Dragon Hold

Prologue

   Aleksander sat at the bar and looked into the pint he held.

 "Hey Alek, I know it's rough, but I think you should head back home." The bartender leans next to Aleksander, speaking softly.

"I know. Ill head home after I finish this."

"what's keeping you here? "

 "I. I don't know." Alek scowls then quickly tosses back the last half of the drink in his hand. "ok. How much do I owe this time." The bartender looks at Aleksander smiles sadly and just says,

  "it's on the house today man. Don't get into too much trouble know. Be safe heading home." Alek grins back at him.

  "will do so. Thanks man. See you again." And turns to leave missing the concerned look the bartender gives him as he leaves. Alek looks up at the sky and watches for a moment as the it shifts from blue to fiery red and blazing orange. He sighs and starts to walk home. He smiles and waves back to the passing townsfolk as he makes his way back to his house. Back to ... his lady love. He sees his house a few moments later. He smiles brightly as he spots the door, yet his steps feel heavier the closer he gets. He quietly goes into his house and slowly takes off his shoes and neatly places his cloak onto the hook as he is supposed to.

"where have you been?" a soft, sweet voice calls out.

  "Darling! I didn't mean to wake you! I was just taking a walk through town. How are you doing?" Alek turns startled by his love standing in the entrance to the kitchen. He smiles at her lovingly and goes to walk towards her.

  "why do you smell like alcohol? Where you at the bar again? You know that its bad for you." She pouts at him, looking concerned.

  "I just had the one and I didn't spend anything on it other then my time." Princess scowls in that cute way Alek loves.

  "I don't like that bartender. I feel like he just fuels this addiction and is a bad influence on you. I really wish you'd stop seeing him." Alek frowns,

   "my love, he's my closest friend. The fact he sells alcohol doesn't mean I should just stop seeing him." Princess huffs and turns away.

"I hate how you don't trust me." Alek looks at her then turns to the kitchen.

"why were you in the kitchen anyways darling?"

  "well I was making you dinner because I thought you'd appreciate it but then I found out you've been drinking behind my back again." Princess says. Alek cringes. Princess looks at him finally with an angry face. "I'm heading back to bed. I expect you to be there after you eat, understood?"

   "yes darling, ill see you in just a few." Alek responds feeling defeated. He walks to the kitchen to quickly eat the meal his sweet fiancée made for him. He sat down and ate the simple meal of bread and cheese. After swallowing down the meager meal he went down the hall to their bedroom. He spotted his Princess already lying down facing away from him. Alek sighed and slowly got ready to go to bed, trying hard not to wake her up. He already felt horrible for making her upset with him earlier he didn't want to rile her up anymore. Alek got into bed and faced away from his fiancée knowing that she was not in the mood to cuddle. With everything that he had done that day and in the past weighing down on his mind, Alek fell into a dreamless sleep.