Frederick Kaiser: Chapter Thirty-Six
After a long trek home, it felt like everything changed… Elrick is dead. We got attacked by a powerful priestess. Xavier has already taken the duty of telling the family. A job that I don't want to do anyway.
I smile with complete happiness, as I see Demir's mountain in the distance. My room, my bed, my servant girls, fancy food, no peasants or nearby… I cannot wait to have a nice long bath.
By the end of the day, we are now at the bottom of the mountain. Looking around I see much of the bottom village is overcrowded with people and dragons. And a revolting smell I could not stand that almost made me vomit.
I hold my hand over my mouth as the smell is overpowering.
"Unfamiliar with the smell of death, are we?" As Ingrid looks at me with annoyance.
"The smell of death?" What does she mean by that… Duryss moves forward pushing other people and dragons.
Xavier walks over to me.
"Father has failed everyone. He didn't try. We have been living so good and well at the top of the mountain. We forgot those who are truly suffering from the war… Disease and famine have reached here."
Walking through this part of the city. Dragons and humans lying on the pathways and roads. Many shouting's and screaming for assistance. Corpses littered the streets. I would be lying if it isn't eye-opening.
We finally reached the elevators to climb up the mountain. Many guards have been pushing away civilians. Only nobles and royalty can elevate up the mountain. Looking to my right I see the large Iron gates have also been closed. The long spiral pathway up. The commoner path. No one can come in or out.
Xavier comes forward to a guard to whisper our identities. And the guards let us all onto the elevator. The ten enslaved dragons pull forward to lift us up. The drivers continuously whipping as dragons are trying to rebel.
After a long wait, we finally reach the very top of Demir. The large Iron dragon gates open. I sigh in relief after "the short trip" of hell. No one came to greet us. Which feels strange… I am always welcomed home even going to a tournament.
Ingrid and Erdmuthe look around. Picking up our ancient artifacts. Shown on display. Xavier had to yell at them to stop. They better otherwise their hands will be chopped off.
Walking through familiar halls. It is great to see everything again. I am home! Duryss runs away without a second thought. He didn't even say a word to me… I guess we are sick of each others presence for now.
Whatever he wants to do now is his own business. We walk into the dinner hall. It should be dinner time. When we arrived I see our family there. Sitting in their respective seats.
Mother, Father, Arman, William, Bertrand, Garrick, Rayna, Hamlin and Welt. Also surprised seeing future Empress Annika. Grand Prince Armans wife and their three children. The oldest Maximillion, second child Oskar and youngest and only daughter Darlina.
Max looks like his father. Which means he has many traits my family has. Tall, muscled, strong presence, bright green eyes like the rest of the family. He is even starting to grow his beard. He should be twenty years old. I'm only two years older than him now. Max Still hasn't been wed which has surprised me. He is by law the second in line for the throne.
As I looked at Max as he eats his dinner. I have never thought about what number I am to get to the throne. But as I thought of it numbers just flew around my mind. I am from a huge family thinking of that hurts. To many people in this family…
I look to Max's left and I see fatty, fatty Oskar. Next to William he can remain in the ugly pile. Who eats food as if it's his life. He was fat last I saw him earlier this year and still fat now. The butt of father's fat jokes next to Gunther. Well if he stopped eating and train like the rest of us, he wouldn't be such a porker. I am guilty of making fun of him myself… His fault for being so fat…
And next to Oskar is Darlina. She and Rayna seem to get well enough. They are both the same age. Darlina being born just a few months earlier. Father blamed her for making his next child a girl. Breaking his only male streak.
I don't know much about her. She is there I guess.
Everyone is eating dinner and acting as if nothing is happening. Mother stands up as she sees me and hugs me. She never hugs me… I gently push her away. Not the biggest hugger in the world. Unless its from my lovers… I am never a mothers boy. She seemed happy though. She tenderly hugs Xavier and he embraces her back. Pure mothers boy like Grand Prince Arman.
Father smiles at me as he raises his ale glass. "Well you certainly did a number in Denver. The people there have been arrested with the Harding family sent to death. Their bodies hang at their front gates. Serves them right for trying to take you. I never should have sent you there my boy. Should have destroyed them in the first place. Not our fault they're to dumb to fix their own problems. "
My older brother Arman look less than pleased at me. But he is happy to see Xavier.
Arman hugs Xavier. But the news that Xavier has to reveal. He makes everyone and I sit down. He explained the deal with the bandit groups. What happened to Elrick. The attack of the black draconium priestess.
Father didn't even care about Elrick. Mother was understandably upset. She shed tears as a mother should. She immediately dismissed herself. Arman was upset… He tries to remain composed.
Ragna my youngest and only sister. Didn't react at all. Neither did Arman's children. But then she is only ten and Elrick has always lived on the edge of the law. They wouldn't have known him.
Xavier and I sat down. A marvelous feast of food. I stuff my face immediately. I am so hungry… I have been hungry for so long. Erdmuthe and Ingrid have been ordered to eat in the servants quarters. Interesting knowing that Erdmuthe is related But when father looked at her… No emotion at all. He must not know I guess… Or he does and just doesn't care.
As we all finally finish dinner a couple of shadowy figures approached.
Tall and slim humans wearing dark purple hoods. What you can see of their faces pale grey and look like walking dead. They bow to father. They are ambassadors from Inclementia. Creepy… I have always hated seeing them. They are always around especially during council meetings.
"Not tonight! Piss off you freaks!" My father commanded.
"Our Emperor would like to speak with you. We would like to assis-" They say in unison.
"I said piss off! Or I will send your corpses into your teleportation device to your shit home!"
"Yes your majesty. Tomorrow then!" And like that they walked off. Not even bowing. They don't even look like they walk… They glide.
I rush over into my room where my servant girls await me. Delphina and Armina…
Armina looked beaten up. Scars and bruises everywhere. I dismissed her and told her not to come back… I only need pretty girls. Seeing her reminds me of the trip from hell. Probably my fault for taking her with me…
I look at Armina as she hesitates smiling at me. But with a good work ethic she pleases me and we slept together. Oh sweet relief. I needed it after all this time. She remained as sweet as she usually does.
By the next morning I walk into the dining room for breakfast. Mother looks terrible! She has been crying all night.
I Walk past her and see the family looking depressed. Father remains as his normal self. But seeing him like that made me think… If anyone else in the family died would he care? He didn't even mention a funeral for Elrick.
We all are eating breakfast as the Inclementia ambassadors appeared again. Wearing their dark purple robes and being creepy. Father waves them off once again. Arman walks over to me and whispers in my ear.
"We need to talk after breakfast. Meet me in my bedroom quarters."
I then see him walk over to Xavier. Probably asking him the same thing.
I look at all of us at the long table. Almost a large happy family! Even we are not a happy family. The table is quiet…
"Look at everyone so down and dreary! The war looks like it will be ending soon!" As our Emperor stands up and holds his ale glass up high. We all look at our father in surprise. The war is almost ending how? He does not explain to us but he quickly leaves us once again. We all bow as he takes his leave. Mother sits on her seat as tears come out.
I look at Arman as he walks away. Maybe I should visit his chambers… As much as I hate to hear his righteous babbling. After everything that has happened, it'll be refreshing to hear. In a weird way, I miss him… Stupid oaf.
I walk past the throne room where father mainly resides in. Walking past I see father talking to his associates including the creepy ambassadors.
Walking through the long hallways. I see Xavier walking close behind me. But with my amazement, he jogs to be beside me.
"He obviously isn't happy about you because of Denver. So try and not mention it…" Xavier skipping steps to keep up. He is smaller and scrawnier than I am.
I roll my eyes. They tried to kidnap me and their home is a dank and awful place. I am glad to be back home…
We finally reach Prince Arman's bedroom quarters. His door guards bow and they open the doors to us.
I see Arman in his basic royal outfit. I love wearing my regalia and jewellery. He however never likes embellish his wealth as much.
He sighs as he looks at me. The usual sigh of disappointment. Good thing he is only a brother and not father.
"I really was such a fool thinking you might learn something… Seeing those who are less fortunate. Ask them what they needed. Now the Harding family is dead…"
I shrug my shoulders. What does he want me to say? I'm sorry? I'm really not. Serves them right. I never wanted to be there. It really is Arman's fault. I want to remain home and I am staying home.
He sighs and sits on his couch. He asked about the details of the priestess. Xavier giving extreme detail about me being knocked out for most of it.
"Ha… So much for being strong Fred. Your first real battle and you were knocked out… All bark and no bite."
I give him a stare and he chuckles at me. But the chuckle had sadness in it. He misses Elrick… But whatever grieving he is doing it is in front of no one.
As Xavier and I stood in front if Arman. My other brothers William, Bertrand, Garrick, Bartrand, Hamlin and Welt. Why are they invited? Even to my surprise mother appears as well. What is happening?!
"This is an important family meeting. Thank you for coming!" Mother opens her arms as if she tries to embrace all of us.
"A family meeting? We are missing the most important member. The Emperor?!" I yelled at her.
"Shhhh, Fred! I wouldn't usually ask of you to be here. Due to your father's loyalty. But you have seen things during your trip."
"What do you mean by that?!" I asked her. I have never heard her speak like this. She is always quiet as she should be. She rarely speaks out in front of father.
"There is something much more serious at play here! We must plan to protect ourselves!" Mother announces in a serious tone.
"What is at play?" I ask.
"By the Magna Draconis Fred, you are thick!" William snarks at me.
I start to walk to towards ugly William. Arman places his hand on my chest to stop. William is not going to get away talking to me like that!
mother then interrupts all of us. And begins to talk. "The priests from Inclementia are not legally permitted to be here. Especially snooping through our ancient temples and strongholds. They killed my son… Your brother Elrick! They cannot be trusted!"
"Speaking of Elrick. Are we having a funeral for him?" As William scratches his scarred skin.
"I am planning a funeral for him. But since he did live a life of controversy. He will not have a royal funeral. And since we do not have his body… He cannot have normal funeral rights. But we can do what we can do…" Arman's voice chokes up.
"But as I have said my children we need to protect ourselves. Your father at this very moment is waiting to meet with the Shadow Emperor himself." Mother then sits on Arman's bed.
We all group around mother. She looks composed. She smiles as she sees Annika, Rayna and her grandchildren arrive. Did she seriously invite everyone here?
"We must leave here. To be safe! We must go east." As mother gets up and walks over to Arman's desk. Where Arman is preparing a map with inks and quills.
"What!?" I shout out. "We are safest here! In the palace!"
Everyone in the room looks at me and the try to hush me up.
Arman walks over to me and grabs my shoulders. "Fred! The Shadow Emperor has convinced father to allow them into the war. Father is not listening to me! I have read reports at dawn from my personal scouts. They are sending soldiers from the north. They have thousands coming into our nation! And we barely have anyone protecting us! They are all south! And you know what happened when a leader allowed far too many Inclementian soldiers in their home."
I Look down at my feet… As much as I enjoy avoiding my history lessons. The end of the Gold Empire had close allegiance with Inclementia. And it ended with their internal destruction.
Hamlin not being able to sit still for long. "But why would father allow this? We have always learned to be aware of the Shadow Folk." As Hamlin grabs a paperweight to play with it.
Welt grabs the paperweight from Hamlin. "Maybe fathers good old confidence hides his fear. He knows we are losing the war… He has been told over and over again. Maybe he will think this will be a quick win. No other country is willing to help us."
Then we all stand in the room in silence for a while.
Mother then walks over to Arman, Annika and their children. Rayna standing next to them holding Arman's hand. As I look at them... I notice that Rayna looks admiringly at Arman. The way I used to look at father.
Seeing them like that… Made me sad. I have always admired father. His confidence and strength has always inspired me. I know he loves me. I was always favoured by him. And I enjoyed it when he did favour me more… Now everything is falling apart. Now the family is planning to flee… Some royal family we are. I should tell him. He has a right to know!
Mother then grabs a quill. Writing on a parchment.
"Max, Darlina and Oskar. You will go with your mother to Burrdin far south-east from here. It is our closest city to the Blue Empire border. Rayna you will go with them."
"But why mummy? I want to be here with you and Arman…" As Rayna lets go of Arman and holds mothers hands. Mother caresses Rayna's rosy cheeks.
"Oh, my sweet girl. It's complicated. But you will be safer there. It will be for a little while. You will be leaving tonight when it is dark." And mother kisses Rayna lovingly on the cheek. And Rayna nods in agreement and steps back standing in front of Max.
Mother then looks up at us. "Bertrand, Welt, Hamlin, Fred, Garrick, William. You all will go east to Raud. The closest city to the Purple Empire border. It is best we try to keep some of us separate. We are a large family, and everyone knows this. You all will also leave this city tonight."
We all look at mother. William walks over to her. "What about Arman and you mother?"
Arman looks at us as he begins to speak. "We will remain he-"Mother looks straight at him in anger.
"We have discussed this Arman! You are leaving with your brothers and family. You are in more danger! You are the heir to this Empire! You are my eldest son! I want you out of danger."
Arman is even showing a bit of anger. "Mother not this now! And me being the heir here is exactly why I must remain! There are civilians who are in danger!"
Mother then hugs Arman like she would a child. Even though he himself is now an older man.
"Arman. You are a key to help in rebuilding our lives. Gunter and the other senators. They wish you are Emperor… This war would never have happened If you were Emperor. The people love you… And our citizens will lose all hope to know you are gone."
Arman strokes his mothers cheeks. He really is a mothers boy… How embarrassing.
Arman sighs and looks around at us. "Alright, mother I will leave with the children tonight."
Mother then looks at all of us. "Prepare my children this is only going to get worse."
"And what about father?!" I shouted.
"What about him?" Welt sarcastically calls out. "Father is one who started all of this… He murdered another Emperor! Just because he wanted to do it! He failed everyone. We need a chance to escape this. It's not going be easy. But we need to survive."
Mother walks over to me and looks into my green eyes. And I look into her brown eyes. She does not have our draconium trait… I have never noticed. This time she had no tears and no fear.
"Your father, my husband. Made his bed… And he needs to sleep in it. I believe he will not leave this place alive. And as his wife. I shall stay as long as I need to... But you know as my main goal. Is to try and keep my children safe."
I then look around as everyone stares at me. They want me to keep quiet…
"DON'T ANY OF YOU LOVE HIM!? ANY OF YOU!?" I scream out.
Everyone in the room is silent. They really are a bunch of traitors!
"Ofcourse we love our father Fred!" Arman proclaims. "But he is far too gone in his arrogance. We are now backed into a corner. People and dragons are dying! Starving, diseases, you name it! Then father brags as if he fixing it when in actuality he doesn't care... We will be killed by our own people, by the Red Empire or by the Shadow Folk!"
"I love him... As much as I can... But I love my children more." As mother grabs my hand.
I pull my hand away and with a sudden burst of anger, I try to leave the room when my brothers stop me.
Hamlin taps my shoulder. " You cannot tell father about this! You mustn't! Please!"
I look at everyone again. Their faces… All begging me not tell father… And like that I shrugged everyone off and walk out of the room. Not speaking a word.
My whole family… Doesn't want to speak to father… I walk through the empty halls. If we want to survive our father has to live too!
I walk straight to throne room doors. The guards refused me entry.
"I demand to see my father! I believe he is in danger!"
The guards look at me. "He is safe your highness there is nothing to fear. He is at a meeting with the Shadow emperor they must not be disturbed."
I try to enter the room again. This time the guards lift up their spears and block the door from me entirely. I want to punch them and make them get out of my way. As I lifted my right fist I see something in the corner of my eye. Entering the scene, a group of them. Black draconium human soldiers… Thirty of them at least. None of them distinct until I see dragons appear.
A beautiful looking dragon. His long mane and tail fins flowing like the wind. Long face with bright purple eyes… A bonemark in the shape of an eye rests on his forehead.
A much larger Dragon appearing. He looks unique. Four-legged like many. But his head shape is long with a large chin with spikes. His long claws creating scratch marks on our rock palace floor. Like the beautiful dragon, he had a bonemark.
The third and last dragon not as beautiful or tall. But she certainly looks like a dragon from the black empire. Large rectangular head. Thin body and short legs. Covered in spikes. Unlike the other dragons this one commands authority. Her bonemark glowed strongest most of all. I can feel a strong power presence coming from her. With a sharp roar from her, the guards open up for them.
Just what are these dragons? I tried to follow but the guards pushed me away. My frustration built.
As I tried to enter the room the female dragon tried to bite me. With those tusks of hers she could easily pull my arm off.
As resignation I walk away. I had a flashback to the priestess fight. I feel so embarrassed still after that. She took me out so quickly… Just a small woman with immense power. But not all their soldiers are like that. Are they?
I slowly walk through the large hallways. Not sure wondering what to do. Maybe I should see Duryss I haven't seen him since yesterday.
I detour to the lower levels of the underground. The dragon stables dark, dank and gross. It is not well kept. Many dragons wearing slave collars. Many of them pull our mega carriages. As I walk pass, they avoid me. I walk over to the royal dragon stables side. It is much better than the others that's for sure.
Their stables are decorated like a small house. They're all empty except for Duryss. Where he is looking around his stable.
"Hello" I call out.
Duryss says hello back. He seems very melancholy.
I walk over to him as he seems very off. Trying to cheer him up I try to be cheery. "What an interesting few days we had… We got attacked, kidnapped and almost killed."
"I know… Eye-opening isn't it? I always thought we were powerful." He looks at me. "But that dragon and that woman… Truly showed us something else…"
Duryss looks so deep in thought. I didn't even know he even thinks like this.
I nod in agreement. "I know… I've seen something with our elder priest before when he isn't drunk. But nothing like that in combat… We had our asses kicked."
"Your ass was kicked! You were knocked out for most of it!" Duryss pointed out.
I am still embarrassed about it… I look down at the ground. I then explain to him about the family meeting and what they're planning tonight.
"It's wise Fred… Follow your family! And take me with you! We are not safe here anymore."
I look at Duryss. Does he know something that my family doesn't. And I quickly ask him this question.
Duryss looks down. "The dragons here have had enough. And there are talks about Inclementia's dragon generals arriving here. These are the dragons who helped the fall of the Gold Empire. The once leaders of the separatist dragon regime."
I think about those dragons, who walked into the throne room. They are intimidating and certainly look dangerous.
Duryss sighs. "Don't say anything Fred. I know you love your father. But this is a lost cause… If you speak your whole family will be in even worse danger. Stop thinking of yourself… You don't want be responsible for what happens if you talk about the plan."
"I had no idea you are this profound Duryss!" I jokingly punch his shoulder.
"I love being a dick as the next dragon. But unlike you I know when not to be. I'll meet you after dinner."
After that conversation, I head up the palace once more. As a curiosity I walk over to the teleportation gates. Which a kept at a specially created wing in the castle. Dragon-City's gates are still intact. I heard they were once gold draconium. But black draconium now pulses in those arches. If only green draconium can do such magic. But only gold and black have managed to master it in such ways.
To walk through an arch and be in entirely different place. It would make everything easier.
As I walked to the wing there are many green and black soldiers around. I see Xavier snooping around as well. He is sweet-talking soldiers. Probably trying to get as much information as possible. He looks at me and waves for me to go away.
I roll my eyes, giving him the finger and walk away. I had no idea what else to do… Maybe have sex with my girl. After a quick lunch I met up with Delphina. A nice distraction.
Before I knew it night has appeared. We all sit in the dining hall. The environment is tense. No conversations or anything and to my surprise Gunter appears. Like Armina he has scars and bruises.
He gives me the biggest cold shoulder anyone can receive. And yet his perfume is still so pungent.
We all wait for father to arrive and we all stand up. Father is so cheery as he happily greets the Inclementia senators and soldiers.
And to all our surprise the Shadow Emperor himself appears. The whole room immediately feels cold. Like his ambassadors he looks like he glides. Long detailed dark purple robe with a hood. His black gloves are claws that can cause deep slashes. His face covered by a human skull mask. With eyes that glow red. He looks like the walking dead…
Father raises his ale tankard. " To our friendship! The war between Red and us will be over soon!"
The Shadow Emperor like father raises his glass to toast. "And we are more than happy to help! To old friendships!"
The way he spoke sent chills down my spine. His voice had a distortion to it. The cold… His voice… His presence. No one knows his real name… I'm not afraid. But my body tells me different. I look around the table everyone I know feels the same.
Father then sits down and we all sit. We all begin eating dinner as my family tries to catch a glimpse of the Shadow Emperor eating. He hasn't even laid a claw into the food.
Barely anyone spoke except father and Inclementia soldiers. Being loud and rowdy. I drink many more ales as I try to act like my former self.
After dinner I start heading back to my room when I see Duryss and Arman. They walk over to me.
Arman in urgency. "We are leaving now. It's starting to get far to dangerous. They have eyes on us. "
I Look at Arman. "Maybe we are overreacting. What is going to happen if they are actually helping?"
Arman rolls his eyes. " Not this now! You saw their emperor right? He wreaks of death. Father is being deceived. I tried my hardest to save everything! I am now going to save our family! And that includes you!"
And without a second thought Arman hugs me. "You are such an annoying shit Fred. You are an asshole to everyone around you. But you are still my brother!"
I hate hugging! But yet it felt good. No one ever hugs me like this. First time ever I accepted it.
"You're such an oaf." I whispered and he laughs.
Arman then lets me go and I look up at him. "When it is dark. Head to palace servant entrance that leads to the back exit. I have already sent Annika and the kids away. I managed to see everyone and tell them."
"What? What about you Arman?" I ask.
"I will meet with them when it is safe."
I nod as Arman walks off. Duryss smiles at me. First smile I've seen from him in a while.
I usually never let dragons into my room. But since it's Duryss I made the exception. I asked Delphina to open the window. The sun is setting. I look at Delphina and kiss her on the cheek. I will be leaving her behind.
Duryss and I play cards. He uses his mag abilities to lift the cards. To my surprise he is good. He won a few games.
"So not only are you bad at fighting. You're also bad at cards." Duryss chuckles. I look at him so annoyed. Back his old self…
I looked out the window and the sun has finally set.
It's time… But as I looked I realized that I won't be seeing my father anytime soon.
But breaking my thoughts I hear noises outside. Duryss and I got up as I quickly grabbed my hammer. I hear a knock on the door as Delphina opens it.
But to our shock horror, Delphina gets shot with an arrow! She falls to the ground screaming! Arman and mother were right! The Shadow Emperor betrays us!
I run over to Delphina as I see the arrow in her stomach. She is bleeding out profusely. She is coughing up blood! And with a few shakes of her body, she is still.
I drop her body as I hear Duryss roaring as Inclementia soldier's rush in. I wave my hammer around crushing them.
I get onto Duryss's back and he bashes through my bedroom wall. And like the fight at the temple, we ran! Running for our lives!
I see soldiers running around the halls. Screaming and panic arise. Our guards against their soldiers!
I see Xavier being pulled out of his room with brute force. The belongings he was carrying spread all over the floor. Duryss mags the guards away and a black draconium dragon replies in kind. I jump off Duryss and grabbed Xavier of the floor. He has been beaten badly.
Xavier looks up at me. "We need to find the others and escape! We were right!"
Duryss with his might managed to fight them off! We continued along the long hall. As we see Hamlin and Welt fight against both human and dragon solders!
I look at them in surprise. I had no idea they can fight like this. Looking at them made me feel shame. I always thought I was one of the best fighters.
Behind Hamlin and Welt I see William. He is crouching in complete fear. As I guessed… He was never the brave one.
I grab out my hammer and wave around at enemy soldiers. Injuring many. Our guards rush in to protect us. With so few guards… How many Inclementia soldiers are in the palace? They have teleportation gates. Many can sneak through.
I sat on top of Duryss head as Xavier, William, Hamlin and Welt had to balance on his back. With Xaviers directions we run around the palace we need to leave this place now! But in my heart I want to find my father.
Xavier telling Duryss where to go. Running in the servant's area. I see many corpses of the servants who are trying to defend the palace. And at last we come across the servant exit where many Inclementian soldiers are guarding. I reach for my hammer again as Hamlin and Welt prepare their hammers.
Xavier gets of his dragon and approaches them with his hands up.
"Xavier! What are you doing!?" Welt screams out.
"I have only a question to ask. Why are you doing this?" Xavier is shaking as the soldiers are armed with spears. And he has nothing... He isn't a trained fighter.
The soldiers in their dark purple armour laugh at him in response.
"You're staying here little princies... We do not wish for your deaths." One of the soldiers say.
"What! Do you mean to do this!" As Xavier points at his facial injuries.
"That is indeed rough... But your country will be under our dominion now. It was only a matter of time." Says the other soldier. "Now turn around and be peaceful so you will not be hurt anymore."
"Move! Or Duryss will crush you!" Welt yells out. "You're just ordinary human soldiers!"
The soldier then prepared their spears for battle. When suddenly Erdmuthe and Ingrid appear! Killing the soldiers from the side. Alongside them is Gunter. The fat man trying to grasp for air.
My brother's dragons have also followed along! Much to each other's relief.
"What happened Gunter!?" Hamlin asks in urgency. As he pats his dragon on the nose.
Gunter trying to gasp for air. As he tries to stand up straight after running so long.
*Gasp* "The Emperor, *Gasp* The Empress *Gasp* The Grand Prince *Grasp* Have been captured! *Gasp* "They *Gasp* Are prisoners of the *Gasp* Shadow Emperor *Gasp* We must flee now! *Gasp*
As he finished talking the room felt cold. A chill is in the air... Like when the Shadow Emperor walked into the dining hall. The torches get blown out and is now dark as night.
"We must run now!" Hamlin demands.
Erdmuthe and Ingrid open the doors and together we run through the cavern. Erdmuthe manages to light a torch to guide us through. It was a long time before we get out in the open.
The starry sky is above me once more... I just wanted to remain safe at home. Now home is no longer safe. Bertrand and Garrick never escaped... We could only presume that they were captured alongside Father, Mother and Arman.
As we needed to figure out what we needed to next a shadow flew over us. We all looked up in urgency and prepared our weapons. The dragons getting into fighting positions.
"What was that?" Xavier asks. We all had no idea what it is. Could be a crowdrag for all we knew. A big one...
"Uh... Everyone... You are not going to believe this..." Erdmuthe looks up in horror. And we all look up in her direction.
CRASH!
A black draconium pulse ravages the ground. We only just manage to dodge it. I look up and notice that it's a flying dragon! Dragons don't fly! How is this possible?!
A bright purple light shines on its forehead. A bonemark! The dragon in flight dives down at us and manages to grab Hamlin's dragon. They are lifted high up into the air. Looks like the dragon is taking them back to the top of the mountain! Hamlin striking the dragons foot with his hammer. The dragon roars in pain and lets them go!
Duryss manages to mag catch Hamlin. But sadly, for his dragon he fell to his death! Hamlin screams out in anguish. I feel for him. I admit I would feel that way if it was Duryss. As much as I hate to admit that... My god I am learning to care...
The flying dragon in frustration flew down again.
"It's not trying to kill us! Only trying to capture us! If it wanted us dead, it would have so already!" Welt shouts.
"Run! Into the forest!" Ingrid shouts as she points to that direction. So, we all did. Demir does not have many forests since we destroyed them all for farming and mining. Even the forest I travel through to the north the dead forest. Barely has living trees... We would have to be as quick as we can. And we are not known for our speed. I would have to protect Duryss as he must focus all his energy on running.
Erdmuthe with her bow and arrow tries to shoot the dragon down. But it's draconium powers it dissolves the arrows! Its foot is clearly damaged as it tried to pick up Xavier it struggled to keep a foothold. But it's roaring sounding so loud it must be calling for backup!
The dragon swoops towards me and swing my hammer hitting her head. She roars in pain and falls to the ground. I yell in triumph! Even though it was really fluke... I had no idea I was going to hit its head.
We managed to get the shelter of the trees. It is dark and we have no idea where we are going. But we must keep running! Bushes scraping and scratching. Covered in dirt and sweat. Hamlin almost falls off a cliff. With Ingrid saving them.
We ran until we noticed the sun rising. And we all stop... Completely exhausted... I vomit due to my exhaustion. And Gunter collapses in hysterics.
My brothers and their dragons all sat there in quiet disbelief.
We have lost everything...