by Ritu Ghosh
Both of them soon came to where the party was standing. Ony got down from his horse to greet the man.
“This is my best friend in the whole world” Dan said with a big smile and the man laughed loud. He shook hands with Ony. Everyone else came down from their horses and greeted him. Dan introduced him to all as Harold.
Harold smelled of sweet alcohol and smoke. He showed special interest in Aaron.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe this is Will’s son, he is so grown up now” he said and gave Aaron a hug.
“Look at you Aaron, with that sword you look just like your father” said Harold.
“You knew my father? asked Aaron surprised.
“Yes we were best buds in the old days" replied Harold.
“We used to come here often when we visited Alfadon, we came here to live it up” said Dan, he had a big grin on his face.
“So what do you say Harold, still up for a game of chess” said Dan joyfully. “I bet I will kick your ass” said Dan and turned to Ony.
“I will go with Harold. Ony, take them all to the lodge. Food and stay arrangements are already made there” said Dan and Ony nodded.
Dan left with Harold saying many things about the old times and laughing.
“You have been here before?" Aaron asked Ony.
“Oh yes very nice people and nice food, come we should take rest at the lodge” said Ony and walked away from the big town center building. The other followed him to the lodge.
The lodge was a very high seven storey building. Aaron saw small windows lined up in the top floor. In the dark, the building looked lonely, but as they neared the gates two guards appeared on the gates.
They were huge with bulky muscles, both bald and were wearing a vest and loose trousers. Seeing the group approaching they were alerted.
“Who?” one of the guards asked in a harsh tone.
“I am Ony Thorman and these are my friends” said Ony in a crisp voice.
The men looked at each other like they do not know what to do next.
“Harold Hamaya sent us to spend the night here” said Ony again.
“Harold Hamaya, the town head” said one of the guards raising his eyebrows.
Ony nodded. The expressions on the guards’ faces changed immediately. There was a sudden visible smile and they changed into the most hospitable people ever. They helped Jane get down from the horse like gentlemen, then they took their luggage inside the lodge, they even took the horses to the stables.
Aaron stared at them in disbelief but both Flynn and Jane were in a hurry to get inside. They went behind Ony and Belster, Aaron untied Arkion from his back and holding him gently in his hand he entered the lodge's main entrance.
What looked like an ordinary building from outside was actually quite magnificent from the inside. The hall was big and could hold at least 30 guests together, and the dining hall was equally big with a magnificent fireplace. The whole place was decorated with maroon velvet furnishing. Aaron looked around like he came to a royal palace.
The dining was squirming around with people and on the table were some exotic dishes and wine. One of the guards went to the kitchen and returned with a thin, tall man with droopy shoulders. His face was wrinkled but he was well dressed.
“Welcome to the Silveridge lodge sirs and young madam, your rooms are ready and so is the food” he pointed to the dining hall “I am Gunthy Moore, the official caretaker of this place. If you need anything please call me”
The man spoke for a brief time. Before any of them could ask him any question he disappeared in the crowd of the dining hall.
Sounds of music could be heard from the halls. The sweet music of harp filled the entire lodge and Aaron felt like he was taken back in time.
The guards helped to put their luggage in their respective rooms. These rooms were exceptionally small, only one bed and a chair could fit in. It had a small bath attached to it too.
Aaron entered the cramped room, there was one tiny lamp in the corner but it was enough to light the whole room. The windows which looked smaller from the ground was the only big thing in the room, there wasn't much inside the room to see.
Everything looked old, like it’s been there for hundreds of years.
“How did you like your room sir” asked the guard as he kept Aaron’s bad in the corner.
“Well…” said Aaron “It’s really cozy” he said and smiled feebly. He didn’t want to hurt the guard feelings who climbed all the six floor staircases to come to this room.
The guard nodded happily, Aaron dropped a silver coin in his hands. The guard grinned; he looked funny with the stupid look he had on his face. The guard bowed and left.
Aaron looked around again. He didn’t think much this time, there was a bed and he was tired. The room was kind of cozy and warm. He remembered the heavenly aroma coming from the dining room and all the food that was laid out. But he was so tired and nothing could do it without a nap. He took off his shoes and jacket vest and threw them on the floor next to the bed. He kept Arkion in the chair. Arkion didn’t move much and sat quietly.
Before going to bed he looked out of the window. He was so high that he could see the entire town. The sight was very beautiful; he could see the flickering lights of the entire market far away and the town center and fountain. Many people were gathered in different groups. The paths and gardens looked very charming.
He thought what Flynn had to say about the lodge and the town. But it was hard from him to keep his eyes open anymore. He closed his eyes and drifted into a sweet slumber.
Chapter 14
The Story of Dan Belcross
A low screech woke Aaron up. He woke up with sleepy eyes and looked around. Arkion had fallen down on the ground and was trying to get up on the chair. Aaron got up and put him back on the chair then he sat on his bed.
Now he was quite hungry and his stomach was grumbling, he put on his jacket and came out of his room to see what the others were doing. He locked the windows lightly and said to Arkion. “be right here , I will be back with some food for you”
Arkion looked at Aaron like he understood what he just said.
Aaron came out of the room and closed the door lightly. As he took a few steps he saw Flynn coming out of his room too.
“Did you see how tiny the rooms are?” Flynn said in whispers as Aaron came near him “you can hardly fit yourself on the bed”
Flynn was almost as tall as Aaron though he was much leaner, Aaron laughed quietly.
Flynn and Aaron knocked on Jane’s door but no answer came from inside, they went to Ony’s room but there too no answer came.
“I am not going to Belster’s room” said Flynn.
They walked down the stairs of the six floors; Aaron was becoming hungrier with each floor. Aaron and Flynn finally came down to the dining hall. The music was still playing and the hall was still full of people. The food was still on the table though half of it was gone. Aaron and Flynn quickly grabbed the plates and filled them with everything on the table including the sprout salad and mash potatoes which they never liked.
They didn’t not even bother to sit down. They stood near the table and started to fill their mouths and chewed the food.
After finishing most of the food in his plate Aaron looked up. Jane was sitting at a distance and watching him intently. Aaron thought he saw her hide a grin but he was not sure. He quickly wiped his face and composed himself.
Ony, Belster and Dan were sitting at the nearby table and eating, Harold was with them, Billy was not seen at all. Flynn finished eating soon, surprisingly he went for seconds.
Jane came to Aaron and Flynn.
“You both must be sleeping while we came here” she said as her eyes flashed.
“Yes” said Flynn with mouthful of food.
Jane laughed.
“Have you seen any grains around here, I would like some for Arkion” Aaron asked Jane.
“Well you could take some cherries for him, dragons like che
rries a lot” said Jane and picked up a handful of cherries from one of the serving bowls and handed them to Aaron. Aaron put the cherries in his pocket.
Flynn finished his food and washed up. He came back to Aaron and Jane.
“I do not know about you two but I am going to sleep, god knows when will I get a bed to sleep again” said Flynn and yawned.
“The small bed doesn’t seem so bad now ha?” said Aaron taunting. Flynn smirked.
Three of them walked up to their rooms, they waved at Dan and Ony before leaving. While climbing the stairs, the food weighed them down. They went up slowly.
Flynn was panting and sweating by the time he reached the sixth floor. He waved at them and without saying anything he just went inside his room.
Aaron invited Jane inside his room but Jane said she was tired.
“I better go and enjoy a good sleep too. I think Flynn is right. We have two days of hard journey ahead, we should take advantage of the cozy bed” she said and walked inside her room.
As soon as Aaron opened the door, Arkion stood up alerted on the chair.
“It’s ok little guy, it s just me” said Aaron.
He took the cherries from his pocket and held it in front of Arkion “Look what I got for you”
Arkion looked at the cherries for some time and then ate one out of Aaron’s hand. He liked it so much that he quickly ate all the cherries and soon he was licking Aaron’s hand.
Aaron lifted Arkion and held him closer to his face.
“You like it don’t you, Jane was right” he said.
Arkion licked Aaron’s nose and smiled. He looked at Aaron with his beady eyes.
Aaron laughed as it tickled his nose.
“I wish I have brought some water for you too” said Aaron looking around the room.
“Don’t worry, I will get some water” said Aaron and put Arkion down.
He again climbed down the stairs of six floors to get some water for Arkion.
Now, the dining hall was empty, all people were gone and only some workers were cleaning the tables and arranging the furniture.
He walked inside the kitchen hesitantly and asked for some water in a bowl. The cook, who was there was a very nice man. He gave him the water and asked him to stay till breakfast as he will be making pancakes tomorrow.
Aaron nodded and thanked him after taking the bowl of water. As he came out of the dining hall he saw Harold coming towards him.
“Harold!” He exclaimed. He was thinking about taking to him about his father for some time now.
“Oh Aaron, I didn't see you there, what are you doing here at this hour. You got your dinner right” asked Harold concerned.
“Yes I did, the dinner was very delicious, I just came down to take some water for… hmm.. My pet..” Aaron paused for a second, he was not sure if it was right to tell people about his dragon openly, but he finished his sentence anyways "Dragon”
Harold’s eyes widened “a dragon?” he whispered as if he was never heard if such a thing before.
“That’s wonderful, I can’t believe you have a dragon for a pet” said Harold again.
“Come we will have a little chat” said Harold and sat on the couch in the hall. Aaron followed him thinking about all the questions he will ask.
Harold went on and on about the days when Dan and Aaron’s father used to visit this place and how much fun they had. Aaron learnt that his father was rather an arrogant boy who listened to no one.
“But he was a very good person, once a friend he will give his life for you” Harold said grinning.
Suddenly the image of drunken Ony came to Aaron’s mind. Ony had told him that Dan and his father William were rivals. And now he found another friend of his father, Harold was the right person to ask about it.
“You said Dan and my father were best friends but I heard they were rivals” asked Aaron.
Harold grew serious at the question. The wrinkles that formed on his face while laughing went away immediately. He sat and thought for some time and then cleared his throat.
“I do not know how you know about that but yes it’s true. The once best friends have become rivals. The two friends who could not live without seeing each other never spoke again” said Harold. His face drooped and he looked very sad.
“What happened between them?” asked Aaron in disbelief. Harold looked away from Aaron and spoke in a low deep voice.
“It all began in the fight of Heringad when the Defenders were fighting against the Lurgs, back then one giant creature named Olken wrecked havoc in the main city of Heringad. After the fight was over and they won, they set camp in the nearby jungle where they came across a very different world.
They saw everything was different there, it was a settlement like no other. That part of the forest was so beautiful, it had light yellow color trees and a golden glow around the entire place.
There were a few houses made a thawed roof but the build was not of this world. The flowers and the fruits that grew there were seen nowhere else in the rest of the world. The rivers that flowed there had the sweetest water that will relieve you of your tiredness.
When the Defenders came to this place they were enchanted. They took refuge in this small village and were welcome by the Elves who were also known as the God people, the predecessors of the Light people.
The Defenders were given good hospitable treatment by the Elves. And they enjoyed their stay to the fullest. During this time Dan met Elena, the daughter of the chief Elf. Her beauty was so pure that she reminded him of goddess Mira. They fell in love and decided to be together for eternity.
This love was only known to William, your father. Nobody else knew about the couple. Elena had asked Dan not to tell anybody as the elves were not supposed to marry humans but she was sure that she could convince her people.
Being a pure race, the elves lived in hiding so that no evil creature can touch them. A long time ago the Elves were cursed by a powerful witch named Nevika that if they were even touched by any evil being they will wither and die. Elena told Dan the reason they have to live in hiding. Many elves were already destroyed by the evil.
Whenever Dan and Elena met in secret near the river, he would take William along with him to keep watch. Dan knew that even though they have defeated the Lurgs and the giant creature - Olken, the eyes of the evil could be anywhere. If the searchers were still looking for the Defenders, Elena and the rest of the elves would be in great danger.
So, everyday William would guard them while they met in secret. Soon Dan and Elena wanted to tell everybody about their decision of getting married.
One day, when they were having their secret meeting, Dan sat with her on the river bank. She looked even more beautiful under the moonlight.
They were lost in conversation, when out of nowhere a pack of Weatherwolves attacked. The wolves surrounded them but within moments a werewolf came running at the Weatherwolves, this werewolf was chasing them.
Elena was confused, she tried to run. But by the time Dan could do anything, the werewolf had pushed Elena from coming in the way of the Weatherwolves. Elena fell near the river and Dan ran to see if she was alright.
But the touch of the werewolf was deadly for her, her smooth white skin turned pale and hard. She looked at Dan and her last words were
Don’t keep the hate in your heart.
She was lost forever, her body turned to ashes in a few seconds. Dan was really shaken by his loss, he didn’t know what to do. When he looked back the wolves were all dead and the werewolf was staring at him from a distance.
Dan lifted his sword and ran towards the werewolf, he wanted to finish Elena’s killer but the wolf escaped into the night.
Sad and alone he came looking for William, he was afraid that William is killed by the wolves too. But William was not in his usual spot. Dan called out to him many times.
William came out from the other side of the forest and there was not a single scratch on him. In Fact he was not even on the watc
h. He went away for something else” said Harold and sighed deeply.
“Dan was mad at William for not being on the watch and blamed him for Elena’s death; he did not even listen to what William had to say. After that incidence Dan never spoke to William. William and Bella tried their best to mend this friendship but Dan started to call himself a rival of your father.” Harold was very sad, his voice died out as he sank into the couch.
Aaron was surprised at the story, he never knew that Dan was in love and he had to go through such a horrible tragedy. Now he knew why Dan was always grim and why he hates Billy, a werewolf.