Talking Horses, Dragons and Barlguras

An avalanche is coming

And i do not feel prepared

Japeth the Goat

We arrived at the castle gate with a skid of Risdo. And, your impeccable speech.

— Do not close the gates! Because i, Risdonnodar, The King of Sharbadush, of the sacred lands protected by Felad Maranas, carry with me two ladies that search the aprovattion of Bami Proud - Brace!

— And the name of these two ladies are…? — Asked a woman with a headset and a tablet in her hands. Her walking motion reminded me of my grandmother's numerous failed attempts to teach me how to walk like a ''girl''.

— Beatrice Thunderhawk.

— Hi! Lynch.

I thought she was going to spend a good few minutes looking for our name but she found it right away.

Wait a minute…

— How do our names are already there? — I asked.

She gave a chuckle.

— The king always knows who is coming for his festivities. — Said, simply. She put her hand to her ear and spoke into the microphones. — Open the gates!

With a horrible sound of wood dragging ashore, the giant gates opened. The woman, was apparently from the staff of the castle, because the word ''staff',' was printed on the back of her clothes, pointed to where we should put Risdo, which to my surprise, did not complain.

The first thought that came into my head when i entered the place, was, ''look, an amusement park!''. But that place, was strange in many ways.

First of all, i think, i mentioned that, but that was three fucking dragons in the towers ahead of us. All in golden color. The moon hit their hulls, or theirs, and i swear, what was giving light to the place was the flames and they were in the place.

People around didn't care about it or didn't seem to pay attention to that. The festival stalls were in full swing, cooking, selling trinkets or providing some type of entertainment among witchcrafts, tests of strength, luck, etc…

— Oh, man, can we go to that one!? — Pointed Lynch happily to where a muscle man picked up a two-handed hammer from the ground and hit a board hard, with a ball at the other end. The ball almost touched the siren at the top, but still, he received a polite applause.

— You never tried one of those!?

— Well… In Darkfield, we have a LOOOOOT of responsabilities…

— Tortures?

— HORSE RACES!?

— Crimes.

— TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— The third line of this dialogue is right!

Simon and Jiah walked along aside us to keep up with Risdo.

— How did you guys get here so fast? — I asked. They were still dressed for the occasion, but they both wore those helmets that give you soda through straws, as if they were going to watch a game.

— We have our methods. — Said Simon. He gave Risdo a gentle pat on the head. — It's good to see you again, Rasdinnoddar.

— Well, you know, as a famous horse, my schedule is very tight, but i always have plenty of time to fit in somewhere, after all, what would be this event without me, right?

— You ain't famous. I don't know ya. — I said. What was true, who the hell is this guy?

— Oh, so i shall tell my story to you, my pretty lady! It all begin when i was in my throne and a young man asked me where he could find the best wool in the world!

I got off him.

— Maybe another day, big guy, we have things to do. — Said Lynch, also jumping out, and giving me a ''hell no'' look.

— Of course, my princess! I will spread my story, as you mortals say, take a walk!

And started to walking to… Nowhere exactly. He disappeared around the corner.

— So… You said that the moment we got here we would know what to do… What do we have to do?

— The name of this event it's the Ever Party of Bami - Proud Brace. Literally, have fun. — Explained Simon.

— Soooo…. CAN I SMASH THAT THING? — Asked Lynch, a mixture of eager and excited.

— WE CAN SMASH THINGS TOGETHER!!!

— This is a perfect exit to leave these two birds alone and for readers to ship them… LET'S GO!

She grabbed the hand of Jiah and the two went to destroy things together. Not before without giving me a wink.

— I will, certainly, not go on a date with you. — I said, putting my hands on my hips, looking at him. Blue eyes. Wry smile… NOPE! NOT MY TYPE!

''Oh, and what is your type, Beatrice?''. Well, i have peculiar tastes. Blink.

— Really? I even made flags, man! — He took some rolled-up pennants from his pockets and handed me one. It was very simple, just a few stars drawn and a ''Go Bea!'' printed on the white cardboard.

— That it's very cool, but, seriously, what the HECK, it's going on?

— Huh, weren't you the, ''i don't need help, i solve everything alone''?

We started walking, passing some tents and toys. What i realized is that, they had toys, but no children. But even so, adults knew how to have fun as such.

— Yes, i don't need help, i solve everything alone, BUT, i need clues sometimes. — I pointed to the dragons. They still threw flames into the air and were agitated, for some reason. — Who are they, and they are calling someone?

He raised his hands to his eyes and strained them.

— Hm… Yep. I have no idea.

I looked at him.

— What!? I'm not that character in a book who knows the specific lore of some place, jeez…

— Well, i mean, you seem to know too much about the WormHole Camp. What did you have to do in your test? — I asked ''politely''. Oh man... Feminine feeling of something doesn't smell good…

— Guitar duel.

— Oof. Tough ones.

— Have you ever had a guitar duel? — Asked, not quite believing.

— Yeah. Long, long time ago.

I was telling the truth. Just like him. I didn't feel like his eyes blinking too much or anything like that.

— And what about Jiah? — I asked.

— A showdown with some Winter Werewolves from Old Crest Hill.

— Oh, shit, how many years has he!?

— At least some good years… Or centuries…? — Said Simon. We started to go back to where Jiah and Lynch were. Lynch was carrying a lot of prize in his arms, while Jiah did all the work with the hammer. — He carries with him the curse of lycantrophy, why he was thrown to the last line of defense along with me.

What i thought was the responsible for the stand, was in the process of putting a bunch of toys in Lynch's hand, who was trying to balance a pink unicorn and a giant Barlgura stuffed toy in her hands. Jiah was also not in a very good situation.

We got closer to them and Lynch offered me one of several sunglasses on his forehead. Had a navy blue frame, and i accepted right away, putting in my forehead, because, who the hell doesn't like sunglasses?

— I want to live here forever! — Exclaimed Lynch, eyes shining. — The hot dogs here are free! Everything is free! This is a fucking dream!

Her eyes were suddenly sad.

— I miss my girlfriend.

We were in an awkward silence until i decided to break it.

— For a king of the party i find it all somewhat, unpredictable. And by the way, when does our challenge begin?

— CHAKDAKLFRALAAANGHJ!!! — Screamed Jiah, with a horn-like ice cream cone, stuck to your head and your mouth full of hot cheese.

— Exclude the word ''ours''. You're going alone. — Said Simon.

— Sure. Who do i have to beat up? — I asked, taking the staff out of his pocket.

I felt my back getting hot and i turned to see, maybe a little exaggerated, the arrival of the big boss.

The dragons overhead gave a last breath and descended to the ground, their bodies transforming into the figure of three hooded women. I couldn't see much from the distance i was, but their hair was blonde and it came out of the hoods, and the pale arms seemed to reflect the place around.

Together, they picked up a red carpet from the floor and did it, in a very cerimonial way (when i speak ''cerimonial'', it's because i've seen this kind of ritual being done several times. Someday i explain what it is), the carpet roll down the castle stairs, passing by some people and incredible as it may seem, the carpet rolled and unwrapped exactly at my feet.

Accompanied with frightened looks from people around. And several whispers along with people pointing in my direction.

— I already know that at parties i am always the most noticed, but this is another level. What the fuck it's happening!? — I asked Simon. Or at least ask if he wasn't holding his fangs hand in hand with Lynch, who was waving the flags happily and making a ''good luck'' sign with thumbs up.

A hand touched my shoulder and i turned to see Jiah with a cotton candy beard mixed with popcorn and hot dogs, along with a hat with space for two soft drinks, currently empty.

— I WILL BE YOUR DOUBLE!!! I GOT YOU BACK!!! — He screamed.

— Are we gonna have to fight… Something?

— WORSE!

— Are we gonna die!?

— WORSE!!

— SHIT! A DUEL OF DANCE!?