I Alone Breed Dragons

Chapter 48: A Family Reunion

"Baran?" May dusted her hand on her dress, picking up her basket.

"Well, he left the village now, stays in Kingston where most nobles stay. Only comes through occasionally."

"Do you know where his house is? Exactly?"

"We once took a visit over, so I might remember the road, a bit. But firstly, you need to rest and you stink." She pivoted, striding back home. "Come on, let’s go home. You can tell us what really happened."

I trailed May close behind as we trudged, making way home.

From afar I spotted the bustling market, carts trundled in and out nonstop. Since I was born here, I had never seen such.

May stopped, catching my gaze.

"Since when the road was built, we’ve experienced heavy traffic in the market. It leads to the main town."

’Road I was sold for.’ I cleared my head.

She then pressed on, "Come on, let’s keep going."

"So what about the farm, how are you managing things? Don’t tell me you’re the only one toiling in it."

"No. We’ve hired laborers."

I cocked my head. "How?"

"Baran. He provided us a chest of gold coins shortly after you vanished. That’s what sparked my suspicion."

May stopped. "We’re home."

We reached my family house. On arrival, I glimpsed my mom, perched outside. Her eyes cast downward, as she toiled on a sweater she knitted.

I moved closer.

"That’s a memorable way to return home, Walter. Did you fight a bear or something?" She said, her eyes not leaving her needle.

I stiffened, a smile spread across my lips. "Mother."

"Son." She then paused her knitting. "You look at me properly, did you fight a bear or something?" Her voice was calm, but I could yet see a glint of concern in her eyes.

She rose and approached me, descending the mini stairs. The wood creaked from each of her cautious steps.

She traced a finger on my chest, scratching the dried blood. Her chest sank. "The wounds, they healed. Thank goodness... what happened, Walter?" She trailed off.

"It’s a long story."

"And he brought a dragon with him." May jerked her chin to Quinette, prior walking into the house.

That’s when my mom glanced behind, her eyes settling on Quinette, who was positioned uncomfortably, mute the whole time.

"Greetings, ma’am." Quinette bowed her head slightly.

My mom smiled.

She arched an eyebrow, wearing a smirk. "So what happened to hating on dragons?" She elbowed me.

"I still hate them."

"I believe you." She tapped my shoulder.

But I knew that was sarcasm, from her chuckle at the end.

"You need a bath. Come inside."

I settled at the dinner table, in fresh clothes, which smelled like lavender, my hair yet damp from my bath, the aroma of my mom’s cooking permeated the air, my favorite porridge. Sat in a bowl, the table was laden like a feast, roasted chicken. Fruits and such.

Quinette was perched beside me, in my mom’s clothes, she kept her head down, flushed.

The dinner fell quiet, my mom and sister remained in thought, after what I thoroughly recounted of what had happened.

"Just so I understand," May planted her arms on the table, inching forward, "the dragons are going extinct and only you can save them. And Baran sold you for that purpose?"

"Yes. He did."

"I knew it." May pounded the table, shot to her feet sharply. "I knew that good for nothing old man was up to no good. A damn liar. When he told me you ran away, the moment those words left his lips, I knew he was lying, but never did I think he actually sold you out."

My mom shook her head. "I’m disappointed."

"Disappointed?" May cocked her head. "I never once liked that old man, his ugly face haunts me." She then slumped back into her seat. "Brother, how did you escape? Is that where you got the scars from? You fought your way out?"

"No, that isn’t what happened, it’s a different story."

"What happened then?"

"Let’s keep that aside."

I dared not tell them I was being pursued by assassins, that would leave them even more anxious. In fact, my stay here is dangerous, they could be monitoring me.

"What about you, how did you meet my brother?"

"Me?" Quinette pointed at herself.

"Yes, you."

"As the Baroness of Clover house, I was having a negotiation with him as the Amor of Hearts."

"Uh? Hearts house? Clover? That’s from the dragon kingdom. Wait, Walter is the Amor?!"

I nodded.

"How is that possible?" Mom asked.

"It’s actually just a borrowed title for me, given by the queen as their savior."

May’s eyes sparkled. "But you live in a mansion, right?"

"Yes I do."

"You’re returning back, right?"

I nodded.

"So can I move in? I’m weary of this village, I want to experience how the dragon kingdom is."

"Unfortunately I have to refuse, taking you to Hearts estate will outright be endangering your life."

"How?"

I hesitated, powerless to tell her everything.

"May, I believe your brother possesses his reasons, let’s set that aside, okay?"

May’s mood then darkened. "If you depart, when will you come back to the village?"

"I don’t know, but I promise if everyone is secure I’ll bring you to the dragon kingdom."

"Fine. Walter, I hope you haven’t forgiven Baran?"

I sneered, "Of course not."

"Then let’s get revenge on Baran." May’s face set. "Let’s sell him as a slave. Just like he did to you."

"Sell? I plan on killing him."

"You’ll get caught, and since Baran is member of the council, you’ll be in greater trouble."

"Please don’t talk about killing someone at the dinner table. The food is turning cold."

"Sorry, mother." We both replied in unison.

"..."

Mom exhaled. "As May said, killing Baran will land you in trouble. While selling him as a slave is a squandered opportunity. If it’s feasible, drain him bare of all his wealth, then peddle him to the east. Slaves who are sold to them seldom come back."

Quinette gaped at my mom, the way she delivered it with such ease took her by surprise.

After our discussion, we then moved to eat, after a prayer, I spooned a scoop, relishing the taste of it. I felt no hurry, craved to cherish each second with my family. But after dinner, I was heading straight for Baran.