Ch-9: MMarjun was furious as he walked down the dusty village road. He didn't understand how Alex was alive and didn't reach out.
Also, why did it seem like the man was too witty?
How would he and his father reap him?
He went to the tree where he had tied his horse and released it. Mounting the horse, he rode back to his house where his father was waiting patiently.
"Marjun, you don't look happy," Neron said. "Is the boy dead?"
"Not at all, Father. He is alive." Marjun replied.
"Then why do you look so gloomy? Hurry now and make haste! We ought to visit the castle and inform the King that the young man is alive." Neron said, springing up from his chair.
"Wait, Father," Marjun called immediately. "I... I have doubts concerning the man."
"What? Doubts? How?" Neron asked. He was confused. "Come on, Son. Explain them to me."
"Father I... I can't explain it exactly. He seems like a sly person. I can't exactly put a finger to it but I know there's something off about him."
Neron was not having any of it as he hurried out while pulling his scowling son.
"Come on, let's go."
They started their journey to the palace on their horses.
Fraco, who was watching them race past his house, could tell where they were headed to. He turned around in a whoosh to inform his father, but the said person was just behind him.
"You saw that too, right?" Fraco asked. Guido nodded twice.
"We are heading to the king's palace too, right?" Guido nodded again. Fraco smiled.
They went out to mount their horses to pursue Marjun and Neron.
"Who is it?" the King responded who was resting in his chamber, in the hot summer when someone knocked on his majestic wooden door.
"Theo, Sire."
"What is it, Theo?"
"Sire, Noble Neron, and his son are here to see you. They say they have news about the young man you sent to the dragon's cave."
The King almost hurried out. But he calmed down before allowing the audience into his chambers.
"Where are they?" The King questioned.
"In the waiting room, Your Majesty," Theo replied with a slight bow.
The king chuckled. "Theo, you could have at least brought them to the meeting room. Alright, go and get them to sit there, I'm on my way."
Theo bowed before leaving.
Marjun was still scowling, he didn't feel very comfortable anymore. He somehow knew that the outcome was not going to be very good. But then again, he also knew his father. The man would never calm down until he did what he wanted.
"Neron!" The King's voice sounded.
"My King," Neron greeted bowing his head slightly. Marjun murmured a small greeting, turning his head slightly. The king barely took notice of him.
"What did you have to tell me? Is the boy dead?"
"No no. The boy lives, My King," Neron answered. "I haven't seen him with my own eyes but ..." He pushed Marjun forward. "My son.. he has seen him and he says the boy lives."
"Marjun, I want to hear from your mouth. Have you really seen the boy?" The King enquired inquisitively.
"Yes, My King. I spoke with him." Marjun answered truthfully.
The King nodded. "I shall have someone look into it. Let us know why he didn't come to the village even two days after." The king said. "You may leave now."
Neron stuttered for a few seconds. "My king, my king. Er.. the boy asks for his reward."
"Reward? The reward will come when I see the man." The king said.
"Allow me in!" A younger but firmer voice shouted, causing a distraction in the meeting room. "The king is expecting me."
Marjun paled a little. He recognized the voice. His father noticed his varying reaction ever since they arrived at the palace. He inched closer to him and whispered in his ears.
"What have you done to the young man?" Neron Questioned.
Marjun paled even more. "I... I did nothing, Father." He murmured.
Alex pushed the guard holding him, hurrying into the meeting room. He wasn't surprised to find Marjun and his father there as he expected them here.
King kept staring at Alex with a clairvoyant gaze. Alex had managed to get the blood stain away from his face but his hair still had traces of blood which was very clearly evident. Also, he hadn't had a proper shower before arriving here.
"Hello, My King." Alex greeted.
"Marjun, why do you look so pale? Are you surprised to find me here?" Alex smirked, looking at Marjun.
The King glanced at Marjun, then returned his gaze to Alex. "Did you succeed in waking him up? The dragon I mean."
"I know what you mean. Firstly, he's not a he but a she. Secondly, I did wake her up. Marjun saw her." The king smiled a little.
"Ah, my brave boy. You have brought freedom to the villagers. Now the Chimaeras can say goodbye to our farmlands." there was a relieved expression on his face when he heard the news confirmation.
Alex smirked. "But king, the dragon wouldn't want me to go."
The king's smile turned to a scowl. "Go?"
"She wants me as her servant." Alex answered.
"Servant? But Your task was to wake her up, no one asked you to go and become friends with her! She's a mindless beast, if she gets mad at you, she could tear you to pieces!" The king replied, scowling.
"Mm.." Alex nodded his head in agreement with the King's words.
"You aren't exactly wrong. Yet she will not just tear me into pieces. She needs me and also villagers need a mediator with that beast. Someone who could constantly be there with her to communicate the village's problems. Also, I think that waking her up once is never enough. That dragon is lazy." Alex laid down the village's needs and his advantage convincingly in front of the King.
The king thought about it. "Well, do you think you could do it? Sacrifice your life here and the people you love, just to live in a cave with a beast and take care of her needs?"
"It's not that hard," Alex replied. "It's really not that hard. I think I can cope. But..." Alex acted like he couldn't convey something to the king.
"What? Come on, tell me." The king urged. "Whatever it is, I will do it."
After all the village and the citizens were in trouble. As the King he has to do everything in his power for their well-being that includes dealing with that monster beast.
"This dragon gets angered easily. If something is not given to her, she will not be happy. She loves shiny things. Pieces of jewelry, gold, silver, Gems or Crystals. Literally anything that could reflect light appeases her."
"That's a lie, My King!" Marjun said immediately with a deep scowl, attracting all eyes toward him.