The Loyal

13- A Decision of Friendship

Dain tried the door of his suite. He shoved his shoulders against it and cursed, it was locked. Something was amiss. The only window in the room lead straight out, four storeys from the ground. There was no way Dain would be able to make a rope from blankets and climb down. That only happened in storybooks, and Dain definitely wasn't that skilled.  

He prayed to every god in knowledge that Sirath was safe until he could find her again. The sun outside was moving infuriatingly slow and Dain hoped someone would bring dinner soon as he hadn't eaten since morning and the food was all gone.

The people in the village had gathering at the well, all whispering and rumouring. The little baby Chalia was being held in the centre, several people leaning over her, wondering if she'd have magic powers. Dain felt a little bad that he'd caused all this attention but had more important things to worry about.

The room was divided by a bookshelf; on one side was a double bed and on the other; a dining table fit with four chairs. There was also a small room leading off with a chamber pot and a bathtub, which, Dain guessed, hadn't been used since the dawn of time. The only books stacked in the shelf were about Starhaven and the gods.

To pass time, Dain pulled out the books, read the title and blurbs before slipping them back into place. There were really boring titles like; Starhaven: the ages through, and The complete guide haven deities. But others like; The darker side of the stars: a truth about Starhaven, and another strange one; Across the generations of immortality.  

Dain decided against reading any of them, being tired with read from last night. Even the most interesting books he pushed back, to collect dust again for another several hundred years.  

There was a sharp rasp at the door before a sound that told Dain someone was unlocking the door. He crept behind the bookshelf and watched the door inch open. A young woman appeared at the entrance, her hands on her hips, glancing around the room. "Master Dain?"

"Yes?" Emerging from his hiding place, Dain wondered why he received the title of master.

"It is time for dinner. Are you ready?" she had an infuriating voice, like; I know what's going on and you don't.  

"Uh, yeah," I think, was he meant to dress up? Dain tidied up his red tunic and decided it was much better than all the blue robes. He followed the woman, who he couldn't tell what class she was, down the obsidian stairs. The stars were reflected on the thick glass panes, which magnified them across the floor.

Dain had never seen anything more beautiful and wondered whether Sirath, wherever she was, could see this wonder. They returned to the throne room and turned right through a doorway. The miniature hall opened out with an arched glass ceiling and support beans made from stone.

The room was divided into three. at each table there seemed to be a lower class than the last one. At the table in the centre the king dinned, discussing important subjects. Scias spotted Dain and silenced his advisor. He beckoned Dain to the table and had a chair drawn. The others at the table watched Dain with curiosity, and some even with mocking laughter. Dain became aware that the entire hall had fallen silence.

Scias stood up and growled at the crowds, "my people, may I introduce Dain Mace the only one to escape prison. He has come here seeking help and I will help him go home. Now will you give a warm welcome to this brave boy?" It wasn't a question, even Dain could tell that.

The silence was filled with hesitant clapped. Dain slipped into his seat and waited awkwardly for something to happen. The king piled his plate with food for several minutes and looked up at Dain. "Have food, go on! Eat your fill,"

Dain timidly picked out food that he knew and left the foreign food untouched. His plate was a baby compared to all the other lords and ladies at the table. Dain cautiously nibbled on a piece of buttered focaccia.

Scias clapped his hands again. "Now to business," he waved a servant away who attempted to take Dain's plate.

"I would love to help you Dain, I really would. But you see, most of my warriors are at Sunhaven, helping them defeat the attack Moonhavains. I can prepare the townsfolk to free your people but that would take time and resources."

"Please," Dain said, "if there's any payment I can give you, name it,"

The silence was broken by a stray snicker.

"Payment. . ." Scias muttered, "yes, that will work. I'm sorry it has to be this way. But otherwise my kingdom would fail. You understand, don't you?"

"Y - yes . . ."     

"I want to keep your dragon here and study her for two weeks before sending her back to her home. Do you accept this payment?"

Dain fork fell nosily to the plate, no, anything but Sirath! "Please, is there any other payment you seek."

Scias gave him a sad look, "no, I'm sorry, but this is the price I demand. She would be safe and well fed,"

Dain had no right to give Sirath away as if she were a toy. "I cannot help you. You'll have to ask Sirath," he heard himself whisper.

"Ah, but, that's not how it works. You understand the customs here. Women are under the guidance of a man until she turns sixteen or, in a dragon's case, five. Right now, because she's not with her father, Sirath is your responsibility."

Dain gulped. Surely this wasn't true. Surely they couldn't apply such rules to a dragon?

"It's your rightful kingdom, remember, or a violent dragon you've known for three days,"

Dain wanted to curl up and ignore everyone. He head began convincing him maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Sirath would go home after two weeks. They'd take care of her, wouldn't they?

Dain shut his eyes and sold Sirath's life away. "I accept."