In the evening, I help Kalea with healing the worst of the damage she’s done to the 3 remaining bandits. However, I don’t have enough energy to fully restore them. They may not survive another day if they don’t heal enough on their own during the night, I warn her. She just shrugs at that. If they’re that weak, it doesn’t matter anyway. Do you have any more of that poison you used left, she asks me. I don’t, but I’m pretty sure I can find something nearby if she’s not too picky about the exact effects. I’ll search for something in the morning, I promise.

When morning comes, I venture into the forest. Enjoying the solitude, surrounded by nature. I should have done this earlier, but I would not have been able to appreciate it before I had completed my pact with Carnelia. And I needed the distraction that repairing things brought me yesterday. So I drop those useless thoughts and focus on enjoying the moment instead. I’m almost disappointed when I find a toad that my intuition tells me is highly toxic, but has a slow working effect. Till I remind myself that I can just venture out again after delivering it back to the camp. I carry it back using my mage hand and do just that. Kalea is very grateful for the specimen and looks eager to continue. I tell her I’m going to explore the surroundings and return to help her patch up the bandits in the evening.

With joy, I flee from the campsite. One of the bandits’ limbs was burnt severely, and the smell was unbearable. I was quite happy that Kalea rejected my offer to heal him. Once I’m far away enough to no longer hear their screams. I enjoy simply being alive in this incredible world once more. Following my intuition towards interesting things and beautiful places. An overconfident feline predator swiftly flees after a head whack. And I’m glad I didn’t need to kill her. The thirst for violence inside me vanished after avenging Carnelia. Now, I yearn for the forest's tranquility. Plants, simply existing and growing without pain or suffering. The ideal place to mend the void created by last week. I discover a huge, ancient tree. And make myself comfortable in between its roots. I sink deep into my healing meditation. But instead of channeling the energy to invigorate myself, I visualize it feeding and helping the tree instead. Aiding it in drawing out the nutrients from the ground and sending them up high into its canopy. By the time it gets dark, I feel reluctant to leave my peaceful spot. I don’t want to return to the camp. I don’t want to be confronted with my past actions and Kalea’s ongoing behavior. But I promised I would help her heal the bandits. So I steel myself and start traveling back.

By the time I arrive at the camp, Andy is already dead. His body is so badly charred that I only know it’s him cause I can see John and Brent still alive. Although also severely burned, I can heal both of their wounds. However, they have also been poisoned, something I can do nothing about. Their survival tonight hinges on their vitality, not something I’d wager on now.

When I wake up, I learn John didn’t make it. He suffocated from the inflammation of his throat during the night. Brent, the strongest one of them all, overcame the poison. Although I feel that he probably wishes he didn’t, as I heal any remaining damage the poison did to him during the night.

Before Kalea resumes her vengeance, I excuse myself, promising to return after sunset. Unbothered, she waves me off. I don’t even make it out of earshot before the screams start again. Once I’m far away from the camp, I gather food for the day. I’ve been living on the bandits’ rations for a while now. And feel a strong desire to cut loose from anything still related to them. To return to the way I lived just a week ago. I consider leaving everything in their camp behind but realize that if I want to travel to more settled areas as well. That I’ll need money eventually. So instead, I’ll repair it all and sell it as soon as I get back to my hometown. Since many merchants visit our town to trade with hunters that venture deep into the forest. That shouldn’t be too difficult.

Once I’ve found enough food and water for the day, I return to yesterday’s tree. It doesn’t look any different, but I feel it welcomes me back. I return its greeting before settling in between its roots and lose myself channeling energy peacefully once more. Returning to camp in the evening, I find my healing abilities unnecessary. I see no visible wounds on Brent. However, his eyes no longer show any defiance. He just stares blankly into the forest. I don’t bother asking Kalea what she did to him, although I can tell from her mood that she’s very smug about it, and probably would love to brag about it. However, I don’t give her the chance, and go to bed immediately. I feel bad for basically ignoring her, but I’m just too tired of it all and hope that she’ll wrap up soon as well.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The next morning, I have a feeling that we won’t be staying here for much longer. So instead of returning to the tree, I continue working on repairing everything I can get my hands on. Losing myself in channeling my magic to return things to their best state. Thanks to my candle wax earbuds, I notice nothing till Kalea approaches me. She finished with Brent and declares her intent to head to the nearest village. However, the way she phrases it, and how she just keeps standing there awkwardly, makes me realize something is up.

Do you know the route to the nearest village? I ask her bluntly. She bristles at that. Do you think I, a mighty dragon, cannot find something as puny as a stupid village? I look at her blankly. Sure, a dragon could easily fly high, spot it from a vast distance, and get there fast. But now you’re in a human body. It’s likely you’re seeing this forest for the first time from under the canopy. And you can’t use any of the landmarks you used to navigate with. Is there anything I’m missing?

If looks could kill, I’d have died right then and there. But Kalea calms herself, and grumbles. The limitations of this sack of meat are indeed infuriating. Fine, Kind Infernal, the venom dripping from her voice. Name your price for leading me to the nearest settlement. I think a while before giving her an answer. I don’t need another oath, but I would appreciate it if you never talked about what happened here today. If anyone asks, we just met up in the forest, and I agreed to guide you as I was going in that direction anyway.

She blinks, that’s it? I … what … she seems to struggle with herself, before taking a deep breath. Very well, I accept your terms, lead the way.

I smile at her swift shift from murderous to composed. And choose to take a small gamble. Would you be willing to enter another deal with me, I ask. Giving her my most innocent grin. Immediately, Kalea is on high alert. I can see that she wants to turn me down right away. But in the end, curiosity wins out. What deal exactly, she asks cautiously.

Since I defeated the bandits originally, all of their possessions should belong to me. I assume this is true even by dragon standards? Kalea nods, looking quite uncomfortable. That is correct, she confirms. I wonder why she looks so upset and try to assure her. Don’t worry, I won’t ask for any compensation for the food. This seems to relieve some of her worries. But I can see something else is bothering her. Are there perhaps any of your previous belongings among the items in the camp, I ask her. I’m certain my guess was accurate, judging by the way her eyes narrowed at that question.

You can take the items the bandits stole from you. I will not hold those hostage, I tell her. Her eyes widen in disbelief. You cannot be serious? She exclaims. With nothing in return? I simply nod at her. I would appreciate a thank you though. She swallows, and with visible effort, she says something in a language I do not understand, but I assume she is thanking me. So I simply reply, you’re welcome.

Now, for the deal I mentioned before. I intend to bring the bandits’ belongings to town and sell them. I can handle it alone, but using a sled would slow us down. So I would like to have your help with carrying them. In return, I offer you half of whatever the merchants give us for it.

Kalea looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. You want to use me as a beast of burden? No, I counter, I offer you a chance to reach civilization faster and earn money at the same time. Money, although not power itself, can lead to various opportunities. Kalea considers my words for a long time, before finally nodding in agreement. I need time to regain my powers, so I’ll live as humans do for now. No matter how distasteful it is.

I nod at that. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Might I suggest you change the way you introduce yourself as well? Most humans won’t be like me. If they discover who you are, they’ll probably do everything they can to kill you. In the same spirit, I would also appreciate it if you don’t call me an infernal in their presence.

There is merit in those words, Kalea, nods. Very well, I will hold your secret if you hold mine. From now on, you shall address me as Kathy Irthos Darastrix, a human of noble descent.

I’m not very good with etiquette, I reply with a smile as I simply hold out my hand, but it’s nice to meet you, Kathy. She frowns at that, but shakes my hand anyway. A pleasure, Zafira.