I hope they don’t bring up that I ate some of their sheep, Zahara said to Anders as he climbed down from her saddle.
I hope so, too. They’re very close to Nagano and could have thought it was a wild dragon that flew in to snatch their sheep, he replied.
They didn’t have to wait long before Maija and Natalia came running up the stairs to the city’s large carved-stone doors. Approaching the arched stoop, Ivan asked Zahara if she would do them the honor of knocking on the large stone doors. Zahara balled her claws up into a fist and rapped her knuckles against the front of the stone door. The pounding echoed into the mountain and reverberated through the stones at their feet.
She pulled her paw away and cringed, Whoops, was that too hard?
Just right, Ivan said as the doors swung inward and a host of small, stocky people emerged. They were dressed in beautiful clothes woven in delicate geometric patterns. Anders quickly identified the king and queen by their crowns. Those around the king and queen admired Zahara. Anders could tell they didn’t know whether to trust her enough to bring her into their city.
“Welcome, Ivan,” the short king bellowed in a voice more powerful than that of a man twice his size. “It has been too long.” Remli strode forward and held out a stout hand to Ivan.
Taking it firmly, Ivan replied, “Remli, your majesty. It’s wonderful to see you in such good spirits. And you as well, Queen Joslina.” He bowed elegantly after shaking Remli’s hand. “I’m honored to be in your radiant presence.”
Wow, Ivan sure knows how to greet royalty, Anders said to Zahara.
She chuckled in response, causing the dwarfs around the king and queen to jump at the sudden noise.
“Allow me to introduce my student, Anders, and his dragon, Zahara,” Ivan swept his arm to Anders who stood alongside Zahara. Anders bowed and Zahara did the same, her neck lowering toward the floor.
“We’re honored to meet you,” Anders said, returning to his full height.
“Thank you for coming,” Remli replied. “And who are these two lovelies,” he asked pointing to Maija and Natalia.
“They’re elf sisters, long lost and recently reunited. They’ve been helping us in our training exercises,” Ivan said.
“Ah,” the king said, raising a bushy eyebrow. “And their names are?”
“Natalia and Maija,” Ivan said pointing to each as they stepped forward and curtsied politely.
“Lovely names, indeed,” the queen said.
“Well come in, come in,” Remli said waving them in. “Watch your head,” he called back to Zahara as she ducked to enter through the doors.
The entrance to Hardstone rose high after they passed through the doorway, the ceiling following along the slope of the mountain. Once inside, they walked along a wide marble hall with stone pillars extending up to the ceiling high above.
“Welcome to Hardstone,” the king said, his voice echoing off the walls as they advanced.
At the end of the long hallway, the room opened, exposing an entire city under the mountain. Buildings rose up along the interior walls of the mountainside. Stone stairs climbed high into the mountain’s peak, rising higher than Anders thought possible. The enormity of the place blew Anders away. Hardstone was so large Zahara could fly freely around the city if she wished. Compared to Grandwood, the dwarf capital was much more magnificent and inspiring to view. Masonry crafted the dwarfish buildings and shops. Carvings in the stone were unlike any he’d seen before. In the way the elves were masters of nature, the dwarfs were masters of minerals. At the edges of the city, Anders noticed tunnels leading out to what he assumed were the mines.
“Come, I’ll show you to your inn,” the king said as he walked down steps leading into the city.
Anders smiled and waved at all those who stopped to stare at them as they walked through the stone city. Zahara followed, stepping delicately, careful not to stomp or squish anything or anyone under her feet. After passing many suitable looking inns, they came to a building carved into the side of the mountain. The sign on the front read, The Rocking Pebble.
Anders smiled at the name as he stood outside the small doorway. The king told the owner that his guests of honor would be staying the night in their rooms. Zahara waited patiently outside.
Stepping back outside and addressing Anders and Zahara, Remli said, “I’m sorry we don’t have any rooms large enough for your dragon. She’s welcome to stay in the entrance hall. It is plenty large enough.”
Zahara nodded, showing him that she understood and accepted his offer.
“I would welcome you to stay outside if you liked, but recently a dragon has been tempted to eat several of our sheep,” he tilted his head toward her knowingly.
After a moment of silence, he burst out laughing, “It’s only a joke. Dragons have to eat, too.”
“Very funny, your highness,” Anders said chuckling with him. He was relieved Remli wasn’t enraged by Zahara’s past transgression the last time they were near Mount Orena.
“I’ll give you some time to get situated, then you are to join us in the great hall for our feast. Ivan knows how to get there. We’ll see you soon,” Remli said and walked down the street with his wife.
Zahara waited patiently outside the hotel, staring at the new species of people as they passed by. Anders could feel her emotions as they gawked at her. Some just stared in disbelief that a dragon could sit idly by not eating them or destroying their walls. Others ran in fear upon seeing her tall body perched next to the hotel. Realizing that Zahara wasn’t chasing after them, many slowed down, looking over their shoulders warily at her before scuttling off quickly, disappearing down an alley or street.
To Anders’ surprise, Zahara was happily amused by their reactions. She liked being respected for her power. Anders only felt her mood change once, when a dwarf man stood across the street from her, looking her over. He wasn’t afraid at all and examined her like a statue. She was about to let out a low growl at the dwarf, but Anders stopped her, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
Why not? This little creature is eyeing me like I’m his next meal. He should show some respect.
We’re here to negotiate with the dwarfs on the elves’ behalf. If Remli hears you’re growling at the dwarfs, he might think twice about our credibility. We need to be on our best behavior while we’re here, Anders said as he pulled his suit jacket on. Before leaving his room, Anders combed his unkempt hair, pulling the long wavy strands back similar to Ivan’s combed-back style. He hadn’t realized how long his hair had gotten. He was able to tuck it behind his ears as it folded down the back of his neck. Looking in the mirror, he noticed his facial hair was beginning to look unruly as well, so he decided to shave it down to his bare skin. It made him look younger than he felt, but as was the Westland fashion of the time, clean-shaven men were regarded as the most handsome.
Walking to the window, he could see Zahara’s head close to his second-story room as she looked down at the dwarf. Anders watched as the dwarf came closer and began examining her scales. He reached out and tapped on one near her foot. Zahara wiggled her claws rapping them in succession on the cobblestone street. Startled by the sudden movement, he leapt back, straightened his beard and resumed walking down the busy street. Anders laughed, and Zahara moved her head to look in the window.
Did you see that? she asked.
Still chuckling, Anders said, Yes, you scared him good.
Was that too disrespectful?
No, Anders replied. You handled that splendidly.
Zahara purred with delight and resumed her pose at the side of the hotel.
Once appropriately dressed, Anders made his way down to the lobby where he waited alongside Ivan. Like him, Ivan was wearing a brocade suit with a floral design, his suit a dark olive. Ivan had trimmed his beard, cutting out stray hairs and combed his shaggy hair neatly, slicking it back to expose more of his face. If he didn’t know him, Anders would have mistaken him for a wealthy elf lord from Cedarbridge, the only things missing were pointed ears.
