The Dragon Capital of Warfang was a glorious city. Large stone walls and big strong gates. How a traveler was meant to enter was a mystery to me, but I figured that the big gleaming gate was a good place to start as any. I hoped I wouldn't have to open it myself, that could take a while.
Upon arriving at the gate, two things were clear to me. Firstly there seemed to be a smaller door made in the giant gate. Maybe for the Moles or Cheetahs? Either way it was manned by a Dragon maybe ten feet tall. Every so often he would open the gate and a figure would disappear through. There was a small crowd. Mostly young Dragons with what I assume to be parents. It looked like they came out of hiding, but still didn't quite believe it was safe, glances were thrown around every few seconds, and guards were scattered about the main road leading towards the toll station.
Secondly, I was not all that welcomed. It wasn't obvious, but I could feel the stares at my back, glances would linger a bit too long, and shoulders seemed a bit to stiff. It was almost oppressing. I was trying not to rethink my decision to come here.
The crowd parted before me. That was very ominous. I didn't like what it could mean. With my back straight and my head held high, I strode towards the toll station, and the ever looming Dragon, his vibrant green scales shining brightly. It seemed almost too quick, but soon I was in front of him.
"I require passage into the city." Was that too formal? Did we even speak the same language?
"There is no passage for Apes. I should crush you for what you've done to our race, our way of life. Our young!" Ok, he was mad. Understandable. If I was an Ape.
"I am no Ape sir. I am a Human. My race is insular. We do not welcome outsiders, nor do we leave our villages. We are more advanced than those primitives. I would be willing to provide a Codex of my race to your Guardians for proof if that is required." A flowery speech, to be sure, but perhaps it would convince the Dragon I am not an Ape.
By now the crowd was getting agitated. Murmurs started, I could hear whispers of "Ape" and a few commenting on my words.
"If you wish to see a Guardian, you will do so in chains. That would be the only way for you to enter the city. Though I doubt you'll see it for long." There was a spark of vindictiveness in his eyes. Fine. I'll see his bet.
"Very well. I submit to your guards, on the condition that I am brought to your Guardians. On your honour." While my race may not know about deep knowledge, we understand that Dragons are very honourable. If one gave you a their word, you had it.
When they said chains, I was hoping they meant for my hands. Turns out that they must have been very scared. I was chained by earth boulders, controlled by the Guard Captain, and he chained both my hands and feet together in an X. I was almost impressed if it wasn't needed.
"We are about to enter the chamber of the Guardians. You will be respectful and speak when spoken to. You will not be unchained until the Guardians say so. You will not attempt to break the chains, doing so will incur a hostile response. Do you understand?"
It was the first time I had heard the Captain speak. He had a voice that betrayed a deep wariness and a lifetime of battles. I knew he would not hesitate to kill me, possibly by having the rock chains rip me limb from limb. "I understand."
The doors opened without any action from our side. I was willing to be that no one opened it from the other side as well.
Magic was a beautiful thing. I wonder how it works? Perhaps it's part of their biology, the ability to exert force upon certain elements based upon their genes? Maybe? Thought for another time.
The Guardian chambers were very ornate. Carved marble statues of each Guardian, however, I noticed there was no Fire Guardian statue. Interesting. The floor was a polished stone, a startling difference to the brick of the hallway. Paintings hung upon the walls, scenes of every nature. A desert, a forest, an icy tundra and a sea at storm.
This captured my attention before the three colossal Dragons did. One was yellow, one was green and one was blue. The purest of shades for each. Their combined stare was … not crushing, but certainly exerting a physical force.
It was humbling.
A.N: Another chapter. I'm not too sure about the speech, it seems a bit formal, but I can work with it in future chapter. If you don't like it feel free to say, but I can promise it won't stay for long.