Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“Let me show you.” Rogan stood and led Brooks into the mansion. He headed toward the more rustic part of the house built into his mountain. Stopping at a blank section of wall, he pressed several seemingly random spots. The rumble of grinding wheels reached them.
A passage slowly opened in front of them. Rogan reached out a hand to Brooks and led him inside the dark entrance. “Stand right there. I’ll light a torch,” he told his mate as the gears restarted, closing the room.
“I’m not moving,” Brooks promised.
Igniting the first torch, Rogan lit the closest to them. The pools of light revealed a section of the chamber. Brooks scanned the illuminated area.
“Is that a pile of gold?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any idea how much that is worth?” Brooks asked.
“I have a good idea.”
“What’s the job? Counting that pile?” Brooks joked.
“No. Weighing it would be much more efficient. I thought you might start with the weaponry.”
“Weaponry? Like guns?”
“Think older,” Rogan suggested.
“Spears?” Brooks guessed.
“Totally uncollectible. Wood disintegrates. Let me show you.” Rogan led Brooks to a small outer chamber and lit the torch in that section.
When Brooks sneezed, Rogan regretted the dust in that section. Too much time had passed since he was in this room. Silvery hilts and ornately carved scabbards dimly reflected the light under the weight of the grime that had settled on the weaponry.
“No way. Those are swords. Is there a light saber room hidden in here somewhere?” Brooks demanded.
“They shatter too quickly,” Rogan told him, shaking his head. “And they are worthless in a battle.”
“You know how to fight?”
“Of course.”
“Could you teach me?” Brooks asked.
“Yes. But only if you get these organized and counted for me.”
“Do you need pictures for insurance?” Brooks asked.
“Dragon. No insurance needed.”
“Oh, yeah. Anyone who tried to rob you is nuts.”
Brooks scanned the weaponry and asked, “Can you give me a brief lesson on types of swords so I can classify them? There are different types, right?”
Rogan showed him examples of claymores, sabers, rapiers, broadswords, and many more. Most were already grouped into categories, but a few had wandered into the wrong section. Rogan loved Brooks’s quick mind. He was curious and loved learning.
“Hey! This one still has blood on it,” Brooks called, holding up a Katana.
Lifting it to his nose, Rogan sniffed at the last dusty remnants on the blade. “Mine. I remember this sword. The guy appeared, dressed all in black, like a ninja. He tried to climb up the mountain face but got stuck on one wicked outcropping of rock.”
“Did you save him?”
“I flew by and flapped my wings to dislodge him.”
“You knocked him down the cliff?”
“He was coming to steal my treasure,” Rogan reminded him. “With that sword. I don’t think he intended that weapon to be a tribute or trade. Especially when he got in a lucky shot as I flew by and struck a place where I’d lost a scale. I took his sword for that and dropped him a few hundred miles away.”
“That seems fair,” Brooks said with a nod and got to work sorting and classifying the weaponry.
“Wait. Wear these,” Rogan directed, handing Brooks a pair of metal-mesh gloves. “The edges are sharp.” His mate rolled his eyes but followed directions.
They worked well together. Rogan took advantage of the close environment to kiss and caress Brooks often. After a couple hours, they had many groupings stacked together. Rogan was impressed. Brooks had excellent ideas.
When Brooks sneezed five times in a row and had trouble catching his breath, Rogan knew they had been in the dusty chamber for too long. “Time to stop for the day.”
“But we have more to do,” Brooks pointed out.
“We have many days to work on it. For today, this is a good start.” Rogan wrapped his arm around Brooks’s waist and guided him out of the lair.
Once back in the hallway, Rogan looked down at his clothes. They were both completely filthy. “Time to get all this dust off. Think you can lead us to our room?”
“No problem,” Brooks said confidently. “I’ve got the place memorized.”
Impressively, Brooks only took a few wrong turns before reaching the bedroom. “This place is monstrous,” he commented before sneezing a couple more times.
“We’ve got to get you dusted. Come on.” Rogan shooed Brooks into the bathroom. He turned on the water as he addressed Brooks’ previous statement. “The house is immense. You did a great job getting us around. I’m impressed.”
Rogan tugged Brooks’s shirt over his head. “I’ll dump our clothes in the tub, so we don’t spread this everywhere.”
When he unbuttoned his mate’s jeans, Rogan noticed he pulled away slightly before relaxing and allowing Rogan to undress him. “Thank you, Brooks. I enjoy taking care of you.”
In a few minutes, he had revealed his mate’s toned frame. “Jump in the shower and let the water rinse over you as I get these clothes off.”