Page 27 of The Infirmary for Dragon Burns and Midair Mishaps

“Well?” Matty asked. “What’s it say?”

“That he’s been delayed again. The blockade is gone, but he’s attending to some injuries in Harper Falls.”

Reo laughed. “That’s almost a two-day ride from here. How’s the guy keep getting further away?”

My face fell. I was looking forward to having Gunther back, to finally giving that man the hug I’d been promising him, but it didn’t sound like he was in a rush to get here.

“He says not to worry, though, we’re in good hands with Eden,” Poppy said, reading over Seraphine’s shoulder. “And he’s bringing us presents!” She shouted that last part, jumping off the exam table.

“Last time he brought something back from his travels, it was that baby drake,” Seraphine murmured. “Do you remember?”

“I remember it wreaking havoc in the apothecary,” Nisse grumbled. “I spent weeks sweeping up glass and replacing my stores.”

“That’s because Seraphine kept chasing it around with a broomstick!” Matty said.

Seraphine huffed. “It chewed my boots!”

“And tore up our bandages,” Talani added.

“I miss the little guy,” Reo said.

I grinned as they reminisced. I’d never seen a drake before. They were wingless dragons, known for digging holes to live in. I’d actually heard that some cities near the western borders had tamed groups of drakes, riding them around like horses, but the way they talked about the creature, it sounded more like a puppy.

“Let’s hope it’s not another drake,” Nisse said, “or so help me, we’re taking shifts guarding the apothecary.”

“There’s a second page,” Seraphine said. “Oh, wait. This part is for Eden.” She passed over the rest of the letter to me. My eyes fell to that familiar scratchy scrawl. Gunther wrote:

My Dearest Eden,

I apologize for my delay. I was so eager to make my way back to you in a timely manner, I think I may have jinxed myself. First my horse ran off on an adventure of his own, leaving me stranded on the wrong side of the creek where I encountered a rather grumpy dragon.

I chuckled softly, hearing his pleasantly perplexed voice in my head. Gunther was always caught up in some sort of adventure, whether he intended it or not.

This required me to go quite out of my way, and by the time I found my way back to the road it was rather late. Luckily I came upon a group of touring entertainers on their way to perform in Harper Falls for the migration. Not only did they serenade me, but they also brewed up one of the best blackberry teas I’ve had in a long time. I awoke invigorated, determined to make my way back to Ember Ridge, only to learn that a wagon of wounded merchants had been brought to Harper Falls, overwhelming their small infirmary.

I think perhaps now the stars aligned to leave me stranded exactly where I needed to be. And what is life if not a series of unplanned adventures?

The corner of my mouth curved at his words.

I shall endeavor to return to you soon, but I know the infirmary is thriving with you at the helm. There is no one I trust to stand in for me more than you.

With love and warm regards,

Gunther

Matty nudged me. “I’m starting to think that maybe Gunther tricked you into coming here so he could get a vacation from all of us,” he teased.

Talani snorted. “That tracks.”

I shook my head, smiling a bit. Gunther was a lot of things, but most of all, he was the kind of man who would never refuse someone help, even if it took him out of his way. That’s what he’d done for me—rearranging his whole life in order to train me. “Well, hopefully he sorts out the situation in Harper Falls and makes his way back here soon. I think that’s us for now, though. I’ll see you all tomorrow?”

Reo was the first one out the door. Talani hurried to catch him. One by one, the rest of the team filtered out. Once they were gone, I locked up and took myself back to Bramble Cottage.

The closer I got, the more cloying the scent of the burnt armor was. No wonder Vaela and her dragon had come to investigate. I needed it to rain or something to drown out the smell.

I hurried up the porch steps, eager to take a look at what remained of the armor, if anything. Inside, I pulled open the stove, poking around in the ashes. Glints of color stared back at me. I dug through the still-warm remains of the armor, my hand curling around intact dragon scales. Curious, I pulled them out, wiping smears of black away to reveal bright red and pink and green. The leather was gone, but if some of the scales had endured the flame, perhaps that meant my prototype wasn’t a lost cause after all.

Maybe some of the scales I’d used were simply too old. I’d collected them over the course of months while working at the rider academy, and who knew how long they’d littered the ground before that?