The Last Dragon's Hoard

Chapter 2

Clavis

"The next time I tell you not to hang out and get drunk with those friends of yours, you will listen to my words and heed my advice," Mama Rosa chided as Clavis sauntered into the room looking half awake and hands on his head, "Here sit down and have this hangover soup I prepared for you,"

"Thank you, Mama," Clavis said,

Mama Rosa rolled her eyes as she laid out her groceries on the kitchen counter,

"You went to the market?" Clavis asked as he sat down, "Did I sleep in so late, I didn't even hear you leave for the market,"

"It won't make any difference whether you see me or not, the market is just a place. Have you had breakfast yet? I left your portion for you," Mama Rosa asked as she started to place the groceries in their position.

"Mama is there anything you need help with, I will be returning a little bit late today," Clavis muttered while slurping the soup that was served to him,

"Child, finish the food in your mouth before you talk," She said, "You will be returning late? Aren't you attending the festival tonight?"

"I wouldn't miss it for anything. But I need to work at the store and since it is festival night, customers are going to be plenty, but I will return for the festival for sure." Clavis responded.

"That is good, you must attend the festival okay…?" Mama Rosa urged, she was so engrossed in what she was packing that she didn't notice the crestfallen demeanor of the boy, so when she didn't get a response back after prodding him, she lifted her gaze to find Clavis zoning out on her words,

"Clavis! Are you okay? I lost you there for a bit, what is it son?" Mama Rosa asked him reaching out to straighten the edges of his dress shirt,

Clavis shook his head, "It is nothing I can't handle Mama. I will be okay, I will forget all about it after I get busy later," He smiled,

"That doesn't sound like it's a good thing." She hummed, "If it's something you will forget later anyway, why not share it with me, it might help you forget it sooner,"

Clavis considered it for a bit and then nodded, "I had a weird dream, Mama, yes, I know I have weird dreams every time, but this one feels so real. And unlike my other dreams, this one is so vividly clear in my mind,"

"Hmmm," Mama Rosa hummed, "Can you tell me about this dream?"

Clavis nodded, "But before I tell you, I just want to know, was I born here in Ished? I know we just moved here but I have felt a sense of familiarity since we settled here and now…?"

Mama Rosa was startled, she hadn't been expecting that line of questioning,

"Why do you ask that little one? Did someone say something to you?" She asked him,

"No mama. Not at all." He responded, "It's just that my dreams seem more like a memory of a place named Roselands. That was what I overheard people calling it in my dream. It seemed more like a distant memory than a dream."

Mama Rosa let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding onto. "You know I have always told you how special you are, right?"

"Yes,"

"Good, now listen to me one more time, don't ever let anyone hear you say that name again. This is the first and the last time you will mention Roselands again until I tell you otherwise, okay?"

"I have heard you Mama, but why? What is wrong with talking about Roselands especially when it feels so familiar to me?" Clavis asked sounding distressed,

"Your life will be in danger, Clavis. I have protected you all these years. Please just listen to me. In due time you will get all your answers but for now, just do as I say." Mama Rosa articulated,

Clavis nodded, "I will do as you say. But do I still need to tell you about the dream?"

"No need," Mama Rosa shook her head. "If it feels like a memory then even the wall shouldn't know or hear about it."

Clavis nods in agreement and understanding.

"Finish your meal."

Clavis finished his meal and went on to prepare for his day.

***

The streets were noisy and busy, it looked beautiful with flamboyant colors lining the street decorations.

It was a perfect day for walking. The path that led to his day job was a rustling carpet of golden leaves, and the air hung heavy with the dry bushes and the bonfire remnants of last night's events.

It would have been a perfect walk for Clavis if not for the familiar feelings stinging in his guts, the same feelings and dame emotions he felt in his dreams.

It was calling to him like a trail, he tried to shake it off and continue on his journey but it felt stronger the more he tried shaking it off.

So he followed it.

"I'm just a twenty-three-year-old curious boy who lives in a town filled with strange and mysterious people." He told himself. "No one will judge me for being curious."

With that last resolve, he followed the direction that his emotions led him, he was nervous about what he was going to find but also too curious about turning back.

'Nothing will go wrong, the town is protected, especially with the events that are to take place today,' He thought as he walked.

He stopped walking when he reached a building and looked around in confusion as to why his feelings led him to this particular building.

"This was a bad idea," He said as he dusted off his pants and started retreating to leave and continue his journey to his job but was stopped by a deep honeyed voice that sent shivers down his spine.

"Hello, little one," The voice chuckled,

'Oh no! I should have just gone my way if I knew my curiosity would lead me here. ' He thought alarmed as he heard a little chuckle behind him, this part of the town was out of bounds for the townspeople.

Everyone knew, respected, and kept away from the residents of the building.

"You should turn around and say hi at least, don't you think so little one," The voice spoke again,

"I'm not little," Clavis managed to mutter.

"Oh, my apologies. Well then turn around and talk to me like a man, or my mates are going to tease the hell out of you later,"

"Later?" Clavis asked, finally turning around to look at the honeyed voice owner, his mouth hanging open as he was now face to face with the most beautiful human he had ever met.

"Hi," The person chuckled, clearly amused by his facial reaction.

"Hi," Clavis greeted trying to duck his face away to hide the blush that threatened to flush around his face