"Why are we going to a newbie dungeon?" The dragon asked for the umpteenth time.

"Because we need to learn to fight together and you need to work on your basic skills" Kyatha answered patiently again, "besides there is a legeng about this dungeon I want to check and this is the perfect opportunity"

"You didn't say anything about a legend" he replied, "please tell me what it is"

Neglecting to mention it so he wouldn't go stomping all over the place and trashing a children's starting dungeon, "it's more a rumor that the dungeon is actually operated by a Player" sighing she continued, "but no one ever found out the truth or if anyone did they kept it to themselves".

"This sounds exciting" not surprising since anything excited the hatchling dragon, "lets go then"

"We need to get the guild's approval to enter their dungeon", she wasn't anxious to pay admittence price for a dragon, "they will probably charge a premium and give us rules and regulations so they can charge us more when we leave"

"Why do we need their approval to enter a public dungeon?" Came the obvious question.

"That's the law in the free guilds region" sighing, "it's how the countries manage tax collection so they can keep the peace and protect their borders"

"I know all that" he retorted, "Shoul gave me books about economy and banking" adding after a pause, "I still think taxing is robbery" looking at her, "Shoul said civil services had to be maintained or chaos and war will destroy everyrhing", remembering "but we pay taxes and the ships still shot at us"

"Those ships were the pirate emperor armada", and added quickly, "a tiny fraction of his armada", she looked intently at the dragon "he is the one that declared war on us".

"Why does he want to make war?" The creature seemed puzzled, "if he just wants loot he should come and take it himself"

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"But then he will be breaking the law", explaining things to him was pointless but she tried anyway, "if he wins the war he can make up the law and all the taxes will go to him", only after saying them she realised what her companion's reaction to the notion would be and she clamped her jaw in frustration seeing the contemplative look in his eyes as he figured the implications.

"So if I want people to pay me taxes I need to declare war on them" came the obvious following question.

"No!" Cutting the notion sharply, "the Kobolds already pay you tribute in their ceremonies", then added to make sure he understood, "that is the same as taxes so you don't need to change anything"

Their turn finally came, Meroa hated standing in the public line but the dragon wasn't a registered member and the rule said you had to take the slowest route on any request or the whole party just had to go again when that member was up.

"Let me call the manager" said the man behind the counter.

"Fine" Kyatha answered crisply after failing to concince the clerk she wasn't here to loot newbies in their dungeon.

The manager had a pointy beard that seemed so oiled it was almost solid, after one look at the dragon he sighed, "do you really want to enter the Goliaths pass dungeon?" His eyes lingering on her gaudy gear painted in what was becoming a new fasion for Players.

"Yes" she sighed.

"Enough to take a guide with you that will ease my mind against mischief?" He seemed reluctant to make the offer but the thought of taking premium charge for a dragon Player in newbie dungeon whetted his appetite and ground against his better judgement.

Meroa thought about the offer and finally nodded, "but I am not babysitting your guide" she exclaimed, "he isn't our responsibility only an observer to make sure we aren't breaking any rules".

Turning away the manager signaled for her to step aside from the line and wait while the clerk processed the next party, after fifteen minutes of nail chewing suspense he finally emerged dragging someone behind him, when her eyes fell on the newcomers Meroa thought she could scream but as soon as RedFox21 left through the door and saw Allen he bolted over to the dragon dragging the manager behind him in a strange twist of roles.

"I see you met my guide before" the man dusted his suit from the abuse of being rushed through the crowd gathered to gawk at Allen.

"We met" was all Kyatha managed to say "does it have to be him?"

"I will give you a discount if you take him as a favor to me", something in his words sounded odd to Meroa.

"Is he your son?" at his blush she knew she hit the spot, "fine we will do this favor for you" she finally said wanting to move on with the process that was already dragging for over fourty minutes.