Ju-Long Lei: Chapter Fifty-Four
Beau runs off into the distance after Aaron. He is a dragon of his own mind. He can do what he wants. Our dragons are exhausted from non-stop traveling and Aaron is the one who seems to have non-stop energy. I admit I'm jealous of that... But he never discloses how he got his abilities. I heard Iqosha soldiers train hard but nothing with the results of that...
I pet my dragon as he has done so well for me over the past month or so. He isn't even mine and he has done much for me! I must thank him for his services when we get back to Macdan. I do miss Poderrah... He must be so lonely without me... Always regretting taking him along. I should have left him at home.
Every day I miss my luxuries more and more... I would kill for a proper bath with oils and flowers. A nice soft bed, alive trees with real gardens. It's been such a long time I feel like I'm forgetting what they're like. I will never take advantage of my life again.
Thinking of home my father should be on his way to Mille-Voix for the tribunal. What a task... This war is none of our business but now it is... We have our own home problems than fixing everyone else's. But mother wants outside allies, so I guess this is what must happen in order to achieve that. Sazan Jona is being a sneaky bastard and playing around with my mother. But I have a dreaded feeling this tribunal will not end well... Everything is becoming more complicated by the second as the Black Empire keeps on interfering with everyone's business. Once I get home, I hope my scandal becomes forgotten. I doubt it... The Mille-Voix Ambassadors had a field day when they heard about it! But it's going to be hard facing everyone. My family's weddings will be in the planning stage. Except for mine... It's sad knowing even if I get married the poor woman will be stuck in a sexless marriage. That doesn't mean I won't love her... Just not in that way.
I am so conflicted! I should be happy that I'm not going to be marriage bound. But it has caused so much conflict that it's ruined my reputation. Sazan Jona struck us hard... I can only hope that man pays for his insolence.
I need to bring Stein to Lan-Se. Mother needs him… Once I get the princess hopefully I can convince Stein to see mother. This will mean I will probably have to bring the princess along for the ride… After all, I went into the effort to help try to save her. I am thinking ahead of myself… We haven't rescued her yet… I just want this to be over. I sigh as I try not to think of the worst. I highly doubt they will kill her.
I look up and smile at Lexi as she walks over to me.
"Hey! You look glum." As she gives me goat jerky. Green and Brown Empires have no taste in food. Once I get home, I'll be hosting a food party and everyone but Sazan is invited. I thank Lexi for her nice gesture. I highly appreciate it regardless.
Her dragon Iympetus is rolling around in the dirt nearby he seems to be enjoying it.
I spoke to Iymp and he tells of how he was raised in the priesthood. It's rather sad... Him never having much freedom. I heard the Red Empire never treated their dragon friends as equals for a long time. So, in a way, this doesn't surprise me. But Lexi treats him as a friend. I have never seen any uncomfortable situation where she treats him as a lower being.
Mali walks over to me and Lexi while yawning. This is the first time I've seen him without Aarons's presence. He sighs as he complains that he misses alcohol. Aaron said that he was ordered to keep an eye on Mali on his own drinking habits. If he can't physically drink, he will be thinking about it.
Murray soon follows. He sighs as he is exhausted. I can tell he is worried for his young cousin. He has been a fish out of water since we left Macdan and I completely relate to him. After all, he is a Prince. I can guarantee he misses his luxuries as well.
Azalea my bodyguard is relaxing for once with her dragon. It has taken her such a long time to ease up... She has done well though. I still miss Zheroh though. I can't help but think about what he is up to.
We rested for the night as Kenneth stays up as a guard. It was oddly quiet, and we didn't see any of those odd little bird creatures.
By daybreak, we set off for the village. The dragons feel rested this time. Iymp told us not to rush them like that again. Otherwise, it's just going to cause more problems for us in the long run.
Mali and Kenneth race ahead on their dragons as they are leaders. I am in-between Murray and Azalea. Lexi tails behind us as back protection.
"STOP!" Mali shouts and we all stop.
I look in shock! What happened here!? Part of the road has been destroyed. AND WHAT IS THAT CREATURE!? A large ugly beast just lies in the middle of the road.
"Well, well look at that a troll!" as Kenneth gets off Pyromancer to investigate. "Don't worry it's dead!" He confirms to us. Hope Aaron didn't get mixed up with this thing!
I get off my dragon to look at the hideous thing. I've never seen a troll before. The illustrations in books are on point! Their noses are gigantic. I look on its back and see a stab mark. I point to it as Mali inspects it. He is small enough to stand on his back with ease.
"Well, he got stabbed in the back that's how it died." I then see him slide off and look at his head. Mali reaches into his bag for a pair of large pliers.
"What are you doing Mali?" I ask him as I see him open the troll's mouth and place the pliers inside.
"Troll teeth and bones make great potion agents for temporary strength. Also great for collectors and weapon making. The bones and teeth are so hard it takes a special way to grind them into dust. Good for the money!" As Mali pulls all the trolls' teeth out one by one. Lexi, Murray, and I are cringing as we watch him perform this little operation.
"Killing trolls is hard. Whoever did this is either extremely skilled or lucky!" Kenneth says while he waits for Mali to do his thing.
"Also, troll livers are very healthy for dragons to eat!" Mali says with enthusiasm. As he places the teeth into his bag. They're not even clean... I can see the blood seeping through the bag! I tried so hard not to vomit.
I remember Aaron saying that Mali lived away from society for years. Maybe living like this caused this behavior. But since we are under a time constraint for rescuing a young princess, we can't dawdle for long. But if Mali could, he will take this large troll corpse along with us.
Kenneth had to rush Mali along as we must be on our way again!
Mali finishes up and we race again to the village it shouldn't be too far! Hopefully, Aaron is back to the village already after all he is fast. Even without a dragon to ride!
It wasn't too long that Iymp tells us to rest again. I don't blame him he is making sure the same doesn't happen like yesterday where the dragons outdo themselves.
As we ran I see people and dragons running in the opposite direction. They're all in a panic!
"Hey wait what is going on!?" Mali demands as he stops his dragon.
A passing man on his dragon stops as his group that I presume his family. Continues running.
"The village is under attack! Black Empire soldiers just started invading and breaking into everyone's houses! Red soldiers retaliating!" And with a quick motion, he rides off after his family.
We all look at each other. I wonder if Aaron and Beau managed to reach the village! This is bad! Did the political talks go sour? Has the war restarted? It hasn't been that long since a neutral tribunal has been announced. It's quite the journey to reach Mille-Voix. If it's not this a huge mistake on the Black Empire's part. This can cause massive problems for them!
After traveling as fast as we can we pass many farmers and villagers making a run for it. Apparently, they were ordered to run away by the soldiers.
We should be reaching the village soon! I can see smoke on the horizon! And we reach the farmer's fields!
We reach the main road of the village and it looks like we have entered a battlefield.
