The injured and the healers lay crowded in the wagon, resting on the rough, creaking boards as best as they could. With limited space, everyone else walked alongside, making room for those who needed it most. The snow was deep, and without the dragons carving a path ahead, progress was slow and arduous. Tellic had fashioned a sling to carry Shri on his back. Normally a lively, chattering child, she was uncharacteristically quiet now, her small arms wrapped around his neck. She lay her head on his shoulder, eyes drooping, the recent hardships weighing on even her young spirit. Tellic kept a comforting rhythm as he walked, murmuring soft words to her, trying to distract her from the grim silence that had overtaken the group. The troll, massive and steady, kept pace with the wagon. He kept a watchful eye on Jahree, who sat slumped beside the driver. Jahree’s face was pale, and his movements slow. The pain he felt from Lanni kept him from walking, and even the act of sitting upright seemed to drain him. They took turns driving, each one grateful for even a momentary reprieve. The simple act of controlling the reins offered them a small escape from their thoughts, if only for a little while. Shan flew overhead, his roc form gliding above the trees, eyes scanning the path ahead. Though he had hoped to clear a way for them as the dragons had, it became apparent that his smaller, less powerful form wasn’t suited for the task. Frustration twisted in his chest, a familiar knot that tightened each time he brushed up against the limitations of his mixed heritage. He thought of his life as a half-breed, the endless compromises it demanded. As a human, he’d faced trouble fitting in everywhere he went—from the need for seawater to the sensitivity of his hearing to the awkward fit of any shoes he tried to wear and the oddity of his hairless body. The ocean called to him, but on land, he was always an outsider. And now, even in his roc form, he was lesser than the dragons. They possessed greater strength, faster flight, the ability to breathe fire, and an array of magic that dwarfed anything he could do. As for the merman side of him, it was equally stranded and useless out here in the wilderness. Loka joined him, taking his hand as they walked in silence for a while. Her presence was a balm, though he didn’t feel quite ready to share his feelings. He glanced over, noticing the faint shadow of worry in her expression. She was usually so steady, but even she seemed to bear an invisible weight. “What is it?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern. “Is Ter okay?” She sighed, and the look in her eyes made his chest tighten. “We think he’ll live,” she replied softly. “But…” Shan pressed, sensing the unspoken. Loka’s lips pressed into a thin line before she continued, “We don’t know if he’ll be able to fly again.” The news hit him like a blow. Ter had been one of the strongest among them, fierce and loyal. The thought of him grounded, wings useless… it was almost too much to bear. He reached over, pulling Loka into an embrace. She leaned against him, though she seemed distant, her exhaustion overwhelming her. He could feel the strain in her shoulders, the heaviness in her posture, and a pang of helplessness washed over him. Shan pulled back and shifted back into his roc form. He crouched low, lowering one of his wings and giving her a look over his feathered shoulder. She cocked her head, frowning. “You want me to ride?” she asked, a faint hint of surprise in her voice. He nodded, jerking his head forward in a gesture of encouragement. She let out a tired laugh, the slightest smile gracing her lips, and she climbed onto his back, settling between his wings. “Thank you,” she murmured, resting her hands on his feathers. “I’m worn out, but I can’t just sit idle near the injured.” He chirped again, a softer sound this time, and took off with a gentle hop, careful to keep her steady as they glided just above the ground. He wished that his roc form had arms to hold her and to cradle her so she could rest without worry. He couldn’t change that, but at least he could do this for her, even if it was small. They soared quietly for a while, and as the wind rushed past, Shan found himself calmed by the steady beat of his wings. He could feel the rise and fall of her breaths, and in the quiet moments, he could almost pretend that they were far from the troubles that lay behind and the hardships that stretched before them. But the road continued, and the weight of their journey remained. Even if his heart ached with unspoken frustrations and his mind wandered with insecurities, Shan found solace in knowing he was helping those he cared for in whatever small way he could. And for now, that had to be enough. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands