Chapter Eleven: A Gold Dragons' Lament
Beau looks up at the night sky. The stars were not as bright as they are in the wilds. The city of Mille-Voix is too bright and crowded… He hated the city… It smelt of rubbish and sewage. The dragons are alien to him. They all wear clothes and even have strange accents like the humans do. He missed the wilds. In that moment he wanted to run away far into the forest. But it is too dangerous to go alone, he is a gold dragon. His disguise is exhausting after a while, using up his energy. Once anyone else in the world finds out he will be captured… Iymp remains with Lexi, and will never leave her side. He doesn't understand why… Ponderrah is blind and is with Lei, he would not even survive long in the wilds. He doesn't get on well enough with Duryss to spend time with. Let alone travel all the way to the north.
As a second choice, Beau runs away to the same hill where Aaron and Iolene had their picnic. Disguising himself with red and blue colours he can easily be seen as a normal dragon. Staring up at the night sky he couldn't help but wonder how his sister and mother were doing. Ironclad never mentioned them… The slave girl named Nekhii said he is a general just ranked below the League of Eight. How did he do this? Beau thought. He knew Ironclad will never forgive him after Unmei… Even though it is fair considering, Ironclad abandoned him when Beau was first captured. But he is alive… Beau thanked Iolene for that. They never liked each other, even viciously fought. Beau remembers the scars that still remain on his back. But they are blood and he doesn't want him to die.
Then he thought of Myshka… Sweet little Myshka. All he could do was hope she is safe… Hopefully, she escaped her captors again. He left her… Even though he was under Kaunis's influence. His mind then follows Kaunis… He never mentioned him to anyone else. Not even Iymp. Kaunis the most beautiful dragon in the world who can convince anyone to do anything with his voice. A member of the league of eight… Iolenes nemesis. Kaunis would have been surprised that he was right all along… Iolene proved that by accident.
He sighs as he sits alone, or he thought he was, as a human shadow can be seen not far from walking up to him.
Beau doesn't notice as the human sits next to him. Beau is so deep in thought of how everything has happened. He is a black and gold dragon... Thought now to be extinct. His disguise can be hidden for so long. It gets exhausting after a while. But it is a nice trick… No other dragon at this time can do it.
Eventually, his thoughts delved deeper into his ancestors. Kaunis taught him a little, but not enough. Maybe Stein, Mali and Iolene can help. There is so much that Beau does not know except for his ancestor named Estrela. But every time Beau talks to Stein it's always a lecture about being safe. He means well Beau learnt from Iymp. But it is really annoying, he can now understand why Iolene is rebellious. She has been treated like this all her life...
"It's a nice night isn't it?" A male voice can be heard.
Beau looks down and it is Aaron. He had no idea how long the human was sitting next to him. Aaron looks up at the dragon as Beau tilts his head and then nods yes.
Aaron then said that he followed Beau from Constant's mansion. He was surprised how high Beau can jump as he easily leapt onto the mansion walls to then land gracefully onto the street outside. Beau could have never done such a feat before his mutations.
"You know those stars there?" Aaron points up as Beau looks up. "Mali showed me, that one there is called the maidens tear. It's much easier to see it in the middle of the desert." Aaron then begins to talk about the constellations Mali taught him. However many could not be seen…
Beau couldn't help but smile. He doesn't know of such things. Beau nudges Aaron and murmurs happily. Beau does not speak the human tongue. But the dragon wished he could speak to him. He had many questions to ask him… What was living in Dominus Sahara like? His father admired them. Building an Empire that ruled over humans as tyrants. But their close relations with the Black Emperor scared the separatists away. They could easily be betrayed and enslaved. But then Beau remembers Aaron's mouth mask. A dreadful thing… Maybe it is not great as his father said.
It was quiet again… The city is still bright from torches and lights. Usually, other cities quieten for rest. But Mille Voix does not rest. Lan-Se was so peaceful when the night went on. Mille Voix seems to have no stop of feasting and parties…
Beau nudges Aaron as he wanted to move away. Beau lowers himself as Aaron gets onto his back. It has been a while since he has ridden Beau. Stein and Mali have tried to force them to work together. Little realising that they didn't have to push.
Aaron and Beau travelled around in the forest. Aaron grabs a torch from a nearby post. Many of them light a barrier to the forest, making sure that people and dragons can make their way back to the city.
They rode for hours underneath the moon. Aaron felt more relaxed as he rode Beau bareback. Beau ran faster as a clear path was ahead of him. He was enjoying it as well. He felt a strange power forming between them. Beau has never felt this sensation before. His speed accelerated, and he then began to run faster. Before they both knew it they reached the nearby town of Calme.
"Wow…" Aaron says in astonishment. How fast were they travelling? They did it in half the time… Even Beau was shocked. The moon is beginning to lower… It must be early morning. Aaron jumps off Beau and leads him to a nearby trough to drink. Aaron stroked his face and patted his shoulder. Beau couldn't help smiling… It felt good getting attention like that. Iolene usually does but she is very gentle and never pats. She only is rough when she was treating his feet. A problem he is grateful he doesn't have anymore.
"Nice dragon you have there." A man comes over with his dragon to the trough. Big and burly his robes are surprisingly well-kept. Aaron presumes he is a man of wealth or he stole them… He looks around Steins' age and has dark skin like him. His greying beard showed his age. His dragon is turquoise long and slender, she purrs happily as she drinks next to Beau.
"Same to your pretty girl. What's her name?" Aaron replies and smiles. He can tell she is of playful nature. As she taps her back feet as she drinks.
"Cochon, Not the sharpest sword, can't do anything on her own." The man japes.
Aaron didn't like the reply. She seems so sweet… The cheery dragon stops tapping her feet as she heard those words.
"Your dragon is quite a specimen!" The man snoops around Beau. Resisting to touch him as Aaron keeps blocking the way. "Don't touch him…" Aaron says seriously.
Beau continues drinking as he is so thirsty after the run. He stops paying attention.
"How much do you want for him?" The man asks.
"He is not to sell…" Aaron says.
"All dragons have a price… You say and I give." The man sounded sly. As he reveals a smile that is white and has a gold tooth.
"Not this one…" Aaron getting annoyed.
"So let's say… 3000 gold?" He says as he reaches into his satchel. Bringing out a book with a quill and portable ink pot.
Aaron rolls his eyes. "He is not to buy…" He repeats. "No amount of gold will convince me." Saying adamantly.
The man's smile begins to disappear as frustration can be seen on his eyebrows. "I will ask one more time!" His teeth gritting. Aaron says no again.
"Well… If I can't buy him. I will claim him as my own! I am the Viscount Gaston of Calme. What I want I shall get!" The Viscount then signals the sight tower
"So like a toddler you are going to scream and cry?" Aaron covers his mouth as he just back spoke to the Viscount. The man's face was furious. He just said it as he thought it… The viscount runs at Aaron, but the Iqosha soldier easily dodges him. Beau looks up as he sees the man trying to attack Aaron with a small sword.
The man turns as he tries to get on Beaus' back. Beau in anger roars as he mag pushes him high into the air. The man falls onto a nearby roof making a large thud.
"GET THEM!" The Viscount shouts as he slides off crashing to the ground. Waking everyone up in Calme.
"Oh… Shit…" Aaron says in shock. He did not want this to become a slaughter. Beau will be spared because the Viscount wants him. The only choice… Is to run!
Aaron leaps onto Beaus' back as they race off into the distance. Racing fast Beau felt exhausted as he ran for most of the morning. The viscount shouts faded as they rushed back to Mille Voix.
The sun climbed up to the sky as the sky turned blue. It is early morning when they returned. Beau nearing collapse when they returned to Mercer Mansion. Beau huffing and steaming. He would kill to swim in a river… But the moats surrounding the city is all filth and sewage.
Beau rests in the stable as Aaron prepares a large bucket of water. Scrubbing brushes and towels. Beau looks at the items with confusion. He prefers to roll in the dirt. Aaron begins to soak Beau with the water. Beau shakes removing the excess water. Aaron using the brush begins to scrub his scales. Beau couldn't help but love it. Each stroke felt like such a nice scratch. Aaron scrubbed loose scales that fell like snowflakes.
Aaron scrunches his face, but he admits he has seen dragons in worse conditions. After the whole body scratch, Aaron fills another large bucket and washes over the dragon again. Then drying him with the towels. Beau then walks around the paddock. Feeling clean and tired. If Beau reveals his real colours he would look magnificent. But it is to dangerous and not safe with too many prying eyes around.
The dragon sighs as he walks to Aaron. I am not a pet… I am not a pet… Aaron rubs Beaus' nuzzle, then scratches underneath the chin. The dragon smiles as he hated to admit it he loves being scratched.
Beau yawns with exhaustion, shaking his head.
"You need to go and get some sleep." Aaron softly says. Smiling, Beau smiles in return.
walks away and looks back at Beau walking back into the stable. Aaron smiles, then continues on to the mansion.
