Dray was still fuming when he returned home after the visit to the village. Del had been supportive, but there were just no jobs for him there. A guy in the tavern suggested that he talk to someone named Wil. Apparently he was building a house for the three lords in town and he might need a hand. The guy couldn’t tell him where to find this Wil person, but he did mention that he’d probably be in for dinner later that evening.
That left Dray with an entire day to go through his cave and find out how someone could get in, and hope that nothing else had been taken. Otherwise his dragon was going to be pissed. Shifting, he flew to his treasure cave, returning to human form just inside the opening. Nothing seemed amiss, but a quick glance wasn’t going to reveal if anything was missing, so Dray moved forward to begin an in-depth investigation.
Four hours later and Dray had found a small opening, more of a crack, in the wall of the cave. Without his enhanced eyesight, he never would have seen it since no light was able to reach the area around the crack. Growling, Dray looked around until he found a rock to block off the opening. It wasn’t perfect, but it should be enough to stop some thief from getting into his cave.
Facing the opening of the cave, he realized the sun was setting. Not wanting to be late to the tavern in case he missed this Wil person, Dray had just taken a step when his foot came down on something.
“Ouch!”
Lifting his foot, he glared down at the offending ruby. After picking it up, Dray turned to return it to its pile, and instead froze in place. There, surrounded by gems of all shapes, was an empty spot where his prized sapphire should have sat. He heard the sound of the ruby falling to the cave floor, but his eyes were glued to the vacant spot. He was so used to it being there that he hadn’t even bothered to check on it when he’d been searching for anything missing.
Dray wasn’t even aware of shifting into his dragon form, his mind still unable to process what he was seeing. The bellowing of his dragon finally registered, and he wrestled control back just as the dragon got airborne, destruction on its mind. Casting his mind out, he searched for the stone that wasn’t a stone. Relief swamped him when he located it, followed quickly by confusion. Instead of the usual nothingness he got from the stone, there was warmth and contentment flowing through the link.
What the…
Landing on the ground, Dray shifted back and looked around the cave, hoping that something would jump out at him and explain what the hell was going on. His gaze snagged on the recently covered crack in the wall, instincts telling him his visitor had something to do with his missing gem.
Tomorrow, I’ll uncover the crack and see if the thief returns. Only this time, I’m not leaving my cave until the culprit is caught.
Dray spun around and stormed to the cave’s opening, then shifted back into his dragon form before flying off. He had a man to meet about some possible work.
Upon walking into the tavern, Dray was assaulted by sounds and scents. It seemed that a lot of people were not interested in making their own meals and therefore they’d descended on the tavern. Making his way to the bar, he waited until someone came to him, scanning the room as he did so.
“See something you like, handsome?” a woman’s voice practically purred next to him.
As he turned to look at her, Dray didn’t think before he spoke. “No.”
He watched as she took a step back and started sputtering, her face turning a dark shade of red while he tried to think of a way to reword what he’d just said. Before he could come up with something, she turned and stomped off into the crowd. A male laugh from behind had him spinning around.
“Man, the look on her face! That was the best thing I’ve seen…ever!” The stranger chuckled, then held out his hand. “The name’s Wil. I hear you’ve been looking for me?”
Dray blinked, then reached out to shake Wil’s hand. “Dray, and yes, I was looking for you,” he said, releasing the hand.
“Well, what can I do for you?” Wil asked, leaning an elbow on the bar.
Dray noted the shaggy black shoulder-length hair and the amber eyes of the man in front of him. While he might look relaxed, Dray could tell that he was alert. The eyes made him guess that Wil was a wolf shifter.
“I’m hoping you might have a job for me,” Dray admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.
Wil frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever been approached for a job before. Can I ask why you’re looking?”
It took all of his willpower not to look at the ground, but Dray did it. “My previous line of employment is apparently no longer needed,” he admitted, hoping Wil would leave it at that.
“I’d love to help you out, Dray, but you need to give me a bit more information than that.”
Dray sighed. “Have you heard of the dragon who fell asleep and let the princess he was guarding sneak out and run away?”
“Yeah…”
Dray watched and waited to see how long it would take Wil to figure it out. It didn’t take long at all.
“Ah, I see. Well, I’m sure you’ve heard I’m building a house for the three id—” Wil cut off what he was saying and cleared his throat. “Uh, three lords. You’re more than welcome to come and help with that, although I have to warn you, I can’t pay much.”
The way he said much made Dray think Wil probably didn’t have anyone because he couldn’t afford them, and it prompted him to make his offer.
“You don’t have to pay me, just getting me out and about is all the payment I need. I’m going a little crazy doing nothing, and my only alternative is to spend time with my brother. I love him to bits, but he would drive me crazy after a while.”
His honesty caused Wil to laugh, and Dray had to admit that while he had a nice laugh and smile, it didn’t stir his interest at all.
Figures. Oh well, I can always do with more friends.
“I know the feeling. Okay, how about you meet me at Dragon’s Keep after sunrise tomorrow morning, does that work for you?” Wil asked after he got his mirth under control.
“Sure, sounds perfect. I’ll see you then.”
After getting the confirmation, Dray turned around to leave the tavern. He’d grab something to eat at Del’s place. He just had to escape the noise and smells. When he reached the door, he thought he felt eyes on him, but a quick glance around didn’t reveal anyone looking in his direction so he shrugged and left.
****
Pib watched the man leave the tavern and licked his lips while his cat gave a small purr. Both he and his serval wanted to nibble on the man’s ass, amongst other body parts.
“So it looks like I have an employee,” Wil stated as he sat down in the chair opposite Pib, forcing his attention away from the now empty doorway.
“Oh?” Pib asked, only mildly interested.
“Yup, a dragon by the name of Dray,” Wil said, taking a drink of the beer he’d left on the table.
Everything within Pib froze with Wil’s declaration.
A dragon? What are the odds that I run into a dragon in the cave and now a dragon is going to be working with Wil?
Pib tuned Wil out as he thought back to what had happened earlier in the day. By the time their food was placed in front of them, Pib had come to the conclusion that there was no way the dragon, if it was the same one, could know he’d been in his cave. He’d left no scent or any other evidence to indicate it was him that had been in his lair and not someone else. Relieved that he hadn’t been discovered, Pib dug into his food at the same time as Wil, both of them too busy eating to talk.
Halfway through their meal of steak and vegetables, the door to the tavern opened, and Pib saw three men stroll in like they owned the place. It took him seconds to know all he needed to about them. The extra weight they carried showed that they obviously didn’t do any manual labor, and the high quality of their clothing showed their wealth. Pib was confident they wore no weapons, and that was something he was very good at detecting.
Everyone seemed to pause in what they were doing, but Pib just kept eating, pretending to be focused on his food while taking advantage of the hood covering his face, which allowed him to keep an eye on the men. He could tell Wil was just as aware of the men, but like Pib, he kept his focus on his food. Neither of them showed any reaction when the men walked over to their table.
“Wil, we want a word with you,” the man in the middle said, his tone more demand than request.
Pib couldn’t tell the difference between the three men, but he suspected that it was the eldest, Harry, that was speaking. They were brothers, born a year apart, but they looked like triplets. Harry, Larry, and Perry had grown up with wealthy parents and had never worked a day in their lives. They always acted like they owned everything, and Pib was pretty sure that they did own quite a bit of the land in their little village but not all of it.
Not our home, that’s for sure.
He sat quietly, leaving this to Wil to handle, but if his brother needed anything, well, Pib had his blades on him. Smirking, he leaned back and started to play with the knife he’d been using to cut his steak. He was surprised they’d waited until now to confront Wil in public.
“What can I do for you on this fine evening?” Wil asked, looking up at the men and causing Pib to almost burst out laughing at the tone that practically oozed the hidden message of fuck you.
“Perhaps we can talk outside,” the man ground out between obviously clenched teeth.
Looks like someone doesn’t want witnesses. Well, too bad.
“I suppose we can do that.” Wil paused, then turned back to his food. “I’ll be there as soon as I finish my meal.”
Pib’s snicker was drowned out by the gasps from the two brothers who had yet to speak.
The eldest sputtered, then narrowed his eyes. “Fine, we tried to keep this private for your sake, but since you have decided to be rude, you give us no choice. You owe us money for breaking your lease, and for that, we’re deducting this month’s payment for your work.”
The look of triumph on the man’s face and the barely controlled rage on Wil’s had Pib’s blood boiling and his serval snarling.
“He owes you nothing, you greedy pigs,” Pib declared, twirling the knife again.
“And who the fuck are you?” Harry demanded, his face going red.
“Me? I’m the last person you want to get into a pissing contest with. I have no issues with seeing your blood spilled.”
Pib smiled in satisfaction as all three of their faces paled. Harry seemed to recover first, although he remained slightly pale.
“He owes us money,” Harry stated, not sounding as confident as he had a few minutes ago.
“No, I don’t. I gave my letter and the money to your butler. A few days ago, might I add,” Wil growled out.
“Yes, well, it wasn’t enough. It only covered one month, not the additional months’ notice you are supposed to give us,” Harry stated, straightening.
“Since you made me pay my rent a month in advance, the money you were given covers the one month notice period. I owe you nothing, and if you withhold payment, then I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Hurt us, maybe?” Harry scoffed. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“He wouldn’t have to. I’d do it for him,” Pib declared.
“You dare to threaten us? Do you have any idea who we are?” Harry snarled.
“Yes, you’re the three jackasses who think they own the village,” Pib replied, lazily twirling the knife while keeping his eyes on the men.
“We don’t think we own the village. We do own the village!” Harry yelled, and Pib wanted to laugh at how many people in the tavern frowned and glared at the three oblivious men.
Before he could comment, Harry turned to Wil. “Wherever you’ve moved to, it belongs to us, so you still owe us rent!”
Pib laughed. “You don’t know where he’s living, but you’re assuming that wherever it is, it belongs to you? Man, you are dumb.” He watched as Harry sputtered, then continued talking when Harry opened his mouth to speak. “You don’t own the village, and you sure as hell don’t own our cottage!”
“Who are you? His lover?” one of the younger brothers sneered.
“Close. I’m his brother,” Pib announced, reaching up and dropping his hood, revealing his face.
He smirked when the younger brothers turned around and ran out of the tavern, leaving Harry standing there, pale and swaying.
“I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully, Harry.” Pib paused, letting it sink in that he’d used his name and not some title. “Threaten my brother again, and I will happily introduce you to my blades and claws. In fact, leave all of the townspeople alone, understand, Harry?”
He watched as Harry nodded quickly before turning around and practically running out the door. Pib shook his head and looked at Wil, which happened to be a mistake. In seconds, the two of them were laughing their heads off before the entire tavern joined in.
Above the laughter, a voice was heard. “A toast! Welcome home, Pib!”
Pib was surprised that so many people not only recognized him but were happy to see him. It was definitely a change, but a welcome one.