Athyra POV

Where the hell am I? Sitting up, my eyes opened to a bland, gray room with sunlight peeking through the dark gray curtains of the window. There was a gray couch, a black dresser with a mirror, paintings of frumpy little dark elves that look like they have sticks shoved up their ass hung on the plain gray walls and an uncomfortable, creaky bed beneath me. My thoughts of last night were foggy, but I remember that nasty Ulrich introducing me into some perverted dark elf. He looked at me like I was a plump, roasted hog on a platter at his table. I must still be at the pervert’s manor. He said he would give me a shot at a high paying job, I think. Ulrich put some potion in my wine yesterday, but I think he was disappointed when it didn’t work right away. Thankfully, potions don’t affect dragons that well, however, they do make us sleepy. I must have gone comatose when that maid brought me to this room. If my father knew that I let this happen to myself, he would subject me to potion immunity training. I only arrived here two days ago, and I already got myself in trouble. I ran my hands through my silver locks. Maybe, coming here was a stupid idea after all.

Exiting the bed, I stood in front of the mirror. My human appearance paled in comparison to my ice blue scales. Quickly, I brushed and tamed my silver hair into a waist length braid. Washing my face in the marble washbowl, I began to feel awake. Looking through my bag, I pull out a dark blue tunic, light blue robe, and black leggings. Once dressed, I straighten the gloomy room. I could still feel the eyes of the painted elves staring at me. Yuck.

Leaving the room, the hallways were a deep purple on the walls with dark wood floors. More paintings of proud dark elves with creepy faces lined the walls. The gold outlandish chandeliers and sconces lite the hallways. My host has terrible taste…

I prefer the beauty of my icy home to this dreary place. Why did I choose to come to Gleaca? I could have just gone to the Serpent Isles like everyone else, but then my jerk of a brother would win. I will earn my title and my own fortune. My mind rambled on it's thoughts until a gentle voice broke me free of my thoughts.

"Madam Eshwyn. Please come with me. My master is waiting for you in the dining room." The little woman from last night said to me. The little woman was a plain human with dark hair and eyes. There was nothing about her that really stood out except for her generous curves.

"Very well. Lead the way." I gestured for her to start walking.

She led me through several long hallways until we reached the dining room. The room was different from the dark, long hallways. There were large windows that stretched from floor to ceiling illuminating the blue walls and gold fixtures. A grand dining table was centered in the room. I spot the dark elf sitting at the far end of the table. He looks the same as he did yesterday, creepy and perverted.

The little woman guided me to a chair beside her master. The elf's eyes looked hungrily over my body. A nauseous feeling stirred through me. I sat down in the chair, and the little woman brought me a plate of smelly fish. My nose stung at the burnt skin of the fish.

"Good morning, sweet dragonette." His smile was vile. “Best eat up. I intend to put you to work this morning.”

My skin crawled at this man’s gaze. Every one of my instincts screamed at me to claw his eyes out. Put me to work, will he? Maybe, I should just kill the elf and take his money instead… That would defeat my purpose of earning my title honestly though. Play nice, Athyra. “What kind of work do you have in mind, mister… Mister?”

“Talan. You may address me as Master or Lord Talan.” His yellow teeth grinned widely. I can see his delight in my displeasure of his gaze.

“Of course, Lord Talan. So, the job?” I want to get away from this creep as soon as I can. My stomach begins to rumble and betray me. I picked up my utensils and cut a piece of gross fish. I was able to chew and swallow the burnt meal.

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“Well, dragonette.” He began.

“Please call me, Athyra Eshwyn.” I corrected him. Being called dragonette made my nausea flare up.

“Yes, Ms. Athyra. Today’s work will be simple. I need you to find some information on a group of adventurers that came through a forest near here. One of them has an item that I would like to inquire about.”

Investigating people? With all of my combat and stealth skills, he wants me to be an information peddler? What a waste! This item he wants must be something quite valuable. If he wants to throw away my talent on this, fine I will complete the job and get my pay. Little does he know my skills won't be cheap. "What do you know about these adventures?" I asked, feigning interest.

"I see you are eager, Ms. Athyra. I know little about these adventurers, but I will tell you of my encounter with them." He smiled enthusiastically. "Why not finish your tea before I tell you my tale. We can move to my study as soon as you finish."

I gave a nod and nibbled on my bread to ease my stomach. The little woman topped off my tea and returned to the kitchen, leaving me alone with this pervert.

He stared happily at me as I sipped my tea. His eyes were glued to my chest, which helped me daydream of quick painful deaths for this elf. I day dream, sweetly, of this man's death.

I can see how much Talan wants to reach out and touch me as he sits there, staring at me. Yuck. Why did I have to meet perverts at the port first? I just sailed here a few days ago, and I already disdain this land. Looking out the tall windows, I see the beautiful blue skies, and get the urge to stretch my wings. I finish my tea, and ask the dimwitted elf if he's ready to move to the study.

He gets up and gestures for me to follow him down the ugly halls once more. We make several turns as we approach his study. This manor is feeling more like a grim labyrinth by the second. The little woman suddenly appears, opening the door to the study. My escort must have taken me in circles if the little woman was able to get here first. He suggests I sit on the obnoxious red couch like I did yesterday. His study is nicer than the hallways because every wall is lined with books. Most of them seem to be rare editions. The little woman serves more tea for us as the dark elf rattles off his tale.

He came across the adventurers when they entered his territory. The adventurers consisted of four people, an older, male woodland elf, an adult female human, a younger female human and a female simian beast. Talan didn’t know about the elf since the elf didn’t show his face much. The adult woman had bright green eyes and dark hair, and she carried twin swords. The younger human had daggers, but something was odd about her according to him. Finally, a white simian beast who wielded a bow and arrow. What a boring group.

He continued by telling me that the adventurers came to hunt saber tooth bears until they came face to face with bandits. The bandits were his friends, but he wasn't able to stop the adventurers from killing the bandits. The green eyed woman carries the item that he wishes to obtain. I study him as he goes silent for a moment. This dark elf has rage burning his eyes and flames smoking steadily on his hands. These adventurers have left quite the impression on him. Maybe I can use his rage for a higher pay day.

"Anything else I should about the encounter, Lord Talan?" I made my tone sweet as sugar to flatter him.

"If you ever come across those adventurers, beware the wolf hiding in plain sight. It finished those bandits off brutally." He said slyly.

"Wolf? Like a familiar?" I giggled as I asked. To think a little wolf would stand a chance against a dragon. This dark elf must have a few screws loose. "No animal could beat me, Lord Talan. You have nothing to fear." His expression did not change from my reassurance.

"Ms. Athyra Eshwyn, this is no woodland animal that I speak of. No. This wolf must be a part of the beast folk. It stood about my height and threatened me. It wasn't exactly a beast. A monster is a better name for it. It ran on two feet though…" His voice trailed off. I sat there in disbelief of this elf. Wolf beasts were extinct because of the last Race War centuries ago. Or at least according to the Gleaca history books that I read last week, they were extinct.

"You must enjoy insulting your guests by testing their knowledge. I may be new to this country, but I am not ignorant." Anger was laced in my voice. This elf is making fun of me. My scales itched under this human skin with rage.

He must have noticed my rage because the elf began chanting as a storm appeared above his head. His eyes glowed purple as he chanted. "Ms. Athyra," he called out. "Please calm yourself. I do not wish to battle you. You asked for information, and I have explained what I know. If you no longer wish to take this job you may leave the manor at once. Otherwise, please defrost my study."

Defrost his study? I looked around. Everything was covered in a layer of frost except the elf. His storm must have protected him. I took a deep breath, melting away the frost. "Fine. I will hunt for information on your adventurers, but I want traveling expenses as well as triple the amount you mentioned on the way here."

A smirk filled the elf's face. "Very well, dragonette." He emphasized every word. "You leave this afternoon."

I gave him an understanding nod, and I walked to the door. I bid the little woman to guide me to my room to make preparations for my trip.

"See you later, dragonette." He said as I left the room.

I frosted the hallway as I walked away. Enjoy your icy manor, Lord Talan.