Slave to the Moon [Goblin]

[Juno]

'Maybe I don't like gnats,' he taunted, though for the sake of their truce he was willing to let the matter go. He wasn't sure what the demon could possibly want with a mostly-dead human unless he planned to give her bones to his wolves as playthings. Then again, that wasn't such a bad idea.

'You think I'm going to mess with your little home,' he laughed, amused that the demon was so uncomfortable with him even being near the den, but he'd had his meal and had his fun tearing a path through his forests so he had no reason not to respect Rylan's wishes any longer. 'Until next time.'

With a great whoosh of air the dragon was airborne again with just a few flaps. A final cry of farewell trumpeted over the trees before he rose up high above them to disappear to the stars in the distance.

[GoblinFae]

Rylan looked down at the human in disgust, although it was not due to her unfortunate birthright as a lesser species as the dragon might have but in displeasure at the misfortunes she had suffered at the dragon's claws. He kept silent in response to the dragon's taunting though, unwilling to admit his concerns over his den when there were pups expected on the way. The last thing he needed to deal with was an overly curious and destructive dragon wreaking havoc when he already had an overly-anxious alpha pair snapping at him and each other with every passing second.

The demon did acknowledge the dragon's departure though with a raised hand in farewell and a quiet blessing for clear skies. Only once the massive beast was truly gone did he sigh in relief and shake his head at the mess of things he would now have to deal with. He once more stared down at the woman, understanding that she was his first and foremost priority while still having no idea how to go about things concerning her.

The last time she had been in such a situation she had not been nearly as battered and had been conscious. He could tell from her seemingly pained breathing she was still alive but in her current state he would be unable to reach her either until she awoke or climbed in and got her himself. Rylan was not thrilled about the latter, though he feared waiting longer would cause her further injury.

With a grunt and a roll of his eyes, the demon gave in and jumped softly down into the basin of the pit. For several moments he observed her, warily as if expecting her to suddenly spring at him like any other caged and injured animal. Yet, when she made no move he settled into trying to determine the extent of her injuries so that he could best relocate her without causing further harm. Eventually though he did manage to lift her, clutching her close to his chest with one arm supporting her under her knees and the other about her shoulders. From there he easily leaped from the pit and up onto the solid ground again to take her back to the den for more thorough and proper care.

[Juno]

The voices above and in her head were so muffled, her head so cloudy even against the dragon's booming speech. It was an almost out of body experience to just lie there and feel pain and yet not be able to muster the strength to open her eyes or do anything else besides just breathe.

Barely conscious, she whimpered and whined for the gentle movements that lifted her. She didn't have the energy to thank her savior or even open her eyes to see who it was. But it felt familiar and somehow even smelled familiar among the forest.

Pain. Fire. It was everywhere and spreading quickly.

She wanted to curl up in a ball but everything hurt, everything burned. The flimsy bandaging from before barely clung to her arm, but being held against his chest helped it stay mostly together. It felt a bit numb, though, and the fog of her mind barely recognized her dislocated shoulder and the lashing cuts all over her arms and legs from being dragged through the trees. It was all just pulsing pain that seemed to grow more intense with every moment she became more awake and more aware.

More than that was the intense, stabbing heat radiating through her left forearm and right leg that she didn't quite realize yet was from broken bones. Curling her arm protectively against her stomach Lyra whimpered and cried for every jostle of her leg through their journey. By the end of it she was panting for breath and the sting of sweat upon her wounds made it all that much worse. It was all she could do to just grit her teeth against the wailing that threatened to spill from her lips, her instinct telling her that crying out would draw the dragon back to her to finish the job.

[GoblinFae]

He was far from oblivious to her close presence within the cage of his arms. Her every pained whimper reached his sensitive ears make his teeth grind against each other harshly with displeasure. Unconsciously Rylan held the little human closer as if to protect her from more harm. She reeked of dirt, blood, and dragon, a scent that only became more cloying once they entered his den and they were confined by the cool stone walls. He did his best to ignore it though as he lowered her onto the pile of soft furs.

Her injuries were his first priority. The rest could wait until the dragon's damage had been treated. The demon ran his hands carefully yet firmly along her body, taking care as he encountered each broken bone or gash and the resulting sounds that came from her pain.

Near her head Wesser whimpered and groveled, worried about his human friend that seemed so miserable. He licked at her cheek and forehead several times despite Rylan's attempts to send him away the wolf always returned, determined to watch over the human until she was better.

Meanwhile Rylan did his best to re-bandage her old injury as well as treat her newer wounds. Gashes were cleaned out with cold water from the lake before being bandaged firmly closed. A cold compress was placed upon her brow in hopes of staving off the fever Rylan already suspected was setting in. It was the broken bones of her arm and leg though that concerned him the most. He knew they needed setting and bandaging, the sooner the better too. But, he feared more her lashing out in pain the moment he tried.

Stiffly and resolutely though he rose to find wood to make a proper splint first. He ensured she was covered and kept warm with Wesser at her head as a guardian and protector before he finally left her side to seek what she would need in order to heal and survive the night.

[Juno]

Somewhat soothed by the cool cloth against her skin and the unknown but familiar presence of Wesser, Lyra quieted a little, the crease of stress and pain upon her brow somewhat relaxing. The bandaging was easy to sit for, but as her more minor injuries were cleaned and their burning soothed the more major ones of broken bones seemed all the worse to make up for them.

Lyra grit her teeth against the pain, biting back the cries of pain she desperately to make for every little jostle or movement. With silent tears wetting her eyelashes she turned her head towards Wesser, seeking comfort in the absence of Rylan's presence as the patching of her injuries halted.

Everything felt so cloudy yet so sharp all at once, the distinct pain burning through her aches and bruises. There was still too much for her to open her eyes. Every little movement ripped a miserable, whimpering groan from her throat and she couldn't bear the thought of looking at what the source was just yet. Even so, it wasn't all choice. Everything felt so heavy, the smallest of adjustments feeling like a monumental effort.

Without the energy for much else the young woman quickly fell into a state of quiet murmurings instead, trembling slightly despite the covers over her as sleep started to claim her.

[GoblinFae]

It took Rylan longer than he wished, but nearly as long as it felt to find what he needed and return to the injured woman's side. With as much care and swiftness as he could manage, he worked at putting splints on her broken limbs with the pieces of wood he had found and the furs he had at hand.

Once it was done and he had checked her over at least thrice, the demon finally gave up on his hovering and moved to sit behind her. Wesser's whining sounded for only a few moments before Rylan finally caved and scooped up the small human closer so that her head rested in his lap and the eager wolf could snuggle up against her side.

He did not understand what compelled to hold her as she rested. He certainly did not know what force demanded that he run his fingers through her hair much as he would to the wolves when they were unhappy and seeking comfort. So there he sat, staring down at the strange little female that kept causing trouble in his forest while Wesser rested his head on her chest and occasionally licked at her chin and cheeks.

[Juno]

Just as she'd begun to drift off she felt each twinge of pain as her limbs were moved. A deep frown was set upon her face, her lips parted and wishing to speak to stay the pain but too weak to do so. She was aware enough to understand it wasn't malicious, whatever he was doing as he set her bones, but she couldn't stop the small whimpers that escaped her for the more painful movements.

Suddenly, though, it stopped. She managed to breathe a sigh of relief, relaxing as her hair was petted and Wesser's warm body pressed against her. It was enough comfort for her exhausted body to drift off to sleep again, her rest deep and thankfully free of nightmares of the dragon that had nearly killed her.

When she awoke at last everything felt stiff and sore, a few fiery tendrils of pain shooting through her whenever she dared move one of her healing limbs. With a gasp and hiss her eyes flew open. Startled to see that the man with wolves was with her she looked around the den in a moment of panic, breathing shallow. It was vaguely familiar, though, and certainly wasn't the pit she'd been dropped into before so she began to relax just as quickly.

"That wasn't a dream, was it?" she moaned, gulping past her dry throat as she lifted her good arm to cradle her throbbing head.

[GoblinFae]

As she awoke, Rylan remained still and silent. He was unwilling to startle or frighten her into causing herself further harm. Only when she spoke and moved to touch her head, did the demon finally uncurl from his position and gently bring a water-skin to her lips. Beside her Wesser whined softly and buried his nose under chin. The wolf knew better than to do more or else face another swat from Rylan who had already tried to pull the pup away twice since the human had first fallen asleep.

"Not a dream," he murmured back. "Drink and rest. You are injured."

[Juno]

Lyra gulped water greedily, her throat feeling painfully dry even once she'd had her fill. She realized after a few failed attempts at talking that it was hoarseness from her screams that wracked her throat with pain.

Her eyes observed the den blearily, noting that none of its inhabitants were in a panic. Everything was calm and quiet save for the sound of her own labored breathing and the soft whines of Wesser. She reached out with her good arm to ruffle the fur at his scruff weakly before turning tired eyes on Rylan.

"Is...that dragon gone?" She almost hated asking the question, a knot of anxiety curling in her chest already at the thought of the creature that had hurt her so badly. The last thing she wanted was to bring him back down upon the forest man and the wolves. "How did I get here? ...did you find me?"

[GoblinFae]

Rylan hummed softly, bowing his head in the affirmative. "Aye, Xibalba's gone now. He's meted out his chaos and destruction for the next few decades on my lands. He is not likely to return again any time soon. You brought the dragon to lands he knows better than to tread upon so I came to protect that which is mine."

He shrugged then as if that explained everything. "You need rest. Wesser has not left your side for even a single breath. You have found yourself quite the little protector though I don't understand why."

[Juno]

Lyra sighed softly with relief, not really knowing why the dragon should have known better or why the forest man knew his name but thankful that trying to escape to the forest had certainly saved her life. Petting along Wesser's neck she smiled tiredly and giggled softly, only to whimper and stop abruptly when the movement aggravated the bruising along her ribs. "He's young," she managed after a moment's silence.

"I can tell you he certainly has no fear of me. Doesn't take me seriously at all," she added, affectionately scratching behind the wolf's ears and having no idea Rylan had already seen his playful antics with her of recent past.

Sure enough just the bit of talking she'd done was quickly exhausting her, the pull of sleep making her eyelids heavy as she settled into the quiet peace between their trio. "Thank you for helping me, even if it was Wesser's idea," she mumbled sincerely, trying desperately not to chuckle at her own joke.

"I'll nap for a bit," she spoke through a soft yawn. "And then I'll be out of your hair." Lyra didn't really feel or understand the extent of her injuries yet, though, too tired and weak to really test her body at all and oblivious to the changes in the air before the coming storm.

[GoblinFae]

The demon blinked slowly at her commentary. Thinking on what she had said he found that she was not wrong and he told her as much. "Quite young," he intoned softly in his deep, growling voice. "He is a pup from a litter of another pack. He's spent much of his time with me, much to his detriment. Wesser still has much to learn."

At his name the wolf lifted his head, panting and smiling in his own fashion before returning his head to the woman's chest. Rylan watched it with a gentle fondness before his indifferent mask returned. He said nothing in response to her gratitude and instead rose to move back towards the cave entrance.

"Get sleep you can, little human. You need it to heal," he quietly ordered her as he watched the world outside become painted fresh and white with snow. Thick flurries danced from the sky and coated the earth in a soft cover. It would not be long before the ground was completely covered and frozen solid. Looking to the sky, Rylan knew this was only the warning flakes, a much bigger and stronger storm was on its way. It would likely be some time before his accidental guest would be returning home now.

[Juno]

She grunted at the gentle disturbance of her injuries from such small movements, whimpering softly before being quieted by Wesser's assuring licks to her chin. Lyra could barely make out Rylan's tall form at the entrance but was too delirious to think on what he might have been looking at. With her safety assured at least for the moment it was easier to relax and allow sleep to claim her once more with her new wolf companion at her side.

There were several days of slipping in and out of sleep ahead, the young woman only waking with blurry vision to take a sip of water before she was out once more. It was about a week after her incident with the dragon before she would awaken fully with whimpering cries for the intense burning in her limbs and ribs. She tried to sit up with the help of her good arm but it left her dizzy, her breathing shallow from her days of rest. Instead she ended up slumping forward, cradling her head in her hand as she studied her broken leg curiously with Rylan's splints of wood binding it together neatly.

She looked around with wide, questioning eyes as she tried not to panic while struggling to remember where she was and not quite realizing how much time had passed. "Wesser," she greeted softly, almost relieved to recognize the wolf that stood to cover her in kisses. She gingerly placed her good arm over his back, petting lightly at his fluffy coat as she bit back a cry of pain for moving her bad arm even only to curl it close against her body.

[GoblinFae]

As quiet as she may have attempted to be, it did not escape the demon's sensitive hearing when she at last awoke again. He had come to her each time she stirred and so half-expected her to fade again after a few moments. Rylan had been able to make a broth for her to try and keep her fed and hydrated in the few waking moments she had between the fever dreams. He grabbed the bowl on his way to her and was surprised to hear her speaking and trying to move more than usual.

"Shh, shh, you must rest," he cautioned gently. "Let me help you sit up and then you can eat something." The bowl was placed by his knee as without waiting for her answer he pulled her up as carefully as he could to rest against slightly upright against his chest. "That alright? You have been asleep for quite some time now. Your body is not used to moving. You will have to be careful from here on."

[Juno]

The all-consuming burn had faded with her long rest but an uncomfortable warmth remained through her body as it tried to heal itself from the dragon's great wounds. She settled against Rylan with a whimper of discomfort, though she was happy to rest and allow him to shoulder some of her burden. Even such little movements had taxed her greatly, but she nodded and hummed her approval.

Her memories were fuzzy and jumbled together, a mess of fear, pain, and panic. The image of the large, black dragon flooded through it all, though. He'd been in the fields, in the air, and looming above her with a voice that boomed so loudly to the point of nearly physical pain even though he'd made hardly a sound. Xibalba...she didn't remember how she knew that name but she was certain it was the correct one. She didn't understand his magic or the way his kind communicated, all Lyra really understood was that it had been a terrifying nightmare of a night to live through.

"Just hurts," she complained softly, pouting and glaring at her injured arm as if to will it to stitch itself up faster. "Feels like fire...burns." It was the only explanation she could give at the time, still being a bit disoriented. "Where am I? Are we...safe here?"