Chapter Seventeen: Unmei City

It is a beautiful early morning as the city was surprisingly busy as people and dragons are going about their everyday lives. However, the vibe of the people was of fear. Uncertainty is in the air as they carry weapons and children are scarcely seen. The roads are crowded as dragons and humans needed to reach their destinations.

The group had to weave around the crowds as Okimi leads them to the castle. Which can easily be seen from outside the gates.

Ponderrah felt lost as he grabs Beaus' tail with his mouth and follows behind. Trying his best not to pierce the tail with teeth. Iymp stares at a nearby stall of hats as he really wanted to take one of them. Lexi had to tell him no. She can tell by the way he is looking at the stall. Lexi sighs as Iymp loves to steal. He still has that bag he stole many moons ago. She fears that he will never get over his stealing habit.

Iolene looks around erratically trying to absorb all the signs and details. The writing is different compared to Lan-Se, the place has its own beauty. Iolene was sad she couldn't relax and explore the place. Aaron grabs Iolenes hand as he pulls her over and helps her get onto Beaus' back. The dragon lowers himself without question. It will be for her safety. According to Aaron, she has a large habit of wandering off and running away.

Okimi's heart skips beats as she wanted to cry. She hasn't seen her home for so long… Everything still looked the same to her relief. She actually had a real smile, she is back home…

Lei couldn't help but look at Okimi. She is so beautiful… But he could never love her as a man should. Lei felt sad as maybe if everything was different. They would have fallen in love… Or maybe he should have hidden his real desires. He felt like such a fool… But he loved Zheroh so much… Zheroh was handsome and protective. He loved spending time with him… By order of his mother, they were separated and now he is dead. Lei is a third Prince… Why did it matter who he loved? But this slander of him partially caused this war. A Ju-Long child married to a Sazan child. Lei wouldn't have minded marrying Mei. But it wouldn't have been fair to her… But the past cannot be changed now… Jona has killed his father and sister. All he can do is end the war…

Reaching the palace gardens they see a statue of Sazan Jona wearing the coronation garb. Okimi cocks her head in confusion. That's not what our royal outfits used to look like… She thought to herself. She has seen ink paintings of the emperors of the past. They are not as decorated as this…

A long elaborate wig decorated with the Emperor's crown. A large golden dragon clasping around his head. He is wearing a multilayer large robe that the statue has intricately detailed the robe's design of flowers and biru trees. Lei has seen a painting of his mother dressed up similar. However, she was at age of twelve when she had her coronation. Hers was more feminine than this…

Lei wanted to destroy the statue as soon as he saw it. Ponderrah underneath him can feel his anger and squeaks, telling him to calm down.

Lexi walks up to the plaque and reads it out. "Emperor Sazan Jona, First of his name. Leader of the Blue Empire and saviour for the people. The man who freed his people from tyranny. LONG MAY HE REIGN!"

"He started the war…" Aaron says quietly that only Lei, Iolene and Beau can hear.

"Shhh…" Lei replies.

Iolene gasps as she notices something that did not match the peaceful garden aesthetic. Everyone looks to their right as they see a group of men hanging from a tree. Their bodies decompose under the heat of the sun. They all walk closer to take a look. A guard is standing next to the tree. There are twelve of them in total, all of the different ages from teenagers to old men.

"This was an assassin who tried to kill the Emperor. Mordecai they said…" The guard points to a man wearing slick black armour. He was clearly tortured as his skin had burns and was torn on his legs. The guard then scoffs "Not as good as they used to be." As he uses his spear to hit the body like a piñata.

"And the others what did they do?" Iolene asks.

"Stealing, Northern sympathisers, cowards…" The guard smiles. "Citizens always need a reminder for their crimes…" The guard sounded cocky for such a morbid subject.

Iolene directs Beau to walk away and he obliges. He is used to seeing dead humans. His herd killed them whenever they saw them. However he sense that Iolene uncomfortable, he didn't want her to keep staring at them. As Beau moved the rest follow suit.

Iolene's back shivered and her arm hairs rose upright. She began to breathe fast. Something here is not right. She thought to herself. She looks at the small number of shrubs in the garden. They looked pale compared to the rest of the city. There was also something else that felt missing… Where are the birds? The crowdrags? The newts and small creatures? None were seen as they walked through the city.

She kept her thoughts to herself as the group decided to move on to the palace. The palace has two gardens one outside of the palace walls and one inside. Unlike Lan-Se which has all of its gardens inside the palace walls.

The guards stop them as to be expected, Okimi brings out the paperwork to them as they nod and accepted them inside. A guard lets them inside as he guides them into the palace.

Iolene looks at the shrubs decorated around the stone garden. The shrubs looked even paler than the plants outside of the palace gates. The leaves had a darker green tinge from the branch. But the leaf tip was very light green. Looked as if it was dyed.

"Iolene." Lexi says getting the young girls' attention. Iolene looks at Lexi riding next to her. Iolene discusses the leaves. Lexi didn't take much notice, but even she knew that is very odd. Lexi herself can feel in her bones something is wrong. She has felt this sensation before… She lowers herself near to Iymps ear. Asks if he feels the same. He says yes… And that it is not good.

Beau knew none the wiser… In a way, the sensation felt like home…

They arrive at the palace doors. They allow them inside. The rice is to be delivered to the kitchen pantry and they leave. Simple those guards thought to themselves…

The floor is entirely made of wood as the floorboards creak as everyone takes a step inside.

"Assassins, They can do so much to hide their steps!" The guards laugh.

Lei and Okimi look at each other. They both felt nervous as it is time to end the war.