After that, he felt a whack on his head before he blacked out. When he opened his eyes again, the area around him was dark.
His arms and legs were free, but there was something around his neck. It was large and heavy and had a chain attached to it. The rattling chain must have disturbed someone, as he then heard a voice.
“Who’s there?” (Dramix)
After a moment, he recognized it.
“It is I, Naleeit.” (Naleeit)
Suddenly, the chain became tight and he was pulled on, but he held it tightly.
“Are you moving Naleeit?” (Dramix)
“I’m trying to move toward your voice, but this chain stops me.” (Naleeit)
Dramix had an idea.
“Give the chain some slack.” (Dramix)
A moment later, the pull on him eases up.
“Tell me if it tightens on its own.” (Dramix)
Dramix grabbed and pull the chain tight.
“It did! What does it mean?” (Naleeit)
Dramix formed a conclusion after that.
“I’m on one side of the chain, and you’re on the other. It’s set up so that if one of us comes closer to the other, then we will remain at the same distance no matter what.” (Dramix)
Naleeit jerked on the chain and it went flying from Dramix’s grip. He knew that it would be much easier if they could see. He tore his drawers for a piece of fabric and took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.
“What are you doing?” (Naleeit)
He continued with his task before making a small hole in his lips to blow through, then a small flame came from within him. He lit the cloth and quickly found it burning fast, but with the light, he found a pile of remains and took off the tattered clothing from it, and a femur to make a makeshift torch.
“How far are you from the fire?” (Dramix)
Naleeit gave an immediate answer.
“If I had to guess, if you reached your wings over to me, I could maybe touch my tip to yours.” (Naleeit)
Dramix did some thinking and came up with something after she said that.
“Back up the chain as I come over to you. I will make another torch before leaving this one for you.” (Dramix)
He heard the chain land behind him, then he started going toward her voice.
“A little more to your left.” (Naleeit)
After the correction, he found more remains and made two more torches and lit one with the dying first one before backing away quickly. She then came over to the torch and grabbed it.
“This isn’t a viable long term solution.” (Naleeit)
Dramix smirked when she said that.
“It’s worth it to see you again. Look around you when you walk and gather anything burnable.” (Dramix)
Naleeit started searching, and several more torches were made before hers died. He lit a new one that he made while he waited and gathered what he could as well.
“What’s around here won’t last for two hours.” (Naleeit)
Dramix nodded toward her.
“How are you able to produce fire?” (Naleeit)
Dramix smirked happily.
“A fortunate development. It’s something that I’ve been training for some time now. Perhaps, it’s the last gift my spirit gave me before he was taken. Let us not discuss this and do other matters. Are you injured?” (Dramix)
Naleeit checked herself for injuries when he said that.
“I don’t feel any injuries.” (Naleeit)
Dramix became relieved when she said that.
“And you?” (Naleeit)
Dramix sighed.
The spot where the arrow entered was bleeding some, but he could patch that with more of his drawers.
“I will live. Let’s save the torches for more pressing concerns. We can hear without seeing one another.” (Dramix)
Dramix closed his eyes while leaning against a pillar, as Naleeit searched the area where she could roam for anything of use. Other than bones and rags of old clothing, nothing was found. Suddenly, the chain on him went limp.
“Naleeit?” (Dramix)
Her torch went out as a door opened. Dramix remained still to the new light.
“Here’s your meal.” (Guard)
The guard threw a loaf of bread into the middle of them and a pouch, then the door closed.
“You find the food.” (Naleeit)
Dramix grabbed a torch beside the pillar and lit it before finding the loaf. The jug came a few moments later. He drank heavily from it before ripping the loaf in half and setting the torch beside them and backing away.
He then saw Naleeit grab the remaining food and water and go back to her pillar before sitting down and extinguishing the torch. She ate it slowly, as he ate his. He had no idea how long the two of them could endure, but they must try. He paused his eating when he had only a bite left.
“Naleeit, you will be getting bigger portions than me from now on.” (Dramix)
She raised to her feet when he said that.
“No, I will not allow it.” (Naleeit)
Dramix let her rant as he listened.
When she finished, he spoke about his reasons.
“Let’s be realistic Naleeit. Who has a better chance of survival? You or me?” (Dramix)
She paused at that.
“My arms aren’t getting better. I will only hinder you from this point on.” (Dramix)
Naleeit fell to her knees, knowing what he is saying.
“I’ve sworn my love for you though. I will not let you die.” (Naleeit)
Dramix then closed his eyes.
“Naleeit, do you think this is easy for me to say when I have done the same to you? I know better than you what challenges you’re going to face for what I will ask of you next.” (Dramix)
She remained quiet to listen.
“If I should perish and you survive, I ask of you to go to my father. Tell him how his son lived.” (Dramix)
Dramix paused while hesitant.
“Tell him he died a true son of a dragon. Even more difficult, I’m going to have to ask you to not let his line die with me.” (Dramix)
Naleeit rose up again when he said that.
“What are you asking me to do Dramix?” (Naleeit)
Dramix looked away in the darkness while ashamed.
“If you would allow it. Have him sire another child…. with you.” (Dramix)
Naleeit didn’t know what to say.
“I know that this is a hard request.” (Dramix)
Naleeit’s chains laid back down again before she spoke.
“I will do it because you asked me too. However, should I fall, I will ask you of an equal challenge. Use my death as a call to war for the others of our kind.” (Naleeit)
Dramix smiled, looking back into the darkness she was located around.
Dramix knew the odds that even one of them getting out were low, him lower than hers.
Still, hope remained.
He had to keep it kindled with what little he could give it.
