Chapter Eight: The Journey

"Thank you, your grace! We are all so grateful for your hospitality. I am afraid I don't know if we will be able to ever repay you." As Stein bows.

"It is to help your old friend… No repayment required. Good luck on your journey. I expect letters of updates." As Queen Hara's bellowing voice echoes the throne room.

Everyone in the group bows as they all bid farewell.

"Goodbye, little princess. It was wonderful being with you!" As Iolene bows. Mantra then runs and hugs Iolene.

"Come on Iolene." Lexi says as everyone is leaving the palace.

Iolene waves goodbye to the queen, Montahan and Mantra.

"Good luck young lady. We will always be here for you. Never forget that!" The final words of Queen Hara as the two large iron doors shut behind Iolene.

The whole group including Lei has created a large caravan party. Traveling through the city for the last time. Iolene looks out the carriage windows as normal people continue on with their business.

Iolene sees the hospital in the distance. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone at the hospital. She wasn't there for long but the people and dragons were lovely.

"Goodbye Macdan… I hope to see you again soon." Iolene whispers as they traveled through the entrance tunnel.

And before anyone knew it, they have left the hidden mountain city.

It's freezing so everyone is wearing extra layers of clothes except for Lexi. Who cannot seem to feel the cold. There is a thin layer of snow. So, all the dragons have specially made spiked shoes that prevent them from slipping off the mountainside.

Beau is trying to get used to them as he is walking weirdly. As Aaron laughs at him. Beau growls at him in reply. He feels embarrassed enough for wearing shoes… As he grumbles walking down the mountain.

"I'm sorry but you look, funny Beau! You like your walking on the hot sand." Aaron says as he shows his spiked shoes. While he continued rubbing his arms to keeping himself warm.

"Are you feeling the cold Aaron?" Lei shouts at Aaron.

"Nope! Dominus Sahara is famous for its blizzards!" As Aaron rubs his chest. I will get used it… Aaron continuously thinks to himself. However, he smiles as he keeps picking up the snow and playing with it. Even showering himself with it. He has never seen snow before. He almost looks like an innocent child exploring something new.

Lei laughs as he knows Aaron is only joking and having fun.

He gently taps Ponderrah to walk up to Aaron and Beau. As much as Lei loves spring, he does enjoy the beauty of the snow.

"Pond seems very confident with you. I've never seen you ride him. I'm impressed." As Aaron gently strokes Ponderrahs shoulder. Not even a flinch. He trusts Lei completely… A dragon connection he has never seen before. It's sweet Aaron thinks to himself.

'He is a charming boy!" Lei rubs the top of his dragon's head. He chirps happily and lets his tongue out like a dog.

After a whole day weaving through the thin mountain paths. Exhausted they finally reach a large cliff-edge where everyone can rest.

Iolene and the priests walk out of the carriage to walk around.

"Wow it's cold!" Iolene says as soon as she steps out. "But it is so beautiful look at the view! Very picturesque!" As she walks near enough to the cliff edge. Making sure that she doesn't get too close.

The mountain completely covered in snow. With thin clouds hovering over the peaks of the mountain. The sky in whole arranges of different colours as the sunsets. She looks down and can barely see the massive dragon gates. It's all nature and it's winter beauty.

Iolene takes a deep breath in as she wanted to breathe the freezing fresh air. Stretching her arms up to the sky.

While Lexi and Iymp help create fires for everyone.

Mali stumbles out of the carriage looking like a small bundle of blankets. He is struggling to see where he is going. He almost walks into every person or dragon he walks past.

"IT'S FREEZING! MY BALLS HAVE SHRUNKEN INTO RAISINS!" Mali shouts at everyone.

"Are you sure they weren't that size, to begin with?" Aaron retorts.

As Mali throws a small snowball at him. "Oh, look he actually made a joke!" Mali says sarcastically.

Everyone laughs as they all surround the fire. Iolene sits in-between Aaron and her cousin Murray. While Lexi sits next to Aaron and Lei.

It's now dark as everyone eats their food. As Queen Hara gave them a decent amount of the palace winter rations.

"Thank you, Queen Hara, for the food!" Iymp says as the servants placed food in front of them.

"That still won't stop you from stealing…" Lexi smirks as she eats her potato.

"Never" Iymp says to Beau in dragon language. As Beau smiles.

Lei after dinner dances a traditional dance around the campfire. Along with some of his servants. It has been so long since Lei has done it. It made him so happy.

Everyone looks at Lei with awe as he looks so graceful.

"My friends this is the dance of the snow. I wish I had my pure white outfit with my flowing scarves. It will be much more effective."

"Do you dance much over there? The dance you did is amazing!" Iolene asks with excitement.

"We have ceremony dances of the changing seasons. When we reach Lan-Se you will find the spring festival will take place. I know for a fact you will love it." As Lei winks Iolene. As she has the largest smile on her face.

"Grrrrrrrr"

Everyone looks back wondering what the noise is.

"Zimadu?" Murray asks.

"No… They hibernate during the winter. They will remain in their caves." Mali says trying to keep everyone calm.

"Iolene get back into the carriage!" Stein demands her. And she does what she is told with Eleya and Murray. Iolene grabs out the bow she has been practicing with from the top of the carriage railing. She looks down at it. I really hope not to kill with this… Only use it in self-defense!

Beau and Iymp growl. "I cannot sense anything!" He whispers to Beau. Lexi runs over to Iymp and sits on his saddle. Her red eyes glowing brightly in the dark.

Aaron walks a few meters forwards up the path of the mountain. Whatever it is it sounds huge… Aaron relaxes his breathing and unsheathes his sword.

Everything is quiet…

"Grrrrrr."

Aaron sneaks over to the noise.

A massive two-legged beast jumps down from above. Almost hitting Aaron with a boulder!

"TROLL!" Aaron shouts as everyone weapons up.

The troll throws the boulder where the group sat. Destroying weapons and belongings. The troll running screaming with fury as he stops at the fire pit. When the troll bends down and sniffs where the food once was.

"THE FOOD!" Iymp roars out loud.

The troll then stands tall and roars loudly. Everyone clasps their ears as the noise is deafening.

With everyone distracted the troll picks up the boulder and throws it at the carriages. Stein and Mali together close their eyes as they glow powerful gold auras to create a mag force field. Disintegrating the boulder as it hits the golden wall.

Iolene looks out from the carriage window seeing the wall of gold magic. Her heart racing as she admires them using their powers. She looks down at her hands and releases golden energy. Trying to replicate what the priests are doing. Creating a small orb between her hands.

The troll roars in anger as he thrashes his long arms around. Aaron trying to aim at his weak spot. The middle of his back as he and Beau went against a similar troll before.

Lexi closes her eyes as her priest armour begins pulsing red. And waving both of her hands a fireball is formed. Iymp uses his mag stream to lift Lexi high into the air. Lexi aims the fireball straight at the troll's face. Causing the troll to run around and jumping causing the earth to shake.

Aaron bouncing around the mountain's edge. Still trying to aim for his back. He jumps off with his sword prepared as the troll swipes at Aaron hitting him hard! Aaron slams into the mountain and then slides to the ground in pain.

"AARON!" Lexi screams out. Iolene hears Lexi shouting his name. She stops practicing her powers and looks out the window.

Lei in the meantime is trying to keep Ponderrah safe. As Lei returns to his set of carriages and servants. All protected underneath the force field. Ponderrah panicking as he cannot see what is going on.

Iolene can only see the gold force field. She can't see what is going on outside of it. Iolene in urgency runs out. Grabbing her bow and quiver full of arrows. Eleya and Murray in urgency chase after her.

Mali and Stein look behind them as they see Iolene approach them.

"IOLENE GET BACK INSIDE THE CARRIAGE!" Stein shouts as Mali is keeping his concentration.

Aaron groans as he tries to get up. Breathing slowly as his vision blurred. That was bad… I need to focus more! He quickly pats himself happily realising none of his bones are broken. Stumbling to stand up as he prepares to fight again.

Lexi unsheathes her large fire ax and aims right for the troll's neck. In a fiery blaze, she tries to behead it. But the troll's scales are so thick her ax gets stuck. The troll screaming in agony as he goes ballistic. Jumping up and down causing the ground to shake.

Lexi covered in the troll's blood is holding onto the troll for dear life! Iymp roars to try to get his attention. But to everyone's surprise, two other trolls appear.

Beau almost getting killed as a large female troll almost smashes him from behind. The female troll glowing brown draconium energy as her horns and scales transformed into armour. Beau roars as he rams into her gut. Trying to replicate what he did before in another fight. But she is almost double the size and instantly fails as she grabs him and flails him around.

Stein and Mali remain to concentrate on protecting the carriages and servants and dragons. As the third and smaller troll tries to break through the force field. The troll had no chance as its arms vaporize. As it thought it can physically pull through it. The armless troll then screams and runs away.

Mali smiles as it was an easy triumph. Iolene who is standing behind them looks up at the two other trolls.

Ugly with small human-like heads compared to their over large arms. Long teeth that can easily tear dragon skin. Their bodies are covered in thick scales, almost dragon-like.

Beau still under the female troll's grip of both her hands. Trying his hardest to mag and struggle himself free. But to no avail…

Iolene looks down at the ground as she notices cracks on the ground. Iolene's heart skipping beats as she knows what this means. The path is going to collapse.

"STEIN! WE MUST LEAVE THIS AREA!" Iolene shouts out desperately.

"My lady please get back inside the carriage!" Stein says as he and Mali keep up the force field. Iolene then lightly shoves Mali losing his concentration. "Iolene! Don't EVER do that again!" Mali shouts as his body still glowed gold.

"YELL AT ME LATER! LISTEN TO YOUR EMPRESS THE BOTH OF YOU! LOOK AT THE GROUND! IT'S GOING TO GIVE WAY!" Iolene shouts at them.

They both look down. As they see the instability of the cliff. The cracks of the ground are growing and multiplying. Mali and Stein nod as they dismantle the force field.

"Eleya, help Lei, the servants and carriage dragon ready to escape. We need to continue to track down the path." Iolene demands and without question, Eleya leaves.

Murray attempts to pull Iolene back to the carriage. Iolene however struggles to free herself and runs closer to the battlefield.

"IOLENE COME BACK!" Murray yells as he runs after her.

My family scolded me enough when I lost her once! I cannot lose her again! Murray thinks as he trying to catch up to her.

The female troll seems to have enough with her toy and slams, Beau, heavily onto the ground. Causing a small crater. Iolene tries to run over to him. But Iolene knowing she is clearly outmatched doesn't know what to do. She raises her bow and arrow as she tries to aim at its head. And she shoots!

The arrow hits her head but doesn't make a dent.

Iolene stands there frozen for a moment as she felt like an idiot. To her surprise Mali grabs her and drags her behind a nearby rock. With Murray standing close behind her.

"Okay! Foolish girl. Stay with me and I will deal with Stein's wrath later." Mali says as he gently taps Iolene's shoulder.

The other troll finally gets exhausted. As Lexi places her hands onto his large neck wound. Lighting her hand on fire. She punches it straight into his wound. The troll screams in agony as he collapses to the ground. Iymp cheers her on as he races to the female troll.

The female troll sees the other troll's distress and screeches in sadness. Iolene lowers her bow as she has realised they are mates. She feels sympathetic for her… She regrets aiming the arrow at her...

"Raise your bow Iolene! These are trolls. They will murder in any chance! Especially now!" As Mali snaps reality back into Iolene. She nods and raises the bow. I need to keep my backbone! As Iolene had to think to herself continuously. She looks over and sees Beau lying still. "Beau he must be in bad shape!" She says in urgency.

Beau has remained still since he got slammed into the ground. Iymp trying to take a closer look but the female troll attacks him. Almost causing Iymp to be pushed of the cliff.

Aaron runs back onto the battlefield. Seeing the body of the fallen troll. Seeing huge scorch marks on his face and neck. But to Aaron's surprise, he is still alive… Aaron sighs as he grabs his sword and pierces the trolls back. Instant kill… No more suffering for you…

Aaron then looks up and sees the female troll waving her arms as she tries to hit Iymp and Lexi. The troll is still in her second draconium form. His sword won't be able to pierce her skin… Aaron swearing at himself. He needs to find a new weakness and fast.

Aaron, Lexi, and Iymp manage to get her attention as the female troll chases them off. Iolene and Mali run over to Beau as quickly as they could.

"He is completely unconscious. But his heart is still beating!" As Iolene feels his chest and ribs.

Mali glows and places his hand on Beau. Trying to heal him. "No nothing!" Mali says in frustration. As he is not a healer. Instead, Mali looks at the troll and see the others trying to kill it to no avail.

"Do your thing Iolene!" Mali says as he joins the other three. Mali using his mag energy to float in and tries to vaporize the troll but amazingly she deflects it. Almost hitting Aaron in the process.

"SORRY BOY!" Mali shouts as he continuously creates balls of energy and hits the troll.

Iolene however before she could do anything. Beau's eyes opened. Glowing black and purple. His scales turning dark with his claws extending. He makes a loud guttural roar. He has re-awoken...

Murray as fast as he could pull Iolene away and she doesn't fight back. She can feel that he has changed.

Beau focusing on the troll head straight for it at full speed. Jumping and latching onto its shoulder. His teeth piercing the troll's skin armour as she begins to flail. Aaron in frustration is trying to find a weakness. But she is even more powerful and larger than the other troll he's gone against.

Beau eventually gets thrown off the troll as he lands in a perfect position. He roars in anger as his markings glowed dark purple intensely. He jumps and aims at the troll's throat and misses as the troll begins jumping and shaking the ground. The ground is beginning to weaken as parts of the cliff and pathway begin falling apart.

Beau non-stop tries to attack the troll as everyone is trying to get his attention. He couldn't listen as his mind only had his opponent. Iymp tries to follow suit by biting her but he roars in pain as her skin is spiked and hard.

Lexi with her fire ax tries to aim for the troll's neck. But with the continuous movement, she couldn't pierce her enough. Aaron thinking that he might have to aim underneath for her weakness instead.

Mali still trying to get to her with his mag abilities and fails. Fascinating...

As Lexi gets pushed away, she accidentally lands on a segment of the path that falls away. Quickly jumping up. Heart racing as it was a very close call... Almost panicking. It's a long way down as she looks down at the depths.

"We need to run!" Iolene shouts as she and Murray point down the path.

Aaron looks down and quickly jumps as a segment of cliff drops.

"BEAU!" Everyone shouts as he tries to keep on attacking the troll. "WE HAVE TO RUN!" Lexi shouts.

Iolene in a quick judgment call runs to him.

"EMPRESS!" Mali shouts as Aaron runs after her.

Raising her hands as she glowed gold like Mali and Stein. She aims a mag beam to Beau! Giving most of her energy to him. Beau lets go of the troll as he regains his consciousness. His body returning to its original form. His eyes changed colour. However, he feels exhausted as his body has overused energy. Beau is almost going to collapse. Iymp had to mag pull him with all his strength. With Lexi and Mali joining in as they all mag pull him as they all move to safety.

Iolene with exhaustion almost collapses herself as Aaron quickly grabs her damsel style. "Go, Murray! You know I can catch up!" Aaron shouts and Murray runs off. Fulling trusting Aaron with his cousin's life. Mali hops along with Aaron as he uses his draconium abilities to destroy falling rubble from above.

The pathway is giving way as the troll herself tries to run. Her weight at each step causing more weakness to its foundation. Aaron is trying his hardest to keep Iolene balanced. But the damsel style holding isn't working!

"Iolene to make this easier I will give you a piggyback ride!" Aaron says as he shifts her position with quick help from Mali. Iolene trying her best wraps her arms around Aaron's neck. Holding on as best she can.

Aaron ignoring the troll as she tries to attack him. The pathway fully gave way as Aaron jumps and reaches his hand out to a branch. The troll however was not so lucky as she falls down to her death.

Aaron, Iolene, and Mali sigh with relief.

"Don't worry Iolene it'll be alright! I've got ya!" Aaron says confidently. As he begins climbing the mountainside. With Mali checking for any more dangers. Iolene anxiously looks around knowing a wrong move they will both fall and die. She squeezes Aaron tighter.

Aaron and Mali come across Murray and Lexi on a tiny ledge. Murray looking pale as a ghost and then vomits aiming off the cliff. Lexi happily waves to the three.

"THAT WAS FUCKING CLOSE!" Lexi shouts. As Aaron, Iolene and Mali jump onto the tiny ledge joining the two.

Aaron looks down at Murray as the poor man is trying to get himself together. "What happened?"

"I ALMOST FELL DOWN TO MY DEATH THAT'S WHAT!" Murray shouts as he wipes his tears.

"You WERE falling to your death... I saved you!" Lexi says with a large smile on her face. "You'll be fine fish prince." As she then pats his back in hopes of making him feel better. He shakes his head in disbelief.

Aaron and Lexi then piggyback their royal charges back on to stable land. Following with Mali soon after.

Stein, Lei, and everyone else waited on the pathway. With Stein looking the most unimpressed.

"Mali." Stein says with a stern voice.

"Yes, master Stein..." Mali says nervously as he steps in front of Iolene and Aaron clearing his throat.

"Iolene is very lucky to be alive." As Stein refrains from his voice going louder. "Iolene shall be locked inside the carriage until I say so... As punishment for disobeying me. This is for her own good." As Stein takes a deep breath. "She is far too reckless."

"No..." Iolene says weakly as she tries to remain awake. "Not this again... I refuse..." She says as Aaron passes her over to Lexi as she can easily carry her.

"With all due respect Stein." As Aaron walks over to him. "Iolene saved Beau's life. He'd be dead if it wasn't for her..."

Mali then stands next to Aaron patting him to silence him. Aaron obeys. "And she warned of the ground collapsing. Thanks to her the carriages and servants survived...Give her where credit is due. And did you hear her what she said?"

"What?" Stein says. "I only heard her warn about the cliff..."

Mali with his trademark smirk on his face. "She said she is our Empress. We should abide by her yes? She has never claimed that before. Maybe this is a step in the right direction?"

Stein smiles. "Probably... Let us go then. Put Iolene into the carriage to rest and we don't need to lock it."

"Finally!" Lei shouts in happiness. "We are now in the blue country!"

The whole group look over the path edge as the mountain chain is now at its end. Now a large flat white land with a few mountains can only be seen.

"We are almost there!" Lei shouts out with excitement. "No more mountain trolls!" As everyone celebrates for that thought alone.

His royal escort has been moving so fast like a non-stop train. It has been a few weeks since their journey has started. Lei and his servants have taken control for the rest of the trip.

The group pauses travel as Lei's servants quickly changing the carriages from wheels to sleds. Beau looks at the blue and brown dragons with confusion. As they wait patiently for the humans to complete their work.

Beau is finally used to walking with his snowshoes is letting Iolene ride him as he fears losing control of his mind again. He doesn't remember anything... He felt like an idiot fighting against the troll and losing. But then everything turned black... And he couldn't hear anything except for Kaunis's beautiful dragon song. And he doesn't even understand it. It was only until he woke up the next day, he felt immense pain and agony. Iolene had to bandage him and heal him up again. Beau's mind couldn't help but try to bring back those missing memories... He didn't want to admit how scared he is. He must cure this... And he doesn't know how. Only Iolene is a key to it. But he doesn't understand... How can she purify him if she can barely heal?

To stop thinking about his blood he approaches the carriage dragons. "Why do you do this? You just pull carriages. I never understood dragons who do that." Beau asks as the Blue dragons' chat amongst themselves. They look at him up and down casting judgments in their minds. Their expressions alone Beau knows that they don't want him there.

"Why do you let that human girl ride you?" One of the dragons quickly replies.

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to..." Beau says frustratingly. As Iolene sweetly rubs the back of his head. She doesn't understand what they are talking about, since she doesn't speak dragon tongue.

The dragon smiles. "It doesn't look like that, you like her. You are not fooling anyone... But to answer your question, we pull carriages because we get paid. For you see Inclementia dragon, The Blue Empire respects our kind... We do a job, and we receive benefits in return. Once we get home our families will be well fed and looked after."

"Really?" Beau says sarcastically. "You really believe that?"

"Yes, we have done this many times... Like how humans scrape our poo and groom us. While keeping us healthy... It's the least we can do." The dragon says happily.

The two-carriage dragons then look behind as the servants are re-attaching their harnesses. And re-fastening their dragon coats and shoes. "Now if you don't mind. It looks like the humans are done converting the carriage. We must return to our job." And without a glance, the dragons run off pulling the carriage.

Everyone is worried as the snow still hasn't melted yet. The skies are grey with people fearing potential blizzards. It is slowly getting worse as food is also starting to become scarce. Iolene and Murray are sanctioning food, so everyone has the right amount of food. So people and dragons don't starve.

"Still so cold..." As Iolene shivers. "Aaron aren't you cold?" She asks as Aaron and Mali walk over to them.

"I'm used to it now." Aaron chuckles. "Did take me a while though..." As he stretches his arms. He must keep on moving otherwise he will feel the cold. He is wearing thick black fur armour that covers his entire body. He is grateful that Mali gifted him the armour otherwise he would have truly frozen already.

He looks at Iolene's large light blue and white hooded dress. While his clothes are basic and necessary, hers is glorious with many detailed layers that will sure keep her warm. Real royal attire fit for an empress. Beau must be so happy she is wearing such a dress. He thinks as it looks like Beau is carrying an extra heated blanket. Aaron couldn't help but think that she looks pretty in it. But he reframes for telling her as he didn't want to make the atmosphere awkward between them.

Lexi riding Iymp normally as the cold doesn't affect them. She is only wearing her priestess outfit with no extra layers.

"The benefits of being a priest from the Red Empire... They don't burn or freeze to death. They have an eternal flame inside their bodies." Mali whispers to Iolene as she didn't know why Lexi isn't affected.

Aaron stops and looks up as he sees the snowflakes falling. The sky quickly turning from light grey to a very dark grey. He opens his hand as a snowflake lands and dissipates on his glove.

"Did you know Aaron that each snowflake is different in design?" Iolene tells him with optimism. "And everyone is beautiful to look at! I saw many different illustrations of it." As she tries to catch a snowflake as well.

"Nope... I didn't know that..." As Aaron tries to get a closer look at the snowflake. They're tiny how can people see? As Aaron looks at his in confusion.

"We must make haste!" As one of Lei's servants tap their dragons to run faster. Everyone else quickly trailing after them. Iolene holding on to Beau as he runs at full speed. Beau trying his hardest to keep his running pace evenly so Iolene won't be able to slip off.

It was a matter of time when a nice snowfall becomes harsh with a blizzard. Iolene quickly gets placed back inside the carriage with Stein as the cold is badly affecting him. His body hasn't completely healed and is not coping as well as he hoped.

"We should have waited longer, or stayed at the village," Aaron whispers under his breath. "The weather has only gotten worse..."

They had no choice but to continue forward.

It was in the next week and a half with many village stops. Managing to get food stocks and supplies. The weather went from good to worse as Lexi nicknamed it weather mood swings. The blizzard began again. Low visibility as Lexi and Iymp had to lead the entire group. Lexi creating a fire shield around herself and Iymp to resemble a torch for the dragons to follow.

Aaron wearing a scarf around his face as he battled the elements. He is the only human as everyone else except for the drivers and Lexi are cramped inside the carriage. Aaron petting the dragons as he keeps tabs on them and feeding them as they moved.

It felt forever until Lexi sees a large wall in the distance. Iymp roars to the dragons behind him as they run forward as fast as they could.

They approach the massive wooden gates. As Lei walks out and commands for the soldiers to open. They double-checked if it is their prince. Once realising who Lei is they open the gates.

"Welcome back to Lan-Se your highness!"

With a large bang and creak the gates open to the wooden city.

Lei smiles as he finally made it home!