Geoff, if you try anything, you are going to be in big trouble," I think to myself as I start heading for Drake's room.
I get there right as Geoff is about to put the key in the lock, come up behind him and clear my throat. He spins around in shock and tries to hide the key while smiling at me.
"Very clever Geoff, that was a very ingenious trick you did to Mansel to get him to do your job for you," I tell him as I firmly grab his arm and start pulling him to my place, "Since you seem to have so much time on your hands, you can also help me and Colt sort through the herbs."
"Aw man."
"Oh and I'll want that key back."
"What key? Ow! Ow," He asks and exclaims as I start dragging him by his ear.
"Don't get smart with me," I raise my voice as I slightly tug on his ear and hold out my hand, "I know you took it from Mansel, so come on. Give it!"
"Ok, ok here," He cries and drops it in my hand, "Now let go, that hurts!"
"That's the idea," I say as I release him, "That's what happens to nosy little brothers that are poking their noses in places they shouldn't. They get their ears pulled by their older sisters."
"Ow, I thought you were a nun and not allowed to resort to physical violence," He grumbles as he rubs his ear.
"You know I'm not that kind of sister. But I am yours, which gives me rights to do that to you. Now once you are finished helping me, you are going to clean those stables.
"And this time, we're going to be watching you, " Colt chimes in as he comes up behind him.
"Colt! You're back. I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow."
"Luckily for Kalias, I was able to come back early at Lord Oscric's request. Now come along, we have work to do."
He starts to open his mouth to object; but closes it when he sees my "don't argue with me" face.
We finish our work in my shop and Geoff even helped me make my potion. Once we clean the place up, I lead him to the stables and both Colt and I watch him, like I said I would, clean every inch of the place. Colt did show a little mercy and help him lay down fresh hay for the animals. Once it is clean, we head for the tubs to clean ourselves.
On the way there, I see three foreign people coming through the gate with an ox-pulled cart. It is covered with all sorts of decorations and some writing of some sort. The symbols must be from their native country.
"Excuse me young lady," The old man of the three politely asks me, "My name is Master Kwan and these is my sons."
The sons in question bows to me, which I politely return and elbow Geoff to do so. Colt does the same as well.
"Hello, my name is Lady Kalias and this is my husband Colt and my brother Geoff. How can I help you?"
"We are new to these lands and I was wondering if you could direct us to Friar Peter. We have things we wish to discuss with him."
"Well you came to the right place, I'll be happy to show you to his office," I say to him and turn to Geoff, "Geoff you go get clean up while I take our guests to Friar Peter. Colt I will be there shortly to join you."
Geoff nods and gives me a quick hug before I watch him head to the bathroom.
"I'll be waiting," Colt smiles at me as he squeezes my hand before going off.
"Now if you will please follow me. Oh, and you can tie your cart up over there," I say and point to the hitching posts by the stables.
"Thank you," He says to me and talks to one of his sons that is bigger than the other in his native language. He nods his head and pulls the cart over to where I said and ties it up. And pets the ox's head before joining us.
I show them to Friar Peter's office and knock on the door.
"Friar Peter. We have visitors that wish to speak with you."
"Very well, send them in."
I nod my head and open the door for Master Kwan.
"Oh uh Lady Kalias, please forgive me, but I also wish to speak with you as well," He says to me as I am about to leave.
"Oh well all right," I say to him, but a nervous feeling starts creeping into my stomach as I approach Peter's desk, "What is it you want to talk to us about?"
"I understand that you and Friar Peter are the keepers of Brother Gilbert and Draco's writings," He asks us as he takes a seat.
"Yes that's true," I say as I take my seat next to Friar Peter.
"I'm afraid that if you seek comfort while going over his work, we don't have much to offer you or your sons," Friar Peter sincerely says to them.
"That is all right, I spent much time in a monastery much like this one in my youth, so I understand."
"If I may ask you, Master Kwan," I smile and ask him, "Where are you and your sons from and why are you asking after Brother Gilbert's and Draco's knowledge?"
"We have come from Hebei Province where man and dragons lived in peace," He answers me and then I notice a trace of sadness enter his eyes as he continues, "Many years ago, a terrible evil set dragon against man and all our dragons were destroyed."
"That's awful," I say to him, but inwardly I cringed at the news I had dreaded for years, "All of the dragons that lived here were killed too."
"I am sorry to hear that," Friar Peter says to him, "But I'm afraid I don't know what that has to do with us."
"I am told that the founder of this monastery wrote extensively about dragons and that you and a woman, also named Kalias, were the named guardians of his and Draco's scrolls," He calmly says to Peter while looking at me, "It is strange that you should bear her name and look a lot like her. Lady Kalias was said to have been raised by Draco himself and she had piercing blue eyes, curly black hair and tan skin like you."
"She was my mother Master Kwan," I calmly lie, but inside I'm starting to get nervous, "Forgive me for not telling you that I was named after her."
"Brother Gilbert and Lady Kalias were kind souls. She was a fierce marks woman and a gifted healer, much like young Kalias here is," Peter sternly says as he puts his hand on my shoulder as a sign of comfort, "And Brother Gilbert, well though he was a great friend to us, he had an active imagination and a poor hand at poetry."
I giggle at Peter's statement. What he said was true, but he had no sense of humor whatsoever, "Oh sorry about that. I was just remembering how Mother used to tell me stories about him and how many times he annoyed her with his antics."
"That's all right," Master Kwan excused me, "It has been read in the stars that a new dragon was born some 20 years ago. Surely you two are aware that the prophesied comet will return in 5 days. We must prevent the evil from taking hold of this land again."
"I am a man of God," Friar Peter says in anger as he stands up, "I do not believe in superstitious prattle. Kalias, will you show our guests out?"
I nod my head; get up from my seat and gesture to Master Kwan to follow me. When they passed through the door, I closed it behind me.
"I didn't wish to say this in front of Friar Peter, but I do not believe you are being truthful about who you are."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I know you are not the first Lady Kalias' daughter because she had no children. So you must be she."
"No I'm," I start to say to him, but the look in his eyes makes me close my mouth and sigh, "I'm sorry, you are right. She was not my mother, she is me. And about children, as you can clearly see, I am about to be a first time mother. It should be any day now."
"I thought as much, but how you are able to look so young I will not ask. And I would like to offer my congratulations to both you and your husband. But onto the matter at hand; Kalias, it is very important that you allow us to test the dragon's purity and make sure there is no evil in his or her heart."
"I'm afraid you are wrong about that," I try to convince him. I am not comfortable with the fact he knows Drake exists or what this test would be, "Like I said before, all our dragons were also killed years ago. There are no more dragons here."
"Then the dragon claw around your neck is a useless talisman?"
I look down at my claw necklace and hold it out for him to see.
"This claw was given to me by my father Draco, 62 years ago. When he died and his spirit went to heaven, he left me this claw and all his knowledge to remember him by. He was the last dragon in this land and possibly the whole world. And I plan on tell his story to my baby when they come to understand it. "
"I am sorry for your loss, but like I said before, I have read the stars and they said that a new dragon has been born."
"Well there are no dragons here and I don't want to be rude, but I think you should leave tomorrow. You are welcome to stay for the night, now good night," I say to them with my arms crossed and turn to leave.
I don't know who he is but it was almost impossible to lie to that guy. He scares me, I'll admit it, and I'm more scared for Drake than I am for myself. Though the fact he knows so much about me is extremely unnerving and scary at the same time. I didn't know I was that well known in other lands other than this one and I hope he will take my advice and leave tomorrow. I don't know what kind of test he is planning, but if he's planning on hurting him, then I don't want him anywhere near my little brother. I know I promised myself that I would never pick up another weapon, but if someone is threatening my family, then that is one promise I have no problem breaking if it will keep them safe.
I look down at the claw around my neck and rub my thumb over it. I sniffle as I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I remember Father's face the last time I saw him. I'll drink my potion tomorrow, right now I need Colt. I see him coming outside and towards me. I sniffle as I run to him and hug him as close as I am able.
"What's wrong?"
"Colt that old man knows about Drake! I don't know how but he does. He said he wanted to test him before the comet came but I don't want him near- ohhh, "I say and then grunt, " Ohh this baby is getting more and more active by the day. It might be sooner than we thought."
"You need a relaxing bath. Come on, I'll wash your back for you and your feet."
"A bath sounds wonderful" I sigh as the pushing subsides and follow him.
I hold his hand as we walk past the grate to Drake's room. But then I notice something out of place. The door is slightly open. Did Mansel forget to lock it earlier? As I enter the tunnel, I also notice that the torch that is normally there is missing.
"Ok Colt this is weird. First the door and now the torch is missing," I say to him, "What's going on?"
"I don't know. But stick close to me, " Colt says as he gets the torch from outside the door and holds me close while we make our way to the catacombs. My hand brushes the remains of one of the old kings buried here. I yelp a bit and brush my hand on my skirt to get rid of the filth. Slowly but surly, Colt helps me get down the stairs.
"Thank you sweetheart, " I say as I let go of his arms, " Drake?"
As we get closer to where Drake's bed is, I swear I can hear two voices whispering at the same time.
"Drat it's my sister! Huh, your sister?!"
"Look just go hide, I'll take care of this and don't make a sound."
"That sounds like Drake," Colt says and calls out, " Drake?!"
"Colt is that you," Drake calls out and comes out to us, "I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow. "
"I got to come back early. Are you feeling alright," Colt asks him.
"Yes I'm fine."
I walk over to him and then look around the room. I could have sworn I heard someone else down here. Then I turn back to him.
"Drake is there someone else down here," I ask him.
"No! I mean no it's just me," He says as his tail swishes back and forth. That's an old sign he's getting nervous.
"Are you lying to me," I narrow my eyes at him and cross my arms.
"Kalias that hurts," He mockingly says and puts his paw to my chest, "Have I ever lied to you?"
"Ok ok never mind, "I sigh and rub my forehead. Maybe I am starting to hear things and feel my actual age, "I guess, I just imagined it. The stress from work and the baby is getting to me. Sometimes I feel like an old lady."
"You are an old lady, "Drake jokes and nudges me.
"Oh ha ha ha you little lizard. I'm gonna get you for that," I laugh and start tickling him.
"Hey no fair. No fair, "He laughs as he tries to get away from me.
CLANG! "Ow!"
"Who's there," Colt demands and gets out his sword as he moves towards the sound.
"Wait Colt, " Drake shouts surprisingly and grabs his leg, "I'm sure it's nothing."
"Drake let go of my leg!"
I take Colt's sword in hand as I make my way to where we heard the sound, pull back the curtain and receive the shock of my life.
"Geoff?! What are you doing here?!"
