Beau: Chapter Twenty

This week of walking has been a complete blur. I tried to escape many times injuring a human and this resulted in them whipping me. However they did show us some kind of kindness by feeding us and giving us water. The humans even tried tending to my feet but I never wanted them to even touch me! I don't care how much they blister and hurt. One tried to touch me and I bit him on the arm. I will never give any of those creatures the satisfaction of touching me! So they never tried to touch me again. But I do know they speak about me as I can hear my name in the human tongue as they speak. They whisper so I cannot hear them.

But this journey felt like it was never ending, we are so far away from the herd that I hope they went the opposite direction to us. Knowing my brother who fled has told father but he will not care that I was the one who got caught. I have mixed feelings that my brother ran away. I wish he helped us instead of watching. But I am now glad that he got away safe from all this. But I cannot stop thinking of how father will react getting me captured… Beau, you're weak as usual… Beau, you are nothing like your brother, your brother will never get captured like that… Beau, you are a disgrace to your own kind… Not even one human kill? What the hell are you?... Dragon Separatists NEVER submit to humans! You are better off killing yourself! I had to shake my head and tried my best to stop thinking about him. He is not here to be disappointed at me. I am only just disappointed in myself. I hope there will be a day where I can make my father proud.

During our journey our captors have caught five more dragons. But we were all quiet. No introductions, no nothing. Even the Alphas from my herd were not even talking to me. Even though they never really spoke to me since my hierarchy is below them. So I stopped trying. Myshka has been healing throughout this journey. I was so relieved. I had only just become friends with her I wish not to lose her so soon… I enjoy her company.

The environment is still barren and harsh. The dead forest is far away from us now. But it looks like an endless plane of dark dirt with small dead shrubs around.

After such a long journey we finally reached a human city. Human cities are not as big as I thought they were… I tried to talk with one of our dragon captors to see where we are. But they just rolled their eyes and ignored me. They all seem to have the idea that they were better than all of us… Well with their skills and armour it is hard to argue against that. So of course their pride is inflated. I tried to overhear human conversations. But to no avail they are speaking about things that I have no clue about. I only know so much of the human tongue that my father has taught me. But I have still much to learn about their language.

I looked around this town and looked at the human houses… I have never seen them before. Since I have never been to a city before. They are small and wooden… I admit I was very curious as to how humans built them. But I was disappointed. Father said that they had buildings that towered even the largest of dragons.

"The human cities are not as big as I thought it was," I spoke to Myshka who is still beside me. She herself has been quiet throughout the whole journey after we got captured. But I believe that was because she was in a lot of pain after the fight. She needed to rest as I still see her bandages around her belly.

She looks around at the environment and then looks up at me.

"Beau… This isn't a city… It's a village. A small town…"

"A… Village?" I looked down at her. I thought humans mainly lived in big cities. We avoided these places as it was too dangerous as I could see why. Go out of our comfort zone the odds of getting captured get extremely high.

As we walked through the town I notice that there are a few other small groups of captured dragons. Many of them are terrified and as they screamed in fear the humans replied with whips… I hate humans so much… They cause so much pain and misery.

Eventually, they placed us all in a small closed pen located at the edge of the town. It is powered by draconium energy so walking through the barrier gives us a nasty burn. It was like we were waiting for something… They overcrowded the pen so it was hard to move around. This is a reason as to why I envy Myshkas' small size. She can easily squeeze under me so I can protect her easier from the other large dragons.

Then a strange loud noise could be heard! It was the weirdest noise I have ever heard. It was just as loud as a dragon roar. Myshka looks up at me in a smug way.

"Oh relax Beau… That noise is from a machine called a train!"

I looked at her completely bewildered. I had never heard of such a thing.

"The dragon and human engineers from my home called Suravi invented them. We used them to take us from one place to another. It is a fairly recent invention. So most Empires do not have it yet. It was supposed to ease the dragons plight."

"To ease the dragons' plight?" I said sarcastically.

"Well… Delivering Cargo from one side of the country to the other side is expensive and draining. So the Black Empire had to think of a way to make that easier. And they have a whole nation of slaves so why the hell not…"

We both looked as all the dragons around me looked at this monstrous machine approach us. It looked terrifying! It was huge! Many dragons freaking out around us. Like me they have never seen anything like this. The collars that binded us made it immensely difficult to move around. So this led many dragons pulling other dragons as they panicked. Smalls fights began to break out but it was quickly stopped as the humans knocked them out with a strange poking thing.

I looked down to Myshka as she looked at me as if I was completely clueless about everything.

"That's a needle gun… Am I going to have to explain every single little human thing to you?"

I nodded yes to her and she chuckled. At least she is trying to find some little fun in this situation. But I could tell she is frightened. I see her shaking and her tail lingers underneath her belly. The classic way of how to tell if a dragon is scared.

The monstrous train stopped in front of our pen. As I looked around, the train must be on a special track. As I looked at the train I noticed they opened the pen and the train laid down a ramp. All of the dragons around me began to walk backwards. We had no idea what was in there… But it looked dark… And I would be lying to myself if I said to myself I wasn't frightened… I had no choice but to walk backwards away from the train along with the others. But as we tried to walk backwards all of a sudden the humans and dragons who are on their side began to attack us to push us into the train.

I DID NOT WANT TO GO IN THERE! I roared in protest and pushed the dragons away from me. I tried my best not to hurt Myshka. I jumped over dragons and almost reached the edge of the pen. However even before I got to the edge of the pen I felt something hit me and everything went black.

As I started to regain consciousness. I heard the muffled mumbles of dragons surrounding me. The smells were strange… I could barely see a thing. I had to try to remember what happened to us… We tried to search a way forward for the herd. But we were quickly ambushed by Black Draconium soldiers… They overpowered us with such ease. Our small herd was full of Alpha's those who are stronger than many others of the herd.

I managed to open my eyes and looking up that there are dragons squeezed on top of me and around me. We were cramped into a very small area. We must be on the train. I had to use what little strength I had to get up. Pushing those who are on top off me. I shake my head as I tried to balance myself as dragons kept of pushing around for a room. Trying my hardest to clear my head. It was even worse than it felt like we were moving… I'm on this train…

"You're finally up Beau!"

I look down and see Myshka. Sitting next to me. "They gathered all of us and dragged us onto the train. We have been on the train for a few days. You should get up and eat something. The trough is on the left."

I had to squeeze through dragons as I ate and drank from the trough. It was the weirdest food I have ever eaten… It was soft and brown coloured. I hated it… I have never tasted any of this before. So I couldn't describe to myself what it could be.

I tried my hardest not to vomit it back up. After trying to not vomit I made my way back to her. Myshka seems sad that we are on the train. I don't blame her… I have no idea what is going to happen to us and neither does she.

I had no idea how long we have been on the train. But it began to stink horribly. We had no choice but to relieve ourselves as we are. But I hope we get to stop soon… It stank so much that the small window air holes are not circulating fresh air enough. I cannot imagine if it gets hot in here. Good thing this country is cold and barely knows what a hot day is. After a long time of just standing around, I was getting so bored out of my mind. There no room to do anything and no dragon wants to speak to me… As I looked around the trained I noticed many of the alphas in my herd are not here. Myshka said they could be on another carriage since I ran off as I tried to escape again.

I suggested that we can all push the train and we can stop it! But Myshka immediately tells me not to as the metal in the train absorbs the impact if pushed from the inside. She tells me the main metal from the train is made from the same metal as dragon prison cages. Which she says is almost invincible.

I pushed my way to a small window hole. I could see outside. The train is moving so fast that everything that we passed is a blur. But I stared out the window I notice something. Huge.

A massive wall could be seen in the distance. We got closer as the wall got larger and larger.

"Myshka look at this!"

I let Myshka jump onto my back so she could easily look outside the window.

"Were are heading to Inclementia…" She said ominously.

"Inclementia? I heard that word from my father. Is that the city?"

"Yup! I have never been here… I never wanted to be here… But I have heard descriptions of what the city is like and it looks like they are all true… Walls that are so tall and thick that dragons no matter how big can't ram it down. The only building that you can see above these large walls is Emperors seer tower. A building so high it touches the clouds and so cold up there that only the strongest priests live there. It is where the Emperor himself lives."

As the train moved closer to Inclementia I can begin to see the tower. The top is covered with clouds… It is amazing I will give them that. I would be lying if I wasn't breathless seeing it. I have never seen anything like it. Probably built by the dragons who are enslaved by them.

Before we knew it the view was blocked as we were in a cave. And with the light coming back through we can see outside once again. We were in the city.

Large and tall towers everywhere. Not like the small wooden buildings, I saw in the village. It was not a beautiful place… There is no colour or greenery as we passed. It was all grey, purple and dark stones. Everything is so drab and dreary it cannot help but depress you… Humans are the cause of this ugliness… Everything here in unnatural. The black draconium here is so potent you can feel the powerful presence of it. Even though it is minor I cannot help but feel it in my bones. I can imagine what happens to the dragons' minds who live here for long periods of time exposed to it. I have seen older dragons who came from travelling caravans from these places and they are full-blown crazy. Like one was deliberately running into trees… No matter what we did he just kept into ramming everything. He said it was fun… His constant mood swings of happiness and temper. He then thought his human master was coming after him and he attacked us almost killing another alpha. We had no choice but to kill him.

Unfortunate but he was the product of the human to dragon conditioning. He is one of the reasons why we want to eradicate humans. He would never have been that way if he got to live free.

After a long a tiring ride the train finally stopped. All the dragons sounded relieved but are terrified… We have no idea what is going to happen to us. By the looks of it no other dragons have been here. So we did not know what to expect. Although he can think of the worst-case scenario that the Black Draconium Empire is capable of.

The door opened for us.

"COME ON OUT DRAGONS! OUT YOU COME!" A human screamed out. But none of us budged. Then a small round ball entered the train.

THEN BAM!

Bright light and extremely loud noise shocked all of us. Then an overpowering smell took over and I stunk even worse than our faeces. We all run out quick smart. Some dragons got trampled as we rushed out. I made sure that Myshka remained on my back. We all ran down the ramp from the train into another draconium powered pen. This one is way more advanced and powerful. The other pen if you touch it you will burn. With the power emanating from this one you can lose a limb…

Our collars shocked us. Probably still testing if they still worked… It has been impossible to remove these. They have been absorbing our mag energy every time we try to use it. Making me feel extraordinarily tired but I also quickly learned that the more I try to use my powers. The energy that gets into the collar sometimes overflows and burns underneath the collar. Causing immense pain so I stopped trying using my powers...

But once all of the dragons left the train all of the humans began to clean the train up. That must be one interesting job… I try to take not of the dragons who are around us. Many of them I don't know. But I do see the other Alphas and they are not in happy moods. I tried to talk to them but they flat out ignored me… A usual occurrence when it comes to Alphas and Omegas. However, they are captured. So it could be both pride and shame that they are captured.

I looked around to try and see where we are. Try to get some bearing as to where I am. We are just inside the wall of the city. It must be easier to navigate this mess of buildings. As the Seer tower is right in the middle of the Inclementia. And as I looked up I could not see the top of it still.

We all looked up and saw humans looking down at us. They were standing on a ledge of a large stone building nearby. All their judgmental faces. I just wanted to push them all off that pedestal. However, I notice I see dragons up there as well. They were wearing CLOTHES and headdresses. I have never felt so offended by these dragons! Why are they wearing clothes? They don't need to wear clothes! They are dragons! They don't have to act like humans!

A larger dragon who wore no clothes looked down at us. He is large but a very beautiful and majestic dragon. He had long waving fins under his chin and along his back. His long tail also a fin that blows like a wave in the soft breeze. Tall with slender legs and a thin body. Unlike other black draconium dragons he had a long face and chin that is similar to mine but is smaller. His scale patterns swirled with dark and light shades of purple. With his bright blue eyes give him an extra measure of beauty.

He then makes a roar that can match my fathers in dominance. But it sounds soothing like he is singing. It is not rough or overly loud. It is a voice seldom heard by any dragon. After hearing him I can guess that anyone will be wanting him as a potential mate. I can even hear Myshka commenting on his beauty as she balances on my back. The dragons surrounding me are admiring him. With his beautiful voice, he immediately gets all of our attention. We all look up at him. He begins to speak at us in the dragon tongue.

"WELCOME WILD DRAGONS! I must first apologise for how humans and dragons have treated you! But I assure you that you would not be here if they asked you politely! But I will say that we are trying to help you!"

Well, no shit Dragon… You took us from our homes… Or searching for a new home. I don't think we need your help. I could not help but feel anger at this moment… It doesn't help that he sounds incredibly polite. I have nothing about bad feelings about this dragon.

I roared back in reply I can't be bothered listening to this dragons bullshit. "YOU TOOK US FROM OUR HOMES! UNWILLINGLY! YOU SAY YOU WILL HELP US, BUT THEN FOR US TO HELP YOU!?"

The dragon immediately looked down to me in the most intimidating stare possible. I won't lie he does look scary at this moment… His piercing blue eyes suddenly look like they are going to dig out my soul.

"Who are you dragon?" He roared in a demanding tone.

"BEAU! SINCE I SHARE MY NAME WHAT IS YOURS?" As I stared directly back at him.

"Well, Beau… My name is Kaunis. I can guess from any of these dragons' circumstances just by looking at them. They are starving and sick…"

"BY YOUR EMPIRES DOING!" I roared at him interrupting him again. However, I felt Myshka scratching my back as it seems like she wants me to shut up.

He remained ever so calm... I guess he is the kind of dragon who can take those shouting at him. If it was my father he would have killed the dragon who shouted at him as soon as they opened their mouth.

He began to speak again. "We do what we must to help those who are in need. The wilderness is a dangerous place for anyone to try to survive. Human, dragon, hydrag, muhortas or even newts. We have been discovering many dragon disease epidemics in the wild. You cannot blame us for what happens in the wild… We don't control nature."

This is a very true fact he is bringing to us. There are many diseases that are inflicting us like scale rot and fire fever… We don't know how to heal or treat these afflictions. Our only option is to usually give the suffering dragon a quick death.

"I am sorry for what we did seems cruel… But there was a time where I stood in the same spot you are all at now. Looking at an alpha above you. I trusted her and I hope you will trust me in the same way. This is short pain for much better long term gain. We can help you! As the new world sovereigns now we must make sure that all of the creatures of the world are looked after!"

Looked up at him again. "AND MAY I ASK HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELP US?"

The dragon rolled his eyes. "We have magic healers, doctors and those who are trained to help with such afflictions. We have plenty of food and clean water for all of you to share. Please do not be afraid of us we are only trying to help!"

I looked around and many of the dragons seem to be falling for it. Desperation can make anyone a fool… But I hear Myshka scoffing at this dragon all through him talking. I know she isn't falling for it.

The dragon continues on talking trying to convince us all that we are not in a horrible position.

"Not only are we going to provide you all with treatments along with food and water. You can also begin your life anew! Or if you have family please do not hesitate to tell us we will help to reunite with you and your families. So please relax as we lead you into your new stable where you can have a proper nights rest with a belly full of proper food and water. So as payment we only ask for your cooperation!"

As he looked down his bonemark began to glow with ultimate power. Black draconium energy beats in waves across the air. It was entrancing to look at… In a way looking at it made me feel calm. I did not feel as angry anymore. There is something more powerful at play here…

The dragons surrounded me also looked eerily calm. Even Myshka… She has stopped moving.

"Now my new friends follow these dragons to your new homes."

Dragons with riders in heavy armour appear to open the gates. And turn off the draconium fences. But I didn't care to notice as my attention is fixated to the dragon on top. I could not stop looking at him. The longer I looked my emotions disappeared. What dragon is this?

"Now move…" The dragon sang quietly.

We all followed in complete calmness. No one is fighting… We just couldn't do it… We had to follow like there was no choice. The energy pulse faded but the effects still lingered. It was a long walk through a part of the city but eventually we reached a large building. It was tall like many other buildings in the city. I had no idea what this building contained or what it is meant to be… I have never been to a human building before. I had no idea what to expect.

The large doors opened and we pack into this place. It is dark and damp… Everything smells awful. This place is empty… Do they expect dragons who are sick to be healed from here? I can imagine some dying just by entering here.

Myshka jumped off my back and looked around erratically. She is terrified. The weird magic that Kaunis had on her must be wearing off.

"We need to get out of here Beau!" As she whispered to my ear in urgency.

"Don't worry Myshka I'll find a way to get us out." I tried to comfort her. The magic Kaunis used on me is still in effect as I still felt calm. I couldn't even focus on ideas of how to escape this place. I just looked forward ahead of me following everyone else.

"Beau… Have you ever heard about Kaunis?" Myshka nudging me. I have no idea how she returned back to normal quickly. But she is starting to panic.

"No, but he is a straight out liar. Pretty obvious using his looks and powers to keep us calm. Trying his best to make sure that we do as we are told." Even though it is not reassurance I did not want her to feel like she is the only one questioning about this Kaunis.

Myshka checks around her once again to see if any of the surrounding dragons are listening. "Kaunis is a name I heard back at my old home in Suravi before I was taken away from there."

"And?"

"Well, Beau… In Suravi we learn who our overlords are. The Shadow Emperor is, of course, our leader. He rules all no question. But they also teach us other lords like Armageddon and Vysox. This is a way to make sure we don't make a fool of ourselves if they ever come to visit. Which of course they do on a very rare occasion."

"Are you getting to the point about Kaunis yet?"

We reach another large room as we walked through and we stopped. I looked up and it many levels of empty rooms. They must be stables…

Myshka leaned towards me again. "Kaunis is part of a very powerful dragon group in Inclementia. They nicknamed themselves the League of Eight…"

My eyes spread wide open and I looked at her in surprise. All of sudden it was like all my emotions came back to me in one hit.

"THE LEAGUE OF EIGHT?" I screamed out and all the dragons around me look at me in surprise. With Myshka giving me the grumpiest look. Here she is trying to lay low and trying NOT to make anyone panic. Then there is me… I guess it is a good thing that humans cannot understand what I am talking about. All they will probably hear is a dragon roaring in a weird sporadic way. I looked around just double checking and the dragons who are looking at us don't care.

Many dragons of the world know exactly who the league of eight are. Highly controversial dragon group with extreme draconium powers. My father is enemies with Vipstanious who is known to be the leader of the league of eight. They were leaders of the dragon separatists originally. However, they betrayed our cause and many of our armies left with them. We could not win without them. It turned out the Shadow Emperor created the whole dragons' versus humans' rift to get to his own goals. Which he succeeded apparently.

I did ask father more about them. But he mainly shrugged it off and said he only knew of one dragon in the group and that was Vipstanious. And that was that… Only the name Vipstranious. Never said what skills he had or any information on the others. So this left me with many questions about them.

My thinking about the League of Eight immediately stopped as I see dragons being led into the stables. A large guard dragon roared at Myshka to get into a nearby stable. This clearly frightened her as she went into a cowering position. With her tail under her belly and her long ears lowered. She slowly backs off into a nearby stable that is still vacant. But with me, I don't bow down so easily. The weird spell has completely worn off and I am stubborn by nature.

A dragon guard thinking I'm easy comes at me and tells me to get into the stable. I flat out refuse. He tries to nudge me to get into a stable. Many of the dragons are now in their small boxes. So it looks like I got to be the difficult one. My stubbornness was short-lived when they shocked me with the collar… Again… I forgot that I had this thing on for a while. I have no idea what to do about it.

They bring out the whip when they were called to stop. I look behind me and there is Kaunis. By my surprise, he can speak the human tongue. He must have followed us after the rally. He just stares at me and even gets a closer look at me… He eventually smiles. I wonder what he is thinking about. But he did look at me for a while. I did notice as he was staring at me. That even though we are in this human building. There is no wind but his fins still wave in the air as if there is a continuous breeze.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked.

"Hello… Beau was it? You must be the one shouting at the welcome rally. You just look like someone that I know…" He once again seems so polite. I won't lie that I was impressed that he remembered my name. I might as well reply in kind. He is a dragon and I prefer to talk to him than anyone else here apart from Myshka. But I will not be a fool and trust him… After all, he has managed to use some kind of power against us already.

With a kind gesture, he asked me to follow him to another room. I did not like the idea of this at all. However, he reassured me that it's just going to be me and him. I had to think about my options. Stay and they bully me into a stable or go with Kaunis and see what he is like. I decided to follow Kaunis. Even though he said it was just going to be the both of us. He did ask a human guard to come with us. Maybe I can find an escape to where we are heading. But I cannot leave Myshka behind… She is already locked into one of those stables.

I followed Kaunis through this large elaborate tower. Many of the stables on the bottom floor are now full. But high up the tower they are all empty. We, at last, reached the very top of the tower. The guard shut the large door behind us and finally, it was just us two. And I looked out and saw the city from a higher view. It was not the tallest tower but you can see the middle of the city where Seer tower is at. The base of the building is massive. Humans and dragons everywhere down there. I had no idea what they were doing as I have never seen this before but it was interesting. As I looked down I felt an immense pressure lift off my neck. It was the collar they placed on me since they have captured me. It's now on the floor… I have never felt such a great relief for a long time now. I looked down to see how high we are. Unfortunate if I jump I will fall to my death and there are no towers nearby for me to jump on. Did he deliberately bring me up here just so it would be difficult to escape? Maybe…

"Are you feeling alright Beau? I know you must be feeling scared. But what I said out there is true. We mean you all no harm…"

"I feel fine Kaunis. But I wish to be free and make my way in the world." I quickly answered. Of course, it will be my main mission to get back to my herd. But that would be a foolish thing to even mention. Myshka and I are in danger enough without me bringing the herd into it.

"Make your own way in the world? Like how?"

"I just want to be free."

Kaunis chuckled as if he thought it was funny.

"What is so funny?" Nothing I said was funny… But then I have to remember where this dragon is from.

"Oh, nothing… You just remind me of a young me."

"A young you?"

"Freedom is nothing but an illusion. You think you have the freedom to do whatever you want until something like an alpha or nature gets in the way."

"Humans" I quickly put in. They have no doubt restricted the freedoms of many animals in the world especially dragons.

"Oh yes… Humans are truly bastards. I don't like them either. But they really are a means to an end."

"A means to an end?" I looked at Kaunis in confusion.

He lowers down his head and I see his bonemark glowing with black draconium energy. It is in an eye shape similar to fathers and brothers. But as it glowed I could feel the power resonating into me.

I walked back carefully. I really hope he isn't using calming magic again. "You're not going to use that magic again are you?"

He looked at me by complete surprise and confusion. "No of course not…"

I gave him a stern look and he sighs deeply.

"I only used that magic because many of you all are frightened. Coming to a huge city is terrifying for anyone. I am truly apologetic for the way you all have been treated. The humans here do love their superiority and it tends to rub off on everything they touch."

I looked at him. It is making sense… He is probably just trying to help those who have no choice that is in a shitty situation. But then I have to remind myself that he is in the League of Eight… He is no ordinary dragon. I have no idea what he is planning. He could be planning anything. He says humans are bastards yet he works for one… He is nothing but confusing to me.

"Do you really hate humans?" Kaunis questioned. His polite demeanour disappeared slightly as he asked it.

"Yes, I do." I quickly replied. Everything I have seen from them is horrible. Even the ones who seemed more innocent have their moments of selfishness. Like when they abandon their dragons so they can save themselves…

"Ok then" He then asked for the human guard in his language to meet us out here. He stands between the two of us. He remarks to us about the view and the majestic seer tower. Then in a quick sudden kaunis turns to me and in dragon tongue demanded that I push him.

I looked at him in complete surprise. I have attacked humans before as they have tried to attack me. But I admit my brother is the merciless killer. This human is just doing what his master told him to do and is admiring the view.

I must have been thinking too long as Kaunis then once again smiled politely and with a sudden movement of his paw. He pushed the human off the tower. The victim immediately falling to his death.

"He fell… That is unfortunate…" His remarked to me in a polite jest and looked back to me. "You are nothing like your brother Beau… But stay with me and you can become powerful like him."