Modern Dragons: Ash

Ch. 5

Soren

The spear point pushed against my throat, piercing the skin and drawing blood. I lifted my chin back, stretching my neck. More blood dripped from the peck. The man standing over me looked down as if I were a bug.

"I will ask again. What do they mean?" He asked. His body tensed up. His grip on the spear tightened, sending a crack up and down the shaft.

"I-I don't know." I stretched out the words.

"Don't make me ask again-"

"Stop this Brixton,"

A woman's voice stepped out of the silence. I stretched my neck further back to see to whom it belonged to. Standing behind me was a woman who looked older than she seemed. Streaks of white highlighted her dirty-blonde hair, but yet she stood with power.

"Ambassador. Stay out of this," Brixton, the man with my life in his hands, tightened his hold on the spear even more. A loud crack cut the silence as the shaft split in two as though it was a pencil. He discarded the scrap of wood to the side, turning his attention to the newcomer.

The Ambassador walked up to Brixton and whispered something I could barely make out, "...we both know you wouldn't have killed him anyway," She spoke in a motherly tone.

He turned and walked across the courtyard and up the steps to a large building that stood overlooking the square. Before entering he called out, "Back to normal everyone. Oh and Ambassador, we'll talk later," With that he entered the building. When the door closed behind him the people began talking. Immediately it seemed life was back to the town. Lively chatter filled the solemn streets. People arose from their place of hiding. In seconds reconstruction had already begun.

The Ambassador reached down a hand, a friendly smile on her face. I hesitantly accepted her gesture. She helped pull me up off the ground. Still holding my hand she shook it. "Time for a proper introduction. Hello I am Ambassador Olivia, and welcome to Ende."

I pulled my hand back. She still held that smile. I looked around the square, people were working. A light breeze carried the smell of a barbecue. Is this normal? To celebrate after such destruction.

The Ambassador continued, "I am sure you have many questions, but follow me. I'll give you a tour of the town," A slight English accent carried over her lips.

I turned to her, "So this is normal for for you people? To celebrate destruction? Death?"

She closed her eyes and took in a breath. Her smile faded away. When she opened her eyes she seemed to be somewhere else. "No that's not what's it's about. We are not celebrating death and destruction we're mourning it. These people all around us are celebrating survival. There are many families torn apart right now." She turned around putting her back to me. "It's only the winning side that celebrates the war."

I reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, tears welling up in her eyes. I took my hand back and said, "Let's begin this this tour. I don't think Brixton will let me leave anytime soon so I may as well know the streets. Where do we begin?"

Olivia's lips curved back into a smile. "Follow me."

*****

Hours passed as we walked around the town. Many businesses were still running from when the attacks started. It seemed, in fact, that these places thrived. People wanted to be reminded of the past. I wonder when they'll finally move on.

"And here is where you'll be staying for the night,"

I left my thoughts behind and looked up at a five story building that stood overlooking the square. Over the door read "Inn" in bright green lettering. Just like many of the other building in town, scorch marks were scattered across the building. An attempt at gardening was clear as flowers and shrubs lined the outer walls.