Dragon in Disguise

It made sense. Why else would someone knowingly put themselves in a vulnerable position in a situation like this? ‘Bart and Larissa have probably come to the same conclusion.’ It would have been nice if they had gotten a warning, but honestly? Viren would have kept the mercenaries in the dark too if it were him in this situation.

He fell back a few paces behind Larissa and became a bit more alert. If an attack was coming, he wanted to be ready. The next hour passed by peacefully though, and Viren found himself enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest. Larissa was staring straight ahead lost in thought, and Bart was alert, constantly scanning for threats.

They rode into a part of the forest where the trees were a bit farther apart. Suddenly six armed men emerged from the bushes and behind the trees. They fell into a formation with one of them as the leader.

“Ah, young master Suzetsonz, what a surprise.” He definitely didn’t look surprised. Neither did ‘master Suzetsonz’ for that matter. The two stared at each other with cold eyes. The other guardsmen looked at the mercenaries, trying to assess their threat level. They were professionals, then.

Bart and Larissa moved in front of the heir, shielding him. Viren rode to his left side, giving the others room to breathe while still protecting his client. The leader raised an eyebrow and drew his sword. The other men followed his example. On

“I’m here for Suzetsonz,” he said. “Leave now and you will remain unscathed.” Bart laughed. The guard scowled and looked at Larissa, who smirked with amusement. Finally, he turned to Viren. “This is your last chance to leave.” Viren shrugged.

“Maybe I’d be unharmed, but I’d still be broke.” The man huffed.

“Mercenaries,” he whispered under his breath in frustration. Then he raised his sword. It seemed to be some sort of signal, because all the guardsmen rushed forward at once. The mercenaries raised their swords, ready to cut down the men from their horses, when Suzetsonz shouted.

“I need them alive!” Bart groaned in dismay and swung off his horse while parrying a blow simultaneously. Their swords where too small to fight without killing the guards. Viren and Larissa leaped off their horses into the fray.

He was going after the leader when he heard the whoosh of a sword behind him. He whirled around and raised his weapon to parry. ‘Clang!’ Darting forward to fast for his opponent to defend against, Viren slipped behind him and whacked the guard on the head with the flat of his sword. He dropped like a bag of rocks. ‘Alright,’ Viren thought, ‘On to the next one.’

The next one rushed him with a large two-handed sword. The guard raised the heavy weapon and brought it down fast, forcing Viren to jump back in order to avoid getting hit. He tried to dart behind him like he did the first one but was blocked by a sweeping slash of the annoying thing. ‘Uhg, don’t tell me I’m going to have to face this thing head on.’ He quickly brought up his sword to meet another downward swing. He then stabbed at his stomach, only to be whacked away once again.

Viren’s opponent wasted no time in slashing forward, trying to force Viren to give more ground. He blocked all of the attacks with ease, though he couldn’t seem to deliver the finishing blow. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he feinted to the left and stabbed the guard in the stomach. ‘Finally!’

The swordsman stumbled back with a yell and Viren seized the opportunity and drove his sword through his opponent’s knee. He collapsed, unconscious.

Flicking some of the blood off his sword, Viren looked to see how the others were faring. Larissa was standing next to the heir while Bart finished off his opponent. All around them where dispatched guardsmen, and of the six that had attacked them none were conscious.

He and Bart made their way back to the noble, who nodded at them. “Just a simple hunting trip, hmm?” The heir smiled sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. Bart scoffed and crossed his arms. Larissa smirked and nudged him.

“You’re just mad I got the leader.” He rolled his eyes and reached into his horse’s saddle bag. He pulled out a bit of rope and turned to Suzetsonz.

“With your permission I will tie up the guardsmen.” The noble nodded and Bart turned to Viren, tossing the rope to him. “You heard him.” Viren scowled and turned to the nearest victim.

…

The walk back to Edgedale was uneventful. Bart, Larissa, and Viren had to walk so they could carry the rouge guards back to the city on the horses. Viren didn’t envy the bumpy ride they got. When they reached the city gates Suzetsonz turned so that he was facing them.

“Your pay is at my father’s mansion, and I would enjoy the extra security while I am in charge of these men.”

Viren sighed. He didn’t want to get tied up in all this backstabbing and politics. Bart seemed to know what he was thinking because he slapped Viren’s back and laughed. “You’ll get used to it kid. Things like this happen in our line of work all the time.” Well great, he definitely didn’t need that.

‘Whatever, its nothing I can’t deal with.’

…

Baren and Meira had been traveling for a little over a week. It would have taken longer, but Baren had used his status to gain access to some teleportation circles.

Now they were nearing the Academy, and Meira was in much better shape. Her long white hair had been cut short, she was being well fed, and her nightmares weren’t nearly as bad as they were before.

‘All in all,’ she thought, ‘I’m ready to take the world by storm.’ Not literally of course. Baren glanced at her.

“Well you’re looking upbeat today.” She grinned. It was thanks to him that she was this happy. In fact, it was probably thanks to him that she was even alive.

“Yeah, I guess I’m exited to explore this academy you love so much.” He smiled and ruffled her hair.

“We’ll be there soon, it’s just at the end of this road.”

“Yes, but we’ve been walking on this road for a day and a half already!” He just chuckled and shook his head in response.

A few hours later, Meira caught sight of the academy. There was a large wall surrounding it, with two open gates. Inside there was a huge courtyard teeming with students and staff. There were trees and little stalls, and even a fountain in the middle! And that was just what she could see through the entrance!

She started bouncing on her toes, excitement coursing through her veins. This place was amazing!

“Alright Meira, before you run off, we’ve got to get you set up as a student. You remember the plan?”

“Yep! I’m a talented kid who you brought back to be a student, and you’re my sponsor!” He opened his mouth to speak again, and Meira rolled her eyes and interrupted him. “And don’t tell anyone you’re a dragon, blah blah blah, I wasn’t planning to anyway. Can we go? Pleaaaasssseee??”

“Alright, alright, calm down!”

Meira pumped her fists “Yes!”

‘Look out Academy, here I come!’

…

Viren stared at the Suzetsonz mansion. ‘You’re telling me these are low level nobles?!’ The mansion was huge and made of wood and white marble. There was a garden and servants and everything! ‘Jeez, I wonder what the high-level noble houses are like.’ Larissa noticed his expression and chuckled.

“Fancy, isn’t it?”

“I can safely say this is the most luxurious building I have ever seen.”

The inside was even better, with dark wood paneling, paintings and even a bright red carpet running up a staircase. They were in the main hall right inside the door, so Viren couldn’t really see much else.

The heir strode forward and called out an order. Several guards appeared from around the corners and stopped in surprise once they caught sight of their colleges-turned-traitors. They traitors in question looked rather worse for wear, with hastily bound wounds and bruises and scratches from being dragged around. Suzetsonz interrupted their moment of shock. “Take these traitors to the basement for interrogation!” Some of the guardsmen hurried to comply. One stepped forward.

“Sir!” He addressed Suzetsonz, “Should I report this incident to the city guard?”

“No not yet. Any further questions on this matter will be directed to my father, is that clear?”

“Yes sir!”

They hurried off, leaving Suzetsonz and the mercenaries alone. Viren cleared his throat. “So… about the pay…” Larissa coughed, trying to conceal her laughter. Their client straightened and nodded.

“Yes, of course. Please wait here while I fetch it.” He went up the stairs, leaving Viren and the others to wait. Viren thought about what he was going to do after this. He didn’t want to stay in the city for too long, but he also needed some better supplies. The only valuable things he had to his name was a dull sword, a change of clothes, and a couple of books. He concluded that the best thing to do would be to take a few more jobs and then try to get work guarding a caravan as soon as possible. ‘It wouldn’t do to be hanging around here if Kastra’s agents show up all.’

Viren’s train of thought was interrupted when Suzetsonz returned. He dropped a pouch into each of their hands, which jingled merrily. He quickly opened up his to make sure the full amount was there. Not that he didn’t trust the man, but it didn’t hurt anyone to err on the side of caution. Sure enough, three silver coins with a 10 imprinted on them and four copper coins with a 5 imprinted tumbled into his hands. He smiled and put them back in the bag. Although it was a risky business, being a mercenary was very lucrative.

…

After leaving the mansion Viren headed back to the market. He wanted to buy a few things before night fell, and it was already nearing sunset. The first thing he needed to buy was some first aid supplies. Today had went well enough, but if he had been injured… well, Bart and Larissa probably would have at least dropped him off at a healer’s shop, but there wouldn’t always be a friendly person at hand. Currently the only medical things he had were a small amount of painkillers, and he had used almost all of it.

After wandering around and finding a stall selling what he needed, Viren spent 15 coin on some bandages, disinfectant, and more painkiller. ‘Alright, 42 coins left… I still need food but it’s getting dark. Eh, I’ll just get it tomorrow.’ Decision made he started back to the Silly Goose.

By the time he got there it was already dark. Just like his first night there was boisterous laughing and yelling coming from the establishment. Viren shook his head and walked in. He made a beeline for the bar. “Hi,” he said tiredly. It had been a busy day, and it was catching up to him. “I’ll take some dinner please.”

“Sure thing.” She whirled through a door behind the bar. Viren took a bar seat and laid his head in his arms. Then he heard footsteps behind him.

Suddenly a big hand grabbed his arm, sitting him upright. Rum scented breath washed over him, causing him to blink. ‘Gross,’ a deep, slurred, voice accompanied the dreadful breath.

“You new around here kid?” ‘Great. What does this guy want?’

“No, I’ve been coming here for years.” A few chuckles. Evidently he now had an audience.

“Oh really?” The obviously intoxicated man scratched his head. “Huh…” He blinked and shook his head. “Hey kid, you got any coin to buy a man a drink?”

“Nah, sorry. Go ask someone else.” The grip on his arm tightened, the man leaning in closer.

“You sure? You cant even share a little tiny bit?”

“I’m afraid not.” Viren was tense and preparing for a fight. Although he wanted to avoid one if he could.

“Careful boy. If you’re not nice bad things may happen to you.” Viren looked the man up and down. He was wobbly on his feet, barely staying upright.

“Yeah, I’ll take my chances.” He stood up, twisting his arm out of the man’s grip, and turned away to find another seat. The drunken man scowled and pushed him up against the bar.

Viren whirled around and punched him in the face without hesitation. The drunken man reeled, and Viren followed up with a swift elbow to his stomach. The man coughed and doubled over, leaving the back of his head open. Viren took the opportunity to elbow him, knocking him out.

He collapsed like a rag doll, sprawled on the floor. The few people watching turned back to their drinks now that the scene had finished. Viren sat down once more. He didn’t have to wait long for his food, and once it arrived, he scarfed it down as quickly as possible.

Once finished Viren stood up and surveyed the room one last time. Discreetly, of course. The only thing of notice was a nervous-looking guy in the back of the building. He kept glancing at Viren and looked like he wanted to talk to him. ‘Well, he doesn’t look like he’s here to kill me, so it can wait until tomorrow.’

With that thought he went upstairs and dropped into bed without a second thought.