It was night again before the Talonians came hurrying back to the spaceship. Over their powerful shoulders they carried the wounded and the dead. Their grim faces told the story of the terrible war that was finally over. Both sides had large losses, but the weredragons had made their point. The city was in ashes, and it was doubtful that the Savra would be foolish enough to continue their bombardment of Talonia. Tae felt bad that he had left the battle hours before it ended, but the human's life had been worth it.

Hesher barely acknowledged his presence. He was obviously still angry at what he considered Tae's rebellion. Besides, he had his own worries. The injured must be stabilized and the dead stored beneath the ship to be honored once they reached Talonia. He ordered the ship to leave immediately, just in case the Savra had enough energy and anger to attack it. The wounded could be treated during the journey home.

It was a relief to leave the sand covered planet. The Talonians missed their waterfalls and greenery. Tae wished to wash away the filth of Savra under the purifying water, then sleep on the soft, springy grass. Under the sky, he could regain his strength and feel free. Perhaps, it would help the human heal as well.

Tae was in better shape than the others, so he offered his assistance in caring for the injured. Hesher accepted with a curt nod. For many hours, Tae cleansed wounds, dug out bullets, and administered pain medication. His glance often went to the human who remained asleep. He saw that Hesher looked her way a few times as well. There was sympathy in his gaze. He might not admit it, but he would have saved the human if Tae had not. For what other reason would he have protected them?

Tae demanded that the commander have a shower, a meal, and get some rest. He would watch over the soldiers. Tae felt he owed them that much since he had left in the middle of the battle. He hoped his work would atone, somewhat, for the disregarding of his orders. Hesher grudgingly accepted the offer and left Tae in charge.

Tae napped for minutes at a time, waking each time a soldier groaned or asked for water. He wiped heated brows and rewrapped still oozing wounds. Often, he administered more pain medication, though he used less and less each time. He feared completely running out before reaching home. It was better to take the edge off the pain for the entire trip than to stop it completely for a while and then let them suffer anguish when the medication ran out.

Tae was startled to find the female's eyes open and following his movements. He rushed to her side and asked, "Are you in pain? I saved some medication for you. I will go get it."

As he turned, a delicate hand reached out and touched his arm. He looked back, and the woman was shaking her head. She whispered, "Save it for your soldiers. I have endured worse."

"You should not have to. The past is over. Let me ease your suffering," Tae implored.

"No, I am just a slave. Give it to the men who fought against my captors."

"Do not speak of yourself that way. You are not a slave anymore. You never should have been. Please, allow me to help you," Tae repeated.

"No." She turned her head and refused to engage in conversation.

Defeated, Tae left her alone. What atrocities had she endured to make her think so little of herself? How long was she a slave to the Savra? They had brainwashed her into believing she was not worthy of medical care. How very sad. Perhaps Michelle would be able to reach her. She would certainly be surprised to see another human, especially one mated with a weredragon.

Hesher came to the infirmary just as Talonia was drawing near. Tae asked, "Did you rest well, commander? Do you have any injuries? You never said whether or not you had been hurt."

Hesher waved away Tae's worries. "I am fine. Only my heart is aching for the loss of many good men. I dread telling their families that they are gone."

"It would have been far worse if we had allowed the Savra to attack Talonia. The war would have killed many more, including innocents," Tae reminded him.

"I am well aware of that. I also realize now the Savra would have most certainly taken some of our people as slaves. We have the proof in the woman you rescued. I thought about it for many hours. I cannot imagine our women enduring the torture she obviously has. What would they have done to our children? It is unthinkable. Though I cannot officially condone your disobedience, I admit I would have done the same. You are not completely to blame. I aided in your disobedience," Hesher replied.

"The king does not need to know that. The punishment belongs solely to me," Tae solemnly vowed.

Hesher smiled and said, "Our king is no fool. He would ask how you managed to get her out without being killed. It is fitting that I confess my part in the matter. As your commander, I am responsible for your actions anyway."

"I apologize for getting you into this, however, I am not sorry I saved her. No one deserves to be left as a slave to those creatures. I have a feeling she was there for a very long time."

"Has she told you anything?" Hesher asked.

"She woke once. I offered to ease her pain, but she refused the medication. She believes that as a slave she does not deserve it. She told me to keep it for the soldiers who fought against her captors. She then turned her head away. I think she has remained awake and just refuses to speak."

"We shall see. Let me try to speak with her while you prepare the wounded for landing. They must be ready for removal the instant the doors are opened. The healer is waiting to care for them properly," Hesher stated.

Tae did as he was ordered but listened to Hesher question the woman as well.

"I know you are awake," Hesher began. "You are breathing too fast to be asleep. Open your eyes and look at me. I mean you no harm, but I have many questions. Ah, there you are. What is your name, green eyes?"

The woman just continued to stare.

"I see, you do not trust me. Tae, tell her who I am."

"He is the commander of our army," Tae announced. "He is also the dragon that saved our lives."

"Now that you know I can be trusted, tell me your name," Hesher demanded.

"Eveline," she replied in a hoarse voice.

"You are dehydrated, Eveline. Why have you not asked for water? Tae would have gladly retrieved it."

"I can't ask for help. It's forbidden."

"That is the Savra's rules, not ours. You are not a slave or a prisoner. Ask, and your needs will be met," Hesher consoled her. "Tae, bring water. She must stop punishing herself."

"Drink, please," Tae begged when he brought the water. Her eyes teared up as the soothing coolness of the water trickled down her parched throat. "I hope that feels better."

Eveline nodded. She trusted Tae above all others. The commander may have aided their escape, but it was Tae who would not leave her chained to the post.

"How long were you with the Savra?" Hesher continued.

"Ten years," Eveline replied.

"Then you were only a child when they took you. How did that occur?" Hesher questioned.

"No more," she sobbed.

"Leave her be, sir," Tae courageously demanded. "Can you not see it saddens her to speak of it? Give her some time to heal and discover how different we are from her captors."

Hesher's eyebrows raised. He was surprised by Tae's insolence. "You are quite daring to speak to your superior in such a manner. However, this time I must agree with you. It is clearly too difficult for her to discuss. We will leave it for now, but the king will not be so understanding. Another human on Talonia will upset him immensely."

Tae was the one to nod this time. He had known from the beginning that the king would have a problem with the woman. At least Michelle had paved the way for her. She would not endure a trial or the shunning of the Talonians. Michelle had proven that humans could be trusted. Eveline would find a champion in her. She would not be alone. Tae would be there for her too, despite the punishment he would face. If Kelan let him keep his new position, there would be enough money to care for Eveline until she could earn her own.

Tae could now see the waterfalls and volcanoes of Talonia. Clouds parted to reveal the towering homes of weredragons. He was home and still alive. He had Hesher to thank for that.

The commander had been kinder than Eveline expected. He had seen her thirst and ordered it to be quenched. His questions were probing and brought painful memories, yet he had stopped when Tae asked him to. His words about the king were disturbing. Would he torture the answers from her as the Savra had done? Truthfully, she had nothing to hide. There was no need for torture. The Savra had just enjoyed it, even though she was quite willing to speak freely. Her memories saddened her, but she would do her best to answer the king's questions no matter how much she hated it.

Eveline could feel the spaceship turn and slow its descent. It was landing. She would soon see another strange world. What would it look like? How would she be greeted? Tae and the commander had said she was no longer a slave or a prisoner. Was this true? Would she be free to live as she chose? Would they send her home if she asked? If so, would her family welcome her or shun her due to the scars and life among aliens? Would they even believe her? After all, no one on Earth was aware of the Savra. Eveline wasn't even sure she would recognize her family or whether she wanted to go back. She wasn't the same child that had been stolen that long-ago day.

The soldiers were removed from the ship first, giving Eveline a reprieve. Tae had left her alone with her thoughts and followed his commander's orders. She was happy the commander had mentioned her rescuer's name, because she hadn't asked. Their names were odd, not ones she had heard before, yet that seemed to fit them perfectly. They had a melodic sound to them that she found appealing. For aliens, they were very much like humans, except she saw something in their eyes that didn't exist in those of mankind. It was almost as if she could see the dragon inside.

Tae came and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. He told her, "I am taking you to our healer. He will do a much better job of caring for your injuries than I have. Soon your pain will be over."

So, she wasn't to be taken directly to the king for questioning. The commander was truly giving her time to recover. These men kept their word. She found herself longing to trust and believe them all. She hid her face in Tae's shoulder. She didn't care to see her new world yet or be stared at by its population.

When Tae sat her on a soft bed, a stranger appeared. "Well, look at that. It is another beautiful human female. You all seem to just keep appearing. It is quite disturbing how easily our planet is being found. Do not get me wrong; I like human women. At least I like the one I have met. I am Daer, the healer. Tae said your name is Eveline. He also said you are too brave to accept more painkillers. Bravery is commendable, but under these circumstances unnecessary. Your body and mind require it so you can relax and heal. You will also need something to keep away infection and yet another medication to minimize scarring. Your neck is in bad shape. We do not want reminders of your torment left behind. Will you cooperate?"

This healer was just as handsome as Tae and the commander: however, he talked a lot. It was a relief when his speech was finished. Eveline wasn't a talker. She preferred to answer with a nod of her head. She would save her words for the king.

The first medication must have been for pain because when a woman came in to scrub every inch of her skin, it didn't hurt. The wrapping on her broken leg was removed and replaced with long pieces of wood down each side of her leg, wrapped tightly with a thick cloth. She couldn't bend it at all. A nice smelling salve covered her scrapes and bruises. An extra thick layer was used on her neck. It stopped throbbing immediately, and the swelling began to go down. She was covered with a soft sheet. Her body relaxed, and she slept peacefully for the first time in ten years.

A gentle hand on her brow awakened Eveline. She slowly opened her eyes and peered into big brown ones that held such kindness it touched her heart. "Good morning, Eveline. You've been sleeping for a very long time. That's a good thing, though. You are healing and should feel much better now. I'm Michelle. I brought you something to eat. Are you hungry?"

"Human?" Eveline whispered. It was much easier to speak. Her throat wasn't swollen or parched.

"Yes, I'm human. You and I are the only ones on Talonia. I hope you find my presence comforting. Here, have some broth. It's not much, but Daer says you should start with liquids. You've been sleeping for a few days, and your stomach might revolt if we gave you anything more substantial. Come on, take a sip. It's tasty."

Eveline drank greedily from the cup that was held to her lips. The warm broth was delicious. "You're not a slave?" she asked Michelle.

"Of course not. Neither are you. Tae and Hesher both told you that. Did you not believe them?"

"It is hard to believe anyone after ten years as a slave," Eveline replied.

"I understand, but the Talonians can be trusted. I give you my word."

Eveline wanted to believe her, but she had yet to meet the king. Her life was in his hands, and she had learned to distrust authority.