Prince of Dragons

Chapter 13 - Secrets

Later that day, Arwund, Enorwin, Bedreigh and Maréin got together in a deserted corner of the tavern. They sat around a small, circular table. Enorwin bent towards the others and said: "Arwund, would you mind telling us what you have discovered about the Servants of Darfith?" 

Arwund leaned back into the wooden chair. "First of all, they're after my necklace," he said, nodding at the pendant hanging from his neck by a thin, leather string. "Or at least, Carlard is. I don't know what he wants to do with it, but I was originally trading it for my freedom." He chuckled. "Turns out that he completely forgot about the thing." 

"You were lucky," Maréin said. 

"Maybe," Arwund said. "I don't know if it would have mattered much. Anyway, apparently, Darfith isn't as dead as I believed him to be. According to Carlard, he has been sleeping. Or at least sort of. The Servants are apparently trying to make him the ruler of Garowain." 

"We nobles have protected those commoners for years and this is how they thank us," Enorwin said angrily. 

"My apologies, Sir Enorwin, but may I point out that we are not talking about the commoners here?" Maréin said. "This is a small group of people who are apparently dissatisfied with the Garowainian regime. On top of that, I strongly advise you not to judge their motives too quickly. Of course, since you are far superior to me in social status, you are completely free to disregard my advice if you so desire, my lord." 

Arwund smiled. He couldn't help but notice the hint of irony in Maréin's voice. 

Enorwin, however, appeared completely oblivious of this irony and said, "Very well, Maréin. It is good that you know your place." 

Maréin simply gave him a polite nod and Arwund bit the inside of his cheek in an attempt not to burst out laughing. 

"Anyway," the draconic human said, after he had pulled himself together, "apparently this hanger is important to the Servants. Or perhaps only to Carlard. He also mentioned that the Servants are a rather large group. On top of that, it seems that we're up against a dragon." He smiled wryly. "It would appear that we are hopelessly outnumbered." 

"Perhaps not," Enorwin said. "Maréin, doesn't the prophecy state that the 'black-scaled one' will be slain? By a prince?" 

"It does," Maréin confirmed. 

"That could mean I am indeed going to slay a dragon," Enorwin said, to no-one specifically. 

"Come on, it's a prophecy!" Arwund said. "Do you really think the future is set in stone like that? I'm sorry, but this is the present; your glorious age of chivalry, magic and princes destined to slay dragons is kind of over." 

"Why don't you just wait, Arwund?" Enorwin asked. "Just wait until I slay Darfith. Then we'll see who of us is right." 

"Fine by me," Arwund said. 

Maréin looked at Bedreigh. "Do you know anything about Arwund's necklace?" 

Bedreigh stood up and leaned slightly towards Arwund, so that he could inspect the object. He frowned. "Carlard may have mentioned it at some point," Bedreigh said carefully, "but he has always been vague. I believe he spoke of a 'Sign of Wainur'." 

"Oh no," Arwund said, "now don't go telling me I've got some legendary item hanging from my neck." 

"It would appear so," Maréin said. 

"This whole thing is getting more clichéd by the minute," Arwund murmured. He looked at Maréin. "Speaking of clichés, I don't believe you've told us where you came across your prophecy."