The Duke and his mother seemed shaken by my proclamation about the calamity and immediately responded, “What did you mean by that?”
I realized my mistake and clarified, “it won’t be in your lifetime. Maybe your grandchildren will be alive when it happens but I’ll have to do my best to be ready. It was by no means a threat, sorry if you felt that way.”
After looking at one another they let out relieved breaths and the former Duchess addressed me, “Won’t you tell us about a calamity?”
Shaking my head I stood and put away my lute. “It is a much longer tale than I have time to tell. If you find yourself in the royal court when I am there, that is where I plan to tell the world.” I looked at them both. “If you could reward Maisy and her husband, owners of the Tea Loaf establishment on my behalf I’d greatly appreciate it. The road calls to me and I have a journey to continue.”
Duke Ursal rubbed one eye tiredly, “We would be honored. We shall keep your secret and you have a letter of introduction to the royal court.” He fetched the letter and handed it to me.
Tucking it away I nodded to them both, “You’ve been gracious and kind. If it’s your life or my secret I won’t expect you to hold the bargain.”
The Duchess spoke, “Would someone really threaten nobility?”
With a nod I slung the lute over my shoulder and bowed, “Dragon hunters are ruthless and hold no favor for nobility they don’t recognize. They exist outside kingdoms and lands. One of the greatest threats there is to dragons.” As I went to leave I felt their eyes on me and I turned just enough to look at them, “May the gods watch over you and your lands. If I ever see you again it’ll be a great pleasure.”
I was escorted to the edge of the estate and let into the town. It was dark and quiet out and only the night life was to be heard. Songs and singing echoed from the taverns that were full as people drank in celebration still of the breaking of winter. That would probably end soon as more of the work that could be done began. I went to the home that had sheltered me and was as quiet as I could be. I left three pence on my bed as I gathered all my belongings.
As I stepped outside of the house the only things I could hear inside were the gentle snores of the family that had nursed me and kept me from the slumber. Maisy’s husband was standing outside a pipe in hand that he gently puffed away at.
“She doesn’t want you doing that inside?” I wasn’t fond that I would be leaving so suddenly but things needed to happen quickly and I was falling behind. If I could find another dragon I could use my own power to get them up to fighting strength quickly.
He nodded and offered it out to me. I raised a hand in refusal and he puffed a little more, “Maisy will be sad you didn’t say goodbye.” He looked off into the distance, “I understand though. Not everyone is keen on saying it.”
I felt understood, one of the things I was most sick of is saying a meaningful goodbye. I longed to know that I’d meet someone again in a dozen years regularly. I had no clue when I’d be by this town again and a whole new generation will be here. I’ll even be a new person by then. “Thank you for the care.” I got a grunt in response and I took it the way it was intended and left.
My boots scuffed over the cobblestone and I looked to the cloudy skies hiding great swathes of stars behind them. The moons peaked out from behind those clouds and illuminated the streets far better than the light peeking through shutters. The guards did not stop me as I slipped out of town and picked a steady quick pace into the darkness. Flashes of the violence I had to enact filled my thoughts. Wasted lives against the order that was a good civilization. War, banditry, greed, fear, the seeds of humanity’s destruction that existed since the dawn of time. I could never find if it was because the gods decided it to be so or if it was from a calamity before dragons.
I was lost in thought as I trudged through the now dry road with puddles in the ruts under clouded skies. When the moons were behind clouds I reverted my eyes to dragon form so I could see without a torch. Being a dragon fully had been so freeing and the form of Dolan now felt cramped and confining. All of it plagued me. I had spent so long in mortal form that I could almost forget what I was deep down if not for ancient instincts that existed throughout time.
Knowledge and experience often were the biggest burdens. With what I had done I would be found. Within months at least I would be confronted by Redgrass’s team. Four mortals as trained as they were might not be the same level of threat as the demon had been, but if they were worth their salt they would do their best to discover information about me and return to their master.
I could not think of a way to bring me to a level of weakness they would seek to destroy me at. Enough of them could manage it, the weapons of mortals advanced ever quickly and I was not as clever as they were in order to combat it. Secrecy had been my greatest ally, ruthless elimination had been the blade I wielded against them. Uprooting the cults I could, now another threat on my mind was whomever summoned the demon to this world. So many threats seemed to be arriving so quickly.
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As the dawn rose the skies burned like fire. The wetness of a day worth of rain was promised on the wind and I pulled my hood over and made sure my satchel and bag were as secure as they could be. I fished out some hard meat and bread to chew on. Eating would help keep me going, it wasn’t necessary but any function I could take care of without utilizing my power was something I could hold onto.
The food was tough to the teeth and the muscles in my jaw clenched mercilessly against the chewy morsels. Overwhelming amounts of salt piled in my tongue and I swigged down some water to wash the taste out of my mouth and help rehydrate the food. I stepped to the side of the road as a cart meandered by being pulled by two horses. I waved amicably to the driver and called to him, “Smells like rain. Make sure things are covered.
Within minutes the rain began. A light drizzle pattered off my hood and ran down my leathers. The air became slightly chilled with dampness. The downfalls of spring, but I would take it over the hay fever. The day stretched on forever as my mind was plagued with circular thoughts of coming dangers. If it wasn’t raining I’d play myself a tune and try to lighten my spirits. I longed for the lifetimes of peace and comfort that I had led. Maybe after the next calamity if I could avoid the slumber I would spend a lifetime with a family once again. Though they were filled with heartache I couldn’t help but dream of those warm nights.
Carts caught up and passed me full of refugees. People that I had saved waved at me when I was recognized. I was polite, waving back and tried to remain humble and small. The villages they were all taken from must look forward to any news of their return. I envisioned all the happy families that would have their hope return. So many people could be lost so easily. Silver linings, that’s what I needed. Instead of thinking how exposed I was now I’d think about the joyous reunions.
They day slipped by and as the sun lowered I spotted a turn off in the road and noticed a familiar donkey grazing on the side of the road. The twanging of an unfamiliar tune echoed and I felt a smile creep onto my lips. I didn’t expect the young girl to pursue a song. I called out as I approached and looked into the covered canvas.
“Mary, are you playing?” I made sure to force my voice to carry across the little way to the wagon.
A blonde haired head peeked around the canvas and her eyes went wide. The ringlets of hair bounced as she whipped her head back around and I could hear her call. “Papa! It’s Dolan!”
Both of them peered out and waved me closer as the skies turned orange with the setting sun. Gerald called out to me, “Come on to the wagon friend! We don’t need you to dig us out today.”
I shook off most of the rain I could and climbed aboard. I settled onto a crate with a sigh of contentment as they looked at me.
Gerald with a wide smile talked first, “I take it you didn’t come here to bring me a wife.” His laughter rolled out in a hearty chuckle and Mary jabbed him with a finger. In her hands she clutched a child’s lute. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I found a woman to trade letters with. I’ll work my own magic.”
I laughed along with him, “The women I talked to were married or above your station. I'll try to pray for this letter writing woman to work.”
Mary puffed out her cheeks and hugged her lute close, then she realized something and brightened considerably. “Dolan! I’ve been learning a new song. It just doesn’t sound right…” as she went to play her father started to chastise her but I held up a hand.
As I listened, the problem was obvious, I never taught her to tune an instrument. Sitting down next to her I started to instruct her on the proper ways to make the strings correct, her ear picked up on the shared notes between our lutes. She had talent in spades and I could see a big future ahead of her. Soon she was playing the song she had learned and I wasn’t familiar with it.
“Where did you learn the song and what’s it called?”
“Rena, she was a singer in the last town when papa was getting a job and she sang to us children. I’m trying to play it. She called it, Spring Rains.” She spoke with the speed of excitement only youth had.
“I hope that’s not the reason it is still raining,” Sitting down across from her I stretched my legs out and listened as she played some more.
She eyed me as Gerald stepped away with a bag of oats for Bess. With a whisper, “Do you think there are Magic Songs that do that?”
I smiled and nodded, “if I knew some I would tell you them.” A simple lie to brighten a child’s mood. Though her playing was great, her singing along with it lacked the confidence that it needed. “Will you teach me a song tonight?”
Gerald returned, “Don’t bother Dolan too much. I’m sure he’s tired from a long day. Sorry Mary cold food tonight, too wet for a fire.”
I set my stuff aside and pulled out some food for myself. As I ate I pondered, “How about in exchange for shelter I’ll tell you all another tale. This one won’t be as sad as the last one I promise.”
They both nodded as we all ate in silence, I pulled my lute to my lap and motioned for Mary to follow, “Here play this chord with me. We will just repeat it as I tell my story.”
As everyone chewed and drank the music began to flow more and more steady. I began to tell a tale.