Calix

Calix: Part One
Calix entered the sheltered tavern just as the sun began to set. It had been many moons since he’d been back here, but he had no new jobs at the moment, and he hoped to scout for some before moving on.
He stalked carefully towards the counter at the back, eyeing all the patron dragons warily.
He shifted his wings to ensure his weapons were visible, and fixed his features into a menacing scowl.
Some of the onlookers turned away, grumbling into their drinks.
A few continued their glaring, but were no immediate threat.
And those that were left either looked on in curiosity, or ignored him entirely.
good he thought.
This week had been stressful enough.
The last thing he needed was another brawl or another amateur thief’s attempt at stealing a professionals items.
Calix shook his head, clearing his mind as he dropped three coins on the table.
“House special, hold the lemonade”
The bartender, a bright golden skydancer with pyrite wings, scooped up the money with his tail, and stared at Calix for an uncomfortably long time before scurrying to the back room.
Calix usually wouldn’t have worried, as the drink he had ordered was a common code among monster slayers and assassins to acquire information, but that stare had put him off.
He began to regret showing up here.
His feathers rose on his neck, the unease creeping in as he suddenly began to reassess the dragons surrounding him.
His eyes darted around to claws and bags, trying to discern if any of his fellow patrons had any weapons or other means to incite an ambush.
Calix’s own claws twitched, subtly reaching for his mace, when the bartender returned.
“A dragon has requested to meet you in the back.” He began cleaning a glass while motioning with his head.
“Who?” Calix asked, hesitant to follow the gold dragons orders. He had been tricked like this before. He would not be caught unawares again.
“Big red fella. Seemed pretty important.”
Calix pondered for a moment, before deciding this was worth the risk. If he was lucky, it was an extremely desperate customer needing something dangerous done, possibly for a large sum.
“Alright. Where?”
“In the back.” The bartender repeated, not elaborating more than that.
With a sigh, Calix went around the counter, pushed back the curtain, and stepped into a back hallway, filled with about 15 doors.
the back he says Calix thought with a grunt.
However, one door was open, and covered by a draping blue cloth.
Calix stalked towards it silently, listening for any disturbance.
He could hear some familiar rustling, like a bird shaking out its feathers.
Hm. Another skydancer then.
Didn’t narrow it down much, but it didn’t seem like he could gather much more information hiding outside the doorway.
With a deep breath, Calix straightened his own feathers, held his head up, and pushed the curtain aside as he swept into the room.
He turned to face the dark red dragon, about to give his usual spiel regarding his prices and how he doesn’t have all day, but his voice refused to work as he looked into the dragons face.
The dark red was contrasted by deep blue eyes, boring into Calix’s own red-green ones.
His gaze was hopeful, if a bit scared and cautious, but a small smile broke out on his face.
Calix’s remained frozen in shock.
The red dragon stood, and took a step towards him, before stopping in his tracks, as of realizing he shouldn’t.
“Calix”
He said, both sadness and joy filling his tone.
Calix stood still, but his shocked expression quickly turned to an aloof frown as he looked down his nose at the dragon before him.
It had been so long, but he was not about to back down now.
“Father.”


Dragons Mentioned

• The Bartender, Doubloon
• Calix’s Father, Chalice

note: needs to study his botany, lost a hunger games match because he ate poisoned berries