Aiden's Quest

by Dane Bagley

In all the time since Jashion had left Dargaer, he had never allowed himself to reminisce, to go over, or to contemplate all that had transpired on the night of his homes destruction. Yes, he had told the story, sure he had answered questions, and of course he had passing thoughts and images. But these thoughts, images, and scenes had receded soon after they surfaced. Jashion faced forward. He had survived, and what portion of survivor guilt that may have plagued him, he did not let overwhelm him. Perhaps he had been conditioned for this since youth. He had lost his mother to just such an incident while younger. So had most everyone from Dargaer lost a loved one. People moved on, hardly mentioning those who had passed in such unspeakable ways. Jashion was neither uncaring nor insensitive, but neither was his life swallowed up in the tragic lives that were lost around him.

  The fresh and smoldering destruction of Golopse that was thrust upon him had had its effects. It was Jarem, Jashion’s best friend of Dargaer, to whom his mind turned. They had passed by a scene that sickened Jashion to the core. The embers of a bon fire still shone. Mugs and kegs along with the scorched bodies of merry makers were strewn across the ground. Jashion had been there, he’d seen the before and during, finally his eyes witnessed the after. Jarem was gone and all that he had meant to him. Jashion had never thought once on Jarem since he had departed. He was not capable of doing so. But as he cast his eyes upon this scene, that was whom he saw. His pleasant and engaging life, the friend of his youth, destroyed by some wicked and ferocious being. Jashion was overcome with emotion, with sickness, with horror. His skin paled, his stomach turned, and breakfast was gone. Some few moments later, once the nausea had passed, his eyes then red, burned with bitter tears.

  The sights and smells had disgusted each of the boys to varying degrees. Aiden seemed to understand and left Jashion to cope. Terrence felt anger inside. Death reminded him of Marcus. Though Marcus was not killed by the dragon, the senseless killing before him allowed hatred for Dromreign to ooze through his veins. The dragon and all the wicked creatures would pay.

  Terrence, still sorting through his grief, had never understood Jashion’s ease of moving on once Marcus had died. Jashion focused on healing and getting through the wintery forest. He had said nice things to Terrence, but had never been caught up with emotion. Even Aiden had taken Marcus’ death with difficulty. Aiden had never lost a friend before. Aiden had never failed. Aiden cared for Marcus as he did all of his companions. Aiden also considered himself their guardian and protector. His failure, as he considered it, was humbling to him. It did not cripple him, however. Aiden, redoubled his efforts. He was stronger and more powerful than ever. The scar on his left shoulder reminded him of his need to improve and progress. Terrence appreciated what he had seen in Aiden’s eyes. He did not understand all that was in Aiden’s heart, but he had sensed mourning, loss, and grief.

  Daxton was nearly as devastated as Terrence—at least at first. His recovery had come quicker, but for a time the cousins were equally stricken with grief. It was Jashion’s quick recovery that boggled Terrence’s mind. Was it the next morning or the morning after, that Jashion seemed to be completely over Marcus’ death and ready to move on. At times Jashion seemed impatient with the others who were struggling with their own injuries but even more weighed down in grief and sorrow. Up until then, Terrence had pushed this frustration with Jashion away from him. Jashion was a friend and he trusted him. He trusted Jashion with his life. But that morning’s grief was too much for him.

  “You been here before? D’you know them?” Terrence said with some malice.

  Jashion shook his head. “Nay, I’ve not been here before.” He sniffled and looked down.

  “D’you ever cry for Marcus?”

  Jashion looked at him confused and hurt.

  “You knew Marcus. He was your friend and companion. Did you ever cry for him, when he died?”

  “Leave it be,” said Aiden.

  Jashion was overcome and the tears gushed. Much had been built up inside of him. Whether it was Marcus, or Jarem, or dozens of others, perhaps the sorry state that his world seemed to be in, he cried as a child—as he had when his mother had died.

  “These losers here, drunk and wasted. They never saw it coming. They didn’t feel a thing. Probably passed out on the ground when they died. This is who he mourns. I mourn my brother, not these worthless strangers.” Terrence marched off kicking up a dust storm and any rocks in his wake.

  Daxton stood there, confused. What Terrence said made some sense to Daxton, but Jashion had not done anything to Terrence. It was pretty heartbreaking and disgusting what was in front of him; he felt sick himself. He did not see what Marcus had to do with any of this and he did not appreciate the reminder of Marcus’ death with all of this surrounding him.

  Aiden moved somewhat closer to Jashion but maintained some distance. Finally, Daxton left to comfort Terrence.

  They left the scene as soon as Jashion had recovered sufficiently. Terrence was silent throughout that day as were the other young men. By the time that the great walls of Cardsten became visible the good long walk had brought a degree of healing and settling of emotions.

  Aiden, who had never actually witnessed Cardsten, had told what he knew of it. The scope and scale of his stories were pale compared to the scene before them. This city and its surrounding wall in the distance were magnificent. No wonder they feared not the dragon. Yes, the dragon could destroy a little village like Golopse with ease, but it could not touch a walled city such as Cardsten.

  As they moved closer they watched the military perform their final exercises of the afternoon and slowly disappear into the wall through the gate. Jashion reflected upon his quest to the promise land. Perhaps I’ve found it, he thought. The dragon could not overcome that wall. The elusive promise land, through the dark forest and on the other side of the mountains, seemed less likely at that point since he had spent a good time in the dark forest and so near to its supposed entrance. Perhaps it was fantasy and a child’s story after all. But not this. This lay before him in all of its glory. The military alone seemed larger than Dargaer, Golopse, and Tengeer combined. The walls were tall, thick, and impenetrable. If there were any promise land, this must be it.

  Terrence was impressed yet a little bit irritated. He had voted, alone, for Agedon. He preferred to fight rather than cower from the dragon. Still, what lay before him made him less disappointed in their destination.

  Aiden walked through the gate as though this entire, magnificent city were here just waiting upon his arrival. Jashion was next, but slower through the gate. Nothing in his experience prepared him for the level of sophistication, civilization, and sheer numbers of people before his eyes. His eyes caught upon Mirinda as had Aiden’s. But unlike Aiden, Mirinda’s beauty was blinding upon his eyes. Only the briefest second of her brilliance and glare were bearable. He turned his eyes and saw something unbelievable. There in front of him was Siccly Turney. She was alive and well, and as popular as ever with all the boys surrounding her. As he watched and stared dumbfounded, she turned towards him. No, that was not Siccly. The more he stared the less she looked like Siccly. But she was beautiful, and carried herself like Siccly and she was looking at him the way that Siccly had looked at him, daring him to drink in her presence and beauty.

  Myrtle, getting frustrated with James, who seemed more interested in Mirinda, was happy to move on. And move on she did. The darker man was already taken, it seemed, but who was this tall boy with brown hair staring her down. He was not a pretty boy, but was he ever handsome. He looked at her with such familiarity, not like some kind of first impression. She had certainly not seen him before.

  Jashion swallowed hard and looked over at Aiden. Never before had Aiden seemed transfixed. He, who was used to the ladies flocking to him, had met his match. He did not move. Jashion walked over to him as had Terrence and Daxton. All eyes were on Mirinda except Jashion’s whose were back on Myrtle. The game was a draw. Mirinda, Myrtle, and Aiden who had never met their ma
tch, were each at a loss as to what to do next. Jashion, however, was used to being beaten and he dropped his eyes. Myrtle had won, and she made her way towards them. Tira and Tasha were close behind. It was these three who cut off Aiden’s view, and brought him back to the present. His unblinking eyes burned as he blinked to try and hydrate them. He moved so as to see Mirinda again. He continued towards her and she stepped forward slowly, too.

  “Hi, stranger. What’cha starin’ at?”

  Jashion smiled at Myrtle awkwardly.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Me’s Jashion, me is,” he stammered.

  Myrtle giggled and then laughed mercilessly.

  Jashion reddened. This girl was bolder than Siccly.

  Jashion would not have guessed, but he was charming to her, speech and all. Myrtle laughed at everything, and though it may insult those whom she laughed at she meant nothing mean-spirited by it. He had entertained her, his looks, his speech, his reddening face, and awkward glances, even the way he had stared at her like he had known her before. She laughed because it was fun, and she was enjoying him. Jashion felt like crawling into a hole.

  “You’s is not’s from’s around’s here’s, now’s is you’s?” she said barely getting it out before covering her mouth and giggling more than before.

  “No, me…I’m not.”

  “Ha, ha, ha, ha, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee…”

  Tasha and Tira were mortified. Terrence and Daxton were flabbergasted. Jashion was helpless and Myrtle was in ecstasy. She really liked this handsome stranger. The dumb ones never bothered her one bit. He might be a complete imbecile. But he was tall, cute, thoroughly entertaining, and his shy innocence was unlike anything she had seen before. The redder and more uncomfortable he became the more endearing he was to her. Not once had it occurred to her that he may not be feeling the same as she was.

  Since Aiden had left home in search of greater game he had not been disappointed. The world he had known was far too easy, simple, and challenge-less to him. He loved his family and his people but he was made for a world far different from the one he had come into. In Dromreign he had met the ultimate challenge. The greatest hunter in the world meets the greatest hunter in the world. Aiden was not yet ready to take on the beast, and with time the beast was growing in size, strength, ferocity, and power. Even the lesser beasts, those with whom he had faced and conquered in the dark forest, were formidable—especially in number. His match had been found and he would continue to strengthen until he was indeed matchless.

  Never had it occurred to him that he would find another match in this world. The thought had not entered his mind that there was a woman in this world that was truly worthy of him. It may have been that he would marry happily, settle down, and rear a family one day. But she would be a woman to his choosing for a variety of reasons, not because she was worthy in and of herself of him. For the first time in his life he was looking at another human being for whom he had as much respect and admiration as he had for himself.

  As they slowly approached each other with unblinking gaze he saw what he had always seen before, in every other girl. She was mesmerized by him, whether his looks, his presence, or whatever it was, she was caught. This did not surprise him; the opposite would have. What surprised him though, was that he, for the first time ever, felt the same feelings towards her. He had been ensnared and he knew it. What concerned him was that she, for all of her vulnerability, showed that she could see it too. She knew that he was infatuated with her, she knew that he was hers, that she had enchanted him. This he could see, and she was comfortable and confident with this knowledge, yet equally twitter patted with him.

  From five feet away they began to circle each other ever so slowly still without dropping their gaze—both the perfect predator and at once the perfect prey. Aiden had stared down his prey before. At once, as soon as her eyes dropped or fluttered, once he knew he had won, he would be there. She, though defeated, would be the ultimate victor. She was worthy, and every second that she held her ground, he saw that she was even more worthy. At last her eyes broke…but wait.

  She had not lost, they moved to his shoulder—his left shoulder, still showing its scars. It was but a moment and then she looked back with even more power than before. He looked at her as though no wound had ever taken place, yet the scar was there. Aiden knew not how to be defeated, but neither did Mirinda. Perhaps her scar was not showing, and perhaps it was the greater wound.

  Mirinda foresaw at once the great weakness of Aiden. He had not yet learned humility and so was not yet omnipotent. She could beat him, but perhaps his pride would further weaken him. No, that would not do. His presence with her would do more to foster humility and greater strength than defeating him would. Mirinda acquiesced, but not in defeat. She dropped her eyes, but only briefly and then reset them upon Aiden’s with a gorgeous blink showing nothing but her true vulnerability and admiration for him.

  Aiden saw her gesture and returned it at once. He opened up his soul and allowed every vulnerability within him to be on display at once. She could look at his shoulder, could see the pain in his eyes for his lost companion, his poverty and lack of clothing. He was at her mercy and had given himself to her. He did not have to, for she had given herself to him. There was more power, even humility, in this man who stood in front of her than she had suspected. He was testing her and she passed the test in every way possible.

  “I am Aiden.”

  “I am Mirinda.”

  Everything else was already known.

  Daxton, Terrence, and Jashion had had enough. So had Tira and Tasha with these uncouth, uncivilized foreigners that Myrtle was berating.

  “Let’s go,” said Terrence as he placed his hand on Jashion’s shoulder. Myrtle still giggling.

  Daxton backed away and into someone. It was Aiden with Mirinda at his side.

  “We have accommodations,” Aiden said to his friends.

  Myrtle smiled.

  Aiden, for all that Mirinda saw in him was in need of bathing, clothing, and grooming. His friends were in at least as bad of shape. A night on the town would have to wait for a time. Mirinda’s family owned several apartment homes with two recently vacated. The girls escorted them there. Aiden walked with Mirinda and held her hand. Jashion took to Aiden’s other side, trying to ignore Myrtle. He would have no such luck. She took to his other side and put her left hand through his right arm.

  Myrtle talked and giggled while Jashion walked stiffly and quietly. Myrtle was none the wiser and Jashion was as confused as ever. Daxton and Terrence walked just behind Aiden and Jashion, while Tira and Tasha walked very reluctantly six or eight feet behind them.

  “These skins you wear will not do, in Cardsten. We’ll return in a few hours with clothes and then we shall dine.”

  Aiden nodded. Besides Aiden and Mirinda, only Myrtle seemed pleased with the plan.

  “She likes you,” said Aiden to Jashion after the girls had left.

  “Nay, but she thinks me a fool, she does.”

  “I’m sure she does…and it seems to be working in your favor.”

  Jashion shook his head in frustration while Aiden smiled uncharacteristically.

  “Do you believe in soul mates?” asked Aiden.

  “What do ye mean?”

  “You’ve never heard of a soul mate?”

  “Nay.”

  “Ah. The one for you. Your perfect match. The girl you’re meant for and she’s meant for you. This type of thing. Do you believe in that?”

  “I’ve never heard of that before. I figured ye married a girl if ye likes her, eh. Do you believe in that, in soul mates?”

  “Yes, yes I do,” said Aiden contemplatively.

  “Have ye always believed in such a thing as that?”

  “No. I just started believing in soul mates about an hour ago.”

  Jashion looked at him with confusion and irritation. Then a light bulb went off and he smiled and chuckled. Aiden smiled and laughed boisterous
ly back.

  “Perhaps she’s your soul mate,” said Aiden.

  “Who?”

  “Myrtle.”

  Jashion was aghast. “Nay.”

  Aiden’s laugh became almost giddy.

  “Everyone has got to have a soul mate; so why shouldn’t you be hers? She latched onto you rather quickly and she’s very pretty. Plus, she laughs at everything you say. Guy’s like it when a girl laughs at his clever remarks.”

  “She thinks me not clever. Nay, she thinks me a fool. She laughs at the fool, she does.”

  “You shouldn’t let that bother you…”

  “Why?”

  “…if she’s your soul mate.” And Aiden roared with laughter.

  Servants had entered and exited numerous times in filling a small indoor bathing pool with hot water. Daxton and Terrence were excited. They had a sulfurous hot spring near Tengeer that they occasionally bathed in. Never before had they had such an experience indoors and without the smell of sulfur. They each took turns, and each took too long enjoying the delightful experience.

  The girls waited below, having brought them exquisite outfits. Tasha had funded the purchases and was very disappointed in what was immediately available. The men would need to be fitted and clothes made properly. Still, the young men would have to be in better shape than they had appeared before—stinking, rugged, and without class. Tasha firmly believed that something could be purchased to make up for all deficits.

  Jashion bathed last. He looked around the room. He had never seen such finery. It was surreal and made him uncomfortable. The other three were talking in the next room and were anticipating a prepared meal fit for a king. Jashion dreaded being mocked by Myrtle again. He was drawn to her briefly, but the thought of seeing her again sickened him. The concern was heightened when he saw the outfit that was to be his. It was silky blue on bottom and silky white on top. It reminded him of an outfit a doll may have worn. He put it on and looked in the mirror. He decided he would prefer hunger to this humiliation.

  He left the bathing room and looked at all of his companions. They all looked foolish. Everyone was in silky clothes, but none so ridiculous as his own.

  All three whistled and cat called as Jashion emerged.

  “I’ll stay here, I will. I shan’t go out in this.”

  Aiden did not look so ridiculous in with his brown pants and black top. But he had fastened the back of his hair and Jashion couldn’t believe his eyes.

  “You’re coming. This will be grand.”

  Tasha was pleased at what she saw. Bathed and dressed up, these boys were very handsome indeed. The blond brothers, as she thought them, would have to do as Mirinda and Myrtle were set on the others. Daxton, who had a taste already for the finery, was looking sharp and very happy. Tasha approached him as they came down and struck up a conversation. Daxton, having gotten a good look at Tasha was pleased too. He asked about everything, and she was happy to share all she knew. Daxton was in love, perhaps not yet with Tasha in particular, but with everything surrounding him. From this moment on, everything in his life that had transpired before was simply prologue. His life had just begun. This new, amazing world, that he hardly knew and could not yet comprehend, was his. The lovely woman by his side fit as perfectly as a glove into his new world and he was happy. Very happy.

  Terrence had enjoyed his bath, and the surroundings had lightened him significantly. Tira looked deeply in his eyes. She saw pain. It was this that attracted him to her. With the others paired off, it would have been awkward for Tira and Terrence had they not paired up for the short journey. Tira approached cautiously and waited a moment not saying a word. Terrence, still baffled by the circumstances and surroundings took several moments to comprehend the scenario. He looked at Tira and smiled. He had not noticed her before. The two did not talk, but he offered her his arm. She took it and walked silently with him.

  Myrtle had never been offered Jashion’s arm, but she took it at once anyway and began to chat. Even as she asked questions, Jashion refused to speak. She filled the silence with more chatter quickly. She so much wanted to hear this silly boy speak. His speech brought such joy and laughter to her. No matter, though, she had plenty to say.

  They all turned off of the main highway and onto a darker street. Three of the couples were full of conversation, but Terrence and Tira remained quiet. The silence did not bother either as they walked behind the throng. Noise was heard in the distance and Terrence realized that the fancy tavern was up on the right. The others each entered in as couples, and hardly noticed their surroundings, but Terrence saw the sign.

  The Tavern was called, “The Dragon’s Lair,” and on the sign was a horrific portrayal of a fire breathing Dromreign. Terrence gasped and shivered.

  “Are you okay,” Tira asked with genuine concern.

  “The Dragon’s Lair!” he replied.

  “Yes, you’ve heard of it? It’s very good.”

  “But, that’s the creature who destroys villages.”

  Tira continued to guide him toward the entrance. “Yes. I’ve heard some about that. But this is just a tavern. Every tavern has a name and a theme. That’s all it is. Just a name and a theme. The food is very good. I dare say, you’ve never had anything like it before.

  Terrence felt uncomfortable. His friends and their companions had all entered in. Tira paused at the entrance. She was not forceful. Terrence looked inside and then looked at Tira, searching her eyes. There was something in those eyes, brown, soft, intelligent, and warm.

  “I would like to have a meal,” he said awkwardly.

  Tira gently nudged him forward and they met up with their friends.

  Upon Terrence’s arrival, the other young men had noted the restaurant’s name and theme. There was a large mural of the dragon on the wall. Aiden and Daxton looked to be not much more than amused. Jashion looked like he had seen a ghost, but part of that may have been his uncomfortable companionship. Everyone in the room had noticed the group. Several men stared at Mirinda or Myrtle. Aiden’s glare effectively removed all eyes from Mirinda. But Jashion was not chasing any stares away from Myrtle. He was not so much aware of it, as such. Instead, her obnoxious laugh was so penetrating that he suspected that all eyes were drawn uncomfortably to it. He felt as though the entire room knew that he was a fool and was being violently mocked by the blond beauty by his side. The restaurant’s name and decor simply added to his disgust.

  “What would you like,” said the man approaching the table. His gaze was directed at Mirinda.

  “This is Sean,” she said. “He owns, ‘The Dragon’s Lair.’”

  Of course, the owner would come out and serve Mirinda and her friends himself. Aiden turned towards Mirinda and looked at her as if to say, ‘Surprise me.’

  Mirinda ordered for both of them and Sean looked at her knowingly.

  “Let’s share the Turtle soup,” said Myrtle excitedly.

  Sean looked at Jashion for confirmation. He received none. Myrtle nodded the confirmation for him and Sean jotted it down.

  Daxton and Tasha were pouring over the menu. Daxton asked about everything and Tasha filled in every detail. Duck was decided upon for Daxton but Tasha only took a salad.

  “I like the pork tenderloin,” said Tira to Terrence quietly. Terrence gaze was towards the menu but his racing mind did not allow him to take anything in. Sean continued to look at the pair. Tira spoke up. “I’ll have the pork tenderloin.”

  “Got it. And you?”

  Terrence looked up and met Sean’s eyes. On Sean’s shirt was an embroidered dragon with the title, ‘Owner of The Dragon’s Lair.” Terrence was filled with enmity towards Sean. Terrence nodded slowly.

  “Pork Tenderloin for you. Is that to share?”

  Tira looked at Terrence who was still looking at Sean. “We’ll each have a plate,” she said sweetly.

  Moments later a young lady brought bread and cheese, wine and goblets, for all. The goblets were filled and the bread was divided. My
rtle's goblet was the first to be refilled while Jashion’s sat untouched beside him. Instead, he nibbled slowly on a slice of bread. Jashion’s discomfort grew. Initially it was Myrtle who had made him feel such, but the growing feeling inside of his guts was betrayal. The dark tavern, with the smell of brew and of smoke, reminded him of home. But everywhere he looked he saw mugs held up with Dromreign’s image proudly displayed. They were drinking to him…to it, to the monster who murdered all his people right before his eyes. The vicious creature was celebrated, idealized, invoked by all around him. The lives of thousands were mocked in front of him. And he, who knew better than anyone the destruction and the devastation, he who held the memory of the dragon’s filthy stench in his nostrils, was participating in the midst.

  His turtle soup arrived along with another refill for Myrtle. It smelled delicious. One large bowl, two spoons. Myrtle turned to him and spoke, the alcohol reeked from her breath.

  “You first, take a bite,” she said as she handed him his spoon.

  To take a bite seemed to make him complicit with all that surrounded him. He held the spoon and looked around. Daxton was already devouring his duck. Aiden was slicing off the first bite of his bacon-wrapped filet. And then he looked a Terrence who had just had his tenderloin placed in front of him. Terrence glared at Sean. He made no motion for his knife or fork, unlike Tira who was unwrapping hers.

  Jashion swallowed hard. “Me’s seen ye dragon, me has,” he said quietly and with a shake in his voice towards Sean.

  Myrtle choked on her wine and some of it sprayed out of her nose. Her eyes began to water as she tried to laugh amidst her choking. She was laughing at what Jashion said, how he said it, and at herself for snorting the wine through her nose. She couldn’t catch her breath for all that was happening simultaneously. The goblet she held in her hand was nearly full and as she choked and sputtered the wine also spilled from the goblet onto the table. This made everything even funnier to Myrtle who was red but not out of shame. Her throat finally clear, she laughed as loud as she could and slammed her goblet down in front of her spilling and spraying half of it all around. She kept her hand around it and laid her head on her arm while continuing to laugh.

  No one else was laughing. Everyone looked at her dismayed.

  “She’s drunk,” said Mirinda both for Aiden’s and Sean’s sake.

  “Me’s is not drunk, me isn’t…ha ha ha ha ha. I’m just having a great time…and I snorted. He he he he he.”

  The ladies shook their heads while the men stared dumbfounded.

  “Did you say you’ve seen a dragon?” asked Sean as Myrtle’s display had settled. He had a look of contempt as he asked the question.

  “Nay. I said I’ve seen ye dragon. This here dragon, Dromreign, I have.”

  Myrtle giggled and then exploded into another laugh.

  Sean smiled slyly. “Ah, that so,” he said and began to walk away.

  “Aye. Me was there when it torched all me’s people, those of Dargaer.”

  Sean stopped deliberately, pausing briefly and then turning with a new look in his eyes. “Humph. They say there’s not a living soul that has seen the mighty dragon. He doesn’t leave survivors.”

  “Aye, but me and a lass escaped, we did. I’ve never met another who survived. All the rest of me people died, I believe.”

  “Is that so,” said Sean. “It’s a shame…”

  “Aye, ‘tis a shame so many good people is dead now, and here we’s celebrating and mocking their death in Dromreign’s name.”

  “It’s a shame that you and a girl escaped. Dromreign rids this world of fools. When fools escape, they bring more fools into this world. I’m looking forward to the dragon torching Agedon, a whole city of fools. If you let the fools alone long enough they’ll make so many of themselves that the world will be overrun. If Dromreign doesn’t take care of Agedon, Cardsten will. Now eat your soup and drink your wine. When you’ve drunk enough you’ll think that you escaped your dragon again as you leave,” he said starting to walk away irate and indicating the mural on the wall.

  Terrence stood and pounded his fists on the table. Tira sat back fearfully.

  “That dragon’s a menace. Only half a day’s journey from here he torched a whole village, just the other night. We walked by the dead men, women, and children earlier today. Not a soul survived. And you think that beast brings good to the world?”

  “So you’ve escaped the dragon, too?” Sean asked mockingly.

  “No, I’ve only witnessed its horrific destruction first hand. I’ve seen what it can do. Only a fool would celebrate Dromreign as you have done, here with your, ‘Dragon’s lair!”

  “Not another word, you fool, or I’ll have you out on the street.” He looked at Mirinda. “You’ve found yourself some companions tonight. Settle them down or we’ll have to call it a night.”

  Sean walked away with Terrence still standing. Myrtle had quit laughing and was looking around like she had been transported to a different dimension. Daxton looked at Terrence and motioned for him to sit down, which he eventually did, but very reluctantly.

  The scene had attracted plenty of attention. Five men approached the table. The girls became concerned. The men were large, middle-aged, with black leather coats, and they each wore a goatee. Each of their jackets had a colorful representation of Dromreign thereon. The images were not like the tavern’s; they were patrons not employee’s. The largest, though shortest man in the middle spoke up.

  “You’ve taken on the master, have you, young man.” His voice was gruff and he and each of his gang laughed. He looked at Jashion.

  “I’ve come by to spook you.” He lifted his hat and bent down. On the top of his head was a tattoo of the dragon and the tattoo ran down the back of his neck. He lifted his head and put his cap back on smiling. The others around him laughed.

  Then the laughter and his smile ended. His face became threatening.

  “You’ll not escape this time. If the master wanted you dead, you will be.” He leaned in close and spoke quietly to Jashion. “The master will never let any fool escape. But if you’re fool enough to mock the dragon, then you also deserve to die. Eat your last meal and drink up. This will be your last.” He grabbed Jashion’s face by the chin. “Understand!” He threw his fist off of his face violently and he and his friends walked away.

  Aiden began to get up as the man grabbed Jashion’s face. Mirinda placed her hand on Aiden’s knee and squeezed. He noticed her shake her head almost imperceptivity. Slowly she relaxed her grip as the men walked away.

  Chapter 12