Claimed By A Dragon Prince-Chapter 64: Mending the Broken

Lily went around to every home in the village checking over the residents to see what symptoms they had from the toxic slug. Because of how close they were to the forbidden territory they were severely affected but the toxcidity in the water. Several women had miscarriages over the last three years and some even believe they have become sterile.

Writing all this down in her notebook, she made sure to record everything they told her, even if it didn’t seem important. Sometimes, the smallest issue can cause the biggest problem. Dimitri went to the village elders, negotiating with them about what they needed to survive the winter. He had gone with Lily on some of the home visits, noticing that most of the villager’s pantries were scares or bare.

The Wolf King had done a poor job of helping his people. If it hadn’t been for Lily all those years ago, this clan may have very well ended up like the Bear Clan. Making a list of goods and supplies that were needed and Lily stopped in to tell him about a few things the young adults and children might like to add to the list.

"How bad is it?" Lily looked crest-fallen looking out over the village when Dimitri asked this question. "I shouldn’t have left. I knew they would neglect things, but I thought I left enough of a road map in place for them to navigate, easily through. This is blatant disregard for his people and he’s supposed to be the god of wolves?! It’s just shameful."

Dimitri agreed with her assessment of her uncle seeing just how much he wanted revenge over being and acting like a responsible god. "We can fix this the people here recognize you. The elders said they usually spoke with a young woman at the Wolf Clan Palace. It seems you made a better impression on them than you knew. They will take the aid offered knowing we will be watching out for them now. I will have a battalion stationed here for protection, as well."

Lily was surprised they remembered her or even acknowledged that it was her helping them back when she worked at the Palace. She could see some of the improvements that she made still in place, but others were abandoned because aid was no longer sent to maintain the project. She needed to make sure Max became king soon or else this place would continue decaying like it was.

Sasha had stayed close by settling on a high boulder that could overlook the village. She came to find Lily a couple of times once bringing her a dead rabbit. The family she was checking on didn’t look like they had meat in a while so she asked Sasha to bring more. "Do you mind bringing me more? They are very hungry."

The bird squawked at her leaving for a bit then bringing her back more rabbits and fish to every house she stopped at. The families were grateful for the fresh food and some of the children even walked up to Sasha as she set the meat in their hands. They giggled running back to their parents who thanked her for her generosity. "It has been a hard couple of years. The Palace usually sent provisions during the winter, but a few years ago they stopped. Said it wasn’t a good investment for Palace funds."

Lily wanted to strangle that wolf queen because that was her department. She ran most of the domestic affairs for the clan, but had let it to Lily when she started doing paperwork for the wolf king. Stupid b*tch couldn’t even think of her people long enough to know who matters more. That’s probably how Alisa had more finery than the last time Lily saw her.

"I will send a message to the Heir, and hopefully he will do something about this. The king has his own problems right now and for whatever reason isn’t paying attention to the needs of his people. In the meantime, my mate over there will see that provisions are provided to you in the next couple of days."

"Thank you again, Princess." The women went back into her house as this was Lily’s last house visit. The village elders offered them a room in the best house to rest in the night. She walked to the house seeing the kids running around happy with full stomachs and the adults chatting happily with each other. This is what should have been done long ago.

Coming upon the Elder’s house they were staying in Dimitri was out on the deck speaking with a couple of dragon soldiers. Walking up she waited for him to finish speaking to the soldiers. "Make sure to bring supplies to build barracks for the men. My father will want to hear of this, pass on this message to him and he will make sure everything is taken care of. Dismissed."

The soldiers bowed before leaving to carry out his orders. "That was fast. Were they following us or just close by?" Dimitri took her in his arms holding her close after dealing with all the tragedy of the day. He had never seen so many people just left to fend for them selves with no help. They had been ignored for years and made due with what little resources they had. Sasha bringing them fresh meat was a god sent to the people here.

"I can’t believe your uncle is getting away with blatant murder. What does he gain by killing these people?" Lily wasn’t certain he even cared enough to realize they were dying. From the way he treated her and used her for his own needs and image it wasn’t hard to tell he was in it for the power.

"I think his greed and need for revenge are what drive him. I can see why he’s hurt, but taking out on people who weren’t even involved. That’s low even for him." They took their boots off at the door as a servant set out slippers for them as they walked to the main dining area. The meal wasn’t extravagant, thankfully as the food was scares anyways. Sitting down near the head of the table they waited for the elders to sit before digging in. Dimitri had to take the first bite as he was the highest ranking noble in the room.

Conversation flowed between everyone some talking about their arrival while others spoke on small matters. One woman particular woman was voicing her distrust for the couple. "What will happen when we don’t meet their demands? How will we take care of ourselves? The Wolf Clan has always provided for us. We shouldn’t be accepting help from them."

The Elder at the head of the table chimes in at this time. "They have made no demands or asked that we distribute the supplies and goods to the families who expressed need and the others will have to survive on their own or accept the aid." The woman gave the elder a sour look not liking his answer.

"So you would just let those families die? Just like that?! How can you be so heartless and uncaring?!" Lily had just about enough of this woman standing suddenly looking down at her. "The only reason the Wolf Clan sent resources to begin with was because I read through all of your messages begging for help with the blight and the soil killing the crops. If it wasn’t for me you would have died long ago. The Wolf king only wanted to make himself look good without doing the work. "

The woman looked so shocked hearing this she was about to retort when Lily continued. "The Heir will listen because he is nothing like his father. He has a good head on his shoulders and listens to his subordinates when a problem comes up. I would know because I have worked with him before. So when your wondering who’s really giving you the help you need in times of crisis, just remember that "King" your praising doesn’t give a shit."

Several of the guest had to hide their reactions as the women stood up leaving the room. Lily sat back down taking a bite of her fish that was very well cooked. "This is great! Thank you for you hospitality."

The Elder looked at Lily unable to contain his laughter. "You are most welcome. I apologize for the way she spoke just now. She came from a noble family that was close to the wolf queens family. However they were killed off years ago. She had married into a good family here, but the blight and water toxin has taken them all to their graves. She always thought it was the queen who sent aid."

Lily could see how this news would hurt the woman, but that was no reason take it out on the people trying to help. "If she was so proud why didn’t she go back to the queens family?"

"She did, but was rejected at the gates."