The Ancient Dragon's Bride

Chapter 4

  Astrid fiddled in her chair uncomfortably as the mentor kept talking and pacing across the room. Astrid despised the days of Odin for this exact reason. Him. The mentor always picked on Astrid for just sitting there and often times would hit her. He would also say her ears were too short- which is a big offense in the elven realm.

  Looking out the window, Astrid let out a sigh. She longed to train with Fayeil again; for the rare feeling of genuine happiness. If she knew how to use magic, she would’ve most likely used it to escape this class.

  “Astrid,” a voice sternly said.

  “Yes.” Astrid calmly responded.

  “Tell me, how do you say hello in the Tongue of Gods,” the mentor asked with a wicked snarl.

  “Khodichi,” she simply answered.

  “Sinning tongue?” He growled.

  “Shktar,” she answered again.

  “Hm, and what about welcome?” He asked, his lip curling into an evil smile. Astrid blinked, her mind absolutely blank.

  “Um, s’shtaka?” She guessed, her heart beginning to beat at a more rapid pace.

  “Wrong,” he hissed, scrunching his nose. “That’s help in sinning tongue, Ms. Astrid. In the Tongue of Gods welcome would be Toztoriyos, and in Sinning tongue it would be skvardandi.” Turning the corners of his mouth into a frown he asked, “Do you mind telling me what creatures speak Sinning tongue and which ones speak the Tongue of Gods?” Feeling a wave of panic, she looked over to her sister, Loea, for help. But Loea only shrugged with a helpless expression. “Well?” The mentor impatiently growled.

  “Well um, Centaurs, satyrs and mermaids speak the Tongue of Gods”-

  “Wrong!” He hissed, more loudly this time. “First of all, mermaids speak in song and second, mermaids are evil so they wouldn’t speak the Tongue of Gods,” he sternly snarled.

  With a scoff Astrid rolled her eyes. “Mermaids are anything but evil,” she snickered

  “May I inform you that mermaids would do anything to drown and kill you,” the mentor growled. “And please do not deny my judgement Astrid for I have the power to do things you would not like too much,” he snarled wickedly.

  Quietly Astrid looked down at her hands not making another peep.

***

As soon as the doors had opened Astrid was the first one out. She quickly ran, without thought to the training fields.

  “Astrid! Where are you going?!” Taura’s voice called. “Don’t you want to eat lunch with us?!”

  “I will be back soon!” Astrid called back.

  She raced down the fields rapidly, the only thing on her mind being Fayeil. The wind whipped her hair across her face as she sped down the path. Right as she reached the top of the hill she saw Fayeil sitting near the river, what looked like him eating bread. She swiftly made her way across to him with a mischievous smile. “Khodichi,” she greeted him. Fayeil turned around, surprised, his features relaxing when he saw her.

  “My, you know how to speak Tongue of Gods?” He asked with a raised eyebrow

  “No not really,” she laughed. “That wicked mentor of mine tries to teach me but I refuse,” she proudly grinned.

  “Expected,” he said with a slight smile. He looked out into the fields while taking another bite of his odd looking bread. “Kphs kratchtka’o bakt-trzkk,” he murmured. Turning his gaze towards her he smiled.

  Narrowing her eyes at him she asked, “that better not be an insult.”

  Laughing he said, “no, of course not.” Taking another bite, he explained, “That means “it is nice to see you” which is most certainly not an insult.”

  “Oh well, same to you,” Astrid said unsurely. “Hey, where’s your men? I would’ve thought you’d be talking with them.”

  Shaking his head he replied, “I usually go with them to the tavern but I’m a bit tired.” Yawning again, he rubbed his eyes. A feeling of guilt had succumbed Astrid.

  “Is it because you woke up early to train me? Oh I’m so sorry F”-

  “No, no it’s fine,” he abruptly said. “I just went to bed late last night that’s all.”

  “Oh? Why?” Asked Astrid.

  “We saw trolls near the border of the realm so we had to drive them off,” he explained. With another yawn he offered, “you want some?” She looked down at the soft lump of “bread” he held out in is hand.

  “Um, Fayeil, what is that?” She asked, awkwardly pointing at the odd lump.

  With a smile he said, “it’s a sweet bread. Try it, I’m sure you’ll like it.” With caution Astrid picked it up and looked at it with a weary expression. Gazing up at Fayeil, he nodded with an amusing smile. Taking a deep breath she quickly stuffed it in her mouth, wincing at the strong aroma.

  “Good, isn’t it?” He grinned. Suddenly she felt a pleasant sweet tang fill her mouth.

  “Y-yeah it’s delicious actually!” Astrid exclaimed. “Where did you get it?” She asked.

  Smiling he said, “a little bakery down in the village. It’s quite peaceful actually, I often go there to read or do such and such.” He thoughtfully looked into the river’s gleaming reflection.

  “Oh I’ve never been to the village before,” Astrid breathed. “It must be nice,” she added.

  “Really,” he said with genuine surprise. “Well in that case, would you like to come with me?” He offered. “I need to get a few things done, and I’m sure having your company would be quite pleasant,” he grinned. Getting up to his feet he grabbed his bag and tossed it to a nearby barrel. “Of course it’s up to you,” he added.

  A sense of excitement arose in Astrid’s chest. “Are you kidding? I would absolutely love to see the village!” She exclaimed.

  “Then let’s be off.”

   They made their way down to the gates in which separated the castle grounds from the village. “Believe it or not I’ve never left the castle grounds before,” Astrid said embarrassedly.

  “The King and Queen have always been this over-protective?” Fayeil asked with pity.

  Shaking her head, she said, “My father is more easy-going, but for my mother well…” She paused remembering the conversation they had earlier this morning. Should she tell him that her mother thinks they were in a relationship? Astrid shook her head, thinking that it would just make things awkward and replied, “she has always been that way I guess.”

  “Such a shame,” he sighed. “Well if you think about it, when you finally become queen you can do whatever you want,” he laughed with a grin.

  Astrid laughed but inside she felt worried. What would happen if rumors started to spread and he found out? She could feel butterflies float in her stomach, making her feel almost sick.

  “Hey, you okay?” He asked with genuine concern. “You look like your about to throw up. I can take you home if you”-

  “No, no I’m okay, truly,” Astrid smiled. With a glance of worry, he looked forward.

  “Alright well here we are,” he sighed.  Looking up Astrid saw little houses all clumped together fading off into the horizon as elves of all ages talked and played. “Wow it’s beautiful,” Astrid breathed.

  “Yes quite,” Fayeil smiled. “Now come,” he beckoned. He made a sharp right going into one of the small houses. This one had a sign that read Blacksmith. As soon as Fayeil opened the door to the house, a wave of smoke and musty smells hit her like a stone.

  “What is that awful smell,” Astrid gagged. “It is completely revolting!” She exclaimed. “It smells like horse droppings and rats had children!”

  Fayeil began to laugh and snickered, “quite a fitting description.” He continued to laugh as he closed the door. The nauseating smell began to get less strong the more she stood there so she continued to do so.

  “Ah Fayeil welcome!” A deep, jolly voice greeted.

  “Hello Drakon,” Fayeil smiled. As soon as the smoke cleared Astrid could see a big man behind an anvil. He had a big beard and long black curly hair, as well as gray splotches all over his face.

  “By my beard, is that Princess Astrid?” The man asked, his eyes bulging out of his head like a bullfrog.

  “Oh yes,” she coughed. “It’s nice to meet you, Drakon, I believe?” She let out a wheeze and another cough, embarrassment starting to arise within the pit of her stomach.

  The man got down on one knee and began, “I’m so sorry for the mess Princess Astrid, you see I had a bit of trouble getting the fire going and”-

  “No, no, it’s quite alright,” she croaked. “And you don’t need to kneel, I’m not that important.” Fayeil watched the affair with an amused expression.

  “Well Fayeil, what is it that you would like?” The man asked, getting back up onto his feet.

  “I need you to make a custom sword,” Fayeil explained.

  “Well then come and tell me what materials you want it made of,” the man grunted. Fayeil walked over to him and began to whisper.

  What was it that Fayeil was saying? Was it something rude? Insulting? Astrid felt a feeling of hurt arise within her and she bit her lip to stop it from trembling.

  After several moments the man took a deep breath and with raised eyebrows he asked, “that’s quite expensive Fayeil, you sure you want to pay for such a sword?”

  Without confirmation Fayeil asked, “When shall it be ready?”

  “By the day of sun, three days from now,” the man grumbled. “It’ll cost 736 gabolts.” The words hit Astrid like a wall. There was no possible way Fayeil had that much money. He was just a soldier. She knew for a fact that father only payed his soldiers 2 gabolts every three weeks.

  “Very well,” Fayeil softly smiled. He then unexpectedly took out a large pouch; throwing it to the man.

  “Let’s be off Astrid. We have one more thing to do,” Fayeil beckoned. Eyes wide she followed Fayeil out of the building.

  Once he had closed the door she finally burst out, “How in the realm do you have that much money?!” He jumped at how sudden she was, only resulting in a smile.

  “Oh, you didn’t know?” He asked, pausing.

  “Know what?” Asked Astrid, her voice still loud.

  “I don’t want to sound full of myself so please excuse me but I come from a family of great wealth,” he explained as they walked further down the village.

  “Oh? What family?’ Astrid inquired.

  “The king’s nephew is my adopted father,” he said. A feeling of pity had then succumb Astrid.

  “Adopted? You’re adopted? And what do you mean the king’s nephew? Would that mean we’re related?” Astrid rapidly spoke.

  Fayeil smiled a smile of comfort and shook his head. “Well first off, yes I am an adopted elf. I used to be an orphan. And no, we are technically not related,” he explained.

  “What do you mean technically?” Astrid asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

  “Like I said I was adopted, plus I said the king’s nephew not his brother,” he said.

  “Wouldn’t that make us 2nd cousins, or however you say it. That would make you my cousin’s son, at least I think,” she muttered, her mind becoming fogged by all the information she was taking in.

  “We aren’t related by blood though so I could- for example- marry you or one of your sisters if I wanted,” he explained.

  “Of course you’re not planning on doing such things, correct?” Astrid asked with a raised eyebrow.

  He let out an exaggerated laugh and shook his head. “Of course not,” he then paused, “unless…” Astrid opened her mouth to speak but then he let out another laugh and smiled, “just kidding Astrid.”

  He opened the door to another little house as to what looked like a bakery. A little window displayed different exotic flowers and plates of colorful sweets.

  As soon as she walked in a much more pleasant smell greeted her than when she had walked into the blacksmith’s shop. Warm, sweet and tangy smells hugged the bakery as she took a few steps further in.

  “This is the bakery I was talking to you about, quite nice isn’t it?” He asked with a satisfied sigh.

  “Quite,” Astrid breathed.

  “Would you like me to get you something?” He asked, as he reached in his pocket for a few coins.

  “If you don’t mind,” she sheepishly said.

  With a smile he gestured to the little display table. “Go ahead and choose what you’d like.” Walking over to the table she scanned across the candies and pastries.

  Several moments later Fayeil came over and asked, “did you decide?” With a quick nod Astrid pointed over to an awkward, but pleasant looking cylinder shaped bread that had a purple cream oozing out of its side.

  With a grin he nodded and got the attention of one of the ladies that was cleaning one of the nearby tables.

  “One fairy roll and one dragon egg muffin please,” Fayeil said politely.

  “Of course Fayeil,” the little lady said with a smile. She had brown hair twirled up in a messy bun and two lovely green eyes. “Who’s the girl you have with you?” She asked as she went to grab a bag.

  “Ah yes, this is Princess Astrid,” he said with a smile. The lady almost dropped the sweet she had grabbed.

  “Princess Astrid?!” The lady exclaimed. “Oi! Saura! We have Princess Astrid standin’ right here in our bakery!” The lady called.

  With narrowed eyes she muttered, “of course you had to say who I was.”

  With a charming grin he said, “It’s quite amusing to watch if I must be honest.” A lady then emerged from the back her eyes bulging out of her skull.

  “Oh my! It is such an honor to have you in our bakery Princess!” The lady gasped while bowing.

  “Please do not bow,” Astrid said. “I’m just a princess and nothing more,” she added with a worried smile.

  “Please take whatever you want for free!” The lady begged.

  “Oh, no I”-

  “We’ll gladly do so,” Fayeil rapidly said breaking her off. As he took the bag Astrid rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a smile. This elf was anything but modest.

  Quickly following after him, she realized that he was in more of a rush now. “Hey why are walking so fast?” Astrid asked curiously.

  Fayeil smiled handsomely and picked up the pace. “Just one more place to go.”