Fredalyn had an impressive collection of creatures, much bigger than the last time Marcius was here. He watched one of the workers go about feeding what he thought was a hydra, a supposedly rare and dangerous creature. "That right there is a four headed hydra, much rarer than the three headed variety," she beamed. "He put up quite the fight he did, almost lost a few of my boys during an attempted escape, but the bars are enchanted." With a wink she tapped the bars with a stick. A large crack filled his ears as the stick was violently snapped into pieces. "Doesn't hurt the poor lil' dear permanently, thank goodness. Just gives him a right smart shock."
She led Marcius past a wide variety of creatures; a drake from Harrevegan coast, an elephant from the Tereneve Peninsula, and even a thought eater, which was a rather nasty creature that fed off one's memories. Stripping the most poignant and emotional ones like a ripe berry, it was something that was generally feared, but the big, now comical looking beast was harmless behind the enchanted aquarium that he was enclosed in.
As much as Marcius didn't like the lady, he was impressed at the lengths she went to acquire and maintain such an odd assortment of animals. Time flew by as she showed him every animal she had, even upcoming exhibits. Soon they were standing once more at the opening of the back entrance.
"You have an impressive collection of magnificent animals, but none caught my eye as something our customer would want. Are you sure you showed me everything? I'd be willing to pay for your troubles of course."
"Well," the woman bit her lip, unsure. Marcius decided that she needed help. He shifted, tactfully jingling the coins in his pouch as he did so. At the sound, her face grew firm. "I do have one more. He's a rather temperamental little beast from the island of Grantiare, but if you're still interested, I will show you."
She led him to what he thought was the backroom, most likely where she counted her money for the day. The unofficial zoo was a popular form of entertainment in Rhensford, and she no doubt made a profit even after the upkeep of pay and animal costs were extracted. In the corner there was what Marcius could only guess was a small pen sheltered in a black cloth. "I keep him covered. He isn't used to his environment yet, and don't want to scare the little dear." She fluttered over to the cage, where she paused for dramatic effect.
With a flourish she whipped off the cloth, "May I present to you an authentic wyvrr, caught off the coast of Grantiare!" Familiar green eyes watched Marcius, the metallic scales shimmering in the torch light, and the creature languidly stretched out and stuck its head through the cage. It was the creature from his dreams, right down to the small claws that even now navigated the confines of the cage bars. Only it was much smaller than his nightmare.
Marcius found his mouth unexpectedly dry, "How big does he get?" he managed to force the words out, his mind racing at the implications.
"You ok, Master Marcius?" Marcius nodded, and indicated for her to answer his question, "This is a rare creature, they are typically only found very far south, and to find one around Grantiare is even rarer. They are coveted for their pet like qualities, like a dog, though they are often mistaken for dragons. They get nowhere as large as the mythical beasts. This one is almost full size right now. Oh, also they have no wings, as you can see. And they can't breathe fire either." She coughed a bit then made to continue the lesson, but Marcius held up his hand.
"I'll take him." The choice was simple. Here was a creature he'd dreamed about, and one look at the sharp eyes that even now watched Marcius's movements was all that he needed confirm his decision.
"I'm not so sure I'm willing to part with him. He's to be a rather popular attraction, you see. Kids seem to love Dragypoo here." She stuck her finger through the cage and absently stroked the creature's eye ridges. It pushed against her and gave a tangible sigh of contentment. "Strange, he usually isn't this calm around visitors. . . "
Though her words claimed she wasn't interested in selling, her posture and tone gave another story. One didn't have a successful merchant as a father without picking up a few useful tricks here and there.
Marcius put the best indifferent face on that he could. "Perhaps fifty gold would be enough to change your mind?" The slight widening of her eyes indicated that it was far more than she had expected. "Maybe not, our client might disagree with a creature such as this." He made as if to leave. Marcius mentally started counting to ten. He had gotten to five before he heard her clearing her throat behind him.
"I believe this would be a great gift. They are very exotic, and yet easy to take care of. Your client would no doubt be the talk of the town with a creature such as this." Her voice dripped with desperation.
"So you are willing to sell?" It was getting very difficult to maintain his facade, so he made a show of reaching for his bulging pouch. He started pulling out gold pieces and putting them down on the table next to the cage one at a time. With every gentle clank of a coin, he could see her defenses crumbling. At the last coin, she was little more than clay in his hands. "Fifty pieces, correct?"
"Aye, Master Marcius, he is yours, as is the debt of my meager holdings. You have funded us for the next few seasons with this bounty." As she moved protectively around the coins, Marcius found himself likening her to a covetous dragon protecting her hoard.
"Please write a receipt, I would like Dragypoo," Marcius's eye twitched at the insufferable woman's naming habits, "delivered at my family estate tomorrow."
She wrote out the receipt for the wyvrr at record speed and quickly showed Marcius to the door, every step punctuated with yet another gushing speech -of thanks. Nevertheless, once they had reached the exit, she left him so fast that he wondered if she was ever there at all. He figured she was going back to revel in the gold he had given her for the little creature. With a smile, he patted his much emptier pouch, weaving his way through the line that still occupied the zoo entrance.
The sun was just setting, casting a reddish tint off the buildings, and the night chill was slowly creeping its way into the body of every traveler still out. Marcius was no exception. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself, absorbed in his thoughts, as he made his way through the darkening streets of the seaside town.
❧ ❧ ❧
Marcius's thoughts drifted to the memory of his dream, and a chill not caused by the blossoming night air ran up his spine. The little creature was an exact, albeit smaller, replicate of the monster from his dreams. The creature had stolen his fascination, and he couldn't stop himself from admiring the intelligent green eyes that exuded a sense of knowing, or the glimmering bronze scales and lithe form.
He had never heard of a wyvrr, and he found himself wanting to know more about this incarnation of his dreams. He was half tempted to go back and ask for him tonight from Fredalyn. Shaking his head at his eagerness, he decided to focus on what he didn't have. But that could come for tomorrow. Right now, despite wanting to go home, he figured it'd be a decent choice to see what exactly that woman from the Academy wanted.
He stopped a few people and asked for directions to the Dragon's Roost Inn. Most didn't know the place, but he finally found a young man who did. It was in an obscure part of town, where he didn't venture often, which would explain why he never heard of the establishment. He thanked the young man with a silver coin and walked briskly through the now chilly night air, pulling his cloak tighter around himself.
The sign outside was hard to read, and the coldness of the night did little to prompt a careful investigation. He pushed open the door. A wave of heat assailed him as he strolled into a well lit room that held several tables, some still occupied with guests finishing up their supper.
He didn't see the Mage, so he walked over to a nearby drudge that was clearing off a table. "Excuse me, can you direct me to somebody who can help me find a friend who is staying here?" His cheeks still stung from the chill outside, and he was thankful for the well heated inn.
The women took one look at his fine clothing, which despite being worn all day, still indicated that he was a very wealthy person and he was addressing her. Words caught in her throat, she was obviously not used to people speaking her. The girl meekly indicated a man who was just coming down the stairs. He was a tall, thin, balding man with a thick black mustache, ruddy complexion, and a scowl that seemed at home on his face. "I swear, never before had seen such a pompous, arrogant, rude, overbearing. . . " he grumbled audibly. Noticing Marcius watching him, he briskly made his way past the tables, as drudges scurried out of his path like the wake of a ship.
"Can I help you, good sir?"
"Aye, I'm looking for a friend of mine. She goes by the name of Alicia. She's staying at this inn, I believe."
At the mention of her name, the man's features darkened and a scowl crept over his face. Well, and Marcius had to chuckle inwardly at this, it seemed like he did know the woman. "Why yes I do, she has been a rather pleasant," he stressed the word through clenched teeth, "addition to our roster. Her opinions on how to run an inn are most appreciated. May I get a name for when she asks who is looking for her?"