"Ryu!"
Nina rushed down the stairs of the main square just as an athletic built young man with blue-black hair and brilliant eyes stepped from one of the shops. He turned her direction and smiled, catching her as she threw herself into his arms.
"Whoa!" Ryu laughed, stumbling slightly backwards.
Nina giggled and then held the handsome man and 'dragon' out at arms length. "How are you?" she asked brightly.
"I'm good, Nina. I'm actually spending some time studying with Fahl at the Arena. It's rough, but good."
Nina nodded along with the telling, her eyes shining. "Have you seen Momo yet? Is she doing well?"
Ryu chuckled. "She's doing fine, Nina." His smile lessened somewhat. "What about you?"
"Oh I'm fine. Wonderful now that you're here." Nina urged him toward the castle with an arm around his and a bright smile on her features. "You must say hello to father and mother. They will be so happy to see you."
"Nina." Ryu halted, pulling her to a stop and holding her gaze with a serious expression. "Nina, I heard about you and Mayor McNeil."
Nina's bright smile wavered. "Oh?"
Ryu nodded. "Why?"
Nina cleared her throat and lowered her gaze to an examination of her fingernails. "Arranged marriages are common for royalty, Ryu. It's a necessary tradition for--"
Ryu shook his head. "That's not what I meant. Why didn't you tell me before? Because it was McNeil?"
Nina gave a delicate shrug as she sent him a glance. Then she sighed and drew Ryu forward, guiding him to the tables and chairs in the square. She sat across from him and held his gaze. "I remember the stories you told," she admitted. Nina quickly continued, "but the new mayor has made it possible for the community to flourish. Father believes Wyndia would benefit from--"
"I know, Nina. I've been staying with Rei up at the old cabin in Cedar Woods... Well, not for a long time because I've been traveling around, but I still know what's going on." Ryu took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You could have told me."
Nina smiled. "I'm sorry, Ryu." Her eyes brightened with an idea. "Why don't you come with me? Then you can see all the wonderful things that have happened while you've been away." She squeezed his hand. "Please? It will be so nice to travel together again."
Ryu pushed his lips to one side before sending her a smile. "Alright, Nina."
Nina smiled brightly. "Wonderful! This will be so much fun!"
Ryu laughed.
Nina took in a deep breath as she gave a slight flutter of her wings. She sent Ryu a smile, which he intercepted and returned as he walked beside her.
"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" he asked.
"It certainly does." Nina wrapped her arms around his. "Thank you for coming, Ryu. It's comforting to have the support of my friends."
"Sure, Nina. Only..." He sent her a glance. "Only I wish I could stop it. I don't like the idea you being married against your will."
Nina shook her head. "Only father can stop the marriage, Ryu, and even then it would bring disgrace to our family. Agreements have been made. It's a matter of honor."
Ryu looked a little perplexed. "But isn't there more to it than that, Nina? I thought... Well, I thought you're supposed to marry when you're in love. Aren't you?"
Nina smiled as she looked over at her long-time friend. "Ryu, I'm sure the mayor isn't an orc. If he were, why would he take such great care with the town?"
"I'm not saying he's bad, you just don't know him," Ryu told her, matter of fact.
Nina laughed and gave his arm a pinch. "You mean you don't know him. Ryu, give the mayor the benefit of the doubt. Remember when Garr assumed that you wanted to conquer the world simply due to the fact you were a dragon? You didn't, did you?"
"No, but--"
"Then give him the same courtesy."
Ryu smiled. "I never said I didn't like him."
Nina fluttered her wings absently as she chuckled. "You had best be the gentleman I know you can be when I meet the mayor for the first time, Ryu. I won't hesitate to rain flame upon your head."
Ryu chuckled. "Don't worry about me, Nina."
"Good--"
One of the forward scouts arrived at a gallop, reining in their horse a few feet from Nina. She and Ryu both halted.
"What is it?" Nina asked.
"The mayor approaches with a carriage for you and your guest. He wishes to give you a tour of McNeil as the caravan continues on behind."
"Oh." Nina looked to Ryu. "I think that would be lovely. Ryu?"
Ryu shrugged.
Nina pushed at him with a scolding expression before changing her focus to the scout. "Return to the mayor and give him my regards and my thanks."
The scout bowed and then galloped away.
Nina faced Ryu with a hand on hip as she wagged a finger at him. "You promised to be on your best behavior."
Ryu sent her an innocent look. "I didn't do anything."
Nina's lips twitched. "That is no excuse."
Ryu shrugged. "I thought it was a pretty good one."
Nina laughed and pushed at him again. "You are as impossible now as then."
Smirking, Ryu then focused to the approaching carriage. "Here he comes."
Nina's smile wavered as she followed Ryu's gaze. A pair of chestnut horses drew a simple, open black carriage with room for four. The driver was dressed in simple livery of black and burgundy.
Slowly releasing a deep breath, Nina tried to staunch the ripple of her stomach as nervousness and a touch of dread made her throat go dry. When the carriage pulled to a stop in front of them, however, Nina received a pleasant surprise.
"Princess? I'm Shamus McNeil." The bright-faced man with the smiling green eyes and unruly shock of auburn curls bowed respectfully. He was dressed in a pair of simple pale-brown trousers with a matching jacket and a pale yellow shirt beneath. He produced a hand. "It's a pleasure."
Nina accepted the hand with a genuine smile. "Good afternoon, Mayor McNeil. Thank you so much for meeting us."
"Please. Call me Shamus or Sammy." He released Nina's hand and presented it to Ryu, still smiling.
"This is a friend of mine, Shamus," Nina offered simply. "Ryu."
"Ryu, a pleasure," Shamus greeted heartily. Ryu accepted the offered hand with a wordless nod of greeting. "Aren't you staying up near Bunyan?" Ryu nodded again, eyebrow raised. "Well, welcome back. I heard you were traveling." Shamus gestured behind to the carriage. "After you, Princess."
"Thank you."
Shamus fell into step beside her. "I hope your journey wasn't too bad. The winds have been picking up again."
"No, it was lovely. Thank you." Nina sent Ryu a glance over her shoulder. He smiled.
Shamus helped her into the carriage and then sat across from her, leaving Ryu the space beside. Nina arched an eyebrow with an absent flutter of her wings. Shamus gave the driver the go ahead, and the carriage turned toward McNeil.
Shamus faced the two friends with an easy smile. "I figure you're both a little hungry after the hike from Wyndia, so I've arranged a quick tour by carriage before heading over to the house."
Nina felt the contagion of his smile and returned it. "I appreciate it, Shamus. Thank you."
His ears colored slightly. "My pleasure, Princess. If you get at all thirsty, let me know. We can stop in at one of the farms and chat over some lemonade."
"I'm fine, but thank you."
Shamus nodded. "My pleasure."
The tour was simple enough.
From Yraall road the carriage proceeded another mile before turning to the right down a fairly recently added main road. Simple yet productive grain fields, dairy farms, and cattle ranches rose on each side. Nina could tell the farms were well cared for, and Shamus spoke of the families as if he knew them each personally.
They turned right again onto a road leading between Cedar Woods and the main part of McNeil on the right. A portion of Cedar Woods had been cleared to make room for more houses, but Shamus was quick to assure Nina and Ryu both that he tried to harmonize with their surroundings as much as possible. In fact, the burned wreck of Ryu's previous home within Cedar Woods had been refurbished with his help before being sold to Rei. Rei had then been 'hired' to tend the woods and plant seedlings where trees had been felled for the building of houses or equipment. Shamus didn't want the natural resource to be depleted.
The carriage turned right again, following the same road that had once gone directly through McNeil. It now went around as well, so as to not wake the people when late-night shipments moved out. Then the carriage moved past the 'commercial' section of McNeil and entered more farmland before turning left and 'heading toward home'. Still more farms and ranches rose on each side, bustling with activity.
As the carriage approached the McNeil house, Nina noticed a partially disassembled brick wall. People continued to work on it, too.
Nina pointed to the wall as she looked to Shamus. "What are you doing there?"
"Hmm? Oh. I'm tearing it down. The wall doesn't really do anyone any good as is. So I'm having the bricks salvaged as best they can and making wells and whatnot. I felt caged in with before."
"I think that was the point," Ryu offered innocently.
Nina surreptitiously pinched him. Ryu looked over at her with a silent protest. She ignored him.
Shamus nodded. "I know it. You should have seen the house. Took me nearly two years to get the floor plan straightened out. It didn't make a bit of sense before."
The carriage turned into the main entry of the grounds and halted. A huge dog barked and bounded toward them. Ryu kept Nina back with an arm behind him as he positioned himself in front of her.
"Rufus! Come here, boy!"
Shamus leapt from the carriage with a smile, greeting the monstrous black dog with several vigorous rubs behind the ears, gently chastising him when he would attempt to leap up. Then Shamus turned toward Nina and Ryu, a hand firmly gripping the dog's collar.
"This is Rufus," he offered simply. "Has a tendency to think he's a puppy, but he's getting better." He looked back to Rufus. "Rufus, this is Princess Nina and her friend Ryu. Say hello."
Rufus barked twice and then sat back on his massive haunches to smile up at them, tongue protruding slightly from the left side of his mouth.
Nina moved out from behind Ryu's protection and climbed down. She presented her hand. "Nice to meet you, Rufus."
Rufus sniffed and snorted her hand for several moments before standing and vigorously wagging his tail, tongue lolling even more.
Shamus laughed. "He likes you, Princess."
Nina scratched the black beast behind his ears. "I like you, too," she told him.
When Ryu descended from the carriage, Rufus sent him a peculiar look as his head tilted to one side.
Shamus looked from Rufus to Ryu. "He doesn't quite know what to think about you, Ryu. He'll likely follow you around for the rest of your stay."
Ryu smiled before moving his focus to Rufus.
Shamus motioned forward. "Princess?"
Again Nina moved forward, Shamus falling into step beside her. Ryu and Rufus both trailed behind. "You've done some marvelous things for McNeil, Shamus," Nina praised. "It's wonderful to see."
"Thank you, Princess, but most of it was just common sense. And the people are really the ones who deserve the praise. They've been working hard."
Shamus held the door for her and Ryu both, urging Rufus to hurry up when he lagged behind. Rufus bounded indoors. Then he motioned to the doors on the other side of the carpeted hall. "Did you want a tour now, or after dinner?"
Nina looked to Ryu, knowing that he had less than wonderful memories of the house. "Ryu?"
Ryu slightly smiled. "I'll wait here."
Nina focused on Shamus. "Now would be fine."
"Alright then." Shamus motioned ahead to a door across the front hall and on the left. "Ryu, if you want to head out to the backyard and play with Rufus, just go through that door there. The door there," Shamus added, motioning to a pair of double doors on the right wall, "leads to the banquet hall. We'll meet you there."
Ryu nodded and then looked down to the huge black beast beside him, whose ears immediately perked forward as his mouth closed with a near click of attention. Without a word, Ryu motioned toward the doors leading to the backyard. Rufus excitedly barked and bounded around the dragon as they made their way to the escape together.
Shamus chuckled, shaking his head before guiding Nina to the left. "Rufus plays hard."
Nina's smile widened. "Ryu will be fine."
Shamus opened the door for her and ushered her inside. The room held a piano, a collection of game tables and chairs, bookshelves complete with books, couches, and a fireplace on the far wall. Live plants brightened the room with welcome just as the hand-loomed rugs on the floor.
"What a lovely room," Nina exclaimed.
Shamus stood near the door with crossed arms and a small smile as Nina explored it more fully. "My sister helped with the decoration of the house. Wouldn't set foot in the place otherwise. She felt sure I'd ruin the entire building."
Nina returned to his side with a soft chuckle. "I'm sure you exaggerate."
"Not according to Marianne." Shamus motioned to a connecting door on the right. They proceeded toward it. "She says I'm 100 oaf; don't understand a thing about anything except animals and crops." He opened the door to reveal an adjoining library. "I haven't the heart to tell her I'm a good cook."
Nina laughed.
"As you can see, this is a library. Most of the books are left over from Neil's stay, so I plan on going through them and seeing what I want to keep and what gets donated somewhere, mostly the trash barrel I'm thinking."
Nina absently nodded as she fought with the curiosity at his relation to the former mayor. Instead, she fingered a few of the leather volumes, noticed the positions of the overstuffed chairs throughout the room, as well as the window looking out on the backyard. Nina made her way toward it. Ryu and Rufus were playing rough and tumble.
Shamus came to stand beside Nina as she watched Ryu and Rufus tug-of-war and chase and tumble with each other around the yard.
Shamus faced Nina with a serious expression. "Princess?"
"Yes?" Nina answered absently, still watching Ryu with a fond smile.
Shamus cleared his throat, drawing Nina's attention. Then he rubbed at the back of his neck.
Nina's expression held concern as she faced him. "What is it?" she asked.
Shamus' ears pinked when he met her gaze. "Is Ryu..." He cleared his throat again. "I won't go through with this if you're in love with someone, Princess."
Nina slightly smiled. "I've known him since I was a little girl, Shamus. Ryu and I are close friends."
"Oh." Shamus' ears reddened as he looked away.
"Thank you for the thought," Nina offered. He glanced toward her with a smile, and Nina motioned to the door leading out of the room. "May I see more of your lovely home?"
Shamus nodded and gestured for her to go ahead. "My pleasure, Princess."
Because the staff quarters and the bedrooms were on the second floor, Shamus proposed to show them after dinner. Instead, he completed the tour of the lower level and then led her back to the banquet hall. Ryu was inside, leaning back in the head chair with crossed arms.
Ryu stood when the pair entered, and he gestured to the pictures on the walls. "I like these faces a lot better than the other ones."
Shamus raised an eyebrow. "You've been here before?"
"Long time ago," Ryu offered vaguely.
Shamus nodded, accepting the answer easily enough, and looked to the paintings. "These are my close family. Neil McNeil was my 3rd cousin twice removed... or something." Shamus focused back on Ryu with a smile. "The other faces gave me the creeps. I sent them along with Neil."
"Good idea," Ryu agreed, chuckling.
Shamus smiled at Nina before stepping forward to pull out the side chair. "Princess."
Nina returned his smile as she sat. "Thank you."
Ryu moved to sit across from her, leaving the head chair for Shamus. He sat, giving both Nina and Ryu a smile before looking down at a silver bell at his right hand.
He grimaced and took it up. "I hate this thing," he muttered. "Makes me feel ridiculous."
Nina gently laughed and reached out a hand. "Allow me."
Shamus passed her the bell with a boyish smile. "Go for the gusto, Princess."
Nina rang the bell with just enough volume to get the message conveyed that the group was ready to eat. Then she set the bell down with a smile in the boys' direction. "Definitely a lady's realm of expertise."
Ryu and Shamus both laughed.
Nina's eyes twinkled. "You laugh, but you didn't protest when I offered."
"I laughed because I've seen you take down an orc with barely a blink," Ryu said. "You can do whatever you set your mind to."
Nina acknowledged the compliment with a smile and a delicate nod. "Thank you, Master Ryu." She looked to Shamus. "And you, Mayor McNeil?"
"Me?" His ears pinked. "What about me?"
Nina smiled. "You laughed...?"
"Oh. That. Well... uh..." Shamus cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his neck.
Ryu's smile widened to a grin. "Shamus, she won't bite you... very hard."
Laughing, Nina tossed her napkin at him.
Shamus boyishly smiled, ears still pink as he met her gaze. "I laughed because..." He cleared his throat again. "Because I agreed. You look a sight better holding that infernal bell than I do."
Nina's smile softened. "Thank you."
Shamus held her gaze with a continued smile. "My pleasure, Princess."
There was something in his tone that had Nina believing him.
"Shamus," Ryu spoke up suddenly. Shamus moved his focus to Ryu. "How did you get Neil McNeil out of here?"
Shamus chuckled. "Neil didn't really have a choice. Certain shady characters were looking for him, so my family helped him disappear." He looked back over at Nina. "No one really had the time to dedicate to McNeil because of their own farms, so I asked my father if I could, I'd just turned 20, and he said yes." Shamus' smile widened. "Obviously."
"Twenty," Nina repeated, wide-eyed. "My goodness."
Shamus waved it aside as the staff entered with trays of their first course: salad. "I'd already been foreman of my father's ranch for ages. It wasn't too much different to mayor a town."
Nina arched an eyebrow.
"Not different?" Ryu prompted.
Shamus answered, "It just takes organization," in an absent tone as he offered Nina a serving of dressing.
Nina watched his expression as she accepted the dressing with a nod. Shamus served it for her with a smile before offering it to Ryu. Ryu pushed the salad plate away with a slight shake of his head.
After a moment of silent examination, Shamus motioned for the head waiter.
"Yes, sir?"
"Bring some of that pot-roast soup."
The head waiter bowed and left.
Ryu smiled. "Pot roast? I love pot roast."
Shamus' lips twitched upward.
The waiter returned a few moments later with a steaming bowl of broth and meat. Ryu tasted it with an "Mmm."
"Good?" Shamus laughed.
Ryu nodded and took another bite. "Mmm," he said again.
Nina shook her head, eyes twinkling as she focused on her salad.
Dinner and dessert passed quickly with stories of Ryu's adventures with Nina and the others. Amidst the laughter and the suspense, Nina noticed that Shamus didn't offer any tales from his own life. When pointedly asked, he would offer an amusing enough tale of childhood frolics, but then deftly guide the storytelling back to Ryu and the Arena or the Angel Tower or one of the groups' other adventures.
Nina found the fact intriguing.
Plates were gathered but the stories continued, prompted most often by a question from Shamus. Then a clock somewhere within a hall struck a late hour and Shamus guided them upstairs to their rooms, one on each side of the other.
"Good night, Ryu. Princess. I'll see you in the morning for breakfast."
Shamus gently clasped her hand with a twinkling smile and a respectful bow, and then he made his way back downstairs.
Ryu faced Nina. "I can't believe he's a McNeil."
Nina absently nodded, still staring after him. "Yes. A nice man." She pursed her lips, accompanied by a puzzled frown as she gave a slight shake of her head. Then she faced Ryu and smiled. "Good night, Ryu. Thank you for being here. And for playing so well with Rufus."
"Good night, Nina," he said as he turned away. "See you in the morning."
Nina closed the door behind her, leaning against her hands with an absent flutter of her wings as the frown returned. Hmm.
