Bewitched

5 Damn witches

The air was cold but Clossos didn’t mind. He was back in his dragon self, flying through the sky across the continent. His bright red scales protected him from the weather and his eyes scanned the land below constantly.

He was a few days behind Aurora and he did everything he could to get her before they reached the land of witches. He, however, knew it wasn’t likely for him to get her before they reached the borders, but he forced his wings to work overtime nonetheless.

Clossos had time to think while roaming the sky. He thought about everything. His brother and Keila at home, his sister Mia and the two little babies whose lives were at stake.

He felt guilty for not being able to be there for them, but something or rather someone was demanding his attention and he was sure there was nothing Kronos couldn't handle.

That little witch with those unique eyes was buried deep in his thoughts. She saved his life after all, well not literally, but it felt as if she did.

He just couldn’t abandon her when she didn’t have anyone else.

He forced his wings to carry his humongous body to the ground when he reached the borders and the carriage was nowhere to be found.

Landing a few miles away from the borders, on the edge of the no-man’s-land, he decided it was time to walk from now on.

A huge red dragon could be expected in the dragon land, but not here. He had to be careful if he wanted to help her and not get himself into some trouble.

Clossos hadn’t thought much about his plan before he flew away from his own kingdom. He was clever enough to bring a bag of clothes in his claws, but that was it.

He wasn’t even sure where were the borders of the witch kingdom.

Sighing, he put on his clothes in the forest and started walking. Now he had to figure out what to do. Would they let him just walk into their kingdom?

Most kingdoms couldn’t guard their borders and he was just one man, so there was no reason for him not to get past the borders, except one. They were damn witches. Who knew what could witches really do?

There was also one more issue. He feared they would know what he is and a dragon would be probably feared or even attacked.

These were, however, questions he didn’t know the answer to, or at least not now. So he just started to walk through the woods that were getting thicker and thicker.

He had never been here before but the land seemed beautiful from above. The young dragon found unexpected joy in walking through the forest. There were some trees he didn’t know and he liked the way the soft wind played with the branches.

After being a dragon for so long, he particularly enjoyed walking on two feet. It was certainly easier than moving a long scaled body and a huge tail.

Soon, he found himself having a walk instead of being sent on a quest but he was soon reminded of the reasons for him to be there.

He walked out of the forest and right in front of him was a village. It seemed quite big from afar, which was surprising with the borders being so close.

Did he pass the borders already?

He couldn’t wait on the edge of the forest forever, so he left the safety of the trees.

The village looked almost normal. There were people walking around, talking. Some were heading to their homes and some were going outside.

They looked just like humans back at home, nothing weird about them.

That was until he saw a little potion shop. They didn’t have those back home.

Some people were looking at him here and there as he was walking around but they mostly minded their own business.

For now, he just wanted to see more. He walked to someplace that looked like a square. There were some stalls with everything, people trying to sell this and that.

Apart from the normal stuff, like clothes and food, he could see a lot of herbs and all weird stuff, like animal parts or different kinds of liquids.

“Hey, tall guy!” resonated a voice when he was at the end of the square.

Clossos turned around, searching for the source of the voice. Was he talking to him?

There was a short man, standing at the door of a building which looked like a pub or maybe a tavern.

“Yes, you.” He looked right at him and motioned for him to move closer.

Clossos wasn’t sure what he could possibly want, but went ahead, towering over the man in the doorway.

“You look lost. You aren’t from here, are you?”

“No, I’m not.” Admitted Clossos with his guard up.

“Do you want a job for today? I have some hard work planned for today and we are short on staff. You look quite strong. I can pay you a little or give you food and a room if you want.”

Clossos narrowed his eyes, thinking. He was tired and hungry. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to wait here until tomorrow and rest a little. He had no idea where to go anyway.

“I could use a place to stay for tonight and some food.” He said and the man smiled at him.

“Great! So come on you giant.” Clossos chuckled, he did look like a giant compared to the short man in front of him.

“What kind of work am I going to do anyway?” he asked while following the man inside.

It was a small tavern with only a few people inside. Clossos had never been to a place like this, he was a prince after all and there was also the whole dragon thing.

“Carrying barrels and other stuff from one place to another mostly.” The man said as they walked through the building to the back entrance.

There was a huge coach full of boxes and barrels. “You can start with the beer.” The man said and Clossos grabbed the first thing off the coach.

*****

“He looks strong, but I’m telling you, he did all the work like it was nothing.” The innkeeper told his wife excitedly.

Clossos was sitting on the other side of the table, hungry, as the man’s wife and daughters brought the last food to the table.

They all sat down and Clossos looked around the table, waiting for what would the others do.

“Go on, eat. You deserve it.” Said the man and started to fill his own plate with food.

Clossos didn’t have to be told twice. He started eating, stuffing his face. He wasn’t this hungry in quite some time but he couldn’t even think about food lately.

“It’s delicious.” He complimented the women and continued to eat.

“So, where are you from?” asked one of the man’s daughters, scanning the young man in front of her from head to toe.

“I’m from the east,” Clossos replied, not wanting to offend them but not to tell to much either.

“East? So what are you doing here?” asked the older woman curiously.

Clossos paused for a bit, not sure if he should tell.

“We don’t have many strangers around here.” The man explained and continued to eat the food his family had made him.

“Actually, ..” Clossos trailed off, straightening in his chair. “I am looking for someone. A young witch.”

“Your lover?” asked the older daughter. “That’s so romantic..” she gushed.

“No, nothing like that. We’re friends and I owe her.” Clossos tried to explain, getting a little uncomfortable. “She needs my help.”

“What happened to her?” asked the man, now a lot more interested in the conversation.

“She was sent here, but I don’t know where to look for her,” Clo admitted, looking down.

“And who is this witch friend of yours anyway? Maybe we know her. Witch families are sometimes well known.” Said the wife. She looked like a nice woman and she was quite a good cook.

“Her name is Aurora. She has dark hair and each eye a different colour. One is blue and the other one is violet.”

“Violet? She has violet eyes and she’s your friend?” The man asked, not caring about his food any more.

“Just one violet eye,” Clossos replied, switching his eyes from one person to another. The whole atmosphere was now very different.

The warm family meal turned into a tense situation, everyone waiting for what would happen next.

“What’s wrong with her eyes?” Clossos decided to ask.

“Nothing.” The man replied and stood up from the table.

“Where did he go?” Clo turned to the man’s wife after her husband had left the room.

She looked quite tense as well, not looking him in the eye.

“Probably just for a cup of ale.” She forced him a smile and continued to eat, picking at her food.

Clossos didn’t understand what happened but he knew something wasn’t right.

“Well, thank you for the food but I think I won’t stay for the night, I should continue on my journey.” He didn’t wait for them to say anything else and headed for the door but as he walked out of the tavern, a group of men in armour was standing on the square, the innkeeper with them.

“That’s him.” He said and the guards moved towards him.

“We need you to come with us.” Said one of them, approaching slowly.

“Why?” Clo asked, taking a step back from them.

“We just need to ask you a few questions.”

So much for not getting into any trouble. Damn witches!