The Dragon's Flame Queen

Chapter 25 - To The Dwarf Village

Seraphina was still unconscious and Demian couldn't help but feel like a bomb ticking towards doom. He had ordered his guards to search the vicinity for any more attackers or spies as he paced around, Seraphina lied on the make-shift bed of green grass while the second chauffeur tended to her. Demian had bandages tied over his entire torso and his right arm, he had taken the direct hit from the fireballs to protect Seraphina. It was just in that second that he made the decision of pushing her away, she was a fool who would throw away her life as easily as he threw the people out of his room. He didn't want her to get hurt and in the end he failed to keep his resolution, Seraphina was injured and almost faced an explosion. All because of him.

Demian clutched his fists as he waited for the guards to return and he heard the chauffeur's voice from behind.

"Your highness, it'll be dark soon and it will be more dangerous to travel through forest," He looked down at Seraphina with concern in his eyes, "It is better if we find a place to spend the night. Her Highness needs proper rest." He said, Demian looked once at his wife and then and the chauffeur.

The dwarves had been living in these forests for decades and had been involved in trade with the humans and other species. The dwarf town would be a safe place since these people were capable of combat when time came and since they came under the Dragons rule so, they would give him the shelter and all the assistance he would need. Apart from that what made him worry was their nature. Dwarves weren't quite the polite and sensible race, on the contrary, they were loud, wild and everything that would make him stay away from them.

The sound of footsteps made Demian's ears perk up and he turned to see one of his guards walking towards him a long with the two others.

They bowed before reporting, "We searched everywhere thoroughly there isn't any trace of any attacker."

"How far is the Dwarf town from here?" Demian asked.

"It's not quite far from here, Your Highness." The guard answered.

"We're spending the night there. Make preparations." Demian ordered and the guards replied in unison before scurrying over to the half burnt carriage.

Demian sat beside Seraphina who was carefully placed in the carraige, and he felt the slight jolt as the carraige was lifted and off they were to the Dwarf town.

****

Seraphina blinked open her eyes and the first thing she saw was the serene blue eyes belonging to Demian.

"You're awake... finally." He breathed as he turned slightly to face her. His back was a painful sight and moving made it worse.

Seraphina smiled and tried to sit up but regretted it as she felt pain all over her body and groaned. The enemy was indeed very powerful and it made her exhausted to the bones.

The sky was painted crimson twilight as the carraige reached at the borders of the dwarf village. Seraphina looked out of the window and a large gate appeared, she didn't know where they were headed now but this place seemed different from where she had went up till now. The large gate made of iron and wood stood before them, she peeked out to see guards talking to another guards who barely reached their waists. She rubbed her eyes slightly, wondering if she was seeing it wrong, the small children were dressed in armors guarding the large gate. How was this possible?

The dragon guard turned and waved at the carriage and the carriage started moving, Seraphina's jaw hung as she saw the large gate opening and them entering into an alien land. She saw the small guards lining up as the carraige entered and she watched with amazement.

"Why are the children guards here?" She asked and Demian gave her a look.

"Look closely. Do they look like children to you?" He said and Seraphina frowned as she peeked out again and looked at the faces of the guards and realised that they looked like middle aged men with beards and mustaches growing from their faces. They had broad faces with round nose and gave off the boisterous vibe. Seraphina watched as they followed the carraige with spears in their hands. She hadn't ever seen the dwarves in her life before though she had heard quite a lot about them from her friends and guild members but this was something different.

The fields were visible on both sides, the long golden paddy danced in the evening breeze and at the near horizon she saw a civilisation. As they went closer Seraphina noticed the small buildings made of stones and wood, it was like she had suddenly grown twice her size. She was amazed to see the small town that she didn't notice when they stopped.

"Get down." Demian ordered as he got out and she followed.

The large building before her seemed like a mansion which was bigger than any other settlement in the town. An elderly man rushed out of the mansion and bowed just like the entire townsfolk.

"O great Dragon Prince, we are honored that you have graced us with your presence." He said with utmost respect.

"Please raise your head, elder Reginus." Demian said, "I would like to stay the night with my wife here. It's quiet late for travelling to the dragon city."

The elder dwarf tilted his head as his curious gaze fell on Seraphina beside Demian. He grinned and nodded, "Of course, of course! We shall prepare a good room for your highness."

"Also, I need this village's physicians to treat my wounded guards and my wife."

An elderly man came up and bowed, "I shall be your in your care my prince."

Demian nodded.

The old dwarf told his people enthusiastically, "Today the dragon prince and his wife will stay here. Prepare a feast!"

All of them cheered happily and Seraphina couldn't help but chuckle at them. They were surely happy people.

Not an hour passed by, they left their works and started to prepare for the big feast while singing various songs in unison.

The wide area in front of the town hall became the grand hall for welcoming the guests. A bonfire was placed in the middle of it as some of them started to cook and some carried large barrels and placed at a side.

A dwarf came near Seraphina and Demian and offered two mugs of ale, "Prince and Princess, please have our finest ale."

"You can't drink. Your wounds are not healed yet." Demian intercepted.

"I can drink and I will drink." Seraphina announced as she took the mug from the dwarf's hands and before Demian could snatch it away she pressed the tip to her lips pouring the ale in her mouth.

The tangy feeling filled her mouth and felt like tickling flames as it travelled down her throat. It certainly was the finest. She remembered having the finest of the ale when Merlene got her high tier rank. That day was a feast too.

"It's good!" She said to the young dwarf and his grin broadened. As if she praised his ego, his chest puffed with pride.

"Yes, because it has been reserved for many years."

"Really! How old?" Sera asked.

"80 years."

"That's amazing!" She gulped it down in a gulp and asked, "can I have more?"

The young dwarf as well as the dwarves around them looked at her for a moment. No doubt, Demian was surprised too as he gave her a look. The people exchanged looks and Seraphina bit her lip forgetting about her behaviour in dragon territory. Celia would be so mad at her. Were they aware that she wasn't a princess? She almost felt like slapping herself when they cried in joy and the elder dwarf said, "Give the princes as much ale as she wants! Tonight, I shall join her as well. The feast shall begin now!"

They cheered happily and more ale came in their way as the elder dwarf joined her. Now that Seraphina announced she wanted more ale, the others came as well and in no time, they sat in round and became competitive against each other.

"I used to drink two barrels in earlier days!" The old dwarf hiccuped, "now I can't do it because of my old age!" He shook his head as a sigh left from him.

"That's why old man is loosing against the Princess," One of them said and the crowd started to laugh.

"You can't beat this old man yet..." He stretched his mug and shouted, "More ale! Don't let it stop from coming."

Seraphina laughed and she said, "You are like my father. He always competes against Merlene."

"Eh? Your old man can drink more than me?" He asked and the shock on his face made Seraphina giggle as she gulped another mug of ale.

"More than anyone in the g—" Seraphina halted and she remembered Demian was still there behind her. She had forgotten about him and swayed with them. These people were more like her guild members loud, boisterous and she felt in her element with them.

Seraphina almost forgot that she was in the dragon's land and not in her guild. For more, she was about to spill out the truth.

She placed her mug and said, "I'm done..."

"But we haven't even started yet..." The others pouted in their drunken state. No matter how much she wanted to go with the flow, she decided to stop otherwise Demian would be suspicious.