A Mythical Match Up III, Part II

Nathan reached up to scratch his neck only to wince at the alien sensation of claws poking his scaly hide. It wasn't actually painful; his claws weren't especially sharp and his scales were thick and partially insensate. In any event, the action hadn't been prompted by an itch as much sheer anxiety.

"Nathan!"

Nathan blinked and looked up. Melinanatha was glaring at him from across the dining table. The young anthropomorphic dragoness wore an expression of impatient irritation. Nathan then looked down at the shiny brass goblet before him. It held a small volume of dark red liquid.

"The gentleman will demonstrate the loyal toast to the Eastern Regent."

The voice from behind him spoke with the same mixture of annoyance and impatience, albeit with some restraint.

Arm stiff with tension and fatigue, Nathan took the goblet and raised it into the air, gripping its stem between his index and ring digits. Despite everything he managed a perfunctory smile.

"To He who is the father and She who is the mother of everything and all," said Nathan, his voice more or less the same as it had been when he was human. "Glory to the Easternmost Regent, the children and the kin. We give thanks for every drop we drink and every morsel we sup."

He lifted the goblet to his lips. It was very rich and very alcoholic; it took some effort on Nathan's part not to cough as the potent brew trickled down his throat. He carefully placed the vessel back down on the table and looked expectantly at Melinanatha.

"Well?"

Melinanatha rolled her eyes. Nathan looked back at Zeszintha. The kobold castellan was shaking his head.

"Oh come on," said Nathan angrily. "I KNOW I got it right this time. I held it like you told me to."

"The gentleman erred," said Zeszintha firmly. He shifted slightly in place, his skinny arms tucked behind his back. He wore the same simple red robe he had worn when Nathan first visited the Realms of Shaltae.

"What, I didn't sound sincere enough?" grumbled Nathan.

"The gentleman'sss conviction was lacking, yesss," said Zeszintha. "It is one thing to ssspeak the wordsss but another to convey them with appropriate reverence." Zeszintha cleared his throat. "However, it isss customary to pause after wishing glory upon the Eastern Regent - to give the court the opportunity to respond in kind. Then one givesss thanksss for the food and drink."

"Yeah, I know but... there's no-one here besides you and Melinanatha," protested Nathan. "And she didn't say anything."

"You hardly gave me a chance, lout," snorted Melinanatha, folding her arms. "You mumbled through it without consideration!" She had eschewed her usual revealing - if not outright scandalous - raiment for an elegant blue gown-like dress. It did not hide her curvaceous form yet it did not emphasize it either. She had also donned a gold tiara that held her long, curly black hair in place.

Nathan opened his mouth, shut it, and then slumped in his seat with a sigh.

"Can we take a break?" he croaked. "We've been at it for hours. My tail feels like it's going to fall off and I think my butt has fused with the chair."

Zeszintha nostrils flared slightly.

"I hope the gentleman will not ssspeak so crudely in the presence of the Lady's guestsss."

"Why am I even learning the loyal toast?" asked Nathan. "You said it's only usually given on high holidays. This isn't a high holiday. You said the next one isn't for two months."

"One doesss not learn court etiquette in part," insisted Zeszintha. He paused, pressing his scaly palms together as though praying. "An incomplete understanding would, in sssome ways, be worse than complete ignorance. The former would imply the gentleman was taught rudimentary court protocol but isss either too obtuse to retain the knowledge or too rude to observe it. Ignorance, particularly from an outsider, can be forgiven."

"Yeah, but I am an outsider," said Nathan.

"True," said Zeszintha uneasily. "But if we are to maintain thisss...fiction, you must appear and act asss a draco worthy of the Lady'sss claw."

Nathan frowned. "Y'know, I've been thinking," he began.

"Must you always?" said Melinanatha, rolling her eyes again.

"I'm pretending I'm a...a Draco from another dimension, right?" he said, ignoring this. "I mean, that's the whole point - so Melinanatha could marry someone without losing her domain and ticking off her parents. Why would a Draco from another dimension - even one who's visited Shaltae - know so much about the Eastern Regent and honor him as their ruler?"

Both Melinanatha and Zeszintha said nothing.

"I mean, yeah, I'd get that it would be proper to acknowledge him as the ruler of the Draco here," continued Nathan. "And I guess it'd make sense that I'd take the time to learn the local customs, but-"

"The Eastern Regent isss sssovereign over all Draco and kin," said Zeszintha, suddenly and coldly.

"Yeah, bu-"

"The Eastern Regent is sovereign over all Draco and kin," said Melinanatha in a tone that brooked no dissent.

The temperature in the dining hall seemed to fall a few degrees. Nathan looked back at Zeszintha. The ordinarily phlegmatic castellan wore a severe, almost outraged expression. He turned to Melinanatha and saw that her expression mirrored Zeszintha's, though there was also a hint of concern in her eyes. A sense of unease crept over Nathan. It felt as though he were treading across a very rickety bridge towards a dark, unexplored forest brimming with glowing red eyes. The sensible thing to do would be to back up.

"Sorry, sorry," said Nathan in what he hoped sounded like a contrite tone. "Forget I even mentioned it."

A long silence followed. Then, just as Nathan was starting to get worried, Melinanatha sighed and then spoke.

"We will start again from greeting guests, seating and rules of speech and conduct," she said, rising.

Nathan wanted to groan in protest but didn't dare. Behind him, Zeszintha bowed.

"The gentleman will proceed to the main hall and wait with the Lady," he said as though nothing untoward had just happened.

"Yeah - sure, sure," said Nathan, standing. He grimaced. Despite his increased mass and muscle - or perhaps becauseof it - his lower body (tail included) and wings felt as though they were made of lead. He leaned on the table for a few seconds and, once blood had returned to his legs, carefully pushed his chair in and followed Zeszintha towards the hall. Melinanatha joined them once they reached the end of the table.

"You must focus," she hissed at Nathan as they walked.

"I am," replied Nathan testily.

"Then focus more intently," said Melinanatha. "And stop whimpering!"

"Look, this isn't the first time I've crammed for a test, but-"

A rapid series of knocks came from the main hall doors just as they were approaching them. Nathan, Melinanatha and Zeszintha stopped. One of the doors creaked open just far enough to accommodate the small reptilian head that poked its way out barely four feet above the floor.

"Forgive the intrusion, Lady Melinanatha," it squeaked.

"Ah, Kelscrim," said Melinanatha, nodding.

Kelscrim bowed despite having his head wedged between the stout dining room doors. Like Zeszintha he was a kobold, only shorter, his horns smaller and his scales dull olive. Nathan couldn't tell if he was younger than Zeszintha or simply smaller; neither of them had wrinkly skin, oversized eyes, sunken eyes or any other physical trait conventionally associated with age. Then again, they were an entirely different species from another dimension. Zeszintha certainly behaved like an old man.

"What is it?" asked Zeszintha.

"A messenger arrived from Sssnail'sss Rest," said Kelscrim, looking up. "Outridersss from the Eesek Mountainsss have entered the village. Lord Girgnasharak and Lady Sssaskalisssundra'sss cannot be far behind."

"They're already here?" gasped Melinanatha.

"No, but they are not far," said Kelscrim.

"How far? How long until they reach Northcliff?" probed Melinanatha.

Kelscrim shrugged. "I hazard they will be here within a demihour. But I cannot sssay for ssscertain."

"Damn it," snarled Melinanatha. "Why and how are they here so early? Even if they left Bodapnalkneesh's keep at the fourth hour they would not have arrived at Snail's Rest until the seventh or eighth."

Looking out of the corner of his eye, Nathan noticed that Zeszintha had opened his mouth as though to speak but had then promptly shut it. Melinanatha, having apparently also seen this, suddenly turned to Zeszintha.

"I know that look," said Melinanatha. "What is it?"

"I ssseem to recall Lady Sssaskalisssundra remarking to Lord Girgnasharak that ssshe...did not approve of Lord Bodapnalkneesh's mannersss when they last visited Northcliff. Perhapsss for thisss reason the Lady'sss sssire and dame decided to rebuke Lord Bodapnalkneesh by rejecting hisss hospitality and traveling directly here."

"Why didn't you mention this sooner?"

"I...forgot," said Zeszintha unhappily. He lowered his head. "I beg the Lady'sss forgivenesssss. Sssince hisss return to Northcliff I have focused only on the gentleman'sss lessonsss. I have had very little time to plan, organize and anticipate."

Nathan shot Zeszintha a betrayed look just before Melinanatha turned on him.

"This is your fault!" she snapped, prodding Nathan with a finger. "Zeszintha is a fine teacher yet it took you all of yesterday and what little time we had today to absorb the meanest basics. If he hadn't been so distracted we would have been better prepared!"

Nathan just stood there, glowering. There were about a hundred things he wanted to say to her. He wanted to point out that he was attempting to learn in a few days something that, by Zeszintha own admission, would normally take a week or longer. That despite Melinanatha's initial assurance it wouldn't matter if there were some gaps in his understanding of court etiquette, the two of them were suddenly acting as though anything short of perfection would spell disaster. That Zeszintha was far from the best teacher he had ever had. That her constant sniping wasn't exactly conducive to learning. He also wanted to tell her to fuck off.

Then, almost by accident, he looked into her eyes.

Her anger was only a thin veneer. Beneath it, the dragoness was anxious. No, she was terrified. Of her parents? Of something else? Nathan wasn't sure. He'd never seen her looking this vulnerablebefore.

Marshalling every last ounce of his self-control, he took a deep breath, exhaled, and spoke.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Melinanatha blinked. Her angry scowl rapidly faded. She clearly hadn't been expecting this.

"I know how important this is," he continued. "I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations." His voice hardened. "But if we're going to pull this off we need to stay calm and work with what we have. If we start panicking we're as good as finished. I can at least promise you this: I will do the best I can."

Melinanatha stared at Nathan, her expression unreadable. Zeszintha stood there gazing at nothing in particular. Then, Kelscrim cleared his throat.

"I, er, will inform the hold that the Lady'sss sssire and dame will be here sssoon," he gulped.

He then scurried away, not bothering to shut the door behind him.

A few seconds passed. Then, Melinanatha turned to Zeszintha.

"Zeszintha," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "Is he ready?"

Zeszintha frowned and gave Nathan an appraising and not altogether unfriendly look.

"Perhapsss," he said. "Forgive me, Lady Melinanatha, but your sssire, at least, hasss never cared much for formality. Perhapsss the gentleman'sss...cheek will impress him." He coughed meaningfully. "Your mother, on the other claw..."

"Yes, I know," said Melinanatha wearily. She nodded at Nathan. "It seems you will have a reprieve from your lessons after all," she said. "We must prepare for my parents' arrival. Zeszintha, alert the footmen and kitchen."

Zeszintha bowed. "Immediately, Lady Melinanatha," he said.

With that, the kobold castellan sidled past Nathan, nudged the door a little further open and slipped out into the main hall, leaving the latter alone with Melinanatha, who gave Nathan a queer look.

"Steel yourself, Nathan of the house Veles," she said somewhat melodramatically. "What you are about to face may be your most daunting challenge yet."

Despite the almost ironic tone in her voice, Nathan felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Just...how bad are they?" he said. Then he remembered who he was talking to. "Not-that-I'm saying-your-parents-are-bad-people bu-"

"As Zeszintha implied my father - my sire - loathes the rigmarole of court," she sighed. "He is capable of playing a courtier but never enjoys the role. Given a choice he'd spend all day hunting and sparring. He is brash, arrogant, impertinent, and admires these qualities in others." Melinanatha smiled wanly. "He may actually like you. My mother - my dame - is..." Melinanatha trailed off. She shook her head. "Actually, she is quite similar to my father, in a way. But while he brags and carouses she schemes and broods. If offended, my father will snarl and bark, perhaps demand a duel, but my mother will simply smile and issue a threat so subtle, so indistinct that you will only recognize it as such days later - aftershe has made good on it." She took a deep breath. "When speaking with her, say as little as possible and be vague. She is difficult to deceive but enjoys parsing meaning from riddled and opaque words; it is one of the few ways to distract her." Melinanatha started pacing back and forth. "If she asks you a question, do not answer immediately. I will reply for you, if I can. When she grows wise to our strategy, admonish me for not giving you a chance to speak for yourself. With any luck she will not see through our ploy, mistaking it for a strand of discord between the two of us she will fruitlessly tug at."

"Um...okay," said Nathan, his mind swirling. "Is there, uh, anything in particular I should avoid talking about? Besides the obvious?"

Melinanatha paused.

"Yes," she said after a moment's thought. "But given your, hmm, unfamiliarity with the Realms, you are very unlikely to, say, express an opinion on the Ilvian border policy or the virtues of the goddess Eis that would infuriate them. Don't imply my father isn't a great warrior or that my mother is stupid, even in jest. Oh, and do not flaunt your disdain for monarchies. I find it amusing; they will not."

"Okay, got it," said Nathan. He looked around. "Uh, what should we do until then?"

"We? I will go among the servants and ensure preparations are made. You will wait in your room. Rehearse what you have learned. When they are about to arrive I will send for you."

"Fine," sighed Nathan.

"One more thing," said Melinanatha.

She grabbed Nathan. Nathan yelped in surprise and tried to pull away but her grip was firm. She dragged him towards her and kissed him. Nathan's eyes bulged as her astonishingly long and agile tongue rolled around in his mouth, the floral scent of her perfume wafting in his nostrils, her massive breasts pressing against his chest. He shuddered - not from pain or discomfort.

Eventually, she released him. Nathan stumbled back gasping for breath.

"You were adorable as a human," purred Melinanatha. "But now...mmmm." She ran a finger along his broad shoulder. "I had to do something. I do not know how much longer I could have restrained myself."

She winked, turned, opened the door and strode out into the hall, leaving Nathan standing there in a daze.

* * *

There was a knock at his door.

"Master Nathan?"

Nathan looked up.

"Er, yes?" he called.

"Lady Melinanatha bidsss you join her at the gatesss."

"I'll be right down."

Nathan raised his cell phone and tapped the screen, being careful not to scratch the cover with his claws. The camera switched to selfie mode. He gazed gloomily at his reptilian countenance. At first his mind registered it as a mask - a terrifyingly realistic one. But after a few seconds he began recognizing certain familiar contours and proportions on the scaly green face looking back at him. It required more than passing glance to see, but yes, it was him.

Nathan brushed back his dark brown hair (it was just about the only other thing the potion hadn't changed). He tapped the button on the side of his phone and pocketed it. He adjusted his doublet and belt. Melinanatha had provided him with a set of clothing that was almost identical to the clothes she had supplied him with when he first visited the Realms of Shaltae. These were simply bigger to accommodate his larger, transformed body, as well as a pair of wings and a tail. He wondered, idly, if should actually wear the oddly colored beret Zeszintha had proffered and he had rejected. The kobold castellan had claimed it was the height of fashion in the Eastern Kingdom.

Nathan realized he was stalling. He straightened up, opened the door and marched out into a narrow hallway.

"You got this," he muttered to himself as he walked.

The narrow passageway eventually intersected with the main hall - a long, vaulted corridor nearly twenty feet at its apex. Stout wooden support beams lined its white-washed stone walls; colorful tapestries and banners - mostly abstract geometric designs or Melinanatha's crest - hung in the spaces in between. Small skylights in the arched ceiling cast shafts of dull, dusty light onto the smoothed stone floor.

Nathan turned left and made his way towards a set of heavy iron-braced double doors, presently open, at the far end of the great hall. Every step he took echoed loudly in the otherwise still and silent space. Beyond the open doorway lay a small chamber - the vestibule. An even larger pair of double doors, presently shut, lay beyond. A pair of muscular Draco guards in brigandine armor wielding oddly-shaped polearms stood on either side of the second set of doors. Upon seeing his approach the guards bowed slightly, turned and pushed the doors open. Nathan nodded in silent thanks as he passed them.

A cool breeze buffeted Nathan as he emerged from the keep. The musty air of the castle gave way to the scent of pine needles, flowers, soil and grass. Nathan looked around.

Northcliff was built on top of a wide rocky knoll situated at the foot of a mountain range. The keep proper consisted of a rectangular three-story structure about the size of a grocery store - not overwhelmingly huge but not noticeably small - with no outer walls. In many ways it resembled a classical European castle complete with rounded turrets at each corner, but unlike many of the ones Nathan had seen on film or in books, this one was not a ruin. The exterior, like the interior, was white-washed and shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun. There were no cracks or holes in the masonry, no crumbling walls. Banners hung from the ramparts. True, sections of the roof had seen better days and the banners were somewhat frayed, but Northcliff looked like a home; not some historical site. The ground around the keep was bare and heavily trodden. Beyond Northcliff laid a verdant pine forest that stretched on for miles. The terrain was rough and hilly. Thin tendrils of smoke could be seen rising up from behind a small, distant peak. A dirt road about the length of two car lanes wove its way from the keep entrance down into the forest, vanishing behind the trees.

Six Draco guards dressed and equipped identically to the two in the vestibule stood at attention along the side of the road near the keep. Melinanatha stood between the nearest two along with Zeszintha and a trio of robed kobold footmen.

Melinanatha glanced at Nathan as he joined them.

"There you are," she said.

Nathan nodded.

A minute or so passed in silence. As they waited, Nathan found himself thinking back to the day he'd downloaded Mythic Matches app. That simple decision had led to him being pulled into another dimension and had entangled him in the political intrigue of a race of anthropomorphic dragons. It had also resulted in him, at the age of twenty, being engaged to a dragoness princess who, he had recently learned, was pushing fifty even though she was by the standards of her race barely an adult herself (and certainly acted that way). If he could have somehow known all this would come to pass, would he have still downloaded the app?

He shook his head free of these errant thoughts. Now was not the time for hypotheticals or self-reflection.

Then, Nathan spied something up ahead. He leaned forward and raised a hand over his brow to shield his eyes from the sun. Something was moving along the road in the forest a good seven or eight hundred feet away. He couldn't make out much through the occluding trees and foliage, but it soon became clear it was a group of Draco.

"I did not expect them to travel with so many retainers," murmured Melinanatha.

Nathan counted at least fifteen. All were Draco. Some wore armor - not brigandine like Melinda's guards, but steel breastplates over chainmail hauberks. Some Draco carried swords; others carried halberd-like polearms. Then, another group emerged from the forest. They were carrying a large object. No, a vehicle - an oversized enclosed palanquin, one large enough to hold at least four passengers and a large amount of luggage, by Nathan's estimate. He couldn't tell if it was made of metal or wood but it was lavishly decorated with baroque steel and gold panels, grilles and spikes. Even from this distance he could make out a coat of arms on the front - a golden wheel against a white background. Eight burly Draco carried the enormous thing - two on each end and four in the center where the bottom edges of the palanquin curved inward, allowing the litter-bearers easy access to solid iron bars running the length of the vehicle. Four additional armed Draco followed the palanquin from behind.

"That's a bit...much," said Nathan.

"Indeed," said Zeszintha, to Nathan's mild surprise.

It took another ten minutes or so for the troupe to reach them. The armed Draco spread out in a semi-circle around the palanquin as though to protect it from any threat from the forest. Then, as one, the Draco litter-bearers let go of the palanquin. Nathan almost cried out in alarm but to his surprise the palanquin did not fall to the ground. It just floated there, unmoving.

Six of the litter-bearers hurried to the rear of the palanquin and started unloading the luggage. Two removed a squat wrought-iron stepladder from the roof of the vehicle and placed it in front of a door. The door opened.

A stately, green-scaled Draco dragoness stepped down from the palanquin. Though almost a foot taller than Melinanatha she was not quite as muscular or curvy, her breasts impressive but not enormous. She wore a royal blue gown - one very similar to the one Melinanatha wore - and a light-tan bodice decorated with golden-threaded embroidery. Her platinum blond hair was packed into a tight chignon bun. An intricate tiara made from a fused assemblage of gold and silver wires rested upon her head. Her face was long and angular, her reptilian features slightly more pronounced than most Draco. Her eyes were blue and as sharp and cold as an icicle.

Another passenger soon followed her - a yellow-scaled, ebony-haired male Draco, shorter but far heavier, perhaps brawnier. He wore a black long-sleeved coat with silver trimming over an equally black tunic. A thick, reddish-brown pelt - half-fur, half-feathers - hung from his shoulders, making him appear even broader than he already was. His barrel-like physique was constrained by an oversized leather belt - almost a girdle - holding up a pair of baggy black pants. Whereas the female was unarmed a sheathed sword hung from the second Draco's side. He had intense, dark-brown eyes that nonetheless glimmered with faint joviality.

Melinanatha approached the two. As one, they turned to face her as though noticing her for the first time. There was a moment of silence. Then, the male grinned and threw out his arms.

"Daughter!" he bellowed joyously.

At this, Melinanatha ran up and hugged him, laughing. The female stood a respectful yard away as they twirled around in each other's arms. Eventually, they let go. Melinanatha then turned and embraced the female, who returned her affection in kind, albeit less effusively.

"Melinanatha," said the female calmly.

"It has been too long, mother," said Melinanatha, smiling.

"Indeed," said the female stepping back.

"You look well," said the male, patting Melinanatha on the back. "They say mountain air is good for the lungs!"

He then turned and looked directly at Nathan. The female did not turn but her gaze shifted to him, her pale blue eyes glinting. Nathan suddenly felt like a mouse being sized up by a pair of cats.

"So," began the male. "This is the famed Draco from beyond the veil who would wed my daughter!"

Nathan couldn't tell if his tone was amused or angry; it very well could have been both.

Melinanatha smiled weakly.

"I present my sire and dame," she said, addressing Nathan. "Lord Girgnasharak and Lady Saskalisssundra, dominators of the Eesek Mountains, Asheraki Castle, Cobbler's Cove and the Twin Towns of Hissle and Featherweed."

Nathan nodded and then, recognizing the prompt, bowed low, holding his left hand over his chest while extending his right.

"Ahem," said Girgnasharak, coughing loudly.

"...Lord Girgnasharak, slayer of the fiendgriffin of the Bloody Heath, Scourge of the Silent Clan, commander paramount of Eesek," sighed Melinanatha.

Her father nodded approvingly.

"Mother, father," said Melinanatha, now gesturing at Nathan. "I present Nathan Michaels of the house Veles."

"Hmph, is that all?" snorted Girgnasharak as Nathan rose. "Then it's true. This one isn't even a noble."

"Even if he were, what does it even mean to be 'noble' in his world?" said Saskalisssundra.

"Mother!" hissed Melinanatha.

"It is an interesting question, daughter," said Saskalisssundra, sounding lightly offended. "From what bloodlines would his nobles trace their heritage? How are they descended from the First Brood? It is not impossible that some of the Eastern Regent's offspring scattered to worlds beyond the veil during the Age of the Elder Gods, but how would one confirm this? And even if this were the case, how pure would their blood be?" She paused. "Perhaps the gentleman will enlighten us over supper."

Nathan felt a knot forming in his stomach. This was going to be even tougher than he thought.

Melinanatha cleared her throat.

"Nobles do not exist in his world in the same sense that they do in the Realms," said Melinanatha carefully. "They venerate the Eastern Regent to the extent they are aware of him, of course."

"Of course," said her mother, nodding.

"But I beg you mother, father, appraise Nathan by his merits, not his heritage."

"The two are synonymous," said her mother.

"So they say, yet noble Draco have wed commoners and produced worthy scions; and not in spite of their lineage, as some are wont to say. What of...Meridi of Lassans or...or Lady Dresphi and Lord Xenoskillitri?"

"Aye, Lord Xenos is a worthy one," said her father, nodding.

"There are always exceptions, I suppose," said her mother. "Though, rumors persist regarding their true ancestry..."

"Mother!"

"Vicious slander, most likely fabrications of unworthy and jealous rivals, I agree," said Saskalisssundra quickly. She glanced around. "But let us continue this conversation in more agreeable environs."

"Of course," said Melinanatha. "My servants have already prepared a sumptuous feast. The east guest room has been thoroughly cleaned in anticipation of your stay."

"Only one room?" said her mother.

Melinanatha blinked.

"You...wish to have your own rooms?" she asked, bemused.

There was a pause.

"Oh, forgive me, my daughter," laughed Saskalisssundra dryly. "In our haste we neglected to send word that we travel with a companion."

"Companion?"

The rear door of the palanquin opened. A nearby litter bearer hastily carried the stepladder over to the base of the door. A third Draco - male, dull red scales, short blond hair, thin but even taller than Saskalisssundra - stepped out of the vehicle. He wore an exquisitely sewn black brocade doublet - one overlaid with gold ivy-like patterns - over a white silk shirt and tight grey hose. A blade - not quite as broad as Melinanatha's father's, but longer - hung from his belt. He carried himself much like Saskalisssundra - with a sort of detached, haughty dignity; as though he put careful consideration into every step he took without any actual effort on his part.

Hands behind his back, he approached the group and bowed slightly.

"Nathan of the house Veles," said Saskalisssundra, directly addressing Nathan for the first time. "Allow me to introduce-"

"Coskitrask!" growled Melinanatha angrily.

* * *

Nathan slowly lowered himself into his seat after confirming that everyone else - Melinanatha, her parents, and Coskitrask - had sat. Though he was a guest, and therefore deserving special courtesy under the laws of hospitality, Draco custom dictated that diners seat themselves in order of noble ranking; as an outsider, he occupied the lowest rung. Nathan then carefully dipped his clawed fingers into the small trough of perfumed water sitting on the table before him alongside his plate and utensils; the others did the same. As he dried his hands he nervously noted how he was the only one seated on his end of the table. Melinanatha sat to his right, then her mother, Saskalisssundra, her father, Girgnasharak, and then finally Coskitrask to his left, all facing him. It felt less like dinner and more like a job interview. Or a trial, with only one reasonable judge. He also noticed that Melinanatha kept glaring at Coskitrask, who for his part barely seemed to notice her.

A few seconds later, Melinanatha's servants entered the dining room wheeling a large dining trolley stacked with food. They started serving the first course, starting with Melinanatha's parents and then, somewhat to Nathan's surprise, him. He stared down at the steaming lumps of mashed river root, braised long beans, chickpeas, sweet mash and roast boar (Zeszintha had gone over the meal with him beforehand). It was very similar to the meal he and Melinanatha had shared when he first visited the Realms of Shaltae - it seemed ages ago. However, the servants had given him much larger portions this time. He wondered if his appetite had increased along with his size. He hadn't eaten much since returning to Northcliff (he'd been too busy with Zeszintha's lessons) and in truth still didn't feel all that peckish.

Melinanatha's father dove right in. He started with the roast boar, carving his steak into large, barely bite-sized chucks before gobbling them with gusto, pausing only to quaff from his goblet. Eating before the host was a mild breach of etiquette, but something told Nathan Girgnasharak would be getting away with it. A kobold servant with an earthenware jug stood nearby. Every so often, unprompted, the servant would lean over and refill Girgnasharak's goblet. Melinanatha's mother ate, but did so far more slowly, taking far more reasonable bites. Melinanatha and Coskitrask also started eating, the former still suspiciously eying the latter. Nathan reluctantly reached for his spoon.

A minute or so passed. No one said anything. The only sounds were utensils scraping against plates, chewing, swallowing, and the occasional clearing of the throat. Then, mouth still half-full, Melinanatha's father raised his goblet and nodded at Melinanatha.

"Hsh beast ish delicious!" he proclaimed. He stifled a belch and then continued. "Juicy, rich, seared to perfection! Did you slay it, daughter?"

"Alas, no," said Melinanatha, smiling apologetically. "That honor goes to the hunter U'oli of Snail's Rest. He provides Northcliff with wild game."

"Pah! Beasts are rife in these woods. You should hunt your own. It is your right and privilege as dominatrix."

"I am usually too preoccupied with governance indulge in such sport."

Nathan noticed a thin smirk flicker in and out of existence on Saskalisssundra's lips.

"Then perhaps this one will provide for your table, eh?" said Girgnasharak, gesturing at Nathan. He leaned forward on the table, grinning. "How about it, Draco from another world? Do you hunt?"

Nathan was chewing a particularly fatty piece of boar meat when Melinanatha's father posed the question. He tried to swallow so he could answer but almost choked. He barely managed to stop himself from coughing.

"Well, do you?" probed Girgnasharak as Nathan took a large swig from his goblet. "Any worthy Draco does."

"Nathan dwells in a large metropolis, father," supplied Melinanatha. "There is no wild game for miles. And he too is preoccupied - with his studies."

"What? What? Ridiculous!" said Girgnasharak, almost roaring. "He may not be a noble bu-"

"Enough, husband," said Saskalisssundra in a quiet yet insistent voice.

Melinanatha's father glowered but fell silent.

"Scholarly pursuits are a worthy pastime," said Saskalisssundra. "As worthy as tramping about the wilderness slaying beasts, at least. Though...surely you find time for diversion from your studies?" said Saskalisssundra, turning to Nathan.

Nathan, mouth still full, said nothing but nodded.

"Of course," said Saskalisssundra. She sighed. "Alas, my Melinanatha seems wholly occupied with matters of statecraft. We hardly hear from her and she hasn't visited Asheraki Castle in years." She took a sip from her goblet. "In fact, I do not believe she has left Northcliff since we granted her domain over it, apart from visiting your world. I applaud her dedication, of course."

Nathan felt the tension in the room rise without quite understanding why. He glanced over at Melinanatha. Her expression had remained neutral but she was avoiding her mother's gaze.

"What do you study?" inquired Saskalisssundra.

"He studies trade, mother," said Melinanatha. "As I said, he is a journeyman merchant."

"I thought merchants became merchants through apprenticeship. There are schools dedicated to such a trade in his world?"

"Yes, there are," said Melinanatha. "I even visited him at his school. It was...quite impressive."

"Odd...are there also schools for porters, farmers, masons and night soil collectors?"

"Is this really relevant, mother?" said Melinanatha crossly.

"I merely wish to learn more about this young Draco who would be your husband and my son-in-law," replied Saskalisssundra calmly. "And the world from which he hails. If his people have large schools specializing in mercantile...arts," she said, pronouncing the last word a tad disdainfully "It implies they hold pecuniary matters in great reverence."

"And what if they do?" said Melinanatha defensively. "We are Draco. We are the guardians of wealth and beauty in the Realms."

"We accumulate and protect things of beauty and worth, my daughter," said Saskalisssundra. "We do not supervise the exchange of barley for salt or linen for amberdine. Or copper and timber for..." she waved a claw vaguely "Whatever. Such pedestrian tasks are beneath us. That is what trade houses are for."

Nathan's eyes narrowed. For the first time since Melinanatha's parents arrived, he felt inclined to speak up.

"Without barley and salt our larders would be empty," retorted Melinanatha. "And without linen, amberdine, copper and timber we would live naked in caves."

"Aurochs feed on grass, we feed on aurochs, but we do not feed on grass," sniffed her mother.

There was an awkward pause. Melinanatha took a long drink from her cup.

"Tell me," said Saskalisssundra. "How many other Draco from this other world courted your affections?"

Melinanatha blinked.

"It is...not so straightforward."

"So he was the first and only one."

"No! I mean, yes, but..."

Melinanatha fell silent. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Nathan's lips tightened.

"How fortunate it is you found your one true love so quickly," said Saskalisssundra sweetly. "And in another world...oh, wait, that much is no accident. It was quite clever of you to find a way around the Vassal Council's ruli-"

"That's actually how the app works."

It took Nathan a few seconds to realize he had spoken. Everyone was staring at him; in Saskalisssundra case, quite frigidly.

"Ah, it can talk!" said Melinanatha's father mockingly.

"I beg your pardon?" hissed Saskalisssundra.

Nathan panicked for a second. He saw Melinanatha staring at him in horror. Then, he cleared his throat.

"The...uh, I suppose you would call it the magicthat brought Melinanatha and me together works through soul resonance," explained Nathan. There was a slight quiver in his voice, but otherwise he sounded, much to his surprise, quite composed. "It uses magic to connect those who are...compatible. So it really isn't that surprising that she'd find someone so soon - me."

There was a pause.

"I see," said Melinanatha's mother stiffly. "How wonderful for the both of you - for true love to come so easily."

Nathan decided to take a risk.

"Well, some people sure aren't making it easy for us," he said.

The room went deadly silent. Then, a loud thump filled the air. Nathan jerked in his seat from the sudden noise, almost spilling his drink.

"Haaaaaa ha-haa!" laughed Melinanatha's father, pounding the table again. "You have stones, Draco from another world!" he said gleefully.

Buoyed by this, Nathan decided to take it a step further. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said quickly, covering his mouth. "I did not mean to imply that you..." he deliberately trailed off.

Melinanatha's mother took a sip from her goblet, glaring at him the whole time. Nathan glanced at Melinanatha. She seemed both elated and terrified by what he had done.

"Of course not," said Saskalisssundra coolly.

With that, she reached for a fork and started eating again. Melinanatha's father did the same. A minute more or so passed in silence. Just as Nathan was starting relax a bit, Melinanatha's mother wiped her mouth with a napkin, turned and addressed him.

"So, tell me of your family," she said. "Your sire is a merchant? What are his holdings?"

Nathan took a drink from his goblet. He was actually starting to enjoy the taste. Then, he remembered just how alcoholic it was and pushed it aside before answering.

"Actually, he isn't a merchant," said Nathan. "He's, uh...biomedical engineer."

There was a pause.

"A what?" said Saskalisssundra, sounding, perhaps for the first time since she arrived, genuinely confused.

Melinanatha spoke up. "His father is, uh...that is, he..." she stuttered, struggling to come up with an explanation.

"A biomedical engineer is someone who builds and designs medical equipment," supplied Nathan. He gave Melinanatha a little reassuring nod before continuing. "That is, machines, tools, chemicals and prosthetics used to heal people. He specializes in designing biomaterials - er, stuff you can use to make artificial legs, arms, implants, even organs - like hearts."

"I...see," said Melinanatha's mother.

"Artificial legs?" said Melinanatha's father. "Limbs to replace those lost in conflict or accident?"

"Yeah," said Nathan, nodding. "He's actually working with a software company to build the first generation of bionic limbs - ones that you can control with your mind."

"And...artificial hearts? Truthfully?"

"Well, artificial heart valves anyways. They replace most of the functions of a heart. Usually temporarily, though newer models may eventually be true bionic replacements."

"That is...impressive magic," said Saskalisssundra reluctantly. "Priests and priestesses of Lune can restore stricken limbs to those deemed worthy of the blessing. And alchemists can brew an elixir that can achieve the same effect, albeit at great expense. Powerful shapechanging magics can also compensate for a loss of a limb. Your father is a powerful priest or mage, yes?"

"What? No...not really," said Nathan.

"An alchemist, then?"

"Sort of," said Nathan, wincing.

"A skilled one, to build such...devices. Why did you not follow in his footsteps?" Her voice suddenly acquired an all-too familiar edge. "Perhaps lack of skill or the lure of wealth?"

"Huh? No way," said Nathan. "I just never got into science. And honestly, I think there's a good chance I'll never make what my dad makes."

"Makes?" said Saskalisssundra, raising an eyebrow.

"Earns," clarified Nathan. "As in, how much he earns per year."

"And how much is that?"

"Mother!" protested Melinanatha. "You were just going on abo-"

"About a hundred and twelve thousand a year, last time I checked," said Nathan. "Er, dollars. A hundred and twelve thousand dollars. Not including benefits."

"And what, pray tell, is a dollar?" said Saskalisssundra, rolling her eyes. "Half a bit? There are no 'dollars' in the Realms."

"Er..." Nathan did a quick mental calculation "...Unless exchange rates have changed a lot since I last checked...around five-thousand gold lancs."

Melinanatha's father was in the middle of drinking when Nathan spoke. The former's eyes and cheeks bulged. He grabbed a napkin and pressed it against his lips just in time to catch the wine before it could spray out onto the table. Melinanatha's mother stared at Nathan in astonishment. Even Coskitrask, who up until now had been quietly eating his meal, ignoring everything around him, looked over at Nathan with interest.

"Ridiculous!" hissed Saskalisssundra. "That sum...why...it's..."

"Nathan's family is very wealthy," interjected Melinanatha smoothly. "Nathan purchased a collection of puzzle sticks from a merchant-prince in Do va Eins for me as an engagement gift. The collection included the Valen blackstone raccoon."

"The blackstone?" said her mother, surprised. "But I thought you used-"

"I didn't spend it on that, mother," said Melinanatha irately.

A thoughtful silence settled over the dining hall. Looking around, Nathan could not help but feel a little smug, though soon after he felt a pang of guilt. He didn't think of himself as being rich. In fact, the notion of belonging to the 1% irked his egalitarian sensibilities.

Then again, his family did own a small vacation home in Palm Springs...

"Five-thousand lancs," said Girgnasharak, shaking his head in wonderment. "That's more tha-"

"It is a lot," said Saskalisssundra.

Then, a soft creak filled the air as a kobold servant carefully nudged the dining room doors open and stepped inside. He bowed low.

"Begging your pardon, Lordsss and Ladysss," said the kobold.

"Speak," said Melinanatha, waving a claw.

"The resonance stone in the library singsss," said the kobold, still bowing. "It isss a member of the Vassal Council. They would ssspeak with Lady Melinanatha."

Melinanatha sat upright in her chair. If she were capable of turning pale, Nathan was sure she would have, given the shocked and dismayed expression on her face. She rose from her seat.

"Mother, father, Nathan and...honored guest," she said, adding a sneer at the end. "I forgive me, I must-"

"We understand, daughter," said Saskalisssundra, raising clawed hand in an assuaging gesture. "One does not tarry when the Vassal Council calls."

"I will...send word if I begin suspect the audience will be long."

Pausing only to give Nathan a desperate, apologetic look, she somewhat hastily sidled her way around to the far end of the table. A pair of kobold servants opened the double doors leading to the main hall and shut it behind her as she exited the dining room.

Nathan just sat there - alone, but not without company - in bewilderment and mild terror. He risked a quick glance at Saskalisssundra, Girgnasharak and then Coskitrask. None of the assembled Draco appeared to be bothered by Melinanatha abrupt departure and none of them appeared to be paying any attention to him. Girgnasharak was carving up another slab of roast boar, Saskalisssundra was signaling for a kobold servant to refill her goblet and Coskitrask was...well, he was eating.

Then, Coskitrask looked up at Nathan and, to the latter's horror, winked.

"I must say," said Saskalisssundra so suddenly that Nathan almost jumped in his chair. "I did not know what to expect of you," she said. "But you are doing quite well."

Nathan managed a weak smile.

"Thank you."

Saskalisssundra took a sip from her goblet and put it down before continuing.

"...For a human wearing the guise of a Draco."