Dragon Tamer - Book 1

Chapter 71

"Good" Breen said, and after a hefty pause asked, "Where are your constant companions?"

Sebastian shrugged, "The tavern most like"

"Oh good, I was about to make my way there also, would you care to join me?" he asked, jumping at the chance.

Sebastian's eyes flickered from side to side nervously,

"Uh, the...Marcie said it would be better if I stayed away from prying eyes"

"No, I believe she said not to bring attention to yourself, not being seen for so long out and about will no doubt bring much attention, word is you have been ill but you are lucky the town has much to discuss other than yourself" he said,

"What is being said?" Sebastian asked curiously,

"Come with me to the tavern and I shall tell you" Breen said,

Sebastian considered for a moment then nodded.

Breen grabbed a hat on the way out the door, a small woven thing meant to ward off the heat of the sun and placed in on Sebastian's head, he flinched, almost imperceptibly but clearly saw the wisdom in hiding the unexplained white streak in his hair.

The tavern was practically empty except for Marcie's father curled up in a corner snoring. Breen led Sebastian to the furthest corner away from the sleeping man,

"Wait for me" he said with a wink and hurried upstairs, he followed the sound of his mothers gentle singing till he found her in the end bedroom, the one with the large windows, cradling little Myriam who was wheezing painfully, her plump face screwed up in pain, red and blotchy.

He nodded to his father who nodded back and gave his mother a gentle kiss on the cheek, she looked more worn than he had ever seen her, taking care of the inn and a newborn were hard work anyway without the whole village's wrath being focused on her favourite prospective daughter in law. Marcie probably would never marry Merrick but Luce held out hope and she seemed to truly believe that marriage would be the end to all Marcie's problems.

Breen handed over the phial and recounted the instructions, Luce looked relieved and squeezed his hand,

"You tell your wife, she is a blessing" she told him sternly, he smiled and promised he would.

He hurried back downstairs, filled two tankards with ale from the bar and carried them over to the table where Sebastian still waited.

They both drank in silence.

Marcie's father fell off his chair and continued sleeping on the floor.

Neither Breen nor Sebastian were inclined to help him in any way.

"What's the story with him anyway" Sebastian said, nodding in the drunks direction,

"He is Marcie's father" Breen said,

"Yes, I gathered that, but why the contempt for his daughter?"

Breen shrugged, he did not particularly wish to discuss Marcie and wondered if this was Sebastian's way of gathering information on his 'enemy'.

"Marcie's mother died, he was overwhelmed with grief and drinks himself into a stupor so the sadness stops, because her brother also ran away Marcie had to take care of herself"

They both took swings from their tankards

Sebastian lowered his then said, "The village, they are worried about her? About Marcie?"

Breen sighed, he leaned his head upon his hand,

"Yes. Marcie has always been...different. And, as I am sure u can imagine, this village does not like things that are different"

"Different how?"

"Please. You know how she id different"

"I know why I think she peculiar, however I do not know why the village think her so"

Breen debated how much to tell him then decided he could leave out a few key details without upsetting the truth.

"First it was her eyes, as a child she was sweet and the people tolerated her but kept a respectable distance. Then everyone left her, her mother dying, her father drinking and her brother eventually running away. She was alone and instead of marrying as she should have done she refused and has supported herself ever since. That is it"

He took another drink,

"That cannot be the whole reason" Sebastian said,

"Why?"

"People, even isolated people such as yourselves, do not shun someone simply because they have different coloured eyes and refuse to marry"

Breen scoffed, wiping his mouth with his sleeve,

"I think you overestimate peoples goodness"

"I believe there is more to it than that"

"Well that is basis of their hate but recently it has gotten worse"

"I noticed"

"Kena, my sister has been spreading rumours that Marcie used magic and then, when we went to go find the traders, she may have...killed someone"

Sebastian drained his tankard then wiped his mouth,

"I would not wish to be in her boots at this moment"

"Nor I"

The conversation wandered from there. Breen grabbed them more drinks until they both staggered down the tavern steps and found a quiet, seldom frequented spot and made furious and passionate love in the dust before finding their way back to Breen's home.

At the door to his room, Sebastian gave Breen a hesitant kiss and invited him inside.

Much later, Breen slipped quietly into his own room and carefully climbed into his bed which he shared with Justyna. He rolled over and, in the darkness saw Justyna's eyes shining, he stopped moving feeling suddenly guilty.

"I want a baby" she said, before he could say anything.

He squeezed his eyes shut,

"I can't"

"You can"

"Jus..."

"I have done some research, there is a concoction, hard to make but...it will enable you to give me children"

"It is impossible"

She was quiet for a time and he prayed she would say no more,

"Regardless"she said finally, "You will give me what I want, or I will find someone who can"

She turned over and Breen, the glow of his copulation with Sebastian fading fast cried silently into the night.