A month passed and turned to be fruitless in the healers search for the child parents. He hadn't heard anything from the kingdom either, even after sending a letter. He decided to just go there and took a horse after he left the child with Helen. He frowned as she questioned him and he simply said it was for business purposes. The healer rode towards the kingdom and furrowed his brow. He was hopeful to find her parents but also felt something was wrong. He had waited too long for someone to come looking for her. The journey took a few days and he eventually arrived at the kingdom. Dark clouds hung over what was left of the city. His eyes widened as he saw the land and the once proud peoples home.

"Primus...." he whispered quietly as he stopped on the hill that over looked the kingdom and castle. It was all burned and dead. Only black skeletal remains of the homes stood there. They reached to the unforgiving sky as a plea for mercy. He didn't move any closer as he saw and sensed death. 

The predators roaming in and out of the gates for search of more food. The stench of death and ash reaching him as it lingered in the air. This horse shifted nervously and he glanced to it as it's ears moved around. He figured it was anxious with the predators around, but then it became more anxious. He glanced around as he calmed his horse, not wanting something to attack. He scanned the area and saw the creatures looking around before finding cover. The birds near their hill stopped suddenly and he felt dread run up his spine. His heart beat faster and faster as he listened to the eerie silence. Even the thunder seemed to stop. Crows suddenly flew out of the woods around him, causing his horse to spook. He calmed it but felt the animal's increasing anxiety. He suddenly heard a roar in the distance and his blood turned to ice. He looked towards the sound and saw a dragon.

"By the-" his words lost as the dragon roared again, flying to the city. He quickly led his horse to cover but was thrown off as it bolted. He grunted and gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. The animal long gone and probably headed home. The healer managed to hide in the brush and watched in awe as the dragon landed on the burned stones of the castle. 

It roared and he covered his ears as it echoed through the land. He shook with fear as his life flashed before his eyes. Dying by a dragon's hand was not on his list of things to do today. He stared intently as he shook and gripped the grass. He worked on calming his heart as he watched the dragon crawl into the castle's remains. He had to get out o here. Surely it wouldn't come after him, would it? Then again a dragon had amazing senses. 

He slowly moved through the grass and towards a stream as he did his best not to shake and allow his fear to draw predators to him, knowing they could smell it. He quietly found a dirt patch and looked around as he made mud with the stream water. He paused on occasion when he heard something, this land was wild now and crawling with man eating creatures. He shook his head as he worked on calming himself.

"Logic, Ratchet. Logic." He muttered to himself. "Dragons aren't real but bears and wolves are. Magical creatures don't exist." He mumbled and froze as he heard the roar again. "Okay dragons exist. Taking this secret down to my grave though. They'll think me insane." The young man grumbled. He finished covering himself with mud and made his way back towards his kingdom. He didn't even know where his horse was and there was the possibility of a dragon stalking him.

The healer continued before he heard another roar. That sent him over the edge and he took off running blindly. He panted as he tried to calm himself but hearing the beast behind him, in the sky, under the ground, he wasn't even sure anymore, filled him with fear and anxiety. He continued to run and saw the shadow above him then it got bigger. He looked up as the dragon came down on top of him, making him stumble and fall on his back. He looked up and covered his face as he cried out in fear.

"No!" He yelled as he felt it's hot breath on his face. He panted as he waited and slowly opened his eyes. He cried out and hit it's muzzle before he realized it was his horse. "Dang it Aster!" He shouted as the horse looked at him in confusion and huffed. He sighed and looked around to the burned city then to the hill he was on. He looked at the pink flowers and glared darkly.

"Stupid poppies.... must have fallen asleep and fell off..." he said and looked to his horse. He got up and got on to the animal. "This stays between us." He muttered and his horse huffed before he started back. He glanced over his shoulder back to the castle that was nothing but black remains. The baby's kingdom was no more. Had it really been a dragon? He shook his head and grumbled.

"Illogical. Magical creatures are a myth for a reason. Same thing as curses and spells." He said and looked to the flower patch he fell on. He shook his head and grumbled while they rode home.

"Oh look who came back." Helen smiled as the doctor walked into her home. "Someone looks grumpy." She teased and he frowned deeply.

"Of course I am.... her... kingdom is gone. Swindle said he saw the army of Kaon headed there.... looks like they lost..." he whispered quietly and sighed as he sat down.

"Does this mean you're keeping the child?" She asked and looked at him for a moment. She knew he needed something in his life to brighten it. Surely the child would provide such joy to the hurting man.

"Of course not. How am I supposed to take care of her?" He asked and glared, the old woman's heart fell and she frowned a little. Determined to aid the grouchy healer.

"I'd help you." She said simply and smiled a little as she looked to the sleeping babe. His expression softened and he looked at her.

"You.... would do that?" He asked quietly and she smiled then nodded slowly. She enjoyed seeing the light return to the boy she felt was her son.

"Of course, dear. But promise me you'll do your very best and look for a wife." She grinned making him groan and rub his face. She laughed and he eventually agreed to look for a mate. As he put it. Which brought some scolding from the older woman. 

After things settled down he left with the child to get her home. He put her to bed and looked through what he found when he located her. He stared blankly and looked at the blanket before his eyes widened in surprise. He had seen the Crest before, on the castle that was black now and even before it burned. He stepped back and shook his head before looking to the child. It suddenly and finally clicked.

"Primus... your not only the last of your people... but the heir to the throne of your kingdom." He whispered quietly and went to sit down. He rubbed his face and groaned in irritation. "Well this is just great." He growled and glanced to the baby who was sleeping innocently. Now the healer felt he had to protect this heir and hope for the best.