I do not think it wise to let this opportunity pass."
"Perfect then welcome to the group" Adria smiled.
"Thank you" Ruth nodded happily.
Fiel sighed and laid down, closing his eyes and murmuring something in his own tongue.

The next day greeted them with a clear weather and weak winds; it seemed favorable for travelling. The road continued to follow through now less dense woods. Fiel rode upon Adria's back, sometimes whistling a merry tune, at other times casting an unfriendly glance at Ruth who seemed to skip alongside Adria happily. Through the many hours of walking talking was kept to a minimum, only for simple remarks about certain spots or things in the wild.
The woods parted slowly into a light hilly area. Trees appeared here and there, and the grass was only lightly tall reaching as high as Ruth's knee, rock formations rose at the sides of certain hills. As they walked they spotted what seemed to be the cave of a dragon family. A large rock formation towering above a small hill, and trees surrounding the area around the cave; but the dragons were nowhere to be seen.
They finally reached a large lake. Its water was crystal clear with the rocky bottom showing in shimmering patterns. The lake was not as wide as it was long, the other end of the lake disappeared in the horizon.
To their delight they noticed the lake was empty; no other caravans or creatures camped nearby, and the willows seemed to grow peacefully around the lake's shore giving a reassuring shelter.
"We set up camp here" Adria said lowering herself and helping Fiel climb down. "Ruth could you fetch some firewood? I need to go find some food for myself and I should be back briefly.
"Of course" Ruth nodded.
"Good" Adria glared at Fiel "And you... try to be useful or something, clean the bags, or try to organize things."
"Why not" He rolled his eyes, and took the bag she laid down. Adria disappeared behind the few trees her green color blending neatly with the grass. Ruth followed but took off to a different direction, sniffing the air with her tongue.

Ruth arrived humming a happy tune, to find Fiel lying upon the bags looking to the sky. She approached sheepishly, and laid the firewood on a neat pile preparing the fireplace.
"You know. I am very sorry that you have had bad memories with the ones of my race. I know how terrible some lizardmen can be."
Fiel grunted ignoring her.
"If it's any consolation I have not been well treated by my own kind either, it is a difficult life in the desert, and I do not wish it upon anybody."
Fiel sighed. "I don't need your sympathy... I've survived this long without any; I don't need any right now."
"Can we be friends then?" She asked brightly
"No" He closed his eyes resting back peacefully.
"Oh..." Ruth retreated sadly.
"I'm back" Adria said licking her lips and still chewing on a bone that hung off from the side of her gore plastered mouth, her claws also red with blood.
"Welcome back Adria" Ruth smiled. "Did you find anything filling?"
"A young deer, but nothing more, I think I scared half the woods away." Adria shrugged. She approached the firewood and with a single puff ignited the dry fireplace. She raised her head and sniffed the air curiously, raising an eyebrow and following the smell. It trailed to where Ruth stood, with one quick sniff she retreated again covering her nose which was covered in half dry blood from her hands.
"I don't mean to sound rude but... when was the last time you washed?" Adria asked.
"Oh... forgive my rudeness; I forgot that personal hygiene is important. I will do so right away" She said beginning to remove her shirt.
"You could wait until you get to the lake before undre..."
But it was too late; the shirt was off and revealed a thin scaly chest. What surprised Adria the most was that in place of the curvy form of the female bosom, her chest was almost identical to the male of her species.
"Wait... Are you male?" Adria asked confused.
"Don't be silly" Ruth smiled "I assume you mean the lack of mammaries? Those only come in mammals you see." She said intelligently.
"Oh of course" Adria rolled her eyes "I'm not very familiar with your race, I was already assuming any bipeds I see are mammals."
"Shows how much you've learned" Fiel chuckled.
"Yes our race does not need milk, we are born with teeth you see, and we feed on small insects when in hatchling age, but eventually we can eat fruits, vegetables, and any type of meat too" Ruth said interrupting the glare Adria gave Fiel
"Now if you'll excuse me I will go and tend to my bath." Ruth said walking towards the lake.
Adria laid next to the fire, sighing as she did so.
"You shouldn't have brought her with us" Fiel commented still watching the starry sky.
"Why, Because you can't stand lizardmen? Your enmity towards her has no justification, she is entirely innocent"
"They are deceitful; I can see it in her eyes." Fiel frowned.
"What makes you think that?"
"It takes one to know one."