[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

As our group sat in Aisha's small living room gathered about immersed in conversation, the light of the morning sun poked though the gaps in the window boards.

Apparently all this time Swiftant was back with the Dragon Empire. There he had met up with Suzette, and there he had decided to betray the queen. In a way, I was still uncertain of his motives. After all, he was a man who worked for the Dragons. One usually doesn't decide to switch to the losing side. Did they think he was conspiring? Did he have regret for betraying his own kind for all these years?
But I wasn't about to confront him on the subject. I know I like my secrecy and rather keep things kept to myself. I only divulge what I must to make sure that I can function adequately with my partners...
In any event, I was glad that we had been reunited. I didn't want to generate any negative tension. Our group has been scattered for far too long. I wanted to enjoy this moment.
I looked at the two of them; Suzette and Swiftant. The way they sat in each others company. Were they a couple? She was definitely a pretty girl. Every now and then when our eyes met during Swiftant conversing she would smile.

Aisha came out of the kitchen with a kettle and a platter of cups. "Here. I have prepared some coffee. I have some sweet rolls as well."

I picked up a cup, and pressed my lips to the rim. The heat warmed my nostrils. I took a sip. "It's good." I spoke softly. Nozomi ended up eating all the rolls. There was not even a crumb left for anyone else. We all just laughed.

" Look at this, my home full of people. Why just yesterday this place was empty, and today I have four young people to keep me company." Aisha's eyes twinkled.

"I am glad that someone people from the outside has come. It is evidence enough that there is still hope for those outside of this hidden place. Here in Shinkirou, citizens are ignorant to the struggles of the humans who face the dragons everyday. They are safe here, brainwashed into believing that the world is but a desert wasteland, and there is only life far,far away, hidden from the dragons. Most people here have never met a dragon, so when they discovered who I was really they were unnerved. People hate what they don't understand, and I haven't been understood at all. I so am the one who covered these windows and keep myself in here. Only going out at night if I have to."

Suzette looks deeply troubled by her mother's words... "mother if I had known how it has been for you all this time I would have come sooner, I wish I could have. But fear also kept me away."

"It's alright." Aisha smiles. "I need to end this way of life."

I get up and go over to one of the windows.

"You shouldn't be afraid of who you are." I speak aloud.

"They have no right to treat you this way. You shouldn't live like this."

I stretch out my arms, tense my biceps, and tear a piece of board from the window. A stream of light floods the room. The red light of the rising sun breathes a breath of life into this dingy space.

I squint my eyes and stare into the sky.

I turn to face everyone. They are all staring at me.

"You are one of them Aisha. You have been here alone all this time, now you must let yourself be free. You aren't dead. This isn't a tomb."

Aisha begins to cry."Thank you." She probably never heard anyone say something like that before. I kind of felt embarrassed, not because of what I did, but because I made her cry. She doesn't know how to contain her emotion, she isn't used to contact with others.

"Excuse me." I grab my cloak and head out the door.

I stand there alone on the sidewalk. My hood raised. I stare down at my hands, then up to the clouds, they are deep hues of violet... I move my feet, then a pause.

Footsteps.

It's Swiftant.