The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 541: To See Dave

Lost for ideas on how to distract the swarm of ladies, Dominic decided to use the men as sacrificial lambs.

“So, I hear that there has been great progress while I was away. Have any of you fine ladies managed to lock down one of these young gentlemen?” He asked, with a gesture to the training grounds.

“They really are a fine catch, aren’t they?” One of the ladies sighed, dreamily.

“Indeed. We’re working hard to get the wedding venues ready for everyone, my apologies for the delays in the schedule.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright. We’ve been talking about it as well. You see, instead of holding mass weddings, or multiple separate venues, we were thinking that many of us could arrange a morning wedding, and then have four or five ceremonies an hour, so we all get our trip down the aisle, our moment to shine, and the guests only have to stay seated for the whole event.”

“That’s actually quite reasonable. A few hours of personalized ceremonies, then one big dinner and dance for the day’s couples.

I like it.

In fact, I will talk to Princess Alexis about it as soon as I have finished checking in on the Manor Guard. There are trolls in recovery, and they deserve the best that I can give them.” Dominic agreed.

The ladies smiled, but didn’t get the hint that he was trying to escape.

“Normally, there would be more of us out here to watch the morning practice. But now that the weddings are getting close, many have shut themselves in.” Melissa informed him, with a chin gesture towards Abe, who was mostly distracted from training watching her.

“I can see how that could be problematic. Even if they’re not active soldiers, I might have to remind them that they can take a break from their training roster to spend some time with their wives to be.”

Melissa giggled politely. “Oh, that’s half the reason that they are training. If they had nothing to do but let us tease them all day, my Potato isn’t the only one that would end up with heirs arriving sooner than expected.”

“You keep that up, and I am going to have to alter his personal heraldry.” Dominic joked.

“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. He’s a proper Nobleman now, he can have personal heraldry. Perhaps there is a way to work the potato into the design for his shield?”

“You know, if anyone should be called potato, it’s likely you. You do have that sort of aura about you.” One of the girls snapped in a snarky tone.

“Are you calling me fat?”

Dominic stepped between them. “I think that it’s a lovely pet name. Now, why don’t we stop the gents a bit early? They look like they need a drink, all glistening and sweaty in the early morning sun.”

Fahad shook his head in dismay at the hungry looks that the ladies were giving the soldiers. If he didn’t know better, he would think that they skipped breakfast.

The ladies began to rush over as the men took a break, and Dominic made his escape with Prince Fahad.

“That wasn’t bad. Most noblemen wouldn’t have thought to send them after their menfolk. Mostly they give polite non answers until the ladies give up.”

Dominic sighed. “I saw enough of that at the Royal events in the capital during the short time that I was there. There has to be a better method that doesn’t involve simply telling them to go away.”

“There isn’t. That’s why they’re so persistent. They’re hoping to wear you down enough that you give them something to make them quit asking. Just a bit of gossip is usually enough to keep them going all day.”

Dominic winked at the Crown Prince. “And if I told them what actually happened, do you think that they would give up so easily?”

“Of course. They don’t have the stomach for that sort of thing. The lads, on the other hand, won’t be turned away so easily.”

“Most of them have already seen me in combat, they’re definitely not going to be easy to skip the details with.” Dominic agreed.

Ingrid was standing guard at the door, smoking a cigar, when Dominic arrived.

“How are the boys doing?” He asked.

“Not too bad. You’ve come to check on the injured ones? They’re getting stir-crazy stuck in bed, but nothing to be done about it. Even with the healers, they’ve got a long process ahead of them.

But they’re in decent spirits. John, the sheep herder, brought over some fresh cheese for Larry to put in the stew.”

“Oh, it’s a good day to be a troll.”

Ingrid patted him hard on the head. “Yep. Now, go say hello before they start shouting.”

Dominic heard the trolls laughing from their beds as he entered, and the muffled admonishments of the healers that were there with them.

“Hey boss. That was good armour that you found for us.” Dave greeted him as Dominic came to stand beside the bed.

“Good, but not perfect. I will try to find some that’s even better. Now, I’m told that you’ll be in bed for some time, so I came to thank you for the good work. Your shields kept the blast off me long enough for me to get through the portal.

Thanks to your hard work and sacrifice, I managed to get all the bad guys who dared to attack us.”

Dave smiled, his face already fully repaired.

“The Trionne lady showed us the video already. It was a good fight, much bashing and booms, and claws and swords. The hill of bodies was impressive. They will remember that one.”

Trust the old Techno Witch to find a way to show the trolls the scrying video before Dominic even got a chance to come say hello.

“Well, your day is really looking up. You got to watch a video, and there is cheese in the stew tonight.”

Dave rumbled with laughter. “The sneaky John is a good herder. The cheese that he makes is the best stuff.”