A Sprite and Her Dragon

A Sprite and Her Dragon

Alexandra A. Cheshire

Published by Howling Wolf Books at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Alexandra A. Cheshire

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All characters, events and places in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual people or places past or present is strictly coincidental.

Table of Contents

Flight

Refuge

Old Friend

Awakening

Captured

Recluse

Disenchanted

Observer of the Arcane

About Alexandra A. Cheshire

Other Works by Alexandra A. Cheshire

For the Tuesday night guys

J, Brien, and Nick

Flight

Did you find something? Pix's disproportionately large wings beat frantically as she hovers over the hole.

I don't know, The voice from the depths of the hole sounds irritated, I don't even know what I'm looking for. Why did we ever agree to this job anyway?

Because the fragment of copper we have left isn't enough to buy a tankard... nevermind a pitcher, Pix slowly lowers herself down, If we actually find this... whatever it is... there'll be gold all around.

That slimy weasel didn't look like he had real gold, The voice below Pix grumps, Curse all fay and their inattention to details.

Curse all delvars and their over consumption of drink, Pix finally reaches the bottom of the hole, If you want the details, don't drink so much.

The words earn Pix a glower from the squat muscular individual in front of her. The heavy mane of flame red hair is knocked back before arms thicker than Pix's body raise a pick axe to knock a chunk out of the wall. A second blow knocks more out of the wall. Then a third. However, the next blow bounces back with a resounding clang.

We've hit something.

The pickaxe is set aside and a spade picked up. As more and more dirt is knocked to the floor, the companions can see a dull grey metal. Eventually, the spade uncovers a metal sheet taller than the delvar and wider than Pix's full wingspan. What they can't see is any sort of opening.

Oh stand back. Pix snaps her fingers, causing a pinpoint of white flame to appear. She traces a rectangle on the metal large enough for her companion. Once she is done, a second snap of her fingers extinguishes the flame. The edges of the rectangle glow red hot for several minutes. Until the metal begins to cool, neither companion makes a move to touch the newly created door.

While they wait, the delvar packs his tools into a rough sack. Pix flutters up to check nothing has disturbed the wards around their campsite. Seeing nothing of interest, she descends back into the hole.

Finally, the metal stops glowing and the delvar eases it out of the wall. After he sets it aside, the companions peer into the darkness beyond. Pix grimaces and snaps her fingers. This time the flame is more yellow and less hot. By the light, they can see into a rectangular metal tunnel.

Cursed sprite! The delvar spits, Dig it up and go, you said. Easy gold...

Pix cuts him off, I don't know why you keep chosing to believe me. Anyway, might as well press forward.

Her companion mutters into his long red beard as he heaves his sack of tools over his shoulder and follows the sprite into the tunnel. Pix flutters along, never touching the metal around her. By contrast, the delvar is continually banging against the walls and his footsteps echo around them. The racket is enough to make Pix press hands over her ears.

Eventually, the long dark straight metal tunnel ends in a room too big for Pix's tiny flame to illuminate. Her companion comes up with a proper torch, which Pix lights before snapping her fingers to extinquish her flame. The larger light of the torch still isn't enough to illuminate the whole space. However, the companions can see enough for the moment.

Weapons and armors of all types and materials are piled in heaps, interspersed with mountains of jewels and precious metals. Along the nearest walls are shelves of huge tomes with metallic covers.

The delvar turns on Pix, Find one thing, you said. Easy gold...

That's what I was told. Pix retorts.

This's a cursed dragon hoard! The delvar roars, Never never never never ever and never again take anything from a dragon's hoard!

Dragons are long ago extinct, Pix flutters deeper into the room, Warred themselves to death. There's no dragon here to object if we take what we're being paid good gold to get.

Her companion mutters into his beard and refuses to take another step.

Pix flits from one pile of intriguing objects to the next. While there are many things she would happily help herself to, none of them seem like something they would have been sent to retrieve. The room contains enough valuables for several kings' treasuries and enough arms and armor for an equal number of kings' armies, but all the items are commonly available even in smaller settlements.

Then in the middle of the room, Pix comes across a pedestal. Carefully nestled in a cushion on top is the largest diamond Pix has ever seen. Even more interesting is it seems to glow with an internal light. She studies it curiously.

Gor! I think I found it! She hollers back to the delvar. Seconds later, she can hear the clump of his heavy boots and the racket of his sack of tools hitting objects around him. When he reaches Pix, his usually narrowed eyes widen and he swallows hard.

No one has enough gold for this.

Pix shrugs, Let's bag it and go, Her gaze drifts beyond the glowing stone and lights on an even odder item, Just a minute. She flutters over to a mound of what appears to be rags. It's very definitely cloth and neither of good quality nor in very large pieces. The whole thing looks out of place in the room full of treasures.

Let's go, you thrice cursed sprite! Gor's voice fails to hide his uneasiness.

You've cursed me more than thrice, Pix dives into the mound of scrap cloth, But since none of them take any debilitating shape, I don't pay them any mind. She scatters pieces of the cloth haphazardly around her as she tears into the mound to see if there is anything interesting inside. Near the bottom, she discovers a metalic egg of the same colour as the metal of the tunnel. It's warm to the touch and small enough to carry in her arms. Pix wraps it in a few of the larger scraps of cloth before carrying it over to where Gor is wrapping the glowing stone in an old jacket from his bag. Once he is done, he stows the rough parcel in with his tools.

If that brings trouble, it's all on your foolish head. Gor stomps off towards the tunnel, leaving Pix to flutter along in his wake.

Back at the far end of the tunnel, Gor returns the section of metal to the hole in the wall. Pix sets her burden aside long enough to weld it back into place with her hottest flame. Reclaiming her prize, she flutters up out of the hole. Gor follows by means of a rope dangling down the side.

As soon as they're back up top, Gor coils the rope into a neat pile. Then he retrieves a spade to fill in the hole while Pix checks the wards. On establishing nothing has disturbed them in the companions' absence, she stows her prize carefully in her own bag. Then she turns her attention to scraping together some supper from the few supplies they have left.

The wards ensure the companions an uneventful night. Come morning, they eat the last of their supplies, pack up camp, and begin the hike back to town.

The free town, or rather the good sized city, of Athelon is home to any and all creatures who wish to live as they see fit. An elected council keeps the heads of the guilds in check. In turn, the heads of the guilds keep their members in check. Those not affiliated with a guild survive as best they can on whatever the guilds and council don't care to claim.

Smooth stone walls set with watchtowers at the compass points ensure wild creatures stay outside. Guards at the gates ensure no one brings in anything visibly against the council's decrees. The bored brawny guard at the south gate barely glances over Pix and Gor as they pass him on their way through the gate.

Once inside the city, the companions head straight for the tavern where they had picked up the job. The early afternoon crowd is light and the bartender looks bored. Pix flutters up high enough to establish the person they're looking for isn't there. She beckons to Gor to follow her over to the bar.

You two found more copper? The bartender frowns at them.

Not yet, Pix admits, Seen our drinking buddy from the other night?

Not since you were with him, The bartender shakes his head, He's probably skipped town with whatever it was he promised you.

Pix rolls her eyes. Turning away, she flies straight to the door, passing over the head of several patrons already too deep in their tankards to care. Gor, having to go around the tables, reaches the door well after Pix has started down the street.

Will you wait, you cursed sprite! Gor adds something more into his beard as he hurries after his companion.

Pix finally slows down as she approaches the city's central square and Gor is able to catch up, although puffing and panting.

I forgot today would be the farmer's market, Pix purses her lips as she looks over the crowd ahead, Too many people right now. We'll have to think of something else.

How 'bout you think of something to get me a drink. Gor pants.

Pix rolls her eyes and flutters up above the crowd. Spotting an empty space between stalls, she darts over, again leaving Gor to follow as well as he can on foot. Pix lands in the spot and rummages through her bag for her harp.

Resting the instrument on one arm, she checks the sound of each string. After a few tries and a few minor adjustments, she brushes her fingertips across the strings. While she does so, Gor arrives, again out of breath. He retrieves a squat, cloth wrapped cylinder from his bag and unwraps a small drum. Then he settles himself on the ground beside Pix, the drum between his legs. A light tap tells him it's in perfect working order.

Pix holds her free hand where Gor can see it and uses her fingers to count off one, two, three. On three, Gor begins a soft, light rhythm, barely loud enough to catch the attention of those walking past. Gradually the drum beats grow louder although not faster. Once people start to pause and glance over, Pix begins picking out notes on the harp. Now people begin to stop and listen.

By the time the song ends, a crowd has gathered and the applause is loud.

Sing for us! Someone calls.

Thank you, kind sir, Pix shakes her head, But market decree forbids it.

Her reply draws a round of grumbling. To divert the crowd, Gor begins a stonger, faster rhythm which sets toes and fingers tapping. Pix's fingers fly over the harp strings, plucking out a cheerful melody. The crowd grows larger and the applause at the end is deafening.

Immediately, Gor switches to a softer beat and Pix's fingers trail over the harp strings. The melody is mournful and sets bodies gently swaying. A few are blinking back tears by the time Gor picks up the pace. Pix returns to plucking strings, her fingers flying again. Once again, fingers and toes are tapping. A few in the crowd even attempt to dance a few steps.

At the end of this fourth song, Pix bows and Gor raises a hand in salute to the crowd. The applause thunders over them.

That's all we're allowed, folks, Pix bows again, Time to go back to buying food and wares. She turns to pack up her harp while Gor wraps his drum. As they work, both full coins and fragments of metal rain down on the ground in front of them. Once the crowd has dispersed, Gor scoops the money into a large purse. Pix makes sure he doesn't miss the smallest fragment of copper.

The companions return to the tavern and claim a table in a sheltered corner. Gor tips out the purse so he and Pix can count their earnings. Pix grins as she finishes counting the metal fragments.

Almost a gold worth here. We'll live well for a while.

Better than that, Gor holds up a shiny yellow coin, A gold right here and nearly another three in silver and copper.

Pix's eyebrows shoot up, Who tosses a whole gold for market players?

A voice answers from behind her, One who has been waiting impatiently for a delivery.

Gor and Pix turn to look and see the greasy weasel face of their most recent employer. Small sharp eyes watch the companions carefully.

Sit, Gor quickly sweeps the coins and fragments into the purse, which vanishes from sight, You promised us gold.

And I'll pay you in gold, The weasel sits opposite the delvar, If you found the right item.

Take a look, Gor retrieves the large, glowing diamond from his bag and unwraps it long enough for the man to see it, Maybe next time you deal with fay, be a little more specific in your requests. Details slip their cursedly small minds as is.

The weasel eyes the stone greedily, I didn't dare be more specific, He lifts a bag onto the table, Count this... see if you think it sufficient for your troubles.

Gor keeps a hand on the diamond while Pix counts out more gold pieces than she has seen in one place in her life, not counting the dragon hoard. Her eyes are wide as she turns to her companion.

It's real gold... every last piece. She returns the coins to the bag.

Gor pushes the diamond across the table, All yours.

The stone vanishes just as quickly as Gor makes the bag of gold disappear.

One last thing, The weasel's eyes shift from Pix to Gor and back, You didn't remove anything else, did you? For your sakes, I certainly hope not. Such places are notorious for being cursed. He rises from the chair and vanishes into the now large and rowdy crowd.

Gor turns on Pix, You didn't say nothing 'bout curses.

Pix shrugs evasively, You curse things all the time... I don't see what one more round of worthless words could do. And look, we've been paid in gold... enough gold to live in luxury for a very long time. Let's find a meal worth eating and a keg for you.

Finally making some sense. Gor closes up his bag. Both companions stand and leave the tavern.

Out on the street, as the companions are debating which direction to turn, a well dressed male human appears, puffing and panting. Three heavily armed and armored guards accompany him.

There they are! The well dressed man points to Pix and Gor, The thieves... just like we were warned.

Pix frowns, Thieves? Us? Sir, you must be confused.

And just how many sprites travel in the company of delvars? The man retorts, You've stolen my gold and I will have it back!

Pix and Gor exchange a quick glance. Darting straight up, Pix snaps her fingers. The metal of the guards' muskets begins to glow and they drop them, blowing on suddenly burnt fingers. The well dressed man roars in