Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen - Morepoles

Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen - Morepoles

Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen - Morepoles

I brushed off the front of my skirt to make sure it was neat, then I spritzed myself with a bit of cleaning magic to make sure I was nice and presentable. Im going to go say hi to the nice guard people, I said.

Ohh, Im coming too, Cholondee said.

Uh. Are you sure? I asked.

Im bored, she said right back. And also a dragon.

Well, alright. I kinda wanted to handle things peacefully, but I couldnt deny that having a big stick might help a little. It wasnt very nice--in fact, it was downright rude--but so was telling Cholondee to stay behind.

The walk over to the guards was short, but I tried to enjoy it. Port Royal was a neat place. Sure, the smell was a bit much, and the rattle and clang of steam pipes all over was somewhat annoying, but at the same time they lent the city some ambiance, like off beat percussion music.

The guards shuffled as we got closer, so I smiled at them the best I could and waved. Hello, I said. Im Broccoli Bunch! This is my friend Cholondee.

Hello! Cholondee said.

Were here for breakfast and to find some people, I said. But we noticed all of you gathering here and we thought wed say hi. And we did. So, um... hi!

The guards had their weapons out, clubs with metal bands around the ends, and some had their little round shields raised as if that could protect them. Still none of them acted for a bit until one of the group stepped up.

He was a short grenoil, with a bunch of scars across his big jowls and narrow eyes that, unlike those of his partners, seemed more suspicious than afraid. He also had a few extra tassels running from the pauldrons of his armour. Youre here for... breakfast? he asked.

Yup. And were looking for some people after that. If we need help looking though, youll be the first people I ask, I said. But thats for after breakfast.

And does breakfast involve eating any of ze citizens of Port Royal? he asked.

Oh, eww, I said. Id never eat a person.Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

No doubt your friend there wouldnt say ze same, the guard said.

Cholondee showed off her teeth with a huge smile. Dont put words in my mouth, or youll join them.

Hey, hey, I said as I stepped up between everyone. We cant be friends if were eating or fighting each other. So, lets all just... not do any of that, please? We really arent here to cause trouble.

The guard eyed me for a good long while. Alright, he said. With a gesture he had the other guards lowering their stances, though they looked a little confused about it. If you can promise me zat youll not cause any trouble, zen all well do is station some men around ze area to cordon it off until you leave. Is zat fine?

Uh. I-I guess. What if we dont leave today though?

Cholondee shifted forwards. Im not sleeping in this place, not unless I can sleep on all of their gold.

No no, but maybe my friends and I will stay here. They have inns, and well be closer to Booksies problems.

The dragoness gave me a weird look. You dont want to have another sleep-over?

Of course I do! I said truthfully. But sleepovers lose their magic if you have one every night. And your lair isnt exactly equipped for the kinds of things we do as a group. Unless... Did you want to join our party? We go out and have adventures! There's a lot of camping, which is like a sleepover but not quite.

Do you make lots of gold?

No, not really, I said.

She shook her head. Nah. That doesnt sound like my kind of thing, then. Lets go eat.

The dragon started the tricky process of turning around without knocking any buildings over, so I turned towards the guards again. Right, I promise we wont cause any trouble, I said. I then worked hard to pretend not to hear the crunching sound of Cholondee rubbing against someones home.

Well be watching, the guard said.

I slumped. Then what do we do? I asked.

We could spit poison in their den, Cholondee said between chomping bites. That usually works.

What can we do that isnt that, I said.

Hey! the dragon protested.

Rhawrexdee snorted. He couldnt understand the conversation, but he could tell that his sister had been insulted and that was enough for him.

I think what we need to do is go find the boss of this gang and talk him out of all of this nasty business, I said. That should be possible, right?

Your optimism is at once terrifying and idiotic, Amaryllis said. She was done eating already and was rubbing at her magic ring with the tip of a talon. But we are dealing with thugs here. I doubt most of them have done more than get into a tavern brawl or two. We should be able to handle ourselves.

Neat, I said. Ive always wanted to meet the mafia.

Why? Amaryllis asked.

I shrugged. They have cool hats, I said.

Thats... World itself, I forget how dumb you are sometimes.

Hey! I said. Hats are important. They tell you a lot about a person.

Awa, I dont have a hat, Awen said.

We can fix that, I reassured her. There has to be a hat shop somewhere in Port Royal.

Amaryllis was frowning and staring off into the distance. The nobility in the Nesting Kingdom do all wear elaborate headpieces. I... cant believe you might be onto something.

I pointed to Rhawrexdee. One in three dragons we know wear cool hats. So thats another point of data in favour of my hypothesis that hats are, in fact, neat.

What are you talking about? Rhawrexdee asked.

Hats, Booksie said. Weve noticed that important people wear them.

The dragon puffed up and gave his sister a look of incredible smugness. Is that right? he asked.

Cholondee snapped her head around to look my way. We must go hat shopping, she declared.

Bing Bong! Congratulations, your Wonderlander class has reached level 1!

Mana +5

Flexibility +5

You have gained: One Class Point

Huh? I said. Then the wash of tingly giddiness that came with a level up coursed through me and I had to hold back a shiver.

What is it? Amaryllis asked. She had probably seen my reaction. I grinned back at her, appreciating the concern that immediately appeared in her voice.

I levelled up. My eyes narrowed. Is it because I was talking about hats? No... that was too silly. Then again, I didnt know what kind of things that Wonderlander class was truly good for. Other than making tea. Anything was possible!

My harpy friend sighed. Im getting seconds. I might be able to drown out the stupid with food.

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