Crown of Dahlias

Catch Me if You Can

Kieren was very slow in his work, Tomas quietly asking him a few times if he was okay. Kieren always told him that he was fine, trying not to flinch or groan when he stocked heavier items. His healing injuries were the least of his concern. How was he to see Val again? How was he to get to his Drake? Who was the red Drake who had come to the citadel? The past few days, Kieren had been stumped on what to do next, his dreams not helping him in any way with his planning.

There were flashes of bare, pale skin that he could swear was his own with scales on the person's body in different places. Places a Drake did not have. Val would always be in his dreams too, either in human form or dragon form, but always there. Like he was waiting for Val to join him. Other dragons started to appear in his dreams. One that sparkled like a peachy golden color, the other a rosy pink color. They would play in their dragon forms, seeming to give playful yelps to someone behind Kieren who Kieren could never see. The dreams were never scary, but they never made much sense either. If anything, they only made the yearning for Val worse. The longing in his heart growing.

As Kieren swept the store floor with a pout, not that anyone could tell, Maddie came barreling into the store with an envelope in hand.

"Dad! A letter came to the house from the palace!" Maddie exclaimed with glee, Kieren nearly dropping his broom in shock. Tomas seemed to choke on his own spit, putting down the jewels he had been shining to hurry to his daughter. Quickly snatching the already opened letter, Tomas let out a whoop of glee himself.

"Maddie! Oh bless it be! A chance to win platinum bits!"

"What should we bring!?" Maddie hopping up and down with excitement, Kieren trying to connect the dots himself as fast as he could.

"All the jewelry we have! Let's bring some of the more expensive herbs. Others are sure to not think of that. Kieren, bring some of the fancier stock out from the back that we keep for the high paying customers!" Tomas running around quickly, pulling out wooden boxes with velvet or silk inside. Kieren did as he was told, hurrying out with such items.

"Should we bring some of the knives?" Maddie asked, helping her father sort through the jewelry.

"No, no! What use does a dragon have for knives?" Tomas waving away his daughter's words.

"Uhm, Mr. Tomas, what is going on?" Kieren asked tentatively, feeling nervous jitters.

"Every store within the main market was sent an invitation to display their best goods. The dragon princes and their council at the palace will decide what store wins. The prize is a mysterious number of platinum bits! Even one platinum bit is almost enough to remodel the whole store!"

"Would... would I be allowed to go? I could help you with whatever you need," Kieren sincere in his words, hope filling his chest. Tomas pursed his lips, looking over Kieren's attire.

"I can not demand you change your attire to match me and my daughter's, but, if you stay mostly hidden with the carriage, then I will happily accept your assistance!" Tomas smiling. Kieren nearly jumped with joy, feeling a happy roar wanting to bubble out of his mouth.

"Oh! A carriage father! How exciting!" Maddie spinning in a circle, her brown dress fluttering around her.

"It's all in the presentation my dear! Now have your mother and siblings start on making decorations. Kieren and I will set up all the goods!"

Maddie zoomed out of the store in her excitement, Kieren on pins and needles himself. Kieren was going to walk right into the palace, invitation and all.

"I have a feeling by the end of the week, my boy Kieren, things are going to change."

*

Kieren could hardly stand still in the store or get any stocking done the following day. Tomas' wife and children had made excellent decorations of yellow ribbon and lace to decorate not only the carriage but several of the items they would be presenting. Such little things like expensive jewels and rare herbs meant nothing to Kieren, something absolutely priceless waiting for him in the palace.