Chapter Nine: To Let Go

The Empress looked at the group with worry. Everyone standing in front of her in the throne room. Still wearing her pure white mourning clothes her hand holding her head as she leans to the side on her blue throne. Her monotone persona is no longer present at this moment. As she only holds up for the common people and other senators.

Stein, Iolene and Mali stand on the sidelines. Aaron, Lexi, Beau, Iymp, Ponderrah kneeling behind Lei.

Lei bows and looks up to his mother. He is like a fellow subject of hers at this moment.

"So you want to... Go behind enemy lines and assassinate Sazan..." The Empress's laboured breathing is taking a toll on her. She hasn't slept in months her white make-up can barely hide the bags under her eyes. "Don't you think I have already sent assassins son?" She says in a sad tone.

"Maybe... But we can do better. A personal touch... Mother, I can fight for our Empire. We are not weak! Sazan needs to pay for what he has done!" Lei clenches his hand into a fist.

"But not at the risk of losing a son." She says lovingly.

"Mother, please... Remember you sent me away on a dangerous mission to help get Stein. I am not afraid of danger!" The Empress looks directly into her son's glowing blue eyes. She has never seen him like this... Determined.

"I will not be able to convince you otherwise?" The Empress sits straight. Her long dark navy hair flowed down like a wave. She realises her son has changed in such a short amount of time. In a way she is proud... He reminds her of herself. His father is... Was a diplomat, she was the brawns and strength. She dreamt to be an adventurer herself. But she has to be the pillar for her country, a trait she hasn't used as of late. Her grief has absorbed her in a way she never thought it would. Her father would have never acted the same... If she had died. He would have tried for another heir. Her father never loved her... Born a girl. A male was needed for an heir. So he betrothed her to the son of his trusted advisor and tried to have his own son. They all died in infancy until her mother died in childbirth when she was ten. Her father died soon after from a heart attack when she was eleven. Then crowned Empress at twelve years old.

Having no friends... Only advisors and her betrothed for company. Then eventually her children. She wanted to love them, unlike her father who never loved her. Chin... Her firstborn boy her Grand Prince. He was strong and smart, and kind to everyone. She would be lying to herself if she didn't favour him the most. But he was so good... He will make an excellent Emperor. If he survives his long term injuries... She has visited him every day like clockwork.

Chen is physically the strongest yet she worries about his mental state. He isn't loved by the people like his older brother and is known to be the ugly and fat one. Marred by bullies at a young age. She coddled him but fears that such coddling has made him resentful of everything around him, especially to the southerners. She cannot risk him becoming a leader of a nation.

Lei the very boy who is standing in front of her, looking more handsome than ever. Once meek and shy, always under his fathers' shadow. Him having a unique affection for men. The Empress always knew it was true... Zheroh and he were too close for comfort. Hence is why she separated them. It was socially dangerous as those in court do not favour this. People in this Empire have a history of killing people like Lei as much as is it never spoken about. It was dangerous for him either way, she had to let him go and find Stein. Maybe this is a path to his destiny?

Her beloved daughter Ning... She made sure she had a loving man to be betrothed to. She was smart and a clever inventor. The Empress's hand clenched on her throne as she thought of her beautiful beloved daughter. Tears began to stream down her cheek causing stream markings on her make-up. "Hey, mother look I made this for you!" She hands her mother a strange-looking contraption. It fits around her wrist like a gauntlet. "It's a shuriken shooter! Instead of throwing them you can now aim and shoot!"

"Your majesty?" As a voice breaks her concentration.

"Yes?" She swallows and wipes a tear smudging her make-up. The Empress looks down at everyone. Lei swallows as he really wanted to say, mother. But couldn't as it is not protocol.

"Go..." She says. " Go and serve us proud. My son..." She waves her hand as they all leave the throne room. Mali, Iolene and Stein follow.

The group gathers in Lei's bedroom. Stein says nothing against it as the Empress has given her blessing for the mission. Although he despises the idea... All Stein could think about was them hoping to come home after seeing a real battlefield. He looks at Beaucephalis the dragon avoids his stare. A gold dragon roaming the world... It is too dangerous for him. But Stein knows he doesn't own him. He is a dragon of the wilds... They will never bow to humans. Beau only sticks around because Iolene saved his life due to his life-changing detriment. Stein nods to Beau as he nods in reply. He wants to leave...

"Aaron, do you want to go?" Mali asks sternly.

"What do you think Mali?" Aaron replies.

"Doesn't matter what I think... I will not be mad or anything" Mali smiles and taps his legs. For he is too short to pat his shoulders.

Aaron looks down and then looks at Lei. He is talking to Lexi as she is already preparing to leave with him.

"I will go with him Mali... He will need my help." Aaron admits as he knows he is strong. But is not used to making decisions for himself yet. He hopes that Mali will not be mad about making this decision. They have been together for so long... Separating will be hard. But Aaron believes helping a friend in need is important. Aaron then looks at Iolene as she looks at the group with a neutral expression. He knew she wanted to go but she is safe here...

Iolenes neutral expression turns into a soft smile. "Good luck, all of you." She remains as ladylike as ever. Her soft voice can be heard amongst the group. They all smile at her.

Stein looks down as she stands next to him. She is content... Good girl... You are nowhere near ready to do anything like this.

A week later Lei, Lexi, Aaron, Beau, Iymp and Ponderrah have prepared for their mission. Iymp and Ponderrah are wearing massive bags that hold supplies. Beau refuses to carry anything of the sort. He sighs as he wished Iolene is going. But he thirsts to leave the human cities behind. Beau scratches the ground in excitement, he cannot wait to run at full speed out of these palace walls.

The Empress sits on her throne wearing a beautiful dark red kimono. Her facial make-up is sharply decorated like war paint. She stands up and walks down the stairs. Embracing Lei with a motherly hug stroking his head. Whispering in his ear "My boy... Lei... My third Prince. Good luck... Last report Sazans army has moved to the dragon tail. Take the trail of serenity... An ancient path to Unmei. It is dangerous... But armies can not take it due to rough and steep paths. Stein and the generals have given you the maps. Your crow drag is ready for war travel. I love you, my son..."

The Empress lets go of him as Lei bows to his mother. Everyone bows after him.

The Empress with her monotone voice. "Good luck to all of you protect my son and destroy Sazan Jona."

Stein, Mali and Iolene follow the group out to the city gates. The dragons stretch their legs as their prepare for the long journey. Iolene gives everyone a hug. Compared to others she held Aaron longest of all. Fighting back tears as she always did... It felt like losing him again. "Come back to me!" Saying as Stein grabs her shoulder gently.

"Don't go just yet... Everyone isn't here yet." Mali looks around as if he is trying to look for someone.

"Huh?" Everyone says in unison.

"What do mean Mali? Everyone is here?" Lei asks in annoyance.

"Not everyone… He is late."Mali folds his arms and closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Well..." Mali was going to speak but is interrupted by a massive green dragon stomping in front of him. "Oh look here he is!" He shouts happily.

"No..." Aaron whispers.

"NO! NO! NO!" Lexi shouts in anger. She almost set herself ablaze.

Beau is visibly vexed as Iymp has a massive smile on his face. "Well, this just got even more interesting." He says in dragon tongue.

Fred sits upon his dragon Duryss looking annoyed as ever. "I'm here mouse! You better pay me well!" He shouts as everyone looks at Mali.

The little man raises his hands in defence. "You need all the help that you can get. I will pay Fred handsomely if you all succeed in your mission. But let me know if he misbehaves because he will get nothing! Are you listening Fred!? " He yells at him.

"Yer... Yer... I hear you mouse. Behave or no pay." Fred randomly throws a pebble on the floor. "But can I at least have a night with the pretty blondie!? A man always needs comfort before a dangerous venture."

Stein without words or hesitation mag pushes Fred off, Duryss sending him flying into the forest. Duryss rushes after him in pursuit.

Iolene blushes with embarrassment and tries to hide her face. But she couldn't hide anymore as they were now leaving.

Lei jumps onto Ponderrahs saddle. "LET US GO!" The group race of the distance.

"HYAH!" Lexi shouts as Iymp gallops away from the gates into the forest. Beau follows Iymp close behind leaving Aaron last.

He looks at the three he is like a statue. He is leaving Mali... He bows to him lowly vowing he will come back.

"You better!" Mali replies "Now shoo!" He taps Aaron's head as he gets up. Giving Iolene another quick hug.

"I'll be back soon!" He whispers. "Stay safe!"

"I will see you soon I hope!" She lets go as Aaron turns and runs off. The three watches as the group turn into dots in the distance.

"Time to go back to the palace my lady..." Mali says as he guides her back inside the city. Iolene looked back as the doors shut behind her