Talk To Dragons

"Well, good luck out there," Jack told the little ones as they sat on the wagon. "You should be able to get a better idea of where you're going after you get to Fozen. It's a pretty big town so there should be no shortage of work and directions. I'd just be sure to watch your back. The more people you come across, the more likely you'll find someone who isn't too nice to witches and dragons."

"We'll be sure to keep your advice in mind," Violet replied. "You sure you don't want to come with us? You happy with your little shop in a tiny town?"

Jack stared at her for a moment, as if mulling over the offer.

"No, I'd better not," he answered.

"Okay then," Violet replied, accepting his decision. "Take care."

With the use of a couple clicks of the tongue, the little witch instructed Becky to pull them forward and they were on their way along the road. Jack stayed outside the gate to watch them for a while before they became lost around a bend in the lush forest.

"Awfully nice of you to let those strangers have your horse," the gate man said. "Remind you a little too much of your family?"

"Yeah," Jack replied. "A little too much."

"Has it been about an hour?" Engel asked. "That's when we were allowed to open this bag he gave us, right?"

"I have no idea how much time we've burned, but he can't see us anymore," Violet answered. "Open it."

Biting and pulling at the leather cord that kept the opening tight, Engel unraveled their mystery gift and was amazed at what he found.

"Violet, isn't this gold?" the dragon asked.

The witch let her sight leave the road for a moment to take a glance and she became equally as shocked by the discovery. Inside the sack was many gold treasures of jewelry, figurines, and even a couple nougats that had not yet been processed. It was a small fortune that they had been handed.

"That sneaky blacksmith," Violet said. "He might have completely funded our entire journey with this."

"I can't believe he would just give away all of this treasure," Engel said. "Why? Why would he give this to us?"

"Maybe he just doesn't value it anymore now that he's living a simple life."

It was then that Engel noticed another smaller sack amongst the treasure. After chewing at the leather knot, he discovered a collection of bread and dried meat.

"Oh, right," Violet said, looking at the food. "I forgot this trip to town is going to take a few days."

"I feel as if we have a lot to learn about traveling on our own," Engel said, chewing on a piece of meat.