The Dragon's Last Nest

The Search

"We have checked with every Tom, d**k, and Harry. Esmerelda is not anywhere in this town." Joffrey removes his hat from his head and runs his plump fingers through his sweaty hair.

Leigh reaches down and gathers a long piece of grass from the ground. He pulls it out and sticks in the corner of his mouth."Well, maybe she didn't come through Cambridge, Joffrey." 

"Where else would Esmerelda have gone?" Joffrey waves his hands in the air. "Beacon Alley? That town is full of... of ..." Joffrey stops and stares down the road.

"What is it, Joffrey?"

"Beacon Alley is full of new guards."

"Really?" Leigh pulls the grass from his mouth in awe. 

 "Yes, Beacon Alley is where they are gathering newbies like you to take on the dragons. Esmerelda must have known to check there instead."

"Esmerelda is a smart one. I will give her that." Leigh puts the grass back in his mouth and chews on it.

Joffrey shakes his head. "I am surprised you aren't from there the way you act."

Leigh crosses his arms. "Hey! What is that supposed to mean?" 

Joffrey mumbles under his breath, "Nothing, Leigh. Let's go. Hopefully, Esmerelda is there. The King is getting more and more restless. We are running out of time."

"Fine, but you can tell me on the way there, what you meant by that comment." Leigh drops the grass to the ground and adjusts his oversized bag.

Joffrey rolls his eyes and marches forward with Leigh not too far behind. "Not likely."

"You are one miserable man, Joffrey."

"So you keep saying."

"Well, it's the truth. Maybe you just need to get laid. You know, I have saved a few coins. If you lack money, I can support a healthy cause and hire you, someone, for the night."

"That's enough, Leigh," he warns through his teeth.

"I mean it, Joffrey. Anything to cheer your miserable ass up." Leigh smirks. "It's either that or I  can sing to you again?"

"Maybe it would be best for the two of us to travel in silence." 

"Ahh, a song it is!" Leigh's chest pokes out with pride. He walks next to Joffrey and clears his throat."A one and a two... Therrrre once was a miserable old man, whooooo moannnned as much as he can!"

A flock of birds from the treetops screech in protest and scatter towards the cloud. Joffrey rubs his temples. "Dear God, help me."

*******

Back and forth, the trees whip from the raging storm. Soaked to the bone, Esmerelda covers her face with the side of her arm and pushes through the fierce wind. Esmerelda can barely see her hands in front of her face, let alone where she is going. Esmerelda's muscles ache from traveling for so long and not resting. Trusting in the dragon, Esmerelda never gives up.

"I hope I am close," she thinks to herself. 

Several lights glisten in the distance. Esmerelda glares through the rain and up the hill. "Lights!" Esmeralda's shoulders slump from relief. "Oh, thank God."

A new sense of energy surges through her body, giving her the strength to pick up the pace and run up the steep overgrown hill. At the top of the hill, she stops and grabs onto a huge tree to catch her breath. Esmerelda lays her head against the rough bark while taking a breath. 

The rain simmers down until all that remains are raindrops falling from the leaves on the treetops. Esmerelda sighs, feeling thankful she survived another storm. She stares at the town's lights and the small buildings and homes, knowing her fate is around the corner. "So, this is the Dark Bay. I have been dodging this miserable f*****g place for a while, but if this Ailwin guy knows how to get the eggs, I better get busy," She looks down at herself, "and go somewhere to get dry and changed too."

Esmerelda makes her way down the hill and investigates the streets. She scans the food markets and a bar, and a few men and women are walking down a cracked walkway. Two men in long black coats walk outside from a building with a broken stained window. One with brown curly hair and the other dark auburn curled just above his nose. When she walks by them,  they smile, and their brown eyes star way too long at her t**s and ass. 

The brown hair man winks. Esmerelda stares at his grungy teeth then back unkempt beard."Like what you see, Miss?" He asks as, licking his lips. Esmerelda could ignore them and keep going, but that has never been and will never be her style.

"May I help you, Miss?" The man with the red hair offers.

Esmeralda tilts her head and smiles, "Matter of fact, yes, the two of you can."

"Mmm," the man with red hair rubs himself, "That's what I am talking about. Here, let us show you our place. It's right in here," he gestures to the bar behind him.

Esmerelda saunters up to the two men and locks eyes with the man with red hair. "No, thank you. Here will do just fine."

The brown hair man steps closer and boldly lifts his chubby fingers and rubs them along her arm."Anywhere you would like, Miss."

Esmerelda smirks, "What I would like is to get warm."

"We would like that too." They step closer, both now stepping too close to her space.

"Yes, I like warm things," Esmerelda purrs, allowing them to enjoy the moment before she stops them." But I don't think you will do." 

The men stop and look confused. Just as quickly, they become mad and try to grab her. Esmerelda slides away. Her wet skin is too slick for them to hold."Tsk, tsk." She says and grabs the red hair man by the balls.

The man screams in pain and falls to his knees. The brown hair man comes from behind and grabs Esmerelda by the throat. "You shouldn't have done that, Miss."

"Why? because you wanted me to grab yours first?" She hisses.

"NO, because now we won't be easy on you." 

"Who says I am being easy on you?" She laughs.

The man slams her into the wall and lashes out," That's it! No more games! You are coming with us!" He looks down at his friend on the ground. "Get up, you fool!" 

"Sorry, Love. Not today."

In one quick twist, Esmerelda slides from his grips and pulls out her sword. Anger and fear spread across their faces. Esmerelda stabs the brown head man right through his heart and rips it out just as fast. The red hair man stares in horror and waves his hand in defeat. "Please, Miss!" He begs, "Please, "We were only joking around!"

Esmerelda shoves him to the wall with her bloody sword and presses it into his neck."Were you now?"

"Y-yes," he stammers against the blade.

"I don't have time for your petty games!" She hisses.

"P-please, spare me. I will help you. A-anything you need!"

"I need Ailwin Adryth!" 

The man's eyes appear puzzled and confused. He almost doesn't answer, but she presses harder, allowing the sword to cut against the skin. Tiny drops of blood trickle down as his lips tremble in fear. "Where is he?" Esmerelda growls.

"C-check t-the Harlots Place."

"Harlots?" she raises her eyebrow, "Hmm, Ailwin is at a brothel?"

"Y-yes," I promise you will find him there!" 

Esmerelda purrs and cuts off his neck. "Well, thank you, Love." 

Harlots... this should be interesting.