The sun began to set as Richard, Harold and Jessica ran down the rocky terrain, Jessica leading and Richard behind them. "We're cutting it close. Pick up the pace you two" Richard said in-between breaths. Jessica responded by grabbing onto Harold's hand and descending down the terrain. Richard picked up his pace too but their trip today had started to take its toll.

He was still recovering from his injuries and wasn't up to full health. Yoshi insisted that he still needed rest but there simply wasn't the time for that. The last ship of the season across the mountains would be launching by sunset and they couldn't afford to miss it. They'd be stuck until the spring and something told Richard that they couldn't wait that long.

As Richard kept up with the Gallants, pain started to build in his arm. He ignored it, determined to get onto the ship but it was starting to throb as he felt the scales begin to soften where Yoshi healed him. "Just a little further. You can do this" he thought to himself, keeping himself motivated. Until his vision began to blur and a dizzy spell hit him.

He stopped and placed his good arm on a rock to give himself support as the dizzy spell continued. He felt nauseous and held back a burp. His head was spinning and he struggled to stay upright.

"Typical. You can't even keep up with some kids". That damn voice. Why couldn't it just leave him alone? "You won't amount to anything you know that right?"

"Shut up" croaked Richard as his senses came back.

"Oh, do you really think that of your mother?" He felt her place a hand on his shoulder. The long fingernails digging in.

"You are not my mother"

"Really? Well she's dead now so you can forget about her. I'm your mother now"

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Roared Richard turning around bashing the arm away but it was just Jessica and Harold the latter of which holding his arm.

"Richard it's just us," Jessica said, grabbing hold of Harold. "You're not well. We can't…"

"Keep going you idiots", Richard snapped.

Jessica and Harold stayed still. "No. We are not leaving…"

"Keep going!" Shouted Richard. Harold hugged Jessica's arm, getting behind her. "I'll catch up. You can't miss this ship!" Jessica hesitated but reluctantly followed Richard's order, dragging Harold behind her as they continued down the path.

Richard sat down waiting for his body to calm down. The pain in his arm faded away but his scales didn't harden again. Evidently Yoshi's magic was failing from his over exertion. He swore. This was the last thing he needed but what else could he do? He couldn't fail. He had to prove he could do this. He wasn't worthless.

After several minutes the nausea disappeared and the pain was gone too. He pulled himself up and continued down the trail though at a slower pace. He rubbed his hand over his arm and the scales were still soft in places. Is this what a newborn dragon's skin was like? It almost reminded him of his old human skin and how ineffective it was at preventing cuts and injuries. He noted to be more careful with his arm until the scales hardened again, if they ever did he feared.

Finally he saw the dock to the airship, finding that it had already gone. He prayed that the kids got on, he could just fly up to catch them until a jolt of pain up his wing reminded him that it probably wasn't wise. He swore again. Could things get any worse?

"I'm sorry Richard". Richard snapped around. Jessica and Harold were there.

"No. No no no! What're you doing here? Why aren't you on the ship?" Richard exclaimed.

"They were already full. They wouldn't let us on" Jessica explained. Richard just stared past them. What were they going to do now? Crossing the mountains by foot would be too dangerous. He wouldn't be able to keep them safe but staying wasn't a wise idea either.

"Richard" Harold said, grabbing Richard's attention "It's not the end of the world. We can wait until next spring and get the first flight then"

"We can't wait until then," Richard responded.

"Yes we can and we will. We also need to find another healer to get you properly mended," Jessica said pointing to the soft scales on his arm. "Do too much and that wound will come back."

"We're not losing you too, even if you hate us," Harold cried. Richard shook his head in surprise by Harold's comment.

"What no. Why would you…" Richard started until he saw Harold's arm. There was now a bruise there. Richard froze. He hurt him. He hurt Harold.
"Harold. I… I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you".

"Then who?" Harold said as he began to cry.

"It.. it's complicated. A story for another time but please" Richard got down onto his knees now looking up at Harold holding his arms out, "please believe me when I say I don't hate you. I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry that I did that. I'll never hurt you again. I swear it".

Harold looked away. Richard stayed still silently begging that Harold would forgive him. The moment turned into hours. How could he bear the title of protector when he just went and hurt an innocent. One that he was meant to be protecting? He wasn't a knight. A knight wouldn't do this. He was not worthy of the title. He should just renounce being...

Harold hugged him around the neck bringing Richard back into reality. "I forgive you," Harold whispered.

Richard brought his arms around Harold and began to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Richard sobbed. Jessica joined them and Richard wrapped his wings around them both as they hugged each other.

"I hate to be the one to break this moment," started Jessica, "but what are we going to do now?" All three pulled out of the hug.

"There's the town," Harold said, pointing behind him. "Maybe we can stay here for a bit".

"But what about money? We won't last until then."

"I'll find a job," Richard responded, "a place like this will have a job that pays."

"Not until you get better. You need proper rest like what Yoshi said" Jessica said, tapping Richard on the shoulder.

"Very well. Now come on. Let's see if there's an inn with a spare room."

---

This is a great YCH that I got from  BigGoodWolf
They always do s phenomenal job

Richard belongs to me