Frederick Kaiser: Chapter Twelve

"I still cannot believe they forced you to come with me…" As I was staring across from the fat moron Sir Gunter across from me. His overbearing smell of jasmine perfume was getting under my nerves. But I couldn't be bothered going outside as it was sprinkling with rain. We have been travelling for less than a day and I already want to turn back. After the dinner that night my brother made sure that it was me who went away for this royal duty thing. What a way to manipulate a father's resentment of going to his other cities. A way to make sure something gets done over in stupid Denver and punish me at the exact same time…

So Arman must be jumping for joy now that another annoying younger brother is now out of his hair. Or whatever is left of it… Although I did hear that Arman's wife Annika and his children Maximillion, Oskar and Darlina. Are returning back to the main city after staying at Annika's family castle at Damaron for a few months. So he will have his hands full with his children and helping to rule the kingdom. Which means this will hopefully keep him off my back. When I come back from this stupid trip. But I will give him credit, he always pays attention to his children. Which is almost unheard off in the royal family, we just did what we pleased and get away with it.

But with all this nonsense at least my kind-hearted father is letting us travel with his royal carriage. He barely uses it since he rarely travels. Even less now that the war has started. He even told me that the "Grand Prince Arman" isn't even allowed to use it. Made out of wood, green crystal draconium and metal and pulled by six bull class dragons. It is known that it is one of the biggest carriages in the world. This is the definition of royal style. It is not so tightly spaced as normal carriages and has more objects that other people can keep themselves busy. Having a decent sized bed certainly has its perks. While also having a bookshelf and a small bar with the most expensive alcohol that only the rich can buy. I wish I could drink all of it but that means that I would have no more left for the ride home. As apparently they don't sell this kind of beverages in Denver. Probably because it is a poor shithole with no taste. So my with my wiser judgement I will just get drunk on the way home. What a way to make the travelling go faster when you are blackout drunk and knocked out for most of it. I have no use for the books but at least fat Gunter has some joy with them, to me they are just another rich accessory that the poor can gawk at.

"Your Highness, the people of Denver have been restless and we have been receiving fewer shipments of Green draconium and Iron Ore in the past few months. Seeing a royal face is good to try to ease their woes. They may be basic workers, but they are needed for this war." Sir Gunter just looks at me like the idiot that he is. I know he is trying to act smarter than I am. I know why we are heading there, he doesn't have to keep telling me over and over.

"They should just get the job done… They serve us the Empire! They should have no say of what they can and can't do…" And so they shouldn't… They serve us the great Kaiser and other noble families. Who are they to decide to suddenly stop shipments of our precious minerals?

"You sound so much like your father…" Gunter sighed and seems frustrated. But I really don't care. I want this over and done with and get back home. This also makes me recall what Arman and mother said before I left

"You look bored your highness…" And I feel a hand grabbing my inner thigh. Oh, beloved Armina… She makes me feel so much better. I almost forgot she was even here. Too bad we can't have fun with this fat shit in the carriage. Oh, the fun things we could do if he was not around… But Arman would not be happy if anything happened to his precious Gunter. My brother may also think he is an oaf but for some reason, he keeps him around. I could only wish I could have other better companions. I really wanted to also take Delphina but mother, Arman and Gunter were so against me taking both of them. "It is not a whore party," they said and if I did sneak her out they would have taken my hammer collection. So Delphina is warming my bed for me when I get back. But with Armina by my side, Gunter can have a view of something he will never have. To reinforce this I tapped and grabbed Armina's ass right in front of him just to enforce this point and she giggles in delight. Gunter just folds his arms and sighs again.

"I have always wondered Gunter… For your old age. Are you still a virgin? I mean you are fat and ugly. To get women's attention you must have a bought it." As Armina and I chuckled. It has always been a mystery to my family… We have never seen him with women and he has no children. Even the book worm Xavier is curious about him and it looks like today I will find out this mystery.

"That is none of your concern boy! Never ask that question again!" Gunter actually sounded angry I was actually impressed. His voice is so soft that him sounding angry is almost a joke in itself. This oaf is so pudgy like a dessert I had no idea he had other traits apart from smelly and annoying. I despise being called a boy though… I am not a boy I am a twenty-two-year-old man.

"So it is true you are still a virgin! Well, this means I am still more of a man you will ever be." I then proceed to grab Armina's ass again and kiss her passionately. After a few minutes, we stopped and we both looked at Gunter and laughed.

All Gunter could do was sit and watch. Now I know what to do throughout this trip… Make Gunter's life uncomfortable.

After sitting and making out with Armina for a few hours we had a short break of lunch that ended quickly to make sure that we get to Denver on time. I quickly spoke to Duryss during our lunch together and he was having a miserable time as I was. Unlike me, though he had to trudge through the mud walking just behind my carriage. He was exhausted and tired… But he had to suck it up once we got moving again. Even though I wanted to stay and relax a bit more all of the guards who are under my father's and brother's command he had no choice but to push us forward. The dragons pulling the carriage started to groan and roar as we started to get moving. It was getting so annoying I demanded them to be quiet. So much so I demanded my guarding captain to whip the ones who make excessive noises. They did not make another sound soon after that.

For the next few days, it was easily one of the insufferable days of my life. The Jasmine perfume Gunter wears I bet is now fully embedded into everything in this carriage and now the smell will probably never go away. Many have said travelling is exciting, this is the complete opposite. I was so bored even Armina was struggling to pretend to be happy. The continuous making out even got tiresome… Even worse when we were given instructions to only stop for short periods. I ended up staring outside of the window for long periods of time and the environment is not beautiful. Most of the tall trees have lost their leaves and the grass is long and dense. I can only imagine the number of snakes who live in the grass. But this place isn't called the Dead Forest for nothing…

"Do not worry your highness we are almost there…" Gunter is trying at least give me some sort of comfort that this stupid trip will eventually end. Armina leans on my shoulder and has a nap. I hated this because I don't like her in this way. I just want her to have sex with me and that is all. It is her job to comfort me not the other way round.

"Now remember your highness… We will be staying at Harding's estate. As your brother said before you left to be nice to your hosts and do not insult them. Try and not antagonize the workers of Denver. I have read reports that many have been striking on and off. Which is why we have not as many supplies from Denver this year as we hoped. Just try to be nice and listen to their plights and you will give a speech at the end of your stay." Gunter then gives me a piece of paper on a list of things to do while I am in Denver. Greet the Harding family, see the rock garden, see the statue of my father, see the mining sites and talk to the workers. This is so much stupid bullshit… Can I just go home and have sex with my pretty girls.

"Um… I'm not going to do any of that… I will say hello to the hosts because I am living in their estate. But that is it…" I scrunched up the paper and threw it out of the carriage window. Gunter just sighs at me again.

"You know that is very annoying you old virgin… Stop sighing". There is so much I can take from this oaf. I just want to get this over and done with, go home and punch Arman in the face. It's his fault that I am on this trip.

"You know your highness… There will be a day when you are lost, helpless and there will be no one willing to help you. You will then hopefully realise how you treat others. The friends you keep at home are bought with your fathers' money and you only value your own physical strength, ego, materials and superiority. The reason your brother sent you on this trip. Is for you to hopefully see how the dragons and humans live under different circumstances." Gunter just stares at me and expects me to heed his words. Which I am not going to do, I see poor people at home where they live at the bottom of my family's mountain. It is where they belong, they live there for a reason. My father is a great king who demands respect and he does it without the needs of sucking up to the people. They suck up to him because he is their leader, he tells people and dragons what to do and they do it. No questions asked or they will be punished as it should be. The only thing I hope to gain from this stupid trip is that I hear people cheer my name. I am Emperor Arman Starker Kaisers tenth son forever Prince of the Green Draconium Empire.

Soon after Gunter tries to intimidate me with his words I suddenly hear my guard captain shout out. We have finally arrived! At long last! I woke up Armina and she sighs in relief. I looked outside of my carriage window and see the gates of Denver opening. The gates look similar to the gates of the castle at home. Once the gates were open we have officially arrived at Denver.

It is the bleakest place I have ever seen. Even the skies have not let up with it being blanketed by dark clouds. At least outside of the city, there is lots of grass and barren trees. Here it is all mud and soot. The houses that I can see are not even houses. They are pile stones put together to make a room, I couldn't even call it a house. This place is hideous… I now want to go home more than ever. As we walked further into the town I see the crowd of people who live here. They all lined the streets to anticipate my arrival. However, it was silent… No happiness and certainly no one cheering my name.

As we walked past the crowd of people all of their eyes just aimed at the carriage. I would not lie that it was quite intimidating. They stared us down as if they were the predator and we are the prey. They are all filthy wearing rags and clothes that haven't washed in weeks. The dragons have not fared better as many of them are filthy with old and mouldy scales building up. Their hooves and teeth have not been maintained and have overgrown. They were disgusting… I just hope to not even go near them, good thing I am in this carriage. They are not fit to be in my presence. I am a Prince and they should dress to fit the occasion.

"Wow everybody in this town is ugly… Not one pretty girl among them… That's unfortunate. Looks like Armina it's just going to be only you and me tonight…" I smile back at her and she quickly smiles back even though it was a nervous smile.

After walking past the crowd we finally reached the Hardings estate. Much smaller than what I thought it would be. No fancy statues, nothing grand, just a small mansion that doesn't even have a garden… Even though apparently there is a garden around here… But then I recalled that it was called a rock garden… It's probably just a bunch of pebbles in loose dirt. Either way, I will not be moving far from here.

The carriage stopped and from my window, I can see the Harding family standing outside their home. I can hear my guards walk into formation as they prepare for me to leave the carriage. My guard captain starts to shout out his usual lines but first, he announced Sir Gunter. The oaf quickly gets himself ready and exits the carriage by almost falling over. I was really hoping that he had fallen, that would have made me laugh.

"PRESENTING PRINCE FREDERICK KAISER! TENTH SON OF EMPEROR ARMAN KAISER!"

I took a deep breath in and left the carriage. I quickly told Armina to stay in the carriage until I command her to come out. Wearing my finest clothes and jewellery I took my first step onto this land. My expensive boots and cloak get immediately ruined by the thick mud. A perfect start to this glorious meeting…

Sir Gunter then guides me to the family who bowed before me. I have only met the father during party occasions, so I don't know him all that well. The rest family has always remained here although I cannot see why... It's a complete shithole.

"Your Highness this is Lord Frank Harding the master of this city. With his wife Maya Harding. Their eldest son and heir Peter Harding. Along with his younger sister Alaya Harding." Sir Gunter smiles at all of us. I was not quite sure of what to do… I hated everything here. But at least Alaya is prettier than all the other girls I have seen. Even though it is not saying much. Frank Harding is a huge man though. Almost as tall as my father with long brown hair and a large beard. He fairly well dressed considering everyone else looks tattered. His son Peter is short and has a large nose that really distracted me from looking at the rest of his body.

Frank looks relieved and begins to speak. "Your Highness we are so glad that you have come! We have important business to attend to in the matters of…"

"I really don't care… Where is my bedroom and lunch?" I might as well have been truthful. I really don't care… I just want to eat and go home back into my world of luxury.

"Your Highness… I beg your pardon but you were sent here to help us… Your brother said in his letter that we have just received that you would help us!" Frank started to pick up his tone which I definitely did not like… He has no right to talk to me that way. I just smile at him and shrugged my shoulders. This made him feel even more irritated…

"Forgive the Prince Lord Harding. It has been a very long few days and he is exhausted. We are very glad for your hospitality and we will discuss the matter tonight when the Prince has rested up a little. Maybe by then, his mood will change". Sir Gunter is quickly trying to do some damage control after my non-caring spat. He can always try his hardest but it doesn't stop him from trying to give me the evil look. It has never worked… It just makes him look stupid.

Lord Harding then tells his steward to show me my room for the time being. I called out for Armina and she quickly follows suit. When I finally got to my room I tried my hardest not to show my disgust. It was small with a fireplace and a small double bed. Even the table is tiny with one basic chair that has no padding on it. Not exactly a place for a prince to stay at… Lord Harding and his wife should have given me their room. After absorbing the atmosphere of this drab room I quickly dismissed the steward and started kissing Armina. Finally, we can have some actual fun…

But before we got to start our fun Gunter barges into my room.

"Why did you do that!?" Gunter immediately questioned. I just looked at him and I gently pushed Armina away. "Because I don't care Gunter… I never wanted to be here. My brother forced me to be here. This place is drab, dreary and disgusting… The city smells of piss and everyone here is as ugly as you and your mother!"

"You truly are a horrible person… All you have to do is be nice to the locals, explore the city and relay the information back to your brother. All your brother wanted is to know if the situation is truly dire here. He would have come himself if he was not so busy back home. Your brother chose you because you are the laziest royal!" Gunter said it with some sadness. He wasn't even showing anger anymore. I just sighed at him as he sighed at me throughout this trip. I don't care how lazy I am. I live the life that I want to live and no one especially my brother will have no say in it.

Gunter then straightens himself up and fixes his cloak. "At the dinner, tonight Lord Harding will tell you of Denver's' plight and you will answer with kindness. I will write down what has been said and I will try to guide you through it. He is a good man and this is a nice family. They do not deserve to look down upon".

I rolled my eyes, but at least it is not a long lecture. But I have had enough of him and his ignorance. "Just get out Gunter… I am too tired for this shit! The next time you barge into my room like this. I will punch your face in and then you will actually have something to complain about."

Gunter quickly left the room to leave me and Armina alone. At long last… To make sure of this I locked the door shortly after when Gunter left the room. Now I can finally be alone and do my business with Armina without interruptions…

After having an eventful afternoon with her it is time to prepare for dinner. I hear the Steward knock on my door and I get dressed into my finery once again. The Steward waited patiently outside for a while and when I finally get fully dressed he led to me to their dining chamber. Armina stayed behind as she knows that whores are not welcome in this kind of gathering.

Like everything else I have seen it is certainly nothing to be amazed about. The family is already standing at the table ready for my arrival. By looking at the small food spread I am clearly late after getting ready.

They all bowed and said "Good evening your highness" in unison and they waited for me to sit down. I am going to sit between Frank and Peter while Gunter sat across from me. When we all finally sat down we began eating dinner. It definitely had nothing fancy only a small roasted boar, pigeon and vegetables. Nothing like the never-ending food spread at home…

"Your Highness, how is Grand Prince Arman doing?" Frank is being sincere. By the way, he spoke to me earlier about my brother, they must have been writing letters to each other. But I am surprised that he asked about my brother not my father… Who is the actual leader of the nation and the one who has the most say in everything.

I smile back at him as I try to think of an answer. "He is just as annoying as ever… Bossing other people around and telling people how to live their lives. I don't really know what else he does…" Frank smiles back and chuckles a little. He probably thinks it is a typical brotherly relationship. Even though that is actually true… But Franks smile changes to sadness.

"Your Highness your brother sent you here to see the state of Denver. We have been pleading for help a long time now… I would say at least a year. Many of our male competent miners have been conscripted off to war. Leaving many of the miners left being inexperienced young men, women and child workers. I have tried to appeal to your father to keep our experienced miners here. But he demanded that they go off to fight… Two out of our six mines have run dry of minerals and one of them is now too dangerous to operate since it has collapsed. Most of our emergency food stocks have run dry and many of the wild animals that once lived here have left the area. Many people and dragons are starving. Those who could afford to leave have left for the north. Many who cannot risk themselves by having strikes… For a cause, I cannot blame them for."

Sir Gunter quickly cuts in to ask a question. "How many people and dragons have died during this period?"

"Eleven dragons died of starvation or disease in this week alone… As for people, I would say we have lost eight this week… We now only have three talented healers left and they are struggling with the constant demand. Ten of them were killed during the mine collapse earlier this year while they were trying to save people. Everyone is struggling with the upkeep of the dragons and themselves. A small herd of ten dragons left to see if they can find the lost herd of separatists…" Frank takes a deep breathe in. Considering he is a big and burly man he looks like he is about to cry. Maya grabs to hold his hand in comfort and looks lovingly at him.

I really had no idea what to think of this scenario… I just wanted to be back home… I don't want to deal with any of this. This is technically their problem and not ours… We don't have to do anything.

"So… What do you want us to do?" I quickly asked Frank and shrugged my shoulders. What does he want us to do? Magically fix this shithole of a city for him… By the sounds of this, my father has been ignoring him and my stupid ass brother wants to fix this. My dad has reasons for ignoring this and I can see why… It is not his problem…

"Your Highness, we need more food provisions that can be delivered weekly. I have also heard that Demir has a large population of jobless people. We can use those people who have had no luck finding any jobs during this gruelling period. I know we do not have many experienced miners. But we need more people. Our mines help supply this Empire's much-needed resources for your gear and machine manufacturing. Without us, you will lose a large number of resources." Frank is beginning to sound desperate. I am getting so bored of this conversation. I quickly stand up and everyone stands up along with me. Without saying anything to the family I just leave. As I left the room I could overhear the gasp of the family.

Gunter quickly chased after me, he was like a rolling boulder after me. I speed walked into my room where Armina was lying in a provocative way. It was a nice surprise but Gunter was having none of it… He immediately orders Armina out of the room. She knows that oaf has no right to tell her what to do. But she quickly leaves anyway, she doesn't want to be a part of this...

"I have just had enough of you boy! I will write to your brother and mother! This is the final straw! You can only have so many chances to prove yourself that you are a good person!"

"I AM NOT A BOY! STOP CALLING ME THAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE HAD SO MANY CHANCES! I DON'T NEED ANY CHANCES! I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE TO LIVE MY LIFE IN PEACE WITHOUT BEING BOSSED AROUND! NOT BY MY BROTHER, NOT MY MOTHER AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT YOU!" I am truly angry now. I bet that the whole tiny castle heard it. "MY FATHER EMBRACES ME OF WHAT I DO! If I want to rig a tournament I will rig a tournament! If I want to have sex with women all day I can most certainly do it! If I want to drink my day away I can do it!" Once I stopped yelling at Gunter, he walks up to me but he is calm. It was like his anger has turned into defeat.

"Your Highness, your father started this war. It has destroyed most of what we stood for and it has ruined many lives. Your father is not a good man… He killed our rival leader because of his pride. You should not love him as much as you do…"

"I could send you to death for saying that about my father you disgusting old man. He killed Daxian because he was a weak piece of shit. Who thought signing a piece of parchment will give us peace…" I chuckled a little as I said this. Daxian was a complete fool… As if they thought they will ever have peace with us. We would have gone to war eventually… Hearing that moment when father smashed his hammer into that man's chest bought me joy. It was a heavy blow to the red Empire who probably sobbed like little babies once they got the news. Just too bad that Vatra wasn't there, otherwise we could have killed the both of them.

"I know I could be sent to death from saying anything negative about your father… But he has not even tried to sort out this war. Your father did as he likes, drinking, fighting, whoring and starting wars. He has not attended to any of its war councils, not once. Your brother, Grand Prince Arman, has been trying to win this war for him. It has been five years since the war started and we are losing… And if we lose we all die."

My mind went into a sudden spin. WE CANNOT BE LOSING! My brothers cannot let it happen! Everyone must be failing at their jobs! Especially my brother. If he is so great at being a prince why is he failing? "We cannot be losing that's impossible!" My face changed from smirking cockiness to surprised and upset. But throughout telling me Gunter has remained calm. He probably thought I knew. But I never listen to my brother or my family. I never wanted too…

"Your brother tried to seek peace to the Red Empire… As a predictable outcome, they will not allow it. They have vowed to crush us and with no Golden Army to help make peace amends. It will be a fight to the death between our Empires'."

"I have had enough of this Gunter… Get out! While you leave summon Armina in. I want her company." By looking at Gunter he looks exhausted and quickly leaves. I begin getting undressed and waiting for my girls' arrival. Once she arrived we had a lovely night together underneath the sheets.

Once morning arrived and woke up I completely forgot I was still at the shithole of Denver. I saw Armina still in a deep sleep next to me. I still wanted to go home so badly… I decided not to wake her up for once and I quickly got changed into my finery. I attached my war hammer to my back clip on weapon holder. I have never left my hammer far from my reach. I still took it to dinner with me last night. I saw the steward as I walked past who had a small bowl of fruit. I told him just to leave it in my room as I don't feel hungry. I was hungry to have a different company with someone I actually liked…

I walked outside to the plainest courtyard I have ever seen. It was still covered in mud as it was raining heavily last night. I walked into the royal family's dragon stables where I found Duryss. He looked just as miserable as I did… He was still exhausted after walking all the way from Demir. But at least we have a special stable hand for his every need. His hooves have been cleaned and his scales have been tended to as they sometimes overgrow into multiple layers.

"This place is a shithole…" He immediately chuckles at me and I chuckled along with him. This place truly is a shithole. Even the stables are drab and boring.

"I heard you caused a commotion last night at the dinner. Many of the people here are not liking you right now. Even the dragons here are hating on us… I tried talking to them but they would not even hear me out. They did not mind trying to steal my food though".

"Don't worry we will be heading home today, I will make sure of it! I cannot stand being here any longer." At least Duryss and I are on the same page. We just want to be home, sleeping, drinking and fucking. We both smile at each other. I would have liked to take him for a ride. But he is exhausted and I don't think he wants to. He wants to save his energy to run away from here.

After a while, he tells me to try and have some fun. He was feeling so tired he is falling asleep as I tried to have a conversation with him. I decided to let him be… Afterward, I looked around the stable where all the workers were doing their chores around the castle. At least they don't have to pay for an expensive gardener since they don't have any gardens or greenery.

As I walked past the workers they did not even say good morning to me… I am a prince and I should be greeted appropriately. As I walked around I had to teach these morons how to say good morning to me. I don't care if they like me or not I am a prince and I should be treated as such!

Gunter eventually finds me in the courtyard, I tried to walk away from him but he cuts me off. He is so fat that he can work as a barricade.

"You should not have been travelling outside alone… It is no longer safe… I have arranged for us to leave today your highness. You will make your speech and then we will quickly leave. All of your guards are getting ready as we speak…"

"No longer safe? I am their Prince. I should be safe at all times. They are my people, they should be serving me at all times if required." I regained my old self confident ways that I somehow lost after yesterday's spat with Gunter. It is true they are my people. They serve under my father who will severely punish them if they didn't.

It is still early morning when Gunter led me to the statue of my father which is where I will be delivering my speech. It is located in the middle of Denver's city square. The people of Denver have crowded the place, all still as filthy as they were yesterday… They could have at least dressed up a bit more. The quiet atmosphere has carried from yesterday. This place will forever be bleak. There is nothing that I will give them and knowing my father he won't give them anything… I have no idea what to even say.

They built a small wooden stand so I can be seen by everyone. The Harding family stood in a row at the back of the stand to the people left and Gunter was standing at the back to people's right. My guards stood next to the stand and they bought my carriage to sit nearby with all six dragons at tow. I see Duryss walking nearby to the stage. To my hopes to support me. I looked around to see if I could find Armina, I turned around and asked Gunter where she was. He quickly told me that she is in the carriage also ready to go.

The environment was still quiet. Still no cheering or happiness, I walked onto the stage as all of their eyes looked up at me. I will not lie I felt faint as their eyes were all on me. I took a long breath in.

"Hello everyone! Yesterday I have seen your city!" I smiled and they still all looked seriously at me. "Your lord Harding has been very kind to me. I am grateful for his hospitality! That is all". It must have been the shortest speech in history, but there is nothing more to say… All of a sudden the silence turned into noise and it was not a good noise. They started to even throw things at me, pick axes, mud and whatever they could throw. The separate noises became a roar and all of the crowd started to run to the stage. Gunter and a guard quickly grab me to get off the stage. They all shouted random questions and remarks.

"WHAT ABOUT US!?"

"WHAT ABOUT OUR FOOD!?"

"OUR EMPEROR HAS FAILED US!"

These people now sound desperate and fully climbed off the stage. The Harding family also tried to escape, they had no choice but to follow me and my guards. They managed to escape from the horrible horde however Frank quickly grabbed me from behind!

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING FRANK!" I tried to wriggle out of his strong grip. His wife and children also grabbed me. I tried to grab my hammer but I couldn't get a good grip on it. Gunter stood by and looked, there was nothing much he could do. But using his fat body to roll people over would have been useful. My guards quickly ran to my rescue with their weapons and mag powers in hand.

"I'm sorry Prince Frederick my people and my family is desperate. Your father has failed us… We need food and help… And the only way I believe we are ever going to get it is to use you as a hostage exchange". Frank looked at me with sympathetic eyes. But I would have none of it. I used all my strength and managed to push them all off me. I grabbed my Warhammer and started to hit everyone around me. The crowd of people and dragons has now become a full-on battle with my guards. All of my guards are outnumbered… It was easy to know by this point we were going to lose this. I tried to run to my carriage but there are dragons immediately destroying and damaging it. I hear Armina screaming inside for help. The miner dragons broke the carriage dragon chains and all of them run away in fear. The dragons managed to push the carriage over! I can still hear her screaming but I no longer cared I just ran for it. I hoped to find Duryss through all of this chaos to run far away. I managed to find him as he was killing and crushing smaller dragons who attacked him.

I whistled to him and he ran to me as quickly as he could. He magged me onto his back and I held on as best as I could. Since he is a bull class dragon he is not the fastest dragon and he is still exhausted after yesterday. I wish I had a saddle so I can sit on him with ease, but he did not put it on this morning. He managed to break through a few walls as we escaped. The dragons and people who were after us have slowed down. Good thing they were starving and overworked. Otherwise, they would have caught us with ease. I had to rely on Duryss's sense of direction since he was the one who walked outside throughout the whole trip. I was in my carriage so I have no idea of my surroundings. But by the looks of it, we are still on the main street and I see Denver's gates. I grabbed my hammer and smashed it into the gates guards so we could escape easier. I could not find the lever to open the gates… But with all of his strength, Duryss managed to break through Denver's' front city gates. I have abandoned Gunter and Armina. All off my guards must have still been fighting them when we ran away. I did not even dare look back as I fear they were still behind us… I quickly then decided that Duryss and I will head home… I just hope Duryss remembers the directions to get there.