Defenders of Kron - The Black Dragon by Ritu Ghosh Page B

to feel hungry. Finally he settled down on a stone stool nearby. The drum beats became intense. The songs and the thumping of feet could be heard everywhere.
    Aaron finally spotted Flynn sitting opposite to him. He was enjoying his drink. He looked happy and high. Aaron walked up to him slowly. It was not quite easy to get though the dancing crowd especially when you were intoxicated. Finally, Flynn saw Aaron and gave him a weak smile.
    “How you feeling now?” Aaron asked Flynn shouting on top of the drum beats.
    “I am fine now.” Flynn answered but Aaron couldn’t hear his voice
    The drum beats stopped abruptly and there were voices of cheering. Aaron wanted to ask Flynn so many things but before he could say anything, Barda walked up to them.
    “Here are the guests of honor, come, join us for the feast!” he said.
    Both Aaron and Flynn were very hungry and immediately got up on their feet at the mention of food. They followed the chief who led them to a big table. The seating was for six people. Dan and Ony had already taken their places. Aaron sat next to Dan and Flynn sat next to him.
    The lady in red who spoke to them in their hut finally introduced herself as the chief’s wife. Her presence was graceful and she talked in a hush tone.
    Very soon, the food started to arrive and filled up the table. Aaron saw Flynn’s jaws drop at the variety of dishes kept in front of them. The table was soon full of wonderful aroma from the dishes. There were seven varieties of meats, fishes and many kinds of tubers which were all new to Aaron. Nobody spoke till they had eaten to their hearts content. Aaron ate till he was full to the brim. Finally, when he couldn’t eat anymore, he looked at the others who were also in a similar condition. But Ony was still holding on to his share of mutton chops and showed no intention of leaving anything on the plate.
    Barda asked some of the men to clear the table. Some girls brought plateful of deserts. There were all kind of berries and sweet fruits in them. No one could eat much of it, but the fragrance lingering around them made them happy enough. On the longer tables, the other hunters were seated and were enjoying themselves to the fullest. Everyone else had stopped performing and now the feast was the only thing that held their attention.
    After the big dinner, they scattered in all directions. The chief and his wife took permission to leave and asked them to enjoy the rest of the night.
    Aaron couldn’t spot Dan or Ony. Flynn was sitting next to the bonfire all alone, lost in his thoughts. Aaron joined him and found himself a nice spot to sit on the straws. Flynn did not notice Aaron and he continued to stare at a group of girls giggling at him from a distance.
    “How are you feeling now?” Aaron asked turning Flynn’s attention towards him.
    “Much better…” Flynn said barely.
    Aaron now remembered the last conversation he had with Flynn. He was rude and mean. Aaron assumed that this was why Flynn was not talking to him.
    “I am sorry!” Aaron said with regret.
    Flynn was a little surprised, but he didn’t show it.
    “For what?” He asked flatly.
    “For speaking to you like that at the market”
    Flynn shook his head and said “Don’t worry about it”
    “But I want to tell you something. Things I couldn’t tell you before” Aaron said, looking at Flynn with the hope that he would listen to him.
    Flynn turned his attention to Aaron now.
    Aaron told Flynn about everything he was holding back. He told him about the wolves, about the strange lady in the book shop, all about Dan and Ony and what they told him about his parents. Flynn sat still not able to believe his own ears. Aaron described everything without a pause. Flynn was excited, but he still did not ask Aaron about anything.
    The usually talkative Flynn was very silent today. Aaron knew something was not right.
    “Flynn!” Aaron stopped and asked “What were you doing in the forest and how in the