Each time Guangfeng helped Yuelan off the horse she felt relief and moved away from it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, after they found a couple of cooks in one village, she would have to get back on the terrifying beast again just to go to the next village. Each time Guangfeng stuck her back on his horse and started moving again she would hide in his chest and tremble while also wishing that she had enough strength to hit him for seeming to enjoy her terror.

Gathering cooks from each of the nearby villages to help the army took most of the day and Guangfeng escorted Yuelan back to the tent once they arrived. Before she went inside he raised a hand and gently stroked her hair before leaning in to speak softly into her ear. “Rest well, Yuelan…. I’ll help you get over your fear of horses when I have time…” He then swiftly kissed her cheek before heading for the command tent.

Yuelan’s cheeks burned and she fled into the tent, instructing Camphor to prepare a bath for her as she went to the bed and hid herself under the blankets.

***

By the next morning the quality of food in the military camp had improved. With the improvement in the food, the soldiers all seemed to be in a better mood. They also all seemed to know that it was Yuelan who had suggested a way to improve the food, though as she spent the day in her tent hiding from Guangfeng nobody was able to thank her directly.

The following morning, the military doctor who had been treating Yuelan’s shoulder declared that she could head back to the capital. Camphor packed everything up and the two girls left Guangfeng’s tent and walked away from the camp with Long He and Shadow. Guangfeng was stuck in a strategy meeting and unable to leave the command tent, so he couldn’t see them off and sent Shade to make sure they left safely.

When they were far enough away that Long He was sure nobody would see more than they should, he stopped walking and shifted into his dragon form. Once again, a single one of his claws was as long as Yuelan was tall, but this time his entire body was exposed. His serpentine body was coiled around many times, looking like it could extend for at least a mile if he wasn’t curled up. The dragon set one of his ‘hands’ in front of Yuelan and waited for her to sit down on it, then let Shadow and Camphor sit on the other with the things he’d brought for Yuelan. With the humans settled, the dragon uncoiled and lifted himself into the sky.

Camphor let out a shriek and hid her face in the sack holding all of Yuelan’s things. Shadow’s face looked a bit pale under his mask. Yuelan, on the other hand, peeked out over Long He’s thumb and watched the scenery below her as they headed back to the capital. “I wonder if this is what riding in an airplane would be like,” she called out to the dragon.

Long He chuckled. “There’d be less wind for you,” he pointed out. “And less of a view. Be careful not to fall off. I’d rather not have to catch you.”

“I will!” Yuelan promised. She watched the ant-sized people below her moving about on the roads in their toy-sized carriages and carts or working on their patchwork farms. Her jade green eyes were bright with excitement as she studied everything, her lips spread into a cheerful grin.

“Long He, why didn’t you tell me we could travel this way?” Yuelan complained after they’d been flying for about an hour. “I could get to the library in minutes instead of having to take the carriage! And no matter how well made the carriages here are, they’re still more uncomfortable than a car at home!”

“It’s not a good idea to reveal your full identity just yet, Master,” Long He explained. Since bonding with Yuelan he’d changed the way he addressed her unless they were in public. “Not until after you’ve made a contract with one of the four divine beasts and are able to start taking on the responsibilities your identity requires.”

Yuelan sighed and didn’t argue. Her dragon most likely had a good reason for wanting to keep things quiet for the time being, even if he hadn’t told her what it was. She settled herself in his palm and closed her eyes, falling asleep a short while later.

Once he was sure Yuelan was asleep, Long He turned his attention to Camphor and Shadow. “You two will say nothing about Master’s identity,” he said firmly. “Not to anyone. She is not ready to take on the identity in full yet. When that time comes, everyone will realize who she is and it will not be possible to hide it anymore.” He didn’t bother to tell them what the punishment for ignoring his warning would be and neither of them felt the need to ask.

***

They arrived at the library three hours after leaving the military camp in the south. Long He landed carefully outside and set the humans he was carrying down before shifting back to his human form. Yuelan had woken up from her nap by then and she looked around the library. “I think we’ll need to head back to the capital,” she decided. “It’ll be more convenient for a doctor to take care of my injured shoulder while it heals if they don’t have to come all the way out here.”

“I will get Willow and Laurel and have them help to gather Miss’ things,” Camphor said quickly. “It shouldn’t take long.”

Yuelan nodded. “Thank you. He, will you have them prepare the carriage while we’re waiting so we can leave as soon as possible?”

The dragon nodded. “Of course, Master.” He smiled at her, then turned and walked toward the stables.