Page 6 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
She smiled, shrugging. “After a few pints, it won’t matter anyway.” She tossed him the key and sauntered out, closing the door behind her.
Shaw opened the mental link the dragons shared and said Merrill’s name. “I’m at The Full Fiddler.”
“My rooms are on the second level, opposite end. The Fancy Pea. This certainly is an…interesting place. Watch yourself. There are soldiers and priests everywhere.”
Shaw severed the link and dropped his pack onto the bed as he walked to the window. He braced his hands on either side of the glass and looked down onto the street. He hadn’t spotted any of the priests Cullen had spoken about on his way in, but he saw them now. They wore long, red robes. The Priest of Innus, they were called. Shaw’s hatred was strong but that had nothing to do with the religion and everything to do with them murdering children with magic.
The sight of a red-robed priest who also wore armor caught his attention. So, these were the ones chosen by the Divine to protect the temple and the priests above all else. From what Cullen had shared, none of the soldiers had chosen this path. The Divine tapped them for service, and they had no choice in the matter. They had to give up their lives, families, and friends.
Shaw wouldn’t learn much by watching. He had to get out and mingle with the people. Not once had he ever questioned Con’s directive, but he had to wonder why the King of Kings had sent him when Shaw detested interacting with others. He would do it, but that didn’t mean he liked it. He better served in the shadows, by watching.
He moved away from the window and walked out of his rented room, locking the door behind him. Shaw made his way downstairs. The owner smiled when he took a table at the back. She walked to him, swaying her hips seductively.
“What can I get you?” she asked while leaning forward so he got a better view of her impressive breasts.
She was attractive. And clean. He could glean some information from her. “You spoke of your food, and I find I’m peckish.”
“You won’t be disappointed. That, I can guarantee,” she said with a wink.
He found himself grinning. Shaw studied the room after she walked away. There were tables of various sizes, and for midday, there was a good crowd. Some ate, but most just drank and talked. Men catching up with their friends or complaining about their wives.
Apparently, the conversation in a pub was generally the same no matter what realm in the universe you visited.
A plate of meat and what Shaw thought was some kind of vegetable—possibly a potato cousin—was set in front of him, along with a pint of ale. “You’re going to love this. I’m Jane, if you need anything. And I really hope you need something.”
Her invitation was clear. Shaw met her gaze and smiled. He waited until she’d walked away before tasting his meal. She was right. The food was excellent.
