“There is a time, I must admit, that I hated the world. When I was young, I fended for myself and not a soul knew, nor cared to know, where I was or how I may be doing. My own sister left me when I was but two months.”  Davira stalked over and slumped down next to Arundel. “I was alone.” she continued. “as time went by though, I did learn how to be alone. I hunted, I found a use for my wings and in time I would teach myself what would be needed.” Arundel cast her a look as he poked the remaining embers with a stick. The dragon’s crimson eyes focused intensely on the barren earth. “But, in reality, I didn’t think I could force myself to go on much longer. By this time I was roughly a year and not in good shape. Looking back on it now, I surprise myself that a hatchling could have made it alone.”
         Arundel hugged his knees and rested his head on his arms trying to find a comfortable and warm position. Then Davira focused on Arundel. “So years later, Morwen and Shamera came looking for me. Naturally, I had hid myself. Seething, I watched my ill-fated sister as she followed that grim man. I could see the evil that had eaten away at them. This would continue for quite some time, until it became routine.”  Sensing her prying eyes, Arundel looked up to face them. A far away fire of discontent burned in them.
         “Then I met you.” Davira sighed, “another human, was my first reaction. I thought I could use you though, to hide myself; manipulate you. As you did as I had told you, Morwen and Shamera left the area to look elsewhere. Soon after, you were captured. I didn’t care at first, but guilt tore at my conscience and I followed you to the prison where I watched for opportunity. To my surprise, you escaped. This is when I began to think you weren’t just some pathetic human to which I could give a simple thank you and move on.” Arundel glanced at her slightly and laid down on his back. “I’ve realized,” she said, “that time and time again you have stuck your neck out for me, and I’ve done nothing to repay you.”
          “Repay me?” Arundel snorted, “ I don’t need you to be in my debt. You’ve helped me plenty of times, and you’ve informed me of true happenings in this world. Besides, friends don’t need to ‘repay’ each other, simply the fact that you’ve stuck with a ‘pathetic human’ like me is more than enough the way I see it.”
            “Friends…” the dragon breathed out the word with a sense of relief. She leaned her over and flopped Arundel’s hair with her muzzle. “Yes, friends.” Her eyes glistened as she looked down at the last glowing ember from their fire and let a grin creep across her scaly lips.