Thwarting Destiny - Chapter Two

Read Chapter One here...

Herron tried not to draw attention to himself as he and his friends walked back into the Inn. If he stayed quiet, perhaps Mama would be so distracted by the presence of a dragon that she would forget to scold him for listening to the Wizard who kept being very rude by not taking Mama’s “no” for an answer.

Even Herron knew that "no" meant to stop asking, and he was still learning his letters and numbers!

The Wizard had wanted to hear the song Vili had spent a week making up, and Herron couldn’t disappoint his friend by telling the old man to go away. Herron had been curious to know more about his past, that was all. Herron had just forgotten that his curiosity tended to get him in trouble.

The dragon walked after them, folding their wings and shrinking as they went, until they were a horned and scale-skinned human with leathery wings, just small enough to fit through the doors. One of the shape-shifting kind, then, if Herron remembered the Book of Beasts that Mina had been studying correctly. They tended to be Bookwyrms, more than treasure hoarders. That was a relief, though it did mean that Mama might have to keep a closer eye on her library.

The taproom went very still. The dragon looked both amused and annoyed. “You know, it’s considered polite to gift someone what they desire for saving a life.”

Herron winced as his mother sent all three of them a stern look, before turning back to the dragon with a raised eyebrow. “What does the dragon desire, then?”

The dragon in question eyed Heron’s mother thoughtfully, “Pure young maidens?”

There was a loud clatter as the serving maid lunged at the youth she had just finished declaring would require the end of the world for her to find him attractive, wrapping her arms around his neck. Herron’s mother ignored the young duo, focussing on the dragon. “You’re a decade and three lovers too late for that, I’m afraid.”

The dragon scoffed, “Being a virgin is not the same as being pure.” He ignored the serving girl shoving herself back from the young man, much to the lad’s dismay, now that he was no longer an easy way to ruin her eligibility in the dragon’s eyes.

Herron’s mother watched their little display with barely-hidden amusement. Dragons were harder to read, but Herron thought that the bared teeth looked more like a grin than a threat. “An occasional conversation partner who won’t run away screaming, then?”

Heron’s mother laughed, “I think I can manage that. Perhaps it will keep a few of those prophesy obsessed wizards away, too.”

Herron was confined to his room until morning, and his mother had brought up a tray for his dinner. Opening his door to put it on the landing, Herron heard voices, far clearer now that the patrons had gone home or to bed. He listened carefully.

One of the voices sounded like the dragon, though there was less of a rumble to his voice now. “If they speak truthfully, and he is a Prophecy Child, you cannot believe that you can keep him from it.”

A very familiar sigh was the response. Herron’s mother sounded sad, and a little scared? “No, but Prophecies usually refer to a single task or event, and that doesn’t mean he has to go running off after every monster or bandit pack in the country. Especially not before he even knows how to use a weapon more complicated than a sling.”

The dragon’s voice was understanding, and even a little sad himself. “Duty and desire are not the same, Vaneria. Most young people crave adventure and renown.”

His mother didn't quite scoff, but her voice had the scornful tone she usually reserved for old men who showed up to offer Herron a job. “Due to boredom, or lack of attention, or discontent with their lot in life, or seeking revenge for a tragedy. A happy, well-adjusted child with reasons to stay isn’t about to risk life and limb for months on the say-so of someone they’ve only just met.”

Now the dragon’s voice had a warning note, but it didn’t seem threatening. “Those more invested in seeing a prophecy come to life will not like it, but I believe that you will succeed. Look to your own safety, as well as your son’s."

The flickering light of a candle started to move up the stairs, and Herron quickly shut his door before he could be caught. His mother's voice was muffled, now, but his hearing was sharp enough to catch the words. “I will. Shall we be seeing you again soon?”

The dragon’s voice was clearer, if only a little. “Of course, though I’d be obliged if you could misdirect any would-be dragon-hunters.”

Herron’s mother laughed. “Anyone who can’t live peacebly with the other locals isn’t welcome in my Inn, and usually knows better than to come to me for advice or directions. The ones that do are arrogant young amaturs who should pose little difficulty.”

The dragon made a considering humming sound, “I’ll just leave them at the top of a tree or rock spire, then. They usually learn quite quickly after that.”

That led to a lot of conspiratorial sniggering, and Herron stifled his own giggles. When she could speak again, his mother’s voice was soft. “May I have the honour of your name?”

The dragon's voice was a rumbling almost-purr. “Humans cannot pronounce it. Among non-dragons, I am known as Hirkith.”

This was starting to sound like a scene from one of the romance novels Maia devoured with the same intensity as she did her lore books. Herron scrambled away from the door, climbing into his bed and pulling up the covers.

He tried to keep his breathing even when the door opened a crack, light spilling across the floor. A gentle hand brushed over his wild hair, and he felt his mother press a soft kiss to his forehead. Change was coming, Herron knew, but that didn't have to be a bad thing.

Secure in the warmth and protection of his mother’s love, Herron slid into a peaceful sleep.

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