But the creature was still glaring at her, a blaze of hatred burning in his eyes. And Hilda knew those flames—it was the gaze of an animal that had endured torment from humans.
Hilda addressed the dragon as quietly as she could. “You’re quite weak—so weak that your tenacious powers of regeneration aren’t quite working right. That means you can’t flail around. You have to rest somewhere.”
The dragon asked her, <You have knowledge of dragons?>
“I just know a few things. I can’t speak the True Language.” Relieved the dragon had replied, Hilda continued, “Anyway, we’ve got to hide you somewhere. Something attacked you, right? There are a number of caves in this forest, so—”
<It’s no use. I’m being followed. My pursuers will arrive soon enough. If I’m to get away, I have no choice but to leave this kingdom.>
“Even the closest border is a long way from here. You’re not going to hold up.”
The dragon eyed his own back bitterly. <If only I had both my wings…>
His gaze was on his single remaining wing. It seemed the other had been cut off a long time ago. The place where it had been severed was covered by old scars, so even the Miracle was incapable of bringing it back.
“Couldn’t you transform into a human?” Hilda asked.
Among dragon spells, there was one capable of transforming them into a human. She figured the creature might have a chance of leaving the country if he disguised himself.
<My old wounds prevent me from using spells.>
With that, the dragon ended his conversation with Hilda. It appeared the creature had nothing more to say to a human. He left Hilda’s side, making to leave the kingdom while still covered in wounds.
After taking a deep breath, Hilda steeled herself and said, “…You should come to my home.”
Hearing that, the dragon came to a halt.
“In dragon form…you’ll be easy to spot, and the knights will undoubtedly catch you. I’ll hide you in my hut until your wounds heal. My home is so dirty and run-down that I doubt the knights will look there. And since it’s outside the village, it’ll be away from prying eyes.”
The dragon’s feet stopped.
He had to know just as well as she did that it was unlikely he could escape from the kingdom right now. He was only trying to force himself to do so because he saw no other way.
The dragon asked her, <Why would you go that far, girl?>
While Hilda was embarrassed, she replied, “Because…you needed help…”
It seemed the dragon didn’t believe what she had to say. <If that’s true, then you’re quite the saint.>
Hilda and the dragon walked at a snail’s pace to keep the creature’s wounds from reopening.
When the trees began to thin, they immediately arrived at Hilda’s small hut. There was no chance someone had spotted them on the way over since her home was on the outskirts of the village. The dragon entered, leaving little room for Hilda.
Glancing at her wooden bed, Hilda said to the dragon, “I’d like to let you rest in the bed, but I don’t think it would bear your weight. It creaks just from me rolling over on it after all.”
So she laid out a thin carpet on the floor. “I’m very sorry, but please make do with this.”
The dragon lay himself down to rest on the carpet. He must have been able to relax somewhat, as he seemed to be struck by drowsiness. Even as he was dozing off, however, his eyes were alert.
Hilda said gently, “Don’t be afraid. Relax and go to sleep.”
Hilda gave shelter to the dragon. Thus began their new life together.
The dragon stopped displaying open hostility toward Hilda. It appeared she had convinced him she was not his enemy for the time being by saving him with the Miracle of Life.
On sunny days, Hilda would get up early and work in the fields. On rainy days, she would weave clothing at home to sell.
Her stockpile of food was by no means sufficient for both of them, but she gave up some of her own to give to the dragon. Even then, however, it was hardly enough food for a beast his size.
The dragon avoided conversing with Hilda as much as possible. Evidently, he had no intention of playing friendly with a human. Hilda figured he was just using her until his wounds healed, but she didn’t mind.
Taking care of the dragon made Hilda happy. She spooned thin soup into the dragon’s mouth with a wooden utensil.
At night, she would sleep at his side, in case he suddenly grew unwell.
After about a month of living together, the dragon said to Hilda, <…I should thank you.>
Surprised to hear him speak, she looked at him with wide eyes.
<You’re very kind.>
His statement left her feeling conflicted. “…I wouldn’t exactly describe myself that way.”
The dragon gave her a puzzled look. <Then why go this far for me?>
“Well…” After a stretch of silence, she said, “I was lonely… So lonely I thought I would go mad.”
<Lonely?>
“My family has severed contact with me. And the villagers are wary of me, too. They haven’t ostracized me, at least, so I can manage to eke out a living, but no one wants to associate with me…
“So,” she continued, “I wanted to be needed. Anyone would do.”
Hilda had saved the dragon out of her own self-interest.
“Thanks to you, I’ve staved off my loneliness this month. But it’s been hard.” She lowered her eyes. “I feel like I’ve been deceiving you…”
The dragon spat, <What an unpleasant human you are. So I’ve been here to console you?>
“…I’m sorry.”
When Hilda came back home from working the fields the next day, the dragon was gone.
Her heart clenched. So he left.
Their exchange the other day must have disgusted him. He’d recovered some energy since their encounter in the forest, so he must have been able to walk to the border.
Her hut felt vast and empty without the dragon in it. In fact, it seemed even bigger than it had before she’d taken the dragon in.
“Ah… Ahhh…” Crushing loneliness welled up inside her. Tears spilled from her eyes at the thought that she was on her own again.
However…
“Why are you crying?” A voice called out to her from behind—a man’s voice.