The Continuing Adventures of Draco Moonbeam

Chapter 2

Dinner consisted of a stew that contained beets and carrots with a healthy portion of venison and potatoes. The two girls were quick to serve and even quicker to clean up afterwards.

They couldn’t have been more than 18 years old. The older and slightly taller girl, Hannah, took charge. She ordered the younger girl, Tania, efficiently. And between them, their father and their guests were quite comfortable. And very well fed.

Talk during dinner revolved around Hank’s and Draco’s occupations and reasons for traveling. They also discussed Anda’s family and fortunes on the farm.

Hank Dreason was a young man, not much older than the girls. His long blond hair and thin beard which was barely visible on his light complected chin made him a handsome man, and both girls attended him with abundant smiles.

Hank had left his home in the Misty Hills to seek his fortunes in the wilds of the north. He fancied himself an adventurer, but seemed to lack any experience with anything outside of his home country. He carried a large knife for protection.

Draco seriously wondered if Hank would become fodder for the goblins of the northern wilds.

Draco, not wanting to draw much attention to himself, merely said that he was traveling to visit an older relative in Voridia. He declined to give details when Tania and Hannah asked. Anda Brink had to remind his daughters more than once to be polite and not pry.

Anda seemed too old to have such young daughters. If Draco didn’t know better, he would have guessed that they were actually granddaughters to the sexagenarian. Indeed the farmer admitted he was 62 years old. He had married the girls’ mother when he was already 40 years old. And they had two daughters before the mother contracted a disease and passed away fifteen years ago. Anda raised the girls by himself. Draco offered polite condolences.

When the talk died down and the evening drew to an end, Anda ordered the girls to prepare the beds for the guests. They left quickly to do so.

“Well, men, I’m going to take this old frame of mine and try to sleep a bit before the sun comes back around. You two can have the girls’ beds. They’ll be comfortable sleeping in my room tonight.”

Hank nodded with a yawn and stretched his arms out. Draco accepted with a short “thank you.”

Anda left the table and exited through a doorway in the back, presumably to his room.

Hannah looked at the two guests and said, “Our beds are up there.” She motioned to a loft that was above Anda’s room. “I’ll just check to make sure everything’s ready for you.” And she quickly and gracefully climbed the wooden ladder that led to it.

She only took a minute before she climbed down. Then she and Tania went into their father’s room.

Hank looked at Draco and said, “You first.”

Draco climbed the ladder followed by Hank. It was a small area. Two small beds lay on either side of the loft with a small space between them. Draco picked one, sat himself down and took off his boots. He laid his coat and pack next to the bed, and laid his hat across them.

He crawled under the quilt, laid his bald head on the goose down pillow and fell asleep quickly, the comfort of an actual mattress beneath him a powerful sedative.

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This is part of a series of episodes in the life of Draco Moonbeam. Please read the other episodes as well. If you enjoy these stories, please “like” them by clicking the heart. Subscribe and you’ll get more on this story as it unfolds. Comments are very much appreciated.