Chronicles of Han Storm - Leilaka #1 (Fantasy, Adventure, Dragon Riders)

Leilaka *** Chapter 51 ***

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*** Fifty-One ***

The next morning I went looking for Habieb and Marshall.

While trying to sort out my relationship with Merrykara, I had come to appreciate the seemingly uncomplicated friendship of my male companions.

Upon reaching the chamber they were supposed to share with Brutus, I found it empty. I linked up with Moira, immediately apologising for my physical absence and lack of mental attention to her.

She seemed distracted, mentioning that she had been entertained by Lance and could also give me the same apology.

I asked her if she knew where Habieb was.

She replied that he was at the stables, looking after the horses.

Not intruding further, I disengaged the conscious telepathic link and made my way to the stables where I found Habieb, busy grooming Blueglare, his black gelding.

*Hi* I greeted, taking up a brush, starting to groom Windshine.

*I am glad that you have finally found some time to spend with normal people* he told me, upset at my lack of attention.

*We all knew this would happen when I took up the duties of a King* I reminded him that I did not belong solely to him.

It was actually ironic how everyone wanted me for themselves. No-one seemed to want to share equally in my attention. It was as if each of my friends always needed all of my attention for themselves, vying against each other, where the winner was considered to be the one I favoured most.

"I really missed you" I told the horse, stroking his gleaming neck.

"I am glad" Habieb replied, thinking I was talking to him.

Keeping quiet, we enjoyed our companionship, working on cleaning the horses properly. We refilled their water buckets and gave them extra hay before leaving the stables.

"Do you know where Marshall is?" I asked Habieb.

"I have not seen him since the wedding. It is actually strange, but it seems as if he has disappeared. I have been busy with the horses and the Huracan while you were indisposed. Maybe Brutus or Drake would be able to assist us."

We found Brutus at the Guard Station playing a game with copper discs on a chequered board with one of the off-duty guards.

"Hello, Han, Habieb!" Brutus greeted enthusiastically. He was winning this round and seemed in really good spirits.

"Have you seen Marshall?" I enquired and he laughed at his opponent, cleaning all the darker coloured discs off the board.

"No, but I have an idea where you can find him" he replied, standing up, pocketing gold coins that were stacked on the table next to the game board.

So even here, on Leilaka, gambling was present.

We followed Brutus to an area of the City I was not familiar with. The houses were built in communal-block style, two storeys high with small apartments. It seemed to be housing for the less affluent and the area was not as clean as I had experienced around the Castle area.

This area also seemed older than most of the city, but definitely not run down as recent repairs were evident on many housing units. I privately thought that King Lancet would not allow any of his people to become so poor that they could not house or feed themselves.