Traveler (5 page)

Rahim looked at his father in surprise, and then smiled.  “As you say, Father...thank you.”  He grinned and took Bri back from her mother.  The girl was young enough now that none of that mattered. He had years before he'd actually have to think of her as his bride to be.  “Come on, little Bird...let’s go play now.”

The little girl had only pouted for a moment before babbling softly to her mother, showing her ouchie on her knee and the pendant Rahim had given her.  Bri gave her mommy a kiss before wrapping her arms around Rahim’s neck.  “Bye bye, mommy!”

Rahim took the girl back from her mother with a smile.  Even that short time apart from her had been torture for him.  “I will see  you in a few hours, I think,” he teased.  “Until she falls asleep again, anyway.”  He walked out to the laughter of his parents, carrying his betrothed with him.

The little girl waved over his shoulder as they left before quickly forgetting about the adults.  Innocent cerulean eyes turned to Rahim, a bright smile lighting up her face.  “We play now, dragon?”

“Yes, bird, we play now.  We’ll go down to the gardens and play hide and seek, hm?  How does that sound?”  Those eyes were a color he’d never forget.  He’d never be able to, he knew that.  And now that she was his betrothed... he would never have to forget them.

She thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.  “ ‘kay, dragon...bunny play hide and seek too?”

“Of course, my little bird,” he murmured, walking outside into the gardens with her, setting her down on the grass.  “You need to make sure he hides well, hmm?"

Bri stared at her bunny for a moment before giving Rahim a solemn look.  “Bunny is good hider...but he not seek too good...”

Rahim laughed.  “Then he can hide with you...how does that sound?”  He had crouched down to her level, his eyes on the same line as hers.

She thought about that before nodding happily.  “‘kay, dragon...bunny and me can hide.  You find us?”

“Of course.”  He sat down on the ground cross-legged and began counting.  “One, two, three....”  He closed his eyes and let her run off.

She blinked in surprise before giggling softly.  Clutching her bunny tightly, the little girl ran off into the gardens, crawling behind the first bush she found.

Rahim counted to thirty; he knew she wouldn’t be too difficult to find.  His steps were soft, though, as he went to look for her, his eyes darting around to try to find her.

Bri hid her face against the soft plush fur of her bunny as she hid behind the bush, confident that she and bunny were well-hidden.  After all if she couldn’t see him, then he couldn’t see her!

Rahim hadn’t been looking long before he caught a flash of white in the bushes.  It was the bunny.  He snuck up behind her and grabbed her from behind, picking her up by her waist.  “Gotcha!”

The little girl squeaked in surprise, squirming in his grip as soft giggles escaped her.  “Dragon!”

Rahim laughed, looking down at her.  “Do you want to come find me now, little Bird?” he asked.

Giggling, she nodded, her black curls bouncing wildly.  “Uh huh...my turn...bunny hide with dragon...” She insisted sweetly, lifting the bunny doll up to him.

Rahim took the bunny, hiding it in his pocket.  He would have fun with this.  “Alright...close your eyes,” he insisted, smiling indulgently down at her.

“ ‘kay, dragon...”  Bri chirped cheerfully, closing her eyes and placing small hands over them.  She bounced lightly on her heels, the light green silk of her dress swaying a bit.

Rahim smiled and leapt up into the tree above her head.  It wasn’t a large one, but it was large enough to hold his weight...and large enough to keep her busy for a while.  She would never find him.

“One, two, five, three...” She counted out loud before stopping to try and remember what came next.  “Four...” Bri peeked out from behind one hand, and not seeing him, she let her hands fall.  Holding back her giggles as best as a four year old could manage, she began to look in the places she could see, behind bushes and trees.  “Bunny?  Dragon?”

Rahim chuckled softly from where he was hiding in his tree, his eyes still locked on the diminutive girl.  He would let her look for a little while longer...then he would go and find her.  He just wanted to enjoy the fun a little longer.

“Dragon?” She called out in her soft lisp before running off further into the garden, the brief flicker of movement in the distance catching her attention.

Bored out of his mind, Snake wandered through the palace gardens, annoyed that he had to be here of all places.  There were things he could be doing, places he could be exploring.  Grumbling aloud, he kicked at a rock as he walked down the path.  But then a small body ran into his legs, making him stumble slightly.  When he looked down, he saw a wide-eyed little girl who had fallen onto her bottom. He sneered down at the little brat, barely resisting the urge to lash out with a foot.  “Watch where you’re going, little baby!”

Bri stared up at the strange blonde-haired boy, who was definitely not her dragon.  Tears started to fall down her chubby cheeks, the mean look on his face scaring her.

Rahim was beginning to grow nervous.  Where had she gone...?  He slipped out of the tree, determined to go after her.  He found her not too far away, on her bottom, staring up at a boy Rahim hoped he wouldn’t see. Snake...Gods, he hated that punk.!  “Hey, be nice...she’s only a baby,” Rahim defended her, scooping the crying child off the ground.

Snake scoffed lightly. “Oh, if it isn’t the whiny brat of a prince.  I should have expected you to be defending the little crybaby.  She ran into me, and if she knows what’s good for her, she’ll apologize and leave me be.”  Bri buried her face in Rahim’s throat, clinging to him as she cried audibly, her little body shaking in fear.

Rahim’s gaze shot daggers at the boy.  Snake was the same age as Rahim, older by a few months, and never failed to rub it in Rahim’s face.  “I’ll take her, and she won’t bother you again.”  He assured the other boy.  “You can count on that.”  He turned away, murmuring soft reassurances to Bri as he held her close.

“Brat...” Snake muttered before turning his back on the pair and stalking off into the gardens.  If the prince wanted to deal with babies, fine...but he wasn’t going to be bothered with it.  The small girl whimpered softly, trembling against Rahim.  “...he scary, dragon...”

“That he is, little one...and a complete dick, besides.” A scowl was on his face.  “Come now...let’s go to the kitchens and see if cook can cook you up something sweet, hm?  Would you like that?”

Sniffling, she looked up at him with wide tear-filled eyes.  “Dragon? What’s a...dick?” She stumbled over the unfamiliar word, giving him a curious look.

Rahim nearly choked on his own spit. He would have to be careful what he said around her!  “Nothing, Bird...forget I said it, please.”  He wiped tears off her cheeks.  “and please...no more crying.”

“ ‘kay, Dragon...” Bri replied softly, laying her head on his shoulder.  She sniffled a bit, but was much calmer now that she was in his arms and away from the other boy.

Rah carried her into the castle, into the kitchens.  The portly cook, a woman by the named of Ginger, was always a kind soul; she would help out the little girl.  “Ginger,” Rahim asked, his eyes on her.  “Do you think you have a sweet or two for a little girl?  She lost the game of hide and seek, you see...she could use some cheering up.”  

The woman, a mother of three herself with gray hair the color of steel, turned to smile at the pair of them.  “That I do,” she announced with a smile.  “Fresh pastries, right from the ovens.  Honeyed buns, as I know your mother is fond of them.”  

Rah smiled and set Bri down on the counter in the kitchens, fetching her one of the sticky pastries.  “Here you go, little Bird...eat up.”

“Thank you...” Bri mumbled politely, her cerulean eyes lighting up at the sight of the pastry.  She happily took the honeyed pastry from him, swinging her legs as she nibbled on it.

Rahim watched her with amusement, taking an apple for himself and crunching into it.  He just wanted to see a smile on her face, that was all.  For this little girl to be upset...it cut him to the core.  How could anyone bear to see a small child cry?

Humming happily as she enjoyed the pastry, Bri managed to get her face and hands all sticky from the honey.  She gave her friend a curious look, dark curls spilling over her shoulder as she tilted her head slightly.  “...dragon want some too?”

He shook his head. “No, little bird...I am okay with my apple.  You enjoy the sweets, hmm?  For both of us.”  He and the cook exchanged a glance and a smile.  Rahim was well-liked within the castle, and though he did cause occasional mischief, he was overall a very good boy.

“ ‘kay...” She chirped happily, swinging her legs idly.  Curious as a little cat, she looked around the kitchen with great interest, occasionally looking back to make sure her dragon was still there.

“I’m not going anywhere, pet,” he assured her with a smile.  “You still have one more cake to eat.”  The cook clucked about, making dinner for that night for the palace guests.

She giggled softly before finishing the last bit of her cake.  “It yummy!”  She remarked cheerfully, her good mood restored by the infusion of sugar.

Rahim smiled.  “Good.  Now that we’ve sugared you up, little one...what would you like to do now?”  He was enjoying spending time with her.  She was fun to be around, and didn’t demand anything from him, unlike all three of his sisters.

Bri was licking the honey from her fingers before giving him a curious look.  “Just play with dragon...dragon lots of fun...I like dragon...”

Rahim laughed. “Hmm...I’m really boring, Bird,” he admitted.  “So it’s whatever you want.”

Her nose wrinkled slightly as she shook her head.  “Uh uh...my dragon not boring...” She gave him a sticky smile.  “Dragon needs a nap...’cause he be silly now...”

Rahim smiled.  “Will you come take a nap with me, then?” He asked her.  “Only if you want to, though.”

Bri smiled back, lifting her arms up to him.  “Mmhm...bird go with dragon for sleeps...”

Rahim picked her up, washing her off in the sink in the kitchens first.  He didn’t want to get all sticky.  Stifling a yawn, because he really was tired, he picked her up and brought her with him to his chambers, laying her down with him in his bed, cuddling her innocently.  “Is that better, bird?” he asked.  

The tiny child snuggled close to him, tucking her head in the crook of his neck.  Small fingers clutched tightly to his shirt as a soft yawn escaped her.  “Uh huh...sleepy time, dragon...”

Rahim closed his eyes, holding her close to him, drifting off to sleep with her.  When he woke, he’d be having dinner with his parents, and he’d have to return her...but at least for now, she was all his.  Soon after he fell asleep, Bri did as well, feeling utterly content and safe in her dragon’s arms.
***

                Rahim had slept well, better than he had in a long time, in just the space of a few hours.  There was a scraping, a banging going on outside his door that threatened to jar him from his sleep.  A frown crossed his features and he shifted a little more in his bed, trying to return to blessed unconsciousness.

                The noise outside roused the sleeping child, tousled curls falling in her face when she lifted her head in confusion.  She looked around before lightly touching Rahim’s face with her small hands, a frightened whisper escaping her.  “Dragon...”

                Rahim’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on the little girl in his arms.  “Bird...?” he asked softly.  “What’s wrong?”  Then he heard the noise outside his bedroom.  Cursing softly under his breath, Rahim let the child down softly onto his bed.  “Stay here, Bird,” he whispered.  Taking a small dagger from his bedside table, he crouched towards the door, opening it just a crack.  As it opened, he saw a pair of bright green eyes and a triumphant smile, a dagger slicing out to catch him on the right side of his face, cutting him from his right eye to his mouth.  With a pain-filled curse, Rahim took his dagger and drove it into what felt like bone, slamming the door behind him.  “Bri, we need to go!  Now.”  He scooped the tiny girl up in his arms and threw open the door again, jumping over the prone body on the floor, the dagger in his hip.  Good.  The bastard would walk with a limp for the rest of his life.  

                The frightened child wrapped her arms around his neck, clutching tightly to the older boy.  She whimpered softly, not really sure why there were green-eyed monsters trying to hurt her dragon.  But they were really scary!

                Rah ran through the halls, carrying her close to him.  He ran to his parent’s bedroom, first, trying to figure out what was going on.  Their door was halfway open.  That wasn’t normal.  Ensuring that Bri was safely against his shoulder so she couldn’t see, he leaned into the room and let out a curse.  His parents were both dead, blood everywhere.  They both lay in their bed, together.  Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he turned away from it and ran.  He needed to get Bri to her parents.  Fast.

                Bri whimpered again, trembling in her dragon’s arms.  She kept her face buried in his throat, almost as if sensing his need to keep her from seeing the worst of it.

                Rahim ran faster, sprinting to her parents’ room, unable to stop the tears now.  His parents....  If her parents were gone too, Gods...he’d have to take her with him, make his escape with her.  He pushed open her parents’ door, finding them in their rooms.  Thank the Gods.  He shoved Bri at her mother, his face bloody and filled with pain.  “Take her.  She never left your side, understand me?  You don’t know anything.  You didn’t see me.  My parents have been murdered.  I need to get out of here...I need to escape.”