(( Also known as the second adventure that wasn't finished before the end of the RP contest. ))
Naveen paused in his steady trek upward, smiling at the mare just a few feet behind him. "I see a cave up ahead. We can stop and rest there." True to his word, they'd come to the mountains to explore and Cynthia had selected a mountain for them to hike up. It wasn't easy with his little cart, but he managed all the same. "How are you holding up, Princess?"
Cynthia was huffing and puffing as she came up the mountain behind Naveen, looking close to passing out. She had never had to walk so much in her life and she felt herself starting to grow tired. When he mentioned a cave, she managed a small whinny of joy, glad they would have a chance to finally rest.
"So...out...of...breath. Also....legs are...like....jelly, Naveen," Cynthia was able to gasp out.
Naveen gave her a sympathetic look as he slowed down to walk beside her. "Just a little farther," he reassured her. "Lean on me if you need to." Yup, Cynthia was definitely a princess. Maybe he should've had them travel some more on flat land to help condition her before tackling this mountainous terrain. "Are you going to be alright?" he asked softly.
Cynthia gave him a thankful look as she leaned against him, glad for some support. When he asked if she was going to be alright, she nodded her head in reply, letting him know she would be fine.
"Yes...just glad...we are...almost to the...cave,"Cynthia admitted softly.
Naveen chuckled. "Of course you are." He carefully supported the mare as they headed up into the cave, escorting her inside. "Why don't you rest while I look around?" he offered.
Cynthia blushed lightly as she leaned against him until they got inside the cave. Once inside, she nodded her head, before laying down just inside the cave.
"Alright, but please be careful," Cynthia told him gently.
Naveen gave her a gentle nuzzle. "As you wish, Princess," he teased lightly. With that, he turned to explore the rest of the cave. He didn't get too far, however, because movement in the darkness caused him to halt. "Hello?" he called. "Is someone there?"
"Yesss... Someone is." Yellow, reptilian eyes peered out from the darkness, its owner slowly becoming visible as it drew closer. Naveen backed up a few steps as his eyes took in the sight of the dragon in front of him. "Who are you?" the dragon demanded. "And what are you doing in my cave?"
Naveen dipped his head in a slight bow before replying. "I am Naveen, and this is Cynthia," he introduced in as calm of a voice as he could muster. "We were traveling across the mountain and my companion grew tired. We were just resting; we didn't realize this was your home. I apologize for the intrusion."
The dragon snorted, smoke rolling from his nostrils. "If you wish to rest here, I will require something of you," the great beast rumbled. "At the bottom of the mountain's far side, there is a valley. In that valley are badgers of various colors. Bring me two purple ones, and I will not harm you. If not, I may try my hand with Azrien meat."
Naveen seemed taken aback by the sudden demands, but he replied calmly. "Of course." He hesitated before making a request of his own. "My companion is still weary from the journey up. If I go to get these badgers, can you guarantee her safety in my absence."
"... Very well..."
Cynthia's eyes had been following Naveen as he started to head in the cave, then gasped in surprise when she saw eyes appearing out of the darkness. She wondered whose home they could be in when she saw what she remembered hearing about in some of the stories family would tell her. She seemed to recall they were called dragons, but she had never actually seen one before to be sure.
"Naveen, are you sure you do not want me to come with you?"she asked gently.
Naveen blinked, mildly surprised. The expression was quickly replaced by a more concerned one. "Are you sure you'd be able to make the trip?" He didn't want her to get hurt. They'd be traveling down the mountain and back up again, after all... While he waited for an answer, he opened up his cart, carefully unpacking it. If they were going badger-hunting, it would be a good way to carry the badgers back to the dragon.
Cynthia thought about what her reply should be, knowing the other was concerned about her and she appreciated it. She actually was worried about him as well, not knowing what these creatures he would be hunting would be like.
"Yes, I am sure, I cannot in good conscience let you go alone. I do not want anything to happen to you,"Cynthia admitted softly.
Naveen's expression softened. "Alright." He looked over at the dragon, who snorted, small flames shooting from his nostrils. "Just be quick about it."
The stallion nodded before nudging Cynthia gently. "Let's go, Princess."
Cynthia nodded as she got shakily to her feet, but she made sure to regain her composure quickly. She could not let Naveen see she was still tired, she needed to help him. She might not have minded if it was anyone else, but Naveen could not be harmed and she wanted to prove she could be strong too.
"Alright, I am ready,"she told him, before making her way to the entrance to the cave.
Naveen stuck close to her side as they started down the mountain. "Be careful," he warned. "Some parts of the path are a bit steep." He didn't want Cynthia tripping. All the way to the valley he offered bits of advice and encouragement for his tired companion. He could see the exhaustion in her frame, but he didn't make comment about it; Cynthia had made her decision, and it was too late to try and change her mind.
Cynthia followed every suggestion Naveen gave her and leaned against him from time to time. She noticed he had not commented on her looking tired, so she figured he did not notice or he was trying to respect her decision.
"What do you think these creatures we are looking for will be like?"Cynthia asked.
"Badgers? They kinda look like over-sized rodents, quite frankly. They're usually black and white, but apparently they can be purple here." Naveen led Cynthia into the valley, looking around until he spotted one. "That over there's a badger. Hm... that one's red, though." Hopefully it wouldn't take too long to find two purple ones.
"I have never seen badgers before, so I did not know what they looked like,"Cynthia admitted. She saw where he pointed and tilted her head curiously at the way it looked. Sadly, it was red, so it did not help them with their quest.
"Not a problem, Princess." Naveen smiled. "Let's see if we can find us a pair of purple badgers, shall we?"
