Meeting You For the First Time

   I don’t remember much when I first met Luella, but it was two weeks after my hometown was destroyed.

   I ran out of food and had collapsed on the ground near the edge of the forest near the trade routes merchants used. I didn’t think I was close enough for any passing wagons to notice me, but apparently carriages were higher and the people or person inside can see a little deeper in the forest.

   When I woke up, I turned my head and saw two male and two female humans sitting around a fire. All of them wore blue capes with hoods attached to the back. The sky was dark and my ears twitched as I listened to their conversation.

   “He’s a half-wolf, so his beast part must’ve kept him alive this long without food,” one of the females said, her chocolate hair tied up in a ponytail as she ate from a wooden bowl. “Without proper research, I can’t say if he has any infections, but I would just say he’s malnourished and dehydrated.”

   “I hope he’s alright,” the other female said quietly, mindlessly stirring her spoon in her bowl. “It would be a shame for such a beautiful creature to die.”

   My eyes widened as her wavy, golden hair caught my attention. I had never seen such beautiful hair in my life before, and the hair and fur in my hometown was quite pretty when washed and brushed daily.

   “I’m not beautiful,” I said, my voice raspy. I tried sitting up on my elbows, but started coughing. The female with golden hair rushed to my side, holding my back with one arm while putting her bowl of soup against my lips. She slowly tipped the bowl, and I gulped down the warm broth.

   “Well it seems he’s awake,” the smaller and shorter of the two males said, standing from his sitting position. “Luella, it’s time we head back. Your uncle will worry about you.”

   I felt the girl’s arm flinch against my back, her smile faltering. I heard her heartbeat increase, but it went back after she took a deep breath.

   “Edgar, my uncle will be fine,” she said sternly. She then looked down at me resting against her arm. “He will not.”

   I tried to squirm away from her, but I was still lacking any strength.

   “We’re not going to hurt you,” the other female said, crouching beside Luella. “My name is Sally. Is it all right if I take a look at you?”

   I eyed her suspiciously.

   “Sally’s a Castle Pharmacist,” Luella assured. “You can trust her.”

   Sally carefully looked at both my arms and legs, feeling the joints to make sure nothing was broken. She examined my eyes and mouth, but when she looked at my ears, I could tell she didn’t really know what to look for.

   “I’m fine,” I muttered when she was done. “I just haven’t eaten in a while.”

   “I’m surprised you could carry this sword in your condition,” the bigger male said, holding my father’s sword in his hand. “It’s a beautifully made sword.”

   “Give it back,” I growled, reaching up for the sword.

   “Harald,” Luella started, “I thought I warned you not to touch his belongings.”

   “I was just looking,” Harald pouted, handing me the sword. “I don’t know the crest of the blacksmith so I wanted to see the quality.”

   “Don’t go touching things that aren’t yours,” Sally said, standing and slapping his arm.

   I held the sword against my chest, finally able to sit upright on my own. Luella leaned back, giving me space.

   “May I ask your name?” she asked.

   I hesitated. I reminded myself that these were humans. Humans were selfish creatures that only thought about themselves. These humans, however, went out of their way to watch over me.

   “Rico,” I said quietly. “My name is Rico.”

   “How old are you?” Edgar asked curtly.

   I tensed, the gip on my sword tightening.

   “Ignore him,” Luella said. “He’s upset that we discarded his schedule for the rest of the day.” She paused. “If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

   “Twelve,” I answered softly.

   “What are you doing all the way out here?” Harald asked. “I learned back at the knight’s academy that half-beasts usually kept to themselves deep in the forest away from humans.”

   I nodded. “Bigger towns traded with humans, but it’s their decision to trust humans or not. They examine the items and materials before trading with smaller towns.”

   “So why are you all the way out here?” Sally questioned. “You’re at the edge of the forest near a common human trade route.”

   I didn’t answer. Images of the town with bodies and blood appeared in my mind.

   Luella and Sally exchanged glances while Edgar looked at his pocket watch.

   He sighed. “Luella, we really should be going now. The boy looks fine now, so let’s leave him be and return to the castle.”

   “How can you call this fine?” Luella asked, glaring at Edgar. “Are we looking at the same boy? Really, Edgar, I expect more from you.”

   Edgar opened his mouth to say something, but closed it knowing he would only get yelled at more.

   “We can bring him back,” Sally suggested.

   Everyone, myself included, looked at her.

   “Are you crazy?” Edgar asked.

   “How would we get him into the castle without anyone noticing?” Harald added.

   “Okay,” Luella said, standing and fixing her cape.

   “What?!” Edgar exclaimed. “Luella, are you listening to yourself?” He walked over to me, grabbing my shoulders and yanking him towards his face. “Where’s your town? We’re taking you back!”

   My eyes widened at the thought. Their bodies would still be there. It would be another couple days before other half-beasts arrived for the monthly trade.

   “No,” I muttered, shaking my head. “I can’t go back. There’s nothing to go back to! If I go back now, their bodies—”

   Luella crouched down and pulled me into a hug, cutting me off. “It’s okay. You can come back to the castle with us.”

   “Unbelievable,” Edgar said, throwing his hands in the air. He started muttering to himself, cleaning up their bowls and utensils.

   “I’ll be able to treat and study you back at the castle,” Sally said, crouching next to Luella. “We’ll take care of you, alright? There’s nothing to be scared of.”

   Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched the back of Luella’s cape. Cracked sobs escaped my lips as Luella pat my back and consoled me.

   After that, I fell asleep. I don’t remember Luella carrying me into the carriage. I don’t remember sleeping in her lap the entire trip back to the castle.

   All I remember is being shook awake as Luella whispered one phrase to me.

   “Don’t make a sound.”