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Harry walks us into his house and we are met by his smiling wife, and his two children. “It’s so nice to have guests,” she says. “We rarely see non humans come to town,” Cheshire clears his voice. “Most likely due to the -reason- you have those statues, most non humans are probably afraid you may harm them if they come here.” Her face falls a little and she looks past us towards the center of the town.

“That is our punishment then for our misdeeds, we’re going to have to accept it. Try to be more accommodating of the non humans. I think our people could learn a lot from the other species.” Alberich who is still upset over the amount of unicorn statues responds, “that is a good start. I almost wish I could kill that evil man again after seeing all those statues,” he gives me a pointed look. I catch his meaning, “that woman hasn’t tried returning has she?” Harry and his wife shake their heads.

They lead us to their living room which Zander and Alberich had to lay in the two adjoining doorways to be able to be part of the conversations. Human buildings are not made for quadrupeds of a certain size, I sat on a well made wooden chair. Cheshire sitting on my lap, which I believe was intentional. Their children excitedly run up to me looking at Cheshire, “the gryphons told us all about you.” Cheshire looks at them passively, “did they?” The children grin and nod their heads, “can you really do magic?”

Cheshire chuckles, “yes children. This is why I am small compared to my cousins, nature makes sure that we are capable of being stopped if we cause a problem with the rest of the world.” The kids look like they are thinking a moment, “what about the Dragons?” Cheshire ruffles his wings not terribly surprised by the question. “Well nature made the Hunters to deal with those who are problems, Dragons are part of the world. Not all of them understand their place in it however.” The children look surprised and Harry and his wife look worried.

One of the children then says, “momma thinks if we get an elf visitor we’ll have to only eat veggies and hide all of our wooden furniture.” Cheshire chuckles again, “well that is a better myth than some I have heard. Most elves do eat meat, only their mage healers are vegan. Those would tell you before a meal to let you know to provide them with something different, as to wood.” He chuckles again, “while yes; they have some very nice nature sculptors. Which are people who can take a living thing and make it grow swiftly into a specific shape, they do not think you are evil for cutting down trees. Considering most elves love a good fire in the winter.”

The children’s eyes go wide and then they turn their heads to their parents, “can we go outside?” Their parents nod and the children rush outside, and I smiles watching them. “Good this way that information will spread faster.” Harry and his wife look surprised and I turn to them, “many people in the world have misconceptions about the other species. Having your children run out to tell every single friend of theirs what they heard means those kids will tell their parents. Then the adults will talk about it.”

Zander picks up the line of thought, “I am surprised the gryphons don’t come by since they love baked goods so much.” Harry’s wife looks surprised, “they do? We thought they only ate raw meat.” Cheshire shakes his head, “Gryphons eat a wide range of foods. Yes, they eat raw meat; as cooking it removes a portion of the vitamins and minerals we need to survive. We however would not eat raw meat in mixed company as it is rude.” Cheshire thinks a moment, “let me guess they sent a group here for a visit and you brought out a freshly slaughtered cow?”

Harry looks embarrassed, “yes we did Sir. We didn’t know,” Cheshire sighs. “You didn’t but Lina did know. You should have a word with her, unless she told you and you didn’t listen?” Harry looks embarrassed again, “sorry Sir. She did warn us and we didn’t listen to her, that’s when she started taking more of an interest in visiting the gryphons.”

Zander nods his head, “from what I have heard; she chose to stay here and help your people. If you are letting her do her job why should she stick around?” Harry’s wife nods her head, “Terrance also told us. Then after the gryphons left and didn’t return he started spending more time cutting wood. We’ve done those two a disservice, we shall have to fix that.” I nod my head in agreement, “if you truly want to be welcoming of all here then you have to be accepting. Also understanding that maybe you don’t know everything about another species. Most of the other species have no problem with you asking them about things, how else do you learn if you do not ask questions?”

The pair look embarrassed again and Harry speaks, “after you have left I will talk with Lina and apologize. To Terrance as well, then see if we can try to have the gryphons come by for a real meal in our town.” I see a twinkle in Harry’s wife’s eye, “we can have a baking contest among our top bakers and have the gryphons judge them.”

Cheshire chuckles, “that would amuse them to be a part of. Also note that we do like cooked foods, especially if they have good seasonings.” He nods in Zander’s direction, “just like he’s not a vegan as well. Most people would think due to his species being half horse they are pure vegans, they are not; they just eat a lot more than other species do.”

The couple nod their heads and I speak, “then we come to Dragon’s. Yes I do have one traveling with me, he is currently away as we did not know how your town would react to him. The best thing is if you get a Dragon visitor do not offer them food, if they say they are hungry. You should recommend a hunting location.” I look at Cheshire a moment, “unless it is one of the Dragon’s called a Nature Dragon, these are very small Dragon’s who have control over plants and the like. You want to show them to you fruit trees instead, I do not know if you’ll ever see one; however best let you know ahead of time.”

They both nod their heads again and I continue, “our visit here is not a social call. Even though I wanted to come here and see how everything was going. I am searching for the Dragon Matriarch, and I am traveling looking for information as to where she might be. I imagine you may have heard some rumors as people come through your town?”

The two look at each other a moment then at us, and Harry speaks. “Not of the Evil One no, we did hear about what happened after you killed that Frost Drake however. Seems once the group of shifty ‘guards’ that Headman had learned his daughter ran off they killed him and started killing the others who stayed behind. They had hoped to have one of them marry her then they’d be in charge of the group, however they were not loyal to one another.”

I shake my head, “I had a feeling that wasn’t going to end well. Any word on any other settlements?” Harry nods his head, “we’ve heard whispers of about four settlements in the old USA. I think once places get established we might start having more trade routes.”

I look out of their window a moment watching a shape flying in the distance, “well; if all goes well. It won’t be just humans coming through your town, just remember to be accommodating and ask questions if you do not know what to expect.”

The couple nod their head as a person rushes into the house, “Harry there is a Dragon flying this way!”