I stepped off the plank and onto the port leaving the ship behind me. I then stared at the famed city of peace.

Not far from the port was a collection of run down, similar looking and cramped houses.

And just above this shit hole stood beautiful towers that reached into the sky, while casting a long shadow on the ones below.

Holding back a sigh I glanced over my shoulder to see my family behind me. They were, of course, the ones who wanted to be here.

Because the comforts of a small town with strange but good people just weren't enough for them. Even though life was tough at times surely it’s better than, this.

Just another reminder of the difference between me and my family, I stood a full head taller than my human kin, I possess a stronger build, tougher hide, and the flames at my beck and call.

As for my family what could they do, cast spells?

Sure, spells have their moments, but seeing a pest burst into flames is something I’d say everyone has to experience at least once.

But they burn though those spells like their nothing, or hell you could just kill them before they get the chance.

People give magic too much respect, their only human after all, but that’s why I’m here, to protect my little human family.

My mother walked past me to lead the way, with my father and siblings all carrying the lighter luggage.

As they carried on down the port, I flexed my shoulders before carrying the heavy luggage as I followed. Thankfully it didn’t take long to reach our destination.

As my family entered our new house, I stopped in middle of street to stare at it. the entire trip here felt unreal like I was watching myself perform it, just keeping my head down and mouth shut.

But now that I’m here I realised it was worse than I had imagined, the house was a stale grey, like all the others, with flaking paint and a cheap little overhang that sheltered an even cheaper looking bench.

My eyes wandered to the sign that hang over the door and read in big red letters, “Drago’s Pest Control Service.”

I let out an annoyed sigh as I felt my cheeks flush red, before I quickly dashed to entrance.

I kicked the door open before entering the lobby, with my mother clicking her tongue in response before yelling, “Watch it.”

I held back a growl as I quickly pasted though the lobby before pushing open another door and climbing up the stairs behind it.

When I reached the second floor, I took a breath as the weight of the luggage started to get to me.

I then looked down the corridor before slowly passing each door as I dropped their luggage corresponding to name carved in the wood.

They read as followed, “My mother and father Hallan and John, then my proud bother Chris and lastly my trouble making sisters, Luna and Gretchen.”

Until I finally said, “Ah, mine.”

I grabbed the handle and gently opened the door before entering my dusty room, it was modest in size with a bed and a single window looking out onto the street.

To be honest it was little too small for me, but just about anything beats sharing a room with Gretchen.

Once I dropped my bag beside my bed, I proceed to let out a tired sigh.

Out of boredom or curiosity I wandered to the dust covered window, before wiping the filth with my hand.

I imagined I saw a long stretch of flowing wheat with the familiar mountains waiting in the background, I pretended I stood among friends and family overlooking our village, but what I saw were the many identical crumbling grey buildings mixed with the many strange faces.

I flicked the dust for my hand before clutching my navy-blue scarf, the calm scent of home and friends still lingered on it and before I knew it I found myself drifting away.

But as much as I wanted to stay in this fantasy, duty calls.

I had heard my mother summoning me to the lobby.

When I got there, she was already siting behind the counter ready to serve customers. She wasn’t one to waste time.

When people entered the shop, they saw what seemed like a butcher’s bench. Where the customer would stand by to discuss business.

My mother told me to sit on the chair at the far end of the bench, behind the walled section, just out of sight of someone entering.

 

When I sat down, I watched in silence as Hallan slowly studied her new spell book, which was safely out of sight to any would be customers.

I asked her why she wanted me out of sight, and she answered “For dramatic effect”

She wanted to summon me, then as I appeared the customer would see my draconic body and have them be in awe of me.

I sat there for what felt like hours, practicing the same damn lines she had forced me to learn, “Hey, the name’s Drago, you’ve got a problem, and I’ve got a solution.”

I let out a loud sigh.

But my mother simply turned another page, ignoring my boredom.

At that moment I decided I wouldn't take silence as an answer, but before I could force her attention.

The front door opened with the chime of little bells, our first customer.

My mother, gracefully stood up as she put on her brightest smile. As she welcomed the customer I got up from my chair and looked though the keyhole to see an old lady had entered.

She was almost as short as a dwarf and was wearing a chef’s apron with fresh food stains on it.

I caught a whiff of the freshly cooked beef with a dash of their foreign spices, and a sniff of mashed potato.

I wiped the saliva from my drooling maw as my tail wagged uncontrollable, it was then I heard my mother say my name, it was time to make an entrance.

I stood up, brushed off my gear, then opened the door.

I delivered my lines with grand gestures and a big smile before ending with a wink, which left her speechless.

So speechless in fact I believe she was unable to move, until she stuttered out the word with her hands clutched together, “D-dragon.”

I smiled nervously before saying, “Uh not quite ma'am.”

My mother quickly cleared her throat before telling me, “This is Mary, she runs the Tavern down the road called The Runaways, and she’s asked us to clear out her wine cellar. Discreetly.”

I turned to Mary as I kneeled and asked, “Could you describe the cellar and the pest for me, miss?”

Mary was still staring at me with a mix of fear and awe, before saying, “Well young man the cellar is well, a cellar. But there’s a beastie inside, I, I’m not sure what. B-but when I sent my little boy to fetch me some wine, h-he didn’t come back after a while. You see, it only takes a few moments to get back. So, I went to the cellar door but before I could open it, the door burst open and my boy collapsed right in front of me. He was covered in his own blood with claw and bite marks all over dem. He could barely stand, like he ‘ad no strength. When I asked dem who did this, he said a man made of shadows jumped dem and took a chunk out of ‘dem. But he managed to throw it off and make a break for the stairs. I-I’m sorry dear but that’s all I know.”

I waved my hand and said, “Ah, don’t worry about it miss, with me on the job, consider it done,”

Mary said, with a small smile, “Thank ya, dear.”

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “It’s nothing.”

But before I could leave, Mother yelled out to me, “Hey Drago, you’re taking your sister with you.”

Under my breath, I said, “Ma, please, no.”

Mother tersely reply, “No complaining.”

I rolled my eyes as my mother called Gretchen to come down.

I waited silently as Mother and Mary made the transaction. As that was happening Gretchen came stomping down the stairs, before bursting through the door then came to a crashing halt when she slammed right into me.

She bounced back, putting her hands on her head as she said, “Woah their big guy, watch where you’re going!”

I said plainly, “But you ran into me.”

Gretchen then said while crossing her arms, “Don't fuss over the details.”

With a sigh and slight grin, I turned around and opened the door, stepping aside to let her and Mary pass.

With Mary leading the way, we traverse though the filthy streets.

My hand remained firmly on my sword as I felt the traces of fear, I pretend was foreign, though the fact that every person we pasted held a weapon as they stared at me, didn’t help.

But I did my best to ignore it and focus on making it to the tavern while Gretchen greeted every passerby.

After a while I turned to ask her why.

She smiled and said, “Sparing you from a bad reputation. You know how people are when they see a big scary dragon man stomping around.”

I nodded my head in agreement and said, “You’re probably right.”

When we reached the Runaways, time seemed to slow.

The tavern was filled with music, laughter and people, with the smells of fresh food and clear drinks filling my nostrils, even though these things reminded me of home, I kept my grip firmly on my sword before taking a deep breath and putting on a confident smile.

The tavern went dead silent as all their eyes turned to me, their silence sent a shiver through my red scales, but me and my sister weaved our way through the crowd, while Mary brushed off her customers concerns.

When we reached the kitchen, I gave my sister a blank stare as she had offered a fist bump to everyone we pasted.

She smiled at my reaction before hitting me on the side and saying, “Oh don’t be a sour puss, first impressions are everything.”

I huffed before saying, “That they are.”

I then turned my attention to Mary as she conversed with a young man tightening his bandages, beside the man was a two-handed battle axe and as I approached I heard the last bit of their conversation, with the man saying, “You should've used the back door, Ma.”

Mary held her head as she said sadly, “R-right, I-I’m sorry.”

The man’s expression fell as he said, “It’s fine ma don’t worry about it.”

His expression turned sour when he noticed me, which turned to slight hesitation as he looked me up and down before saying, “You that new pest control?”

I nodded as I said, “Yep.”

Gretchen then added joyful, “Consider that pest, exterminated.”

The man looked at the engravings around Gretchen wrist then back at me before saying, “You two look competent enough.”

He gestured towards the door in front of him before adding, “The fuckers in there, I’d appreciate if you didn't break anything.”

I nodded as I said, “Very well.”

I walked over to the door and placed my hand on the handle, with Mary nervously saying, “Stay safe young man.”

I smiled as I said, “Of course.”

Gretchen winked as she said, “Don’t worry about him Ma'am I’ve got his back.”