Beyond this World - Dragon warrior (Book 1/?)

Chapter 18 (Part 1)

 A small child sat on the ground behind Keir; two of his friend rushed in and froze when they saw Keir had spotted them. The youngsters were quick to back; all eyes were fearfully watching Keir sussing out the nature of the frightening dragon warrior.

Keir squats down and lifts the downed child back onto his feet. "That was a bad fall; are you injured?" Keir coaxed the boy smoothly and warmly. On the edge of crying, the boy's lip quivered and he apologised for upsetting him, the black dragon.

"Hey, now it's not that big of a deal." Keir sat down and crossed his legs. The boy appeared a bit more at ease but still cautious of his actions. "You know the lady that's been living here?" The boy nods shyly. "She and I grew up together so she is like my sister."

Keir began to tell stories from their childhood and all sorts of anecdotes he could think of at the time; as time went on more and more children gathered to hear the stories told by the great black dragon. Not long after even the adults began to crowd around.

Keir was immersed into his storytelling that he didn't notice Tundra and Aaron walk up behind him. That night was spent with everyone reminiscing of the tales which were told. Keir retreated to a room of his liking to sleep, so did Aaron and Tundra.

Tundra lied down and Aaron snuggled next to her. "Looks like Keir has won over the werewolves." He said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"He does have a knack to make people like him. These were people of the lower ranks, the leader and those close to him won't make an appearance just because they find a story to be interesting." Tundra ran her hand through Aaron hair. He pulled her in closer and tighter; he began kissing her neck. Tundra covered his mouth and pushed him. "Sleep already."

He groaned burying his face into her chest. "It has grown out quite a lot and a good portion of it changed colour." She ruffled his hair and smiled. "I wish we could stay like this forever."

Aaron lifted his head; he grabbed her hand, gave it a squeeze and a light kiss. Aaron looked at her calmly, debating what he'd do next; he had made up his mind. "Once the cult stuff is dealt with, we should get married."

Tundra flinched. She laughed and giggled, hiding away her face. Aaron embarrassedly tried to make her take him seriously. She smiled and placed her hand onto his cheek "Are you proposing to me?"

"Yes." Aaron replied without a second of hesitation.

"Then it's settled." She caressed his cheek before pushing his head onto the surface of the bed. "Sleep now, you and I will be doing some training tomorrow."

Aaron woke up early, but not nearly early enough to find Tundra beside him. He wondered where she could have gone. On the door he found a note that looked like directions. He got dressed and put on his cloak and ventured off to where the note directed him to.

It led him to a raised stone platform of closely 'knit' tiles that formed almost a seamless connection. On it Tundra was warming up and swinging a sword with her wrist and performing all sorts of interesting moves that looked like a dance.

Aaron jumped up on the raised platform. Tundra heard him land and gave him a smug grin. "Show off..." She pointed at the very obvious stairs. Aaron shrugged and chuckled. "Get your butt moving and grab a sword from over there."

"Can't I use the Hellblade?" Aaron asked suspiciously; she was scheming something. She clicked her tongue and pointed him at a sword rack; each sword slightly different than the previous.

Knowing Tundra, it was likely there was a secret to each blade; he sensed no foreign power or aura on any of them. Since he was taking long enough purely picking a sword he picked the third as it looked the sturdiest.