Chapter 11 (1/3)

The southern shopping district was very busy, with customers crowding everywhere, drawn to selected shops, for specific products. The crowd was a cross-section of the entire local society, there were dragons, elves, dwarves, halflings, orcs all around, and occasionally a vampire could be seen passing somewhere to the side.

-Did you find him?- Burked Pirce looking at Felic, who pushed his way through the squeeze in front of the new shop located at the gate leading to the district.

-You know, it's rather hard to look for him in such a crowd,- muttered the other dragon and rubbed his sleepy eyes.-Remember how he once disappeared for us on the Royal Tract? Or in the northern shopping district. Again...

-Now, now, that's enough.- Said Pirce discouraged by the vision of a long lecture recalling all the failed attempts to catch Draco.-I know what you want to say, but he has to show up today.-He repeated once again with all the confidence he could muster.-That dirty elf is leaving today and that lover won't be able to let her go without saying goodbye.-He growled nervously.

-Wrong.- Felice leaned against the wall next to him and lazily combed his hair.-She already left, about an hour ago. As I was walking towards you I bumped into Collin, he saw her leaving with her mother.-He yawned mightily and rubbed his eyes.-You're late.-He muttered looking around.

-Not possible.- Pirce was furious. This was going to be the perfect opportunity to repay him for this humiliation. Impossible for him to outwit me again. He slammed his clenched hand against the wall and mumbled the curse words crammed on his lips.- He must be here somewhere.- He growled looking around with rage written on his face.

-Can't you just get over the fact that he didn't do what you predicted?- The dragon sighed heavily and looked at his friend from under his squinted eyelids.-What a nuisance...- He said crossly.-Don't act like a little child. Besides, I don't know why you're so obsessed with it.

-You won't understand.-Barched Pirce turning his back to him. He can't understand, even if I explained it to him. He won't know... He growled at himself to stop thinking about it.

-Cursed mages...- Max complained, paving the way in front of his sister.-How did they even know about that passage over there?

-I don't know, but the big one was scary.- Said Louren in a hushed voice trying not to take more than a step away from her brother.

-O! Pirce!- Max stopped noticing the dragon standing in one of the smaller passageways between the buildings.-I see you're angry so I guess you've already heard.-He chuckled with a roguish grin.

-You look terrible, Mr Neidheim.- Said the little dragoness hiding behind her brother's back and clutching the hem of his tunic in her hands.

Pirce glanced at the little girl and tried to smile with rather miserable results. Louren hid more behind Max, who only shook his head with resignation.

-Yes I know, Jeviev has left.- growled Pirce giving up his attempt at calming down.-And no one has seen that bastard.-he gritted his teeth.

-Somehow that doesn't surprise me.- Max grinned, and in his eyes you could see a kind of malicious satisfaction.-You should listen to what's being said around town sometimes.-The dragon looked like he was really enjoying himself.

-Stop teasing and cough it up.- Said Felice in a weary voice.

-You're spoiling my fun.- Max muttered.- Draco has found himself a master and if my memory serves me right he's already left.- He smiled tilting his head.- Gentlemen will excuse us but we'll be getting going.- He said stroking his sister's head.- Let's go Louren, I'll buy you something sweet.

-Goodbye.- The dragoness panted slightly and rushed after her brother.

Pirce stood clenching his fists furiously, he could feel his blood pulsing. Impossible. He repeated to himself trying to control himself and not explode in front of so many strangers.

-Well, in that case I guess we don't have to wait here anymore.- Felice shrugged his shoulders and pushed himself slightly away from the wall.-Today's free, so why don't we go to the same pub as always?- He turned away trying not to look at his friend's pale face and his eyes burning with rage.

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Thanks to his knowledge of shortcuts and various unpopulated passages, they quickly got out of the extremely crowded southern shopping district. When they found themselves on the Royal Tract Draco was finally relieved, for it was only here that they emerged from the huge crowd.

-Huge amount of people today.- Said Darius catching up with his apprentice, who had more experience and skill in wading through such a crowd of people.-Is there any bargain?- Asked the mage looking around and trying to catch any differences from a normal day in Dagos.

-It's rather nothing out of the ordinary master.- Draco found himself at his side as if out of nowhere, moving around as if there was no one around and he was just to avoid certain points in the road. He really can move through a crowd almost imperceptibly. Darius once again couldn't marvel at how the boy could surprise him by reflexively doing something he had been learning for several years. Well, I shouldn't be surprised. He had to learn that if he wanted to escape Pirc's gang. He sighed lightly, thinking of the situation the young dragon had been in all along.- It is just that several events had come together today,- Draco continued undaunted, maneuvering so as not to bump into anyone and practically remain unnoticed. Most of the people passing by were only paying attention to Darius, the dragon was just passing between them and it didn't matter that he was only a head shorter than Bleist, massively built and wearing the same outfit as the other mage, plus there was a massive sword hanging at his belt, which should attract the eyes of at least a few people.- It's a day off at the Academy and other schools, so most students have time to do some shopping and spend a few moments with friends. Plus they're opening a couple of larger shops in the shopping districts today.- He disappeared for a moment as Darius squeezed through a more clustered group of exasperated dragons. As soon as he had passed them it was Draco who appeared at his side and continued as if nothing had happened.-In addition, preparations for the summer solstice festival are slowly beginning, so more and more people are drawn to the city for that reason.-He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing unusual.

-Well, you can't say it's quiet in Dagos,- sighed Darius, a little irritated by the crowd.-There's always something going on here.

Draco disappeared into the crowd again and reappeared beside Darius when there was some space. They were slowly approaching the main gate of the city, and gradually there were fewer and fewer people around them. Bleist regretted that he had to return to Atlantis so soon and take up his daily life full of paperwork and boring meetings. On the other hand, I think Draco will provide me with some variety and an opportunity to wriggle out of some parties. He thought contentedly with such a thought, but nevertheless a vision of reality quickly caught up with him. Or rather, I'll have someone to accompany me to even more gatherings. Even now, before his eyes stood Gizel in a beautiful ball gown telling him that he had no choice but to go with her to one of her colleagues who, coincidentally, was throwing a small dinner party for a couple of friends. Well, either way I think it will be better than before. More lively. He added as he watched the dragon once again appear at his side.

-We'll be out of town in no time.- Said the mage looking over his shoulder at the Royal Tract stretching behind them.-Don't you have any regrets?- He asked watching his apprentice.

-I don't really have anything to regret,- replied the dragon shrugging his shoulders. -Jeviev has left, my aunt will manage without me, although she will miss me.-He said it as if he had already thought about it. - As for the rest, master himself knows.

-Well, you're right.- Bleist noticed that Draco smiled slightly when he nodded.- It will only get better now.-He put his hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezed firmly.-A new chapter of your life is opening up for you.- He winked at him, and when the dragon wanted to say something he just squeezed his shoulder tighter and looked him in the eye.-Believe me, I know what I'm saying.

-I dare not doubt it.- Draco bowed elegantly, and merry fires lit in his eyes.-Master is always right.

-Hurry up.- Said the delighted mage, overtaking his apprentice.-If we are late a few people will give me a terrible headache.- He grinned when the dragon appeared by his side.

After leaving the city, Darius led them along a straight path until they were outside the boundaries of the anti-portal field stretched centuries ago over Dagos. Draco didn't have the slightest problem with the little walk and was glad of it, as he had some time to think about the immediate future. He didn't know exactly what his life was supposed to look like from now on, but he was sure his master really knew what he was saying about things only getting better now.

-Have you ever travelled using portals before?- Bleist asked, stopping and looking around.

-I haven't had the opportunity master.- Draco glanced around at his surroundings and noticed nothing unusual to distinguish it from the hundreds of others in the area.

-Then you will have that opportunity.- Darius spread the fingers of his hand as if to prepare for something.-There is no way to get to Atlantis other than just through a portal. Of course, there are a few places where they are permanently maintained by our mages, but frankly there are sometimes quite long queues and it is usually crowded, so the mages are in the habit of opening their own portals to get into the city.- He stretched his hand out in front of him.- Or at least as close as possible.

Draco watched as something began to happen in front of his master. First the air rippled, as if suddenly warmed, and then runic signs began to appear in the air, forming a circle taller than Bleist. When they all glowed a golden colour a small golden surface appeared in the very centre, which quickly began to grow. When it reached all the runes it stopped rippling gently and became still.

-The portal is ready.- Darius smiled lowering his hand slowly.-You must pass through it without hesitation, I will be right behind you.

The dragon merely nodded, faced the golden array and took a deep breath. On the other side my new home awaits me. He thought reassuringly. There is no turning back now, I can only walk ahead. He took a step and found himself on the other side.