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 Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:06 pm
"Dragons." Roarke parroted sounding completely mystified. He had heard the word many times before even in description of his own appearance. Never before had he dreamed that he would see a real dragon. Though. He went over what she had just told him in his head. If she was their mother than who was their father? Did that make them half soquili, half kirilona like himself and this mare? He didn't dare ask. It was not a conversation anyone should have to have. If she was their mother that was that. He didn't need, or probably want, to know more.
"I'm Roarke, just Roarke. A river guardian." A daughter of a king. With dragons. Roarke smiled to himself slightly. It was almost like he had walked straight into one of the stories children were told before bed. "Daenerys Targaryen. Nicoletta. I am pleased to meet the both of you, and glad that you're both alright now." Well, almost alright. He looked down to where Nicoletta lay on the ground, she still didn't look very well. "It may still be a good idea to find some shelter from the sun...just for now." They had water in them but resting would still be the wise idea. "There are some rocks over there, they should have some shade at least."
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 5:50 pm
"I think some rest and shade would do both of us much good." Daenerys leaned down to Nicoletta, seeing that she wasn't lapping up water quite so frantically. "Are you able to stand?" she asked her friend, drawing closer so that she could support her if needed.
"I think I am," murmured Nicoletta. With an ungraceful heave she was back standing, though still shaky. She glanced over to the rocks and decided she could probably make it. "I'll be fine," she told Daenerys, though weakly enough to give some question to that statement.
Dany walked by Nicoletta's side, ready to help even though her friend claimed strength. Her dragons would be fine on their own. Already they were starting to take to the air again, flying overhead as they made their way to shelter.
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:04 pm
Roarke kept a close eye on group as they got ready to travel, especially Nicoletta. Once he was certain that she wasn't going to fall over without warning Roarke stooped to collect his bowl from the sand. He was hardly surprised that there was scarcely a drop of water left. Once they reached shelter he would pour a little more water out. Just because their bellies were filled did not mean their thirst was quenched.
He looped the cord around his neck again, a much easier task than getting it off, and hastened to follow after Daenerys, her babies, and Nicoletta. It wasn't hard. They moved slow, worn out from traveling without water no doubt. They needed a long rest and he would be certain that they got it. And food. They would need food too, he didn't have as much food as he had water but he would share what he did have.
As they drew closer to the rocks he picked up his pace to check for danger that might be resting in the shade they coveted. The answer: nothing. "No danger here!" He called to the mares before setting to work getting the bowl off again.
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:10 pm
Nicoletta slumped gratefully against a rock once they were in shade. Compared with everything in view of the sun, the rock felt blessedly cool. As far as she was concerned, with enough water she could stay in that spot for weeks. Technically food might become an issue, but her appetite hadn't been quite right since coming into the desert anyways.
The dragons settled atop the rock rather than beneath it, sunning themselves now that their thirst was quenched. Dany herself loved the heat, but this was too much of a good thing. She settled in beside Nicoletta and was grateful for the rest from the sun's beating rays.
She watched Roarke as he set up their water. Already she was calling him her dragon in her mind, though she had no reason to suspect he would stay with them longer than needed. Frowning, she wondered how long it would be until they had truly made it to safety. If Roarke left them again, they might soon end up parched and dying again soon.
"Do you know a swift path out of the desert?" she asked. "I do not think that we'll ever be foolish enough to set out blindly again."
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:34 pm
Roarke found spot at the edge of of the shade where he could still keep watch and laid down. It felt good to let all the water weight rest on something besides his back for once. He was content and then Daenerys asked the question that he wished she wouldn't ask. Roarke sighed. "I wish I could say I did." He replied apologetically. "I'm not certain where we are at the moment. All I know is that mountains line the desert to the south, the east, and to the west. On the other side of any of these mountains is green lands. Forests, plains, lakes, you name it, just no more desert. Our best shot...is to walk towards the mountains until we get to the other side or find someone who can direct us to a faster path."
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:47 pm
A smile crept across Dany's face. He had answered her second question before she even asked it. "Our best shot?" she asked, craning her head towards Roarke. "Does that mean that you will accompany us to safety, noble sir?" They would still be in danger as long as they were in the desert, but Dany suspected they would be able to make it out alive if they had Roarke to guide and supply them with water. He was their gift, their good luck charm.
"I don't want to go anywhere yet," groaned Nicoletta, more to herself than at them. If they were out in the desert for much longer she might just bite her mane all off to keep its dark color from absorbing any more heat.
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:59 pm
Roarke blinked. "Of course I will." He said plainly as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I can't leave you all to suffer in the desert. I said I was a river guardian, but to my family all that means is protecting life." As he spoke the end of his tail flicked about more like a large cat's than a lizard's. "There's life to defend here, so I will, until there's such a time that I'm not needed." Somehow Roarke didn't see such a time coming any time soon. Not unless they could find someone to look after them that was larger than he. That seemed entirely unlikely.
He glanced over at Nicoletta and gave his great shaggy head a shake. "We shouldn't go until the morning at the earliest. You all need time to rest and recover. You'll be safe with me, so just relax for now."
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:35 pm
"I like this one," said Nicoletta. Some of her usual flair was finally emerging. "We should keep him." She sank down completely to the ground then, letting her head rest on the flattest rock she could find."We are keeping him," laughed Dany. "Didn't you hear what he just said?" She could feel her spirits lifting as well. "And thank you for that." She turned her smile to Roarke. Her dragon. Things were going to work out.
That said, she moved joined Nicoletta in reclining. They needed their rest just as much as they needed their water. In the morning, they would be plunging out into the desert sands once more. The realm of the Kawani awaited them.~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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