Thread: Rise of the Dragon King

Chapter 1 part 2 since chapter one is really long. Now the supore snakes Mamoru feared for different reasons. The teeth in the snakes mouth were like daggers, and it would chase and repeatedly bite anyone who came to close to its home. The worst part was that the snake was a venomous one. Repeated biting of the snake made it deadly though the vemon wasnt very strong. Pushing the thoughts of the danger to the back of his mind Mamoru headed for the cellar. As he opened the cellar door, the cold air trapped within its confines raced out. With each step down into the cellar the path became darker, colder and wetter. Mamoru smile as he smelled the scent of dank wet stones. It was a smell that calmed him slightly. If the worst happened at least he would be out of this hell house. Yeah that was a reason not to fear his fate, Mamoru decided as his toes curled into a puddle on one of the stones. Mamoru didnt know why but he always felt refreshed and rested whenever he touched or came near water. He had read about the mages of other clans but none ever mentioned anything close to what he felt. He wasnt foolish enough to think that he could be a mage. If he was one he would have had a seal placed on him or he would be working as a healer, blacksmith servant or something else. A small splash echoed through the cellar as Mamoru hit the bottom of the stairs and landed in a puddle. Mamoru could see the faint glow of the magon, each one giving off a slightly different color. They lit up the dark cellar with a peaceful rainbow of color yet the puddles around them only reflected the blue light. Magon was one of the things around the inn that actually interested Mamoru. It was an interesting item of the world, a stone that harbored the elemental power of mages. He didnt know where these stones came from, but the stones always shone so brightly and never got dirty as long as magic was in them. Picking up a couple of the red ones he closed his hands around them. This was the only way to tell a Fire magon from a Sun magon. With Fire it would warm your hands where the Sun would also shine through your hands. Once Mamoru had tracked down five of the Fire magon he bolted back up the stairs. Holding the magon in his arms, being careful not to drop them, Mamoru weaved through the hallways down to the three bathhouses. The first two bathhouses, which were for the wealthy guests, each got two Fire magon. The magon was used to heat the water and keep it constantly warm. Mamoru placed the Fire magon in each of the center pillars removing the old cracked lifeless pieces of magon. They were to be discarded now that they looked like any other stone and the magic was tapped out. The last magon went to the bathhouse which was used by the less fortunate guests and the servants. Taking out the old dell crystal, he placed the new one in the pillar in the servants bathhouse. Well thats what everyone called it at least. Mamoru stopped as his eyes fell on the water of the bathhouse. Tonight was going to be a rare treat for him after all, it was his turn finally to bathe. Putting the happy thought of relaxing in the warm water aside he quickly placed the new stone in the pillar and watched as the carved lines in the pillar lit up with a red light. On his way out Mamoru spotted the guards who loved to harass the servants. It was the only thing that these guards seemed to do when they should be making sure the quest were protected. One of the guards was coming down the same hall Mamoru was going to use to get to the kitchen. He would have gone another way but this hall was the only one to take to get to the kitchen from the servants bathhouse. Great this is the last thing I need. Mamoru sighed but kept walking. Maybe today the guard would be busy with something and leave him alone. The hope of being left alone was dwindling fast as Mamoru recognized the guard as Kinther. Kinther was a relatively lean man except for the beer gut he had. He also smelled like piss in Mamorus opinion. Kinther was a young guardsman and his achievement of getting promoted so quickly went to his already oversized bulbous head. Then there was the fact that Kinther was almost always drunk and his mood became fouler with each sip of wine. Well, well if it isnt a dead servant walking. I hear you get to go collect supoi root, Kinther slurred with a twisted smile on his thin face. I knew it was only a matter of time before you were given you death sentence. Kinther gulped down another swig from his water skin and breathed heavily in Mamorus face. The strength of the alcohol on Kinthers breath made his eyes water. With little warning a dull ache radiated through Mamorus back. Kinther had pinned him against the wall digging his elbow into Mamorus collarbone. Youve been a pain since you came here acting like youre better then everyone else. Well personally Im hoping its the Kinju bugs that catch you. The snakes are far too nice, and far too quick, Kinther laughed and his comment raised a few chuckles from the two other guards with him. Mamoru bit his tongue and fought the urge to say something or shove the guard, for all it would achieve would be a long beating for him. He was glad when the pressure let up and the laughter began to move away from him. Mamoru glared down the hall where the guards had traveled. They all could die right now and the only thing Mamoru would fell would be happiness that his tormentors finally got what they deserved. He spat out the blood filled saliva and continued his journey to the kitchen. At least it would be nice to see the cook. Far before he could see the door Mamoru could smell the scent of sweet breads, roasting meats, and stewing fruits. The kitchen was alight with a rosy glow thanks to the fires in the room. There were many counters and shelves. Knifes and pots hung on the opened wall space and the sound of bubbling water filled the empty space. At one of the pots stirring whatever was in it was a fat woman with graying hair. She was the cook and had always been kind to Mamoru. My, Mamoru, arent ya treading by a smite bit earlier then other days for a taste? The cook Jenila, or as most called her Ila, laughed at him. Her hair curled around her chubby cheeks. On the left half or her face starting at her hairline and traveling along her nose down to her cheek cone then over back underneath her hair was a strange harden patch of bone like material. It was also colored orange, close to the color of her teeth. It was like she had swallowed orange paint and her teeth by the gums had kept the color. Ila was a Sarian woman as marked by the odd patch and her colored teeth. She had to have left her country many years ago. She never talked of the Sarians or her old home, it seemed almost like she was ashamed of something when people asked about it. Mamoru heard from another older servant that Ila even changed her name on arriving at the inn and then took the job of the cook. Sarians had no wings and were heavier set then Avians. Then there was that odd patch on their faces, like the skin had been stripped away and that was the underlying bone. Im not here for a treat, Jenila. I need a basket and the root knife, Mamoru said with a polite bow. Mamoru smiled as her warm guttural chuckle matched the boiling water. Oh, now boy none of that and what have I told ya its Ila. Right? she smiled to him some of her bottom teeth were crooked but no one cared. Ila moved away from her stove and over to the lower cabinets on the left. Mamoru swore he heard her mutter something like where is that basket but she could also have been complaining about her back. She placed a hand on her lower back as she squatted down and began looking for a basket. Now tell me boy why would ya need the root knife? Ila asked grabbing a and standing back up with a groan. Oh Im getting far too old for this some days. The owner wants me to go collect the supoi root from the forest, Mamoru said walking over to the other side of the counter. Mamoru could see the shock on her face and figured he better leave quickly in fear Ila would actually confront the owner. Ila where is the knife? Ill get it so you dont have to, Mamoru smiled to the old woman. Oh my. Ila placed a hand on the counter to steady herself. Ya always were such a sweet one, no matter what has been thrown at ya. Ila said walking over to the hanging knifes. Its that one, she pointed to a thick bladed knife with a leather wrapped handle. I cant believe that hed be daft enough to send someone whos never collected any root out there. Sometimes I think this one has the sickest mind Ive ever seen. Ila ranted. She was angry for sure but her voice didnt get any louder if anything it dropped back into her throat as her muscles tensed beneath the fat. Well he may be daft but Im not. Silare! Ila called out the kitchen window to a young girl. Oh I wish that girl would be more like ya and hasten to her chores, Ila shook her head. If I may, Ila, but if I was free like you and her, I would be taken my sweet time with my job, too. Mamoru said as he placed the knife in the basket. The wicker basket creaked in his hands and felt very odd. Hed never had to do any jobs with baskets before so he didnt know how much noise wicker baskets made. Oh boy, ya dont have to talk like Ill give you a licken. Ila shook her head at Mamoru. There was a small smirk on her thin lips, which were the only thin thing on her body. I like to hear ya talk, yar one of the few here who has a ticker up in the head. Ila tapped her head to emphasize her point. The hiss of water hitting the fire warned both that the stew was boiling over. Vicner! Ila cursed as she raced over to the pot. I know Ila I guess Im just a bit jumpy since I pissed the owner off the other day. What ya do now Mamo? danced the higher pitched tone of Silare. Silare was tying her hair up as she walked into the kitchen. Mornin Mama, she smiled to her mother. Like her mother Silares face was slightly chubby, and she wasnt a stick like the noble avian girls but looked like a healthy farm girl. The odd patch on her face was a bright yellow that was darker at the top and bottom. The patch had a single thick brownish line going through the middle of it. I kinda dumped the owners soup on him when he was calling me a Cantir in front of his guests. I lost my temper, Mamoru shrugged but couldnt hide the smile on his face. Mamoru looked down at his side at the large yellow and purple bruises that covered it. This was part of the punishment hed received for the act. Mamoru looked up at the woman as he heard a strange very harsh language fall from their lips. What? Mamo is doing that job? it was Silare who broke back into the common tongue first. Her hand touched Mamorus shoulder and her eyes were filled with concern. Giving that job out stead of dirtying his own hand! Wont he be angry when you come unharmed. Silare giggled like a child. Hopefully not to angry, Mamoru grumbled trying to fake a smile. He failed to share Silares sense of humor. She may have been a sweet girl but she laughed at the worst points in time. Well we should get going Id like to be back in time for the late meal tonight. Mamoru told Silare as his stomach growled a little. Mamoru felt his cheeks flush a little at the gurgling of his stomach. Oh hold on dear, Ila said. Turning her back on the stove again she shuffled over to a bowl covered by a cream towel. She pulled back the towel to reveal a couple loafs of sweet bread. Here, take this to nibble on. You both will need it. Ila smiled handing a single loaf to her daughter. Its baked with honey your favorite. Thanks Ila. Ill see you tonight, Mamoru smiled and led Silare out the door. The cooler air of the outside was refreshing after being in the kitchen. Mamoru had no clue how Ila could stand it. So I guess youve collected supoi before? Mamoru asked Silare as they walked side by side down to the forest.