After boarding the train, they quickly got into the their night bunks. They rested the best they could, with the exception of poor Gajeel, who looked like he would vomit the entire time. Erza got so frustrated with his complaints and sick faces, she crankily got up and punched him in the gut to make him pass out. Thankfully, the rest of the train ride went smoothly.
Once they arrived in Margaret Town, they quickly got their things. Lucy asked, "What should we do first? Breakfast or walking to Peace Town?" Erza thought for a minute. She informed the group, "Actually, I'm going to suggest we talk to Lamia Scale to see if they have any additional information about these dragon worshipers. They appear to be near this guild's territory. Why don't a couple of you grab some sort of breakfast and meet the rest of us at Lamia Scale's guild hall?" They agreed. Lucy and Gray quickly picked up a quick breakfast and a few more supplies, then ran off to meet the others.
Once inside the guild hall, Lucy and Gray went over to meet the rest of their team. Erza was already talking with the Guild master, Ooba Babasaama: "So, have you heard anything about these people? We and Sabertooth need to find our members." Ooba thought for a minute; she divulged, "I have heard of strange people hanging around the mountains, just south of the rivers. They are strange folks, living in the caves and caverns around there. I've heard most of them live on the northern edge of the mountains. There's a bunch of caves and caverns in the area, many of which are interconnecting. They're nicknamed the Dragon's Den. That may be who you're talking about." Gray said, "Dragon's Den? That sounds exactly like a place we should check out." Erza and the others thanked Ooba and rushed off for the two hour walk to Peace Village.
By the time they got to Peace Village, it was already mid-day. They got there a little before Sabertooth, so they decided to get a lunch at a local pub. Before walking in, Lucy said, "I'm going to wait outside to see if the Sabertooth team are here. I'll be inside in 10 minutes. Just grab me a drink. I'll eat in a few."
The jovial pub owner welcomed them, "Well, hello there. Looks like we have some visitors! Welcome to the Tafod y Ddraig pub. What can I get you?" Erza and the others sat down. Gray ordered, "I guess we'll have 5 drinks." The pub owner counted; he said, "Five? I see the four of you, although I'm not sure that cat will drink what I offer." Happy said,"I'll have a water, actually." The pub owner's eyes widened, screeching, "The cat TALKS!"
Erza had forgotten exceeds weren't widely known. She politely said, "Ah, our little friend here is what we call an exceed. They talk and fly as well. They're always around dragon slayers." The pub owner's eyes looked very interested. He said, "Dragon slayers, eh? The community around here cares more about dragons than slayers." Gajeel quirked his pierced eyebrow up, casually asking, "Ya hear about any slayers in the area?" The pub owner looked curious, saying, "I don't know about that. I just happen to hear bits and pieces from the people who come to my pub." Gajeel asked, "And would you be open to sharing any of that information?" The pub owner said, "I don't know. Maybe I need a little motivation."
Gajeel rolled his eyes before pulling a bag of jewel and throwing it on the bar. Erza seethed, "Gajeel. We don't do things like that! That may have been what things were like in Phantom Lord, but you're a Fairy Tail mage now." Gajeel didn't even look at Erza. With a large grin on his face, he said, "When I was in Phantom Lord, I would just beat it out of 'em. I'm sure ya agree this way is far more kind, don't ya, Mr.?" The bar owner's eyes went wide, sputtering, "Y-yeah. I think we can work with this little arrangement. I can provide you some information." Gajeel asked, "What do I call you?" The pub owner said, "The name's Ethan. What do you want to know?"
Outside, Lucy was getting impatient for the Sabertooth team to arrive. She was really anxious about Natsu, Sting, and Rogue. She hated admitting it to herself, but she had a crush on Natsu. She was worried she may not see her friends ever again. But she was most frantic for Natsu. A tear went down her face as she thought of bringing Natu home in a coffin. She shook her head, thinking, 'Get a hold of yourself, Lucy. We're Fairy Tail. We won't leave any of our friends behind.'
As she looked around the town square, she couldn't help noticing a lot of people wearing red cloaks. She thought, 'Huh. Must be a fashion statement.' Then she remembered Happy's story: 'Cloaks..robes...I think we've found them!' She turned to go back inside the pub to inform the others, but someone grabbed her. "Get off of me!" she screamed. Then a powder was blown in her face. Everything went black.
Inside the pub, Ethan was helping the team. He grabbed a map. He said, "This is a map to the inside of the Dragon's Den caverns and cave system. A lot of them are interconnected. I don't have a complete map, but this is at least a start." Gajeel said, "Thanks, Ethan. You have any information on these freaks in red cloaks?" Ethan said, "Well, they call themselves Draco's Sons. I can tell you I'm from a nearby town. About 10 years ago, a whole bunch of the crops were destroyed in one night. We have a leader named Quincy who told us a dragon destroyed them. He had told us he knew of a way to appease dragons to prevent them from coming back. Each year we provide a set number of teenage or young men to be chosen by Draco. I don't know what happens, but I guarantee none of those guys have come back."
Gajeel asked, "Why go after first generation dragon slayers if they have willing participants?" Ethan said, "I don't know, but they seem really interested in them. I guess they feel they are more real, so they would be like the ultimate gift. I heard them complain of the one that got away a few years back. They were pretty pissed about it." Gajeel smirked. He asked, "Do they talk about first generation dragon slayers?" Ethan said, "Well, I guess they seem to know a lot about them. They watched the Grand Magic Games a couple years back and figured out they all have motion sickness. They certainly know there are 5 of them in the world. All I know is they want all of them for some reason." When Gajeel realized this cult was targeting Wendy as well, his face was red with fury. He slammed his fist down hard on the bar, growling, "Those sick bastards! Have ya heard about any of the dragon slayers being kidnapped?" Ethan shook his head, saying, "That's the first I've heard about that. I only hear snippets of what my customers say. I just know they keep saying something about a ritual."
Suddenly, they overheard Lucy's yell. Erza requipped and yelled, "Lucy!" She ran outside the pub to see Lucy was missing. Gray and Happy followed. Happy asked, "Where's Lucy?" Erza looked furious. She said, "We split up and look through town. Gajeel stay at the bar, and see if you can get more information." Gray, Happy, and Erza sprinted in three directions to look for Lucy. Gray thought, 'I hope we find you in time, Lucy.'