Dragonborn - chapter 04.

Calling the slayer

He thought everything will be just fine. The day was too perfect to ruin it. Minnie showed them the town while they bought everything the girl and her mother needed. Oswald even bought something sweet for the two kid. He was a bit startled when he noticed how great Drake and Minnie get along with each other. They walked hand in hand, chatting happily. Oswald softly smiled behind them. Child love and the first true friend. He didn't believe once in his life h will be happy to raise a child on his own. But he regret nothing.

"How long you will stay?" Asked Minnie curiously when they took a little rest by the central fountain. Each of them munched on a tasty apple.

"We haven't decided yet." Answered Oswald, staring upon the clear sky "First I have to make sure if this place is good enough for me and Drake."

"Why?"

"You know... the country we came from was full with tyrant and bad people..."

"Then you will like this place. Here are only nice people." Tweeted in Minnie with a really cute smile, then, b a sudden idea, her face cheered even more "Wanna live with us? I bet mommy would be happy!" Oswald almost chocked on the last bite.

"Ahemm... why you say this, lil girl?"

"Cause you like mommy, don't you?" Her innocent question made him red. Fortunate,y the kids didn't notice it. "And mommy can make really yummy meal for all of us!"

"Yummy meals? Even meat?" Now it was Drake who turned excited. When Minnie nodded the boy tugged Oswald's arm "Please Papa, can we stay?" The hare twitched and flattened his ears. He hated when Drake came up with those huge puppy eyes, but when two kids did the same...

"Geesh stop looking at me like this!" Frowned and cleaned his hand in his trousers "Later I will think about it, but first we have things to do." The two kid let out a disappointed moan, whereof Oswald huffed "Don't be pouty or I gonna eat ya!" He bared his teeth in a playful way and growled. Drake and Minnie squealed and began to rush away from the chasing hare. Oswald ran after the kids and caught them with ease. The two mouse squirmed in his arms while their ears were munched.

"Beware! I'm the big bad wolf who eat naughty children!" Nuzzled their neck Oswald, while the kids laughed.

"Eeee help! The big bad wolf gonna eat us!" Squealed Minnie and Drake. Their play was interrupted by some louder stomp as someone stopped by them.

"Are you Sir Oswald?" Hearing the stern voice the hare stopped the play and stared up. In front of them two soldier stood in uniform. By their serious glare the kids yelped and hurried behind Oswald. The rabbit straightened, facing the newcomers.

"In what business you asking?" He had a bad intention. His instincts alarmed deep inside his head.

"The king wants to talk with you. Please follow us into the castle." Answered the royal guard. Oswald felt Drake's grip tightening on his coat.

"Papa did something wrong?" Stammered the kid scared. His father glanced down, patting the tiny head for reassure.

"Of course no. They just want to chat, right?" Oswald stared at the soldiers, who at first hesitated, then slowly nodded. Having no choice the rabbit followed them up the street, holding the young ones' hand. Drake and Minnie scared, yet curiously walked by his side, staring upon the castle towering above them.

When they entered the great hall the kids let out an amazed moan. They never see such a luxurious place like this before. Everything shimmer in golden light, the walls, the columns, the decorations. They saw their own reflection on the marble floor. In the end of the hall big throne room rose on a smaller stage, huge flags on the two sides.

"Come closer, don't be shy." A kind voice called them. Drake just now noticed the king sitting in the chair. He was an elder ruler, his short hair and mustache was white like the snow. He was a bit short and pot-bellied. When they stopped Oswald knelt down and bowed deep. The kids, after a moment of awe, quickly followed him.

"Did you call me, my lord?" Asked Oswald, his stomach twisted in nervousness.

"Depends on if you are I'm looking for." Answered the king "Are you Oswald, the famous dra..."

"Minnie, Drake, please can you go out and play? This is the adults' talk." Interrupted him suddenly the rabbit and looked at the kids with a serious look. Drake and Minnie blinked back a bit startled, but nodded and walked outside. After the door closed Oswald turned back to the king.

"Forgive my rudeness. My son doesn't know about my original profession and I don't want he ever hear about it." the king hummed for a second, then nodded.

"Very well. Then you must know why I called you here."

"I know. And my answer is a no." Oswald's answer shocked the king.

"W-what?" the crown almost fell off his head "No?! B-but why?"

"I finished that job since my son is born. I will not slay any more dragon." stated the hare determinative. The king quacked astonished, his face turned pale. "If you not mind, my lord, I have to go." Oswald was about to turn around when...

"You're our last chance!" the king almost begged in his throne "The dragon terrorize my kingdom too long. You're our only hope. Sir Oswald..."

"Forgive me, but I not..."

"I give everything you want! Money, domain, fame, just tell me what you wish for!" the hare's ear twitched and stopped in the momentum.

"Everything?" hesitated. The king's eyes shined up and quickly nodded.

"Of course!" maybe this was what he always needed? With the king's help he can make his dream come true. It was a really damn hard choice. He scratched his scar and frowned annoyed.

"Geesh... fine... but this is the last job I will ever do, then I will never slay a dragon!" in the next moment the king jumped up and shook the hare's hand.

"Thank you! Thank you! Me and my whole kingdom is grateful to you."

"Yeah yeah..." Oswald pulled away his hand "Next morning I will get over it quickly. I don't want to waste time for that."

"Sure, sure. Then I'll tell you all the details you have to know..." told him the king and began his long monologue.

End of Chapter 04.