The Adventures of Draco Zandros

Chapter 4

Two weeks later all three were back in Ascalon, browsing the stores and discussing how their training was going.
"Those catacombs give me the creeps." Said Serra, giving an involuntary shiver. "And I'm not exactly keen on those crypt spiders either."
"What you moaning about, you didn't have one jump on you." Moaned Draco, examining the wound that had almost healed on his arm.
"That was funny, you was screaming like a girl!" Chuckled Marthan.
"Look who's talking, I've never seen you run so fast, why you thought you could take that drake on alone is beyond me." Laughed Draco. "If it wasn't for Gwen healing your hide you wouldn't have even survived long enough to out run it."
"Talking of Gwen, I promised to buy her a cape. Do you think she'd like this red one?"
Serra examined the child's cape Marthan indicated. "Yeah, looks the the right size too, she might even give you a kiss."
Some of the other youngsters didn't like Gwen much, they found her constant skipping and talking annoying. But Draco and Marthan found Gwen handy and was more than willing to put up with her antics. They'd known her for years as she lived in the house next to theirs in Asford. Their farther had even fought and died with Gwen's, as such the two families had grieved together and bonded.
Marthan paid for the cape and put it securely into his backpack. Meanwhile Draco had been listening to the traders and announcers.

"Want to buy good sword!"
"Selling black dye!"
"Join The Great Crusaders! We have a guild hall, a well designed cape and lots of members!"
"Buy my dye!"
"Looking for companion for Charr hunting!"

The shouts repeated over and over, with the odd other shout added every so often. One announcer in particular caught Draco's eye. "Hey, isn't that the same guild symbol that warrior had?"
Marthan concentrated on the indicated individual. "You mean that guy that lead that large army?"
"Yeah."
"I think it is. You thinking about signing onto a guild?" Said Serra.
"Maybe, I've heard a little about these guys, they sound like good people to go into a fight with, up for a laugh too." Draco turned to Serra and gave her a kiss. "If full scale war breaks out I'd prefer to know we have somebody we can call on, it'd be nice to know mother has someone their to help her too."
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Said Serra.
"Okay wait here I'll go talk to him." Said Marthan as he was walking towards the announcer.
Serra and Draco watched on as the two talked and then exchanged back slaps before Marthan started heading back over.
"He said we should seek out one called Luuk The Paragon, an Elonian!"
"An Elonian here? This guild must be more important than I thought. Did he happen to mention where to find him?" Enquired Draco.
"Yeah, at the Skale's Tail inn."
"You have to be joking!" Said Serra, she had never been in the Skale but she knew of it. Cheap ale, scantily clad women and lots of fighting.
"Nothin' wrong with the Scale's Tail." Said Marthan with a grin. "I've already got a reputation in there."
"I assume it's for been drunk and disorderly?" Commented Draco.
"Of course." Laughed Marthan. "What other kind of a reputation would I have in that place?"
"No comment" Said Draco, Serra just shook her head. "We might as well get this over with." Draco added checking to make sure his weapons were easily available.
"Don't worry bro, it's not that bad that we need to be armed. This way." Marthan indicated a side street and lead the way. Draco and Serra trailing reluctantly.

"We're looking for Luuk." Marthan said to the barkeep, a big man with lots of scars.
"It's the guy in the white skirt over there." Chuckled the barkeep as he indicated a small group of individuals, one was indeed wearing what appeared to be a white skirt as well as white armour.
They moved towards the group, dodging patrons staggering to and from the bar in a drunken haze.
"Nice skirt man." Grinned Marthan, before he knew what was happening a spear point was pressing into the underside of his chin, his grin turned into a look of shock tinged with respect.
"Firstly, it's not a skirt, it's part of my armour and I have shorts on underneath. Secondly, unless you have some business with us clear off."
"Begging your pardon sir but while my brother may be older he's not always the wiser, please forgive him." Said Draco as he bowed to the Elonian.
"No problem mate, now did you want anything?"
"Yeah, we got told that you was the person to see to sign up."
"That I am, I can't officially sign you up here as all the paperwork is at the academy but if you swear to obey my orders and respect the guild rules I'll be happy to accept you and we can deal with all the other stuff tomorrow."
One by one the three companions swore their loyalty to Luuk and to the guild, Droknars Arena Dogs. Introductions was made and it soon became apparent that this guild was so large it was broken down into four legions.
After a few hours drinking Draco decided it was time to go. "If you'll excuse me I think I'd best get home, I better make sure by pet hasn't wrecked the house too."
"I'll come with you too." Said Serra. "What about you Marthan?"
"I'm good where I am, see you later."
Luuk stood up and shook both their hands. "Meet us at the Ascalon Academy at midday tomorrow so we can officially sign you in."
"We'll be there, night guys." With that he and Serra left.

Draco spent the next morning getting his tackle into the best condition he could then went to meet Serra in Ascalon.
"Wow, never thought I'd see you looking this clean." Serra said with genuine shock.
"You look nice yourself." Draco replied, looking at Serra with a smile. She was wearing a soft leather dress dyed a deep purple and had her hair loose with flowers poking through. He wasn't sure how the flowers stayed in place but at this moment in time he didn't care and leaned towards her to give her a gentle kiss.
"Out of the way, I'm late!" A tall warrior wearing spiky purple armour barged past them and headed through the gate to the Academy. The Academy guard looked like he was about to stop him but the warrior gave a look that could freeze an inferno and the guard backed off without a word.
"Who was that guy?" Draco asked the guard.
"I'm not sure." The guard suddenly realised he was meant to be letting only authorised individuals in and admitting he had let somebody in without first checking their clearance wouldn't look good if an officer found out. "But... but I've seen him with Prince Rurik and his advisers so he must be cleared! Who are you anyway and what do you want?"
"My names Draco Zandros, this is miss Serra Lentra. We're here to swear our oaths to Droknars Arena Dogs."
"Very good then, your brother and the other new recruits are already waiting for you, you'd best hurry I think the ceremony will be starting soon."
"Thank you."
Draco gave the guard a quick salute and then he and Serra ran over the bridge towards the Academy. Inside they were greeted by a pale looking warrior with two long pointed pointed teeth.
"Hello, my names Fuery and I assume your Draco and Serra."
"Yes, sorry if we're late."
"No problem, you've still got a few minutes. Just listen to me first then I'll send you to join the others."
"Yes sir."
"You'll be going through those doors into the great hall, head towards the front where the others are assembled and wait for the leaders to come out, when they do salute them and Luuk will talk you through your pledge of allegiance. Once it's over they will be a buffet, ignore the other members stood around the edges, they've just got nothing better to do and have come to watch. Oh, one more thing, a few of us are having a party tonight, you can come if you want."
"Yes sir."
"Okay, in you go."
Fuery opened the door and they headed in, straight in front just as he had said was a group of nervous looking people who was obviously the new members, Marthan was amongst them. The thing Fuery had failed to mention was just how many members had come to watch, hundreds of people stood in small groups talking to each other, they was so many only a narrow path lead to the front. They made their way towards the group, the occasional head turned towards them but all the expressions were either friendly or just inquisitive.
"About time you two got here." Said Marthan looking a bit agitated.
Before either Draco or Serra could respond the great oak doors at the head of the hall opened and Luuk exited amongst a group of others. To the rear talking to the warrior that had led the assault on the char was Prince Rurik, Draco began to drop to his knee along with a few others but realised that apart from the new members no one else had. Slowly all the noise in the room came to a halt and heads turned towards the newcomers expectantly.
Prince Rurik stopped just past the great doors and the warrior advanced to the front, the others arranging themselves behind him with Luuk on his left shoulder.
"I am known as Uncle Noteeth." Said the warrior giving all assembled a toothless grin. A few of the members shouted greetings to him and he nodded in acknowledgement.
"In a moment I'll be handing you over to Luuk, since most of you will be under his direct command, but I thought I'd best introduce myself before I have to attend to some other business. I'm the Leader of Droknars Arena Dogs, if you have a problem and your officers can't help you can come and see me and I'll do my best to help."
"I look forward to meeting you all individually later and I hope you will attend one of our many events at the guild hall. So without further ado I give you Luuk The Paragon, leader f the fourth legion."
The crowd cheered and Uncle gave everybody a wave before having a quick word with Luuk, Luuk gave the leader a nod then Uncle exited the room once again in conversation with Prince Rurik.
"If the new members would kneel before me. Very good, right, lets get this done before Frank sobers up." Most of the members laughed at this joke, a monk standing to the right of Luuk took a deep bow before taking a swig from a flask at his belt.
"Right, repeat after me. I do hearby pledge my allegiance to Droknars Arena Dogs."
"I swear to defend those in danger, give aid to those in need and help those more needy than myself."
"To obey my leaders, be respectful to others, honest to all and loyal to my guild."
All the new members echoed the pledge then looked expectantly towards Luuk. Two members came forward, one carrying a book stand and the other a large book.
"All that's required now is for each of you to put your mark in the guild register, so if you'd like to come up one at a time."
One by one the new members walked up to the book, made their mark then returned to the group, once the last one had signed Luuk closed the book and grinned."
"Welcome to DAD, I hope you all enjoy your stay."
Old members approached and shook hands with the new, greetings was exchanged and names given. Draco felt swapped under the avalanche of information, he knew he had no chance to remember all these names but he did his best to store them as he smiled and shook hands.
As the gathering once again started to break into small groups Draco, Serra and Marthan made their way to the food tables. As they approached the tables they noticed Fuery eating a steak, blood still dripping onto the floor.
"Eww, that's disgusting." Said Serra holding a hand to her mouth.
"Draco, Serra, this is Fuery. He's a vampire." Grinned Marthan.
"A vampire? You mean a blood drinking creature of the night?" Asked Draco.
"Well, I'm a person and I'm quite active during the day, even if I do try to avoid the brightest hours." Laughed Fuery. "And yes, I am partial to blood but don't worry I only drink the blood of my enemies."
"Guess we best make friends then, how about a drink later." Grinned Draco.
"That my friend is a good idea." Laughed Fuery.
The hours slowly seeped away and the crowd gradually reduced in size. Eventually only several dozen were left. Fuery exchanged a nod with an Elementalist on the opposite side of the hall.
"Well, we're going to move on to the party, you guys coming?"
Marthan didn't need asking twice. "If there is a party I'm there." He Laughed.
"Sure, might as well, I'm sure Serra will be glad to go to." Said Draco, he looked towards Serra and received a kiss as confirmation.

- Written by Draco Zandros