CHAPTER 28: 28: CHANGE OF PLANS

Drake and his small group went back to the tavern looking for Mayor Ivan. They needed to tell him about the level 2 beast that had attacked them on the outskirts of town. According to Gavin, there were not supposed to be level 2 beasts in that area. There were only supposed to be level 1 beasts.

When they had reached the tavern, Mayor Ivan was still sitting at the long table with the captain of the town’s guard. The men who had been present before were gone, going about their business, getting ready for an attack by the monsters.

Mayor Ivan looked up as they entered the Tavern.

Drake led the group to the long table where Ivan was sitting. His cohort was close behind him, and Gavin was at the back, following closely the small cohort.

They all had a grim expression on their faces, making Mayor Ivan drop his quill. Ink splattered on white parchment; a small spray of dark ink landed on the weathered table. The captain of the town guard stood up stiffly. "I need to help the men; it will be dark soon." He stated, leaving the mayor alone. It was true that he needed to help his men. However, whenever Mayor Ivan spilled his ink, it was because of something bad. Mayor Ivan could become unpredictable when something was going on that caused him to spill his ink. He didn’t want to stick around and find out what it was.

The captain quickly rushed past Drake and his group and disappeared out of the tavern.

Drake and his group turned, stunned, watching the captain rush off like his feet were on fire.

"What happened?" Ivan asked, tugging on his scruffy beard. He did that a lot when he was worried about something. Right now, he was worried that the monsters were already on their way to attack.

Drake sat down in the chair closest to the mayor. He folded his arms across his chest before speaking. His features were a mask. Not revealing his emotions.

"We ran into a beast on the outskirts of town. It was a level 2 beast. According to Gavin, there aren’t supposed to be level 2 beasts in this area. He also advised that we report it to you," Drake informed him

Ivan’s face went pale. "No, level 2 beasts are supposed to be miles away from the town. By Dragon Head Mountain, the beasts can get up to Level 5, but only Level 1 beasts should be in this area. What kind of beast attacked you?"

Gavin cut in. "It was a level 2 wolf beast. It had the orange markings and acidic saliva of a level 2 beast. It was a powerful one. I could tell that it was close to evolving."

This made Ivan pale further; he tugged his beard harder. "Evolving? That’s really bad. The only way they can evolve is by consuming other beasts. They only do that if something is going on that threatens them."

"They eat each other?" Mike questioned, stunned.

Ivan nodded. "They try to evolve if there is something dangerous that they are trying to protect themselves from."

"I guess the question is...what are they afraid of that is causing them to evolve?" Drake put in. He had the mask of his emotions still in place.

Mike stayed quiet, taking in what was being said. The conversation he had with Drake and Chad about there being more than one enemy floated through his thoughts. He wondered if it had something to do with the enemies that were after them.

Chad stood up. "Do you think it has to do with what we were discussing earlier...about possible enemies?" It was as if Chad read Mike’s mind.

"I was just wondering that myself," Mike stated, scratching his chin.

Drake nodded, acknowledging his friend’s concerns. It had come across his mind as well. He even pondered that if he and his group left Draco Town, it would remove the current dangers, making the town safe.

Drake turned to Mayor Ivan. "Who would try to stop a Dimension Master heir from completing the quests of ascension?" Drake’s own words made him stop and think. ’Why did I use that phrase? Quests of ascension? I have never even heard those words before...’ Drake frowned at his thoughts.

Chad, seeing his friend’s confusion, turned to Drake. "Are you alright?"

Drake nodded. "I was just wondering why I asked that question in the way that I did. I have never heard of the hidden quest we are on being referred to as one of the quests of ascension. I’m just wondering where I had gotten that term for the quests."

Mike shrugged. "Maybe the Dimension Master can put information into your head," he suggested.

Drake, looking more confused, shrugged. "I don’t know, maybe? I don’t think so..."

Ivan and Gavin stared at the boys while they discussed the quest. Ivan’s face suddenly paled. "There are several that would attempt to stop you. One of them is the oldest Dimension master. He was the Dimension master before the current one. He may not think you’re ready. Another one would be the monster’s leader. There is also a sorcerer who hides on the other side of Dragon Head Mountain that might try to stop you. He may try to figure out your quest, then complete it himself, which would steal your power. If he did that, there would be no way to complete the rest."

"Shit!" Drake cursed. His mask, hiding his emotions, finally fell. He turned his head to Mike and Chad, who were sitting side by side. "I think we need to leave. I wanted to stay and help, but I think the only way to truly help this place is to complete the quest before someone else does."

Mayor Ivan nodded. "I agree with you. The faster you complete the quest, the safer this town will be. I can’t say it will be safe, it never is, but it will be safer than it is right now. We learned about the monsters, so we can prepare to fight them or avoid them. The information you discovered is invaluable."

"I agree, you need to finish your quest. You can worry about this town after you complete it. They can’t stop you if you finish the first one. Once you finish it, you use the artifact to complete the others," Gavin stated. He looked like he was in deep thought. "I can go with you and help if you want?" he suggested.

Drake eyed Gavin, suspicious of the sudden need to help. "No," Drake stated firmly. "This quest is for me and my friends. I don’t think it is allowable to take someone else. Thanks, though." He was trying to sound diplomatic, hiding his suspicion. Besides the sudden request to join his cohort to help him complete the quest, it was also strange that Gavin knew so much about the ascension process in the first place. He seemed to know more than he should.

Gavin looked taken aback. He was expecting Drake to agree to his help. Mayor Ivan, on the other hand, had an impressed look on his face. There were also hints of pride.

Drake stood up, facing Mayor Ivan. "If we leave, will you be fine while we’re gone. This could take a while."

Ivan nodded. "We will be fine. We have a plan in place, and our people have a safe place to go inside their homes to keep themselves safe. I think we can handle the situation while you’re away."

Chad and Mike stood up, ready to follow Drake out. With one last look at the long table, the three boys headed out of the tavern and toward the road. Drake wanted to check on Nelly first. He had grown attached to the child since he had rescued her from the gargoyles. He decided against it, worried that it would hinder their quest and give those trying to stop them more time to prepare whatever they were trying to do. There was also the possibility that the sooner they left Draco Town, the sooner the danger would disappear. The theory was that the trouble would leave the small town to follow the boys on their quest.

With Drake in the lead, they stepped over the boundary of Draco Town and headed down the packed dirt road toward Dragon Head Mountain. It was already late afternoon. They needed to get as far as they could before it got too dark, find a spot to set the cabin, and stay for the night. There was a long and dangerous road ahead of them.

A figure in a dark cloak hid behind a tree in the forest line. He was watching the young heir and his cohort as they walked down the packed dirt road, as they continued their journey. The cloaked figure stood at the tree line, watching them, waiting for them to get a little further away before he followed them. As the figure inched his way through the forest, there was a wide grin on his face as they made their way toward the large mountain shaped like the head of a massive dragon.