Falling Ashes (31 page)

‘Where are we?’ asked Fae.

‘A town called Port,’ I said. ‘A small fishing community.’

‘Why are we here?’

‘There’s someone I need to see.’

‘Who? It’s not a man, is it?’

I sighed. ‘Don’t be so judgemental.’

‘Who is he?’ Fae crossed her arms and scowled.

‘His name is … wait a minute … you’re not jealous, are you?’

‘What?
No
. Don’t be stupid.’

I smirked, unconvinced. ‘His name is Dagon, and he wanted to help me last time we met.’

‘Yeah, I’m sure he wanted to
help
you,’ said Fae, her tone sarcastic. ‘He probably wanted to get into your-’

‘Drop it, okay? Let’s get the Vulmessian’s hidden before we find him.’

‘Hidden?’ repeated Fae. ‘Why do we need to hide them?’

‘I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we are currently accompanied by three large foxes, one of which is large enough to swallow a man whole.’

‘Don’t you remember what I told you?’ said Fae. ‘You’ve got a reputation to uphold. You’re Avalon Redding, leader of the rebellion. You play by no one's rules!’

‘Are you my friend, or my advisor?’ I muttered under my breath.

‘I heard that.’

‘So what do we do?’ I asked.

‘We let everyone see how powerful the Fire-Mage is.’ Fae winked. ‘You’re going to ride around on Hawthorne and let everyone see you.’

‘Everyone?’

‘
Everyone
,’ Fae confirmed.

‘And if someone tries to capture me?’

Fae rolled her eyes. ‘You’re safe with Hawthorne, Emilija, Shadow, and me to help you.’

To be honest, I did feel extremely safe. Untouchable, even. Perhaps Fae was responsible for my overinflated ego.

‘So where do we find this Dango character?’

‘His name is
Dagon
,’ I said.              

‘That’s a stupid name,’ retorted Fae.

Ignoring Fae’s remark, I continued, ‘I don’t know where his house is, or if he is at sea, but I know his grandfather owns that Inn.’

Fae looked over her shoulder at the seaside Inn and sighed. ‘Let’s get this over with.’

~

Upon entering the Inn and talking with Merl, we learned where Dagon lived, and were pleased to hear that he was indeed on land. Merl did not have any hard feelings regarding my sudden, and rather rude, departure from his care. On the contrary, he was pleased to see me, and said that Dagon had been talking of no one else.

‘A bit smitten with yeh, I think,’ Merl grinned.

‘I think not,’ I said, turning crimson.

Thanking Merl for the information, Fae and I headed for Dagon’s house, which was on the other side of town. We did not attempt to hide the Vulmessians as we walked through the streets. Many people stared at the creatures, others fled. Some children cried, whilst others laughed. There was even one little boy who was brave enough to ask if he could pat them. On the whole, however, the normal reaction was one of fear. Fae seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly, revelling in the commotion she caused astride Shadow.

We carved a path through the townspeople, and I noticed that no one was looking at me or Fae. All eyes were drawn to the animals. It occurred to me that I could probably walk down any street without being recognised.

Finally, we found Dagon’s home; a little cottage tucked behind a bakery. The smell of fresh bread reached my nostrils, and my stomach grumbled loudly. Without hesitation, I dismounted Hawthorne and walked to Dagon’s front door, knocking upon the wood loudly.

I could hear heavy footfalls from inside the cottage, and the thought of large Dagon in this tiny house made me smile.

The smirk was still plastered to my face as Dagon answered the door. At first, he seemed stunned to see me, but his face broke into a grin after the initial shock passed.

‘Avalon!’ he said, seemingly pleased. ‘What a surprise!’ Dagon’s eyes travelled over my head to the company I kept. His smile faltered when he saw Hawthorne, Emilija, and Shadow.

‘Can we come in?’ I asked.

‘We?’ repeated Dagon faintly.

Fae dismounted Shadow and stood by my side; Willow and Rue in her arms. She looked at Dagon shrewdly, a discontent expression on her face.

‘Fae and I,’ I said. ‘Oh, and the pups.’

Dagon exhaled, relieved. ‘I thought you meant those big animals.’

I smiled. ‘I don’t think they’ll fit through the door.’

‘They’re not going to tear up the lawn, are they?’

‘They’ll behave perfectly,’ I promised.

Dagon stepped aside and let me and Fae cross the threshold. It was a very cute cottage inside; all the furnishings were wood, and the ceilings were low, which meant Dagon had to stoop to fit through the doorways.

‘Your house is lovely,’ I said, following Dagon through the hall into the sitting room.

‘Thanks, it was me Ma’s. Sit down.’ Dagon indicated to the floral sofa in front of the hearth. ‘Want anything to drink? Tea?’

‘Oh, yes, please. I haven’t had a cup of tea in ages,’ I said.

‘And you?’ said Dagon. ‘I’ve forgotten yer name already, sorry.’

‘It’s Fae, and no, I’m fine,’ she said coldly.

‘Right yeh are. Just a moment, Lass.’

Dagon retreated into his tiny kitchen where we heard him rummaging about.

‘Need me to boil the water?’ I called to him.

‘Nah, Lass, yer all right. I boiled it not a moment ago. Just sit tight.’

We waited only a minute before Dagon came back into the room with a tray laden with a pot of tea and biscuits. I dug in immediately, my stomach rumbling loudly.

‘So, erm, what are those things?’ Dagon pointed to Willow and Rue, who were still bundled in Fae’s arms. ‘Pets?’

‘I guess you could call them that,’ I said through a mouthful of food.

‘They’re house trained, right?’

I sipped my tea, and swallowed. ‘Not sure, really. They’ve never been in a house before.’

‘Grand.’ Dagon picked up his teacup and drank it in one gulp. ‘So what brings two pretty lass’s like yerselves here, to my humble abode?’

‘Watch who you’re calling Lass,’ scowled Fae.

Dagon paused halfway through pouring his second cup of tea, his eyebrows raised. ‘Erm, sorry.’

‘Don’t mind Fae,’ I said, kicking her underneath the coffee table. ‘I come here with a proposition for you.’

Dagon sat back in his chair, which creaked loudly, protesting under his weight. ‘How’s yer leg, by the way? Yer walkin’ fine.’

I could tell he’d ignored my question on purpose. ‘It’s fine, thank you,’ I said.

‘Oh! One moment! The bread will be ready any second!’ said Dagon as he jumped up from his seat and hurried into the kitchen.

‘The bread?’ I repeated, slightly annoyed. ‘Dagon, we need to talk to you.’

‘One moment!’

‘He’s like an old, bloody housewife,’ Fae muttered under her breath. ‘Are you sure he’s a fighter?’

I sighed. ‘He’s just a … soft soul, is all.’

Fae scoffed, picking up a biscuit and cramming it into her mouth. ‘Hey, these are pretty good.’

‘Baked them myself,’ said Dagon as he re-entered room. He was wearing mittens and carrying a bread-tray. I inhaled deeply as he placed the tray on the table.

‘That smells amazing,’ I said, my mouth watering.

‘Help yerself. Yeh look like yeh haven’t had a decent meal in days.’

Not even Fae could turn down such an appetising meal. Our plans forgotten, we scarfed the tea, bread, and biscuits until we could fit no more in our bellies.

Dagon rubbed his stomach. ‘That’s better. Now, why did yeh say yeh were here?’

‘Oh, yeah,’ I said, remembering that my visit did indeed have a purpose. ‘Well, I needed to talk to you about-’

‘Oh, no!’ Fae jumped up from the couch, Willow held at an arms length. ‘I think she peed on me!’

‘Quick! Outside!’ said Dagon, running to get the door. Fae ran with Willow and Rue in her arms, depositing them on the grass outside.

A minute later, Dagon returned to his seat, looking annoyed. ‘Damn animals. Yer friend’s out there cleanin’ herself up.’

‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘They’ve had a long flight.’

‘Yeh fly on those monsters?’ said Dagon, amazed.

I shrugged. ‘How do you think I made such a quick getaway last time?’

Dagon leaned towards me. ‘Why’d yeh leave, Lass? We coulda looked after yeh.’

I shook my head. ‘I had to go. The hunter was after me.’

‘Reckon he’s no match for me.’

‘Well, it doesn’t matter now, anyway,’ I said. ‘He’s dead.’

‘Dead?’ Dagon repeated, his eyebrows raised. ‘How’d he die? Oh, those animals didn’t rip him up, did they?’

I smirked, ‘No, nothing like that.’

‘I noticed yer friend there had a bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. She wouldn’t have anything to do with it, would she?’

‘She saved my life,’ I said. ‘I owe her.’

Dagon leaned closer and whispered, ‘Yeh gotta be careful what company yeh keep, Lass. There’s no knowing who’s on yer side, or who’s usin’ yeh.’

‘I can trust Fae,’ I said. ‘We have a friend in common.’

Dagon sat back and surveyed me for a moment. ‘So, are yeh back to do as I said? Wage a war on the slavers?’

I perched myself on the edge of my seat. ‘Come with me,’ I said to Dagon. ‘With us, I mean. We can fight this together. We can save your friend.’

Dagon smiled. ‘I knew yeh’d come round. It’s a date,’ he replied.

‘Does that make me the third wheel?’ said Fae, re-entering the room.

‘Erm, it’s just an expression round here,’ said Dagon, uncomfortably. ‘Where are yeh from again? Yeh sound foreign.’

‘Germany,’ said Fae, resuming her seat next to me.

‘Ah, I’m from across the sea, too. Ireland is my homeland.’

‘Fascinating.’ Fae’s tone dripped with sarcasm. ‘Avalon, are we going to be staying long?’

‘Just a few more minutes,’ I confirmed before turning to Dagon. ‘So what do you say? Come with us, and help us fight?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Lass.’

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Field

I watched as Dagon packed a duffle bag full of clothes and miscellaneous items.

‘Won’t you need to tell someone where you’re going? Work? Family?’

‘Nah, they’re all right. I reckon they’ve been expectin’ it fer a while now.’

‘Expecting you to go and find your human friend?’ I asked

Dagon nodded, stuffing an oversized coat into his bag. ‘I take it we’ll be sleepin’ rough.’

‘If we can’t avoid it,’ I said. I still had the gold I’d taken from Noah and Finn, so I was able to afford accommodations for the three of us. However, I wished to stay on the path less travelled for safety's sake.

‘I’ve got a tent,’ said Dagon. ‘And blankets in case yeh get cold.’

‘Me? Cold?’ I scoffed.

‘Oh yeah, right. Perhaps I can use yeh fer warmth then, eh, Lass?’

That’s what Jack used to say
, I thought.
He said I was his personal fire.
The memory of this was surprisingly powerful, so much so that it overwhelmed me momentarily. Choking on my next breath, I turned away so Dagon couldn’t see my face.

‘Yer all right?’ he asked.

‘Fine,’ I choked. My heart was pounding as though I’d run a mile. Why had something so simple rendered me speechless?

‘I’ll, erm, pack the tent anyway,’ he said, continuing to stuff his duffle full of clothes.

I left Dagon to his packing and joined Fae in the sitting room. She noticed immediately that something had upset me.

‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, jumping up from the sofa. ‘Did he do something? Did he touch you?’ Fae made to grab her bow, but I stopped her abruptly.

‘Stop that. What do you think you’re doing? Of course he didn’t touch me.’

‘Oh.’ Fae put her bow back down and pursed her lips. ‘So why are you upset?’

‘I’m fine,’ I said. ‘I just miss Jack, is all.’

‘The boy that gave you the necklace?’ asked Fae.

I nodded, fighting the burning that consumed my throat and lungs. I didn’t want to seem weak in front of my comrades.

‘I’m ready!’ Dagon announced, marching into the sitting room.

‘Are you sure he has to come?’ Fae muttered to me. ‘I don’t trust him.’

I shot her a dark look. ‘You’re just saying that because you hate all men.’

Fae shrugged and picked up her belongings, slinging them over her shoulder. Pulling a bow out of her quiver, she pointed it at Dagon’s chest. ‘One wrong move, Paddy, and I’ll send this through your skull.’