Cleric gasps when she walks into the cell.

“What did you do?”

Wizard asks looking at the crumpled heap.

“Goblins aren’t civilized not now anyway. Maybe one day years in the future. For now however to teach a goblin, you must use goblin methods.”

The soft glow of holy energy radiates around the goblins body repairing damage.

“Just mostly heal him. Leave some bruises, as a reminder.”

Cleric looks at me with disgust in her eyes.

“Spare me, I can do very little with your respect.”

I reply.

“As long as you listen to me I can make you stronger. That’s what matters, right? Getting powerful enough to heal someone, or are you under a geas/quest?”

She goes white at the mention.

“Ding ding ding. The pieces are all starting to fit together.”

She heals up the goblin, and storms out of the room.

“I should go make sure she doesn’t put a hole through a stone wall. Again.

Wizard says with a sigh.

“Wait she’s done that?”

I ask Wizard. Wizard just keeps walking.

“She’s done that?! Why does nobody tell me these things.”

I pick up the bowl of food, and roll a dragon eye to the goblin.

“Eat.”

I command him. The goblin just flicks it away. Protesting me.

“Fine.”

I walk out of the room bowl in hand. I place the bowl on the table.

“How do you cook around here?”

I ask Damien. Obviously they used fire on the road, but for the amount of people here there was so few lit fires for the food served at any time it was confusing.

He lifts a small tablet out of his desk. It looks like one of those electric stove tops.

“Fire magic heats the central coil, and you put pots, or pans on top of it to cook it. Little knob here controls the heat. They are kind of expensive, but one of these will last your family 4-5 generations. So they are commonly a wedding present for second, third, fourth, etc. children.It’s called a hot top.”

I rub my stubble that is coming through on my face. I haven't tried growing a beard since high school. Now might not be a bad time. He places the device on the table in front of him.

“Gonna cook something?”

I nod.

“Yeah an all veggie dish.”

I lift it up, and place it on the center table. I look around the room for a pan.

“The door with the window behind you, door directly on the left past that.”

Damien says.

“Thanks.”

I walk up to the window door, and open it, then open the door just past it to the left. A short set of stairs leads into a spacious, but mostly empty larder. A larger set of stairs, and a ramp adjacent to it, lead to a set of doors on the opposite side of the room.

I look through the ingredients a clove of garlic, salt, some bell peppers, a few tomatoes, some whole peppercorn. I place it all on top of a large pan, that was hanging on the wall. I also grab two knives on the way out. I spot a mortar and pestle out of the corner of my eye, behind a bag of potatoes, and grab it. Easier than smashing the peppercorn.

I throw the pan on the hot top, and begin slicing up the veggies, dice the peppers, throw those onto the pan, then the tomato, no oil so the veggie juices will have to do. A punch of salt, then mince the garlic, some more salt. I pull a carrot out of the goblins bowl, dice that up.

The garlic smell starts to waft around the room, and the veggies sizzle in the pan. I cut up one of the dragon eyes, dicing it very tiny, and throw it in. Then I throw in a bit more salt, and grind the peppercorns up. Before tossing that in. I let it simmer on low for a bit, tossing the veggies occasionally.

And boom it’s done. Nothing fancy, but smells great. Damien has pulled a handful of bowls out of his desk, and I scoop some into each of the bowls.

I notice the smell has attracted the other guardsmen, who hover around the table like dogs around a bone. I grab a small bowl for myself, and leave them to the rest.

I walk into the goblins cell who is scrunched up in a corner clutching his abdomen. I place the bowl down on the floor,

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Careful it’s hot.”

The goblin looks up at me. Then at the bowl. I leave the room, and head back into the main room, where the guards savor the hot food, on the rainy day. I hear a clattering noise, a chain being pulled, a hiss of pain, and then scarfing noises. Hook, line, and sinker. Now that the goblin is going to get proper nutrition, he shouldn’t be so skinny, and malnourished.

With most of my business for today finished I decided to walk around outside. I didn’t have my umbrella, and I wasn’t going to turn the frying pan into a drying pan. It would be nice to enjoy the rain. A commonality between here, and home.

I decided to walk to the blacksmith, and buy a load more ball bearings. I whistled Africa by Toto as I walked. Kinda wishing I had my phone so I could sing along to the lyrics. Rhythmic pounding of rain on bronze led me to the smith. A slanted smoke hood, lets the rain pour into barrels that could be used for quenching, and not into the forge. A dwarf with a beard that looked like a block of iron sat leaned against his anvil a pipe in his mouth, and a mug of ale to his side.

I step under the overhang, and into the light of his shop. He tilts his head up.

“What can I do ya fer?”

He asks with a thick accent. His beard doesn't move at all, but the noise seems to come from his general direction.

“Need about 400 ball bearings, and a couple of thick iron rods, make them as hard as you can.”

I tell him. He takes a long drag on his pipe, and blows the smoke out of his nose. The thick cloud floats up, and out of his shop.

“I ‘member you. One o’ dem dragon slayers. Ordered some fancy spear, and other stuff from my apprentice. That dopey armored feller, bought all the ball bearings, and the caltrops. Never could bring myself to melt ‘em down so I’m glad someone bought ‘em. 400 more though could take a couple o’ days. Specially if the rain keeps up.”

He scratches his beard.

“ ‘bout 4 gold for the bearings, and not sure exactly what you want for the sticks, but I’ll do my best. Give you a discount so 9 gold.”

I pull 9 gold out of what seems like an infinite money pouch. He puts a hand up.

“I’ll take 5 now, and 4 at the end, I’m the honest sort, and it’s a good business practice.”

I nod.

“Alright then.”

I put 5 gold on the anvil, and stick my hand out for a handshake. He grabs my hand with a vice like grip. I squeeze back, but it doesn’t seem to do anything. His beard raises in the corners so I assume he is smiling.

“Strong grip, most humans go limper than a dead fish when I shake their hands. Can tell alot about a man when you shake their hands, like a magic power of mine.”

He pauses for a moment, his eyes glazing over.

“You got a grip like the ocean, below the surface is dark, and deep. Scarier the further down you go, but full of unexplored wonder, and life. Threatening to pull you down at a moments notice.”

He pulls his hand back, his eyes returning to their former shine.

“Listen to an old Dwarf like me prattle on, you better head off ‘fore the weather gets any worse. My joints always creak when a bad one is coming. An’ I feel like an old wooden floor right now.”

I give him a smile. I think back to my umbrella, no one else has one.

“How would you feel about some experimentation?”

I ask. He scratches his beard again.

“Dunno, if it involves metal work. I’m all for it though.”

I nod,

“Might bring something by your shop if the weather isn’t to bad.”

I walk back out into the rain.

“Take care now Lord Dragon slayer.”

He calls, I wave back at him. The forges light disappearing into the heavy rain. I appreciate the lack of wind, always hated rainy storms. The cool rain is like a refreshing shower. I wander a little, noone is out right now because of the torrential rain. The plants have opened up, and breathe that sweet earthy smell. The ground is probably ripe with worms shriveled in puddles.

I eventually find myself outside an abandoned tavern. It could have been an inn, or maybe an orphanage. Large stables to the side of the main building, which seems to be two building actually fused together. Although the design could also be weird.

I make a mental note of it, and walk back to the Dragon's lair. Small streams of water begin to run in the streets, might have to watch out for flash floods. I walk through the door, of the tavern. The party has recollected themselves. Lily is asleep in a chair by the fireplace, Llewellyn curled up in her lap gnawing on it’s own paw.

“Your dragon has the combined energy of 30 young uns, won’t let noone but Lily touch ‘im either.”

Marnie says. I shrug,

“Sorry, I know you didn’t sign up for this.”

She chuckles waving a hand dismissively at me.

“Nonsense, best customer I had in years. Only reason we are still open is how dirt cheap the taxes are.”

She looks at Lily.

“Lily could use something to take her mind off the present. Been through some bad times.”

I nod.

“Wouldn’t be living if everything was happy.”

I reply.

“Aye, lad. You need some dark to help balance out the light.”

That’s Marnie's last word, she disappears back into the kitchen. I head up stairs, and grab my backpack. I search through it pulling out my mini first aid kit. I grab a pack of disinfectant, and a large adhesive bandage, one of those waterproof cloth ones, and an alcohol swab. I head back down stairs, and park a seat next to cleric. She gives me an ugly look.

“Hand out,”

I say. She hesitantly sticks her hand out. The cloth wrap slightly bloodied. I unwrap it, and put it on the table. The wound is a little puffy, but still okay. Scabs are forming which is good. I peel open the alcohol tab.

“This is gonna sting.”

She nods in response. I wipe down the bite mark, she hisses, but doesn’t pull away.

“I know I can be a bit of a dick. Just kinda out of my element right now… Sorry for prying to much.”

I spread a bit of the disinfectant cream on her wound, and smooth out the clumps. I peel off the bandage wax paper, and place the bandage over the wound. I smooth out the edges.

“All done. Give it a few days, and don’t play with the bandage. If it starts to hurt let me know and we can check underneath if it’s infected.”

I get up and throw the used wrappers into the fireplace.

“Thanks.”

Cleric says from behind me. I wave my hand.

“Don’t mention it.”

I sit down at one of the tables, leaning back in the chair. It’s been what three, no four days, since I got here. Handling the dragon as soon as possible would be for the best. I would do that tomorrow. I had those horses now, even if I had no idea how to ride them. Hopefully the fighter would know at least.

I had ridden a pony at a fair when I was younger, but that was the extent of my equestrian escapades.

“We are heading back to the dragon cave tomorrow.”

I say aloud.

“Why?”

Fighter asks.

“Z"

I reply.

“Anyway have a good night.”

I head upstairs exhausted once again. I don’t wind up needing the bucket during the night. I do however wake up in the mornings wee hours. A cold sweat covers my body, and a strong sense of dread, like 30 missed calls from mom.

The rain is still pouring outside, a flash of lightning illuminating the clouds. The form of a long serpent snaking its way towards the mountain. I must be imagining things however.