The Travels of Draconis Teine - Part 5

I felt amazingly refreshed when I began to stir. The couch had actually been rather comfortable. The worst part of my sleep had been my dreams. I was fighting, sword in hand. The oddest part was the people I was fighting. They looked human but they seemed to have some form of animal-like features and animal skin around their neck and outer forearms. Even I had what I thought to be dragon scales on my forearms. It was the weirdest dream I could ever remember having.

“Good morning,” Lughvard’s rumbling voice intoned.

I grumbled. I didn’t have a hangover exactly, at least it was nothing like eating the pluemin themselves, but I did drink a little too much. A light laugh pulled me even further awake. I knew who it was. It definitely wasn’t Adanu since it was too musical.

“Humans just don’t know how to handle their alcohol.” Elana spoke still laughing lightly.

“Some. That’s true. I don’t see Ivan or Dieter.” I commented as I sat up looking around.

Lughvard laughed, “No you’re right. They’ll be out for several hours. This morning we are going to take the harvest into town. They will stay here to help Adanu.”

I was a bit excited at the prospect of spending time with Elana without the other two pestering us. Lughvard was always so quiet you could almost forget the big, hairy was there except that he was a big hairy guy. Elana, though, mentioned that she had to check in with her brother and that she’d be back the next day. That put a damper on the thoughts I had.

We ate some breakfast then Adanu helped us fill the cart and we were off. I know from what Elana had said it was about an hour ride into the city. Despite my eagerness to have some somewhat alone time I didn’t know what to say. It was awkward the way we would look at each other smile and say nothing. When I did find the courage to say something we were in the city and she was saying goodbye.

We were arriving at a tavern when Lughvard spoke up, “You know she likes you. Thinks you’re cute in your awkwardness. Your races are very similar so it’s accepted in most places for mixed race couples.”

I wanted to die of embarrassment that Lughvard could read me so well but at the same time I perked up hearing that Elana liked. I just had to get the courage to talk to her. I don't want to stutter myself to death trying to find the words. I didn’t know why I was so intimidated. I mean sure I wasn’t exactly a ladies man but I had dated a few cuties in my life.

Lughvard explained to me as we started to unload that he had a contract with the inn to provide pluemin. About a third of the city was tuatha while humans made up the majority. We unloaded the cart into a store house in the back then went in to talk to the tavern owner.

I felt Lughvard tense up when we entered the common room and his eyes fell upon a human sitting at the bar talking to the tuathan tavern keeper.

Lughvard spoke with a good amount of irritation in his voice, “Mayner. What are you doing here?”

The man turned with a smile, “Lughvard my friend so good to see you. It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken.”

Lughvard looked as though he was going to let anger get the best of him, “We’re not friends and never have been. I’ve already told you on numerous occasions I’m not going to sell.”

Mayner shook his head speaking in a condescending tone, “Yeah. That’s really a shame. I’m paying top dollar. Much better than what your sales net you.”

“Humans don’t know the proper way to grow pluemin.” Lughvard growled.

Mayner laughed, “Lughvard. You really should consider your wife.”

“Are you threatening me or my family?”

“Oh no. I would never do that.” Mayner said with fake shock.

At this point I was feeling very uncomfortable. I really didn’t like this guy. I could tell that Lughvard hated him. I didn’t know how to handle the situation and wasn’t sure if I should say anything.

Lughvard elbowed me, “Let’s go.”

Lughvard marched out of the building. I’m used to a long stride, but being a foot taller than I had to practically run to keep up. We jumped in the cart and he maintained a reasonable speed until we hit the head of town. Riding at this speed was a very bumpy ride.

“What is going?” I know that there was concern in my voice because I could feel it.

Lughvard was silent for a time. “Mayner has wanted my orchard for some time. I don’t trust him and I think his comments were a threat.”

“What are we doing?”

Seven riders appeared in the road interrupting any response Lughvard may have had for me. We were out of sight of the city making it pretty obvious they were waiting for something. I felt confident that that something was us. At first it seemed like Lughvard wasn’t going to slow down, but they were blocking the road so he must have thought better.

“Get out of the way.” Lughvard growled.

“Or what?” The central man spoke then addressed me, “You may go. This has nothing to do with you.”

I have to say at this point that I’ve never been one for confrontation. Sure if threatened directly I would stand up for myself, but in a seven on two I would definitely avoid a confrontation. In this situation something emboldened me. Perhaps, despite my forced labor, I had become friends with Lughvard and his staff. I found myself hoping down off the wagon with some flair.

“Oh come now gentlemen,” I spoke in a grandiose manner as I felt something happening within me. “I’m sure there’s been some sort of misunderstanding.”

The central man spoke again, “Only if Lughvard misunderstood the offer he was being made and that his accepting is non negotiable. “

The best way I can describe what happened would be to say I felt like I was drawing in energy from around me. It tingled inside me growing. It was like taking a breathe except I was willing it in me. Then, as I had seen in movies or multiple times in video games, I flung my hands. The energy followed pouring forth in a wave that slammed into the seven men knocking them off their horses and even some of the horses to the ground.

I caught sight of Lughvard jump down off the cart wielding a large moon shaped axe. I ran to one of the men who was still dazed and kicked him in the head. He sprawled out across the ground giving me the chance to pull his sword free. With a sword in hand, my gaming instincts kicked in.

I attacked the nearest man. Striking quickly I overwhelmed him and was able to get a good thrust in killing him. I don’t think the reality of the situation fulling set into mind. I simply reacted and fought. I even took a few scratches.

As I turned for another combatant, I found that they were all dead. I also found Lughvard on the ground clutching a wound to his stomach. It was horrible looking. I almost couldn’t stomach it. It was worse than seeing all the dead around us. I dropped down beside him attempting to help him hold his wound in.

“Draconis. I’m fading fast. I’ve lost too much blood already.” Lughvard coughed up blood that oozed out of his mouth. “Please, you have to warn Adanu. Make sure she’s safe.”

“No.” I started but he was gone.

I hesitated for a moment. I knew that I had to go tell Adanu and that there was nothing I could do for him so I stood. I looked around and saw a horse. Without thought I ran over and hoped on. I kicked the horse into a gallop and we shot down the road.