Though her body ached, Trinity stood tall in front of everyone. There were fewer dragons than she remembered. There was one time that she stood in the crowd, shaking at the look of a much older dragon, who everyone feared, but she didn't want these survivors to fear her.
Most of her wounds had closed, so there was only dried blood here and there, but some were still dripping with blood. She knew that she needed medical attention, but this was important.
"Good evening everyone! I, Trinity Grove, don't know what to say, or how to start, so I'll begin by saying thank you to each and every one of you. I saw you bowing before me as I entered... that is not necessary. I'm much younger than most of you, and it feels awkward.
There is going to be a few changes to the rules that we once followed, I'll get back to you on that later... but right now, there's a special person I'd like to personally thank from all of us. Without him, I might never have been able to win; because the dragon lord would have disappeared without a trace. I want to call upon Marcus, please come on stage," Trinity said, looking at Marcus with a smile.
The thin old man walked up to the stage, as everyone clapped. He was wearing his usual, a long caped suit and pants. He shook hands with Trinity, and the girl said, "Marcus, thank you for all you've done, but now I have a request! Since your enmity was with the Dragon Lord, Ryphonsus, and he's dead, I need you to swear that now, everything will be fine between us, dragons and magician."
"Well, yes! I Marcus, swear-" "by your soul!"
"What?"
"You have to swear by your soul that everything is good between us, and you won't come back to harm, or kill us dragons, and any person or being protected by us!" Trinity looked at him with hope and longing. Her only hope was that he'd agree, because if he didn't, she'd have to fight with him, and she didn't have the strength for another battle.
"You're smarter than you look, child," he said with a knowing nod. "Very well... I Marcus, swear by my magician soul, that I will never hurt, harm or kill any dragons, or any person or being under their protection, unless in self defense." Marcus replied, smiling.
"I will request that if ever you have to harm my kind in self defense, you notify me before killing them, so that I know it was not your fault."
"I will, Dragon Lady." Saying this, he bowed his head.
"No need to bow before me. You are free of any previous oaths you made with Ryphonsus."
"Thank you, child." Saying that, the magician disappeared.
Before she could say anything else, she felt a sharp pain on her side. She clutched at her side, only to feel warm blood flowing out. Looking towards her mother, she began to fall, as the crowd gasped.
A sudden darkness swallowed her, as the last thing she remembered was her mother's voice calling her name.
Trinity woke up on the hospital bed, with her mother sitting on a chair by her side. She was all bandaged up, and she felt numb.
"Oh Rin, thank God you're OK," Dorin jumped up when she saw Trinity open her eyes. "I'd been worried sick!"
"Mom, what happened?" Trinity asked in a dry voice.
"The wound on your left side was really deep, and it started bleeding heavily, which is why you collapsed."
"Trinity! Thank God you're OK. How are you feeling now?" Emeralda asked, walking in with a concerned look on her face.
"I feel numb." Trinity tried moving her hips, but felt like it was too heavy. "Hey Em, I have to talk to you..." "Not now, you need rest. You had a minor surgery, so until the numbness wears off, you should rest," Dr Elise said, walking through the door.
Trinity looked back at Emeralda, her eyes pleading. "It's alright. We'll talk when you get well," the tall pale girl assured her friend.
"The meeting! I have to go back..."
"Rin, Em took care of it. Don't worry. Rest for now," Dorin said, as she caught a glimpse of Patrick outside. "I'll be back," she excused herself and walked out, leaving her daughter to think about what she meant.
"Is she alright?" Patrick asked as soon as he saw Dorin.
"She's fine..."
The short man breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, before I forget, I have to return by this afternoon. I have a big case coming up, and I need to prepare for it."
"Okay. I'll stay for a while and see what Rin decides to do in the future. Will you take Derek with you?"
"I think I will, I don't want him missing school. Keep me updated on the situation here, and Trinity's health..."
"Won't you come in to see her?" Dorin's question caught Patrick off guard. He did want to go in to see her, but was a little afraid that she might not like it. On the other hand, he felt guilty for leaving her in this state and going. What if she needed him?
"I don't know..." "She'll appreciate your visit, trust me," Dorin held his hand and nodded.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. Just a little numb," Trinity replied, smiling at the man who she saw as a father.
"I hope you have a swift recovery. If you need anything, call me,"
"Wait- call you? Why? You're not staying?" Trinity asked, shocked.
"I have to go urgently, but I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise," he reassured his child.
Trinity looked at her mother, who nodded and gave a small smile. She understood that it must be important. Then she remembered her brother. "What about Derek?"
"He'll go with me, but your mom will stay with you," Patrick replied.
"When are you leaving?" This question left Trinity just as surprised as everyone else. Since when did she start caring about Patrick's schedule?
This question made Trinity realize how much she actually wanted Patrick around her.
"This afternoon... around five," Patrick replied.
"Oh." Sudenly, she realized something, "Wait, how long have I been here for?"
As far as she knew, her battle had lasted till around 1pm. Then the meeting. Now here, in the hospital bed. Dr Elise had said she had a minor surgery, which means she was unconscious for at least one hour, give or take a few minutes or even hours. It should be night by now, but there was a bright sunshine outside. Even the clock on the wall showed 2.04pm.
"Sweetheart, the battle was yesterday. You had woken up a few times in the night in pain and we had to sedate you," Dorin explained.
"Where is Derek?"
"He's with Martha, and the other children."
"Dad, before you guys leave, can you both pop in and say goodbye, if I'm still here? I want to see him before he leaves!"
"Sure honey."