A Dragon, a Gargoyle, and a Faery Steal the Show, page 9
Although the Schedule of Events said, “Trivial Pursuit: Pint-Sized Pubs - test your knowledge of famous Irish pubs, their locations, histories, and quirky traditions,” Aiden didn’t think Torloch would want to go, and the dragon was a bit wiped, so he turned in early.
The short walk to Cranberry Cottage along the narrow, pebble-lined path in the growing darkness was rather peaceful and relaxing after the day's activity. Halfway there, the path diverged into two, and a sign saying “Cranberry & Hibiscus” pointed to the left, and another sign saying “Rosemary & Foxglove” pointed to the right. Aiden paused, taking a deep breath of the cool evening air, and almost had a heart attack when the shadow flitted in and out of his peripheral vision.
“Hello?” he called out, not expecting an answer, but was somehow disappointed when he didn’t get one.
The emptiness of the little grove of trees unsettled him, and he hurried to the gate of Cranberry Cottage, letting himself in and only when he was inside, with the door shut, lights on, and the kettle boiling, did he think back on it and realize the shadow had only startled him, but that it didn’t seem like it meant him harm. Still, he would prefer if it would go away and leave him alone.
The next morning, the third and final day of the Games dawned cloaked in heavy fog. The dragon woke early before the sun rose fully. Aiden quickly pulled on some clothes and let himself out, enjoying walking alone. For the first time since he had arrived, he felt that he was not being observed or shadowed by an unseen stalker. A blanket of thick mist obscured the world, turning it into a soft haze of nondescript shapes and masses. It helped to clear his mind, and he felt ready to take on the big day.
Aiden returned to the Cranberry Cottage, got showered and dressed, and by the time he had a hot cup of tea in hand, the first rays of the sun were melting away the gray clouds. He took his tea out and wandered around the little cabin, admiring the flower boxes and the garden ornaments. He stopped, blinked, and stepped back, looking again at something sitting under the windowsill of what must be the other bedroom.
It was a box of plain wood, though the wood was a rich, polished mahogany. Gold hinges and a simple gold lock prevented Aiden from seeing what was inside. It was heavy and didn’t appear to be spelled. He stood on the porch for a while, contemplating what to do about it. It could be part of the Games, or a trick by Declan and company, or a less hostile trick from Flynn or Patrick.
He decided to leave it for now. Torloch was already tired of him being paranoid, and he didn’t need to add to that. Tonight was the coronation, and tomorrow, they would be back home. Aiden was even looking forward to seeing the rabbits and the cat. The gargoyle wandered out in only a pair of shorts with a steaming mug of coffee in hand.
“Ready for the day?” Aiden asked, looking at the gargoyle’s bleary expression and wondering how late the gargoyle had stayed out.
“Give me a few, and I will be,” Torloch said, taking a long drink of coffee.
Aiden looked at his watch. “Breakfast will be over in about thirty minutes. You’d better hurry up and get ready.”
“We don’t have to go to breakfast today,” Torloch said, and the dragon’s jaw dropped.
“Don’t go to…you’re serious?”
Torloch’s face lit up. “This evening will be the most amazing banquet you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s tradition to skip breakfast to save room.”
“That doesn’t sound like something that Torloch Doyle would say,” Aiden commented hesitantly.
“Oh, I didn’t say I was going to skip breakfast,” Torloch said, patting his midsection for emphasis. “I was just giving you the choice, so you could make a fully informed decision.”
“Well, in that case, you’d better get dressed,” the dragon said, rolling his eyes.
“I don’t think anyone would be complaining if I showed up like this,” Torloch snickered.
“Your mother might,” Aiden commented.
“Right you are,” Torloch said and sighed. “Fine. I’ll go throw something on and hide this magnificence from the world. Give me three minutes.”
After the gargoyle showered and dressed, the pair set out to get breakfast.
“I have a great idea for the last day of the Games,” Torloch announced as they trotted down the narrow path in a voice that said he knew an argument was going to be forthcoming but that he really didn’t care. “Don’t give me that look. You’re going to love it.”
Chapter 10 - Loch
Still No
Saturday, 9 July 2022, 7:45 AM
(Gargoyle Queen’s Castle, somewhere on the West Coast of Ireland)
Aiden gave Loch a look he recognized all too well, and it made him pause mid-step. Aiden lurched to a halt and turned to him.
“What are we stopping for?”
Loch put a hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “Mate, we’ve been friends for a very long time.”
“Yes, and?”
“I feel it, too. Something is afoot. But whatever it is, I’ve got your back, okay?”
Aiden brows reached high. “I was hoping I was being overzealous in my concerns.”
Loch shook his head, and not very happily at that. “Something’s not right. The woman you keep seeing, the bird within the wards, Declan and Clayton conveniently being around when normally we simply avoid each other.”
“Oh,” Aiden said softly.
“Yeah, I don’t like it, but I also just can’t see anything crazy happening during coronation week. These are my people, A. My family, my friends. What could happen?”
“That is the question of the day,” Aiden muttered as they continued the walk to the castle.
“True, but let’s try to put a challenge spin on it!” Loch turned a grin to the dragon. “Let’s wrack up the points!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Me either, but it sounded good.”
Aiden sighed and let out a stream of smoke before they turned the corner and the castle came into view.
“You said you had an idea,” he reminded the gargoyle.
“Right! Ok, so here’s my idea - let’s immerse into the games, gear up. Full warrior suits, face paint, go crazy!”
“No.”
Loch frowned. “But it will be fun.”
“Still no.”
Loch sighed this time. “Fine. I’ll see if the others want to join in.”
“I think that's something you should have planned earlier.” Aiden glanced at his watch. “The first game starts in twenty-three minutes. Aren’t you participating in it?”
“Nope. I’ll be doing the final two – Rescue The-Maiden and Obstacle Course. Niall always wins the Air Rings. I see no need to have to pummel him.”
“Well, the rings should be interesting to see.”
“Not really, he’s faster than anyone, but I’ll support the little gobshite.”
Aiden’s mouth quirked slightly, and Loch was happy to see that they could put the unpleasantness behind them. He glanced around. But he’d rather meet it head first. The gargoyle loaded up on breakfast with a massive plate of eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. The dragon only had a cup of coffee, and he only smiled while Loch laughed at him.
As Aiden had predicted, much to Loch’s annoyance, no one was excited to figure out a last minute warrior outfit and as Loch predicted, Niall absolutely killed it on the rings, coming in at least thirty seconds faster than anyone else and subverting anyone trying to take him out. He would have been amazing at Quidditch.
“So, your game is up next?” Aiden asked.
“Yep,” Loch said, his eyes bright with anticipation. “It’s called Rescue the Maiden, but it’s basically a sword fighting event. The players wear magical cloaks that count hits. Five hits, you’re out. You have to climb to get up to the maiden and receive her favor to win.”
“And the rules?”
“One. Don’t get hit. Two. Hit your target. Three. Look damn good doing it.”
“And those are the official rules, are they?” the dragon said.
“Of course, would I give you any other kind?” Loch winked. “I’m off to get my weapon. Cheer loudly!”
The banter was hot and fast as the players gathered. Annoyingly, Loch took second on the swords. He was pretty good, but Séan Smith had won fair and square with fantastic swordplay while climbing the faux castle turret and rescuing the maiden just seconds before Loch. The gargoyle patted the winner on the back before rejoining Aiden and Róis on the bleachers.
Poor Aiden was getting his ears talked off. Loch’s parents couldn’t keep still. They hadn’t seen their friends in quite a while, so they constantly moved between the games, the castle, and the fields, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Since Loch could see them anytime, it was fine with him, and he wasn’t too concerned about his mam complaining about never seeing him at any point during the week, but he did want to make sure his baby sister was looked after.
They couldn’t leave Róis all alone by herself, to watch the game or just wander. Technically, he didn’t have to watch her, and the Castle was safe enough, but girls should not be left alone, especially with a wealth of young gargoyles wandering around.
“Next is the obstacle course,” Róis explained. “They never tell you what the obstacles are, so it’s always the best show of the week. Some of them scare me to pieces, but sometimes they are the funniest thing.”
Aiden nodded at her, taking the explanation very seriously. Loch suppressed a grin. The dragon will make a good dad one day.
“Last time, Loch wasn’t here,” she glared at her brother. “They had a pie eating contest. You couldn’t pass to the next obstacle until all the pies were eaten. I about died. You should have seen some of these gargoyles. There were so many pies-”
“I think Torloch might have won that one had he been in attendance.”
“No way,” Róis scoffed. “He can eat a lot, but Weggy beats anyone when it comes to food.”
Aiden raised his eyes to Loch, who had to nod in agreement. Loch looked over the field, in the final stages of preparation, and over the other seating areas. It didn’t take him long to find Weggy. He pointed to the monster of a gargoyle who was currently shoveling a sandwich the size of the Isle of Man into his mouth.
“Ah, mister two chairs,” the dragon said, and Róis giggled.
“What?” Loch said.
“You had to be there,” Aiden smirked, and Róis giggled again.
“Teach me to let you go off on your own,” Loch said, but inside, he was smiling.
“Hm,” Aiden hummed as he handed Loch a plate filled with food. “Róis and your parents asked me to hold this for you. They weren’t sure how much time you would have between activities.”
“Aw, thanks, A.”
“I told them you should hold off, in case there’s something like pies this year, but they didn’t listen to me,” Róis said.
“Well, if it is pies, or cakes or cookies, Weggy already has me beat, so there’s no point in saving an appetite,” Loch said and ruffled her hair.
She ducked away with an affronted shriek, and Loch laughed. The dragon listened as Róis kept blabbering while Loch stuffed his face. It was comforting. He poured the rest of a bag of crisps into his mouth just as the announcements came through to get to the start of the last course of the day and last of the Games before the coronation.
“Wish me luck,” he said.
“Break a leg,” Aiden replied.
“Break two!” Róis added.
Loch stopped as Aiden’s head swung around. Following his gaze, a hazy flash of gray lingered in the air before vanishing.
“A witch?” the gargoyle asked.
“Where?” Róis asked.
Aiden pressed his lips together as he and Loch looked at each other over Róis’ head.
“Go attend your last game,” Aiden told him. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
Loch wasn’t sure. Reluctantly, the gargoyle made his way to the start of the course. The energy in the air was palpable, and Loch gave way to his complete enjoyment of this last course of the Games.
No other player had seen the course so there was no way anyone could plan ahead and that was what made the course so exhilarating. Pure guts, courage and talent were the only thing pushing you forward, and Loch lived for the rush.
The world slowed for a moment, the sound muted to his ears, as he took in the watching crowds and looked over the other players and the hidden field before him.
It was pure fun.
The sound of the crowds roared back to life as he saw Aiden give him a conservative thumbs up and the trumpets sounded, telling the players to congregate at the starting line. A gong rang and the spell hiding the course vanished with a pop.
Loch surged forward, shoulder to shoulder with his brethren into the open field. A booming bass sounded in the air, and cannonballs shot from either side as they ran. He saw at least three go down as the rocks took out his competition.
Seeing the slides in the distance, Loch pushed himself forward, coming ahead of the rest, dodging cannonballs, rock really, as he inspected the next challenge.
As he came closer, the obstacle looked like a slide, but it was facing him, so he would need to climb up but there was something…
He hit the slide and started up.
It was jelly, blue jelly was streaming down the slide. Loch laughed as he slipped and slid, grabbing the rope ties on the side to pull himself up as he went. He took an accidental gulp as he sludged his way up and was pleased that not only was it delicious, he could taste the electrolytes. It gave him an extra unexpected burst of energy.
Reaching the top, he spared a glance behind. Three gargoyles were hot on his heels - Clayton, Declan, and a third that looked vaguely familiar. He looked back ahead, determined to keep all three behind him, but two more than the other. Six walls were erected, the first about three meters ahead, and the gap wider and wider as it went before him. Glancing down, he saw they were about ten meters high. A fall would be incredibly unpleasant. With no more time to waste, Loch braced his feet and pushed himself forward.
He landed easily on the first wall, though it was only about a foot wide, and wasted no time jumping to the next. The sixth wall was a challenge. The distance required velocity and impetus, and he basically needed to fly without wings. His mind raced with the trajectory as he pushed up from the fifth wall and arced down toward the sixth.
He could already tell he was off. He was too heavy, shite he was so close, dammit, he was going down-
WAIT.
The wall was grooved. Mother fecker.
Loch crashed into the side and fell several feet before he found a groove his hand would fit in. He scaled back up the wall and scrambled to the top. Several people were making their way over behind him, and he had no time to waste.
Turning back, he saw the ropes. They hung from a clear sky, but Loch knew better. He was either going to have a heavy landing when the rope dropped from the sky, or they were solidly in the nothingness…looking forward, he could see the pendulum swishing back and forth over more walls.
A gargoyle could get crushed between the heavy rocks.
Loch grabbed a rope, timed his swing, and pushed off, skimming between the pendulums and grasping a second rope on the other side. His arms were pounding with the effort. He clearly needed to hit the weights a little more often.
There were two more pendulums. He swung back and forth, careful not to get stuck, and pushed forward through the next set.
One more to go.
Loch prepared himself and watched the next obstacle, timing it just right-
He heard a grunt and then a crunch. Loch whipped around and watched Declan grab the rope to his left as Clayton fell between the pendulums to the wall at an awkward angle.
Declan laughed as he pushed off toward the next wall. A flash of skin came through the pendulums further down and whooshed by toward the next wall.
Without thinking, while hanging from his rope with one arm, Loch grabbed Clayton’s forearm and hauled him away just as the pendulums swung together. Clayton held fast to Loch, panic in his eyes. Loch was relieved to see that the crunch he’d heard was not in fact bones but a piece of rock.
Turning, Loch tossed Clayton toward one of the other ropes. Clayton caught it, and Loch readied himself to push forward through the next set of pendulums when he realized that Declan had missed his timing and was working to get himself momentum enough to get through.
“Serves you right, ye rat bastard,” Loch muttered as he shoved against the wall behind him and surged forward, kicking Declan as he went past, earning him an extra burst of speed.
He barely heard Declan’s screams through the sound of the crowd as he more clearly heard the unmistakable sound of someone’s rope snapping.
Chapter 11 - Aiden
The Song of the Elusive Blue-Breasted Silver Beak
Saturday, 9 July 2022, 10:56 AM
(Gargoyle Queen’s Castle, somewhere on the West Coast of Ireland)
Aiden looked over the obstacle course as the contestants all moved onto a tiny corner of the field. It must have taken fifty people the whole night to set it up. It looked like a cross between a Navy Seals training ground and the craziest game show parkour course imaginable.
“You get points for speed,” Róis was explaining. “And you can complete the whole thing in shifted form, but you get loads of extra points if you compete without wings, in shifted human form.”
“Has anyone done it in full human form?” Aiden asked.
Róis looked at him like he was crazy. “Of course not. The Games Marshall wouldn’t allow it.”
Aiden shrugged. That made sense when looking at the different obstacles - a run bounded by cannons that fired good sized balls to knock the gargoyle out of the course, climb walls with no safety nets, an inclined water treadmill, swinging balance beams, mud crawl with sinkholes, and a giant wooden frame with equally large pendulums swinging in uneven rhythms.
When the first competitor took off, the entire crowd rose to its feet in a massive roar of support. Keeping track of all twenty-four participants was too much for Aiden so he concentrated on the people he knew. Torloch was there, as was Clayton. The dragon thought he saw Declan’s blond hair, but it was just for a second and then the person was gone, dashing through the wire matrix of barbed wire that rotated and spun.
