The boys stepped into Draco town with Drake in the lead. They had only stopped after a few steps to take in the village. A soft breeze blew gently around them, causing dried leaves to flutter.
The small town was filled with villagers going about their business. They all looked to be in a rush. Drake and his friends were on the main street. The dirt was packed firmly from constant use.
Drake smiled faintly. "We haven't been noticed yet. Let's pass through as quickly as we can."
The boys nodded as they began to walk down the packed dirt road.
They were strolling through the main street and taking in the sights around them. There were citizens everywhere going in and out of shops, and sitting on long benches by the doors of establishments. The street was filled with villagers walking up and down the road as they rushed to their destination.
Finally, noticing the boys walking down the main street, all the citizens who were out and about turned to the newcomers as they passed; their eyes fixed on Drake's intricately designed robes. Most were giving slight bows of respect.
"Why is everyone staring at me?" Drake whispers so that only his friends can hear. "I don't understand what's going on."
Mike and Chad shrugged, not knowing what was going on either. This dimension was like a game. It could be anything.
The twin suns were beginning to set. The villagers would glance up in worry. It was clear that these people were afraid of nightfall. Drake didn't know why. He wondered what would happen when the twin suns fell and it was night. The way the villagers kept looking at the darkening sky worried Drake.
Drake looked around him; everyone was watching him, their eyes gleaming with excitement and reverence. They seemed to ignore his two friends who stood beside him. All their attention was on him.
A short, fat man came out of a large building and was now rushing down the street. Those in his way quickly moved to the side. He was heading straight for Drake. The man resembled someone's grandpa, with grey hair and a scruffy beard. He looked to be in his late sixties. His five-foot-tall stature and round belly gave him a jolly appearance.
The little man waved the villagers away, saying something to them that Drake couldn't hear. Whatever he had said caused the villagers to rush to leave. They're gazes kept going to the horizon as they went.
Stopping only a couple of feet in front of Drake, the man's smile widened before he bowed deeply.
Drake studied the man for a moment. The silence stretched as Drake tried to think of what to say or do. People didn't bow to each other where he was from. This was like a role-playing game. What would the person he seemed to be playing say to this little fat man?
The decision was taken from him as the fat man, uncomfortable with the silence, his smile faltering, spoke. "I am Ivan Scuttle, the mayor of this town. We are delighted to have you here, Master."
Drake stiffened slightly at the man's words. "Master?" he asked in confusion.
Behind him, Chad and Mike looked at each other, flabbergasted at what the man was calling Drake.
"My name is Drake, not Master," Drake continued, as the little fat man looked confused, his smile faltering a tad more.
The man nodded. "Yes, yes, Master Drake, we know who you are. Our town was named after you, after all. This is Draco Town, named after the great dimension master, Master Drake."
"I thought the Draco town was named after that," Mike stated, pointing to the large dragon head mountain.
Chad stood beside his friends, watching the little man intently.
The little man chuckled, "Yes, yes… that was a happy coincidence," he said, looking at Mike. The man turned back to Drake. "We have been expecting you. I had a room prepared for you and your companions, Master," the man beamed. He was clearly proud of his planning and preparation. "We knew you would arrive here late, so we made our preparations."
Chad frowned, Mike had his mouth open in shock, and Drake stood tall, his emerald gaze piercing the man. Drake had something to say to the man, and didn't know how to say it. Sighing to himself, he finally spoke.
"You may have been prepared, but we are not; we did not bring coin," Drake stated, his gaze not wavering. "We do not have the means to pay. We are also unaware of how you were able to know of our arrival."
The man looked relieved, which made the boys even more confused.
The man turned, motioning for them to follow. "Come, come. The inn is this way. A meal will be served for supper and one more for breakfast. It's getting late, and it will soon be dark. It's too dangerous after dark," he chuckled. Then, covering his unease, he coughed as his eyes swiftly glanced up at the darkening sky. "If you need additional men to scale the mountain, we can provide them. The innkeeper will supply you with anything you need for your journey."
Drake looked back at Mike and Chad. Mike mouthed, 'What the hell is going on?'
Drake just shrugged, confused.
When they reached the inn, it was cozy. A warm glow came from the fireplace. A short woman was spreading out a meal on a small table. Four places were being set. The woman stopped what she was doing, seeing the mayor and the three boys enter. She looked at Drake and smiled, bowing deeply.
"I am the innkeeper, Mary. Your rooms are ready," she beamed, then pointed at the meal. "I know you have just arrived, but our mayor wishes to speak with you. I will show you to your rooms after supper."
Drake bowed slightly, then nodded, acknowledging her words, and then led his friends to the table. As Mary quickly finished preparing the table before disappearing into the kitchen, Drake and his friends sat down.
"So," Drake began as he filled his plate. "How did you know of our arrival?" He placed his elbows on the table, staring at the mayor. His emerald eyes narrowed. "And how do you know my name?"
The other two boys were wondering the same thing. They stopped filling their own plates and looked over at Ivan.
They mayor, taking a bite of a chicken leg, grinned. Grease dripping from his scruffy beard. The man set the leg back on the plate, wiping his face quickly before looking at Drake. "We knew you were coming because the previous Dimension Master told us his heir was arriving soon. He told us that when the portal opens, he will arrive that same night. Since we felt the portal open, we knew you had arrived."
Chad and Mike didn't say anything; they just watched the conversation between Drake and Mayor Ivan.
Drake frowned. "Who is the previous Dimension Master?" he asked, still watching the old man.
Ivan grinned. "I'm sorry, sir. Strict orders have been given to us not to reveal that information to you. We were told that it would distract you from your quest. He did leave you some things to help you, though. They are in your rooms."
Chad looked at the mayor, his eyes narrowed. He didn't say anything.
Mike crossed his arms. "What did the previous Dimension Master leave for Drake?"
Mayor Ivan looked between the three boys, then smiled. "I have no idea. He left everything in a box that only the Dimension Master's heir can open.
Drake frowned, thinking. As he listed what he knew in his head, the others ate their meal.
'We end up in a dimension that is identical to the I just game. We're in a town that knows my name and is giving me the title of heir of the dimension master. There is a box that only the heir can open that the current dimension master left for me. They seem to know I have a quest that requires me to scale the mountain. The town we're in is supposedly named after me, and no one will tell me who I am the heir of. And last, what is going to happen when it gets dark out?'
"Hey Drake," Mike asked, bringing Drake out of his thoughts.
Drake looked between his two friends. The mayor was stuffing his face with mashed potatoes, the gravy dripping everywhere.
"Yeah?" Drake responded, taking a bite of his own meal. He found the food was delicious.
Mike just chuckled. "You zoned out. I was trying to bring you back without snapping my fingers in front of your face. I didn't want to seem rude."
After taking another bite, he looked over at Ivan. "What can you tell us to help us? We are new to this dimension, so we know nothing."
Ivan wiped the gravy from his beard before he spoke. "I can't really tell you anything except to warn you about being out at night. You should be fine after your quest. During the day, it's much safer."
"You can't tell us more than that?" Mike asked.
Ivan shook his head, picking up another chicken leg. "We have orders. We are forbidden to tell you anything further."