Begoud

Chapter 2: Orezhiea

Author: Miss Lizz

Rating: R for language

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the new characters and the ideas

            Orezhiea was a very large city when she compared it with her small village of Qaqortaq, much larger than any place she had ever been before.  Though there was really no comparison at all, the places were so different.  This place sprawled out from its ancient foundations in varying sized white stone dwellings and businesses in a bustling industry and steady growth that made her head spin with wonder and confusion.  It was so strange, this place, so different from what she had seen before, from what she had experienced.

            In such a large city, the possibility of her finding Ragnar was lessened considerably from what she first anticipated.  She had never expected the place to be quite so extensive.  It could even take days longer, weeks even if she began in the wrong portion of the city.  There was every possibility she would not find someone who knew him or knew where he was.

            What if he was no longer even in Orezhiea?

            Why did her father insist upon her finding Ragnar?

            This is a complete waste of her time.  She could be home right now, laughing with her sisters, playing with Boreas along the narrow strip of beach where the ocean did not batter the great cliffs, beginning clothes, both for herself and for her son, but instead she was here in this crowded, noisy place trying to find a man she just as soon not.

            Ragnar was a well-known figure in the city though most people she tried to talk to ran away screaming before she could get much information.  Such was the case with everywhere she went.  Perhaps she shouldn't be wandering around the city with a full sized dragon in tow but she did not feel safe walking these streets alone.  She had never been to a large city― especially this large― and all she had ever heard of them was bad. 

            Now that she was here, most of what she had heard was untrue, not everyone was a thief.

            With Boreas following behind her like a shadow, no one came within ten feet of her. It was far from conducive to finding someone but she was loath to sending him off.  She simply wouldn't feel safe without the red dragon's presence near her.

            In all, it took her well over two days to find him.  When she did, she had nothing nice to say.  Her feet hurt from walking through this ridiculously large town, her back ached, and she was tired, grimy from travel, and simply angry that it had taken so long to track the human down. 

            Faugh, he wasn't worth this effort!

            Astrid found his abode yet the person who came to the door when she knocked was not what she would have expected.

            A woman, a very pretty, pregnant, blue-eyed woman with hair the colour of golden straw, answered and looked at her curiously.

            "Is- is there a man named Ragnar living here?"

            "My husband's name is Ragnar… miss?  Miss, are you―"

            She never heard the woman finish.  Her vision swam and blackness swamped her, sending her unknowingly crashing to the floor over the most shocking news she had heard in an age as she fainted dead away.

            "She asked for you by name, Ragnar.  Do you know who she is?"

            They were the first few words Astrid became aware of upon becoming aware of herself again.  She had never fainted before everything started happening; this makes it twice now.  The first when her pregnancy was discovered and then finding out the lout she'd been looking for was married.

            "I've not a clue who she is, sweet, nor do I think I've ever seen her before.  Believe you she mayhap be looking for a different Ragnar?"

            Astrid could not believe her ears; he didn't recognize her?  After that night they shared, he could claim never to have seen her before?  And he had never said a word about a wife…

            "You wretch!  Why did you never say you were wed?"  She sat upright and growled at him, taking the couple by surprise.  She didn't care how shocked they became her temper was awakened.  He was married, the bastard.  "I never would― we shouldn't have― you pig, this is all your fault!"

            Ragnar looked puzzled, surprised, and most confusing of all, amused by everything she had just said.  The woman was simply shocked.  Something struck her then, the woman― his wife― was just as pregnant as she was.  It put something of a damper on her anger but did not extinguish it.  Nothing could ever extinguish her anger at him.

            Fury tempered, the young raven-haired draca stood, planning to leave but not before telling him why she was here as a parting gift that will hopefully put him in the doghouse.  Serves him right for cheating on his wife, the cur. 

            She smiled sweetly.  "You may not remember me, Ragnar, but I most certainly remember you.  Four or five months ago, your platoon marched through Qaqortaq on the coast of the Evergreen Forest.  That's where you met me and when you bedded me and though I hate to say this, you're welcome to return for a visit at any time if you ever want to see your son.  Farewell."

            She left before she saw the look of understanding and remembrance wash over his face or the surprised confusion on his wife's.  All she wanted now was to go home and get on with her life. 

            Boreas was sitting in the street, effectively blocking it but none were brave enough to go near him, and he looked at her imploringly upon sensing the lighter mood his mistress was in.

End chapter 2.

I hope you like this installment, the other chapters will be longer and better written, I hope.  Draca is the name of Astrid's people by the way.

Please tell me what you think of this, please send lots of reviews.  Thank you.