The dragon looked down at Ginelle with its gold eyes and snorted for a second before responding to her question by slowly opening his mouth, which revealed a lot of teeth. As Ginelle slowly started to walk closely, she could count at least fifty sharp teeth within the dragon’s mouth, all looking very sharp. As she got closer, the young witch started to examine the teeth and moments later found the culprit to the dragon’s woes. There was a large tooth near the back of it’s mouth that had cracked badly and was no doubt the source of the dragon’s pain. Ginelle took a step back from the dragon’s mouth so that she could look at Ruki in order to address him.

“I see the tooth,” She informed him, “And that does look quite painful. How long has it been like that?”

“For quite some time,” The dragon replied, “Is there anything you can do for me, like you did for that wolf?”

“I’ve never healed a tooth before,” Ginelle confessed, “But I am willing to try, as long as you promise not to get upset if it doesn’t work.”

“I promise,” Ruki said, “I am just relieved that you are going to try to help me. As I said before most people just scream and run away.”

“Alright, open your mouth and please try to stand still.” Ginelle said, as she watched the dragon open its rather large jaws again. She moved her hands over the broken tooth, like she had for the wolf’s leg and started to speak the enchantment again. Her hands softly began to glow as the healing process had begun on the poor dragon’s tooth.

“I can feel it,” Ruki said, without moving his jaw much. “It hurts!”

“I’m sorry,” Ginelle replied, “Just bear with me for a little longer.”

She continued to stand there with her arms inside the dragon’s mouth as she continued to heal and concentrate so that the tooth would heal. After a few moments the dragon began to groan as something was happening, and second later there was a flash that knocked Ginelle backwards and onto her butt. The dragon was upset as it began to roar loudly and even blow flamed upwards into the sky. A few moments after blowing the fire, Ruki shook his head for a moment and then looked back at Ginelle.

“It’s gone!” he said to her, “The pain is gone!”

“It is?” Ginelle said, as she suddenly noticed something. She walked over to it and picked it up off the ground. Ruki’s broken tooth was no longer in his mouth and was lying on the ground. The flash that had knocked her over was the dragon’s tooth being pulled out by her spell.

“Your tooth fell out,” Ginelle said, “My spell must have pulled it out. I’m sorry about that.”

“Are you sure?” The dragon asked, “It doesn’t feel gone to me.”

“Open up,” Ginelle ordered, “Let’s take a look.”

Ginelle looked inside Ruki’s mouth, and the dragon wasn’t lying. The reason the tooth had fallen out as because Ginelle’s spell had caused a new tooth to grow out and take the broken tooth’s place.”

“You have a new tooth,” Ginelle said.

“That’s even better!” The dragon said, “Now I can eat without feeling pain! Thank you so much, young witch!”

“You’re welcome, Ruki.” Ginelle said, as she looked at the broken tooth in her hand. It was quite large, at least four inches long. “Do you want this back?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Ruki answered, “Keep it as a memento of our encounter. I hear dragon teeth go for a lot on the market.”

“Are you going so soon?” Ginelle asked, “I have food to share, and I could use some practice speaking to creatures like yourself.”

“I have time,” the dragon replied, “And that food does smell rather nice.”

“There is plenty,” Ginelle said as she grabbed the left-over meats and tossed them into the dragon’s mouth. She watched him chew his food and he seemed quite pleased with it. Not only from how it had tasted but probably the fact that he was chewing pain free for the first time in a while.

“That is delicious!” Ruki said as he licked his lips. “Is there anymore?”

Ginelle gave him another piece. “I was told that dragons live in the mountains, so you’re a long way from home.”

“That’s an understatement,” Ruki said, “I had to leave the mountains that I called home because of dragon hunters. They had attacked our nest and killed most of us. I managed to escape, but I don’t know if anyone else made it. I’m just looking for a new mountain to build a new nest and start over again.”

“What brought you here,” Ginelle asked, “To this part of the woods?”

“To be honest, it was the wolf.” Ruki answered, “I saw him in the trap and was going to eat him. I was just about to walk up to him when you came along first. I hid in the bushes and watched what you did for him and then followed you here.”

“Were you going to eat me?” Ginelle asked.

“I’m not fond of human meat,” Ruki said, “But I prefer other creatures. Your food is quite tasty, little witch. I like it very much. I haven’t felt this energized after eating before. Where can I get more?”

“I make it at the camp,” Ginelle said, “If you promise not to eat the wolf or any other creature out here, I can bring more if you like.”

“I would like that very much,” Ruki said, appearing to be excited.

“But I want something in return for my food,” Ginelle continued, “In exchange for lunch, I want practice talking to creatures like yourself.”

“Are you sure?” Ruki asked, “The woods can be dangerous.”

“I’m not worried,” Ginelle said, smiling back at him. “Do you think there’s a single creature or man around here that would dare mess with a witch and a dragon?”

“Good point,” Ruki agreed, as he paused to think about her proposal.

“Do we have a deal?” Ginelle asked.

“We do,” Ruki said, “Meet me out here at the same time of day, and we shall practice talking while you feed me.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ginelle said, happy to have a deal. “But I must be off as I am expected to be back to camp very soon.”

She proceeded to give the dragon the remainder of the food that was in her basket and then saluted the dragon.

“Thanks for the practice, and the tooth.” Ginelle said, “I shell never sell it for it means too much to me.”

“I look forward to our next encounter,” Ruki said, “Farewell, little witch.”

As she was walking back to the camp, Marcus had flown over to make sure that Ginelle was on her way back as time had flown while hanging out with her new friend.

“You’re in trouble, girl!” Marcus called out as he flew above her. “Margorie expected you back a while ago.”

When Ginelle arrived at the dining hall, she immediately started to set up the tables, which was easier to complete since there were less people eating out there for the time being. Margorie didn’t say anything to her as the old witch concentrated on the meal at hand and serving the men that were there. It wasn’t until after supper that she even asked her where she had been.

“I was talking to animals,” Ginelle answered, “I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.”

“And what about the blood on your collar?” Margorie asked.

“The animal was hurt,” Ginelle confessed, “He got himself trapped in one of Harrison’s metal snares.”

“I see,” Margorie said, “What did you do?”

“I set it free,” Ginelle answered, “After I healed it’s leg.”

“You used a healing spell on an animal?” Margorie asked, “What happened?”

“Something weird,” Ginelle said, “His leg was no longer broken, but his fur also changed color and became softer.”

“You did something very dangerous, little one.” Margorie said, “Sometimes when healing an animal, we can accidently enhance it. Making it stronger and more dangerous than it was before. I should have told you that before letting you wander around for someone to speak with.”

“Why doesn’t that happen when we heal the men?” Ginelle asked.

“I’m not sure,” Margorie said, thinking about it. “Someone once told me that this kind of enhancement is rare and only happens when the healer and the patient have a connection, a special bond.”

“I see,” Ginelle said, thinking about the wolf she had watched wander off. She didn’t that connected to him and was content that he was going back to be with his own kind.

“So, are you going to keep doing that?” Margorie said, “Letting our supper get away?”

“I’ll try not to,” Ginelle said, declining to reveal what kind of creature she healed. She didn’t even show the old witch the dragon tooth, as she was unwilling to reveal that incident as well. She put the tooth in her drawer for safe keeping when she went to bed that night.

The next morning as the men were eating breakfast, things were rather normal until there was sound that caught everyone’s attention. There was a loud and piercing howl that filled the air. All the men stopped eating and looked at one another.

“What the hell was that?” one of the men asked.

“That sounded like a wolf.” Harrison said, “And that sounded very close.”

There was another howl and this time the men all jumped up to their feet, as it was much closer this time. The men grabbed their axes and rushed to the door. Ginelle was rushing behind them, but Harrison stopped and grabber her by the arm.

“It’s not safe out there,” Harrison warned her, “Wolves travel in packs, so where there’s one, there are many more. Stay in here and keep the doors locked.”

Harrison didn’t wait for a reply and walked outside to see where the sound was coming from. All the other men were standing on the deck of the main hall, like statues. When Harrison emerged from the door, he suddenly realized why where were all so silent. The wolf was right in front of the hall, sitting as if he were a good doggie, even panting like one too.

“My god,” one of the men said, “That thing is huge!”

“That has to be a dire wolf,” another of his men said, “That thing’s fur is going to fetch a nice price on the market.”

“Wait,” Ginelle called out as she emerged through the door. “Don’t you dare hurt him.”

“Ginelle,” Harrison replied, “That thing is dangerous.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Ginelle said, as she walked around Harrison and up to the guard rail of the hall’s front deck. She looked at the wolf, and it was majestic. Its fur was a mixture of black and light brown and was twice as big as the wolf she had healed the day before. For some reason she felt something inside her that compelled her to reach out to the creature. She hopped over the rail and began to walk towards the big wolf, much to the surprise of the loggers. The wolf didn’t respond as she walked right up to the big creature and started to pet its soft fur. The wolf remained calm and allowed Ginelle to stroke its fur for a few moments. That was all the young girl needed to do in order to understand who she was with again.

“Hello Garrak,” she said, and then waited for the wolf to respond.

“Hello, little witch.” The wolf answered. While Ginelle heard the words, all the loggers standing beside her was grunts and barks from the big wolf.

“What are you doing out here?” She asked it.

“I was unable to find my pack,” the wolf answered, “And I woke up this morning bigger and with softer fur, and an urge to come find you. Do you have an idea what is going on with me?”

“I’m sorry about that,” Ginelle called back, “That might have been my fault. Sometimes when we use healing magic, it can have that effect on animals and people.”

“Ginelle, what is it saying?” Harrison asked her. He was aware that Margorie could talk to animals but was unaware that Ginelle had picked up the skill as well until that morning.

“He’s alone,” she told him, “He lost his pack, so he decided to come down here to visit me.”

“I see,” Harrison said, “How do you know him?”

“She met this wolf yesterday.” Margorie said as she emerged from the dining hall herself. “I take it this is the one you freed from the trap and healed?”

“It is,” Ginelle confirmed, “This is Garrak.”

“I take it he’s grown since you last saw him too,” Margorie said, looking at the big creature. “And that he was compelled to come here.”

“That is correct,” Garrak said, “Why is that?”

“You are connected to her,” Margorie answered, “For some reason you have been chosen to serve this witch. You will feel connected to her until your partnership comes to an end.”

“When will that be?” Ginelle asked.

“That’s a good question,” Harrison echoed as he didn’t like the idea of the big wolf hanging around.

“I’m not sure, but you’ll both know when.” Margorie replied, “Until then you will both be compelled to stay around one another.”

“I don’t want that thing here!” Harrison called out.

“That’s too bad,” Ginelle said, rather defiantly. “You should have thought about that before you hurt him with one of your traps.”

Harrison was more shocked that Ginelle was defying one of his orders. Yet at that moment the wolf licked the young girls face, much like a dog would show affection. Ginelle responded by giving the wolf a hug, which was rather enjoyable with Garrak’s new soft fur.

“Looks like someone has a new pet,” one of the loggers noted.

“You can’t fight it,” Margorie whispered to Harrison, “They’ve been connected by magic, and this is a bond that will never break. This is a good thing actually.”

“Really?” Harrison asked, “How so?”

“That wolf is her companion,” Margorie explained, “And her defender. He will guard her from anyone that tries to harm her. I hate to say it but we’re kind of stuck with him.”

“Great,” Harrison said, “Leave it to Ginelle to have a pet dire wolf.”

“You can also skip getting her that pony you were looking at for next year’s birthday,” Margorie also noted, “I don’t think he’s done growing yet.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Harrison said, turning back to look at the young girl happily petting the big wolf. “I’ll get the boys to create a custom saddle for her when it gets big enough to handle one.”

“That’s the spirit,” Margorie said, “You’ll get used to it being around. He’ll also make a good guard of the stables when we eventually move him there. So, there’s that.”

“Lovely,” Harrison said, grinning a bit. “We’re going to have to make that wolf its own pen or it will scare the horses.”

“That’s true,” Margorie concurred, “But I’ve been listening to you all whine about having nothing to do while waiting for spring, and now you do. So, I suggest you get started.”

Harrison sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”