Rise of Fire: Dragons Reborn [COMPLETED]

Chapter 17

The night passed quickly after Matilda returned with food and drink. Not long after Talia and Nico started to dig into their food the dwarves arrived, eager for their own dinner and drink. Things got loud, Matilda was constantly bustling about replacing empty mugs and empty plates. Talia had to admit she was impressed on how much the small men could pack away in such a short amount of time.

As the moons climbed higher in the sky the dwarves started to tell tales of their homeland. Bromyr babbled on to anyone within ear shot, roping them into long drawn out tales of battles long since lost or won, high craggy mountains, political events that went horribly wrong, anything and everything was on the table. Including his past sexual acts, though those stories came well after his first barrel had been drained of every last drop of amber liquid. By the second barrel Talia had to insist he retire to his quarters before he made an ass of himself.

Once he was neatly tucked into bed, and Talia verified he was sound asleep, she returned to the den to find Minnow laughing up a storm with the remaining dwarves. He hadn't aged a day, his hair was as black as the night sky and fluffy like a newborn chicks. He had slanted eyes the same color as his hair, a flat-ish face and a small upturned nose. He was an odd looking man, though Talia had always enjoyed his company. He had found a home amongst the exotic people residing within Amethyst Cove, none of them seemed to fit in with the normal humans inland.

"Minnow!" She cried excitedly. It had been years since they had last been able to visit, the moment she called out he turned with a look of excitement and glee.

"Talia! It's been a year if it's been a day! Come here and let me get a better look at you..." He leapt from his chair and bum-rushed her, wrapping her in a tight hug around her waist. He was only a head or two taller than the dwarves.

"I never understood your little quips but I'll agree, it's been too long." She patted his shoulders lightly, the only eager affection she could show without injuring him. He pulled back and grabbed on to her hand in order to drag her over to Nico's table.

"Now you have got to tell me the story about that ugly looking wound on your face. I have never in my life seen you coming out of a job with more than a papercut." He gushed, grabbing a chair and settling down next to Nico who offered him a pat-on-the-back hug.

"It's a long story, and one that might sober up this festive mood. Perhaps on the morrow." Nico cut in before grabbing them all another mug from Matilda's passing platter. Minnow frowned slightly but agreed with little persuading.

"So be it, darklings. So what news from the mainland? Anything fun?" Minnow had grown up in the mainland and once upon a time was more than pleased to call it home. That was until one fateful day he fell in love.

"Nothing is ever fun inland I'm afraid. Little Kings playing their little politics. But out here, pirates." Talia grinned at Minnow, he always had a story to tell when it came to pirates.

"Ah yes, you're wondering what my beautiful queen is up to these days. Unfortunately with the King's decree our ship hasn't been able to set sail in months. She's been quite vexed by it all, once a pirate always a pirate yeah? She's bound to start trouble if the King doesn't release his grip soon." Talia humphed, Delphi was a woman of renown, she owned the seas like the Kings tried to own their people. Except she exuded a true confidence, one she had earned through years of work and practice. Delphi was the only woman alive Talia truly respected.

"That's quite a shame, she always has such good things for sale when we're by. Well, that and the stories. She spanks any ship out there and makes them run home crying for their mommies." Everyone chuckled, though the mood was quite a bit more dour.