“Hey, at least he didn’t pull a knife on us like Medwin did when he met Clarence,”my dragon sounded off into my thoughts.
No, he just let his pride beat up on me without saying anything. About an hour before sunrise, Sermon joined me in the walk. He’d heard all about what happened over the flight link. We didn’t say much to each other until he finally broke the silence.
“Might want to look in the pond itself,” he said, standing akimbo and looking down into the water. It wasn’t exactly dirty water, but it was nothing like the crystal blue waters of the ocean we just left behind.
“Think I gotta get ready for the thing,” I said.
“You’re still going?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t I? I came all this way to see Pras off,” I sighed.
“I’d drain a swamp to find a pebble for Gaia and then fill it back up so she didn’t cry that I drained it,” Sermon said.
“Do you think I’m wrong here?” I asked.
“I’m just saying love isn’t logical,” he shrugged. “He loves his kid. Hell, your mom would’ve probably been the same way when you were a kid. I wouldn’t go headbutting against his love for his kid. It’s probably one of three that outranks you.”
“One of three?” I blinked.
“Well, if you’re in the wrong, he’d probably side with his pride or his friends and he should,” Sermon shrugged. “But before any of them comes his kid. I don’t know the dude, but I don’t need to, Ber. If we’re going to see Pras off let’s go, but I don’t see how you’re concentrating on that at all.”
“Maybe because he chose a rock over me,” I rolled my eyes.
“Wah-wah,” Sermon sighed. “Dude, you weren’t this much of a jackass with my kids and that’s a good thing because I’d have punched you. Look, you don’t know what this guy has dealt with from alphas. If he wants you to prove you’re a decent provider and guy, do it.”
“I didn’t lose the rock! It’s not like I took the rock and tossed it into the pond,” I groaned.
“Why are you being so obtuse over this?” Sermon cocked his eyebrow high on his forehead.
“Because how could he walk away from me?”
“He was afraid,” Sermon shrugged. “His kid was upset and scared and you’re this giant ass of a dragon who threw around his pride mates. I say, go to the funeral thing, then come back and find the rock. Then find a way to show him that sure you’re a brute, but you’re his brute and you’re only going to throw all that weight around for his wellbeing.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Sermon was already walking away. What was with everyone leaving me in the mud alone?
“You’re the common denominator here, friend!” he turned back to call out to me. “If you decide not to find that rock let me know. I’ll find it my damn self!”
***
The only ones dressed up for Pras’s ceremony were the guards. Fortunately, Mum had given me a head’s up about it being more casual. Since it took place on a farm, it sort of made sense that everyone didn’t want to whip out their good clothes.
“More like they don’t want to have to fight in them if that bastard Ferrick escapes,”my dragon chimed into my thoughts.
On the walk across the farm to the gathering, we were mostly quiet. News about the rock had gotten around and I wasn’t in anyone’s good graces. Even Nashen, who I’d only spoken to briefly, seemed to ignore me as he carried his squirming kitten across the field. Most people kept their kids home, but he brought the baby with him because he considered that the safest place for him. Here and there, scattered through the crowd, I spotted a couple of children. Mostly ones old enough to run around and play on their own. I didn’t point outthat most people hadn’t brought their kids to Nashen, because I was on enough shitlists without creating a new one.
I couldn’t help myself. I sniffed and scanned the crowd seeking out Jade. He hadn’t come and I didn’t blame him. His kid was obviously terrified of Ferrick.
“And us now.”
We took our seats. Me, Mum and Bree, and Bernard and Nashen had front row seats. They were reserved for those of us directly related to or descended from Pras Lavender. Most of the guest magic users mingled in with the guards as if they were waiting for their chances to take on the psychotic ghost.
As everyone settled in, my mind wandered to the pond. It was wider than it looked in the dark and deeper too. I wasn’t sure if Canton installed it or if rainwater had naturally filled it in. Looking down into the murky water made my scales crawl. It wasn’t dirty, but it wasn’t the sort of water I wanted to frolic in.
Clarence took his seat in front of the crowd, and I glanced around for Medwin.
“He’s at home with the baby,” Bree whispered to me.
Something about that made me sad. Ferrick had taken so much from everyone and now Medwin didn’t even get to say goodbye to his old friend. After everyone settled in, I expected that Clarence or maybe Philip or Canton would speak but it was Pras who took his place behind the microphone. I wasn’t sure spirits could use microphones, but maybe they gave him one for the aesthetics. He must’ve gathered a lot of energy recently to be visible to us all.
