Taming the Beast Master

Dealing with Stupidity

| Amon |

    This town is stupid. A lot of folks are hidden in their homes. This stupid bag I carried with me. This tavern. The only thing that makes the most sense is the deal with my patron. I could not bear the fact that I had to go to this town during this time. If not for my patron, I would have sought revenge already. 

    "Get the item from that woman's neck, and your revenge will be done."

    "Yes, my lord," I replied in my mind as he spoke to me. 

    This drunk guy and the innkeeper seem to know each other well, and they are discussing the House of Ivy. That is my cue. 

    As I was about to stand up, the cloaked lady dropped her hood. A silver-haired elf. I've seen her kind before. We had dealings with wizards of her particular hierarchy. She sounded familiar, too. Gaaah! Must head to my target soon. I am itching to use this gift of mine. 

    Her name is Tyrgwynn. Silverymoon -  I thought so. Arrliem and I met someone from their town. Ellyse. Ah, beautiful lady. I should have taken her to my chambers when I had the chance. I won't waste my chance this time. 

    I walked over to the bar and loomed over the two. "Sounds like you need an extra hand for that." I pretended to gesture over the paper in the hands of the smelly human male. He's f*****g filthy. 

    "Hahaha! And what, do you think, do I have in my hand?" 

    This drunken asshole. "I read the board before you came in." The innkeeper confirmed with a curt nod.

    "Very well. Bronir Brimstone. Nice te meet ya..." 

    He looked taken aback. Stupid human, he continued to slur when he spoke. 

    "Amon." I didn't shake his hand when he extended it to me. "I'm not here to make friends. I need a job." 

    The drunk nodded and retracted his hand. The other hand went to the lady elf as if to hug her, and she just lets him. Is she timid or something?  

    "Nice to meet you, sir Amon. I'm -"

    "Silverymoon lady. Right. I am not one with pleasantries, either. When do we go to this Ivy House?"

    "W-we can head tomorrow if you wish."  

    She is timid.

    "Fine. Old man, I need a room to stay in tonight. Got any?" 

    "Why yes. We have some for 2 or 5 silver pieces, and some good rooms for 2 gold pieces a night." The innkeeper just raised an eyebrow to me. Guess he was intimidating me. Not gonna work, old man. I slid 2 gold pieces from my pocket to the bar. He took it without a word and replaced it with a key. It had a number 5 on it. 

    "I'm guessing this is the room number?"

    "Yes. Take the stairs and turn to your left. You should see the room immediately." He smiled. 

    I gave a curt nod and headed to my room. I need to plan my vengeance soon. 

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| Tyrgwynn |

    Mother Ecaeris, please wait for me. 

    These exact thoughts have run through my head for a few days now, as I feared her illness worsening every passing day. 

    They said that Longsaddle is where another sorcerer and noble lives. As far as I have checked, there is only one noble house in this town - the House of Ivy. Reports from Yvius claimed that the said noble family were werewolf descendants. I need to be careful. 

    I miss Silverymoon - every bit of it was home, especially my ice lair. This inn looks like it needs a bit more cleaning, as well as the human that kept on touching me. Bronir Brimstone. He reeks of what the other races enjoy - alcohol. He has not eaten, though. I can tell. A man that drinks cannot hold his liquor well if he had not eaten. My keen senses told me so. Perhaps a good meal will do him well. 

    Amon - strange fellow. Mother told me about Tieflings. My family had dealings with their kind in the past. Fiend descendants. Some of them are nice, despite their fiendish ancestry. Oh, he went up to his room. I guess he's not used to making friends.

   This human is fascinating, though. He takes things positively. He smelled awful, but he looked quite dashing, if only he cut his hair short and trim his scruff. 

    "So, m'lady, want some ale?" he sheepishly grinned at me. 

    "No, thank you, dear lad." I prefer Elven cider. 

    "Lad? Ye look waaaay younger than me. Am 28. You look around 20, 21?" 

    " I am nearly 2 centuries older than you, my dear boy. I am 192." 

    His mouth gaped. My face didn't flinch but in the back of my head, I laughed. It's funny that he thought he could fool around with me using his youth.

    "You still do not look a year older than 21," he smirked. Smooth-talking humans. That's why there are a lot of half-elves and half-orcs running around. 

    "I bet he is cute when he washes up," Myrnessa echoed in my head. She's my Dragon ancestor.

    I guess so, too, I replied in my thoughts.

    "You can bed him, you know."

    Oh Lady of the Blue, I prefer my kind against his. 

    "But our kind has almost vanished. We Dragons are far less in numbers than these humans. He reeks of attraction to you, child." 

    I dismissed the thought. I'm not a noble elf. I am a young silver dragon in disguise. But my story is true. Our ancient one, Ecaeris - my grandmother, is dying of an old dark magick. Dragons live thousands of years. They even witness the growth and advancement of civilizations in the past. My mother, the adult dragon Ellysiar, thought it would be best for us to hide our entities though nobility. We are protected by moon elves in Silverymoon, but we have to look out for our own. We are not weak, mind you. Our bodies, however, can be used for good or evil purposes. I have only lived for almost 200 years, but I have witnessed numerous battles beyond our regions. 

    "Sir Bronir, would you be staying in the tavern tonight?" I asked the drunk ranger. He almost spills his drink on the sides of his mouth. He is amusing, in his own way. 

    "W-why yes, Lady Tyrgwynn! This will practically be my home for the rest of the week," he winked at me and beamed. I saw Berish's face glow. More money for his business. Humans have what they call 'Gold Fever', too. I heard the elves refer to it as a sickness in the mind - greed. The innkeeper is just like the dwarf prince who tried to rob my lair of treasures. Bran Bonehelm. He even had the guts to ask my hand in marriage, which I refused. 

    I showed Bronir a bit of enthusiasm. I am excited to live amongst humans and other races. "Splendid. We shall head to the House of Ivy tomorrow, then. Sir Berish, if you would be so kind as to help me with my room," and I gently placed 7 gold coins from my purse in front of him, "I would gladly take your largest one if you please. Have this kind gentleman's room beside mine, as well. The rest is for the payment of whatever we may consume during our stay - a deposit if you will." 

    I saw Berish beam across his face, and did he just blush in the sight of gold? He handed over 2 keys, 7 and 8. The key labeled 8 had a different embellishment than the 7. "Here's your special room, milady. The 8th is yours." 

    I handed over the key labeled 7 to Bronir, which he took in his hands. He seemed almost sober since he just sat on the table quietly as if waiting for something. This guy is unbelievable. Could he be really drunk? Fascinating. 

    I felt something coming in fast. A large raven! I watched it land over Bronir's shoulder. It seemed to be his, as he was anticipating it coming. 

    "Tickles, what do you have for me?" Bronir spoke in a deep tone. The bird passes over a small scroll of parchment tied on his feet. Ravens are smart. "It seems that we will be stayin' here. Oh, my lady Tyrgwynn. Meet Mr. Tickles. She is pretty, isn't she?" 

    The bird bowed his head low. He must have sensed my hidden entity because his heartbeat just went faster. I bowed back and held out my finger and curled it for him to perch on. He immediately jumped to my shoulder. Such animals feel our mighty aura, no matter how hard we try hiding our essence to them. He rubbed his cheek onto mine. Weird bird. As soon as he jumped back to his master, it seemed as if he whispered something. Familiars and their masters.

    "Shush, Tickles. We want to treat a lady right. Well, we shall retire to my quarters for now. My lady. Berish." He gave a curt nod to me and Berish. I stood up and gave him a curtsy. He tried mimicking it, but he looked like he was about to fall off balance again. I gave a chuckle and a smile to him as he went upstairs with his mug of ale, bag, and familiar. 

    Myrnessa's thoughts came rushing in as she spoke in Draconic, "I want to drop this form. I want to fly again." 

    "I should get some rest myself. Have a good night, sir Berish. Thank you for the wonderful meal." 

    "Good night, fair lady."