13. The Dragon and I

Even as I tried to dismiss it as a mere escape from reality, the dragon continued its rhythmic, two-legged trot, pulling us further and further away from Father and my brother.

"Hannah..."

"Yes, Lilia?"

"Why... why is dwagon fowowing dwagon?"

"Oh, well, that's because..."

Once Hannah had calmed down, I decided to ask her a few questions. Strangely enough, the dragon we were riding didn't have any ropes or anything attached to it, yet it was following the one in front perfectly. You might think there's something more important to worry about, but a toddler should be allowed to ask about whatever catches their interest.

"I hear that Raag Dragons live in herds. If there are two or more, one becomes the leader, and the others follow that leader faithfully."

"Whoa..."

So they have instincts like that. In that case, trying to make a dragon go wild or trying to distract one to change its course wouldn't work. Not that a young girl or a toddler could pull off such a feat anyway.

"Go... faw, dwagon... uwe it?"

"Far away? No, we use dragons, but usually we use four-legged ones that travel more leisurely—they're called Dub-dragons—and we use dragon carriages. Raag Dragons are the fastest, used for enjoying the speed or for urgent business."

Hannah answered me dutifully, as she always did. If they are the fastest, that means the people from the manor won't catch up to us unless they chase us immediately. This is bad. When we stop along the way, I'll have to try and buy some time—maybe by pretending I need to go to the bathroom for a long time, or by throwing a tantrum.

Though, if I tried that, they'd just take my food away and rush me, so it wouldn't have done any good.

I quickly realized why they had stopped just before the town. It was to switch dragons quickly. Seeing a town outside the manor for the first time was incredibly stimulating. It was early morning, but vendors who looked like local farmers were selling spring vegetables and winter fruits all along the road.

"Fresh fruit from the Frontier!"

The voice was so sudden I couldn't help but look toward it.

"It takes ten days just to get to the Frontier, so there's no way it's fresh!"

"You ain't lyin'!"

Laughter broke out at the exchange. Stalls were already set up for people heading to work early in the morning. It smelled delicious. I found myself blurting out...

"I want dat!"

"Lady Lilia, you mustn't! Food from street stalls is unhygienic."

Hygiene aside, the man wasn't going to buy me anything like that anyway. Eating in town would make us stand out, and it would take too much time. Because we were in a hurry to switch dragons, the man kept pushing the pace. I was getting tired from being bounced around in his arms, and Hannah looked exhausted too, having never traveled like this before.

That day, after having another bland lunch of bread and water, our attempt to delay the trip was thwarted, and we were immediately put back on a dragon. As I dozed off in the afternoon sun, Hannah began to mumble to herself in a daze.

"I wonder if Matthew got his medicine... Why did they bring me along? Why did I have to... but Matthew's medicine... and if I defy Remington, Mom's job..."

Even while dozing, I was listening intently to Hannah's words. Matthew. Mom. Hannah never talked about her family in front of me before. But she was used to taking care of children, she understood what I wanted to say, and she always treated me with such sincerity.

"Matthew... Mama..."

I leaned softly against Hannah while she held me. Without even realizing it, she hugged me closer and rocked me back and forth. She should just sleep for a bit. We've been being bounced around on this dragon for over half a day now. When I finally woke up from my nap, the dragon was still thumping along. Hannah seemed to be asleep.

I thought back to what I'd heard before I fell asleep. It seems Hannah is being threatened. Is it for her mother's job, or maybe for the money for Matthew's medicine? And as for Remington... is that a family name?

I found out recently that my family name is Allvance. Lilia Allvance. My brother is Luke Allvance. My father is Dean Allvance. They say we are a lineage with the magic required to support the barriers.

I don't have enough information. I have to do whatever I can, but there's nothing this tiny body can do. Before long, dusk fell, and the Raag Dragon came to a halt along the roadside, where a town could be seen in the distance.

"Eat your food and take a nap here. We'll switch dragons again at the next town."

We've been being shaken around constantly, but the man has also been riding this Raag Dragon for almost an entire day. He's looking pretty exhausted. Hannah and I ate our food without a fuss, but when we tried to go to the bathroom, the dragon somehow got in our way again.

"I gotta go potty!"

I don't have the luxury of feeling embarrassed right now. I tried to plead with the dragon, but it just kept getting in my way.

"Looks like it's claimed you as part of the herd. I've heard that happens sometimes. It's probably trying to tell you not to wander off because it's dangerous."

The man let out a chuckle. This is no joke. What am I supposed to do if I have an accident?

"I'll step away for a bit, so you'd better get it over with while I'm gone."

It's a desperate situation, but it's our only choice. Having the rare experience of relieving myself while being watched by a dragon has left me in a bit of a bad mood. Even though Hannah was allowed to go a proper distance away. However, the man pulled a blanket from his luggage regardless, so we felt grateful to finally lie down and drifted off into a light sleep.

"Time to wake up."

The man woke Hannah and me, and of course, our bodies felt heavy. Still, it was better than sleeping in the basket.

"The little one's still got energy, huh? Good."

With that, we were shoved back into the basket and headed for the next town.

The second town was larger and much more bustling than the first. I thought we had slept for quite a while, but it didn't seem to be midnight yet. The man headed toward somewhere that looked like a tavern and knocked on the back door four times.

"You're finally here. You're late."

"They're girls, you know. Give 'em a little rest."

"Tch, fine. But the Kingdom's guard should be starting to move about now. We won't have time to rest after this."

The men occasionally glanced our way while they talked. The man who had been transporting us looked back at us and said,

"That's as far as I go. From here on, follow this guy."

He said.

"Nyo."

I let go of Hannah's hand. We've been trapped on this swaying dragon for a full day now. I can't take it anymore. I can't even go to the bathroom whenever I want.

I spun around and started waddling away as fast as I could. For now, I'll head toward the crowds. If I just say I'm lost, I might be able to make something of it.

However, I was caught almost immediately. It seems I wasn't actually walking as steadily as I thought.

"Aren't you supposed to be a good, quiet little girl?"

"She's being plenty quiet. She didn't even cry or make a scene when we were running away."

I tried flailing my arms and legs for a bit, but it was useless. If running away won't work, then I'll have to settle for better treatment.

"Then... I want... yummy."

"What was that?"

"I want tashty things!"

I'm getting sick of nothing but bread and water.

"You've got some nerve, acting so entitled when you're literally a kidnap victim."

"Meat! Yum-yums!"

"Ha... haha..."

The man finally burst out laughing.

"Fine, fine. I'll bring you something. You two just stay put on the dragon for now."

After saying that to the man taking over his shift, he disappeared into the noisy crowd. Before long, he returned to us in the dragon's cage, carrying a drink and something wrapped in something that looked like a leaf. He also slipped something into the pocket of his poncho.

"I hope you find some happiness."

With that, he vanished back into the crowd without even looking back. What is he even talking about now? After kidnapping us? Just as I thought that, the dragon began to move.

"Hannah, open!"

Inside the wrap, it was something like an oyaki—finely minced meat seasoned with sweet and savory flavors, encased in dough and pan-fried. I shared half with Hannah as we ate. Even as we ate, the dragon kept racing. I wonder where on earth we're being taken.