[For Sam] Healer & Dragon

[carrythetorch]

It had all gone wrong this time. In retrospect, Lio thinks maybe he'd been going too hard. He was on the brink of exhaustion, and his latest raid on livestock had been met with more resistance than it should have, almost as if someone had known he was coming.

He'd gotten away, thankfully, but not before he'd taken a number of blows -- arrows shot from crossbows with enough power that they'd pierced even through his scales. He'd ripped them out in flight and set the better part of a fallow field on fire before he'd flapped high enough to disappear into the cloud cover. That had been what saved him. It wasn't long before he couldn't keep himself aloft any longer, too much pain, too much blood lost.

Even maintaining his full draconic form is too much, and as he plunges to the Earth and tries to slow his descent with his wings, he fizzles back into his human shape, a lithe, slender man. His clothes are dark enough that the blood soaking them isn't obvious from a distance. He lands in a crumpled pile not far from a road through the woods, just off the trail in the underbrush. And that's the last thing he knows.

...

When he opens his eyes next, he's warmer than he expects to be. There's soft blankets beneath him and over him. He can smell something clean and earthy, herbal maybe, and light spills in setting the whole room in a comforting brightness and-- wait. He's in a room. The last thing he remembers is falling, and, oh.

He sits up all at once, hissing at the way his body protests the movement. Where is he? Has he been captured? Except no, if he'd been captured he'd be bound. Or dead. Maybe staked through to the ground. Not wrapped in soft blankets and tended to. "Where am I?" He asks the question mostly to himself as he blinks against his bleary vision willing it to clear, willing his eyes to focus.

Comments

[carrythetorch]

"It will be when you see my real teeth," Lio answers as he moves to stretch out on the rock on his back. And since he's not pretending, nothing is stopping him from really stretching (mindful not to strain his wounds, but they feel so much better after this last bit of healing), sighing his relief as the sun falls over him.

He cracks one eye open to peek at Galo. "I'm not strong enough to take my other forms yet. So I can't disrupt your house too much. But no. I'm used to getting by. ...I do like meat though."

Feed him more meat, Galo. He is a carnivore.

[barenakedspirit]

“So you’re a carnivore. Got it.” Galo says as he throws his arms over the top of his warm flat rock. Lio looks so ridiculous and comfortable stretched out on the other rock. There has to be an appeal to sunning like that.

He climbs back onto the rock and lays on his back, stretching out against the warm stone. The sun and the warmth feel good. It calls to the fire of his soul.

Galo rests his head against his locked together hands and it tightens the muscles in his chest, his hard biceps flexing. He sighs in pleasure. “Okay, sunning like this? This is good.”

[carrythetorch]

"More or less," Lio agrees. A carnivore by nature. But he doesn't dislike other food. Rice is tasty. Some fruits are wonderful. His people have been scraping by with whatever they can manage to get -- from raids and hunting and scavenging.

Galo moves and Lio watches, watches the healer go and mimic him with sunning himself. Well. WELL. Good. It's a great way to enjoy the sun and the warmth. And uh...

This human is far too attractive. His gaze is caught by the flex of his biceps, that perfectly sculpted chest. That's ah... distracting. Is what that is. Lio realizes he's staring, especially after hearing that little sigh leave Galo's lips, and snaps his eyes shut. ...no good the image is still there. He swallows. "It is, right? Heat above and heat below. I like being warm." He's miserable when he's cold, Galo. So there's another species thing.

[barenakedspirit]

Galo cracks open one eye and grins at him. "Good to know! I was gonna ask you how warm you want me to keep things at night." Warm it is. He tends to prefer it to be warmer than most people would like. He reaches back and grabs the bottom of the rock and stretches his body.

The pull is damn nice coupled with the heat. "And good to know you won't mind the bath either." He rolls onto his stomach and lounges like a large predatory cat. But a seriousness steals over him as he says, "In light of what you are the forest will not let people in tonight. My clearing won't be able to be found by anyone we don't want to find it."

[carrythetorch]

Lio smiles, not even realize that he's doing it. Something about that grin on Galo's face is infectious. But ah, good. Look at that. Fire mages are the best sort of company, really. The promise of a warm night works for Lio.

So does the view as Galo goes and stretches. Is it wrong of him to enjoy the view? Probably. But here he is anyway.

Lio perks up. "Bath?" Opposite of minding a bath, Galo. Total opposite of minding.

The dragon looks serious in the next moment as well. He frowns. "Safe for a night then. That's more than I've been able to say in a long time."

[barenakedspirit]

Sympathy comes and goes across Galo's face. He rolls back onto his back and hits his fist against his chest. "Yeah, no one will come for you tonight. Not if old Galo has anything to say about it."

But it leaves more they need to talk about. "I'm going after Kray when you're better. I can't leave him be with what I know." No. He can't leave that alone at all. Kray saved him but his crimes must be answered for.

He tips his head back and closes his eyes. It's going to suck. "He can't refuse an audience." Not with how he'll come to him. Kray will know that. "A traditional healer visit isn't a thing you ignore. You can't come in with me. But you can hang out around if...it maybe goes south."

He's optimistic that Kray will come quietly. The forest rustles and reaches towards Lio. It wants him to go with Galo, their stupid. Stupid healer.

[carrythetorch]

That's all he wants for his people, that feeling of safety at the end of the day. He's trying not to get his hopes up that there might be some actual hope for things changing. But Galo's determination is as infectious as the grins on his face.

Lio is quiet for a long moment. "There aren't many humans who are willing to fight this battle for us."

That's just the truth. The fact that Galo is willing to still help him at all, knowing what he is, is amazing. The fact that Galo is willing to take the matter to Kray Foresight directly, despite his history with the man is also amazing. Lio doesn't know what to make of it.

But he knows he will stand behind this man as much as Galo has done for him. Even before the encouragement of the forest. He nods, setting his hand on the stone, a brief flicker of his fire. Don't worry. This idiot healer is now under his protection. Anyone who thinks they can harm Galo Thymos will have to make it through Lio's claws and teeth.

"I will. I'll be there if anything goes wrong." And it will. Kray won't just surrender because of an appeal to his better angels.

[barenakedspirit]

If a forest could sigh with relief it seems to do just that. The branches rattle as grass and flowers settle. Leaves fall and Galo nods. “Glad to have you.”

After a moment he mulls over a further response and says, “Kray is good at selling his opinions and view point of dragons. But that isn’t all of it. There are laws that punish people for sheltering dragons. Or even aiding them in any way. He’s cut both ways.”

He makes a chopping motion with his hand and puts his hands behind his head. “It’s terrible. But he can’t punish a Healer for doing their job. He can try, sure. But, I hope he doesn’t.”

[carrythetorch]

"I've brought a lot of trouble to your doorstep," Lio acknowledges quietly. He won't apologize for it. He can't. Not if this will bring the help that his people need. And Galo has given him his word that he will help. He can't turn that away, but what he can do is defend this healer, with every last shred of flame he has.

And he will.

"Kray wants us dead or in his custody. I don't know what he's doing, what he's after. But I know it can't be good."

A pause and he frowns. "Hope is fine, but... are you prepared to fight back if he does?"

[barenakedspirit]

He lets himself consider it. Kray could throw public opinion against him by claiming he fell back into being a fire mage. He couldn’t use fire if he fought back.

It would have to be water, wind, and earth. That’s nothing new. But could he fight against Kray who had saved him.

Something tightens in his jaw. “Yeah, I can do it. He broke the laws. He has to answer for that. If he resists it just proves it.” His anger manifests in a rising heat that the plants bask in. His fire, his magic that always served as the canvas for the rest.

The elements offer their silent support as he sits up and says, “I don’t need the circle’s approval to act.” He would just have to dress right to show the public that law was broken.

Easy enough. “You’ll need to dress the part for if you need to sweep in. You remember what you need?” He turns his head to look at Lio. There’s the pain in his eyes still but his resolve is there too. He will do his job.

“Looks like this trip tomorrow will be more than just plants and supplies for a time.”

[carrythetorch]

The plants aren't the only ones who bask in it. Lio sits up a bit straighter, leaning towards Galo without even realizing that he's doing it. That fire inside this man, a fire mage of the old flame.

"Dress the part?" Lio looks confused at that. What does that mean, Galo. He'd kind of planned on shifting form and biting Kray in two if he had to. ...or you know, rescuing Galo first and figuring things out from there. That's the actual plan.

He nods though. They'll need to prepare for this. Their trip tomorrow is a good start, isn't it? "I'll still behave in town." Hood and not drawing attention to himself. Until they're ready, and then attention will be drawn in a big way.

[barenakedspirit]

Oh, Lio doesn’t remember or maybe just never knew. Or it hasn’t crossed in mind in ages because humans have been dicks to dragons for years thanks to Kray. Likely the last one. Galo gestures with his hands towards the forest. “Yeah, I know you will. Anyway, I’m talking about the traditional accessories elementals wear to show they are acting on behalf of the earth’s will.”

It would state to anyone who saw Lio what he was. An elemental. Part of the balance. “Let’s see...Fire is...red hawk feathers, sea grass, fire agate, and the token of the healer who called you. Mine is sea glass. I got bunches of the stuff. Just depends on what color you feel like everyone seeing on you.”

He makes a small thoughtful noise and says, “when you uh change. Does stuff on you expand like a necklace or so. Or are you just clothed guy. Naked dragon.”

[carrythetorch]

Ah. It has been a long time since a dragon appeared beside a mage, with the way the world has decided to turn against them due to Kray's machinations. But Lio vaguely remembers hearing something like this, in stories from long before his time. "Okay. Feathers and stones and tokens of you. I can do that."

He can't help an amused snort at the question. "If it's something like jewelry, my magic can handle accommodating my other form with it. Clothes... those aren't so easily shifted." So yeah, clothed guy, naked dragon.

Actually being outfitted and treated like the elemental spirit his people are meant to be. It makes something in him twist with an almost painful hope. "Magenta, for the sea glass. The color of dragonfire. And blue, like your eyes. Let's make it clear I stand for both of us working together."

[barenakedspirit]

It would have to be a necklace and earrings. maybe bracelets. Galo crosses his arms over his chest and nods. He could work on that while Lio was asleep. Tomorrow they'll go down and get the pieces he needs as well as supplies. "Jewelry it is! I'm better at making that stuff than anything else."

He doesn't care for shirts as it is why would he bother learning how to make his own? He knows the shape he wants for the center pieces of each piece. Proper impact must be made. It will be the first time a dragon has been treated as they are.

An elemental.

"I'll make sure it's more than clear we're a pair." He gives a thumbs up with a grin spreading across his face. "We can do this, Lio. As partners we'll put it all right."

[carrythetorch]

"Then we've got a plan." He'll be the elemental, and Galo will be his fire mage. Like the days before his time, when mages and dragons worked together, guardians and servants of the elements that fueled them both. There's a warmth that spreads through his chest, almost overwhelming at the thought of it.

Whatever it was that brought him from death's doorstep to Galo's attention has to have been some sort of fate, some working of nature that realized how badly broken the balance is. They can fix this. They can help his people.

That grin on Galo's face is infectious and Lio smiles. "We can do this," he echoes, almost in disbelief at the way it rings to true. Partners. He reaches out a hand towards Galo, a closed fist.

[barenakedspirit]

Galo knocks his closed fist against Lio’s with his grin still on his face. “Okay, we have a plan! So, I got to check the traps and some of the healing areas of the forest. You can come with or keep sunning yourself.”

His grin turns sly as he says, “You can roll in the tall grass. It’s pretty soft. I nap there sometimes.” One day he will pay for teasing Lio this much. He slips off his rock and stretches, bending down to touch his toes.

[carrythetorch]

Wow, Galo. Lio narrwos his eyes at him. How dare he really. Except the teasing is reassuring somehow. The healer isn't afraid of him, even knowing what he is, is treating him just like anyone else.

But dissing the grass rolling. Really. "And I will. Definitely going to." He sniffs, looking off, but there's the threat of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, a certain sign of his actual mood, of how touched he feels right now, how hopeful for the first time in as long as he can remember.

Galo moving draws his attention back, and Lio does a terrible job disguising the fact that he's watching very closely as the other man stretches, a little too interested in the stretch of hard muscle. The shirtless life choice works for this man.

[barenakedspirit]

His smile only grows at the almost smile on Lio's face. "Can't wait to see it." He's made an unlikely friend and partner. Galo rolls his shoulders back and extends his hand. His staff settles against his palm and he lifts it, resting it against his shoulder.

Lio is watching him like he's seen predators watch a fascinating snack. Odd but he figures it has to do adjusting to being able to just be. "We'll follow the river and cross it before the west part of the forest. Come on."

He turns and walks into the forest, the branches and grass curling around him. He belongs to the woods and the woods will do the same for him. The word partner means a lot to the wild. Lio in a way, has gained a home in his pledges made today.

[carrythetorch]

Lio takes that hand to help pull himself to his feet. The healing has made a difference, and moving is a great deal easier now. That's really a relief, and he spares a moment to stretch himself, the movements ginger and tentative at first, but it feels good to work the stiffness out of his body.

He falls into step behind Galo. He doesn't miss the way the forest reacts to Galo -- and to him, after what's come out. And he understands. Silently he promises it; he'll look out for this pure-hearted idiot. The world is a better place with this human in it, so he'll do what he can to make sure he stays in it.

"How long have you been living out here?"

[barenakedspirit]

“Seven years. I’ve been hearing it for longer than that. Mom always told me it wasn’t my role to be simple fire mage.” She had known one day her son would be something beyond a fire mage. He hadn’t understood that at the time.

Galo tosses his head back and laughs, it’s light. “I camped on the edge and waited for it to tell me when it was okay to come in. At rations for three days and only tended to what was in reach of me. It opened for me at dawn of day four. Led me to the heart of the wood and gave me my staff. I took my oaths in that grove.”

The captain had inked him there with the rest of the circle standing witness. “Never worn a shirt unless I had to since. Shouldn’t! We are only supposed to wear robes when we come to judge. We don’t cover these.” He taps his chest with a closed fist and pauses to listen.

“This way.” He says and directs the to the edge of a river that flows almost hidden between the trees crowding its banks. “I should tell you how the judging process goes. Kind of something you should know before we even get ready for it.”

In his memory there hasn’t been a healer judging someone in hundreds of years. It’s of the old world and most people don’t bend the laws so badly a healer has to come visit retribution. He will permanently stain Kray’s reputation just from visiting his door ready to judge.

But the crimes are real and he will do what must be done.

[carrythetorch]

Lio listens quietly. The old ways to the letter. It's still startling to hear that someone still walks those paths, and what are the chances that he'd land in Galo's forest of all places? It feels like the workings of destiny, and he doesn't know what to make of that.

He nods lightly, commenting as casually as possible. "Yes well, better not to hide beautiful things." Does he mean the tattoos or Galo's chest? Yes.

Still following, he's noting the way the forest reacts to Galo still. It's fascinating how completely he seems to belong here, like he's been grown from the soil like any other tree or plant. "Tell me. I do need to know."

What they're doing could change everything, or it could all go up in flames.

[barenakedspirit]

He jerks his head up to look at Lio in surprise. Beautiful? Then he snorts and says, “Yeah. Pact tattoos always look incredible.”

Galo walks up to the tree closer to the edge of the river and lays his hand against it. With a creak the old willow lifts itself up and shuffles slightly to the left. He smiles for it and pats the trunk. “Thank you, promise I’ll come by and ask you to move back when we’re done.”

He steps into the water of the river as he says, “So, judgments work in that we wear neutral colors when we come to visit the accused. It’s representation in two ways. We are the voice but we have a more nuanced view than the world does. If we view judgment can be carried out another way we can do that instead.”

It’s written on his face this judgment will go one way. His eyes are hard and his jaw is set, as he stares straight ahead. He fords the river as fish move out of his way as if he were just another plant or fish in the water. “We leave our staff behind in our domain. For the judgment the earth gives you a staff once you hear the accused’s plead. If you deem judgment the old way is to be carried out, you’re unchained.”

He makes it to the far side and turns to face him. “Healers use the elements of their soul as a canvas to wield the rest. That’s why I always use water, earth, and wind. We’ll see if I’m unchained to use water or so. Or if the world will demand I use fire. It’s all in what staff it gives me.”

[carrythetorch]

"Those too," Lio agrees sedately. Sure yes, the tattoos are great too.

He's quiet then. These woods are not his home, but there's something peaceful and welcoming about them, a promise of safety that he has so very rarely known in his life. He's quiet still as Galo begins speaking of judgments. There's only one way that judgment can be carried out. He knows that. He knows Galo knows too.

There's a moment of hesitation before he follows him into the river, splashing along after him, shivering. "Cold." He pronounces, but it's a brief complaint.

Lio hesitates before finally speaking up. "It'll be fire." There's no way it won't be, not with what Kray has done to his people, to dragons who belong to the fire and are its manifestation in this world.

[barenakedspirit]

Galo looks at him then he shuts his eyes. "Yeah. It'll be fire." He hasn't wielded fire itself since he was a small child. He doesn't know what staff will rise from the earth but it will be fire that is unchained.

He gestures for Lio to keep walking as he exits the river onto a small grassy knoll. He pauses, then nods. "We're almost there. Anyway, that's what happens. Supposedly it's special for a healer who works with an elemental. I don't know. No one has seen that happen in longer than there's been a judgment."

[carrythetorch]

"There are stories of it, passed down from our eldest, but more of it has been forgotten than is remembered, I think." Lio continues after Galo, toes curling into the grass. No elemental -- at least, no elemental of fire -- has stood side by side with a human healer in his lifetime.

"I'm a dragon, but I'm not any older than you are. Some of us are ancient, but that's rarer too these days." A lingering shadow of sorrow darkens his expression at that. So many of their old and wise are gone. So many of their children are orphans. He shuts his eyes. "I took my throne based on strength, not age."

Had he mentioned that he was the dragon lord? Maybe not, but it's fine. Galo may as well know all of who he is and what is behind him, what is at stake.