The Dragon Hunter

2

A knock at the door woke Nyx up. He forced his eyes open and rolled over, brushing against his older brother's shoulder.

"Get the door Nyx," He groaned, shoving Nyx and shuffling over slightly. Groggily, he got to his feet, stumbling over sleeping bodies onto the landing. Outside he could hear rain splashing down, accompanied by an insistent thudding against the door. Nyx rubbed his face as he made his way down the carpeted stairs, the threadbare fabric was warm against his cold bare feet. The knocking got louder.

"I'm coming!" He sighed loudly, skipping the last two steps and making his way over to the door. "I'm coming."

Nyx threw open the door and was immediately pushed back by the wind. A figure stood a few feet away, holding a horse by the reins.

"Excuse me, but I seem to be lost," The man stepped forwards, brown hair whipping around his face beneath his black hat. Nyx registered his uniform, jacket emblazed with the three headed dragon of the Hunter's society. "Could you direct me to...wait a moment."

"Sir, if you want to you can come in," He offered, rubbing his hands together. The man smiled.

"Very kind of you, but I'm afraid I have limited time." He smiled. "I'm looking for the Autumn estate."

"The Autumn estate?" Nyx frowned. "It's just past the east gate, over the bridge," He crossed his arms. "Why would you want to go there?"

"I'm looking for the Autumn family."

Nyx felt like laughing, covering his mouth with his fist. The man cocked his head to one side slightly.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he smiled. "if you want I'll take you to the Autumn 'estate'."

"That won't be necessary. Thank you for the directions," He responded, tipping his cap before disappearing back off into the storm. Nyx shrugged and closed the door. His brother appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing nothing but his underwear. Nyx averted his eyes as his brother stretched, making his way downstairs.

"Who was it?"

"someone from the Hunter's society, wanted to know about the old Autumn house."

His brother raised an eyebrow, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a cup and jug of water. "The one that burnt down ages ago?"

Nyx nodded, making his way back upstairs. "Yep. If he comes back, you're getting the door."

His brother snorted before pouring the water into his cup. "You wish! He's looking for your friend."

~

Luna sat on a bar stool in the corner of the darkened room, quietly drinking from the chipped glass. Beside her Minx lapped up water from a bowl. Behind them people were crowded around a large circular hole in the floor, cheering and laughing. The heady scent of sweat was thick in the air.

"Where're the customers then?" Minx asked, looking up from her bowl for a brief moment before going back to drinking.

"First one picked up their egg earlier, while you were chasing that common ringtail," Luna sighed. "Kept asking if the egg was a Blackthorn like you."

"What d'ya tell him?"

"Told him the truth. The egg was a pond-walker," Luna gulped down a mouthful of cider, it was old but it was all she could afford for the moment. She was well versed on dragons and their respective eggs and had never come across one she couldn't identify.

"And the other one?" Minx stuck her head in the bag to check if the final speckled egg was still in there. "Why hasn't he picked it up yet?"

"He wanted to make sure it was either pure bred or came from a competent seller."