had begun. Still, it was obvious that crews had worked day and night to clear the debris and begin rebuilding the palace. Noticing an opening, Greyback circled around and landed gracefully on the platform.
Stepping off of Greyback’s wing and feeling the stone of the dragon platform again filled Osric with a sense of relief. Not too long ago, the thought of returning to Stanton seemed unlikely. However, he had not imagined his intended journey to speak with the irua would have ended the way it did either.
Gordyn and Dru stood nearby on the platform as they disembarked. Why his Vigiles were guarding the dragon platform was beyond him, but those questions could wait a bit longer. Osric took a deep breath, basking in the scent of home.
“Greyback, I want to thank you for the pleasure of your company. It has been an honor getting to know you.”
“Oh, the pleasure was all mine,” she spoke softly and placed her head on Osric’s shoulder, leaning in for his embrace. “I will be watching you with great interest High Wi…er, Osric. If you need anything, I will be close by.” She stumbled over the intended address, remembering his desire to remain anonymous.
“Wait here for just a moment, Greyback.” Osric motioned for Kenneth to say his goodbyes and made his way toward Gordyn on the steps of the platform. He had no idea if word had already reached Stanton of the dragons being free, so keeping up appearances was important. Both Gordyn and Dru had their attention on the city and had not noticed them land. They were clearly distracted by the progress on the palace and not bothering to take notice of all of the commotion of landing dragons around them.
“Gordyn.” Osric was greeted with a look of bewilderment when he called out the Vigile’s name.
“Archana be praised! What took ya so long?” Dru grinned awkwardly as Gordyn greeted Osric with a slap on the shoulder, but the young Vigile looked nervous trying to decide what action would be appropriate to greet his Contege. In the end, Dru offered a shy handshake. Osric did not hold the shyness against him; he had once been a young recruit and remembered the feeling.
“I’m afraid it is a bit too long a tale to tell at this time, my friend.” Osric shrugged off the question as he prepared his expression for his feign. He dug through the pouch on his belt, indicating his lack of resources. “Right now, I have to pay this dragon something for the journey back, or we may all have some trouble in the morning.”
“Let me see if I have the coins to cover it. I wouldn’t want this poor lad to wet himself again for fear of a dragon attacking,” Gordyn said, nudging Dru with his elbow and producing two gold pieces and a half dozen coppers from his own pouch.
Osric took one gold and the copper to offer Greyback. He would have a hard time convincing her to take anything at all, but he needed her to keep up the ruse.
“Relax, Dru, she is a very docile dragon. She would probably just pout until the fare was paid. Nobody has been attacked by a dragon in years, and never over a lack of payment,” Osric reassured the Vigile, then turned and made his way back to Kenneth and Greyback. He heard Gordyn continue to talk about the strength and ferocity of dragons as he walked away. “Have you two said your goodbyes?” Osric teased.
“Oh yeah, we even had the chance to start a budding romance.” Kenneth slapped Osric on the shoulder with a smile. “Took you long enough.”
“Greyback, don’t object to this, please,” Osric spoke softly as he held out the payment.
She had been laughing at Kenneth’s antics, but at his words Greyback grew silent and stared between Osric’s hand and his face.
“I cannot accept payment from you,” Greyback whispered softly.
“We need everyone to think that nothing has changed, Greyback. Take it, please.”
Greyback clearly was not happy having to take the offering, and she looked around the platform anxiously. Osric felt her pain, and he didn’t want to remind her of the years spent in enslavement, but there was no way around it. He struggled with the hurt he could see in her eyes as she searched for a reason to say no. It took her a few moments to concede, and she did not wear a thankful smile.
“I will take coppers, but I will not take gold. You can