#karesh

Her hands trembled as the Elder slowly blinked at her, completely at ease despite having been attacked just moments ago.

“Isidora! Run! What are you doing?!” Seong wheezed as she grabbed at the claw hooked over her shoulder.

<We woke them up! Oh gods! We’re going to die!> Karesh was pretty much useless as he had dissolved into panic as soon as he had been pinned.

She clenched her fists. She had to get her friends to safety. She had to get a scale. She could not let this quest fail.

Dora made a decision.

She unclenched her hands and held them in front of her as she bent into a low bow.

“Hail, the Elder dragon of the Highest Point.” She kept her voice as steady and clear as possible, though there was still a shaky quality to it. “It is an honor to be in your presence. My deepest and most sincere apologies for the actions of my companions.”

Her hair created a curtain that hid the Elder dragon from her sight, but she could feel their gaze like a physical touch. She froze when she felt a rush of cold air run over spine. A grumbling huff made her heart skip a beat.

<At least one of you is polite.> The voice echoed in her skull in a way that instantly created a dull throb in the back of her head. <Why have you children interrupted my sleep?>

“We...” Dora licked her lips. “We require something from you. We are aware that it is presumptuous and insolent of us to ask anything of you, but we are desperate.”

<What is this ‘something’ of mine that you find of necessary?> Beyond the pain that the words brought Dora was almost certain that she could hear amusement.

“One of you pillar scales, your Awesomeness.” Dora’s body was beginning to hurt from staying in the bow for so long.

<For what purpose, little creature? What use would you have for a scale of mine?> The casual air around the Elder had gone stony.

“It is just one ingredient in a potion that would cure the Queen of the Veiled Forests of the curse that plagues her.” Dora heard Seong hiss at her words. She knew she would be reprimanded later for giving out such sensitive information.

<The world is full of Queens, why should I part with one of my precious scales for this one? Who is this Queen to you?> The Elder’s scoff grated against Dora’s teeth.

“...” Dora hesitated before desperation pushed her forward. “Queen Bethel of the Veiled Forests is one of the few people in my life who have never once made me feel useless and without worth. She is my Queen and I will remain loyal to her until my spirit is lost to the whims of fate once more.”

<What a lovely little creature you are. Adorable. Charming. Is that all you require of me, pet? One scale?>

“I-I would also like my companions back, if possible.” Dora clenched her eyes shut, sweat dripping from her brow. She was sure her entire form was shaking now.

<Who?>

“The, um, human and dragon you have under your talons.”

The touch of the Elder’s gaze flicked off of her, she assumed, to look down at the beings in their grasp. <Oh, yes. The troublemakers. I suppose I have no need of them. I shall grant your request.>

There was a creaking sound followed by Seong’s breathless gasping. Dora blinked when Karesh’s face moved into her field of vision. 

<Do you need help, Dora?> The dragon leaned up toward her face.

“Help me stand up.” She whispered back. Karesh immediately moved in to press against her abdomen using his head to help her rise out of the bow. Her arms lowered back to her sides as sharp relief crested through her pine and shoulders.

<Better?>

“Yes, thank you.” She stroked his feathered neck with a shaky hand.

“Isidora,” Seong murmured as she limped toward them, “you and I are going to have to talk about your reckless bravery.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Dora kept her eyes on the ground.

<Would you like to pick out a scale?> The Elder dragon twisted their neck around to show off their scales.

“Oh, um, I don’t need to, your Awesomeness. Any scale will do.”

<Alright, here.> They yanked out one on their leg and held it out to her. Dora tried to hold in a gasp at the beauty of it, ice blue with rainbows refracting throughout it. 

“Thank you.” She took hold of the scale that was larger than her torso. She braced herself for the weight of it as the Elder let go and found it lighter than she expected.

<Go on now. Go save your Queen.>

“Thank you.” She bowed once more, wincing at the agony in her spine, before following Seong to the entry point of the cave.

The group moved silently down the craggily path and out to where they had left their horses. 

Dora mounted Butterscotch with only a few held back swears and reached down to take the scale that Seong held out to her. Before she could pull away Seong snagged her sleeve.

Dora’s eyes widened. “Ye-Yes, Your Highness?”

“Thank you.” Seong looked away, red staining her face. “You were really cool back there.”

“I-I, uh, thank you!” Dora squeaked, feeling her face heat up.