Dragon Flame | MxM Fantasy

Chapter 4: Broken Anger

Feasts have consistently been quite the spectacle back home. Summer Brooch does not know the difference between a feast and a banquet.

This one, on the other hand, is quite tame, suiting Wystan's tastes a lot more. There are no prominent musicians in frilly clothes carefully picking on strings with a fiddle bow or cradling the wind instruments. Nor is there more than one polished table prepared.

Wystan has decided on a shimmering gray shirt, a black vest, and a dark green bow tie. The trousers he wears are sleek black, new, and simple. This isn't the time to play scatterbrained noble, but a friendly fellow who can dress accordingly but doesn't want to outshine the host.

It's a good thing he completely discarded the idea of putting on the Army coat, considering Alexei's minimalistic choice of clothes. The man opted for a ruffled shirt, with the first two buttons unfastened, and a dark pair of pants. One would naturally think Alexei doesn't care for appearances, but Wystan has grown up at the Court, where only the most exceptional pieces are worn, and that is definitely the finest silk found on the continent shining in the layered ruffle descending down the man's chest.

Gauge is sitting right next to Wystan. While Alexey and Wystan at the beginning exchanged pleasantries, Wystan couldn't not notice Gauge's fidgeting. Why Gauge decided to participate, Wystan had no idea, but he appreciated seeing the calm and collected mercenary completely out of his element. Especially so, after spending so much time with the man during the journey. No one has said Wystan couldn't be petty.

Alexei plays the role of a splendid host well enough, offering chitchat, entertaining anecdotes, and even coaxing Gauge to reluctantly join them a few times. Almost too well. Wystan expects the other shoe to drop.

And by the time they've finished the appetizer and the servants stepped out to bring the main dish, Alexei springs like a snake.

"I don't think you've mentioned it before," he says through a smile cold enough to bring about goosebumps down Wystan's back. "Where are you traveling exactly? The southwest doesn't really offer much, to be honest, so I'm quite confounded by your choice to come here."

Ah, the moment of truth. Hah! Wystan has bullshitted through worse interrogations. He still has nightmares from Kyneburga's wicked tongue that one time a rumor of him allegedly participating in an uncouth behavior got to her. Spinning a tale is easy when the truth is merely a tad bit different—

"We are here to hunt the dragon, sir," Gauge says curtly, making Wystan snap his head around to stare in puzzled wonder because what.

"The dragon," Alexei repeats in a flat tone, his keen gaze burrowing into them.

Wystan can't comprehend what got into Gauge's mind to just blurt out the truth with no regard for Wystan's plans, dammit. The mercenary is aware Wystan wants to keep their host in the dark, especially so because of the mysterious behavior of the locals and Alexei's damning coincidences. The dragon slays a boar and Alexei serves them boar meat just a half-day later. If that wasn't suspicious, he'd eat his left shoe.

Why, just why is no one listening to him? Kelcie is who knows where. Gauge is playing his own tune. Old habits die hard, so the rest of the Lost...do listen but more to Gauge and Kelcie than Wystan.

"Yes, the dragon, sir," Gauge replies with respect in his tone, and Wystan blinks owlishly at him.

"Why would you hunt that monster?" Alexei's question is loaded with something Wystan can't discern, sounds maybe a bit sad, but no more than that. "You must be aware that fate is not kind to those who chose to do so."

The expression on Gauge's face is much too familiar, the softly bitten lip, narrowed eyes, and scrunched nose. Is he...is he trying to appeal to Alexei's sense of compassion? Pity?