Chapter 53: The Dragon’s New Home
--Chapter 53--
Title>> The Dragon’s New Home
"What about your place?"
Fiona stared at his straight face. Her expression threatening to break at the audacity of the man.
But she held herself back.
"No," she answered calmly.
Xavier’s jaws tightened.
"That was quick. You didn’t even think about it."
"I did," Fiona ’s wings fluttered briefly.
Xavier glared at her with a goofy expression.
Fiona stared back just as hard. Holding a smile back.
At this point, she held no hostility for him but
she simply wasn’t going to let a dragon she’d known for less than a day move into her home.
"Then where am I staying?" Xavier broke the staring competition.
Fiona turned away and waved him forward. "Come."
Xavier dusted his clothes and followed her.
They moved deeper into the village, away from the alcove.
The pathways they followed became wider, and the enormous roots beneath their feet were arranged almost like natural roads.
Eventually, Fiona stopped beside another tree. It wasn’t nearly as massive as the one forming the center of the village, but it was still enormous compared to anything Xavier had seen in the outside world.
Several thick roots curved outward from its trunk, creating a naturally sheltered space beneath them.
Xavier stepped inside behind Fiona. The first thing his eyes met was a grass carpet.
The moment his foot touched it, a faint warmth spread through his body.
He would have missed it if he wasn’t so sensitive right now.
Xavier crouched and pressed a palm against the grass.
He understood what he felt immediately. The carpet had some restorative qualities embedded in them.
Xavier stood and straightened up. The ambient mana here was also considerably denser than where he’d been staying.
There were also no guards or restraints of any kind.
He looked toward Fiona, who was just at the entrance.
"This is better."
"Glad you like it," she smiled briskly.
Xavier watched her smile. It was the most breathtaking thing he had ever seen..
...To think the corruption had stolen that from her.
This wasn’t the best place in the world. But it was definitely an upgrade. At least something changed.
"I’ll take it," he gave her a thumbs up.
Still smiling, Fiona nodded softly. Then she turned to leave.
Xavier had barely settled in his new settlement when a voice called out.
"Dragon!"
Xavier stopped mid-way and turned toward the entrance.
He saw a fairy was flying toward him at break-neck speed. She landed a short distance away, holding something in both hands.
"Come eat!" She said excitedly.
Xavier stared at the pregnant fairy from earlier.
She stared back and gestured the plate forward. "Eat?"
"Yes!" Xavier answered without recognising what was even on the plate.
Xavier glanced toward Fiona. But the Fairy Chief was already walking away.
She didn’t even glance back to re-assure him.
’Traitor.’ Xavier thought.
The pregnant fairy flew closer and gestured to him.
"Come!"
Xavier looked at the food, unsure of it was but the smiling Fairy made it seem worth a shot.
Freya looked back at the village, pointing towards the congregation of people that were gathering.
Xavier could hear laughter from several directions, the occasional burst of conversation, and the sound of wings moving through the air.
Apparently, Fiona being healthy again had turned the entire village upside down.
Xavier sighed. "Fine."
The fairy immediately smiled. And that was how Xavier ended up sitting beneath the roots of his new residence with food in front of him.
He had barely taken two bites before another fairy appeared.
"Thanks for helping our chief," the male fairy brought some cups along..
Xavier nodded and ate from the meal that he could only relate to salad.
The drink had a mild texture, it wasn’t too strong but it was so damn sweet.
Before the pregnant fairy and the male fairy left. Another younger fairy took her place.
"Is it true you came from outside?"
Xavier swallowed. "yes."
"Have you seen dragons before?" The young fairy asked curiously.
"Obviously," Xavier answered softly.
"How many?"
"Umm...I don’t know...!" Xavier sighed
"Are they all as big as you?"
Xavier looked down at himself for a second.
"Probably not."
The fairy grinned from ear to ear, she seemed satisfied with that answer and flew away.
Another one appeared briefly. Xavier slowly lowered his food and drink.
Are they taking turns?
He didn’t even get the chance to ask.
"Dragon," the child spoke out.
"Yes?"
"What’s your name again?"
"Xavier."
"Xavier."
"Yes."
The fairy nodded solemnly. And flew away towards her friends, they began whispering amongst themselves.
Xavier stared after her as a notification appeared.
[Minor Quest Initiated]
[Share a Meal]
[Objectives: Eat with the inhabitants of the Fairy Village.]
[Status: Completed]
Xavier looked at the quest. And then at the food.
He closed the notification. But then another popped up.
[Minor Quest Initiated]
[Know Your Neighbors]
[Speak with three villagers.]
Xavier stared at this one too.
"Are you fucking with me?’
He was barely done ignoring it when the next fairy arrived and then another and another.
Some came to thank him. Others wanted to ask about the outside world.
He answered what he could and ignored what he didn’t feel like answering.
At some point, he stopped trying to figure out where one conversation ended and another began.
The village had simply accepted that he was here. And apparently, that meant he was now available for free Q&A’s.
By the time the celebration finally began to quiet down, Xavier had learned several things. Even amidst the completion of more side quests and additional reputation points.
The fairies were far more social than he had expected. They were also incredibly curious about the outside world.
They had apparently never dreamed of a day they would meet a dragon..And finally the fairy children had absolutely no concept of personal space.
Xavier leaned back against the vitalising grass behind him.
He watched as the Fairies celebrated through the night, dancing, eating and drinking.
At this point, Fiona and Skylar had blurred into the crowd.
Eventually, the noise faded. As Fairies disappeared into their homes one after another.
The pathways grew quieter.
The enormous tree at the center of the settlement remained faintly illuminated beneath the night sky.
Xavier glanced at the shelter beside him. There was still so much on his mind.
There was the hidden quest. The strange corruption he’d felt inside Fiona.
Adding that to his earlier plans..one thing was certain. There was plenty waiting for him.
But for tonight, he had a place to sleep.
That was enough for now.
***
The Next Morning...
Xavier opened his eyes. For a few seconds, he didn’t move. Then he remembered where he was.
Quickly sitting up, He looked around cautiously but there was no one there.
Standing up, he stepped out from beneath the roots.
The village was already awake. Fairies had already began moving through the pathways.
Some flew overhead. Others walked along the roots. A few glanced toward him as they passed, waving to him.
Xavier waved and waited but nothing happened.
No guards approached. No weapon was pointed at him and no skill was directed his way.
Right now, nobody told him where he could or couldn’t go.
A proud smile crept onto his face.
It was time to actually grind this settlement as much as he could.
--End of Chapter--