The Dragon Chronicles: The Arrival of The Heir

II

Zane triumphantly plopped down on a nearby moss-covered rock, feeling pleased with himself as he watched Kallum struggle to roll the boar's heavy, still warm carcass off himself.

" You know, if you got off your ass and did some heavy lifting you wouldn't be so short and scrawny." Kallum groaned, exasperation and strain evident in his voice.

"You know how this works Kal. I'm the brain and you're the brawn so get to flexing. Besides, you look better sweaty than I do." Zane chuckled as he slung his bow back over his shoulder. Kallum finally slid the boar over to his side and picked himself up. Dusting himself off he spun around and declared, "I do look good when I work up a sweat. A fact that Raylin pays quite a lot of attention to."

Zane flinched at the mention of the girl he held close to his heart and hoped to hold close to other places.

''Ouch. A surprising low blow. Your wit is improving Kal. Maybe hanging around me is finally doing you some good."

"Well low blows are your specialty, considering your vertical challenges but on occasion, I do deign it necessary to stoop down to your level.

Zane hated being reminded that he was short, partly because he was always teased about being small and partly because his lack of height was a constant reminder of his Lucamari father, who was long since gone.

Kallum continued, ''Besides, even without the height you've definitely got all the bluster of a full blooded Gusa. Trudging around like you're fair-skinned gods who sully yourselves by even walking the same earth as the rest of us."

Zane glared at Kallum, deep emerald eyes blazing as they shot daggers, peering through the curly chocolate locks which fell over his face. He held his tongue, struggling to keep his composure until he snapped. " I'm only half Gusa ! Half ! And of course the only damn thing I got from my mother were these eyes. Everything else is his." He spat that last word out like it was poison. He hated being reminded of his father.

"Well, we can't do anything about that one so let's just get through today. We've got a lot of work to do if we're going to pay for all the arrows you go through milord." Kallum embellished his statement with a deep bow. 

"I really do hate you sometimes." Zane muttered under his breath as he hopped down from his perch to help hoist the boar's body over Kallum's shoulder before they began their trek through the dense forest towards the small shack they used as a hunting lodge.

The hours passed quickly as the pair downed animal after animal, skinning and cleaning them as they slowly made their way back towards their small village to end their day. Laden with the spoils of the hunt they sauntered down the street to the humble butcher as the brilliant oranges and pinks of the evening sky faded into the hushed blue hues of dusk. After dropping off the majority of their hard earned kills they strolled away from the butcher's shop, waving goodbye as a few new coins jingled in their purses.

Night had fully fallen now as the pair trudged through the dusty streets, making their way to the tavern, as was their custom after a long day. The moon high in the sky as other residents slipped into their homes for the night. The road made for perilous travel during the dark hours.

The tavern came into view within a few minutes of walking. It was hard to miss. The building was lit up brighter than all the others, signalling to all passersby that it was a haven, a reprieve from the day's work with drink for the thirsty and rest for the weary. The building was tall, a large balcony built out over part of the street with a chipped and worn stone sign reading "Tavern" hanging from it. The area underneath this balcony was furnished haphazardly with a few tables and chairs, all stained, whether with spilled drinks or blood nobody was quite sure anymore. Out here was reserved for those deemed too undesirable or crass to be let inside. After all, even if the owner didn't want you inside his tavern he wouldn't turn down good coin. Kallum had long since grown accustomed to this area, his first visit to the tavern reminding him that his place was among the undesirables. Zane fared no better, his well known association with the 'White Wonder' earned him a seat outside right next to Kallum.