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Dragos was a small village, with a series of houses nestled against the mountains. Nathan's house was one of the larger ones and had both its back to the mountain, and the eastern side of the house. A running creek ran along the eastern side of the house as well. Quite a few trees lined the creek and led into a small wooded area. It was actually quite lovely.
I did enjoy the wonders of Dragos. From the small dragons with the butterfly wings, to the larger bird-sized ones. In addition to these various flying lizards, there were also birds. There were also larger reptilian creatures that I figured were flightless dragons.
"I grew up here," Nathan said as we walked through the village one afternoon. Nathan had healed my leg, and while it could hold weight now, I would limp for some time.
I noticed that the people tended to bow to Nathan when they saw him, and back away. A few addressed him as Lord Mort. I quickly realized in this land he was titled. Throckmorten was merely a name he had taken for his stay in England.
The people also respectfully kept their distance from me. I wished they wouldn't have, as I still strongly desired an ally, and a way to get word to Tristan that I was alive. Some of the people had fangs. I noticed what I thought was a butterfly, but it was a tiny lizard with butterfly wings flitting on the flowers.
"There are a mix of huli jing, huxian, gumiho and goblin living in this village," Nathan explained. "Most of the goblins here are refugees from the Goblin Wars. Much like the Napoleonic wars your own country had with its neighbor France."
"How long will we be here?" I asked.
"Forever if you wish it," Nathan answered.
I wondered if he knew I would never wish it. Yet, I also knew that I needed to find a reason to live, and to let myself find some contentment.
To this end, and because I had asked, Nathan had a small wooden bridge built over the creek so that I could go sit in the woods to be alone from time to time. It was in those little copses of woods that I met Runt.
Runt was a small tree-like creature, complete with leaves and bark. Nathan had given me a journal and a brush and some colored inks, so I would often go into the woods and paint what I saw. I had been working on capturing this purple flower, which made me think of a star.
"Runt likes," I heard a little gravelly voice say to my side. I startled at first, but then I noticed the little sapling. He was watching me with large dark eyes.
"Runt likes starflower," he said pointing to my colored sketch.
"Oh, why thank you," I replied. "Is that what this flower is called?"
Runt nodded. "Runt sees you before." The little creature blinked up at me.
"You have?"
"Most days Runt sees you here. You not like others."
"Are you a tree?" I asked.
Runt laughed, and as he laughed in mirth, I noticed the tree branches swayed in unison.
"Runt not a tree! Runt is ... Runt!"
"Well, Runt, my name is Elizabeth." I smiled. "I'm pleased to meet you."
The next day I brought along some nuts and berries, which I offered Runt. As Runt ate, I painted him. When Runt was done with the food, he came over and looked.
"Do you like?" I smiled.
"You made Runt.” Runt grinned and I noticed that Runt had sharp teeth. "Runt likes. Runt likes Elizabeth."
"And I like you, Runt.”
I had my first friend.
***
We were walking back to the house after a trip to the market when there was a scuffle and yelling. A young boy, who couldn't have been more than fifteen crashed into me, causing me to fall.
"How dare you strike Lady Elizabeth!" a soldier that had been following us yelled out, striking the boy with his hand.
The boy looked frightened, and immediately knelt, head pressed to the road.
"Please forgive me," he begged.
I noticed a girl who looked to be about twelve watching with terror on her face.
"Ani!" She was sobbing.
I noticed the gray tone to their skin, and noticed the pointy incisors, and recognized they were goblins.
"I'm all right," I assured everyone as I stood up and wiped the dust off my hands on my skirt. I squatted down to the young boy and asked, “Are you all right?”
Nathan kicked him square across the jaw.
"Stop!" I turned to face Nathan as I put my arms out as a shield. And braced myself. The girl came running and threw her arms over her brother.
"Elizabeth, move away from him," Nathan ordered.
"I'm not moving. I fail to see how bumping into me deserved that." I was being defiant, and knew it was dangerous, but I didn't care.
A crowd was growing and watching.
"That lad struck a noblewoman, and as such is to be beaten." The soldier, who I was coming to recognize as one of Nathan's personal bodyguards answered.
"I won't stand for that. I am fine. It was an accident. Don't you people know what an accident is?"
"Elizabeth, you don't know our customs," Nathan said.
"You can't! It's cruel."
"Take her home," Nathan ordered, as another guard grabbed me.
I didn’t make it easy. I yelled and kicked as I was hauled off.