Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns

Dragonia 1: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Devarius and his party arrived at Kaed in the late afternoon. The red sun had already set; the orange sun hung in the west, and within an hour the sky would turn golden with its final sunset. Two guards blocked the entrance to the village and studied Devarius and his party carefully.

"What is your business in Kaed?"

"We come seeking shelter for the night. We wish to replenish our inventory before we continue south."

The guard spat on the ground. "Where are you headed?"

"We are traveling to Laeraed," Devarius said.

The guard bit his lip. "That's quite a long journey. Perhaps you should buy a few boats. It would be faster to pass south down the river."

"Are there good boats in the village?"

"Some of the best. See the woodworker next to the blacksmith. He'll give you a fair price."

"Thank you," Devarius said.

The guards stepped aside, letting Devarius and his party enter. They still watched them as they passed, and Devarius assumed word would spread for the guards on the inside to keep an eye on them. Ever since the Dragonia Empire became stricter on the villages and raised taxes, most cities and villages were wary of travelers.

He walked past the blacksmith and woodworker to a tavern. A few men sat outside smoking their long-stem pipes. Devarius paused to look at the sign: The Shaved Sheep. Below the name of the tavern was a carved image of a sheep looking back at its shaved rear with embarrassment. Devarius shook his head before moving to enter.

Aquila grabbed his arm. "Shouldn't we check with the woodworker?"

"It's late. We need to make sure they have a room. Besides, we can find him just fine in the morning."

She nodded.

Devarius looked back to the party that followed him. "Have everyone stay outside while I see if they have rooms." He glanced at the young children in his party. "There's no need to bring children inside until we secure a room."

"As you wish." She bowed.

He pushed open the double doors. Smoke filled the interior, as men at every table smoked pipes. Devarius strode past them toward the bar. He sat on a bench and tapped his fingers. The barkeep turned around, wiping a glass clean with a white towel. He set the glass down in front of Devarius.

"What'll it be fer yah?"

"Ale."

The barkeep took the glass, turned around, unplugged a cork from a barrel, and filled the glass. He hammered the cork back in and set the glass in front of Devarius.

"That'll be one copper dragon."

Devarius laid down a copper coin with the face of a dragon. Ever since the Dragonia Empire took over, they'd replaced all currency with dragon coins. Devarius tilted the glass and took a long gulp.

"New in town?" the barkeep asked.

"Passing through." Devarius took another gulp.

"Need a room for the night?"

"How much?"

"Two silver dragons."

Devarius took another sip. "How many does it hold?"

The barkeep grabbed the copper dragon from the bar. "Two beds, large enough fer two people each. Enough room on the floor fer another six."

"Do you have three rooms available?"