THE HEALER — A bag for the journey

Skyblue took a deep breath. When she rose to say goodbye, Evarista handed her a traveling satchel.

“In here you’ll find food and a few supplies for the road.”

Skyblue opened it. It was empty.

She looked back at Evarista.

“What you need will appear when the time comes,” the healer said.

She kissed Skyblue’s forehead and walked her to the door.

The young dragon went out with the satchel in her paws. Only then did the simplest questions occur to her: Where should she begin? How would she know she was heading in the right direction? How long would the journey take? Who would care for Ernesto?

She turned toward the entrance. Evarista watched her with that calm of hers, as though she had not just handed over an empty bag or changed Skyblue’s life.

Skyblue raised the satchel in farewell and set off home.