I contemplated my options whilst Dagon wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve. What was the point in lying? I couldn’t fake having a different Power.
‘Fire,’ I said simply.
Dagon raised his eyebrows, seemingly impressed. ‘Well, I can see why yeh can look after yerself,’ he said. ‘Not many a man that would play with fire.’
‘What do you do?’ I asked. ‘Something to do with water, I assume?’
Dagon nodded. ‘Yeh, guess right. I’m a Water-Breather,’ he said.
‘I guess that makes us opposites then,’ I said.
‘Yeh know what they say?’ Dagon said, winking. ‘Opposites attract.’
I pursed my lips, amused and unimpressed at the same time.
‘So, can you actually breathe underwater?’ I asked.
‘I can hold me breath for long periods of time,’ he said. ‘But I do need air.’
‘What’s your record?’ I asked, taking another sip of wine. I was beginning to feel rather sluggish.
‘Forty-nine minutes,’ Dagon said, puffing out his chest impressively.
‘Wow,’ I said, genuinely amazed.
‘Yeah, me Pa is a Water-Breather, too. I can nearly hold me breath as long as him, but I gotta practice a bit more. His record is two hours and seven minutes. But he’s ancient, so I reckon I’ll catch up soon-’
‘Oi, I heard that, yeh bugger!’ the older gentleman called from across the room.
Dagon’s face went scarlet, and he smiled apologetically. ‘He’s a bit sensitive because he can’t hold his breath for as long as he used to,’ he whispered. ‘But I tell ya what, havin’ a Fire-Mage on board the boat would be mighty fine, I reckon.’
‘Why’s that?’ I asked.
‘It’s bloody freezin’ out at sea,’ Dagon said with wide eyes. ‘Yer fingers will fall off if yeh spend more than an hour on deck.’
‘I can imagine.’ I looked out of the dining room window, which overlooked the sea. It was dark outside now; all I could see was a lighthouse in the distance, but I could hear the waves crashing against the rocks.
‘I bet yer always warm,’ Dagon said in a softer voice. I turned back to him and saw that he was leaning closer, his arm stretched across the table as though he wanted to touch my hand. I took my hands off the table and put them in my lap.
‘All the time,’ I admitted. ‘It can be a problem.’
‘I wouldn’t be complainin’,’ he said, ‘if I had a warm Lass to be with at night.’
I sat back in my chair, disliking where this conversation was going.
‘Just to hold,’ Dagon added quickly.
‘Perhaps you’ll find one someday.’
Dagon seemed to sense my discomfort for he too withdrew and sat back in his chair, watching me.
‘Dagon, you ain’t botherin’ this poor girl, are yeh?’
Merl the Inn-Keeper had hobbled over to the table and smacked Dagon in the back of the head with his only hand. It was a playful gesture because Dagon laughed and ducked out of harm's way.
‘I’m just chattin’ is all,’ Dagon said, grinning.
‘Yeh watch out fer this one,’ Merl said to me, jerking his thumb in Dagon’s direction. ‘A real smooth one, he is.’
‘All right, Gramps. Off with yeh. Get behind the bar.’
‘Drinks on the house,’ said Merl before hobbling away.
‘Is Merl your grandfather?’ I asked once he was gone.
‘Aye,’ Dagon nodded. ‘Most people in Port are related one way or another, whether it’s blood or marriage. Makes it a bit hard to meet new people.’
‘Well, according to Merl, you’re a real ladies man,’ I teased.
Dagon scoffed. ‘He’s mental, Merl is. Doesn’t know what’s goin’ on most of the time. He’s always getting me confused with my brother, Cadmar, who left home a few years ago to get married.’
‘And how did he meet his wife?’
Dagon smirked. ‘He met her at this bar. She was just passin’ by fer a night or two. They got talking, and next thing yeh know, he up and left with her.’
I could see where this conversation was going, but luckily Merl arrived at that moment with a refill. He placed my third glass of wine in front of me, and gave Dagon his mead. I had to admit, I was enjoying Dagon’s company. He was handsome, and not judgemental of my Power.
I drank the wine rather quickly. I was tired and looking forward to going to bed to get a proper night's rest. Finally, after another ten minutes of harmless chatter, I announced my exhaustion.
‘Well … it’s getting late,’ I said checking the clock above the bar. ‘I should probably turn in soon.’
Dagon looked crestfallen. ‘It’s only nine o’clock,’ he said.
‘I’ve had a long day,’ I admitted.
‘Oh, all right.’ It was clear he’d hoped to make more progress with me.
I stood up from the table, and Dagon followed suit.
‘Well … goodnight,’ I said awkwardly. I went to step around Dagon, but he held up a hand.
‘I’ll walk yeh to yer room,’ he said at once, his expression eager.
‘Oh, you really don’t need to,’ I said, rather uncomfortable. As much as I enjoyed the attention, it made me feel guilty.