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Chapter Twenty-Four

xxx

Gregory walked with Geoff and Drake all the way back to the monastery, finding the abbot offering the two foreigners hospitality for a night or two.

"Geoff?"

"Yeah?"

"Mind finding me a bucket of water?"

Geoff shook his head as he jogged into the barn to grab a bucket and then went to the out door well.

When he returned Gregory was using one of the stable-boy's horse brushes to remove the majority off the dust and straw from Drake's scales.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking care of Drake, as I see that novice friend of yours is getting a telling off, and I know from personal experience..."

"What?"

"Straw itches like hell."

...

The two worked in companionable silence, Drake once in awhile leaning to one side tiredly, his eyes fighting to stay open as he stumbled back into the dungeon to nearly collapse on his bed.

Geoff had followed, Greg having to stay in the upper yard due to someone from the castle looking for him.

Drake sighed wearily, letting his neck stretch out and wings wilt.

"Hey...you okay?"

The dragon nodded, his eyes drifting shut.

"You want me to come get you for the thing tonight?"

Again, Drake moved his head, this time as a 'no'.

"Drake? Are you alright?"

"I...I'm tired Geoff..."

"I can see that."

Drake lifted his head, Geoff stifling a look of surprise at the glistening in Drake's eyes for the second time in two days.

"He...they...*sigh*...They lied to us Geoff...that knight is the King...and Dralion..."

"I know Drake, I don't know what to think...seems like Osric's turning out not to be so bad..."

Drake chuckled a little, "You were just saying earlier he was up to no good..."

"Heh, guess I was wrong..."

Drake was confused, but didn't press, he didn't understand people very well, only having been around Friar Peter all his life was very little to go by.

Geoff moved to sit next the dragon, gently rubbing the now clean wing shoulders as the wings themselves spasmed slightly.

"Well...you'll get better at flying...eventually..."

Drake rolled his eyes, shoving Geoff off the bed.

xxx

xx

xxx

Geoff had left the dungeons when Drake had asked to be allowed to go to sleep after promising to meet Geoff in the yard closer to sunset, Greg had been waiting with a red tunic, elegantly embroidered and ready for him.

...

The teen was in his lower room of the stables, why it was made lower than the rest of the outer building...he had yet to find out.

The half doors that led out into the yard banged a bit as someone entered, Geoff listened to the frustrated shifting of the person before an irritated sigh echoed in the barn.

"Geoff? You in here?"

"Coming Mansel."

Geoff counted down to the novice blowing in his head as he came back up to the regular level of the stable and began putting a few momentos in a sack, Greg had commented on the likelihood of Geoff being invited to stay at the castle, the servant sent to find the Baron's son had commented on how Osric had found someone to dote on and was taking a personal interest.

Finally, the awkward silence was broken as he came into Mansel's line of sight.

"You have no idea what you've done."

"Of Course I do, I got Drake out of that prison you and Friar Peter locked him in, and taught him to fly...mostly...and I got myself out of the stables." Geoff replied, checking the water level of the two horses out of habit before going to his worktable and picking up a few things.

"Only four more days, all I had to do was keep Drake safe til then and then he would have been free to live his life, but you..." Mansel cut himself off with an exasperated sigh.

Geoff rolled his eyes,"Safe from what, what's gonna happen in four days?"

"A prophecy that says that an ancient evil will take hold of this land, using a dragon's heart." Mansel explained as he followed Geoff around the barn.

Geoff almost burst out laughing, but just scowled and began taunting the novice, "Ancient evil? Drake? You've got the wrong dragon...come on Mansel, that Dralion-Draco-whoever is more likely to be the prophecy dragon...ooo scary thought."

"No...it's...he's..."

Geoof grinned, mocking his closest age acquaintance in the entire monastery, "That doesn't explain about that other dragon Mansel, it's not even a full sentence."

"It could be either one, but if it's not Draco-Draloan-whoever..." Mansel tried, and failed, growing even more irritated.

Geoff sighed rolling his eyes, "Mansel, it's Drake..."

"Look, Drake doesn't have to be evil for evil to use him, Drake is an innocent, he's easily mislead."

Geoff turned to go back down to his room to change, the light was dimming drastically outside and Drake would be emerging soon. "Don't worry, I'll protect him."

Mansel's last words made Geoff stumble to a stop, turning to face the novice a he left the stables in a huff, "Who's going to protect him from you?"

xxx

Drake stepped out of the dungeon into the yard as Mansel was leaving from a side monastery door with the abbot and Brother Gilbert, probably to the banquet, and Geoff was talking with Liane over by the wagon.

"I'm glad you're moving in, the food is lousy, but the place more than makes up for it with it's lack of excitement..."

The dragon was distracted from the conversation by Kwan returning with the freshly yoked oxen, back from an afternoon off.

"Will you be attending the evening festivities young dragon?"

"I...I-i believe so..."

"You better Drake!"

Greg rode into the yard on a roan horse, leading an old, slower gray gelding.

"I said you were invited and intend to make sure you at least get to see the castle up close...besides the aerial view of course."

Drake had to smile, it was hard not to like the Baron's son, but something was nagging at the back of his mind as Kwan went to interrupt the smirking Geoff and giggling Liane.

"Gregory...i-if you don't mind me asking...your father...Lord Osric..."

The noble shrugged, "It's alright Drake, my father's state of mind was..well changed into what it is now when my mother disappeared a year ago, Osric had always been in my father's service since I can remember; she went for a ride with Osric as she normally did and her hand maid's body came back with both of their bloods on her dress. My mother was never found, but others are expecting an attack, Osric received a head injury and was brought back unconsious, only claiming a monster was the attacker and by the mauled horses...he was right...

"My father had...a mental...attack...going into a rage and putting innocent lives in danger, Osric was able to get him drunk enough to succumb to a stupor one night and began giving him daily doses of tonic...he slept better, acted calmer, but..."

"He's not the same." Drake finished, sitting on the ground as Greg nodded.

"My father doesn't remember...my mother... that I'm his son...that he's a noble...he's basically an overgrown child, Osric was sworn in since it was a familiar face my father at least recognized and understood. He'll remain in power until my father recovers or I'm deemed ready to take over his title, that's partially why the king was brought in, to determine when I would leave the Knight's Academy."

Drake nodded, then turned at Geoff joining them.

"Ready?"

"Mhm."

"Greg?"

"Yeah Geoff?"

"Why'd you bring that stupid ole gelding?"

"Cause I know you hate him."

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

Missing scene, I'm sorry!

Shall get back on track tomorrow and give you lovely reviewers the "Fire and Ice" chapter(s)

Review please, sorry if it's lousy.

And yes, Blackmoondragon1415, Draco and Drake both now compete for the prophecy...no idea what I'm going to do about that...

Thank you!