Chapter 16 (2/2)

As soon as the door closed behind the twins and James Matheo suddenly lapsed and settled down on the back of a chair. In an instant there was a look of terrible exertion on his face. It seemed that the blacksmith did not want to show his sons and his apprentice how tired he was from the work of today.

-Don't look at me like that.- Matheo sent an anguished look to Gizel, who was already taking in air to throw in some biting remark.- You don't have to say anything either. I don't want to hear about exulting in pride and feigning strength and endurance.

-Oh, please, I wasn't going to say anything after all.- However, the expression on the elf's face said otherwise.- Why is it that you always suspect me?- She added somewhat tearfully. The feigned mask of despair was so great that Draco whistled through his teeth.

-You should be acting in the theatre, not strutting around in parlours.- Said the dragon admiringly.

-Thank you.- Gizel smiled at him.- You are the only one who appreciates my talent.

-Just what we lack is for him to start learning from you.- Fiora handed her husband a tankard and sat down herself. She shook her head some more as she watched Matheo greedily gulp down the cold drink.

-Wouldn't be so bad.- Gizel made a dreamy face.- I think it would be quite interesting.

-Oh, I can already see the three of you,- groaned the dwarf. The tone of her voice strongly suggested that she was just foretelling a disaster looming on the horizon.

-But what would be so bad?- Draco sent Fiora a puppy dog look and said it in an innocent voice drenched in naivety. As soon as he finished the blacksmith roared with laughter slamming his clenched fist on the table, and the dwarf stared at the dragon in surprise.

-Well, I think you said it too late.- Gizel caught the dwarf's gaze and nodded significantly.- But you were just a tad late.

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James was the first to return to the living room and found everyone in excellent spirits, although Fiora looked as if she was anticipating some impending challenge. Matheo, on the other hand, was laughing at his best. The elf did not know what was the reason for the general contentment and decided not to pry. He simply sat comfortably beside the dragon and reached for another cup of water and juice.

-There really will be a third for the collection.- Groaned the dwarf covering her eyes with her hand.

-You're being dramatic my dear.- Gizel brushed back a strand of hair in a sweeping motion.- The boy is simply learning from good role models.

The blacksmith, hearing this remark, snorted an even louder laugh and clutched his stomach. It seemed that whatever it was about completely amused the man. The elven lady did not react to Master Vittoro's behaviour and only smiled gently. Draco, on the other hand, sat down more comfortably and watched everyone whilst wandering his gaze around the room.

-How are we going to get to Soeren anyway?- James addressed the dragon.

-I think we're not going to wriggle out of the carriage.- Draco stated.- Oscar would be terribly upset.- He added, signalling with his face his total lack of desire to anger the majordomo.

-Oh, and he'd be awfully angry.- Judged Gizel.- So would Trace. And probably Darius.-She enumerated bending her fingers.

-I understand, I understand.- The dragon raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.- But how are you going to get back?- He asked as if suddenly remembering.

-Oh, I think our dear Matheo will not allow me to return on foot.- Gizel turned to the smith who was red from laughter.

-Of course not.- Fiora warned her husband.- But you're not thinking of leaving so soon, are you? - She put her tiny hands around her mug and gazed over it at the elven mistress.- I hope you'll stay for dinner.- James' hair went all the way down as he thought someone would try to refuse a dwarf. It wouldn't end well.

-Oh, how sweet of you.- Even Gizel laVerture, about whom James had already heard all sorts of stories, did not try to decline the invitation.

-There's nothing to talk about.- Fiora smiled cheerfully.- Otherwise, we still have plenty of things to discuss.

-We do indeed have.- The elf looked at Draco evidently looking for rescue, but the dragon was suddenly very interested in the embroidery of the couch studying it carefully.

-We can go now!- Solemnly announced Angus, entering the living room and thus saved the young mage from the elf's piercing gaze. The dragon was terrifyingly quick to take advantage of the opportunity and the next moment was already waiting at the door for James, who had not even had time to get up from the sofa.

-It was an immeasurable pleasure today.- The dragon bowed slightly and smiled at his hosts.

-For us too, Draco.- Matheo sent the mage an amused look.- You are welcome whenever you feel like it.

-Thank you.- The dragon beamed even more and was already about to turn away when he remembered something.- Will we temper the samples tomorrow as well?

-No, no.- The blacksmith shook his head vigorously.- I need a few days to check today's samples. If you want you can drop in tomorrow to observe.- Draco just nodded and left as soon as James caught up with him.

He and the twins went down to the ground floor debating what they were going to do today. Once they were at the front door it stood that they would tour the centre of Soeren this afternoon and then go to Arkady's to take a bit of a breather after their hard work. Everyone needed a rest, except the dragon, of course, but the dragon did not object to the shortened tour programme and seemed quite content to spend the evening in the company of his new friends.

-The carriage is waiting, young master.- They heard as soon as they opened the front door. Right at the entrance a young soldier in a blue coat was waiting for them. He appeared to be an elf, which did not surprise James as mixed relationships were not unusual on Atlantis. It seemed the soldier was trying to make sure every possible rule of etiquette was followed. Oh, it's going to be tough. James didn't predict a good atmosphere if someone was stiff all the time.

-Where does the young master wish to go?- The flame-red-haired guard made a sweeping bow somewhat clumsily holding a large sword. The next two soldiers stood straining like strings near the carriage door.

-The next one to address me as young master will get a blow on the head.- Draco suddenly growled. James looked at the dragon in surprise. He had no idea why the boy had suddenly boiled over.- What the hell are you guys up to?- He added gnashing his teeth.

-I have no idea what the honourable young ma...- The guardsman who first spoke to them started, but he had to quickly jump back at what he was strangely prepared for.

-Gods, Ari what have you come up with?- Draco wrung his hands.

-Something wrong?- The redhead grinned innocently.

-You teased us yourself as we left.- The elf smirked the whole time.- We repay the favor.

-Really Ari?- The dragon looked at the four soldiers and shook his head.- I would rather not test who would be more persistent in mischief.- He admitted with a sigh.

-Well, I think so too.- The redhead combed his hair.- Will you introduce us?- He asked with a smile.

-Ari, Kei, Vi and Forth.- Draco pointed to the soldiers one by one.- They're from a unit from Ed'heere.- The dragon turned the other way.- And that's James, Angus and Florence. My friends.- James nodded to the soldiers. The stiff atmosphere quickly disappeared and the military men began to smile in a friendly manner. The elf concluded that they must have already taken a liking to the dragon and light banter was not unusual.

-It's nice to meet!- Kei seemed not to lose the smile from his face even for a moment.

-I think we'll be seeing each other quite often.- Ari smiled too, as did everyone else. Only Draco was still looking a little wolfishly at the soldiers.

-If you want to make time to do anything today, I suggest you pack into the carriage.- Vi said, jumping onto the trestle. No one was going to argue with him so the friends got into the vehicle and the soldiers jumped into their positions.

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Draco sat down more comfortably watching the establishment fill up. They were lucky to find a free table at Arcady's at such a late hour. It seemed that they had barely sat down and the place was crowded with people and non-humans. As it turned out, Soeren's most popular venue showed that multiracialism was not at all the domain of Dagos. Additionally, it seemed that young people from all over the city could be found here. Not far from the door sat a group of young boys, who could have been as old as the dragon, dressed in linen shirts and trousers with the trousers rolled up. It was apparent that they were not intimidated by work and were used to using their bodies. They seemed to be porters in the harbour or deck boys. At a neighbouring table, a group of young people of varying ages, who already at first glance came from well-to-do homes, were laughing. Even further away were the students of the Atlantic Academy, who despite the summer break were still wearing their snow-white coats. Still further on, there was a quiet, but heated, argument between types from under the dark star. Probably two younger boys, ten years old at the most, had to listen to a sermon on an important topic. Meanwhile, right next to them, without paying any attention to anything, young girls were happily chattering away, fanning themselves fiercely with fans with feathers of various colours. As Ari had managed to whisper to the dragon, the girls were pupils of Madame deTelure's Academy for Maidens, which meant that they had no significant magical abilities, but came from good homes. Anyway, the elf had quite a bit to say about the café's customers and was eager to share his thoughts on the subject while quietly whispering behind Draco's back, which was already starting to irritate the dragon a little.

-Could you sit with us?- He couldn't stand it and turned to lean against the columns near the wall just behind the dragon's back. Kei and Ari had won at paper, stone and scissors and they were the ones who had taken the walking tour of Soeren with Draco. Throughout the evening, they did not step more than ten paces away from the dragon, and all the time they were vigilantly looking around although they looked relaxed and relieved. They were doing the same now.

-Right, you could.- Angus said, placing a tankard of beer on the table for himself and handing Draco something rusty red that was apparently called Sweet Blood here. It seems to be some kind of juice. Thought the dragon as he sniffed the contents of his tankard. Florence sat down next to his brother, placed the other Blood in front of James and took a massive sip of beer.

-When it's not appropriate.- Ari murmured unconvincingly.- Besides, someone has to be careful.- He added while surveying the room.

-Isn't that a bit paranoid?- Draco shook his head. He was beginning to wonder why everyone from Ed'heere was so obsessed with security.

-Oh, after your display yesterday, it's hardly a slight one.- Angus laughed.

-Right, right.- James echoed him.- Yes, I wonder how high they were doling out majordomus vetSalus with the earl before one of the officers told them that four bodyguards would be more than enough.

-What kind of showdown?- Kei was interested.

-Have you seen what the shop looked like?- Florence began, ignoring the murmur of displeasure that broke from the dragon. When the soldier nodded the pleased boy in partnership with his brother and Jams recounted what had happened the day before. Draco tried to pretend he wasn't there and concentrated on his juice. Surprisingly the drink was not as sweet as he had expected. There was something both sour and bitter about it, like a strong red tea. He had no idea what the juice was made of, but he knew why it was so popular.

-Really?- Draco didn't have to turn around to find that Ari was staring at him with bulging eyes. Kei just whistled through his teeth, seemingly in awe.

-What else was I supposed to do?- Draco groaned without raising his head.

-I'm not saying anything.- Immediately chuckled Kei.- But that we didn't hear anything. Well, well, interesting.

-And I was surprised that the lieutenant insisted that we take the guns as well.- Ari shook his head.

-Look how they take care of you!- James laughed.- If it wasn't for some voice of reason they would have sent a whole army with you.- Everyone laughed, even Draco.

The rest of the evening passed in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. James and the brothers talked passionately about what was happening on Atlantis, the prevailing customs and fashion, while Kei and Ari added something from time to time. An idyllic evening. No adventures and no undue excitement.

Draco fell contentedly onto his pillow on his return and fell asleep almost immediately.