Page 38 of Consort's Dragon
“Yeah, it’s got a tough hide,” Kreed held out a familiar sheath.“But I figured your wolfframm blade might do the trick.”
“How is it you have it?”Griff asked in surprise.
“I spotted it in Basil’s cave and snagged it before we took off,” Simhi stated.
Upon taking it in his hands, Griff felt a slight jolt, as if his sword reacted to their being reunited.“I think we’re better off avoiding the dragon.”He buckled the sheath around his waist and asked, “Is it true Avera was recaptured by Koonis?”
“How did you know?”Simhi exclaimed.
How to explain?By being honest.“The dragon told me.”
Monty guffawed.“Ha.That’s funny.Next thing you’ll be claiming you and the murderous beast are friends.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.It sees me as a servant,” was Griff’s dry reply.
“Wait, you’re serious?You’ve actually talked to it?”Monty couldn’t hide his incredulity.
“Yes, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s tame.It has a tendency of calling humans snacks.”
“Well, it’s gonna have to find itself a new maid and something else to eat since we’re leaving Verlora,” Kreed declared.“The skiff’s tied up down by the docks.”
“We’ll have to be careful,” Griff cautioned.“Argent, the name it calls itself, is currently out hunting.”
“Don’t worry.We’ve got a system to avoid monsters now, don’t we?”Kreed declared.
“Yeah, it’s called the scurrying and burrowing like mice method,” Monty drawled.
“You wanna go wander around in the open?Go right ahead,” Kreed offered.“Me, I’m gonna be smart and stay alive.Speaking of which, we should get going before your dragon boss decides it needs you to launder its drawers or lotion its feet.”
For a second Griff found himself wavering.For decades, he’d dreamed of coming home, only the place he recalled no longer existed.This cemetery of a city belonged to the past.He could see no easy future trying to rebuild.Even if a dragon didn’t hunt Verlora, the massive bugs and other wildlife would make it too treacherous for regular folk.
He should be glad to leave.Strangely, though, the thought of abandoning Argent bothered.Bossy dragon.Why should he care that it wouldn’t have someone to talk to or read to it?Someone it could taunt and call stupid?Perhaps if it had been nice, he would have… What?Stayed with it?Invited it to come with him?He doubted it would agree to the latter, seeing as how it had no interest in helping with the Zhos situation.Not surprising, given its kind had been sacrificed the last time they tried to stop the entity.
However, Griff couldn’t stand by and do nothing.Being with Avera had convinced him the monster needed to be handled, meaning he couldn’t stay.Argent would be fine.
“Let’s head out.But keep tight.The bats are hungry too.”
“Ooh.Think we can bring a few back to the ship for Cook to make some soup?”Monty exclaimed.
“I don’t think Cook will need more than one, given they’re as big as you,” Griff replied.
“Big as me?”Monty sounded faint.
“Guess you haven’t met our flying friends yet.If you hear rustling, duck.”His word of advice as they exited the building.
Poor Monty didn’t get to snare a bat despite spending the next few hours trekking to the docks.Several giant beetles came clacking and got taken out.A rat tried pouncing on Simhi only to end up with a dagger sticking out of its head.
Of Argent, Griff didn’t spot any sign, despite the fact he most likely would have, given the clear night.The stars twinkled while a half-moon shone, giving light of sorts below.Enough light for Monty to eye Griff and laugh.
“What kind of fashion statement you trying to make, Cap?”
“It’s all I could find.It was that or wander around balls out.”
“Yikes, and put us all to shame with your massive brass ones?”Monty teased.
“Sometimes they’re so heavy, I think about getting a barrow to tote them around,” he riposted.
It felt good to be back amongst his friends.
