A Dragon, a Gargoyle, and a Faery Steal the Show, page 5
Aiden shoved one more bite of bread into his mouth, and the others all followed Torloch outside and around the castle. A giant hedge ran around, and a dark forest grew up at the other end of the massive field. Lines had been chalked in, the pattern completely unfamiliar to Aiden, and long, tall grandstand seats surrounded the area.
“That’s where the tree toss and the boulder throw will be held,” Torloch pointed out where each was to take place. “They’ll remake the field for Capture-the-Flag.”
“Is there a rule book or something-”
“No, A, I am not handing you any type of book for the next six days because I may as well dig a hole and bury you in it,” the gargoyle said, and his friends laughed uproariously.
“Okay, okay, okay,” the dragon put up his hands. “I’m only thinking it might be more enjoyable if I knew what the feck was happening.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to wonder,” Torloch said. “Or ask any of the people related to me. They’ll happily explain it.”
“Now, should we tell him about the finale?” Flynn asked. “Or should we let him be surprised?”
“Surprise me,” Aiden murmured, his attention going to the distance as he spied some shapes moving at the edge of the trees.
In the shade, it was hard to make out numbers or features, but they moved along the field, sometimes disappearing from sight momentarily.
“What are they doing?” Aiden asked
“Ah, it’s just some kids,” Flynn said, barely glancing at them. “They’re too young to compete, but they like to come out here and pretend.”
“They don’t look like kids,” Aiden said, his frown deepening.
Torloch peered into the distance. “I think you’re right, A. I think they’ve got someone tied up!”
Chapter 6 - Loch
No More Work!
Wednesday, 6 July 2022, 8:13 PM
(Gargoyle Queen’s Castle, somewhere on the West Coast of Ireland)
As though an ant hill had been nudged, the five men charged toward the edge of the forest with speed and intent. Aiden flew alongside them, he and Loch pulling ahead, their KPOC roots pushing them forward.
At first, the shadows in the forest moved without hurry, but at some point, someone shouted, and the line blurred before several people threw their hands up in the air and awaited the gargoyles, with one dragon, to arrive.
“What’s going on here?” Loch shouted as soon as they skidded to a halt in front of four, no five, gnomes.
Loch and Aiden glanced around. The ground was mussed and well tramped and there was no evidence of any bodies or anything that might be being dragged along. The dirt wasn’t even disturbed enough to make any accusations.
One of the gnomes lowered a hand and first pointed to a huge chalk line that two of the gnomes held between them. The cylinder was half empty, before pointing around the field and back to the cylinder.
Flynn snorted. “They’re chalk lining the field. It’s extra security against Outsiders.”
“Ah, that’s what I noticed from across the field,” Loch smiled. Just another thing he didn’t have to worry about.
Niall nudged him on the shoulder. “How about leaving work at home and just enjoy yourself, mate?”
Loch shook his head. “You know, that’s exactly why I was excited to get out of the city and look what I’m doing?” he chuckled. “No more work!” He narrowed his eyes at Aiden.
“I’ll do my very best,” the dragon promised.
One of the gnomes cleared his throat. “Will there be anything else we can help with?”
“Sorry, guys,” Loch gave a sheepish smile. “Please, continue.”
The gnomes went on their way, weaving in and out of the trees. The group of gargoyles and one dragon headed back toward the castle as the darkness grew, and lanterns were lit.
“What’s next on the agenda?” Loch asked.
“It said something about a Reunion Hour in the Garden,” Aiden said with a shrug. “From eight to ten, if memory serves. They had a little pamphlet of the Schedule of Events at the cabin, and I snagged it,” he explained at Loch’s raised eyebrow.
The gargoyle laughed. “Not that agenda, A. That’s for the old folk.”
“We’re pretty old if you think about it,” the dragon noted.
“We’re young at heart, and there’s more craic to be held elsewhere, right boys?” The gargoyle looked to his friends for confirmation.
Niall looked a bit sheepish. “Well, you’re not wrong. There’s someone I’m going to meet up with for a cup of tea.”
There were several noises of amusement from various directions. Niall rolled his eyes. “I’ll catch up later!” and he ran off across the field to a chorus of “enjoy your tea-ea!”
“And then there were four,” Patrick commented.
“Actually, I’m going to ditch for a few hours, boys. I stayed up late last night,” Flynn said and coughed, covering his smile with a fist. “And I seriously could use some z’s.”
“Wanker,” Loch said with a grin. When they arrived at the castle, Flynn peeled off to one of the suites.
“Well, so much for craic,” Loch muttered.
“Hey!” Patrick exclaimed. “We’re still here, aren’t we?” The gargoyle gestured at himself and Aiden. “When I last checked, there’s no minimum required for having a good time.”
“He’s got you there,” Aiden laughed. “So, what should we three musketeers do?”
“Oh, I have an idea! Let’s-” Loch’s excitement exploded in his veins.
“Visit the lake!” Patrick hollered.
“No, arsehat!” Loch elbowed him. “I was thinking we should go to the caves.”
Patrick frowned. “Why? They’re not all that interesting.”
Loch was put out that his suggestion was so immediately discarded. “I think it’s because no one ever looked there, and it was so nice to get away without fear of discovery.”
“But isn’t the fear of discovery part of the fun?” Aiden offered.
Nodding, Patrick pushed his hair out of his face. “It’s true, mostly, but there is something to say about good auld quiet solitude. The lake has mermaids.” The gargoyle waggled his brows.
“Ah, mate, one of these days you’ll bag yerself a maid.”
“I think I just might.” Patrick sighed.
“But not today. I don’t think skinny dipping is on Aiden’s to-do list.”
“Indeed, it is not,” Aiden said and raised a brow.
“What about heading over to the lasses dorm and giving them a good scare?” Patrick asked.
“Eh, a little too young for my tastes these days,” Loch answered, “Besides, they play revenge, and they're good at it.”
“Ehm, true,” Patrick said as Aiden chuckled, a puff of smoke blowing from his lips and into the wind. “Nice trick.”
Aiden smiled. “Thank you.”
Loch leaned against the castle wall inside the massive front doors of the Queen’s castle. He tucked an arm over his chest with his elbow resting on it as he tapped the side of his face.
“Aha!” He turned with a smile to Patrick and Aiden. “What about the floor is-”
“Lava!” Patrick hollered and they both jumped up. Loch grabbed the stair banister and balanced as Patrick parkoured off the wall and grabbed the thick chandelier. He hung from one stone arm and gestured to Aiden.
“What are you doing?” the dragon asked, clearly stumped.
“You never played the Floor is Lava?” Loch queried.
“No,” Aiden answered. “And I’m not sure-”
“Ah!” a new voice interrupted him, followed by a high-pitched screech as a young lady wearing a pink and frilly dress joined their game, bouncing off the door, around a chair, and into a windowsill. She smiled at Aiden. “Last one to the top does a death dive!”
Three more gargoyles started down the stairs, and as soon as they saw Patrick hanging and Loch balanced, they all looked at each other with questioning grins and then swung into action.
“George!” Patrick hollered at the closest one. “Nice to see you!”
“You as well,” the gargoyle answered as he threw out his wings and the other two grabbed the nearest pieces of furniture and jumped up off the floor.
Aiden shook his head and finally gave in. With a stream of smoke, he jumped up and grabbed the metal sconce next to a hallway.
“And go!” Loch shouted.
The race began, more joining them as they went, grabbing furniture, fixtures, banisters, chandeliers, windowsills, and anything else that presented itself, including people…some who were laughing and others who were not…as they parkoured their way up the castle levels and onto the roof.
Several hours later, after the game (which the lady won), several breaks for snacks, and three rounds of poker (which Aiden won), Loch and the dragon headed back to the cottage, showered, and passed out.
The next day brought them bright and early and stuffed to the gills with breakfast sandwiches to the field where the Games began with much fanfare and cheering. A few people who had parkoured with them waved as they settled into the stands. A giant scoreboard was now visible, all the rows blank and ready to be filled in as the Games progressed.
“The Tree Toss is the oldest of the Gargoyle games and always comes first,” Aiden said as he shaded his eyes and looked out over the field, bathed in the glow of sunshine. “They used to use any old trunk and divide the weight by the distance to find the winner, but in 1605, during the coronation of Queen Isabelle Fiadh Ó Gnímh, they first used trunks hewn to a standard length and weight.”
Loch frowned. “Where did you learn that?”
The dragon held up a little brochure, with a stone age drawing of a gargoyle with a massive trunk on his shoulder, flexing for the artist. “Tree Toss Fun Facts: Did You Know?” was written across the bottom in whimsical red lettering. Loch rolled his eyes, but secretly he was glad Aiden was getting into things, in his own quirky way. The gargoyle had never seen the brochures before, but he was certain they hadn’t been printed just for the dragon, so maybe they had always been available, he just hadn’t noticed. The deafening roar of the crowd when Ansel Hayes threw the trunk pulled Loch back to the present moment, and he stood with the rest of the spectators, straining to see the field.
The magicked commentator was yelling, “Did you see that? Did. You. See. That? I’ve not seen such a feat in years! Friends! They’re measuring the throw now. Will young Ansel beat Stoney Malone’s record from spring of ‘72?”
A hush came over the crowd as they waited for the verdict. Loch held his breath. He hadn’t been at whatever celebration was held in ‘72 but that was one hell of a throw. Loch nudged Aiden.
“Ansel has always been two heads shorter than everyone in his class, I honestly wouldn’t have thought the little guy had it in him,” the gargoyle explained the backstory.
When the commentator announced that Stoney Malone still held the record, by just shy of a quarter of an inch, the crowd gave a great groan as Ansel’s shoulders sank a little. But he gave a good-natured wave to the crowd, and walked off the pitch to cheers and rowdy applause.
When the final tree had been tossed and the throw measured, the referees and the Games Marshal came onto the field and congratulated all the players. Ansel Hayes did end up with the highest score, so his name went to the top when the scoreboard was updated with the points.
“Come on, we have an hour to grab a snack before the next game,” Loch said and dragged Aiden to the cafeteria.
The dragon took a chocolate muffin and a cappuccino, and Loch made up for his friend’s bird-like appetite by piling a plate with three sausage rolls, a cheese danish, and four slices of banana bread.
“Do you have an info sheet for the next game?” Loch asked as he ate one sausage roll for each one he put on his plate.
The dragon shook his head. “They had them out on the table as we went into the stands.”
“Well, I have some fun facts about our version of dodgeball that you won’t find in any pamphlet,” the gargoyle said. “For instance, in the year 1914, yours truly invented the famed ballet ricochet move.” He paused to demolish the cheese danish. “I caught the boulder with my wings, spun, like so-” he demonstrated, getting a piece of banana bread down in the same motion “-and sent it back to old Colm Dunne, right in the gut. Total knockout, he didn’t know what hit him.”
Aiden raised his brows and looked like he was trying not to laugh.
“I’m not joking,” Loch said. “Come on, we don’t want to be last and get the worst seats.”
The grandstands were filled with more people now that the late risers were up and involved. Latriona Higgins and a gaggle of her gossiping friends sat in one of the premier boxes, looking like a bunch of dolls in frilly shorts and revealing tops, arms and legs exposed to catch some sun.
“Isn’t that your da’s friend, Vincent?” Aiden said, pointing to where the fellow wearing the distinctive leather jacket was talking to Latriona’s father. Neither gargoyle looked particularly happy.
“Ah, he’s probably being told off because his daughter stepped on some toes,” Loch said. “Although I don’t envy him that job.”
Patrick and Flynn had gotten there before he and Aiden and waved at the pair, indicating the seats that were saved for them. It was the perfect height, giving just the right vantage point to see every player. The field was now outfitted with four giant padded walls at each corner, each with three ledges along the top.
“Those are the safe areas,” Flynn explained to Aiden. “If you get hit, the person who threw it is out. But you’re only allowed to be there for fifteen seconds. After that, you’re fair game.”
“And you get double points if you knock a fellow off a ledge at sixteen plus seconds,” Patrick added.
The Game started with a bang, and the referees were hard-pressed to keep up with all the action. Half the participants were out in the first two minutes, two with broken arms. The medics scurried about, ducking stray boulders when they saw them, but one poor fellow got caught out and became the patient. In a short time, it was only down to three players left on the field. Darragh Brennan balanced on the far ledge, and the seconds ticked by as the two below circled like wolves.
A boulder came soaring Darragh’s way, and though he ducked, the boulder clipped his shoulder. The whistles sounded, and everyone fell still to see if it had been more than fifteen seconds and who would be out. As the Games Marshall conferred with the referees, Aiden’s hand went to his pocket, distracting Loch. The dragon pulled his phone out, glanced at the screen, then he leaned over.
“My sister…”
Loch waved a shooing hand at him. She was probably making sure her brother was still alive. Her timing was shite, but you couldn't get everything you wanted all the time.
The announcer cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention as a loud zapping noise filled the air. Loch glanced around, along with everyone else. Aiden was walking away with his phone to his ear.
Loch looked to the sky and saw the dark smudge falling toward the field. He squinted, keeping an eye on it as he jumped up and hurled himself from the stands. He started running into the field, preparing to catch…
No, it couldn’t be.
But just in case, he readied himself for impact.
Chapter 7 - Aiden
Still Lying, Brother Dear
Thursday, 7 July 2022, 12:04 PM
(Gargoyle Queen’s Castle, somewhere on the West Coast of Ireland)
Aiden pushed through the crowd, muttering sorry repeatedly under his breath as if the gargoyles would care. All of their attention was on the field as whatever momentous feat that had just been accomplished was further examined.
The dragon made his way outside the arena and sat on a low wall behind a hedge. He called Calwyn back, and she picked up on the second ring.
“I was starting to get a wee bit worried there, brother,” she said.
“Why? You didn’t think they’d offed me or anything?” he said with a small chuckle.
He could hear her one-shouldered shrug through the phone. “Wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Ah, it’s not so bad,” he said.
“You know I can tell when you’re lying, right?” Calwyn said, and some implements crashed in the background.
“What are you doing?”
“Winter grapes are coming in,” she said. “Should be a good year.”
“That’s great, Calwyn,” he said. “You’ll have to send me a bottle or a case.”
“Orrrrr - once you’re done hanging out with the gargoyles, you could come visit,” she said. “I know the kids would be glad to see you. You can even bring that lunk you call a friend with you.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that,” Aiden said.
“Still lying, brother dear,” she said.
“Work has been busier than usual,” he said.
Silence on the other end made him wince.
“Okay, that was a bad excuse,” he admitted, and Calwyn laughed.
“I forgive you. So,” she said. “Are you having a good time at this coronation thing Torloch has dragged you to?”
“It’s a bit stressful,” he admitted. “Having the entire weight of the dragons standing on my shoulders at one of the biggest events of the gargoyle court isn’t the best time I’ve had.”
“Torloch is such an arse,” she said and slammed something down on the wooden bench. “He never looks further ahead than his next meal or the prettiest face nearby.”
“That’s not very fair,” Aiden said. “I’m a big boy, and I can make my own decisions. No one’s made me do anything I didn’t want to.”
“I know that, and I know he’s been a good friend to you and that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” she said. “But he’s asking too much of you this time, and he doesn’t even see it!”
“I know exactly what he’s asking,” Aiden said quietly. “And I know it’s a lot, but I’m up for the task. I just have to get past this teething phase. I met his mates,” he said quickly, to divert the subject, “and they seem class.”
