Resignation

Davion opened the door. "Zebulun," he said. "Come in. We were just talking about you."

Zebulun stepped inside. Quinn sat at the table, scarfing down food. He waved and said, "Hey, Z! I was just telling Davion how you quit the army."

Zebulun looked at Quinn, then at Davion, then back to Quinn. "That was just this morning," he said.

"Well, you know," said Quinn, "I go a lot of places, talk to a lot of people. I heard some soldiers talking about it in a bar, so I ran here to tell Davion."

Davion motioned; Zebulun sat at the table. Davion brought drinks for them.

"So," said Davion, "is it true? Did you resign?"

"It’s true," said Zebulun.

"Why’d you quit?" asked Quinn.

"Sarah was right. Dragons rule the kingdom. I heard it from the serpent itself. Aurelius Antipater commanded me to lead an invasion of Eastwood. I refused."

"And he didn’t eat you? Did you have to run fast?" asked Quinn.

"No," said Zebulun. "He asked me why."

"No way!" said Quinn.

"What did you tell him?" asked Davion.

"The truth," said Zebulun. "I told him I was tired. That I’d done my duty for twenty-three years. That I’d seen too many friends killed on the battlefield. That I wanted to retire to a quiet life in the country."

"How did he respond to that?" asked Davion.

"He offered me land and gold. And women. Elevation to fair folk status. I told him I wanted none of those things. He seemed mystified, then expressed disdain and told me to leave his sight. And the city."

Everyone paused. "Wait," said Davion. "Back up a moment — you had a conversation with the dragon? They can talk?"

"Not with their mouths," said Zebulun. "Not that I’ve seen. He projected an illusion into my mind. He appeared as a man. With concentration, one can see through it."

Davion raised his eyebrows, then furrowed them, deep in thought. He stared at the ground. "I wonder if all dragons can do this."

"I’ve only met one," said Zebulun.

"So you have to leave the city?" asked Quinn. "Where will you go? Back to the village of Koh?"

"No," said Zebulun. "Maybe someday. I haven’t seen it since I was ten. Right now I’m going to back to Eastwood."

"You’re going to warn Sarah about the invasion," said Davion.

"Yes."

"Are you going to fight for the forest folk?" asked Quinn.

"No," said Zebulun. "I can’t take up arms against my countrymen. The forest folk will have to defend themselves." Zebulun sighed. "But they deserve a warning."

Zebulun turned to Davion. "Want to come?"

"Of course," said Davion. "I don’t love the idea of going into a potential war zone, but the place was fascinating. The people were fascinating. I would love to see more."

"Me too!" said Quinn. He looked at Zebulun with pleading eyes. "Can we go tomorrow?"

"Yes."