Aaron: Chapter Thirty-Three
"Not long for Macdan!" As Constant brings out what's left of the wine supplies.
"Ki Kizra blaz." Mali shouts in annoyance as he spills some of wine in the carriage.
"Since when did you know Prisshek Mali? And what did I tell you about making a mess?" Constant looking at him with surprise. "I didn't know that you as a-… You had to learn it."
I sit next to Mali as he sips his drink. "oh we never learned that. Only a few knew it who frequently travelled there. But young Aaron here taught me." As he roughs up my newly grown hair. I have been hairless for so long I forgot what it's like to actually have hair. Living with long hair or even with hair could be such a pain. Especially with bugs and ticks. But I am no longer in a dirty cell so I might actually like having my hair.
I chuckle at Mali. "By the way Mali… That sentence doesn't really make sense in this scenario. It translates to kiss my balls." Usually used as an insult to someone else.
"Oh yes! You are from Dominus Sahara. Makes sense, who taught you?" He looks at me curiously. Now that we have left Mille Voix we have started to get to know each other. I was a guest in his home but he mainly kept his affairs with Mali and the occasional Socialite.
"I had to learn on my own mostly."
"Really? They don't teach slaves there? It's their language? Interesting. Do you know why?"
"Well I wasn't born there… Master Isil didn't like teaching us the language. Some masters like to teach their new slaves. Master Isil… He isn't like that. Even more so since I was a young and cheap new slave. Other soldiers and Keyra did help me understand as time went on. But I had to grasp the language quickly. I lived there for seven years and I understand it like second nature now."
But as I sat there… Keyra… I have been so focused on my new master, friend and newer life that I almost completely forgot about her. I hope she is safe still. Since I am no longer there, I hope she escapes the brothel. Time and time again she always said she can leave. But… She never left for me. Maybe she could have gone back to Mille Voix her home city. Maybe after Aquarius City we can find Keyra. Even though I know it will be very awkward… After all Keyra and I did spend many nights together.
"I do not mean to pry. But you said you were not born there. May I ask as to how you ended up in Dominus Sahara?"
I looked at him and laid back. It's a story I hate reliving… I told Mali. I sigh and look at Constants eyes. "I was born in Watersgate. My father sold me into slavery as he didn't want me there anymore."
"Oh… I am sorry to hear that." Constant gestures me to bring my glass forward and refills my cup.
"It's alright. Nothing much I can do about it now…" I try to make the conversation less depressing.
"I did hear that the Light-Blue Empire have troubles of the underground slave trade. One of the burdens of being a neighbour of a nation who largely depends on the practice. I fought against it as hard as I could… But hopefully, there will be a time. When slavery will be nothing but awful history."
I look to my right and see Mali drinking his wine like no tomorrow. As he tries to drink another I clap my hand over the top he can't drink. He gives me the nasty glare. He hates it when I do this. But I have so many questions about him. He told me that he will tell me more about himself when the time comes. It has been weeks and that time hasn't come yet.
"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!" One of Constant's guards shouted in emergency.
"What!? By whom?" Constant shouts out in panic. He reaches underneath his carriage seat and takes out a long baton. He presses a button and draconium sparks shine from it.
Mali, on the other hand, looks relatively calm. Once I lifted my hand of the cup he is right back into drinking it. The carriage got hit by something as we flip around inside. The carriage landed on its side blocking the door out. I am lying on top of Mali and Constant as I need to break us out. Mali underneath me doesn't care that a tall guy such as me on him. He was more saddened by the broken full wine bottle spilt all over him.
But a loud roar got our immediate attention. It is a roar I have never heard of before.
"It's a zimadu!" Mali shouts out.
"A what!" What is a zimadu?!" I shouted having to never seen or heard one before. But I looked up at the carriage and I start kicking the carriage wall. With a few short kicks, I manage to break open the carriage side. Sitting up and pulling apart the wood with complete ease. Constant stares at Mali in surprise. He hasn't seen me use my strength before. Whether he is upset that I just broke his very expensive carriage I don't know.
I look up and see the massive dragon-like beast stomping around. Orange and green body, having two snakeheads with large spiked horns. Their large yellow eyes looking around for potential victims. As I looked around its body I noticed that it's been injured in a previous battle. I see deep scars with some swords and spears still poking out of it.
Matisse lies on the ground nearby struggling. He is really hurt. Some of the dragons have fled as some of the soldiers are dying.
I bend down to reach my greatsword. As Mali is trying to force himself up with Constant. It didn't help that I was almost stepping on them. But I had to find my sword and start protecting them!
Grabbing my sword I looked out of the carriage again to revise the area. We are clearly surrounded by trees and rocks. To be glad we are not near cliffs… But as I looked maybe a cliff could have come in handy. The two head snake creature slams around in fury. One of the heads grabbing a dragon corpse and begins eating it.
This is my chance! I jump out with full strength being high in the air. If only I could fly! I hold my sword high as I prepare to strike into the creatures back. I pierced its back as I scream in pain. One of the heads quickly turn and pushed me off. I slam on the ground and rolled back as it tried to bite me. I jump again and again dodging every move. A snakehead having its mouth wide open as it tried to bite me. I place my large sword in front of me as a shield. SO CLOSE! The snake bit the sword causing its gums to bleed.
As I focused on one head in my foolishness the other head has a mind of its own. Its long neck aimed at the carriage.
CRASH!
The carriage smashed into pieces as the snake wanted to see what was inside. My heart leapt out of my chest. The man who bought me to help free me… I was supposed to protect him! He is my master! As sadness filled my heart I see a light shine through from the wreckage as a stream of gold draconium magic burst through!
I have never seen anything like it. The snakes head immediately dissolved as its other head roars in agony. In a quick moment, I jump up and slice the other head off. Its large body falls flat onto the ground.
I run to the carriage to make sure Mali and Constant are alright. I see Mali jump out of the carriage as nothing has happened. Even taking out a wine bottle and drinking it. Constant looked rattled but fine, he quickly checks around to see how his soldiers are. Some dragons have been eaten and many ran off. Matisse knowing the situation has calmed. Trying to get up but his leg has been scratched.
Mali acting his usual self. "Lucky you got scratched and not bitten. Otherwise, that would have been fatal. Sorry about your dragon though. She was good!" Mali walks over to the zimadu corpse and I stand next to him. He used draconium powers… Gold draconium powers. I swear I saw gold in that magic.
I look at Mali curiously. Who is this man? He can certaiy defend himself. Why did he buy me?
To ease my curiosity of Mali I discuss the zimadu. "Mali… You called that thing a Zimadu. What exactly is it?"
"Well boy. Zimadu's are deep cave dwellers. They are nothing like dragons as you have noticed. They don't possess draconium magic powers. Dangerous and not friendly. As you can see they have two heads. One is male and one is female."
"What? How is that possible?"
"They merge bodies when they are younger. Hatch from their nest they look like ordinary snakes and when they find their mate their bodies fuse and become one. They asexually reproduce as they have both of the organs still intact. While fusing their body grows bigger and they start to grow legs. This one should be around twenty years old that's why it's so big."
Mali then walks over to the head I chopped off. He is inspecting it as he opens its mouth. The fangs are dripping with venom and he smiles gleefully.
"Do we have empty tankards or vials?"
Constant looks at him and I start looking for what Mali wants. I walk over to the carriage and find an empty wine bottle still intact. I walk back to Mali as he looks at me and smiles. "Thank you boy!" I look at him intently as he drips the poison into the bottle. Both fangs manage to fill a whole bottle.
"Zimadu venom can be handy for combat when used correctly. Can be sold for a good price."
I Needed to ease my curiosity and ask him about the magic. I turn and see Matisse is managing to walk, with some of the dragons returning. Constant now shouting how useless they are in the background. Maybe this is my chance to ask."
"Mali?"
"Yes, boy?"
"You know draconium magic. And it's not just that…"
He sighs and turns to me. "Yes boy… It is what you think it is. Its weird timing but since you have seen it. I might as well be truthful. But please keep this secret. Everything rides on this!" He signals me in to come closer and he whispers in my ear.
"I am a priest."
I Look at him in shock. No wonder why he is so secretive. I opened my mouth to ask more questions. But with a gesture, he immediately silences me. I obey.
Mali and I walk around the corpse. I look at one of the swords imbedded in zimadus back. With my strength, I manage to pull it out. I look at it. Nothing like scimitar or khopesh.
That's green draconium… Mali grabs the hilt of the sword and takes a closer look. It has fist and hand designs with green draconium rocks.
"Fascinating," He says.
"What is it?" I asked. What has got Mali so fascinated?
"What is green draconium doing here? It's beautifully made. It looks like a normal soldier sword. Maybe a trophy or a collectable?" Mali then turns back to the corpse and studies all the weapons embedded in it. They all have the same designs with green draconium.
"Very fascinating! We need to take these weapons to Queen Hara. It looks like she had Green Draconium soldiers near her city."
"Soldiers how?" All I know is that Green is at a war with Red and Brown. But that's very far north.
"No idea Aaron. But this is serious…"
"Alright, men let's get this show back on the road!" Constant shouts back to us as the remaining soldiers and dragons prepare to take off. A friendly dragon takes Mali as a rider.
"Come on boy hop on!" Mali gently taps the dragons back.
"No Mali I'd rather run…"
"Run? Boy, Aaron don't be silly!"
I tolerate dragons as much as I can. I will try to save those who need help…I will try and not stroke them all with the same brush. But riding one… Riding a dragons means something different. I have never done it before… Nor did I ever plan or deserve to. Riding a dragon is a huge honour. A huge honour of being a token slave… I am not ready for that. Dragons enslaved me… I cannot easily forget this. If I ride the dragon I would feel indebted to her. If I could live my life free from dragons I would…
Mali stares at me as I remain deep in thought. Constant getting impatient as I can hear him shout.
"Alright boy… We will meet you in Macdan. Just… Be careful alright."Like that Mali and all the soldiers speed off on their dragons at high speed.
Mali seems to be enjoying his dragon ride as he gently pets the dragon. But to his surprise he sees me running next to him on his right. "BOY? HOW?"
I chuckle at his reaction. I am strong but I am also fast! Iqosha soldiers and their training. Keeping up with this dragon is relatively easy. Turquoise dragons sre not so fast. Red dragons though are something else. I would like to race one, one day.
Constant looking behind him as I am keeping pace with Malis dragon.
"Well, you didn't show this skill in your presentation!" Mali says excitedly.
After two days of shortstops and eating what was leftover. We come across the dragon gates of Macdan. I look at stare at the huge marvels. Nothing like Watergate or Dominus Sahara. I felt excited! I am so far away from where I once was.
"WHO GOES THERE!?" The large statues bellowed.
Constant approaches and declares our arrival. We stand for a while as they discuss if they should let us in. Constant and Mali as an extra measure had to write letters to the officials. It felt like we just wasted a whole day waiting here. They let other officials and citizens in. Looking at them though they came from the war. Battle worn and tired…
It was almost nightfall when the officials let us inside Macdan. The lanterns are lit as the wall carvings glowed brown draconium. It looks incredible! I stared at them in awe as we walked passed them.
As turned and looked at Mali I have never seen someone so excited! His eyes are wide open with childlike innocence. Like he is revisiting old memories. "I almost forgot about the Macdan cave entrance. It's incredible! Tells the history of how Macdan was found. How they gained independence from the Green Empire and the battles of victory after it!"
Walking out of the entrance cavern I had nothing to say. It's a city mountain… INSIDE A MOUTAIN! A city made completely out of stone. The large dragon statues haunt me as to how large and tall they are… Reminds me of the statues in Dominus Sahara. Remember who your overlords are. They are beautiful regardless… Their artistry bringing back horrible memories.
The large brown dragons marching around the city causing small earthquakes. The people just going about their own business freely. Nothing like Mille Voix with everyone wearing weird outfits that would be uncomfortable to even wear. But I always see citizens of Mille Voix, they bought slaves from Dominus Sahara.
Being here, they don't have slaves or enslavers… Slavery is illegal here. Mali told me the citizens of Macdan were slaves themselves until they rose up against their oppressors. In a way I admire them! I have seen slave rebellions in the past and they all failed. We were doomed to failure…
We walked down the cliffside as I still embraced the view of the city. Walking past the stone houses. The streets nothing but brown dirt and the skylights would be great to see during the day. But I can only see the dim sunset light. The brown draconium pillars and lanterns are now fully lit. So, they will always have light in this mountain.
The turquoise dragons are exhausted as they struggle with the rough ground. I am even feeling exhausted… A nice chair would be nice. I am still human after all… If I could have a never-ending energy source, that would be great. Walking past the fancier stone mansions I see the massive stone palace. Nothing like Mille Voix or Dominus Sahara. The large stone wall guarded by the same kind of statues guarding the mountain entrance.
As before Constant and Mali announced themselves. But this time we didn't have to wait for confirmation. We were immediately let in. The garden is all pebbles surrounded by many statues that I presume are the previous leaders. King and queens of the past.
Mali started to look anxious every step we headed to the palace. He was admiring the scenery. But now he must be so nervous to meet the person behind those doors. He hasn't even demanded a drink and we walked past plenty of pubs. Usually, he is after a drink as quickly as possible.
The doors to the palace opened and we see the hallways. With similar carvings to the city entrance. The special guard guided us to the throne room.
To my surprise and my fears… A dragon queen… A large old dragon sitting at her post. I just hope she nothing like Emperor Asotele the third…
"Good Evening your grace" Constant, Mali and everyone else bows. I bow differently as I go on my hands and knees. As I look down on the floor. It is a natural impulse for me. Dragons demanded us to bow like this. We are human we can bow low so we deserve to be low…
It felt like I was back in Dominus Sahara… I felt a gentle tap on my head. It was Mali and I remember where I was. I am not there anymore… That nightmare has ended.
The dragon queen looked down at me… As many dragons in the past have. But she smiled… She enjoys this… Like how many others did. I look to her right and see seats for a human to sit in, but it's empty.
"Hello, your grace! You look beautiful as ever!" As Constant talks to the queen in a flirty way.
"Me beautiful? You certainly have low standards." She says in false in surprise.
Constant smiles back at her. "You don't like being complimented, your grace?"
"Oh please, Constant seduce away! I rarely hear such things anymore…" She chuckles politely. Then looks down at us. "Welcome guests! I know why you are here! Looks like everything is coming to fruition. You are all welcome to stay as long as you like. I wish to talk longer but I have my own business and I am sure you have your own. I will speak to you all tomorrow." I look at her in complete surprise. She speaks the human tongue perfectly. Very rare to hear such a thing. Many of the dragons have translators under mind control. But she seems to be like a stern grandmother.
"Thank you, your grace." Constant talks and we all bow again. A human servant then guides us through the massive palace. Mali getting anxious every moment and its getting worse. I put my hand on his shoulder to try and give him some support. This Stein… Mali must truly care for him to be acting like this.
Then the servant stopped at a particular door. Mali held his breathe as Constant looked excited. The dragons were then guided off to the stable and Matisse and injured guards get taken to a different room for treatment. I was going to follow him, but Mali wanted me to stay. Not as a slave, but as a friend.
The doors opened…
And there he was… An older man with a short beard and dark skin. Frail and looks like he still recovering for whatever happened to him. He smiled and had tears in his eyes. Mali ran over to embrace him as he broke down crying. "I have been alone for so long master! What happened? Where did you go?!" As Mali cried into Stein's shoulder. At this moment I could mistake Mali as being a lost child.
"Oh, my apprentice you did well! I am so glad that you managed to stay safe! Now come here and sit! Wipe those tears and tell me what happened. "Stein then points to the seat across the table. Mali happily sits there. Stein looks around and happily, greets Constant with a handshake.
"Thank you for looking after Mali, Constant. It's amazing to see you again." The old man then looks to me with curiosity. "And who is this young man?"
"My name is Aaron, my lord." And I bow as I do with any lord. He smiles at me graciously.
"No need to do that young man. Have a seat next to Constant." I sit next to Constant as Constant smiles gleefully.
"Aaron has been my confidant for quite a while now. We can trust him. He has been good to me." Mali says encouragingly. "But… I need to know master. What happened to you!? Everything… Everything fell apart… The Gold Empire… The Gold priesthood… Everything…" As Mali started to get emotional again. "I hid for almost sixteen years training alone in an abandoned temple. Living alone… I almost found others… But there were dead. And many of the people and dragons I tried to train, all betrayed me… I tried… I really did…"
"You did your best Mali Piccolo… After when we split and I left you. We tried to gain the alliance with the Green Empire. They were our last chance. We knew there was slim hope. We tried everyone else… But it was something… Aelius, Laelia and I packed what we had left to go and try to talk to them. As you know… It was a long journey… A long time that I didn't realise how long it was going to be. We arrived to Demir to ask Emperor Arman Kaiser to help retake the city of Loan. It would have been easier to talk to a brick wall… His son Grand Prince Arman is a good man. But having such a brutish leader as a father… He was our last chance. After that we needed to make an important detour. As we were on our detour, we were ambushed… Aelius and Laelia…" Stein freezes as he looks down. "We were attacked and I was taken by the Black Draconium Empire associates. I was their prisoner under mind control."
We all sit there in disbelief. He is a victim of the Black Draconium Empire… Under mind control for such a long time. All of the information the Black Empire would have gained.
"Master…" Mali whispers to him.
"We don't have a lot of time. The Shadow Emperor is planning something big. I was helping them to get ancient artefacts. My mind is still very vague with memory since I have been in their control for so long. We travelled to the Green Draconium Empire. Searching for their ancient secrets… They are at war. They are weakened. What better time to spy on your supposed ally."
Constant stands up "wait… Wait… Hold up! The Black Draconium Empire is spying on their own ally? Why would they do that?"
Mali looks confused with him. I have to pretend to know what is happening. This huge though…
"Everyone who thinks the Shadow Emperor is content. With what he has now is a fool. He is always planning something. He is very patient... But he will do whatever it takes to destroy everything and make it his." Stein then pours a glass of water for himself and us.
"What are we going to do then?" Constant asks in earnest.
"We need to do what we tried to do all those years ago… We need to regain our Golden province." Stein said this with much confidence.
"And may I ask how you will do that?" Constant fold his arms. We all sit to prepare ourselves what he is going to say next.
"We need to take back the Golden Province as a start. We need to prepare to start another war against the Black Empire. Queen Hara is all for it, even though her country is at war this very moment. She has always known that a larger war could happen. Emperor Arman Kaiser played right into the Shadow Emperors hands. Killing Daxian… Starting a war… Weakening the other more powerful countries. What better time to start to stretch out the Black Empire dominion."
"Yes but how are we going to do that? The Brown army isn't enough. There are other countries that need convincing! This is a huge task that could not come to fruition." Constant thinking everything that could possibly happen.
"There is a chance… We have someone. The city of Loan has an heir."
I stand up as he said those words. A golden heir… Iolene? What? I thought people were meant to keep her safe? Even after all these years I presume she remained at the temple.
"A-an heir? When and from whom?" Constant shouts out. Mali looks at stein in disbelief. "Really Constant? Laelia and Aelius did have alone time together in exile. It's no surprise they got busy." As Mali chuckled.
"She was taken and hidden with the rest of her family in Aquarius City. Her name is-"
"Iolene…" As I interrupted Stein.
"What? Aaron?" Stein says as everyone turns and looks at me.
"Yes. Iolene… A name I only heard once from her mother Laelia's voice." Stein looks down to his wine glass. He clearly trying to re-imagine her voice. "How do you know about her?" Stein asking in the kindest way possible. But it feels like he is suspecting me. I know her being gold blooded is to be kept secret. I promised her… She trusted me with it.
"I know her from my childhood." I didn't want to go into the full story about us. I don't want this to get complicated.
Mali had the surprise haply look on his face. "SHE'S THE GIRL! THAT'S WHY YOU WANTED TO GO TO AQUARIUS CITY!" He then points and yelled.
Stein quickly changing the subject. "I wrote a letter to King Marlowe. He confirmed she still lives and that she is on her way here."
I Look surprised… She is on her way here… One of the few friends I have made in this horrible world. She probably wouldn't even recognise me… I look so different from back then.
Stein then showed weakness as he slumped in his chair. Mali grabbed his hand to make sure he was okay. Stein nodded and said that he needed rest. Servants are summoned to guide us to our rooms. Mali asks to remain with Stein as he wanted to ask more questions.
Down the hall Constant and I have neighbouring rooms. As soon as those stone doors open I see a large stone bed. I hear Constant cry in next room. He must be missing his soft feathered pillows right now. I couldn't help but chuckle, this to me is normal. I had to fight for my old dirty mattress.
As I slept, I hear him roar… Master Isil… My mind must be playing tricks. I know throughout my travels I have my nightmares. Poor Constant tried giving me some of his sleep tea. The screaming and sweating. In Dominus Sahara I barely slept. We are trained to stay up for long periods of time. There are times where I said I sleep I never did… I hear his roar… The pain… The moments I will regret forever!
When I wake up in the morning. I see all sheets pushed off and I'm drenched in sweat. Master Isil and my slave life will forever haunt me… I walk to the next room where Constant is and I knock on the door. Its far from my protocol of course but Constant has been nice to me. He opens the door his pink hair is all over the place. He has had a very rough sleep.
"Yes Aaron?"
"I um… Um… I have no idea…"
He laughs at me as we stand at the door. "Just come to gawk at me in a horrible state? It's rare. You are privileged!"
"I was mainly wondering about Stein… I don't know much about him. Who is he exactly?" I asked.
He then stretches his arm out to let me into his room. His room did not look much different to mine. It's weird to get such good treatment. They never asked for my status or anything. I am just part of the group.
"Want some wine?" He asks. Its early morning? But then I do notice wine is part of Constants and Mali's diets.
"No thank you…"
"Steins business really isn't yours Aaron. Mali assigned you to protect him. I suggest to stick to it. Be a good servant." As he takes a sip of wine.
"It's more than that now. He said this grand plan involves Iolene. Please Constant I need to know!"
"You must be close to this girl! How long have you known each other?"
I look down at my feet. I am stepping over the line. If I was back in Dominus Sahara I would be whipped repeatedly. "We have known each other for years. Even though we were children and it was for a few weeks. I made her a promise to protect her and I still plan to keep that promise. But when I was sold to slavery, I never saw her again…"
"Oh… Well, she will be perfectly safe with Stein. If it will make you feel better. Stein is the golden elder high priest. Their royal guardian and advisor. He is probably the reason why she is still alive… But for now just stick with Mali. Iolene won't be here for a while. And if you know better don't pry anymore. Now if you don't mind I need to put on make-up and look presentable."
He then guides me out of the room.
I Come across Mali down the hall. We greet each other with happiness as usual. Mali with wine in his hand. "Aaron, I thank you for letting me trust you with this. I know it is much to take on. Your life has certainly changed direction. For good I hope so… Just bear with me. I will need you for this. Stein has a huge plan… You are a great fighter I have seen it."
"Why did buy me? Why do you keep hiring mercenaries? You destroyed that snake creature with ease?" I have to find out why. He can easily fight on his own.
"I am a small Suravi man who looks like a bearded mouse. Being a gold priest, was once, one of the top jobs in the world. The largest and highest honour, then our order lost everything. In my years of loneliness, I tried to raise new apprentices to try and recreate the order. But every time I tried… I failed… Or they failed me… I gave up… I decided to travel. Finding an old friend who is Constant. Seeing the world and how much it has changed. I hired mercenaries Kazaar, Alraama, Kazuka, Trimash and many others as a guise. But then Dominus Sahara opened my eyes. Seeing an old friend whom I still cannot discuss. To see the Iqosha soldiers fight like no other. Then I saw you! Young and handsome. Someone who has lived a different life to others. So, I decided to buy you! A new point of view of the world. But I wanted to keep my abilities secret. As common sense overcame me… If I keep using my powers. I will be forever chased. Life became hard… I had to hide."
I nod and smiled at Mali and he smiles back.
Later in the morning when Constant looks normal, we joined Queen Hara, Prince Montahan and his daughter Princess Mantra for breakfast. Queen Hara may be an old dragon but she still nimble for an old bull. The table is specially made for her to sit at the end like a ruler. It's interesting that Montahan abdicated for her. Why would a human give away such an important position? He is tall strong and brave. He commands a presence. I could not help but find it interesting.
I sit next to Mali eating goat cheeses bread. It tastes so good!
"Queen Hara, before we arrived yesterday. We were attacked by a zimadu." As Mali puts down his drink. He has been miserable since they have no alcohol in the palace. He drank what was left of the wine stocks. He then lies the sword onto the table.
Montahan then asks the servant to bring him the sword. He takes a moment to look at it. "Were there any bandits around? We have been having a problem with them. For quite a while now."
"Not that we saw…" Mali replies.
"Maybe that zimatu did us a favour. Got rid of our problem with trade." Montahan then hands the sword back to the servant and they take it away.
Stein then enters the room with a walking stick. He is still frail. Mali helps him to his seat. Even though he has servants Mali is more than happy to do it himself. Stein repeatedly tells him not to help him. As gently as possible. Mali then sits back down.
As we finished breakfast, I kept my attention to Mali. He asked me to show off my Prisshek speaking skills. This impresses Queen Hara. She rarely hears the language as they don't use the language. I blush as people compliment me and say random things. Mali mainly liking the insults.
As we are having an enjoyable breakfast. A servant then bursts through the doors screaming. "PRINCE MURRAY IS HERE!"
PRINCE MURRAY! That means Iolene is here!
Queen Hara moves as quickly as she could out of the dining room. With Montahan and Mantra following close behind. In order of royal protocol. I follow Constant, Stein and Mali. The throne room is the next room. I held my breath in anticipation Iolene… Will she recognise me?
As we entered the throne room. I expected a large group of dragons and people. But that is not what I see. A dirty younger man and a filthy older short woman. With a few soldiers in broken light blue armour. Along with an injured I saw Prince Murray he wore long light blue robes. Bright light blue hair with pale white skin. Handsome and clean. This does not look like that man now… What happened? He looks like a homeless beggar.
"Hello… Your grace!" The man weakly says.
"My goodness, you have seen better days Prince Murray." Queen Hara sarcastically says. She is not impressed.
"We were attacked by bandits…" Murray weakly says.
Everyone all looks upset. I look around and I notice there is no young teenager amongst them.
"Where is Iolene?" I beat everyone to the question.
Murray looks at me in surprise. He then looks down in disappointment. "She's been taken… By bandits."
"You all got taken out by bandits?" Queen Hara jests. "You can't be serious? Really?"
"They were not normal bandits. They were soldier trained. Their dragons are powerful and strong. They were surprisingly well organized. Even though they acted like bandits. And they were not a small group. They were a large group. They were heading north."
"Well… Your people are not the best fighters on land. Maybe you all should stick to the sea. Write to your father and mother and tell them what happened here. And tell them to train their soldiers better for land combat! You have easily lost the key to the south! How are you going to war when bandits easily take your people out? My goodness..." Queen Hara being snarky to Prince Murray. He is feeling clearly uncomfortable along with the rest of his small crew.
"We need to find her!" I shout out.
"We do!" Mali says enthusiastically. "We need to find her."
Stein looks to Queen Hara. "Looks like we need to organize a search party!"
Queen Hara looks down to all and nods in approval. "Let's start planning!"