Chapter Four: Mille Voix

After two weeks of travelling, they finally reach the gate that opens to the Turquoise Empire. It was interesting to look at as it technically was two gates. One gate for Blue and one for Turquoise a few meters after. Lexi looks at the massive wall that formed the territory for blue. It looked as if it never ended as it stretched to the horizon. She turns around to look at the beautiful forests of the Blue Empire one last time. Lexi missed her home more than ever as her home is tropical as the volcanoes made fertile land. Iolene and she discussed the flora of their homes and were happily surprised to find they are similar. This land is foreign to Lexi, but she found it incredibly beautiful. The Biru glowing trees are incredible. But now she is heading off to another foreign land. Following Iolene every step of the way as Kenneth told her.

She misses Kenneth as he was her master for five years. Now twenty-one years old she knew she would have to make her own way. Writing letters to him frequently as she asks how he is. He is learning to cope with half of his leg gone. Teaching the orphans in the priesthood as he can still teach. Lexi remembers when she was fifteen when she volunteered to fight in the war against her mother's wishes. She was chosen by Kenneth to be an apprentice a rare case since she has a family. Her mother is a teacher, her older sister Plamya is a princess handmaiden and her younger sister Jamil is training to become a teacher-like mother. Lexi turns and looks at Iolene. The blonde girl talking to Aaron about the massive wall. Iolene reminded Lexi of Jamil. At first, she hated Iolene for being a priss and was indifferent, but in time she began to love her like a sister.

"This gate is much more peaceful than the other one I entered in..." Fred remarks interrupting Lexi's thinking.

"Why? What was it like?" Lexi replies with as much cynicism.

"A camp so massive that it was almost like an army base. The only difference is, that it was filled with wailing women and children. Old men who lost limbs and can barely walk. Many slept under stars as they screamed to be let inside. Dragons trying to jump over the wall in desperation and they got shot down... Your people caused that you know..." He says as he folds his arms and looks down at her. His piercing green eyes glowed with power, trying his hardest to intimidate her.

"Huh..." Lexi scoffs. "You cannot really tell me that you care for the common folk. Considering you do not shut up about your so-called birthright. Those people and dragons you saw... Was the consequence of the war that YOUR father started!" Lexi faces Fred as her eyes glowed red.

Fred stares back in turn until Stein breaks them up forcing the two to stay away from each other.

One of the Empress's servants shouted to the guards that on behalf of the Empress they shall be let through. The guards look down at the small entourage as they reply to be allowed through.

The first gate opens as the second gate can now be seen. The group walk to the second gate as the designs are ornamental. Two of the turquoise guards wearing unique silver armour as it is highly detailed with patterns, and they were wearing fancy feathered helmets. Carrying large spears ready to attack. A servant brings the note to the guard as they read. They nod as they were granted access to the country.

Iolene walked beside the first carriage as she politely thanked the gate guards. They did not respond to her only walking back to their post.

"Iolene you should get back in the carriage..." Stein says. Mali remains in the carriage as his small legs ache after walking too long. Eleya soon joined him as she is old and struggled with the blue dragon, they gave her.

"Oh Stein... My legs are stiff; besides it is a beautiful day. I have been in that carriage for two weeks. Choosing to wear a yellow light dress that reaches her ankles, Iolene races forward as she catches up with Aaron tapping his hand. He looks back and says hi.

"Hello!" Iolene shouts playfully, Aaron noticing she is very excited to now be in the Turquoise Empire.

Fred returns to the carriage with Lei as he reads his book. Fred leaned forward to read the book title. "The History of Mille Voix, by Dennis Remy..." He says as Lei hides his face with the large book. "The land of doilies more like it..." Fred remarks talking to himself. "You remind me of my brother when you do that... It's annoying." He continues as he then pokes Lei with the hilt of his hammer.

"Do you mind!?" Lei shouts closing the book almost slamming his fingers.

"No... You people bore me. Put that stupid book down and entertain me." Fred says straight out. Poking him again. Lei replies by hitting Freds' knee with the massive book. Causing Fred to lean over in pain, then retaliates by throwing a pillow at him. Before the two knew it they were fighting in the carriage. The large thing began to rock side to side. Iolene, Aaron and Lexi look on as they hear shouting coming from it.

Ponderrah who is tied to the carriage and is restless as he can hear Lei inside.

Iymp and Beau stand their distance watching the show and laughing.

Stein raced to the carriage opening the door as Fred spills out to the floor. Stein grabbed his arm like a parent grabbing a child. "YOU STAY OUT OF THE CARRIAGE!" He shouts.

"Oh, please it was Lei!" Fred shouts back surprised at how strong the old man is. Stein rolled his eyes seeing through the lie.

"You are walking for today!" Stein declares as he enters the first carriage with Mali and Eleya slamming the door. The carriages begin to move on as Fred groans with annoyance. Then looking Iolene as she says she should get back in the carriage now that the mood is ruined. Aaron calls out the second carriage opening the door for her as he holds her hand to get back inside. Lexi glimpses at Fred and decides to follow her inside.

Aaron turns to face Beau who is using his blue disguise. The dragon glances back and then run ahead with Iymp.

Fred stands next to Aaron. "You like the blondie..." Fred says with a sly grin, Aaron says nothing as he proceeds forward. "Hey! Don't walk away while I'm talking to you!" Fred shouts. "What is your relationship with the blondie?"

"Stop calling her that, she has a name," Aaron says simply.

"I keep calling her blondie, so? What is your relationship?" Fred asks again.

To Aaron's surprise, he hasn't spoken much to Fred. On the journey to and from Unmei, it was mostly Fred bragging about his life and experiences. He and Aaron do not get along. But Aaron notices no one gets along with Fred.

"Why are you such a dick?" Aaron asks Fred.

"I am no dick. I can crack your skull for saying that again!" Shaking his fist at Aaron. He doesn't even take it seriously as he continues walking forward. Aaron realising he is not going to get his answer. Only thinking that he has lived a spoilt life of privilege and wealth.

The night finally arrives and the camp is set as the servants cook the food. Aaron looks up at the stars as he does every night. Beau and Mali sit next to him as Mali gives history lessons. Iolene decides to join in until dinner is ready. "What are you talking about?" She asks. Aaron moves as she sits next to Mali.

"Today princess I am talking about the history of Emperor Nicholas VI the cruel. He ruled at least three thousand years ago, but is easily known as one the cruellest and ruthless rulers who ever lived."

"Oh... " Iolene says. One of her many great, great, great, great, grandsires.

"Nicholas used to love the gibbets, brazen dragons, Iron maidens, racks, impaling, wheels, pillories, rapes, pears of anguish, you name it." Mali says with some interesting enthusiasm. "Nicholas ruled Loan for Five years! It is known as the five years of hell. No one was safe from that man's wrath. He claimed many women as his own and demanded slavery to be legalised. He declared war with Red, Green and White for no reason apart from just experiencing more violence."

"Sounds like a charming man... " Aaron says sarcastically.

"Of course, you can be so cruel for so long. Everyone despised him. Even his wife and sister Minerva. So not surprising everyone revolted when his sister's wife took him from bed. Surprising him with a brazen dragon. Placing him inside to burn him alive as everyone in the city cheered and watched. The man lived and died by the sword he made... And after that, his eldest daughter became Empress Flavia V. No one in Loan ever named their child Nicholas again."

"How can a man be so cruel? But Wait..." Iolene says interrupting Mali. "Did you say... Sister wife?"

"Yes my dear." Mali answers. "Princess Minerva was Nicholas's younger sister. She was married to another man when Nicholas killed him. She was incredibly beautiful the texts say. That Nicholas loved and desired her... As you can imagine incest is forbidden by law. But Nicholas killed everyone who didn't officiate. So it was done... Nicholas wedded and bedded his sister. Her daughter Flavia was born nine months later. Followed by a set of twin girls. Then after that another girl... As you can imagine Nicholas was not happy about not having a son. He murdered the newest girl by throwing her into the fire... It caused Minerva to snap and lead the revolt."

Iolene placed her hand in front of her mouth. "How horrific!" She says trembling. "Can we please speak of something else?" She begged as she couldn't stop and think about the poor baby.

"Yes, my princess. What would you like to hear?" Mali says kindly.

"Anything but that... " She quickly says.

"Food is prepared." A servant says interrupting the group.

Iolene not feeling hungry anymore after hearing about such a horrific event. Not believing she is related to such a monster. She struggled to eat the amazing food that was cooked by only eating bits at a time.

After a long night of seeing through memories. Stein wakes Iolene up before dawn. They should hopefully arrive to Mille Voix by midday.

Everyone quickly broke their fast with jerky and relieved themselves.

Aaron walks out of the carriage next to the dragons. It is another beautiful sunny day. Aaron looks up at the clear blue sky as he then looks at the trees. The forest is different to the Blue Empire. The trees shoot up to the sky straight and narrow. They are deliberately planted like posts next to the path. Aaron finally knows the city is not to far away.

Eventually, the forest disappears as never-ending hills can be seen as meadows covering the land. They are almost there.

Built on the highest hill Mille Voix stands. A massive city with a population of a million. The carriage stops as Iolene bursts of the carriage in excitement. She wants to see the city from a distance.

"There it is princess, Mille Voix." Stein says with his usual stoicism.

Iolenes breathe is taken away by how beautiful the city looked. The massive palace of voices was built on the highest hill as the elaborate hedge and rose gardens surround the palace. The large dragons' den can be seen next door to the palace looking almost like a smaller copy. Below them, the merchant district can be seen as there are streets of endless mansions and homes. The streets are perfectly woven as they looked like an elegant painting. The old common district looks like a mini forest as plant life took over since its abandonment years ago.

However, Iolene looks to the left and sees the slave district. Her heart breaks as it looked like a broken city. It is massive as the towers are cramped together. Unkempt and claustrophobic it looked awful... Smoke is billowing from the factories as the smoke is blowing to the west. The slaves live there...

Stein leans over to her "It is so beautiful... But has an ugly personality. We must be careful here Iolene, you cannot go travelling the city alone. Understand?"

Iolene looks up at him. "Yes, I understand."

Iolene, Aaron, Lei, Lexi, Stein, Mali and Fred re-enter the carriages.

Beau couldn't believe what he is seeing. "What kind of place is this?" Speaking to Iymp in dragon tongue. He couldn't help but admire its beauty. It is nothing like the tower and grey Inclementia. Even though the slave side reminded him of that awful place. But Mille Voix is quite a sight...

Beau shakes as his disguise almost faded. The gold almost appeared as he put his power into turning it blue. Keeping to the blue scales he has not been bothered during the journey.

Iymp looks on as the carriages and Duryss disappear into the distance. The red dragon tapped Beau on the back to fix himself. Beau glowing blue as he fixes his disguise.

"Keeping this up is harder than it looks... " Beau says in a light tone and together they race to reach the carriages.

The servant driving the first carriage hands the gate guards a note. The same note is used to get passage into the country. The wealthy side of the city is heavily guarded as they don't let any random human or dragon inside. Their armour is gilded with turquoise draconium giving it a light glow. Their city guard is more opulent than any other city guard that everyone else has seen. It is believed their armour has been funded by the wealthiest of the city and the monarchy. "Everything must look beautiful and perfect." They say.

The city pearl gates open as the guards let them inside the city. Aaron looking from the window remembers the first time he visited. The people are still wearing the most out-there outfits anyone can think of.

A man was seen wearing a dress that is so large it almost gets twisted into the carriage wheel.

"Is that dragon... Wearing shoes?!" Beau roars in shock as Iymp laughs. The dragon wearing platform shoes made it look taller than anyone else. Beau trying not to stalk him as he needed to see how he walked in such shoes.

Iolene looks out the window excitedly like a small girl. The houses and mansions are covered with vines and ivy. As they were illustrated, this city is like a real-life fairy tale.

Lexi looks out the window as Fred leans on top of her. "My god... look at them all... Clowns... Doilies... How does anyone take them seriously?" Fred asks. He only met ambassadors when they arrived at parties. However, they quickly learn that dressing over the top gets them nowhere. As they learned when Emperor Arman Kaiser stripped them naked as he threw fruit at them as everyone laughed. They since adapted to being low-key and wear normal clothes.

"I take them more seriously than you. GET OFF!" Lexi shouts as she shoves Fred off her. She like everyone else admired the city's beauty. But it felt superficial to her as Vulkania is natural. Vulkania uses many natural materials created from volcanoes. The palace of Fire and the priest sanctum reside inside the volcano itself.

Constant Mercers' mansion. Mali says as the gate opens the long road reached up to the mansion. The road posts are statues and hedges that are shaped into dragon shapes.

Constant stands out front of his door with his daughter Eidith. Constant has a large smile on his face. As his daughter looks at him confusingly waving her fan. The carriages stop as everyone

Constant looked almost on the brink of crying. "Look at you..." He says breathlessly. Seeing the young blonde woman in front of him. She really is the child of his old friends. He kneels as he kisses Iolenes hand.