10 Dragon King (1/2)
He was finding it difficult to focus around Elya. Her amazing silver hair was distracting enough but there was this loose curl that fell over her ear which she would constantly tuck. It was such a simple gesture, yet he would find himself staring at her calloused hand every single time. He'd seen hands like that so many times during the war.
A soldier's hands.
The hands of a survivor.
He wasn't sure what he felt for her right now. Things were too new. But whether it was because they were now bound together or his natural curiosity, she was intriguing, not like any of the other vapid daughters of nobility or the raucous soldiers he'd dealt with. This woman who seemed so stern yet laughed and smiled so often could probably tear this building apart with her bare hands, but there was a tenderness about her and Nikolai couldn't help but want to impress her.
Her laughter at the old man's food stand had inspired Nikolai, and he'd taken her to all the hawkers he knew to amuse her further. When he'd discovered she studied history, he'd been delighted and was lost in the conversation. Her viewpoint was fascinating, always considering the financial and military aspects of decisions which Nikolai hadn't examined in depth.
He'd almost forgotten he'd brought her here for a reason and couldn't help showing off the sign that he had spent two weeks inscribing.
As they stepped inside, silence descended before chairs scraped and most of the patrons stood to bow in the fashion of the descendants of the Great Dragon, arms crossed over their chest and heads lowered.
”Welcome Khan!” their voices boomed throughout the inn, rattling the windows and stunning his companions.
”Be seated Children, all is well, and the Great Dragon protects.” Nikolai gestured magnanimously. Most of the Dragon Lords hated the customs that bound them, but were unable to cast them off, something deep within their blood binding them.
”The Great Dragon protects.” They replied and returned to their seats.
A waitress led Nikolai and Elya to his regular table in the corner and their escorts sat nearby, keeping an eye on the patrons.
”That was surprising.” Elya commented.
”The rituals of the Great Dragon are pretty strict. I can't break them.” Nikolai loosened the collar of his robe a little, it was warm in here by design.
His design.
The waitress came up to them, her face a little flushed and glanced at Elya constantly as she spoke.
”Will you be having the regular Khan?” She gave him a perfunctory bow.
”Yes, make that two Zaya.”
”The Khanbikeh will also take it?” Zaya gasped in surprise and Elya frowned slightly.
”Yes, she will, now hurry and tell Suri to give us the best, none of the old stock.” The waitress barely heard his last words, already scurrying away and gossiping with her colleagues. Nikolai could barely make out her descriptions of the 'Khanbikeh' in her native tongue. ”Don't worry it's not something weird, it's just unexpected for foreigners to eat it.” He added for Elya's benefit.