Chapter 8

Watching Ciel wave goodbye to him from the ground always tore his heart apart. Now that the mating was complete, he could join the other dragons alone in their forays against those who would attack Wyvern. Today, he was on a mission to find a piece for the mill.

The grinding stone had become chipped over the years. The man who had maintained and run the mill as a historical site had talked to a supplier three towns away many months ago. Argenis would fly to contact the man and transport the replacement if it still existed.

It might be a fool's errand or possibly keep the town able to produce substantial amounts of milled flour for years to come. In the old days, a dragon would escort a group going by wagon. Unfortunately, the camps outside Wyvern had grown desperate as food stocks dwindled.

The town was allowing some to enter if they seemed safe—families with willing workers. The militia groups of men were repelled each time they attempted to breach a barrier. In the beginning, many chose to attack at night. That quickly became their last choice when faced with a dragon who lit up the ground and eliminated any threat. Now, they lie in wait, looking for a good opportunity.

Winging his way over the mountain range, Argenis roared a massive burst of fire. Angry settlers often chose to launch weapons toward the dragons as they left the area. Fire forced them back and discouraged any hostilities. He paused to note any threats. It appeared that the raiding forces had lessened. Perhaps they were moving on.

Pleased that all the citizens would be safer, including his mate, Argenis forged ahead with massive thrusts of his powerful wings. Quickly, he covered the distance, looking for the landmarks the miller had shared. A red flag caught his eye. He swooped in to land in a small clearing. Changing, he discovered an audience observed him from the nearby buildings.

The small group did nothing to appear dangerous. He waved and strode toward the man that emerged to greet him. "Are you Jenkins? Samuel, the miller at Wyvern sent me."

"I am. I'll admit you're the first dragon I've had land in my yard. My kids may never be the same."

Argenis couldn't help but grin. "I should have set something on fire."

"I have a trash pile you could ignite for us if you like," he commented before adding, "I bet there's something you're here for."

"Is the grinding wheel still available?" Argenis asked.

"It's laying over in the field there. No one can move it now. He looked at the man he'd seen land and transform. "I'm guessing you could handle it. I can't just give it to you," he warned.

"What do you need?" Argenis asked.

"Our medicine supplies are dwindling. Would you be willing to try a pharmacy or two for us?" the miller asked.

"Give me a list and I'll do my best. I can't guarantee that I can find anything," Argenis asked.

"Thank you."

A woman rushed out of shadows with a fussy infant on her shoulder. "Thank you, sir. The baby… She's always needed medicine. It wasn't a problem before, but now." Her voice trailed off and Argenis could hear the concern.

"I'll do my best. Write down anything you think I'll need to know," Argenis requested.

"What's happening out there?" the miller asked.

"It's not good. Are you safe here?" Argenis asked.

"We're not sure. From the beginning, I've invited neighbors to gather here on my land to support each other. So far, no one has made it here. I don't know if they've changed their minds or…" The miller shook his head, obviously suspecting the worst had happened.

"Would you be interested in coming to Wyvern? I can call for another dragon to carry your family to safety."

"I hate to leave my mill. People need someone here who knows how to work it."

"We can talk when I return. Discuss it with your family."

"Thank you. What is your name?"

"Argenis."

"Thank you, Argenis," Jenkins said with honest gratitude.

A few seconds later, his wife reappeared with a short list. "We tried to get this from the pharmacy in town, but a group of thugs has taken it over. They'd let us exchange flour for a while. Now, they want something different." Her eyes drifted meaningfully to her stunning teenage daughter.

"I will be back. I've offered to take your family to Wyvern. Eventually, they will travel here to collect anything they want," Argenis warned.

"I didn't want to leave the medicine I knew the pharmacist had ordered for the baby. If we have that, we should leave," she agreed.

"Gather whatever is most essential and what could help those in Wyvern. They will welcome you."

She nodded and turned to scurry back into the house, taking the children in with her.

"I will gather all the parts from the mill and my tools. Those will be needed," Jenkins suggested.

"Put them in a sturdy container that I can lift with a claw," Argenis requested.

"Weight restrictions?"

"You won't need to worry about that."

Turning, Argenis returned to the clearing and tucked the note safely into his pocket. It would be there when he shifted back to human. In a flash of light, he resumed his dragon form and took to the sky.

The pharmacy was close. In the middle of a shopping area, it and the grocery store next door were now barricaded with debris piled on cars. Argenis swooped down to bash one section away with a flick of his hind leg. It was more effective than he'd imagined as a fourth of the circle went flying across the parking lot.

Men rushed from the building to look up at the sky. They fired guns after him, making Argenis skyrocket upward out of the way. Several bullets bounced off his scales and one grazed his snout. The sting made Argenis snort.

Are you okay?

I am fine, Little Sky. I will be home soon.

Argenis smiled slightly in a dragon grimace at her concern. Their connection was strong.

Turning his attention back to the men below, Argenis released his light. He watched the men shield their eyes, fall to their knees, and collapse, dropping the guns to the ground. He landed and sent another burst of pure white to address anyone inside who had not shot at him.

A quick shift and he cautiously dashed inside. That second indirect blast had knocked out the resistance. They'd wake up with headaches but would be totally functional in a few days.

Argenis strode through the pharmacy, noting all the things inside that could help others. He shook his head at the thought of men profiting from the needs of others during this tough time. Searching through the stacks of medicine, he found the remainder of a large canister holding the medicine Jenkins needed. He took it and checked off the other items. Perusing the drugs that remained on the shelves, he grabbed a container of a well-known antibiotic and a supply of bandages. After stuffing everything into a backpack from the shelf, he left the rest for others who would need help.

"Can I go in there?" a woman stood just outside the entrance as if scared to go in. "My father…"

Argenis spoke when she hesitated. "It is safe inside. Gather what you absolutely need and pass the word to others. The men inside won't wake up for twenty-four hours."

"Thank you!" she rushed inside and returned with several vials and syringes. As she ran down the street, she announced, "The pharmacy is open for a day. Go now. Get only the essentials!"

Argenis shifted, and after grabbing the bundle of supplies, took to the sky. From above, he could see people emerging from different buildings to race toward the freed complex. Hopefully, a new crew would not replace the old.