Chapter 12 (2/2)

“I think that’d be of most use to me,” Zeke said with a grin, “cause I’m always drunk.”

Claire smacked his head. “Not that kind of drunk. Drank,” she said. “There’s enough for 7 cups, just enough for all of us and the quest. It refills one cup every day, so it drained a week ago.”

Aran nodded. “Let’s clear it and leave,” he said. “I don’t want to stay here any longer than we have to.”

“Guys, there’s still a door over there in the corner,” Zeke said.

“Ignore it,” Aran said. “We got what we came for.”

Zeke frowned, but he turned around and followed the group as they headed back out.

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“Are we there yet?” Vur asked. He was holding Snuffles and sitting in front of Lindyss as they rode the basilisk. A cloud of bats followed behind.

“Almost,” Lindyss said as she braided Vur’s hair.

“You said that yesterday,” Vur said while pouting.

“And I’ll say it again tomorrow when you ask,” Lindyss replied with a smile. The past week had been spent traveling towards the desert in the south west while visiting monster habitats on the way. Lindyss insisted on having Vur fight all kinds of beasts to learn their skills. She even fed him to a miro—a treelike beast with fangs.

“Is it fine to leave the fountain for so long, Master?”

“What if adventurers invade?”

“Shouldn’t you have left some of us behind?”

“Hush, Master is all knowing and wise.”

“Master’s the best.”

“She didn’t help me when I was drowning though.”

“Second best?”

“It’s fine,” Lindyss said. “This brat drank it all. You guys couldn’t stop adventurers if they came anyway. What’s it matter if a few drops are taken?”

“Master cares for us.”

“As I thought, she’s the best.”

“But…”

“Quiet, it’s your fault for not knowing how to swim.”

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“How many towns do you think they’ll burn this time?” Prika asked.

Leila sighed. “At least eighty. You know how Grimmy gets when he’s mad.”

Prika nodded. The dragons had spent five days searching for Vur or a sign of his aura, but none of them were able to find anything. Prika and Leila were guarding the hoard, while Sera, Grimmy, and Vernon were taking out their anger on nearby human and demon villages. Sera uprooted the remains of the sacred tree and them on fire when she heard Vur went missing, but she didn’t hurt any of the elves because of her promise to her father.

“I hope he’s alright,” Prika said and rested her head on her paws.