It was hard to see his sweet, energetic second cousin so out of character.
Still, he allowed Maelon and his team to do their work and walked to the other two baskets. Inside one, he saw the missing children from the farms, unconscious. Rhydian motioned to one of the nurses. “Here, Olwenna. They need attention, too.”
Without missing a beat, the female nurse came and started checking vital signs.
As much as he wanted to stay and watch, Rhydian needed to take in the entire situation, so he approached the third basket. Inside was a boy who looked to be about five or six years old. Unlike the others, he was wide awake and clinging to a stuffed toy rabbit. Rhydian kept his voice gentle as he asked, “What’s your name, little one?”
The boy clutched his rabbit tighter. Careful not to show how the action tugged at his heart, he tried again. “My name’s Rhydian, and despite the scary scars on my face, I only want to help you find your parents. Will you tell me your name?”
The boy closed his eyes. “My p
arents are gone.”
He may not have a name, but the boy spoke with an Irish accent, which told Rhydian he was a long way from home.
“If you tell me what happened, I can try to find them.”
The boy shook his head vehemently. “They wouldn’t wake up. I tried and tried. The scary humans said they were dead. Mr. Cottontail is my only family now.”
Anger flared and only through years of practice did Rhydian manage to keep it from showing on his face. “You’re safe here, boy. I promise you that.” Rhydian put out a hand. “Will you give me your hand? I want the doctor to take a look at you.”
Opening his eyes, the boy replied, “Will you be there?”
“I will. What’s your name, little one?”
“Rian.”
“Well, Rian, if you come with me and let the doctor check you out, then I’m sure we can find you some sweets.”
“I’m not allowed to have sweets unless it’s a special day.”
He smiled. “We’ll make an exception.” He wiggled his fingers. “Give me your hand, Rian.”
The boy gingerly placed his hand in his. Rhydian helped the boy to his feet and gently lifted him out. With the child in his arms, he made his way toward Maelon.
His dragon spoke up. He must be a dragon-shifter since he’s unfazed by the ride here.
Yes, but what is an Irish lad doing in the hands of Welsh dragon hunters?
I have no idea. But we’ll ferret it out.
You aren’t suggesting we take care of him, I hope.
Why not? He needs protection and has warmed up to us. Moving him again might upset or traumatize him.
Before Rhydian could lay out all the reasons why he didn’t have time to look after a child, Rian said, “Your eyes flash like Daddy’s.”
Rhydian kept his tone light, so as to not frighten the boy. “And your mum’s too?”
“No. Mam said she couldn’t change into a dragon. Although I wished on my last birthday she could.” He looked down at his stuffed toy. “But she never will now.”
The boy’s eyes grew wet. Rhydian quickly said, “There are lots of dragons here. If you behave for the doctor, you can pet as many as you want.”
“Can I? I’ve only ever seen Daddy’s red dragon. But he told me stories of blue and green and gold ones. I want to be a gold dragon. Like a king.”
If the boy had only seen his father shift into a dragon, it probably meant the boy’s father had fallen for a human and had gone into hiding to be with her since Ireland rarely allowed humans to live with the dragon clans.
And with the recent turmoil in Ireland over the death of two clan leaders and the ensuing battles for power and control over those two clans, Rian’s parent had probably fled to Wales for safety until things calmed down back home.