Sebastian’s wing joint throbbed violently. Though he didn't move much while sleeping, he felt like he had spent most of the night on his back and right side. Giving himself a shake to loosen up tense and sore muscles he heard a loud pop and felt searing pain arc through his right side as the wing snapped painfully back into place. Realizing he was shrieking; Sebastian clamped his snout shut and cut the cry off.
That he had expelled any sound at all was a shock to him. He was still young enough that vocalizations shouldn’t have occurred. It was a symptom of maturing into breeding age. He had yet to find a suitable mate, though his thoughts kept returning to Eldrick. Only the pheromones of a suitable mate would trigger this development. As far as he knew no other dragons were living in the area.
Leaving his room, he approached Sergei. "It just snapped back in, but I am afraid there may be other damage to the tendons and ligaments. It hurts something fierce. The pain isn’t as bad as when I woke up."
“I will do what I can. I am not familiar with draconic anatomy," Sergei's brow creased. "I will assess the injury as I would any of my livestock. That is the closest I can get to your physiology; I am sorry my friend” replied Sergei uncomfortably.
Examining the wing joint and checking the muscles and tendons Sergei muttered, "I can't find anything wrong. There is some swelling which should dissipate over time."
The joint and surrounding muscle tissues were tender to the touch, which was to be expected, icing it should help he figured as it had with Sergei's hip.
A sudden realization dawned in Sergei's eyes. "My shoulder no longer hurts like it did. There is a serious lack of pain in my shoulder, it vanished with your ear-piercing cry this morning." He scowled as he turned his attention back to Sebastian. “How did you know we needed your help yesterday? Neither of us were in any condition to call for help and you were miles away.”
"To be honest, sir, I had a feeling of dread I could not explain. It seemed to be coming from the farmhouse. It spurred me on to get here as fast as I could. I can't afford to lose good friends."
“I believe we may have a bond I have not heard of before. As I said, when you let out that cry this morning the pain in my shoulder vanished. It hit me three days ago as I was waking up. I fell out of bed and dislocated my hip, which Eldrick had to pop into place," pausing, he rubbed his chin. "Let's craft a makeshift ice pack for that wing before we deal with the moose," he indicated. "I suggest you rest it today, tomorrow you can strengthen those muscles with short flights over the farm and for the next couple of days. I would never have suggested you try for a moose if I’d known it would be dangerous for you," looking contrite he turned toward the other room. "Eldrick, it's time to get out of bed and attend to the livestock. They have been neglected long enough. Jemima is going to be one ornery cow, and the chickens will be broody. When was the last time you mucked out the stalls?”
“Sorry sir, I will get right on it, then I will start breakfast. I don’t know what happened yesterday” responded Eldrick contritely.
“Yesterday wasn't your fault. It seems we have acquired an unknown enemy. I awoke to a cold bath due to an extremely high fever. If Sebastian hadn’t arrived when he did, I don't believe either of us would have survived. Now off with you, Sebastian and I have work to attend to. Call us when breakfast is ready, we will be in the butcher shed,” scolded Sergei with a wry smile.
Heading for the kitchen, Sergei snagged a blanket from the cabinet. He came back with his skinning knife, cleaver, filleting knife, a small pot, and the blanket for the ice pack. Returning to the front room he signalled he was ready to proceed.
Once outside Sergei dug the pot into the snowbank, placing it between Sebastian's wing joint and back. Using the blanket he tied it in place. The placing was awkward, but the cooling effect was palpable.
Climbing out of the tunnels to the moose, Sebastian noticed it had frozen to the ground. Inhaling sharply, Sebastian prepared for a quick blast of flame to release the moose from the snow. Nothing. Shock and apprehension flooded through him. His body was going through changes he couldn't control. He needed to find the source of the pheromones before he entered a moulting stage in six months.
Setting that thought aside Sebastian began cutting the moose free of the ice so they could get it into the meat shack for butchering.
