Aaron: Chapter Thirty-Nine

We have finally set off to find Iolene. Walking through the mountain forests. She is lost in the world somewhere. I made a promise I will protect her. And I will keep that promise.

"So Aaron… It has been years… What happened? It is amazing how much you like your father. I wouldn't have recognized you otherwise." Prince Murray walks in front of me.

Prince Murray found out about Iolene sneaking out to see me. But only a day before my father... Sold me.

I believe it was the royal family finding out about Iolene and I. That my father Lord Caspian felt so much shame and embarrassment. A bastard like me talking to the leader of the nation. He wanted me gone… Forever…

Prince Murray looks down at me like a noble usually does. But like most nobles, he wasn't mean about it. King Marlowe definitely had a problem. After all, she is meant to be an Empress… And I am me… I have nothing and I am nothing. I have nothing to offer and nothing to give… Even now I still don't.

It is awkward being in the presence of Prince Murray. Even more that he mentions how much I look like my father. Black hair, tall, large eyes, tanned skin, masculine jaw. My looks solidified that I am Lord Caspians, son. And they couldn't deny my mother's presence in the castle.

"The water Prince is talking to you boy." Mali pokes me gently.

"Forgive me for spacing out your highness. Lord Caspian sold me into slavery."

"WHAT?" Prince Murray stops. "Aaron that is serious. We have been fighting the underground slave trade for years. I will write to father about Lord Caspian. He must be investigated."

Good… I guess? Even if they get rid of the slave trade. They will still have social stigmas and have servants. Slaves of a different name.

The Light Blue Empire always seems great to many people's eyes. But Even if was born as a free man. I am still a bastard with no worth... There are no laws to stop treating me unfairly. I have no last name and not allowed to have one... I have a tattoo on my back so I cannot lie. Having a bastard is taboo and seen as unlucky. As most bastards are born from affairs and rapes. So, we are deemed trouble because of it. Though bastards who are from noble or from middle-class families do have a better chance of life. If the family decides to keep them. They cannot have a family name, so they are simply named after the season they were born in. I have met a few of them... Summers, Winters, Autumn and Springs.

If bastards are from a noble family, they can fight for their family name. My mother was a noble. Ariana... She was exiled to Ramel by Caspian's and her family after the affair. She lost her noble title; she had no money and she was pregnant with me... She never spoke about her family. And I don't blame her... So, I have no idea what family that is. I could try to fight and be a Caspian. But the odds of that is zilch. I'd be killed even mentioning it. After all it was my father who first ordered me to die. The priest intervened, saving me and Caspian placed me as a kennel hand.

I guess I'm jealous… I have always wanted to live a life of privilege. I always used to see the Caspian family training and having fun in the yard. I just wanted to join in the fun and feel accepted. Maybe one day I can live that... But it's not now. Right now, I must save my only childhood friend.

The conversation with Prince Murray quickly ended. I don't know what to say to him… I didn't back then, and I don't now. I look around our unusual group. Prince Murray from Aquarius City, Prince Lei and his bodyguard who is from Lan-Se, Mali a hiding Gold Priest, Kenneth a Red Priest and his apprentice Lexiana.

Constant remained behind at Macdan. Mali and Stein discussed that they will be needing political allies. So Constant is going to try and snoop out the political scene. What that entails I don't know. But all I heard him remark is that it has been a while since he has been in the political game.

I look to my left and see the other Prince. From the Blue Empire. Prince Lei… He seems nice. He is very nice and gentle to the dragon he is riding. The dragon he is riding is not his. He is borrowing one of Constants dragons. Turquoise dragons are more commonly seen in the north. Less suspicious.

Riding next to him is his personal bodyguard. Azalea I think... She is riding her personal dragon. Blue with long legs, with uniquely shaped feet. Which I can bet help with flexibility. Even though everyone else is riding dragons that are less noticeable. She refuses to leave him behind… It's a risk she is willing to take for him. She will never part him… I don't understand why.

Looking at the disguised prince he still stands out. I know nothing about his homeland. Meeting him in the chamber. Noticing their clothes are very different but beautiful. Wearing his long black hair in a ponytail and having different manners to everyone else.

Kenneth and Lexiana are riding their dragons behind him. Kenneth wearing basic brown empire clothes. He has mentioned he is carrying his priest garb for emergencies. Lexiana follows her master. She has been relatively quiet.

I look up at Mali next to me. Who is riding the same turquoise dragon after the Zimadu incident. He is in a very content mood.

"Mali can I talk to Prince Lei?" I ask.

"You don't have to ask me that boy. I don't think he will bite. He seems nice enough. He was happy to meet us the other day. He is curious about you. Desert man." He chuckles.

I Walk over to Lei who looks bored riding his dragon. He looks down at me as a small wake up call.

"Why aren't you riding a dragon?" He asks.

"I'm not really fond of it." I respect dragons if I need too. I feel for those who are enslaved like I am. Many of those who draconium are not turquoise, black or orange. Are fair game as slaves and can be tortured like I was.

But riding dragons… And working together with them. It's too much mentally… I don't want to be a slave again… The constant thought of them turning around and hurting me…

Lei gives me a strange look. "Alright then. What if we need to run? Are you going to refuse to ride then?"

I Chuckle. "Don't worry your highness I can run."

He continues to look at me with that strange look.

"Your highness, may I ask questions? I am curious about your homeland.". I have never heard of Lan-Se before meeting Prince Lei.

"Call me Lei. Calling me a prince is risky. But if you want to ask questions. May I ask questions? And please be straight forward? You didn't tell me much before. You shied off..."

Usually, that kind of question makes me delve into my enslavement. Hence the shyness. It will never get any less painful… I have been through so many experiences of pain. The reasons why I scream at night. Mali doesn't even know half of it. And he hopefully would never know… I just want to forget.

I swallow looking down. Thinking… I am curious about Lei. I'm curious about Kenneth and Lexiana. I'll ask about them later.

"Sure... Lei... Ask away." I fake smiled. I am not used to calling people above me by their normal names. Took me weeks to not call Mali master.

"Is it true that there are scorpions as big as the dragon I am riding? I have heard tales and stories about such creatures." He asks excitedly.

I sigh with actual relief. "Actually, they're bigger than that. That's just a teen scorpion size. An adult is double the size. And you'd be surprised they are not that poisonous. But their four massive forward pincers and large stinger they can easily impale while tearing dragons apart. While they are also mag proof. So, if you try to use those abilities it fails. Makes terrific armour!"

"Really?" Lei looking down shocked. I notice Lexiana is also paying attention as she is looking at me.

"Yep! So, you'd be surprised how much people and dragons will pay to have such effective armour. It is dangerous though. Hiding underneath the sand. You can never tell if you are above one. I know Emperor Asotele the third has special slaves dedicated for such a farming job. They sometimes even tried to take in breeding pairs. But it never works out. The female always eats the male before breeding... And when they grow big, they are difficult to handle. So, they chuck them into the fighting pits. Makes for an entertaining fight, that's for sure."

"That's interesting! Now your turn to ask me something!" Lei looks happy.

"I know nothing about your home. What's it like?" I ask excitedly. I hope it's nothing like where I came from.

"Well, Lan-Se has been around for five thousand years. We have a very long history of culture. If you were wondering about my family. We are in the age of the Ju-Long dynasty. Which started two-hundred and thirty-five years ago when my family took over. My last name is Ju-Long, and we say it first. So, in normal terms at my home, my name is Ju-Long Lei. It's disrespect at home if it's done the other way round. But outside of our Empire, it doesn't matter... Since everyone else has it the other way round. "

"Okay," I say. He speaks with such a clear voice. Perfect for royalty who needs to talk for a job.

"We are very honorable people and are generally peaceful. We do not fight unless necessary... We are one of the few countries that still have a dragon court. So, the dragon separatists didn't affect us. We love dragons. They have positions and respect like humans do! Dragons rule Dominus Sahara and the sand seas. I heard and read many horrible things happening there... Is it true how those dragons treat humans? No humans from any royal family can go there..."

I look down at the ground as we walked. Here we go...

"Yes... Whatever you have heard it's probably true. As I recall your abrupt question, last time we spoke, about the punishments given. Yes, they do hang people upside down to die in the heat. The place is called Hangmans Alley and it's a long road surrounding the city pyramid. Then there are the crucifixions. Those are usually around the bays at the ship ports. Whippings in full display as we all watch. And you shouldn't be surprised that those punishments are given for small offences. Like talking when they are not supposed too... Humans are enslaved there. And are treated poorly most of the time."

"Sounds like heaven." Iympetus snarks.

"No IYMP!" She says in anger.

Lei's demeanor completely changed. "Well that's awfully dark... We have whippings but we forbad it to be public viewing. Callous as mother put it. She didn't want to entice fear. I know Sazan Jona does it in public... Even though it was forbidden."

"Who is Sazan Jona?" I ask.

"Well you see Aaron. My land is very peaceful... Most of the time. But my country has two states. We have a north and a south. Lan-Se the blue Empire capital is in the north. And we have the city of Unmei in the south. Unmei was once its own ruling state with their own royalty and everything. But they were invaded by the newly established White Empire. They weren't strong enough to beat them on their own. As a payment for our services they gave up sovereignty and became a lord to serve us. I can tell you right now Unmei citizens were not happy... The Sazan family holds Unmei and Jona is their leader... But he is another story for another time."

Lei smile appears on his face. "Let's cheer up the mood a little. What food do you like Aaron?" He then turns around to Lexi. "And you Lexiana what food do you like?"

"I like cake." I smile. Even after all this time I still haven't had a piece of cake. I would thought Mille Voix would have cake. But cheese was the in thing... So, a lot of different cheeses instead.

"Cake? What kind of cake?" Lei asks.

"I don't really know... It was cake. I didn't know what kind." I shyly said. How embarrassing... I can't remember what cake I had. But then it was years ago... But it's the best food I have ever had.

"I love Vulkanian curries." Lexiana puts in. "Most curries I fancy. The spicier the better!"

"Oh! Now that is spicy! We make good curries at home as well!" Lei chortles.

"I bet not as spicy as ours!" She replies.

"I'll take that bet! We should have a curry contest." Lei shouts out.

"Let's do it! When we travel to our respective homes. Curry it is! And it's got to knock our asses off! No mild pussy shit!" She yells. Kenneth rolls his eyes at her and shakes his head. Even though he doesn't seem mad at her.

I look at Lexiana. "Tell us about yourself Lexiana! You can't keep quiet forever! We will be travelling a while."I am curious about her.

She laughs and resigns. "Might as well talk, shouldn't I!? Well, where do I begin? I lived a very average life. My mother wanted me to be a handmaiden. And my father passed away from injuries from a mine explosion. I have an older sister named Plamya and a younger sister named Jamil."

"I am sorry for the loss your father," I say in sadness.

"Oh, it's alright. I am sure he is proud of me! He is with the phoenix now. I trained in the army for months until I was chosen by Kenneth. After that I trained in the priesthood for five years. Long and taxing but worth it!" As she rubs Impetus's forehead and he is enjoying it.

"What does training in the red priesthood entail? Each country is different. I have never heard about your methods. I notice like our priests you have inherited the eyes of the royals. A beautiful red colour for your sect." Lei asks.

I know so little of the priesthood sects. I know Iolene was raised in an Aquarius monastery. And they treated her like a little prisoner... She was so sheltered from everything. As she told me the only experience, she had of the outside world was her books It was obvious because she did try to stick her hand into a drag hound cage... While Mali is a gold priest and I know he has immense knowledge.

Kenneth looks at Lexiana with a stern face. Like what she will say next is life or death... It's scary really... He seems nice. But uptight to all hell.

"I'm sorry I cannot disclose that. Those are our sect secrets and they stay that way..." She sounded so smug saying that.

"As it always is. Blessed by the phoenix!" Mali interjects by lifting his leather flask. And cheers at them.

Mali knows about their priesthood. I guess these secret societies always have a connection. After all, they all stemmed from the gold empire priesthood. They smile at him softly not knowing how to react... Maybe they think he is just weird?

"How old are you Aaron?" Lexiana asks.

"I'm eighteen. I think…" I reply. I never thought of my age that much. Haven't celebrated my name day for years. Not since my mother died.

"I'm twenty!" Lexiana seems to be happy to be talking to people. I thought she was reserved. But once you get her going, she is great.

"I'm nineteen!" Lei responds.

"HALT!" Prince Murray shouts. Breaking the atmosphere. That was the end of that...

Prince Murray rides forward to a multiple carriage wreck. I run forward to the carriage and start looking around.

"Much of it has been salvaged... Look around everyone see if you can find anything!" As Murray shouts in frustration.

I look around and I see papers spread around nearby. Looking forward up I see a chest. I pick up the letters to look at what they are. I can't read so it was impossible to understand... I hand them over to Mali. Where he gets a shocked look.

"These letters are from Empress Laelia... Iolenes' mother... To Nerry? Who is Nerry?" Mali asks in curiosity.

"Nerry is my sister Mali... You know Grand Princess Nerida? Please grab whatever letters you can... They are my sisters and Iolenes treasures."

"Of course." Mali starts picking up the letters and I begin helping him.

As I was picking up the letters, I see a golden quill on the floor. It's beautiful to look at. Obviously, who has been ravaging probably thought it's a simple quill. Mali runs over to me quick smart and grabs the quill from my hands.

"By the magna draconis! It is! It's a repleo quill!" He is almost jumping in excitement.

"A what?" I look at him confusingly. It's a quill? What's so special about this quill?

"This quill is made from gold draconium. Ink that never runs out... Good thing many people don't realise how much this is worth!" He puts the quill into his coat pocket.

"I saw that Mali! That was a gift for Iolene!" Murray shouts out.

"Do not worry! When I see her I will return it!" Mali shouts in return.

We searched the carriages but there is nothing left... Prince Murray is trying to remember from here to get to the fort. It took him a while, but he manages to remember something. He was knocked out so some of his memory is still in a faze.

"We go this way!" Prince Murray then leads us through the forest. It was quite a walk.

We finally reach the fort. It has been recently abandoned. Many barrels and mess that was never cleaned up. Rotting corpses of people, soldiers and dragons lying on a pile behind the fort. They must have been living here before those bandits took over. Murray looked in shock and sighed in relief that he was still alive… As many who have come across them were unlucky…

I look around inside the main fort. It's not a large fort, nothing like Watersgate. Only two levels with a wall around it. The dungeon is a separate building. Which is where is presume where they kept Prince Murray. I walk upstairs looking at all the rooms. Nothing much to be seen...

I pick up some broken tankards and look at the shattered glass from where the bandits were slamming their drinks. Most of the place has been ravaged through...

I walk down the stone stairs to the main entrance, where I see Mali and Kenneth are looking. They're having no success either. I walk across into another room where I see Lei and Lexiana searching through the kitchen and dining rooms. The kitchen stank of shit. The only thing that smelt worse is the corpses outside. As nothing can beat the smell of death.

"These people were such slobs." Lei remarks.

"Well, they are bandits Lei... They're not known to be the cleanest of people... But yes, they are disgusting I found a pile of dragon shit underneath the table." Lexiana replies.

That explains the smell as I think to myself.

I walk past them into another room. It looks like the station where their leader sits. It's the only room that has a desk. I ruffle through the room tipping over all the drawers, where a few letters fall out. I grab them and quickly run back to Mali.

He smiles at me.

"Good work boy. Please lets this be a clue as to where they are heading..." Mali looks at the letters and reads intently.

"Well... This interesting. They are certainly not your normal bandits. This is a report that was meant to be sent to Elrick Kaiser. He is one of Emperor Arman Kaisers older sons. Discussion of payments, status on their missions. To raid merchants, kill a battalion of soldiers, and destroy food supplies to Macdan. I do notice there are many mistakes and the writing is very bad... To say the least. I presume this is a draft copy. So, this one was never sent." Mali looks disappointed.

"Nothing about Iolene or where they could be going?" Kenneth asks. He takes a letter off Mali and reads it. Making sure Mali didn't miss any details.

"You weren't kidding about the writing..." As Kenneth laughs. "But yes, there are no clues... These letters are useless... What a bummer... The only thing they said is they could be going back north. But north where? Demir? It does not say." Kenneth then throws the letter away.

"We could head to villages north from here and ask if they have seen anything?" I say.

"Looks like that's our next best option. A whole group of bandits are a rather noisy bunch. They'll be hard to miss. Just hope they didn't attack them leaving death at their wake." Mali then looks outside of the window. "The sun is beginning to set. We will remain here for the night. But Aaron may I ask you to hunt for some food? I know we have salted foods, but it be nice to eat better food before. The long journey ahead of us."

I smile and nod as I grab a set of bows and arrows. I'll be going on my own as everyone else rests.

Kenneth nods in agreement and walks into the kitchen, where he finds Lexiana and Lei talking. I can overhear Kenneth's disgust of the dragon shit. I chuckle as he sounds so disgusted of such an act.

As I walked out of the fort, I see Lexiana and Lei run after me.

"Um... What are you two doing?" I ask.

"We are going with you!" Lexiana jests with her bows and arrows. "I'm mainly a battle axe user. But I can hunt. Kenneth and I had to hunt on our own for a while."

"And I like watching men hunt." Lei laughs.

"Alright... Let's hunt!" I say and together we march forward. They don't bring their dragons as they are exhausted from walking long distances.

The forest and the different mountain views of this place astound me nonstop. It's so breathtaking. Every turn there is always a beautiful view of trees and mountains.

"Lexiana -" Lei begins.

"Call me Lexi it's so much easier." She interrupts.

"I've wondered about your name. You said your sisters are called Plamya and Jamil. Why is yours different?"

She looks at Lei and smiled. "Plamya and Jamil are named by my mother Abonella Acosta. She loved her family traditional names. My father Vasuman named me... He loves soldiers and their tales of grandeur. I was named after a general who served to establish the red empire. What of your families Lei and Aaron?"

I remain silent.

"Well as you can guess my mother's name is Ju-Long Zhen Empress of Lan-Se and guardian of the Blue Empire. My father is Ju-Long Zhong Jian Emperor of the Blue Empire. I have my brother Grand Prince Chin, Prince Chen, Princess Ning and my youngest sister Princess Fen."

"You have quite a large family! Why are you so far away from home?" Lexi asks in curiosity.

"It's long and complicated... Oh, look a goat!" As Lei points forward. However, I've beaten him to the punch. Before he knew it, I shot and killed the goat. Lexiana prepared her bow and arrow preparing to shoot.

"Well, that was quick... You got a large goat there. Do you need help carrying it Aaron?" She asks with kindness.

I quickly chuck the dead goat over my shoulders. "No thank you it's alright. I've got it!" Lei and her look at me in surprise. It's a large male mountain goat... And I'm carrying it with ease. They don't know that I have more strength than they do.

"Aaron you haven't answered my question before. What about your family? Your last name, you know?" Lexiana walks catching up to me on my right. Where Lei catches up to my left.

"Well, my mother is from Ramel. An orange city located across the river of Watersgate. I don't really know of her family... It has always been just me and her. She died when I was young. My father isn't around. There isn't much to tell..."

"Oh... I'm sorry Aaron." Lexiana quietens down.

There is much to tell. I'm just not ready to share it... My tattoos are covered by my armour. Chain links on my wrists and a bastard mark on my back... I am ashamed of myself. As the world has always told me to be ashamed of myself.

The night has now appeared with no moon in the sky. We all sit in the kitchen where Lei made Azalea clean the shit up. She begrudgingly did it as Lei is her prince. She does what he tells her to do. However, Lei said he wanted to make use of the kitchen. Apparently he likes to cook.

The red dragons are kept inside the fort walls as the others are kept in the stables. Iympetus Lexiana's dragon felt offended to be kept outside. He forced himself inside and I am surprised he managed to do it.

I skinned the goat and kept the fur. It could be of use. Lei takes the meat skewers it over a fireplace. Lexi is pounding the meat under Lei's instruction.

The others are in the dining hall discussing their own business.

"You love food don't you Lei?" Lexi asks. You seem to know about your food.

"My youngest sister Fen and I always liked cooking. It was how we bonded. It's peaceful and relaxing. Food brings many people together."

There was so much sadness in him saying that. He must really miss his family…

All together once the food was cooked. We all sat around the table and actually had a good time. But soon after everyone went to sleep. Except for me to keep watch. I can stay up for long periods of time and not feel tired.

I move a chair over to the window. Looking at the moonless sky. I have always loved looking at the sky. I have always wondered what it's like to fly. To touch the clouds and choose wherever to live. No judgement, no fear… But since being with Mali I felt less fear. He has been good to me. And I am so grateful for it.

With a sudden shock, I see master Isil face roaring at me. I look around frightened. It's just my mind playing tricks on me once again… Will they ever stop?

Master Isil still scares me even though I am far from his grasp. But why do I feel like I'm still connected to him?

I stare outside the window to watch the sky again. And the sunrise finally came. I woke everyone up to begin the long journey.

Village after village. Many reports bandits never visited but many caravans never arrived. We walked further north finally reaching the Green border.

"The stench of death never changes does it?" As Mali puts a cloth over his mouth.

A smell I am all too familiar and used to… The difference is that it doesn't smell of meat being cooked in the heat. But it is a life of war… And I bet most of these poor souls never had a choice. The corpses of Red, Brown and Green soldiers littered over the grounds.

"We need to stop Mali." Kenneth raises his right hand and everyone stops. Kenneth and Lexi change into the priest clothes.

Lexiana, Iymp, Kenneth and Pyromax then walk into the field of corpses. It's a large field on the bottom of a mountain. Too many bodies to count.

Standing overlooking the bodies on a nearby rock. We stand behind the priests wondering what they are going to do. Kenneth and Lexiana holding hands. Closing their eyes. And the three speaking in the ancient tongue.

Mali gets off his dragon and stands next to me. And begins whispering the words in unison as they do.

"Hear us! Oh, hear us phoenix! These souls who fought valiantly. Our protector, we ask you to grant these lost souls' peace. We offer them to you. Set them alight, for life needs to be reborn. From fire destroys and yet can bring beauty after. Life lives by your example. Show us in display as we do not demand. We ask as your humble servants."

And with a whoosh of wind, all the dragons and humans who wore red armour lit alight. A field of flame that burns. Kenneth and Lexiana step down from the rock and walk through the flames as if it's nothing. Their armour doesn't even burn. I have never seen anything like this. They're fireproof?

Almost everyone looked at the priests with astonishment. I was confused… Phoenix? What is that? A dragon? They can walk in the fire?

The dragons then went off into the flames in the same manner. It was a while until they came back. The flames stopped and the whole field is covered in ash.

"It is done," Kenneth said. "We have laid our soldiers to rest. We have done what we can. We shall continue."

We set on. Everyone except Mali asking them questions and they ignore every single one. The red priests return to their reserved nature. Until they yell at us to stop bothering them with it. We all remained quiet until it started to go dark again.

Setting camp in a forest that looks like is slowly dying. Mali takes the map from his bag and we all look down.

Mali points on the map as to where we are. "We are officially in Green Empire territory. The nearest city we're at is Chuma. A day ride north of here. It's risky but we should go to Chuma."

Kenneth looks at Mali. "Risky is an understatement… Our armies couldn't get into that city. They have been shut away for years with success. And Green is being taken over by the Shadow Emperor. They would have dispatched soldiers there… If Iolene is there she is as good as dead." Kenneth then stands up and paces around the fire.

"If she reveals herself," Mali speaks. "If she keeps her head down and keeps her draconium hidden. All priests should have learnt this. She'll be alright. At her age, she should be well on her way into becoming a master priestess herself."

Prince Murray looks nervous. The more we travelled the more anxious he gets. He complains a lot. But it's due to him not used to travelling like peasants… But I cannot fault him though. He is worried about his little cousin. He wouldn't be doing this otherwise.

"About that Mali..." Prince Murray swallows. "Our priesthood..."

"What?" Kenneth stares at him.

"Our priesthood has been corrupted for many years now. With many questionable practices... And with Iolene... They did not teach her the ways of the priests..." And with that Prince Murray takes a huge gulp of water.

"YOU'RE JOKING!?" Mali yells out. "You mean to say! That when my master Stein entrusted newborn Iolene to your family! They sent her to the priesthood sect. And they didn't TEACH HER ANYTHING?" Mali and Kenneth and look at Prince Murray with contempt.

"It's complicated and you know it! We had to hide her! We thought the temple was the safest place for her. Then Akvor became Priest Elder by a priest council vote. And he is a very power-hungry man... My father despised him. But of course, you cannot just take out an Elder Priest who has immense knowledge, followers and power. It would have become a war between us if we did! We tried to take Iolene out of there and it made everything worse. As according to the wonderful priest charter, you just can't leave!"

Mali softens his expression at Murray. "So, she was pretty much a hostage? Your priesthood tried to deliberately keep her on a leash?"

Prince Murray sighs. "Yes... We were to sneak her out to see Queen Hara. But that changed when one of his followers told our plans to him. Akvor then Assaulted Iolene in a drunken rage. Akvor wanted to marry her."

My fists clenched with rage so tight that my fingers cracked. Akvor is a monster! I remember when Iolene spoke about him. Iolene's fears have very well been proven!

Lexiana looks down. "That poor girl! They probably didn't want to teach her anything. As they wanted her to be defenceless. It's easier to keep them weak and contained. A pawn for their schemes. How sad... It makes me so mad!" She then lifts her right hand as red draconium glows from it.

"What happened after that?" Kenneth asked.

Prince Murray looked at us around the campfire. "Lucky for us that many of the council priests turned on him. Good that they still had some kind of moral… I guess attacking a young woman in her sleep was out of the question. Akvor and some of his associates were banished to the orange empire out of our country."

Mali looks angry once again. "He should have been sentenced to death. Right there and then!"

Murray turns to Mali with anger. "We do not use the death penalty!"

Mali then laughs at Murray. " Oh please! Akvor is an elder priest! Do you honestly think he will just submit himself to dragon overlords? This Akvor is now another problem! He should have been killed! What if he comes back and bites us in the ass? He can jeopardize everything!"

"He won't!" Prince Murray insisted.

"No one can guarantee that!" Mali stands up as he prepares to argue.

"The rabbits are cooked!" Lei says as he hands out meat to all us.

Due to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Prince Murray moves and sits next to me on my left. I look at him. I've barely spoken to him on the trip. Should I say something or not at all?

"Did she miss me?" I ask Murray as I looked into the flames eating rabbit.

"She missed you. So much she wouldn't shut up to the priests and wrote me letters."

I look at him and smiled. He has no idea how much him saying that meant to me. I hope she remains as my friend… Even after all this time apart. Even though it could be expecting too much to hope. Her being my friend gave me hope and memories of somewhat of a good life.

Murray then finishes his dinner and goes to sleep before I could ask him anything more. Mali then sits next to me on my right.

Mali looks at me with his usual cheeky smirk. "There's that smile again! Ah yes! It's for the girl. You know you should smile more boy. You're in good company. We will find her. I'm glad you're managing to make friends with others in our group. You get on well with Lei and Lexi."

"I'm making friends?" I ask Mali. Everyone around us is now asleep.

"Yes boy. You are… You can have more than one friend in the world. I'm your friend too. As we have spoken before it will take a long time. For you to find yourself again."

"To find myself?"

"Yes… It's hard to explain. But you have made so much progress. You should be proud." Mali looks disappointed in his drink container. He hasn't had alcohol for a while now. He drank all of it up.

"Mali I still have those nightmares… Will they ever go away?" For the past few weeks. When I do need to sleep. I separate myself away from everyone else. So, I don't wake them. From my screaming, talking and general violent sleep. I did give Mali a mild heart attack when he couldn't find me one morning. I was up a nearby tree hiding on the highest branch.

"No boy... The nightmares will never really go away... You can only fight through it. I know how it feels... I lived in a different kind of horror. I lived away from civilization for a long time... And I was betrayed by those whom I thought can help rebuild the gold priesthood." Mali stares into the fire intently.

"Mali may I ask? What happened all those years ago? Like you and Stein?" I look at him. He knows enough about me... Although not all of it. Not all the things I have done... I don't want him to know the details of how I came to be as I am strength-wise...

"Alright... I was born in the City of Loan. Which has been renamed Dragon-City. My parents are from Suravi as you can imagine." He pokes at his large ears jokingly. "They died from an illness when I was very young. I lived at the orphanage until the age of seven when a young woman picked me up. And from there I lived in the Gold temple... It was... Wonderful. Strict. But wonderful. I would never have changed a thing. I practised and studied my hardest. Became one of the best students."

Mali smiles at me. He seems to be relieved to finally talk about this.

"At the age of fifteen. I was ready for an apprenticeship. You know... To be partnered like Kenneth and Lexi over there."

"Apprenticeship?"

"Yup! Those who do their best in their studies and good virtues get chosen. That was where I met Grand Master Priestess Tulia and her apprentice Stein. Who was advancing from his Apprenticeship to become a priest in his own right. Stein was always destined to rule the priesthood. Grand Master Tulia groomed him to be a future leader. And he was never egotistical about it. He took me as his apprentice by choice."

"So that's how you two met?"

"Yes. I did see him around the temple. And I knew he was superior. But I didn't really KNOW him. I learned the draconium magic from him. We were more than just master and apprentice. We became friends."

"Draconium magic…" I muttered. It would be quite a gift to learn… I know how to take less damage from it. But that's really it… I love to learn it. The downside is that I would need a dragon partner. I don't want one.

"Stein and I have been friends for years. Even when the City of Loan was purged… We fled with the Emperor and Empress. We managed to find an abandoned temple. That was when Stein left with the Emperor and Empress. And left me to help rebuild what was left… I failed… And I thought Stein died with Emperor and Empress. And now we are here."

Mali sinks lower holding his knees like a child. If he could he would have alcohol. But since we have little money he cannot buy any.

Mali then looks at me. It was the look of sadness. Almost at the verge of crying. He wishes the world was still the same before the war.

"It's getting late Mali. Let me be guard again tonight." I look around as everyone is in a deep sleep. I can stay up.

"No, no, no boy. It's not fair. You have done enough staying up… I will stay up. I can't sleep anyway…" Mali takes out his old star communicator. And fiddles it in his hands looking at it intently as he did with the fire.

I Nod and do as he said. I closed my eyes and fell asleep. Sorry if I accidentally wake any of up... I don't want to be back there.