Given the choice between trying to search the Syd and venturing elsewhere, elsewhere seemed the best choice. Not necessarily the easiest, but one more likely to net results. Even if it meant going back…there…
“You sure it’s okay, Holy Dragon?” Tea asked.
“Well, I figure it beats trying to fly all the way. And he’s a lot better than walking.”
He patted the large beast’s head, it giving a snort of acknowledgment.
With their plan to find Immy set, the duo were gearing up to leave when the Holy Dragon had pulled them aside, leading them down a back exit to the Dragons’ base. It had opened up to a stable of sorts, several of the horned creatures grazing behind wooden fencing. According to the holy dragon, the creatures were called twimonos. And they were just as fast as the flying train.
“Take care of pint-size, Fang,” the Holy Dragon said, stroking one of the beasts. “And stone pooch.”
It gave a noise half between a gurgle and a growl in response, its thick hide rising and falling. Were they really going to ride this thing the whole way? He’d never used a mount before, not even one drawn by a carriage. In fact, most people he’d seen on their travels either walked or used the train to get around. Then again, he did have a very small sample of two nations to draw from.
Tea flew in front of Fang, letting him sniff their hand. They ushered Giu over to do the same, hot air blowing against his fur. At the very least, the thing seemed strong enough to carry their load. And probably much more.
“Have you decided on how you’ll find her?” the Holy Dragon asked.
“It was Gi’s idea, actually,” Tea pointed out.
“I figure if Immy did make it out, she’d have left something behind for me. Hopefully, something that only I would find, but nobody else.” Giu smiled. “And thanks to a certain pixie, I remembered her mentioning a guy she wanted me to meet. They were gonna make me some armor. And a weapon.”
He took his hand away, Fang accepting his presence with another gurgled growl. Tea flew around it, attaching the harness of their cart to the twimono’s neck. They even gave it a small tug to ensure everything was secured. Fang flicked his ears, which Giu hoped was a friendly sign.
“So that’s why you chose her hometown?” the Holy Dragon asked.
“Mhmm.” Giu tested the cart a bit before daring to climb onto it. It was about as hard as the bed. “I don’t know a lot about Seladon, but if we can find the blacksmith, we might find Immy. And probably the ones who want me dead, too.”
He looked over to Tea, the pixie smiling back even if he could tell they weren’t overly enthusiastic about the plan. The Holy Dragon nodded to himself, stepping forward to extend his hand Giu’s way.
“Then I wish you luck, stone pooch,” he said. “Whatever you find, know that you’ll have a place with the Dragons.”
His teeth gleamed under his beard.
Though his familiarity was still something to get used to, Giu appreciated the sentiment. Even if he stood out like a sore thumb compared to the others, it was nice to know he was considered an honorary Dragon. He took the bear’s hand, flashing a smile of his own.
“We’ll be sure to bring Fang back in one piece,” Tea said, taking up the twimono’s reins. “Ready, Gi?”
“As I probably will be.” As he sat back, a thought came to mind. “Wait, do you know how to steer this thing?”
The pixie shrugged. “I learned the basics. Um. Click click.”
The gurgle growl turned into a gurgle roar, Fang lifting its head into the air before stomping forward, the wheels of their cart moving forward.
It wasn’t an incredibly fast pace, but the sudden change did give Giu the smallest jolt. He looked back to see the Holy Dragon waving goodbye. They both waved back, though the pixie quickly returned to guiding the reins when they heard Fang’s gurgle growl. Was he giving orders to them now? The thought made him a little less wary.
***
Ling-Li slowly drifted away, replaced with the forest surrounding the Villa and all the waterfalls around it. Even from afar, Giu could see the smoke of Tullula’s invasion. The Syd really wasn’t holding back, were they? The paladins must have had their hands full, though he doubted they’d go down anytime soon. Nor would the rabbits for that matter. Good thing they were headed in the opposite direction.
Fang’s hooves clacked against dirt and grass. Despite its size, the twimono had stamina to spare, showing no signs of needing to slow down. At their steady pace, it seemed they’d arrive in Seladon within a day or two. Which gave Giu plenty of time to confirm his suspicions.
“Hey, T,” he said. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
“You mean going by Angelita?”
He hesitated. “Yeah.”
The pixie sighed. “I don’t like it, Gi. Going back there.”
Their ears fell, gaze locked ahead as they continued to guide the twimono’s reigns.
“It- it scares me,” they said.
“T.”
They didn’t respond, still looking dead ahead. Giu scooted a bit closer, leaning back against them. He could feel the pixie relaxing slightly.
“I’ll be with you the whole time,” he said. “Wherever we go. Whatever we find. This dummy’s gonna stick by your side, T. No matter what.”
The pixie still didn’t respond, though he felt them pressing against him. That was enough.
The world rolled by, their cart dragging past the spread of oak trees to a long stretch of grassy plains, the sun shining high from above. Giu closed his eyes, taking in the warmth as he listened to the clack of Fang’s hooves. The crunch of dirt under their wheels. The wind on his ears.
Giu smiled. Though he had no idea what they’d find at Seladon, in that moment, everything felt like it’d be okay. He could only hope he was right.
