Draggons by Don Newton

Author:Don Newton [Newton, Don]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-09T16:00:00+00:00

***

Jed sauntered along the walkway, pointing at the frame holding the buildings against the wall of the cavern. “That’s why they look like they’re floating: those Duranium rods embedded in the rock.”

Space was at a premium in the narrow bottom of the cavern, so the Lunans built up instead of out. Buildings covered the cave walls. They were spaced ten-feet apart and stacked four levels high. A network of metal ramps, steps, and walkways connected everything.

The streams converged at the center of the cleft. They emptied into a small lake; there was a walking path surrounding it. Mothers and children played along the water’s edge, while flocks of birds wheeled overhead or flitted amongst the trees. It was beautiful. They could see it better now from the landing in front of Gretta’s Hovel: a seedy-looking tavern sandwiched in-between a butcher’s shop and a weapon-store.

“This is nice.” Garrian waved one hand at the scenery, then pointed at Gretta’s. “Why are we here again?”

“Relax, buddy!” Jed winked at him. “I need to talk to someone for one minute, and then we’ll go see Rolly, you have my word.” The grin on his face widened, and he headed for the door of the tavern.

Zevo looked at Garrian and shook his head. They both protested, but Jed was beyond listening; he shoved the door open and stepped into the dim light inside, holding his arms out. “Did you miss me?” he yelled.

There was a second of silence while all the heads swiveled, then everyone in the tavern erupted in a loud cheer. People slapped him on the back and shook his hand, trying to convince him to sit with them, but Jed made his way to the bar instead, all apologies and silly grins.

The bartender saw him coming and shook his head and his finger. “You can’t be in here, Jed. You’re banned.”

“Oh, come on, Karlo,” Jed said, hopping onto a barstool, “it was only one fight, and they deserved it…”

“Look, I agree with you, I do,” Karlo nodded, “but Gretta doesn’t, and she banned you. You better leave before she gets back, she’s not having a good day.”

“Psshhh,” Jed made a noise that sounded like an air leak. “Gretta and I have an understanding. I’ll talk to her; everything will be fine. In the meantime, set my buddies here up with a drink, whatever they want, put it on my tab…”

Karlo picked up a towel and started polishing glasses. “You don’t have a tab, Jed; she cut you off. You still owe us two hundred credits.”

Jed’s eyes widened. “What’s credits between friends?”

“Credits keep this tavern running…” The voice was female, and it came from the doorway behind them. There was a particular bite to it.

“I warned you to leave,” Karlo said, shaking his head, “now it’s on you.”

Jed spun around on his stool, and a huge smile spread across his face. “Gretta! My love!”

She wasn’t what you might call beautiful, but she was a good deal better than average. She was carrying a box with several bottles in it, he walked over and took it from her and brought it to the bar.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.