“Who are you, really?” Dreiki had asked, skeptical. Savekio was supposed to live in Punuuk, not in the woods.
The old xio grunted out a laugh, “Not too trusting, huh? That’s good. Zesa probably told you to be wary of kidnappers.” His green-gray eyes scanned the forest for a moment before narrowing, “But you’re wary of more than just kidnappers aren’t you?” he muttered.
Dreiki was already thinking of ways to escape if he needed to.
Savekio could see how nervous he looked, “Don’t worry, I won’t be turning you over to those blasted nobles. More importantly…” He took a glance over to Ezo, who now laid on its side gasping through heaving labored breaths.
“Why’d you steal from me?” he continued.
In all his apprehension of Savekio, Dreiki had briefly forgotten about Ezo. He turned to the bat drake and crawled over to him.
He stretched out his hand to comfort it, “I-...” He choked a bit, “I’m sorry. I wanted to save it.”
He could see Ezo was in a lot of pain. Even though the potion might’ve delayed its death, it wouldn't be enough.
He snatched up his knapsack and dug through it for the extra herbs he’d stolen.
“That thing’ll die soon enough. You might as well end its suffering at this point.”
Dreiki didn’t listen. He tried in vain to feed the medicine to Ezo.
Savekio raised an eyebrow, “Why’re you trying so hard for it? You’ll need those for yourself with how banged up you are-”
“I don’t care! I just-” He dug his face into its blood-matted fur, “I don’t know why, I just… I wanted to believe…”
“Believe what?”
“That I could help it!”
“Why?”
“Because-” Ezo licked the back of his hand. Dreiki gave it a somber look, petting it and trying to console the poor creature, “What if that was me? I saw it happening, so I couldn’t just let them-” He choked up again, tears soaking into its fur, “I feel like I’m gonna die like this someday too if I do nothing to help. If I didn’t help it then that means someone’s just going to stand by and watch me die too.”
Savekio was silent for a moment. He muttered something incoherent under his breath before he spoke again, “Your tears won’t save it, so move over and let me check up to see if it’s too far gone or not.”
The xio knelt down, laying a hand on its body. Dreiki noticed the drake’s breathing slow down. It was so subtle, and yet almost unnatural with how quickly it happened.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Did Ezo die?
Before Dreiki could choke up again, Savekio spoke up, “It’ll live, but we’ve got to hurry.” He hefted it under his arm, “Come, little Iriik. I’ve something that can treat it back home. It’ll die out here if we don’t hurry.” He looked at Dreiki’s leg, “Oh, you can’t walk huh? Up we go!” He picked Dreiki up as if he weighed nothing at all, “Hold tight!”
The old xio moved with such blinding speed Dreiki wondered how he’d ever managed to escape him.
In less than half a minute, the aging xio had swiftly crossed the distance back to his cabin. Big leaping steps carried him along as he dodged trees, brush, and branches with ease.
The strangest part of it was how silent he was, and how comfortable the ride was. Despite moving so fast, Dreiki didn’t feel any wind hitting his face, and the old xio ran smoother than a flowing river.
When he stopped his stride, the wind finally caught up with him and blew a balmy gust through the fallen leaves. The old xio kicked his door open.
He set Dreiki onto his bed, “I’ll get you something in a second, just don’t bleed on my pillow.” he said, clearing a space for the drake. Dreiki held his broken nose, dripping blood in his palm and watching the xio work.
Savekio pulled out small vials and potions which Dreiki simply didn’t have the knowledge to recognize.
Savekio was fast and steady of hand. Sheering its long blood-matted mane so that he could properly operate on its wounds. He soaked twine in medicine and used it as stitching to mend its broken belly and clipped wing membrane. He fed it potions with such tender care so as to make sure it didn’t choke. It took the better part of 30 minutes, during which he’d passed Dreiki a few items to patch himself up.
When the herbalist finally set down his tools, he gave Dreiki a nod.
“It’ll live. Bat drakes are hardy creatures, so it’ll just need some rest and food for the next week, but it should be fully recovered by then.”
Dreiki felt his tears hit him in a wave of relief. He didn’t know what else to do but hug the old xio, “Thank you! I’m sorry! I promise to pay you back! I will! I will!”
Savekio seemed taken aback, tense even, before relaxing and patting Dreiki’s head in a consolitory manner, “You don’t have much to pay me back with, and in fact I don’t want you to repay me.”
“But-”
“I’m not done.”
Dreiki fell silent, stepping back.
“Zesa sent you here I’m guessing?”
Dreiki nodded.
Savekio crossed his arms, “She probably wanted me to keep you safe until she could visit you on leave. I suppose I do owe her a few favors, but nothing so charitable as to house you for a year or more. So I have a proposition for you.”
Dreiki perked up, “What is it?”
“I’m getting old, and I’m going to need someone to help me pass on as smoothly as possible. So I want you to become my apprentice and caretaker for however long I have left.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done. Really, I am grateful, but I don’t want to be an herbalist-”
“I aint an herbalist, kid.” Savekio said, a sly smirk on his lips.
Dreiki glanced around at the herb filled cabin, “Are you sure?”
He chuckled, “I suppose it’s a fair observation to make, but it's just the same. Your mother didn’t talk much about me did she?”
Dreiki shook his head, “Just that you lived in Punuuk and you could help. But sir, if you’re not an herbalist, then who are you to my mother?”
“My name is Savekio Riinukura, former battle master of the Venator Knight Battalion.” He bowed his head, “I will provide you with everything you need while you train under me, so please allow me to make you my final disciple, young Iriik.”