Beau: Chapter Forty-Four
The burning sensations returned... It's distracting after not feeling it for a while. Iolene somehow manages to ease the pain. She tended to my wounds and my feet feel so much better. She could have abandoned me and left me to die. But she didn't. As thanks to her I helped guide her here. But the burning in my blood returns as she lives inside the large stone building.
I was guided by a human to a huge dragon paddock behind the stone building. And I have been here all day… They gave me slop to eat. Which I had no idea what it is…
I trot around the large paddock to see if the pain goes away… It doesn't. And I am so bored as I look around. When I hear a very familiar roar.
There are few dragons running around. Looking around to see who it is.
"Beau is that you? You finally got away from your fathers' claws. But look at you! You look vicious and powerful!"
I turn around and it's Shesha! A dragon with circumstances similar to Myshka. We helped rescue them from humans. But the difference is she left with many others who didn't like our way of life. Father classed them as traitors for being human lovers. It happened a few years ago.
A red draconium dragon. Two-legged and tall. Red, with purple markings and light yellow spikes.
Father chased after them trying to kill them. He failed… They got away.
"Shesha? It's been years! What are you doing here?" I roar kindly to her.
"When your father tried to murder us. We tried travelling to Vulkania… It's really the only direction we could go. But then the war started. It was hard surviving as many green dragons tried to kill us. I fell sick and collapsed. The red army found me and my family. They took me here to heal."
She sounds snarky. In a way, I don't blame her. My father tried to kill her family. I got along well with her. By the sounds of it, she isn't mad at me for what he tried to do. But I cannot fully agree with her point… Look at what humans have done to me.
I look at her and reply back. "I was captured and enslaved by humans. I was changed into whatever I am… I am in constant pain."
"Sorry to hear that. But it's nicer here. Maybe while you're here you can gain some peace. Open your mind a little."
Little did I realise I already have. A young human female who saved me. I followed her here… Maybe she can help rid this pain that is pulsing in my veins.
Then I think of the old dragon seer from the cave. She also told me to keep my mind open… She also then told me I can one day fly. If only… I can then fly to my herd.
Shesha and I run around the paddock. Until the sunsets.
"Dragon! I'm here!"
I can hear a familiar voice. It's Iolene and I see her running into the paddock. Waving her arm. Holding a basket. Wearing a new dress and looking clean. I had no idea her hair could look so golden.
I stand there as she runs closer to me. Shesha smiles at me with a cheeky grin. "Well… Someone must have been disowned. How ironic… The dragon separatist general son is with humans."
"She is a means to an end." I abruptly tell her.
Iolene approaches me and strokes my flanks. The pain eases again. What is this human?
"Hello!" She politely says to Shesha. Shesha then lowers her head as Iolene scratches just behind her long dragon ears.
"Oh, I doubt that Beau. She seems nice." As Shesha nudges the girl.
"Okay dragon it's time to check on your feet!" As Iolene lifts up her basket full of random things.
I roll my eyes as I lift up each legs as she changes my bandages. My feet hurt far less now. Whatever she did it worked.
Shesha smiling the whole time. I look at her with sarcasm.
I feel the instant relief of her putting weird mush on my feet. It's cooling… I close my eyes as she finally finishes tending my feet.
"There you go!" She says cheerfully. Iolene stands up and pats the dirt off her dress. Looking straight at me. And there I noticed it…
Her eyes… They're golden! Iolene then quickly turns her head away from my contact. But that was all I needed to see. She is an ancient. A royal member from the gold empire.
I learned not so long ago, that my ancestors are from that empire. If I was born in a different time I could have been a gold gold. I could have my own herd and power… Be my own alpha.
Overhearing Kaunis talking about Ironclad and me. About how we don't have much gold in our bodies anymore. And that he is hunting for a pure gold source.
Maybe that's why my body eases to her touch. The gold power resides inside her. Any empire will want her dearly. Or… I'll take her to father.
I shake my head at that immediate thought. I hate humans. But I try not to be reprehensible to them. That will just be cruel… Father will not just kill her. He will torture her. He opposed them and takes pride of his followers for killing their family members.
I look at Iolene's smiling face and I look down in shame. I feel so conflicted! Humans are meant to be bad. But this one has been kind to me.
Shesha is still smirking at me. And then whispers… Be grateful. I gently nudge Iolene as a thank you. I can't believe I am thanking a human. Iolene then scratches the tip of my nose near the horn.
"Come on!" As Iolene pulls my chin. Shesha then pushes me. I hear another voice screaming for Shesha. As she runs off as I see her happily run off to a human. He joyfully embraces her. He is clearly a red soldier. He puts a saddle on her and they ride off.
Iolene tugs on my chin again and I follow. We walk through the village which has a small food market. I hear my belly grumble as I can smell food cooking. I always wonder why humans always have to cook their food. Raw tastes good, like rabbits and... ugh rabbits! It does smell pleasing though…
As we walked around, I see people and dragons give me strange looks. Do I really look like such a monster?
Iolene quickly runs to a stall and buys some food. She then runs back and hands me a strange red thing.
"It's an apple! They're delicious and good for you!"
I eat and to my surprise its delicious! We walk around as we experience the nightlife of the village. Many people and dragons trying to have fun.
I see Iolene talking to a few people. Apparently, she helped them today. She is a healer. Which explains her knowledge about my injuries and feet.
After a while exploring the food market we head back to the mansion. Iolene is clearly tired as she is non stop yawning. She pets me goodbye and says for me to sleep in the paddock. She will see me tomorrow.
I sleep near Shesha as she returns to the paddock. At long last some familiarity…
The next day arrives as I see the creepy tall man walk into the paddock. Shesha looks at me.
"What does he want?" she scoffs. "Be aware he likes finding out everyone's business. I see him questioning many people and dragons." All the dragons move away from as he approaches me.
"Hello, dragon. I would have spoken to you yesterday but I had to attend to other matters."
I roar back at him. I don't want to speak to him.
"You know I can understand you. There are many people from Inclementia who can understand your kind."
"We never would have gotten as far as we have if we didn't know how your kind think." He smiles that creepy smirk. Its unsettling.
So, this means he can understand my roars and tones.
"What do you want?" I ask.
"Why are you here? And I would like to know more about your travelling companion." He looks straight into my eyes.
"That is none of your business…" I say.
"Everything is my business." He chuckles. "That's my job. Now talk. Or I will stop being so friendly." He crosses his arms.
"There isn't really much to tell… I am from the wild. I was taken in by your people at a young age." I have no idea of what kind of information I could tell him without exposing my herd. That's the last thing I want… I wonder if my father is searching for me. Probably not…
"Sounds about right. Many dragons and even people have that backstory. Rather dull…" As his smooth low voice, weirdly calms me… Reminds me of Kaunis. His alluring voice which I thought was not affecting me. He had control over me by using more power. I lost Myshka… And now I am here. It's a unique power…
"What is your name? How old were you when you were taken in?" He asks
"My name is Beau I am twenty. I was taken to Inclementia a few months ago!" I blurted out. My eyes are wide open. He has the same power as Kaunis.
"Twenty… That's so young. I guess when you lied you said young. Twenty is technically a young age, clever. But all I have to do is to ask more and the truth spills."
"You are a different human. What is your title?" Shesha asks politely "I heard many senators Turquoise Empire had such convincing prowess."
"My name is Lord Callidus Sly and you will address me as such. But Since we are talking of truth. I am from Mille Voix. It is a natural gift with mine being more enhanced… Like my dragon friend. But I rather not discuss him here." His smile creeping me out. But I can give a guess who his dragon is. While thinking of this though… Kaunis has a human friend?!
While I looked at the creepy thin human I have many questions of my own.
"I have a question for you-" I was about to say human but Shesha bumps me. "Lord". Ugh, its so hard saying human titles. "Lord Sly... When they took me. What did they do to me?"
"They mutated you as many dragons and people have been through. It's wonderful isn't it?"
I roll my eyes. I'm in constant pain. How wonderful… I have yet to see more benefits to this. I miss my old self. When I had no worries… Just being in a herd. My old free life is over.
"But I have other questions for your dragon-"
As he was about to continue the conversation a snake dragon and his rider appear.
"My lord! You're needed at the mansion!" He shouts out to him.
"I am questioning. Don't disturb me." He sounds so calm. Does he ever change emotions? I thought humans are expressive.
"My lord it's our Emperor. He wants to speak to you."
"Well… That's it then! My emperor calls and I cannot leave him waiting. We will definitely speak again Beau. Goodbye.." He then nods and walks away.
Creepy human being creepy.
The next few days felt relaxing. Iolene visits me and tends to my wounds. My feet are almost completely healed. They feel good as almost new. My scars remain from my father and brother. But the bruises from the fall are healing.
I have thought of running away but Iolene has been so kind. The more I think about her and Myshka have been the kindest of anything I have met. I am also getting close to Shesha. But I know she will be leaving to Vulkania soon as she is healed.
At sunset, she always comes over and happily greets me. I'm slowly getting used to it. She treats me with apples. And tells me about her day of treating people and dragons. Even gross details I wish she wouldn't say. She has mentioned that Lord Sly has been visiting her often when he can. He is curious about her.
It's been six days since we have arrived. My wounds are healed and my feet feel amazing. I don't even have bandages on me anymore.
I turn around and look up at the gigantic mountains surrounding the village. I see the huge city of Chuma on the mountainside. The walls are impressive. I wonder if that idiot Oleander manages to break into that fortress.
"Hello Dragon!"
There she is again! But it's not sunset. It's only morning, Why the early visit?
"Mister Winters has allowed me for the day off today. So I have been preparing to leave. As nice as it is to be here… I cannot stay. I asked Kamlin if I can journey to Macdan. He allowed it…"
She wants to go to Macdan? I have no idea what that place is. Where is that?
I murmur to her trying to communicate. I wish I can tell her my name. She doesn't even know it… She just calls me dragon as basic as that is.
"There will be a convoy travelling to Macdan and then to Vulkania. I will be joining them. What do you want to do?" She still refuses to look into my eyes. Little does she realise I have noticed what she is.
I want to go home… To the north. But that means going past all the armies and scouts. It'll be a dangerous journey. A journey that could easily end the same way it began… Captured and enslaved. I might not even escape it this time. I thought long and hard…
Open your mind the seer said. Open it… Whatever that meant… Could it mean to divert from my path? I'm on my way making friends with a human. Which I thought I would never do.
"We meet again Iolene and Beau."
A Smoothing voice creeps up from behind us.
"Hello Lord Sly." She meekly says. "Haven't you asked me enough questions this week? I have told you everything you need to know."
I notice she never looks at him in the face. Always facing away from him. It's awkward.
"There is something about you girl. Maybe your dragon friend can tell me." The creepy man looks at me.
Iolene steps in front of me. "Why do you find me so fascinating my Lord? I really don't understand." She says. "You're taking it way to far!"
"You have an aura girl. An aura I am unfamiliar with. I can sense things… I am curious. I know the truth of everyone."
"I'm a merchants daughter. I have told you about my life there is nothing to tell!" She shouts.
"Beau… Tell me what is so special about this girl? For the past week, she has been lying to me." Even though it seems he is annoyed he doesn't change his tone. It's baffling all he does is smile and sound monotone with a bit of whimsy.
But like before I couldn't myself. But maybe I can try to be careful with my words. Iolene looks up at me. She is confused and has no idea.
"Look into her eyes and find your answer," I tell him. Iolene doesn't understand what I said. But what have I done! I wanted to run from here. But I was under his trance.
Iolene looks up at me as the creepy man grabs her face and stares straight into her eyes.
"Not possible…" As his demeanour changes. Iolene struggles out of his arms. She hits him off. It was weak but she is beginning to panic. She bumps back into me breaking out of the trance.
Sly then forcefully pushes her onto the ground. His calm attitude and calmness disappear as he pulls out a dagger from his sheath. And hold it to her throat.
" Don't worry I am not going to kill you. This is something I was not expecting! The emperor would LOVE to meet you!"
Iolene screams as he lays on top of her. I mag him off her and I used my mag stream placing her on my back. Shesha and other dragons pushed him away and attacked him! Without even thinking I place Iolene on my back and I begin running. I don't even look back. Running into the dead forest blindly. Iolene holding onto me with all her might. I can tell she has never ridden a dragon before as she almost slides off continuously.
It was late afternoon when I had to slow down. I was exhausted… Iolene gets off my back and strokes my face. She is making sure I am okay.
"Beau is it?"
I nod to her yes.
"It's a lovely name. Unique! A beautiful name for a beautiful dragon. Thank you for getting me away from that man."
She shouldn't be thanking me… I got her into the worse trouble she can imagine. She doesn't speak dragon. If she knew she wouldn't like me so much.
Iolene takes out her map. "We are on the right track! We just need to keep heading south. The red guards drew the road of the convoys. Makes it easier! If that's what you want…"
She points at the drawn line on the map.
I rode her through the mountains. After some human attacking her. And she is still polite to me. She isn't asking me to stay. But I know that she will not last long in the wild. And we have to get moving quickly. I nudge her in reassurance… She smiles at me. She is clearly frightened.
I lower myself for her to ride me and she jumps on. This is getting weird… Usually, humans force me to serve them. With Iolene I feel calm.
We ride off again. We are near the main roads. Iolene said when she was captured. They travelled through the wilderness as they are bandits. Red armies travelled the main roads. They did it to be careful. So Iolene is unfamiliar with these areas.
I see another village nearby.
"It's so much nicer travelling by road. Just have to keep going until Macdan. We can be safe there!"
I hope… I have no idea about Macdan. We rode for a while until I hear something behind me.
CRASH!
A snake creature crashes into me! I Fall down as Iolene slides off me. She draws out her dagger. I look up at this strange creature!
"Zimadu! A young one!" Iolene shouts out. She aims her tiny dagger at the weird creature. It's a snake with two legs… It aims at her and she quickly runs away from it. I don't blame her… That dagger isn't enough for a creature like that.
I stand up and mag her onto my back. I tried to run away. But the long snake neck manages to block me and knock me into a nearby dead tree. I roar in pain!
I only just healed… the snake in quick movement bites me. I shriek in agony!
ROOOOOOOOAR! I wriggle around but the creature has a tight grip. I see Iolene run over as she stabs the zimadu in the eye. And with a quick reaction, it lets go of me and slams Iolene onto the ground. She crawls on the ground trying to getaway.
I mag her away as the zimadu foot slams on the place she landed. She manages to get up and runs towards me. To my surprise, she manages to dodge the head of the zimadu.
She reaches me as I lie on the ground.
"Come on Beau!" She cries.
It's going to take all of my strength to get up. The blood burning in my veins return. Even though Iolene is nearby. As the Zimadu aims at me again. Iolene in a sudden urge covers me with her body. Is she trying to protect me?
Zimadu's large jaw with shape fangs come ever closer. Iolene screaming for it to stop. With a sudden urge I get up and roar facing the Zimadu on. I felt something rising inside of me. It's not anger… It feels like power awakening. All of my senses have heightened.
I mag aiming at the Zimadu 's open mouth! A large pulse burst from my forehead. Destroying the inside of zimadus mouth. And burning through the back of the mouth. Killing it instantly it collapses. I roar in triumph!
Iolene struggling to stand. She stumbles over to me. I feel so exhausted… My legs shaking under my weight. Iolene holding my head up. She is massaging my forehead.
I feel soothed as she cooed. My boiling blood stopped and my legs give way as I collapse. Iolene had to let go of my head as I weigh heavy.
"There you're back to normal now."
What did she mean by that? Back to normal? What happened? I felt strong… But then I felt so weak.
I look at the mountains and the sun is beginning to set.
"The village is not far. Can you make it?" As Iolene scratches my nose.
I nod to her believing that I can.