Free dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon by linda k hopkins Page B

mean? You’ve seen dragons before? And you’re not worried?”
    The man shrugged and glanced over his shoulder. “They’ve been around since I was a child. I’m alive, aren’t I?” He disappeared through the door as Lleland felt the frustration rising again. He could not leave Anabel at the mercy of the monsters. But he had not even taken a step when he heard a clatter in the yard. He opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a small cart, drawn by a single horse, coming to a halt. Anabel sat beside Mary on the narrow seat, and she waved when she saw Lleland at the door.
    “Did you just get back, too? We spent a delightful day at the market. I’ll tell you all about it, but first I need to change my gown.”
    “Are you all right? Did you see anything strange?”
    “What are you talking about?” Anabel lowered herself to the ground.
    “Nothing. I’m just glad you’re back safely. I’ll see you inside.”
    Lleland watched the ladies for a moment as he regained his breath, then headed back indoors, towards the large hall. What he needed was a large tankard of stout. He pushed his way towards an empty table in the corner but paused when he heard someone call his name. He turned in the direction of the voice, and met the gaze of Zachary Drake.
     

Chapter 9
    Zach sat at a long table, crowded between other revelers. To his right was a young man with auburn hair, who turned to look at Lleland as he approached. Zach said something to his companion, and with a nod, he rose and walked away, leaving an empty space.
    “Master Seaton, come join me. Imagine seeing you here!”
    “The surprise is mine,” Lleland said, pushing his way to the table. “Although you did say you were visiting family in the area.” Lifting his feet over the bench, he slid into the vacated spot. “Is your sister here?”
    “Lydia? Definitely not! By the time I’m ready to leave, it’ll be no place for a lady!”
    “But she’s doing well?”
    “She’s well.”
    “Did you come alone?”
    “No, my cousin Will came with me.” He took a sip of his ale as the innkeeper slammed a tankard in front of Lleland.
    “I see the women returned home safe and sound,” the innkeeper said to Lleland with a scowl.
    “Yes,” Lleland said. “My apologies.”
    “Hmph!” With an angry glare, the man moved away.
    “Joseph doesn’t seem very happy with you,” Zach said as the man retreated.
    “No, I’m afraid I caused him to spill the contents of his tray.”
    “Ah! A grievous mistake indeed.”
    “Indeed! And I’m afraid no amount of restitution will take away the humiliation of having broth spilled down his tunic!”
    Zach smiled. “Do you stay in these parts for long, Master?”
    “Just a few days. My mother needed a change of environment. She’s been having nightmares. I thought the fresh, country air would be beneficial.”
    “And has it helped?”
    “I believe it has. She hasn’t suffered from bad dreams these past two nights.”
    “Good news, then.”
    They drank in silence for a moment, listening to the shouts of laughter and demands for more ale that rang through the hall.
    “I saw some dragons today,” Lleland said. He glanced up as Zach slowly lowered his tankard to the table.
    “In the hills?”
    “Yes. Two, in fact.”
    “And yet you escaped alive!” Zach said wryly.
    “As you see. Although I cannot understand why. The beasts didn’t come near.”
    “They weren’t interested in you.”
    “I thought they might be after the women, but they arrived back here safely.”
    Zach frowned. “You don’t seriously think that, do you?”
    “Why not? Perhaps they prefer female flesh.”
    Zach leaned back and crossed his arms. “Well, clearly the dragons weren’t interested in hunting any of you.”
    “So it would seem, but why?” Lleland tapped a finger against the wooden table. “After all, I launched an arrow at the first dragon, so it should have attacked.”
    “You came here to hunt