Actions Speak Louder

He was dead on impact, the instant the spell cut through him he'd died. Ash's eyes were wide with shock, he never even blinked before he was cut down. Blood was spilled everywhere and Miranda, his wife, stood in a corner shaking like a leaf. Elsia approached her slowly with an evil cackle, her eyes weren't the beautiful sapphires that Miranda remembered.

"Hmph... that was easy. What shall I take from you now? I don't really want to kill you... you've done so much. You made me who I am today." Elsia grabbed Miranda by the throat, her eyes flashed red as she slammed her against the wall. "You make me so sick! I should kill you but I can't! Why can't I just kill you?!"

Miranda gasped for breath and tried to speak, but she couldn't muster any words.

"I'll see to it that you never love again, not like it matters... I've killed your true love! Hmm..." Elsia chanted a spell and slowly, the sounds of Miranda's voice began to disappear and then she crumbled to the floor when Elisa let her go. "Nothing will ever break that spell, I hope you wander alone, for the rest of your pitiful life!" With that, Elsia disappeared and left Miranda in a pool of blood and chaos.

Her mouth opened to scream but no sound exited her pale lips, she cried and sobbed in shock.

Covered in drool... again. Owen frowned and wiped the dragon spit off his face and glare at the sleeping beast above him. Draco had fallen asleep with his head rested right above above Owen. "I'm almost certain you do this on purpose... drooling on me at night. Ugh... your breath is horrible!" He stood and lightly smacked the dragon on his shoulder. "Draco! You should clean your teeth more!!"

"Mmm... And you should bathe more... you stink." The giant dragon rumbled sleepily.

"Because of you, yes!!"

Miranda didn't have much money left...

It had been a year since her husband died and she'd not seen Elsia since - thankfully. She had a red rash on her throat from the many times her hands would rub at it, hoping she could speak again. It always felt like her vocal chords were severed and sometimes it even hurt. Miranda licked her lips and heard her stomach growl, she was starving and hadn't eaten in a few days. Most days she wandered or chose to sleep for hours, there was nothing else to do but wander aimlessly - she had nothing to live for and no one would give her work.

Owen was washing off in the nearby stream when he watched as Draco lifted his massive head in a fairly curious manner. "Something wro-"

"There is a two-legged female headed this way. I can smell her. She smells better than you..."

"Oh yes, you're just so funny."

Miranda saw figures in the distance as she wandered close. She didn't care who they were, mostly people just ignored her once they found out she couldn't speak. On the class list, people with disabilities were worthless... men weren't even interested in her without a voice.

"Hmm." Draco mused, "You should go help her, she seems weary..."

Owen pulled on his breeches and sighed. "Sure... but if I do help her, are you willing to hold another person on your back. You get fussy with just me."He laughed, pulling on his boots.

"Hrmph, I'm more than capable of carrying the two of you. Oh look, she's wobbling, she might fall.."

Owen was already running toward the woman before Draco could finish though.

Miranda tripped over her own foot and fell, bracing herself for the ground, she was surprised when the feeling of pain never came but instead she felt hands. She looked up tiredly and saw a very kind looking man supporting her and she gasped. "......" Her eyes were wide with shock and she tried to get to her feet but she was so tired and very hungry.

Owen smiled warmly and felt her forehead. "Mmm... you have a small fever. Are you alright?" He heard a loud growl emerge from her stomach and his brows raised considerably. "Ah... so that's it then... I have some food if you'd like to share it."

"....." Miranda didn't reply and chose to nod to his words, even though it wasn't a yes or no question - really, that was all she could say was yes and no.

"You made a new friend!" Draco said cheerfully, he sounded pleased and even gave somewhat of a dragon-y smile. "Were you polite? Did you ask her name?"

"No, Draco... I slapped her a few times and told her to get lost, then carried her all the way back." He sighed and set the girl down beside Draco. "As for my name... I'm Owen." The young man smiled warmly and was immediately knocked over by a dragon head.

"And I am Draco! It is very nice to meet you! Was he polite? I'm always having to chastise him for being rude."

Miranda stared at them both and then bit her lower lip. She began to rub the front of her neck, complete with a red rash, and shook her head slowly. Miranda couldn't tell them without making some sort of gesture.

"I don't think she can speak..." Draco said, his head tilted.

"Well, aren't you observant?" Owen laughed some and got back up, then dug through his bag. "Hmm... I have some jerky in here, would you like that?" He lifted his head with a soft smile.

Miranda took it from him immediately and tried to eat slow but it was hard, being so hungry. She hoped her smile would be a good thank you for it though and an apology as well for snatching food.

"She says thank you." Draco looked at Owen. "She also says sorry for being grabby, she hasn't eaten in a few days."

"You can understand her?" Owen seemed pretty impressed. "Can you read her mind or something?"

"Not really, I just... know what she means." Draco replied as he lifted a massive wing to shade the young woman.

"So you can't tell me her name?"

"No... but I'm sure she could write it in the sand for you if she likes you enough." Draco rested his head and stared at the woman.

"Ah, well... it's alright, you're welcome to more if you need it."

Miranda took just a little more, she didn't want to overdue it after not eating in so long. After she finished, she took a stick and began to draw shakily in a sandy place. Draco peered down and watched the letters appear one by one as she drew them. Once she finished, she smiled warmly and sat up straight.

"Mir...an....duh..." Owen stared at the letters and nodded. "Miranda... that's a nice name... but I think I'll call you Mira!"

"Owen prefers four-letter names..." Draco commented.

"Bah... what gave you that idea?"

Miranda nodded and wrote in the sand again, spelling out "Okay" and "That's pretty".

"Oh good, she's fond of you already! Not only are you on a first name basis but you already gave her a pet name."

"Mmm... pet names are nice though, yes?" Owen grinned seated himself across from her a little way under Draco's wing as well. "So, what is a pretty lady who can't speak doing wandering around aimlessly without any food or water?" He handed her his canteen.

Miranda stared at him and furrowed her brows uncomfortably.

"Do I have to push you into the dirt again, Owen? One does not just question a lady... especially not a mute lady! She's been through a lot, obviously."

Miranda smiled at Draco and he gave her one in return.

Owen sighed. " But-" A huge paw came up and knocked Owen over into the dirt.

"One does not question a lady!" Draco repeated.

"Alright, alright! I was just curious is all! I didn't mean anything by it!" He sat back up and dusted off his light brown hair. "I won't ask again..."

Miranda snorted and laughed silently, her mouth was open for it and her nose was even scrunched up in a cute way.

"I suppose we've entertained the young lady..." Draco smiled, "She's a very special young lady, indeed."

"Huh..." Owen chuckled a bit and smiled to the woman across from him... that is until he'd been knocked over again by a wing. "Hey!!"

"Sorry!" Draco replied coyly. "That was definitely an accident!"

"Accident my butt!" Owen laughed. "You're so rude!" He grinned to Mira again. "Don't trust him... he's a traitor for attention!"

"Am not! You just underestimate my potential constantly!"

Miranda flopped over, she was laughing so hard but it couldn't even be seen, just snorting and breathing. Finally she calmed down and sat back up and wiped tears from her eyes.

"Well," Owen began with a grin. "I'm sure you're pretty tired, and it's already gotten pretty late... why don't you sleep, and we'll make sure nothing bothers you!"

Draco nodded. "You can lean against me... Owen says I'm soft and fluffy!"

Miranda gave a sharp nod and scooched over to Draco, curling up close to him where all the warmth was. Immediately she fell asleep with a happy and content smile.

"I think we're heroes today."