The King and The P.I

Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Quick shake. Turn. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap. Same thing every day for the past two decades. Pacing my office waiting for this godsforsaken volcanic winter to end. Two decades of not being able to work is driving me up the wall. I waddled to the window and peered out. An endless sea of ash. Little flurries of ash continue to fall. I honked in frustration. I waddled away and sat at my desk.

Shuffling through my open cases, I sighed. Half of these creatures probably died in the initial eruption, their loved ones too. A loss to Kaglesh and my wallet. I took my pen and my travel journal. As I was penning the names and descriptors of the creatures, I was supposed to follow or find a crackle in the air sparked.

CITIZENS OF KAGLESH! PLEASE STAND ATTENTION AS HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF KAGLESH, KING ZOUQZIX, MAKES HIS FIRST APPEARANCE AND HIS FIRST ROYAL DECREE IN TWENTY YEARS.

It was the King’s druid. If the King is making an appearance, that must mean Mount Narroux finally stopped erupting. Finally! I can get back to work and out of my home! I waddled to the window and opened it. There were still flurries falling, but that didn’t stop our spiderfolk King from standing at the top of his castle, just to the right of Mount Narroux. Even from this far away, he looked massive. I could see his hulking figure and eight limbs clearly.

CITIZENS OF KAGLESH. IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE AFTER TWENTY LONG YEARS MOUNT NARROUX AND HIS BROTHERN HAVE RETURNED TO THIER SLUMBER. KAGLESH IS FINALLY FREE TO RETURN TO NORMAL. SHORTLY I WILL BE SENDING THE DRAGONS TO SWEEP AWAY THE ASH FROM THE FARMLANDS. FURTHER CLEAN UP ACTIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED THROUGH PIXIE MAIL. REJOICE KAGLESH FOR TODAY MARKS A NEW BEGINNING!

Cheers could be heard far and wide as the Kagleshi creatures were given permission to leave their abodes. I shut the window as the crackles in the air disappeared. I waddled back to my desk capping my pen. I pulled on my tweed trench coat, monocle, and hat. Slipping my travel journal in my pocket I waddled to the front door grabbing my pocket knife. Shutting the door behind me, I turned to the sign I have next to the door and honked. The sign wiped clean, and I used my knife to carve a message.

Open for Business. Be Back Soon.

I shook my feathers and turned. I slipped my knife in my pocket and started waddling to the town’s center. Luckily, we didn’t get as much ash fallout as the towns and farmlands that are closer to Mount Narroux did. I noticed the dragons flying towards the farmlands. Their roars rang out as they spoke to one another. I recognized them, having worked with them once. Brite, he was the King’s personal dragon, was the biggest of them all. His cerulean and gold scales glittered in the few rays of the star’s light that passed through the thick grey clouds. He looks just as majestic and beautiful as the day I met him.

I stood in the town square watching as Brite circled the farmlands. He was facing north, towards the Abyss of Verbridge, the deepest point of our oceans. He flapped his wings forcefully, gaining speed with each flap. Soon all the ash blew towards the Abyss. Ake, the smallest of all the dragons and the only one that is pure white with blinding crystal like eyes, roared and was the next to clear out the next farm.

I could stand there and watch the dragons work, but I had work to do. I waddled quickly into the tavern as Xadro began his flight to the farm closest to the town. I honked.

“Lazenos!” I yelled up to the window while I banged on the door. Behind the door I could hear Lazenos’ hooves clip-clopping across the floor. A piece of furniture screeched and suddenly the door opened, revealing Lazenos.

“Jeez, you look like crap.” I said waddling past him. I flew up onto the bar and settled, taking my journal and pen out.

“You don’t look any better, Matthias.” Lazenos huffed as he went around the tavern, making it presentable. “What do you want? Kaglesh hasn’t even been open for an hour and you’re already annoying me.”

I watched him for a moment. His normally tanned skin has paled considerably and his spotted hair seemed to be patchy, but that was just his body. His face sagged, and the bags under his eyes had intensified over the years. His golden eyes, that always had a spark of mischief in them, were dull and hard. This lockdown has really taken a toll on him.

“Where’s Lucienne?” I asked, ignoring his question.

His eyes glazed over before turning to head behind the bar and dusting off the countertop. “She died in the initial eruption.”

My body sagged in sadness. Lucienne was always so friendly. She brought out the best in Lazenos and made The Marvelous Raven brighter with her infectious laugh and bright smiles.

“I’m sorry, my friend.” I looked at my notes. “I have to find others. Would you like me to find her and bring her back?”

Lazenos looked at me with tears in his eyes. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

I flipped to a new page and started writing out what I knew. “Where was she before the initial eruption?”

“She went on a trip with her friends to Stoneshield.” he threw down the rag and leaned forward on his elbows. “Said something about a spa with those fancy wraps.”

“The kelp wraps?” I asked, looking at him.

“Yeah those.”

“I know the place.” I said. I’ve been to the Aquadome before to get answers and retrieve a kidnapped child from an ex-wife.

“Thank you, Monsieur.” Lazenos said sincerely, “Anyone else I can help pin point?”

“There might.” I said flipping through my journal. “These cases are twenty years old. I never had a chance to investigate before the eruption began.”

“Shall I get the ale out?” he joked.

“I know that’s a joke, but we might need some.” I shook off my coat and placed my hat down on the bar top. He let out a hearty laugh that brought a small smile to my face. He poured a mug for himself and a pint for me. I took a small sip, then looked down at my notes. I asked him about each name giving him species and age. He took his time trying to remember what he could.

It took some time, but Lazenos gave me everything I needed. Slipping on my jacket and hat, I drank the rest of my ale.

“Thank you, Lazenos.” I flew down off the bar top, “I will send word when I find Lucienne.”

“Thank you, Monsieur. Be safe.” he walked me out of the tavern and we both nodded to one another. I honked and took flight. I decided to head straight to the Aquadome Spa to ease Lazenos mind and so Lucienne can be put to rest. I glided along over some farmlands admiring the work Brite, Ake, Xadro and the other dragons did removing the ash. If it weren’t for the barren land, no one would know that there was a vicious volcanic eruption.

I picked up my gaze and I could see the pointed arches of the spa in the distance. I flapped my wings harder and honked. The wind picked up, carrying my glide towards the Aquadome.

I let out a honk as I passed Brite, who roared a greeting back at me, just as I approached the spa. He flapped his wings in the town’s direction. I landed in the town center and shook off the chill of the wind. I waddled down the cobbled pathways. Note, thank Brite for clearing the town. It was not difficult to find Lucienne’s group of friends. Right outside of the spa were the plasters of Lucienne and her friends. I sighed and honked sadly.

I waddled up to Lucienne and took my hat off. I placed my head on her front leg. “Oh Lucienne. You are missed. May Ryddea have mercy on your soul.” I whispered. I stayed against Lucienne for a moment longer.

With one last sigh, I took a step back and placed my hat back on. I took my journal out and ripped a blank sheet out. I wrote a simple message out.

Found her.

I folded the note and held it up. I honked softly, and the air carried it back towards The Marvelous Raven.

A thud caught my attention. I looked behind me.

“Hello Brite.” I said with a nod of my head.

“Monsieur Matthias.” Brite nodded back. His deep voice shaking me to my core. “Friends of yours.”

“Just the one. Lucienne Dupont.” I sighed turning back to Lucienne. “I promised her husband I’d bring her back to put her to rest.”

“I knew Lucienne. She was a kind soul. She had Ilir’s gift.” Brite laid his head down, bowing in a quick prayer.

“I doubt even the God of Oracles knew what was to come.” I said softly.

“The dichotomy of faith.” Brite mused, “may I help you bring her home?”

“I’d like that.” I took my knife and carefully carved a hole in the plaster. Inside was Lucienne’s mummified body. Everything had been preserved in the plaster and under the ash, but all the moisture was sucked out of her and after twenty years, she was just skin, hide and bone. I looked away. It was difficult to look at a friend like this. Brite brushed a clawed finger down my back as he carefully picked her up.

I took that as a cue to take flight. I led Brite towards the tavern where Lazenos was waiting just outside, wringing his hands nervously. I began descending and landed in front of him. I stood next to him as Brite landed paces away. He calmly walked up to us and laid Lucienne at Lazenos feet. I watched as he dropped to his knees and cried over his wife’s body. Brite laid in front of us as we all mourned the loss of such a wonderful centaur.

I can always start work tomorrow. My friend needs me today. I placed a wing on his back as a few tears slipped down my cheeks.