Pre-emptive Actions

"Why this town again?"

Lygawa asked, as they walked the streets of the familiar and nearby Braxel once more.

"It's only the first stop..."

Mai replied, taking a turn from the main street.

"We need a few things from here, before we move on, okay?"

They casually walked up the smaller street on their return to the massive white home, where Mai and Lygawa passed a single guard, who allowed them to freely pass into the luxurious gardens.

The only time they actually waited was for an answer at the large doors they knocked on, but both were admitted into the house and promptly seen to by the wealthy owner.

"What can I do for you my fine ladies..?"

The fresh faced Baron arrived with a smile to greet them both, wearing a blue suit with fancy golden decorations.

"I'm here for a 'letter of reference'?"

Mai had done some minor asking around, and a reference was needed for regular people to get established into the trades in these lands, and the higher the referee on it; the better the outcome.

"I can have that organised for you within minutes."

He snapped his fingers and the nearest assistant darted off.

Mai had heard that the task was usually a drawn out process, but figured the highest ranked man they knew, who still owed them, would easily expedite what they wanted from him, without a whole lot of paperwork too, and she was correct.

"Here come have some refreshments with my family, while we wait..."

He offered as he led on through his large home already.

"I had more specially ordered, for your return, and at quite the difficulty too I'd add..."

They entered a bright room, with plenty of big glass walls, with a few decorations and plants, to find a couple of people already in wait.

"This is my darling wife; Alyssa and my little son; Eric."

The faint brown haired lady in the magnificent dress politely waved, as her son sat on her knee, wide eyed at the new arrivals.

"Here please."

The Baron pulled a chair over with his own hands, putting it next to an already empty one at the small painted table, before fetching another.

Lygawa looked closely at the tiny human, who likewise stared back with curiosity at her.

"Thank-you for seeing us, at such short notice."

Mai went about the niceties.

"It is always a pleasure to see you both."

Some familiar little cups with the dark brown liquid arrived in a flash for the guests, brought out by another familiar face.

"I'd like to ask you for something..."

Mai leaned over toward the mousy brown topped maid, who was sporting a new platted hairstyle.

"...I'd like to see the box - the one that holds this flavouring inside please.

"Sure thing Miss."

She bobbed and went for it immediately.

"So I assume you are still interested in this Cocoa...?"

"Yes, I think I can do a lot with it... which is also the reason for the letter."

The noble leaned in towards her.

"Are you set on travelling up north? I hope you have a pleasant and uneventful journey then..."

Mai would come back to his words later, but right now the maid returned with a small, tanned, thin wooden box in her hands, putting it gently on the small table before Mai.

"Thank-you."

Mai retrieved a little pencil and bit of paper from her pocket, taking a few more looks at the little logo displayed on the top, she quickly and roughly drew a replica on her paper, before double checking it.

"That looks very close indeed."

The young baron praised her sketch.

"With this we can find the small company responsible for making these..."

...And then I can perhaps get some chocolate for myself this time...

"On another matter; we require a substantial amount of salt too, for my friend."

"A bulk bags worth...?"

The well dressed lady asked in a soft voice.

"Hum... perhaps a few large bags worth..."

"I've never heard of so much being sent here before... What could your friend want so much for?"

The Montgomery's all looked perplexed.

"Well... her family has a big farm and need a quantity for their lands..."

"I thought salt was a hindrance for farming..."

He was obviously educated fairly well, but Carla and Mai had discussed getting salt to keep the growing numbers of slugs; that had started to descend on the fields from the surrounding forest, now the temperatures had started to stay warm during the nights.

"That amount you're after may be difficult..."

"Excuse me; but I may be able to help you there, as I believe salt is also soused from the Northlands - near your planned destination too."

The long blonde in the maid outfit spoke up, from her waiting position behind the lady of the house.

"How do you know?"

Hector turned to look at her with curiosity.

"I have a friend who works at the trade center in town here, and they always receive their salt from Herron, which I believe is near Irixs."

She stated in her smooth voice.

"Well that's perfect, their practically right next to each other..."

Everyone at the table smiled at the fortunate information.

"Thanks again."

Mai gave to the blonde, who replied back quietly with a smile.

"You're most welcome."

A male attendant then approached, caring over a little envelope, that the Baron seized upon and scribbled his signature on the papers within, while Mai finished drinking from her little cup.

"Is there anything else we can do for you?"

He grinned wide as he handed the paper over.

"No... I think that covers us for now..."

Mai said, eager to get underway once more, standing up to go, before remembering his earlier odd choice of words.

"You did mention that you hoped our travel might be 'uneventful'?"

Lygawa stood beside Mai, as the noble brushed off her concerns.

"There has been talk about that it is rough to travel about at the moment, but I'm sure you two will be fine."

"Best of luck too you both."

Alyssa got her little child to wave goodbye to them as well as the ladies left the family be again.

Escorted out by the waiting last of the trio of maids to be seen, the cheerful bouncy brown headed one added some more insight for the departing two.

"Please be cautious, there have been many soldiers about lately, and some can be... inconsiderate sometimes... especially to strangers..."

She seemed to get a little sad, so Mai asked her about it.

"Do you know what they are up to?"

The maid stopped by the door for a brief moment.

"I've only heard others tell of their actions, but I think it is just too cruel, as they are looking to kill any poor Dragon they can find out in the wilderness..."

"Really...?"

"I don't know why, I think they're quite incredible..."

"You are so nice to think of u- ah... them so."

Lygawa caught her near misspoken pronoun safely, as she smiled at the considerate maid.

Mai nodded in agreement, before they were kindly seen out, and left the large property, with more than they had sort from it.

{What could they possibly think they're doing?!}

Lygawa vented to her passenger and fellow wing-mate.

{Why too - as they'd surely be flattened the moment they tried such a foolish attempt, yes....}

[You of all of our kind should know not to underestimate these Humans...]

Nullawhy spoke up, as she now glided alongside, after regrouping with them outside of the town.

Lygawa went quiet for a bit, as they continued to fly high, as there were no clouds to hide behind in the wide blue sky today.

"Do the army usually get involved with... targeting Dragons?"

[I have never heard of it happening before...]

{They've never dared too - not for at least a century.}

I wonder what's got them all railed up now then....?

"Perhaps something happened, I'm sure they'd have a reason..."

She was met with silence for a few moments.

"...Or at least I'd like to know why they may think they have a cause. I'd hate to see a conflict between our kinds at all anyway..."

{If word of this got back to the elders... It could get very messy, yes...}

[Maybe you could simply ask?]

The red dragon suggested.

"Me? And where would we even-"

[I believe I've spotted a build up of several people, some more magically capable than the average... along with other contraptions and many others...]

The red dragon indicated, pointing her head down to her near left.

Mai peered cautiously over Lygawa's side, but could only barely make out the terrain from their current altitude.

{Shall we?}

"Don't you dare fly straight down at them..."

Lygawa had already begun to tilt, but flinched, then recorrected.

I'd much prefer not being shot at, because if we came down right upon them...

"We don't want to be misunderstood here - just fly down somewhere... well out of sight, and then we can get closer by foot."

Mai was getting a curious hunch again, but no 'visions', yet, but was equally annoyed that their trip was being delayed.

We're supposed to be having a relaxing time... I don't want to get caught up in something big again... but this is probably important... I think...