the Test

"So this is Fred," said the woman.

"Yep," answered the girl with a flip of her ponytail.

Fred sat and eyed each one: Buffina, a self-named dragon-slayer; the nobleman dressed in black velvet; the drunk who had very large biceps and a poor choice in clothing; the woman whose leather mid-wrap made him most curious to see what was hiding underneath.

Buffina did the introductions, "This is Baron Fledermaus, this is Clark (psst, sit up!), and this is the Lady Diana of Aqualaria."

"Shut your trap you witch!" whispered Diana to Buffina in a not too kind manner. "Whether I be Lady or not is for him to discover and as to Aqualaria, I consider my birth there nothing but a sad coincidence!"

~~Ouch!~~ thought Fred to himself. Then, to the others, "So, you have heard of me – but I have not heard of you. Why do you wish me here? Of what use could—"

Before he could finish his thought, the drunken Clark roared aloud and with his great arms flipped the table over! Fred reacted as a soldier and slid to the left while simultaneously unsheathing his sword. The drunk charged Fred before he could stand and the knight was thrown a meter into another table. Fred grabbed a goblet and threw it at the head of his attacker, the drunk swatted it before it struck even a hair upon his unshaved face.

~~By the gods! What have I gotten myself into?!!?~~

The battle continued; other patrons of the cantina fleeing, laughing, or betting on the outcome. Finally Fred was able to swing his sword at the mad drunk and a deep cut tore into the man's left arm. This served only to enrage him further! He swung at Fred with his right arm and succeeded in knocking him into the bar rail. Still, Fred did not cease to defend himself, he did however begin looking for a quick exit. After being thrown three more times, hit in the face twice and nearly getting a chair in the groin Fred heard a calm voice yell out: "STOP!"

And it stopped!

Fred looked up through his bloodied eyes and saw the bruised drunk return to Buffina and the Baron. It was the Lady Diana who had made the fight come to its end. The ex-Aqualarian looked upon the bleeding nobleman from the Great Kingdom and said: "He'll do." Then she walked back to the bar and ordered a round of ale for everyone. With a great cheering from the assembled crowd the music resumed, the drinks flowed, and Fred was left alone to lift himself from broken chairs-bits and shattered glass and drops of blood (mostly his own). He looked at the four 'friends' and wondered whether they were dragon-slayers or servants of that same serpent. Buffina was the first to come near.

"You passed the test. Few ever go that long with Clark, he is soooooooo strong you know."

"I know," grumbled Fred. Then her words hit him: "This was a TEST!? A stupid TEST!!???!"

"Not stupid. Necessary. Now we know you have a chance against the dragon."

"Great, couldn't you just have asked for my resume?"

1. ...and then there were five.

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