Invading Will, Chapter 3 Part 3
#10 of Invading Will
Invading Will
Chapter 3
Part 3
By: D. C. Henry ("Ahndeleck")
"Raogothcar," Glen said, "where did you come from before you came here?"
"Hmm? Oh, my parents lived in northern Esmorin. They suggested I go west to find a place to live. I thought that maybe going north would be a better idea, but they seemed certain I could find a good place somewhere over here."
"How old are you Raogothcar?" Benjamin asked.
"Benjamin, that doesn't matter." Glen said.
"I'm eighty-seven this year."
"That's wonderful," Benjamin said, "More children I get to look after. All these apprentices and now a dragon fresh from the nest, always more work."
The three of them started climbing the stairs, which lead up to a landing then split to either side. Raogothcar followed the two mages as they turned to his right. The stairs seemed to curve with the shape of the tower, very slowly curving as they rose. There were large windows to his left, which gave wonderful views of the courtyard around the tower. Opposite the large windows spaced on the wall, were banners. The first they passed was the banner of Freeraven, Bright blue with the golden winged sword. The banners ahead of him were all different, a darker blue with a boat, then a green banner with a tree and a raven, and a yellow with what he guessed were winged farm tools.
"Raogothcar, what do think about staying here," Glen asked, "in Freeraven? The people here would definitely appreciate your company I believe."
"I would like to stay very much. Although, I don't know the people very good yet. I only know Deanna very well, and she doesn't seem to like me very much."
"She can be very focused on her work and forget her manners. Most of the other people wouldn't be like that much."
"Are there other dragons in the nation?"
"Yes," Benjamin said, "There are a few others. Only four that stay here in the country though I believe. Although, earlier in the spring and late in the fall we have several that come to Ravenstone. We're the largest human city this close to the untamed lands to the west. We see several travel through here."
"I thought about traveling around," Raogothcar said, "but it doesn't sound like much fun and I have too many things in my den to give them up right now. Maybe later I can wander, but not right now. I like it here I think."
"That's very good news," Glen said, "News I was hoping to hear. Freeraven could use a friendly dragon nearby. The others live very far from town and its always hard to visit them."
"Father always told me that its easy for us to visit you, but much harder for you to visit us. It makes sense, but I didn't want it to be hard for anyone to visit me. I like humans."
"You use the circle craft right?" Benjamin asked.
"Oh yes, I use a lot of circles, and there are several I'm still trying to learn to draw properly. Sometimes the order is very confusing I find. My mother always said I was very good at those. But father said that if I keep practicing my flash magic, that I could be very good in the future."
"You haven't picked one yet? I've never heard of any mage or dragon being any good at both. You should stay with circle magic, there is so much more you can do with circle magic."
"Benjamin," Glen patted his apprentice on the shoulder, "You must have forgotten when that young lady from Farm Cross that managed to leave you unconscious a few years back when you said a few things you shouldn't have."
Glen laughed as Benjamin's face turned red. Raogothcar wasn't certain what they were talking about, but he smiled anyway. Glenn's laugh sounded good to him. They made it to a large landing, which appeared to be a sort of crossroads within the tower. Ahead of him, Raogothcar could see several long steps leading up further into the tower. To his side, a long tall hallway lead to the other side of the tower it seemed, he could see the landing at the further side.
In the center of the hallway, halfway between the two landings the pillar from below continued up to the floor above. Here too the pillar was covered in tapestries. Near the pillar a very large double set of doors stood open. He could see they were easily twice his own height, with life sized relief work in the wood depicting some sort of feast at a table. Coming from the doorway was shouting and rattling of metallic things. Raogothcar couldn't guess what the humans in the room beyond were doing, but it sounded interesting.
That leads to the great hall here in the tower." Glen said, "That will be where the celebration will be held later tonight. Across from the hall are kitchens and other servant quarters and rooms. Laundry and cupboards and things, nothing very exciting really."
"I don't know," Raogothcar said as he eyed the several smaller doors dotting the hallway, "they could be interesting. What is laundry?"
"Something I dare say you don't have to worry about much." Benjamin said.
"Above us is where you will be staying," Glen said as he started forward again, "So it will be easy to find your way back. Of course if you ever get lost or need anything Raogothcar, just let anyone know. The servants and guards of the tower as always very helpful."
"Not always if you ask me."
"We're not asking you Benjamin. Although, I would add Raogothcar, that they will only treat you as nice as you treat them."
Raogothcar nodded slowly as they walked further up the stairway. Now he could look out a window over the walls of the courtyard and see the rooftops of the buildings nearby. He wasn't high enough yet to see into the city properly, and nothing like the view he normally received when he flew over the city, although he liked the feeling of being inside a human structure. It made him feel like they wanted him there, that they liked him.
Soon the three of them came to another landing. This one was much like the last one, only the hallways were made smaller than the ones below them. These there were several smaller wooden doors that lined the hallway. In the center of the hallway the familiar pillar continued upward. Raogothcar was interested to see several hallways breaking off at different points. A couple guards walked slowly down the hall towards them.
"This is where your room will be," Glen said, "if you would like of course. Some of these were made with dragons in mind from before humans ever took control of this tower."
"Did this used to be an elvish tower?" Raogothcar asked.
"It was yes. There were some old elvish history books found when my ancestors fist arrived at he tower. Its been written that this was the site of a rather large shrine or temple. We don't know what it was for though. We think though that this tower might be as old as Human-kind."
"Wow, that is pretty old. Are the books still here? Could I read them?"
"Perhaps in time, but let's find your room first. I could have a few book sent down for you. And I am sure you have things you would want to write down?"
Raogothcar looked down at his leather bag, there had been so many different things that had happened. It would be a good idea to write everything down before he forgot any of the details.
"Yes, I think that might be best. Where have you put me here? They all look the same to me."
"Right this way Raogothcar," Glen said, he started forward and looked to Benjamin, "Benjamin, tell their majesties that we've given Raogothcar the North Dragon's room. Then I am sure you'll be needed at the great hall."
"Always more work." Benjamin said as he turned back to the stairway behind them.
The two of them walked to the second hallway, and then turned towards the north. Raogothcar found it amazing that the floors and walls were so well polished. He could see his reflection in them as well. For a building as old as the humans, he was very surprised it was still in such a perfect condition. His mother had told him that some of the elf buildings would keep their stature and condition even after care for the building stopped. This building must have been very well built though, no building could survive so well he thought.
"Ahh here we are, The North Dragon's room." Glen said stopping before a large set of wooden doors. "There are four different rooms for dragons, this one is the largest of them all. If you need anything, please just let us know will you?"
"Yes, I will. When will the feast be? And, what is going to happen later? At this feast I mean. I've never been to a feast before, I don't know what they're like. Mom and dad never took me to a feast before."
"There will be plenty of music, talking food, even some singing and other things." Glen said with a smile, "All of the nobles from the other towns in Freeraven will be there as well. The king would also like to make your formal announcement there during the feast as well. He would like make you a citizen, if you would like of course."
"I would love to." Raogothcar said as he hopped in place. "I don't think I've ever been a citizen before. Is it hard?"
Glen chuckled, then shook his head slowly, "No, its not very hard."
"This sounds like it's going to be very fun. I've only heard stories about feasts, and I think father only went to one. Mom said she'd never gone either. I'll have to write all about it and show them. When is it going to be?"
"The feast won't be till tonight, since the cooks only started yesterday. I'll send someone to tell you when the feast starts, so you can be ready if you would like?"
"I would like that Glen, thank you." Raogothcar smiled, then raised a paw to open the doors.
"Then I shall see you this evening Raogothcar." Glen said as he bowed, then he turned and walked down the hallway.
Raogothcar watched him go for a moment. After several seconds he turned back to the room before him. It had a generous amount of space with a high enough ceiling for him to walk comfortably in. When he walked into the room he could smell the flowers on the little stand by the mound of pillows at the back of the room. Raogothcar hoped to remember to get several pillows like those for his own den. Two steps inside the floor suddenly felt soft; he looked at the floor to find a rich, detailed carpet made to resemble some sort of grass. Then with slowly gazing eyes he looked about at all the other hung tapestries. Raogothcar sat down, tucking his tail around him, and stared at the artwork displayed for a moment. On his right wing side was a little fountain made right out of the wall of the room. The fountain flowed down the wall and into a small channel in the floor that lead into the next room. The adjoining room looked like a small pool, it reminded him of the spring back at his den, only built completely out of smooth stone. Raogothcar though he might try decorating his den like how the humans had decorated this room, he liked it.
After the moment's pause to take in his surroundings, his eyes fell back to the pile of pillows at the back of the room. His whiskers slowly drew up as he grinned at the inviting pile of assorted colors. He moved from a sitting position into a crouch, but then thought better of it as he remembered he just walked into the room. With a turn and a few steps he stood by the open door to his room. With care, he reached out into the hall and grabbed the gold handled door and silently pulled it shut.
During a cautionary moment, Raogothcar listened to any movements outside as he tilted his head to one side to listen. Absentmindedly he reached up and gently pulled at a whisker with a wing until he decided that no one was about. He scampered around to face the pile of pillows once again and the grin returned. He crouched once again, and flexed his wings hard against his sides as he shifted back and forth to ready himself. Finally he sprung forward in a run and leaped into the massive pile of pillows, scattering several across the room.