Even if I thought of different things to escape from reality, the dragon continued to run in rhythm, and I got further away from father and brother .
“Hannah . ”
“What is it?”
“Why dwagon forrow . ”
“Oh, that’s-,”
I decided to ask Hannah a lot of questions when she calmed down . In fact, the dragon we were riding didn’t have a rein or anything . But it was properly following the dragon in front of us . There are more important things to talk about than this, you say? Kids should ask about what they’re interested in first .
“Rug Dragons live in groups . If there’s more than two, then one of them would be the leader, and the others will follow the leader . ”
“Hoo . ”
So they had such a trait . So it’s useless to try to make dragons rampage and divert the course by drawing their attention . But then, a girl and baby didn’t have enough power to make that happen anyway .
“Fowwo fwom fah ushe dwagon?”
“From far away? Although we use dragons, we usually use a dragon carriage named Dab Dragon . They have four legs and travel at a more relaxing pace . Rug Dragons are the fastest dragons, and they’re used by people who like speed and those who need to rush somewhere,” Hannah responded honestly like always .
This meant that the people at the mansion wouldn’t be able to catch up with us if they didn’t give chase straight away . This is terrible . While we’re resting, I could only stall for time by going to the toilet for a long time or by throwing a tantrum .
But if I went with my plan and he confiscated our food or rushed us, then it would be pointless .
I immediately realised why we’d stopped in front of town; it was so he could quickly change the dragons . I was really excited to see the town outside of the mansion for the first time . It was early in the morning, but there were local farmers everywhere, selling spring vegetables and fruits that had made it past the winter .
“Fresh fruits from Frontier!” I couldn’t help but look towards the voice that had said that .
“It takes 10 days to get to Frontier! No way ’s fresh!”
“Damn right!”
Laughter spread throughout the area . There were stalls for those who went to work early in the morning . It smells good . I spontaneously said, “Dere, wanth . ”
“Leilsama, you can’t . Stall food is dirty . ”
It’s not dirty . The man won’t buy it for me anyway . We would stand out if we ate in town and it would take time to eat . So the man quickly changed dragons and rushed us . I was tired from being hugged and shaken, but Hannah, who wasn’t used to travelling, was also tired .
That day, we also had unsavoury bread and water for lunch, and he prevented my plan to extend the break by immediately putting us onto the dragon . I was dozing off in the afternoon sun, and Hannah began muttering to herself while in a daze, “I wonder if Matthew got the medicine . Why did he take me too? Why did I do this to Leilsama……? But Matthew’s medicine…… And if I go against Remington, then mum’s work……”
I listened to Hannah even though I was dozing off . Matthew . Mum . Hannah never talked about her family in front of me . But she was used to taking care of kids, could understand what I say and took me seriously .
“Matthew…… Mum . ”
I clung gently to Hannah who was holding me, and she hugged me closer without thinking as she swayed . I hope we can both get some sleep since we’ve been wobbling on this dragon for more than half a day already . The dragon was still running when I woke up after sleeping . Hannah looked as if she was asleep .
I recalled what I had heard last night . It seems like someone is threatening Hannah about her mum’s work and her brother’s medicine . Is Remington a surname?
I recently learnt that my surname is Albans . Leila Albans . Brother is Luke Albans . Father is Dean Albans . Our family has the magic power to support the barrier .
I have too little information . I had no choice but to do what I could, but a baby’s body couldn’t do much . It was dusk before long, and the dragons stopped along the road where I could see the town from beyond .
“We will nap and eat here . Then, I’ll change dragons in the next town . ”
We had been shaking the whole day, but the man had also been riding the dragon for an entire day . He was indeed tired . Hannah and I ate our food obediently, and when we went to go to the toilet, the dragons got in our way .
“Gwo wee-wee?” I can’t be embarrassed about this . I complained to the dragon, but it still got in my way .
“Seems like you’ve been recognised as one of its group . I’ve heard that this occasionally happens . It’s probably telling you that it’s dangerous so don’t go far,” the man chuckled .
It’s not funny . What’re you going to do if I leak?
“I’ll go over there, so finish your business . ”
I was desperate and could only do just this . I was in a bad mood because I had the unusual experience of finishing my business while being watched by a dragon . Even though they let Hannah go off to do her thing! But, the man took out a blanket out of his bag without care, so we also laid down and slept a little .
“Wake up,” Hannah and I were woken up by the man . My body felt heavy, but it was still better than sleeping inside of the basket .
“The small one’s lively . Good,” he said as he put us into the basket once again and headed to the next town .
The second town was bigger and livelier than the first . I thought people would be sleeping, but it didn’t seem to be midnight yet . The man once again headed to a tavern and knocked on the backdoor four times .
“You’re finally here? You’re late!”
“It’s the girls . I gotta let them rest a little . ”
“F-fine . But the Kingdom guards are starting to move soon . You don’t have time to rest from here on . ”
The men were discussing something while looking at us . The man who brought us here looked at us and said, “I’m done here . This guy’s gonna take you next . ”
“Ya . ”
I let go of the hand that was holding Hannah’s . It was a full day for a baby to be trapped on a swaying dragon . I’ve reached my limit . I can’t even go toilet freely .
I turned around and started walking briskly . Let’s head to a place with lots of people . They’ll probably help me if I tell them I’m lost .
But I was caught straight away . It seems like I wasn’t walking briskly .
“Weren’t you a good girl?”
“How do I put this? She doesn’t try to run, cry or make a fuss . ”
I tried to flap around, but it was pointless . If running away was useless, then I want them to improve their treatment of me .
“Den, dat wanth . ”
“What?”
“Yummy wanth . ”
I’m bored of just bread and water .
“You, how dare you act selfishly while being kidnapped . ”
“Maeth! Sweeth!”
“Ha, Haha,” the man finally laughed .
“Got it . I’ll give it to you . You put these guys on the dragon already,” he said to the man who was replacing him and disappeared into the bustling streets . He gave us a drink that was wrapped in leaves while we were sitting in the basket and put something in my poncho pocket .
“Be happy,” he said and disappeared into the busy streets without looking back . What are you saying now? You kidnapped me! The dragons began to move .
“Hannah, opwen . ”
Inside the wrap was minced meat wrapped in fried flour seasoned with salty-sweet spice . I gave half to Hannah and ate it . The dragon continued to run . Where the heck are we going?