A Little Dragon At The Inn

"Oh, Lady Suzhen, you're back," the village chief greeted her with a slight hint of embarrassment.

It soon became clear why the elder acted so awkward once Suzhen peeked inside. The elf warriors accompanying her on the hunting trip were now feasting around a large table, enjoying a stew—presumably made from the boar.

"Oh, of course, we didn’t forget about you!" the chief quickly added, trying to cover for the situation. "We’re only eating the smaller boar that Gim shot down. We waited for you to return before feasting on the bigger one..."

"Wow! This bigger boar tastes way better than the smaller one!" came a loud voice from inside the inn. It was one of the warriors, his back to the door. "And thanks to that serpent woman for helping us cut it up—saved us a lot of trouble!" he added, clearly unaware that Suzhen was standing right behind him.

The chief winced at the man’s words, even more embarrassed now that Suzhen had overheard.

"You already gave me a reward, so I don’t mind," Suzhen said curtly. And she meant it—she’d eaten more than her share of boar while traveling through the forest and honestly didn’t care much for the taste.

"Lady Serpent! You’re back!" A familiar voice called out as a woman came running over, her hands flapping wildly in the air. It was Salix.

"Did you find the girl? Oh!" Salix exclaimed, not realizing that Saya was standing right next to Suzhen. She nearly bumped into the little girl but stopped just in time.

"Hello! I’m Saya! Woah! What pretty hair!" Saya blurted out, her eyes sparkling as she gazed up at Salix’s long, flowing blonde hair that reached down to her hips.

"Ahhh!!! You’re the little girl I saw on the hill! Thank Aria you’re alright!" Salix cried, her relief palpable. "You must have been so lonely, all by yourself in that mansion!" Without hesitation, she scooped Saya up like a little puppy and twirled her around before heading towards the table. "Quick, let me get you a bowl of boar soup!"

The elder then turned to Suzhen once more. "Of course, we still have some boar meat left—salted and preserved—for you to take on your journey."

"I appreciate it," Suzhen replied, as she scanned across the inn. She recalled Gimlith, who was surrounded by his mates and forced to drain a pint of beer. He immediately fell onto the floor after finishing the last drop, sending the whole crowd into cheers.

Her eyes then fell on Saya who was already seated, enthusiastically spooning a huge bowl of boar soup, while Lion, perched next to her, was contentedly sipping on a small bowl of milk.

"I have some lembas here," Salix said, offering a plate. "You can dip it in the soup to fill your tummy!"

"What’s lembas? Oh, yummy!" Saya exclaimed, grabbing a piece and dunking it into her soup. She then turned to Suzhen, her eyes wide with excitement. "Ms. Suzhen, do you want some soup too?" Saya extended her arm, trying to stuff a piece of lembas into Suzhen’s mouth.

"No, thank you. I’m not hungry.” After a brief pause, she added, "Saya, I didn’t know you could speak Ellyssian."

Ellyssian was the official language of the continent, where the Trinity Sisters religion was most prevalent. Suzhen had learned it during her previous missions, as it was often necessary to communicate with the people of these lands. She had no trouble conversing with the elves when she arrived.

However, when she first met Saya up the hill, she had noticed the girl speaking to her cat in Mingtone, the official language of the East and Suzhen’s native tongue. Assuming Saya had been raised exclusively speaking Mingtone, she was surprised to hear her fluently speaking Ellyssian.

"Ellyssian? You mean what Ms. Elf is speaking? I know it! I know because Ivory taught me!"

"Ivory?"

"Yes! Ivory! She’s a serpent just like you! She takes care of me when Mother is busy."

Ivory. So that must be the maid the elves had mentioned. And she’s a serpent, too. That explains why Saya immediately realized I was a serpent.

“So, that’s the dragon girl, huh?” Suzhen could hear whispers echoing through the inn as the previously cheerful and loud voices of the warriors quieted down. All eyes slowly turned toward Saya.

"I’ve never seen a dragon from the East before. You’d think they’d look more like the Ariadonian dragons."

"Oh, why’d you have to bring up those arrogant dragons? They’re nothing but trouble," another voice chimed in. "At least this little one isn’t going to burn down the whole inn with her breath!"

As Suzhen stood by, listening to the murmurs, she suddenly felt a gentle tug on her sleeve. Turning around, she saw a small hand reaching out to her. An elf, slightly taller than Saya, 

stood there with a polite smile, offering a gracious bow.

"It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Suzhen," the young elf greeted warmly.

Before Suzhen could reply, she heard a sharp hmph behind the boy. A girl, about Saya’s size, with slightly curly red hair, stood with her arms crossed, looking annoyed. She stared at Saya, her gaze sharp and unwelcoming.

“And you must be Saya.”, the boy turned towards Saya and made another gracious bow. “I’m Telorine, the chief is my grandpa and I want to welcome you to our village.”

Just then, the red-haired girl gave Saya a menacing, almost wicked look and muttered, “Wingless Hoarder.”

Saya didn’t react, clearly not understanding the insult. Suzhen didn't think much of it either, but she could feel the shift in the room’s atmosphere. Telorine visibly flinched, turning toward the girl in horror. Some of the nearby adult elves, close enough to hear the insult, winced slightly.

The strongest reaction, however, came from Salix. "Felicia! How dare you!" she snapped.

Felicia huffed and stomped toward the entrance, slamming the door as she stormed out.

"I apologize for Felicia's behavior," Salix said with a heavy sigh. But then she noticed Saya, who was blissfully unaware of the tension in the room, munching away on her last piece of lembas.

“Mhmm? Mwwhhat?”

“Never mind.” Salix let out a smile, and then she turned towards Suzhen, “May I have a moment with you, Ms. Suzhen?”

**

While Telorine continued chatting with Saya, Suzhen was led to a quiet corner by Salix. She was now looking at her with a serious, concerned look.

"So, what do you plan to do with her?" Salix asked.

"Mhm? Me?" Suzhen blinked, surprised by the question. She hadn’t really thought about it. What plans do I have for the little girl?

Sure, she had retrieved Saya from the hilltop, but it was simply at Salix’s request. Was she worried about Saya? Maybe a little. Concerned for her future? Perhaps, but she didn’t feel like it was her responsibility. She had already done her part, and she planned to leave in a few days.

"Ms. Suzhen, I know this is a lot to ask of you, but do you think you could take care of this little girl for a little longer? At least until her mother returns," Salix asked, her voice soft but pleading.

Suzhen hadn’t expected the request. After a brief pause to digest what Salix was asking, she replied nonchalantly, "That won’t be possible. I can’t stay for long."

"So, you already know, don’t you? Her mother is unlikely to return," Salix said, her head lowering in sorrow.

Indeed, Suzhen already knew. It was clear to her that the girl's mother wasn't coming back.

"I’ve heard the Ariadonian dragons do something similar. Once a child reaches a certain age, they’re left to fend for themselves."

"But that was long ago!" Salix interjected. "No one does that anymore—especially not with a girl this young..."

"Yes, it’s cruel," Suzhen admitted. "But in a way, it’s part of their culture. Saya would have survived even without our intervention. She’s smarter than you think."

Salix’s brow furrowed, her voice softening. "Still, some kind of companionship, a motherly figure, is important for her development. Something... which I think you can offer."

Suzhen raised an eyebrow. She didn't understand why Salix it must be her to take care of the little girl. Did Salix think because they both came from the East, it became her responsibility? But that was such a weak connection, and frankly, didn't sit right as a reason.

 "I don’t see why anyone in this village can’t take care of her."

Salix let out a sigh, her frustration evident. "I’m sorry, but... maybe it’s strange for me to admit this, being an elf myself, but we’re just not good at taking care of anyone who isn’t one of us."

Suzhen could hear the irritation in Salix's voice. It wasn’t something the elf was proud to admit.

"I think you're right, Saya wouldn’t fit in here."

Suzhen paused before letting out a quiet sigh. "Unfortunately, I can’t stay, but perhaps I can take her with me to Issania. That’s the best I can offer."

Then perhaps I can find someone from the sect who can take her in as a disciple. As long as I remain discreet they won't notice she came with me.

Once she is with the sect, she will remain safe, and well-fed, and will learn some martial arts skills to protect herself and her little pet.

Yes, that's the best option.

Salix hesitated, uncertainty flashing across her face. But Suzhen didn’t give Salix a chance to respond as she was already heading back to the tables.

“…Lion is a lion. I read in my book that he can grow really big!"

"Oh… Lion is a lion, huh?" Telorine replied politely, though the look in his eyes suggested he wasn’t quite convinced.

"Ms. Serpent! I was just telling Tely about how Lion will grow up to be this big, and I’ll ride him around the village!"

"I see. That’s… quite a prospect."

"Oh, I know, Ms. Serpent! You know how to use a sword, don’t you? Can you teach me how to swing it?"

"Saya," Suzhen began, her tone soft but firm, "I’ll be leaving this village soon. I won’t be able to teach you."

Saya’s face fell. "Oh, you’re leaving already?" Her voice was tinged with sadness. "I thought you’d stay a little longer."

Suzhen took a deep breath, feeling a weight settle in her chest. I can’t delay this any longer.

"Saya, if you really want to learn the sword, I know someone who could teach you. I can take you to them. So… would you like to come with me?"

Saya looked up at Suzhen, her expression serious—far more serious than Suzhen expected from a child her age. "I’m sorry," Saya said quietly, her voice steady but filled with a gravity that caught everyone off guard. "I can’t leave. I have to wait for Mommy to come back."

Saya then pulled Lion close, hugging him tightly as the small creature purred softly in her arms.

But your mother isn’t coming back.

The words hung on the tip of Suzhen’s tongue, but she couldn’t say them. Not to this little girl who suddenly seemed so far away, her once-bright demeanor now shadowed by a quiet sorrow.

She knows, doesn’t she? Suzhen thought. She knows her mother won’t return, but…"Thank you, Ms. Serpent," Saya said softly, looking up at Suzhen with a bittersweet smile. "But I’ll stay here until my mother and Ivory come back. Then maybe we can all go on a trip together—me, you, Ivory, and Mommy."

Saya’s smile was bright, but there was a deep sadness behind it, one that Suzhen had never seen in a child before.