Master Of None

"Lord, the elder had requested you to visit her chamber before you are to leave. She wishes to have a final meal with you." Shay was uncanny with her timing having retunred again to lead them formally. The party had just finished cleaning up the place they had used as their temporary camp and Walker had lowered the earth walls. He could only blame it on the dragonkin that had impeccable hearing. 

"Then we shall follow your lead." It was a simple phrase but one that Walker was sure to act to the fullest. He was going to attempt to show Adair his best. He wanted to make sure that he had taken her advice and words carefully so that he could show up and act the part of a royal dragon when he went to the main village in some months. Midnight's learning then would depend on how they acted and he could not let her down. 

Seeing Walker acting and feeling his determination, Midnight followed suit. She walked to his front with Su falling in line in front of her. Su had her head high and the earth dwelling shield ready for an instant movement. Midnight was holding her head as tall as possible and even had her wings slightly outstretched to appear larger and more intimidating. She wasn't sure where this posture came from but it felt right. 

As they arrived Gil took up the rear with Remey. Onyx left Walker's shoulders and took the side while the wandering blacksmith took another side. It was a strange formation since Walker would prefer the wandering blacksmith with his weak combat abilities to be center. However, this formation made Walker who was acting as a royal stand out. 

The dragonkin of the entire village lined the entrance of the carved cave that Adair called home. The scene was silent and powerful with every draconic warrior wearing armors. This was a show of power and pride as dragonkin that only would be presented when an ancient dragon or a royal dragon came to the village. 

As Shay guide them, she began to glow with mana and an armor began to appear around her. The spikes along her tail and back became apparent and she looked closer to a dragon than any other dragonkin. The armor was made from an unknown flexible scale that seemed all too similar to a blue snakeskin. It flexed just right and it was clearly the perfect armor for a martial artist that would bend and twist during a fight. 

"Elder Adair, pure water dragon and appointed head of the fourth branch village of water dragons. Your loyal Dragonkin warrior had brought the honorable royal and his champion to meet you for a meal." Shay was kneeling on the ground with her head down and palms on the earth. It was a symbol of utter and complete respect for the leader of the village. 

"You have done well in your position today. You live up to the villages expectations as the most powerful dragonkin warrior. You may step aside." Shay stood and moved to the wall where she lowered her head to signal her movement was done. "Lord, I greet you on behalf of this branch village and welcome you to my home. I have prepared a meal fit for your prestige and hope to converse with you." The fact that Adair was in her dragonkin form and lowered her own head for a moment was different. Walker had expected her to be in full dragon form but had the feeling that it could be construed as rude of her.

"Then we will eat. I expect good things from this meal. We shall see if my champion approves of this as a use of her time.' Walker's high and mighty attitude made him want to flinch and apologize. Yet, Adair moved to pull a chair at the head of a stone table. There were already many dishes around it with easy access from Midnight to eat as well. 

"These dishes were prepared using the unique and high quality ingredients from the gardens and game around this village. They perfectly represent the tastes of the village." Adair watched as Walker gazed at the table and finally sat down after directing his group to sit. Adair was the last to sit showing respect. 

Walker had read that the draconic guardian would usually eat first as a test of the food and to show that they were the front line of the defenses for the dragon champion and the royal. Su had also learned this and reached out to the roasted meat she was sure you be the main focus of the dishes. After she took a bite everyone watched her for a moment and she started to cut and serve it. This was the signal for everyone to eat and freely speak. 

"That was a very good entrance. This is how many royals visit and expect a village to respond. The main village will be different but you will be welcomed by the court members that stay in the main village. Currently, it will be the earth, light, and water royals. The dragons which stay changes with their whims. It is rare though that they leave or come." This was good to know. "I also recommend that the formation you have places the rest of your party behind you. Having people on your sides shows you are standing equal with someone and is seen as weakness." Walker took note for the next time he would encounter dragons. "I hope you enjoy the food. Illia personally hunted the jagged mane boar for this meal." 

Midnight could barely control herself when she had been given a piece of the roasted meat. The jagged mane boar was proving to be a hidden delicacy. Not only was it roasted and seasoned to perfection, but the energetic feeling they had while eating it proved that it was a high quality and most likely some of the best they had ever eaten.

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