Nim returned to his cave with what was left of the bear he had caught. He looked at his leg where the bear had clawed him. He was out of healing potion. He wondered if a healer should look at it. It didn’t seem deep, but he didn’t want it to get infected either. He also didn’t really want another scar. ‘Bobizevno, are you busy?’ He sent. ‘A little. What do you need?’ ‘A bear clawed my leg. I’m out of healing potions.’ ‘Out? What have you been getting into?’ ‘I gave them to the healers at Dragon Castle.’ ‘Sorry. A bear’s claws aren’t long enough to do you serious damage in true form. You are in true form, aren’t you?’ ‘I am.’ ‘Sri’s in Sen-gan. Go to my cave and get a potion or two to prevent infection. You should be fine.’ ‘Thanks.’ Nim got a vial of potion and used it on his leg. The wound closed but there was still a scar. It was shallow though and wouldn’t last through his next shedding. Of course, that wasn’t for another seven years. He had just shed a few months ago. It didn’t look too bad, and it wasn’t like he was going to see anybody. Ann and Pt’this were the only ones to visit, and neither would be coming any time soon. He felt like drawing, but he was out of parchment. He looked around his cave. He was running out of room on the walls for drawing. There was one spot left in his bedroom. He had set it aside for a portrait of his family. He later decided that was foolish. He long ago realized he’d never have a family. But he never drew on that spot. He couldn’t give up the dream. Instead, he moved his wardrobe in front of it so it wouldn’t torment him. He toyed with the idea of drawing there now, but he still couldn’t do it. Instead, he found a small spot in the corner near the floor. It wasn’t a spot he could draw on in true form, so he took human form. He drew a night from his time at Dragon Castle, not long before Lyra had attacked. Ti had gotten a bottle of whiskey from some soldier and the young ones, Ann, Andy and Sapphire had sat around a fire drinking and talking. He had joined them eventually, but he didn’t include himself in the drawing. There was no sense ruining it. He was about half done when Lar, one of the young ones, approached him. “Master Nimitinas?” The boy asked timidly. “Yes?” Nim asked without looking up. “The High Council wants to talk with you in person.” Now he did look up. What would the council want with him? Then he noticed Lar was in dwarf form. “Lar, why are you in alternate form?” He asked getting up and brushing off the charcoal from his hands the best he could. “Ghin has my vial.” “Why?” “He said I could have it back when we got back,” Lar said, not really answering his question. “He made you walk all the way here from Baj-tisk?” Lar shrugged. “It’s not far.” Nim sighed. “I’ll talk with him.” Ghin was usually a nice boy, but every once in a while he got it into his head to pull a stunt like this. “It’s okay, sir. He promised I’d get it back this time. Bria said she’d make sure he did.” “Lar, what is going on?” Nim asked and changed to a dragon. “Nothing, sir. They said I could have my vial back as soon as I got back from delivering the message to you.” Then Nim understood. They had probably tried contacting him telepathically, but he may have blocked them without realizing it. He did that sometimes when he was drawing. There had been rumors about him for ages about him being mad. Most of the young ones knew him well enough that they no longer believed the rumors. Lar was a little slow. His parents hadn’t wanted him to come alone to Nim’s for fear he’d get lost. He saw it as confirmation that there was at least some truth to the rumors. The others had been trying to convince him otherwise. They sent Lar to deliver the message and took his vial to ensure he did it. “Get on. I’ll take you back.” Nim crouched down. “That’s okay, sir. I can walk.” Lar shook his head. “Did Ghin say you had to walk?” “No, but it’s not far.” “Then get on.” “But…” “Get on,” Nim growled. Lar scrambled onto his back. Nim flew back to Baj-tisk. Maybe he’d see if he could get some parchment while he was there.