Chapter Thirty Two: Home Flat Home

Jason and Stella were walking to Buttermilk. They had been wary to stay hidden at night. They would camp in hidden sections of forest. They were on the outskirts now. Jason could see the town in the distance. Surprisingly the farms and orchards were mostly okay. All the regular smaller cattle were still thriving. The dragon didn’t prioritise these ones.

The town was entirely destroyed. Tents were constructed in one of the Farmer’s paddocks. Jason assumed the villagers now lived here temporarily. He walked with Stella to the ruins of his house. The dragon had stepped on it. Jason had to go digging.

He’d left his sword and his gold at home the night of the festival.

A few hours passed and some villagers approached them. They recognised Jason and Stella and were amazed.

“We added you to the list of the dead.” The villager gasped. “This is so lucky. Come to the food tent and show everyone you’re alive. They will be thrilled.”

“We will visit soon.” Stella said politely.

Jason found his small wooden chest under a large pile of roof tiles and planks. It was his gold. He had about one thousand left.

Not enough to build a new house. Maybe buy a horse though.

As if by magic, Arkanon appeared on the road in the distance, a small fiery budgie sat on his shoulder and two horses walked beside him. He spoke to them as if they were his friends and the horses walked with no leads or saddles, they simply followed Arkanon as if he was another horse.

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“Bronson!” Jason shouted.

Arkanon looked confused.

Bronson recognised Jason and walked over to him, then walked back to Arkanon.

“I guess this is your horse.” Arkanon said to Jason, gesturing to Bronson. Bronson huffed.

“Yes, thank you so much!” Jason said. “I thought he was dragon food, and Bentley! Hi Bentley!” Jason said, waving to the horse, then Jason realised what that meant. Jason realised his oldest friend, Tenzen, was dead. Jason knelt down for a moment. “Tenzen”

Jason went over and hugged Bentley. He could tell the horse was sad.

“Come.” Arkanon said. “Let’s drink Redran’s wine collection while we mourn his death.”

“Sure. I must find my sword first. It’s under there.” Jason said, pointing to the rubble.

“Godspeed, young Jason. Meet me later.” Arkanon said. He bowed and walked away with the bird and Bentley. Bronson stood beside Stella and she patted his nose. Jason started digging through the rubble.

A few hours later, Jason and Stella arrived at the mansion and walked inside. Jason was holding the sword, it was nicked and scratched up from the rubble. The gardens looked different. Arkanon had let the horses eat everything. Bentley and Bronson started running together and they went over to a flower bush to eat some pink fluffy petals. Their funny lips opened and their dirty teeth chomped onto the flower bushes, then they ripped the branches off with strength and force. The horses enjoyed their meal together.

Jason and Stella went inside to greet Arkanon. He was sleeping with a book in his hand next to the fire. They went upstairs and they found a guest bedroom. It was a luxurious double bed with a soft, comfortable mattress. They both felt incredible in the ornate room, sleeping under the soft, cool blankets. They fell asleep quickly.