Morel

“You have to save him!” the Guardian bellowed, a heart-wrenching wail rising in his throat. “He’s my charge, I only just found him, I- I-“ his voice caught in his throat as he tried to force back down the panic building inside him. “I didn’t have a chance to protect him, how could I lose him before I found him-“ the guardian paced the floor, his fans flexing with his heaving chest. “There has to be something. Anything that you can do to save him.” he pled, looking at the frost-damaged Pearcatcher laying before all of them. “We’re trying to help him.” snapped the ill-tempered Wildclaw leaning over the unmoving body. “There’s only so much magic and herbs can repair, and he’s missing so much…” gently replied another one of the healers, the small female Pearlcatcher this time. “Get the tinkerers, there’s one more thing we can try.” announced the third healer, the quiet Guardian who they claimed could see visions of the future.

At this, the male Guardian bolted away, his legs carrying him faster than he thought possible as he ran through the streets. He would save his charge. This wouldn’t be the end.

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“Leave me alone!” growled a robotic voice, emanating from a Pearlcatcher hiding behind his wings. “No one wants to be around me when I’m like… like this.” the voice was softer this time, less robotic than when it had been strained. “I’ve seen how they look at me. I just want to be alone.” a quiet whimper came after this, the wings tightening around the smaller dragon like a shield. “They’re wrong.” answered the Guardian, gently nudging one of the wings to the side with his foot. “You’re my charge. I will never leave your side, no matter what you look like. Just please, don’t make me go.”