Chapter 6: Page 2

The bell over the door rang and heavy footsteps shook the floor. Everyone looked over and there coming towards the bar was Zabasti and a fledgling Dragon trailing behind him—it was easy to see the family resemblance.

Zabasti’s frustration swirled around him like his cloak.

“What do we do here, Uncle Zabasti?” Teromar’s nose wrinkled as he looked around the rustic pub interior.

“I wish for refreshment, boy.” Zabasti stopped, turned around, his hand held up and emitted a soft rumble, which startled many of the pub’s patrons. “Do not ask me why. Do not speak ill of my choice of establishments. Better yet, do not speak.”

“Uncle Zabasti…”

“Did I not just say do not speak?”

“Yes, sir, but…why are you so grumpy?”

Zabasti closed his eyes and started counting…backwards…from one thousand. This boy, his sister’s eldest, was going to drive him to murder, most likely the boy’s. The questions never ceased and his manners were atrocious. Then to top it off, the boy thought places like this pub to be beneath him.

He blamed the father.

A more worthless Dragon he had never met. During the last Dragon War, Curo had begged off from fighting with some flimsy excuse, asthma he believed. Zabasti knew it to be false as Curo was an avid huntsman and was always at the front of the pack. He wondered what his sister saw in him. Then again, as much as he loved her, his sister had always been a bit shallow and Curo kept her in fine style.

“Your questions need to cease and they will cease and cease now. Ask another, Teromar, and I will slap you up side the head so hard you will not wake until next month.”

“Mother…”

“Your mother placed you in my care. I am to turn you into a proper Dragon and I will if it kills you.” He held up his hand again. “Do not say a word. I meant exactly as I said. No, do not speak unless I speak to you. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir, but…”

“No!” Zabasti roared, smoke coming out of his nostrils. “No buts. No nothing. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now sit down. I will join you in a moment.” He didn’t wait to see if his nephew obeyed. If the Dragonling knew what was good for him, he would do as he was told.

“The fostering not going how you imagined, Z?” Neak smiled at the Dragon with sympathy.

“Sweet Mother, he drives me insane. I like children, I really do, but there is something wrong with that one. Mayhap my sister dropped him as an egg.”

“I’ve never seen you in such a mood, my friend.” Valdo sipped at his ale. He really hadn’t seen Zabasti lose his cool before and he had known the Dragon for four centuries.

Zabasti looked at the Vampyre and snorted. “I am always surprised to see you dressed in such a manner.”

“I can’t go around in a tux all the time. The dry cleaning bills would double.”

“If that were the case, Valdo, you would really be stuck. If glasses ruin the line of your coat, what would sunglasses do?” Dewi grinned at the Vampyre. He wondered where Oben went? He always enjoyed talking to Zabasti. He looked at the wall where a clipboard hung and realized they were getting a delivery of various vegetables.

“Hi!” Sabelle beamed up at the large man with all the pretty sparklies on him.

Zabasti looked down and spotted the FaieWolf pup—and she was most definitely FaieWolf. She was lucky to have such a loving family, he had known several such folks and most had become bitter and cynical.

The pup continued to grin up at him and for the first time since meeting his nephew, he felt himself relax. He returned her grin. “Hello, little one.”

Sabelle’s smile grew bigger. “What are you?”

Zabasti laughed. Of course the pup would be curious about his race. She would always be searching for where she fit in. Which in itself was sad, but he enjoyed the blunt speech of such a young child just the same. “I am a Dragon.”

“Him too?” The pup pointed to Teromar.

“Him too, though I do wonder at times.” He ruffled her hair, seeing her confusion. “Yes, he is a Dragon, though he is only one hundred years old and still learning his manners.”

“Oh.” She wrinkled her brow, that seemed so very old to her. “Do you like ice cream?”

“I do indeed. An odd creature it is who cares not for ice cream.”

“Uncle Zabasti, I thought we stopped for refreshments? There has been no service so far.”

Zabasti started counting again. “He tries my patience beyond endurance and I wonder how I am going to turn him into a proper Dragon.”

“Want me to go take his order?” Neak asked.

The Tree Nymph was glad Meria had the afternoon off—Meria was still working in the pub, though part time now, and would until school started once more at the end of summer. The poor thing would be having a hard time dealing with the Dragons. Thinking of the Sparrow and her day off, she wondered how Fidgen and Meria were doing on their date. Fidgen was taking Meria to an all day concert in the neighboring park.

“No, he can sit there and learn patience.” He then looked over his shoulder at the boy, glared. He thought of cuffing him when the boy glared back. “I said, do not speak.”

“Why did we come to such a…?”

“Do excuse me.” Zabasti walked over to his nephew, grabbed him by the back of his cloak and dragged him out of the pub.

Several customers left their seats to look out the window to see what Zabasti was going to do the younger Dragon. Quiet bets were being placed about Zabasti eating the youngster.

“Was the Dragon mad?” Sabelle asked.

“I’m afraid so, Pup.” Dewi placed his hand on the top of her head. He was relieved to see that she showed no fear.

Weddle came out then with Valdo’s patty melt, holding the plate above his head as he flew along. “Who ordered the patty melt?”

“Here.” Valdo motioned over the Forest Fairy. He was starving.

“Oh you again. I’ll go get the hot sauce.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Hey, Weddle.” Neak stopped the Fairy on his way back to the kitchen. “Ask JoJo to make a sundae for Sabelle and I.”

“Fine.” Weddle flew back into the kitchen.

“And here I thought his disposition would improve once you returned to the pub,” Dewi grumbled as he walked behind Neak, brushing against her.

He grinned to himself, he liked touching her. He was hoping to tease her enough with all the little touches that she would take it upon herself to sneak into his bed and ravish him. Mistress Moon, he wanted her to ravish him. Maybe if he were really lucky, she would bring that lovely vibrating toy of hers. He’d had loads of fun with it that night in her bed.

“Oh, I don’t know, Dewi, he seemed a little friendlier to me.” Valdo stuffed a fry into his mouth. “Though I hope he hurries with the hot sauce.”

To the sound of loud groans, Zabasti reentered the pub. He glared at those who caused the ruckus. He returned to the bar, his foot resting on the brass rail running the length of the bar a few inches above the floor.

“I’ll have a dark ale now, Neak.” Zabasti was feeling a little better for the exertion.

“Coming up. Watch Sabelle while I get it for you.” Neak pulled a glass down and started filling the first layer. “By the groans, I take it you didn’t eat your nephew?”

“No.” The Dragon started playing patty cake with the pup. “If he wishes to act uncivilized, I will treat him in such a manner.”

“So what did you do?”

He offered a wide grin, flashing teeth. “I tied him to the sign post outside.”

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