A/N: Yay, I'm done another chapter! I introduce four OC's, which is two more than I had originally planned on. Review please! Tell me what you like and don't like. ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own DB.

Empire of Wraiths

Artha stood in the shadow of a building and watched the mildly busy streets, his racing pulse abating somewhat. He wiped a hand across his sweaty forehead. He hadn't needed to get so worried about walking in the town, it was rather easy. He blended in with the crowds, and hadn't created any sort of commotion or drawn any attention to himself. I could really do this. Artha thought, a stark contrast to his earlier thought of, I'm gonna get caught and die…

His only problem was perhaps acting too casual, especially when one of the numerous patrolling wraiths in the streets passed close to him. Artha looked at a few wraiths on the other side of the street as he stood almost disbelievingly in the shadows, glaring without realizing it. Those wraiths shouldn't be here. No wraiths should ever be here. Wraiths should never exist. How could Faier let this happen? How could his Dad let them roam freely? Why hadn't he done something about it? Artha clenched his hands and shut his eyes tightly, forcing back a surprising flow of tears. How could he have let this happen?

I let them all down. Lance could be dead because of me.

Artha opened his eyes slightly and looked at the draconian street beneath his feet. What was going on? What was he supposed to do? There had been a battle, for dragon's sake! Right in front of the Shadow Track! How long was I in there? What happened to the draconium Moordryd got out of the Shadow Track? Where is everyone? They wouldn't be in the city…

Artha shook his head and pressed his fingers to his temples, as if that would make all his problems go away. He needed a plan.

"I need to know how long I was in there, what Word did, and I need to find Dad and the others," Artha whispered, still looking at the ground. All he needed to do was find out the answers to those questions, and then…well, he would be better off than he was right now. Stupid wraiths. Once I get everything cleared up, I'm getting rid of every last one!

As if reading Artha's thoughts, a dragon and human wraith on the other side of the street turned to look at him with vacant eyes. Artha happened just then to glance up and stare into those very eyes. He then quickly glanced back down again and trudged out onto the sidewalk quicky, head still down. He only glanced up to see where he was walking, hoping that he was not enough of a curiosity for the wraith to bother with. Artha only looked back once, and saw the disinterested wraith walking in the opposite direction.

Artha breathed out a heavy sigh of relief, and slowed down his pace. He couldn't risk getting caught in this crazy town. Crazy because the wraiths were obviously in control, and seemed to be the new Dragon City Security. The people didn't seem to care. They went about their lives normally, like Artha would've seen before he was trapped in the Shadow Track. A few months before? Anyway, besides the occasional wraith, always a combination of dragon and human, everything was normal.

Except for the dragons. The only dragons Artha had seen were the darkly colored wraiths. There were no others. All the dragon were wraiths, whether they were being ridden by human wraiths or normal people.

Dragons and humans had to work together. What had Word Paynn done? How much has his views of his war changed? Did he have his own empire? Did he use his Payyn. Inc logo for that empire? It appeared on the wraiths like…like how the Down City crews wore their logos. Worse still, Artha had seen it on humans as well, assumedly of their own free will.

Artha wished he could personally paint over and burn every logo he saw. This wasn't right.

"Seems to me someone's a bit nervous around the wraiths."

Artha jumped in surprise as two men suddenly began walking beside him, grinning amusingly.

"Told you, Edd. He looks like he's from out of town." The man on his right leaned in close and said the last part in a low voice. Then his voice took on a mocking tone. "Where's your dear old mom? She stitch your name onto your jacket for you?"

Edd burst out laughing on Artha's left side. Artha clenched his fists, both incredibly angry and incredibly worried at the same time. Perhaps coming into town wasn't a good idea. He should've looked around the town first, or…or…Artha sighed. Or what? He felt tired, and the two men beside him helped none. They heightened his nervousness tremendously.

"What's the matter, kid? You look a little glum," Edd sneered in Artha's left ear.

Artha stared straight ahead and didn't respond. It was like an inner battle between his tiredness, his complete lack of knowledge and his will to find out where his family was. His doubts were beginning to win. Was he really that easy to pick out of the crowd? Was it really that easy to tell he was from out of town? Perhaps it was his clothes…he shouldn't have come into town!

"Hey, Edd. He's probably sad 'cause his mother is so bad at stitching. His name is backwards! What is it…Ar…th…"

Artha stopped abruptly, and the two men continued walking for a few steps before halting as well. "Don't you two have…something else to do?" Artha finished lamely. He feared if he said anything else, even more trouble would come of it.

"Ya mean besides helping you out?" Edd snickered. His friend folded his arms and leant against a lamp post. Artha noticed for the first time the Payyn Inc. logo on the sleeve of Edd's friend. Great.

"You aren't helping me out. Now I need to go." Artha made to walk around the two men, but Edd stood in front of him, blocking his way. He held his hands up almost apologetically.

"Ah, kid. Give me a break. We were only teasing you. We get some folk from the mountain towns once in a while, but not that often."

"I…uh…" Mountain towns?

"Me and Kyd here," Edd nodded briefly over to his friend, Kyd, who smiled at Artha. His smile was more of a leering grin, however. "We got nothing much to do here. So why don't you say you let us…show you around?"

Artha didn't trust Edd's confident voice, or Kyd's inability to stop chuckling. Edd turned his head and glared at Kyd, instantly shutting him up.

"That's okay. I don't need someone to show me around," Artha said. He found it slightly ironic. He did need someone to show him around. He needed someone to tell him everything. But he didn't need these two men. They were nothing but trouble, and Artha knew they were only out to gain some amusement at his expense.

"You just came in, didn't you? You look like you're from the mountain towns."

"I am," Artha said on instinct. How good was his new alibi? Where were the mountain towns?

Artha held his breath, but when neither Edd nor Kyd made any sudden reactions to finally knowing that Artha was from one of the mountain towns, Artha felt he could relax somewhat. He guessed that people from the mountain towns were fairly common.

Edd grabbed Artha by the arm roughly. "We insist on showing you around."

"Let me go!"

"Or what?" Edd grinned in Artha's face as he pulled him along. Kyd grabbed Artha's other arm. "You're practically new here. What are you going to do, little whelp?"

Artha tried to think of a good reply. What was he going to do? Edd and Kyd nearly dragged him along. They left the sidewalk, and crossed the street to the other side. Their steps were too confident. They knew what they were doing, and they knew where they were going. Artha knew nothing, and felt as helpless as a draco-slug in the middle of a huge race.

The wraiths paid him no heed, but a few people turned to look at them. Yes, yes! Artha thought inside. Stop and ask them what they're doing to me. Distract them, just a little.

No one stopped to help. They turned back to whatever they were doing, and ignored Artha and his new friends. Edd and Kyd continued at a brisk pace, their thick hands hurting Artha's arms. Their grasps were too tight. But all he needed was a distraction.

Either that, or a stall full of cabbages. He could make a distraction out of that and use it to his advantage.

And they were going to walk right past it. Artha looked past the stand to where their current direction was taking them and where Edd and Kyd were looking at in earnest. A small, cramped alleyway. Artha swallowed. Were they going to rob him? Beat him for their amusement? Or maybe they knew he didn't belong here. What if they worked for Word? He had to get loose, now!

The cabbage stand was on his right, Artha's only chance of escape; nothing save his two captors was even close to him. A few more steps, and the only thing standing between the cabbages and him was Kyd. Then he immediately lashed out with his right foot, hitting Kyd behind the knees. Hard.

Kyd gave a yell of surprise, and at once fell to the ground, releasing Artha's arm. While his grip was gone, Edd's only tightened. Artha gasped from the pain.

"What'cha think you're doing? Hey, Kyd, get up! Now!"

As he spoke, his left hand swooped to grab Artha's other arm. With his right hand, he pulled Artha closer to him. Artha turned towards him, and instead of attempting to flee, like Edd expected, Artha came towards him, his right fist held high and ready.

Edd's left hand was halfway to Artha when Artha's right fist hit him in the face. Edd stumbled back, pulling Artha with him, never once loosening his grip. Then Artha felt Kyd, still on the ground, grab his left foot while grumbling through clenched teeth.

For a moment, Artha saw the other citizens of the town. But still, no one was interfering. Why weren't they? They should! He was being attacked by two grown men, why was no one helping? With his peripheral vision, Artha saw a wraith stalk smoothly towards them. Artha had to act quickly, or face a wraith.

Edd noticed the wraith too. He paused, debating whether he could talk his way out of this, or whether Kyd and he could get away with the kid, or whether they should just give up and run. Edd shook his head slightly. He had orders.

"Come here!" Edd seethed, and grabbed Artha's shoulder with his free hand.

Now this was where the cabbages came in. Artha spun, yanking himself out of Edd's grip and swinging his right leg over Kyd's head, who still had Artha left foot in his grasp. Artha's right foot hit the side of the poorly built cabbage stall, sending the green vegetables bouncing in the street.

Artha threw his body weight to the ground as Edd tried to regain his grip on Artha. However, Artha tripped over a cabbage, and fell to the street, dimly realizing the tight hold on his left lag had disappeared. Artha hit the ground the same time Edd did, and instantly sprang up and ran through the cabbages, careful not to trip over any, and sped away, shoving people aside.

"Scale it Kyd, run!"

Artha ran faster, fearful that they were chasing after him. When the amount of people in his way had dwindled somewhat, he chanced look behind. Edd and Kyd were gone, and he could see the top of the wraith near the cabbage stand, looking at him.

Artha ran faster, sped around corners, and down streets. He took too many turns to keep track of, and when he ran onto a particularly empty street, he slowed down.

The only other people on this street were a young couple, who glanced at him quickly, then dismissed him. Artha walked quickly in to the shadow of an alley, and sat down near the entrance and regained his breath.

His ears were fully alert for any sound of pursuit. He heard none. Artha realized he hadn't heard any sort of pursuit while he was running either. Perhaps the wraith had chosen to chase after the men instead of him.

Artha sat with his legs drawn up, and hung his head between them, looking at the street, breathing heavily. For awhile, he sat like that, and didn't think.

Only when his breathing steadied, did he raise his head and wipe his face with his hands. He groaned slightly as he lifted his arms, knowing full well that he must have some dreadful bruises on them.

"Well…," Artha said to himself slowly. "Maybe I can go back now." Back to Beau, and back to safety.

He stood and brushed himself off, and looked hesitantly into the street. Artha froze as he saw a wraith down at the far end, but the wraith soon disappeared down another street. Artha breathed a sigh of relief. The wraith must've walked right by him. Did that mean he wasn't being chased? Artha held desperately onto that thin strand of hope.

He took a step into the street, and saw only eight other people, as withdrawn and minding their own business as everyone else had been. Except Edd and Kyd. Artha hoped they had gotten caught.

"I can't go back," Artha whispered, standing dismally at the mouth of the alley. "I didn't find anything out yet." And I would only have to come here again, either here or another town. Or maybe into Dragon City itself. I can't go back with nothing. I have to have something to tell Beau. "And I'm here now."

Artha thought his voice sounded darkly foreboding.

----------

It was just what he had wanted to find. A place he could sit and hear other people's conversations without appearing to eavesdrop. A place where there were VIDDscreens and food. Manga Draconis, Artha was hungry. He had a bit of food, back with Beau, who might've eaten the rest by now. The aroma inside was tantalizing. So Artha walked into the small inn he had found. The Dragon's Fulfillment, it was called. Artha hoped to be fulfilled with food and information.

He stepped inside, and didn't feel at all different from everyone else. The place seemed homely, like Penn Stables.

"Good day!"

Artha paused and looked around for the owner of the cheerful voice. He saw her wave her hand at him, and brush past several people to squeeze his own hand in a friendly shake. "Welcome to my inn."

Artha smiled back at her. She seemed a blessed relief from the other, dullish citizens in the town, but on careful scrutiny, her smile and outward appearance appeared somewhat false, as if she were only using it to cover up her own sadness. It was like trying to hide broccoli in a glass of milk. It didn't quite work.

Her fake smile was plastered to her face as she continued. "Would you like to sit down, have a room for the upcoming night, or…"

"I, I'll just sit and eat," Arth stammered, slightly put off by her false presentation.

"Very well then. Follow me." Her head bobbed up and down, shaking her graying hair as she turned.

Only then did she release her welcoming grasp and motioned him to follow her with her sweaty hand. Artha followed, wiping his hand on his pants. She led him into the dining area, which was right by the entrance and provided several windows looking out at the nearly empty street. It was quite full, and buzzed with the low murmur of conversation. The place smelled like…food, delicious food. Artha's stomach growled.

"Feel free to sit where you choose," Artha and she stood, overlooking the room, "and someone will be by shortly to serve you. If you need me, call for Mrs. Chabox." She clasped her hands in front, wringing her skirt; whether it was in nervousness, or a habit she had, Artha had no idea. But it made him feel more apprehensive than he already was.

She gave a last gracious look at him, as if thanking him for choosing her inn. Then she turned and bustled away, hands full of her skirt, her smile never once touching her eyes. Artha wondered whether everyone in the town, and in the towering Dragon City above, were like her; living their lives under an oppressive ruler, disgruntled at how everything was turning out.

Which was actually good news for him, Artha thought. Were they more likely to follow the Dragon Booster?

Artha slid into a seat at a bare, greenish-gray table, close to another group of customers. He would be able to hear what they were saying without straining too much. He needed to know so much. Artha crossed his arms and laid them on the table, looked around briefly, then focused his attention on the small VIDDscreen in the far corner of the room after he realized the trio at the table next to his were talking about the weather, of all things.

Artha sighed and peered closely at it, then gave up when he realized it was some day time drama. Why wasn't it on the news?

Artha began tapping his fingers on the table, then stopped. Calm down, I'm almost there. All I have to do is find out what happened, and what happened to my father.

What better way to find out than to converge in some conversation? If only the people at the table next to his didn't glare over at him on occasion.

"What do you want?"

Artha nearly jumped as a surly waitress stopped by his table. She stood irritably and tapped her electronic pad against her side, staring him down. Artha put on a cheesy smile, just for her. "Well…I haven't looked at a menu yet, but…"

"Why don't you have the special?"

"I…guess. What's in it?"

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise?"

"What's the matter? Don't like surprises?"

"Well, not if I'm going to eat it."

The corner of her mouth lifted in amusement, but she said nothing immediately. She took her time adding Artha's order to her pad, the soft clicking of buttons that he could hear plainly. "Don't worry," she said suddenly, catching him off guard. "It's edible."

"That's good," Artha blurted out.

"Of course it is." She shifted her weight, looked at him like he were an idiot, then began to walk off.

"Oh, wait," Artha said quickly. When she turned exasperatingly to him, Artha leaned on the table and grinned at her, trying to be friendly. "So, what's your name?"

She frowned at him. "I don't do dates, creep."

"No, I…"

Rolling her eyes, she ignored his protest and hurriedly headed to the kitchen, leaving Artha with his mouth hanging half open. Artha sighed and put his head in his hands. Talking to people wasn't really working out for him.

He didn't look like a creep, did he? He didn't think he did. He glanced over to the table near his, and the trio there pointedly ignored him. Watching the VIDDscreen might help him more than talking would anyway, and he wouldn't have to risk anything by asking question after question.

"Here's a look at what's coming up next in Dragon City news."

It was as if the VIDDscreen forced his eyes to stare at it, unblinking. A preview to the evening's news. Artha was mildly surprised that the wraiths weren't the news anchors, but as he watched, his eager smile soon changed into a disbelieving gape as a quick preview turned into a nightmare loosed into reality.

"Rising trouble in the north. Has the Black Empire gone from vicious to downright bloodthirsty? Continued fighting in the east. When will it end? And more raids on Paynn's wraiths. Just how braver and more devastating are they becoming? Also, the victims of last week's brawl are finally in court. Only Dragon City News has the latest news here, and out there. This advertisement has been brought to you by the Paynn Empire, protecting you and your families for fifteen long years."

Artha found himself gripping the sides of the table with white knuckles. Black Empire? Paynn Empire? Fifteen years? Protecting?

Artha stared at the VIDDscreen, and even though the normal program had returned, the images were still replaying in his mind. There had been ravaged battlegrounds, wraiths fighting against soldiers, a lethal looking Dragon Eye symbol on a high flying banner, more military images, and two people being led by human wraiths into a courthouse of some kind. Artha recognized Edd, covering his face and disappearing shackled into the building. And finally, Word Paynn's corporate logo to finish it all off.

Artha sat stunned, and barely had time to fully digest everything when the waitress came back with a steaming plate of meat and other things. Artha didn't take time in looking at it to see what was on it. He was still staring at the VIDDscreen.

"Hungry? Well, here it is. Ta da." The last words couldn't have been said with less emotion or enthusiasm. The waitress plucked down the plate in front of him, causing the food to shift and move around distastefully.

Her coy grin was lost on him as he stared into his plate. Food. He picked up a fork and shoveled meat into his mouth. There isn't a war. It's only been a few months. My father…

The waitress watched him eat silently for a few moments. "…Like it?" Artha didn't respond, or even indicate that he had heard her. He just kept eating. He was hungry.

It can't have been too long. Nothing happened. I'll see Lance soon. And…and Kitt and Parm…it hasn't been fifteen years. It hasn't! It couldn't have been!

The waitress put a hand on her hip and continued to watch him eat, an almost annoyed expression on her face. First he wanted to talk, and now he was ignoring her? "You seem to like it. It's specially imported from the east. Want to know what's in the surprise?"

Artha continued eating, his hand beginning to shake as he lifted forkfuls of meat to his mouth. He felt empty, as if he couldn't possibly think of anything else besides his unbelieving ramblings. It's not possible. I'm not…I haven't been…it hasn't been that long. It…

"It's blue dragon, you know, since the Blue Empire has finally fallen."

Artha's fork dropped to the plate, and he slowly turned his head to look at her, broken out of his little stupor. He swallowed. "This is…I'm eating dragon?"

She nodded her head. "Yep. Good, isn't it? Better than green dragons anyway."

"A DRAGON? You eat dragons now?" Artha yelled and stood up quickly, bumping his table and sending his food, the dragon, to the floor. The plate cracked loudly into several pieces, and the dragon fell wetly on the ground. He didn't notice. He was busy glaring at the waitress, as if all this was her fault. "You people eat dragons?" He yelled, louder this time. What kind of barbaric world was he in? Artha felt his anger rising steadily. Eat dragons? How could they do that! How could anyone?

"Yes…don't get upset. It's just meat. It's only dragon," the waitress stammered slightly, then narrowed her eyes. "It's not like it's a human or anything."

Artha heard her voice, though it sounded far away. How could his father let the world get like this? "Not human?" He repeated quietly, though he felt like screaming at them all. Of course they weren't humans, but they were equals! "NOT HUMAN?" Artha screamed at the waitress, glaring at her and letting out all his emotions. He shouldn't be here. It couldn't be fifteen years in the future! What about his brother? His Dad? Were they still alive? Artha gritted his teeth, and the waitress stepped back slightly, looking around for help to calm the unruly patron. What about Kitt and Parm and everyone else? Were Moordryd and Word laughing in his citadel, relishing in their victory? Was everyone fifteen years older than him?

"I can't believe you people eat dragons, like…like they're some other kind of meat!" Artha said, shutting his moist eyes. This couldn't be happening to him. It was a nightmare…no, he was still in the Shadow Track. He had to be. It was all so unreal. "They're our equals! What about your drago…"

Artha trailed off, and remembered that the only dragons he had seen were wraiths. Were there no free dragons left in the world?

Blinking furiously, Artha wiped at his eyes, and noticed for the first time the whole inn staring at him, and dimly remembered that he had to keep a low profile. The waitress stared at him.

"I'm…sorry…" Artha mumbled instinctively, and turned to leave.

He took a few steps towards the door when he saw Ms. Chabox standing there. He had forgotten to pay. Artha thrust his hand into his pocket, and threw a random amount of drakkals onto the floor, then flew out the door and down the street, as fast as his legs would carry him. He needed to get back to Beau. He felt stronger with him near, and not vulnerable like he did now. He couldn't hear the waitress's angered remarks of how the drakkals were outdated.

He pushed past people on the street. They all stared at him, but Artha ignored them.

A young girl glared at his fleeing back as he shoved his way past her. "Idiot," she mumbled. She tightened her grip on the hand of a six-year-old boy. "Walk faster," she instructed. His steps increased, but he didn't look up from the ground he was quietly staring at.

She entered the inn, the very same inn Artha had just ran from, and noticed the uproar. She grinned as she saw a waitress picking up shards of plate and pieces of meat. Walking up to her, and being trailed by the little boy, she grinned at the waitress. "Finally doing some work?"

The waitress looked up and brushed hair from her eyes. "Shut up, Delilah. I work."

Delilah rolled her eyes. "You do? I haven't noticed."

"That's because you're never here. Where were you again? Forget it, you're not going to tell me."

"I was at the market."

"More like the mall. It's your shift now anyway." The waitress stood up from the floor and threw a towel at Delilah. "My shift's over. Have fun."

Delilah picked the towel up from over her head, where it had so carefully been placed. "What happened? I'm not cleaning something you dropped."

"You won't believe it," the waitress said. "Some creep from the…the mountain towns probably, freaked out when he found out he was eating blue dragon. Then he yelled at me."

"From the…mountain towns? We haven't gotten any of them here for a long while," Delilah said, grinning.

The waitress stared at her. "Well, we do now."

"Where'd he go?" Delilah said quickly.

"Why do you want to know?" The waitress look at her suspiciously. "Why are you always so interested in people from the stupid mountain towns?"

Delilah shrugged. "I…find them interesting."

"Interestingly weird. He ran that way." She cocked a finger in the direction Artha had taken.

"Drac." Delilah breathed and dragged the little by after her out the door. "Run, Covert."

Covert, the little boy, picked up his speed and ran as fast as he felt like beside her. Delilah looked forward in anticipation.

"Where are you going? It's your shift!"

----------

Artha stumbled through the brush, shoving dead branches out of his way. Where did he leave Beau? "Beau? Beau?"

Artha stopped as he heard a roar to his right, and presently Beau's head poked out from behind a rock. "Beau!"

Artha ran to his side, and gave Beau a hug around the neck. Beau's former excited attitude turned to one of worry. With a questioning grunt, he looked at Artha quizzically. Artha pulled away and looked up at him.

"Beau, you…you won't believe it…"

Beau nudged Artha with is head. Artha took a deep breath. "We've been in the Shadow Track for…a long time, Beau. Fifteen years. Word has control of the city…he has a lot of wraiths…I don't think my Dad is in there. We have to find him. I don't know where he is."

Artha's voice fell on a surprised dragon, who only stared back at him. The wind grazed Artha's ears as he looked at Beau, then dropped his head, unable to stare his dragon in the eye. All this was his fault. Did Beau even believe him?

Beau gave Artha a small grin, reminding him that they were in this together, and always would be. Artha stroked his chin. "Beau…I'm sorry." Beau grunted softly, telling him it was alright. Artha smiled back.

A sudden breaking in the brush caused them both to snap their heads up quickly. "Who?" Artha began, then turned to Beau. "Hide, you have to hide! You aren't a wraith!" Beau backed up a few steps, then stopped, slightly unsure of what was actually happening. "Go!"

As Beau quickly bounded away in the trees and past more boulders, Artha looked around quickly. The noise in the brush was too small for it to be a wraith dragon. Was it a human wraith? Artha saw a clump of trees he could hide behind, but had no time. Already the person, actually, two people, were upon him.

"I…uh…who are you?" Artha stumbled, surprised.

The teenage girl, about fourteen, maybe fifteen, looked up at him with a relieved expression on her face. She smiled in a friendly manner, though it seemed slightly forced. "I'm Delilah. This is my nephew, Covert." She waved the extremely light grey haired boy's hand around, and he looked at Artha with a blank expression.

"Okay…what are you doing here? Did you follow me?" Artha demanded of them.

Delilah smiled sheepishly. "Well…yes."

Artha stared them down, scrutinizing them. They didn't look harmless. The girl had a somewhat sneaky feel about her, but she smiled innocently at him. The boy, Covert, looked around himself quietly. He wasn't a threat at all. They both wore packs on their backs, heavily loaded with…things. Artha wondered whether they were going on a trip, or whether they had weapons and wraith gear in them. Then he shook his head. He was getting paranoid.

"Why?"

Delilah shrugged slightly. "I heard about the racket you made in the inn. You know, the Dragon's Fulfillment?"

Artha rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah…" Where was this going? Why couldn't he have stayed quiet?

"Well…and you're from the towns in the mountains, right?"

"Yeah…"

Delilah suddenly smiled at him. "You don't like eating dragon." Artha looked at her warily. "I think that's great. I hate eating dragon too."

Artha felt his tension abating. "Really?"

Delilah nodded her head. "I won't let Covert eat it either. It's…I think dragons are…they shouldn't be our slaves. And you, obviously, think the same way. Correct?"

"Yes, I do!" Artha said, growing excited. "You don't like all the wraiths? You think dragon and humans should be equal?"

Delilah paused for a second, then nodded her head. "I think it'd be cool to know a dragon who's not a wraith."

"You've never met a real…free dragon before?"

She shook her head. "They're all wraiths in the Paynn Empire. I've been looking for someone who felt the same way I did."

"Really?" Artha asked. How far could he trust her? He barely suppressed his growing elation. Had he just found someone whom he could find out answers from?

"You're going to go to the Gold Empire, right? I think fighting against the Paynn Empire is the way to start."

"The…Gold Empire?" Artha breathed. It sounded like a drop of rain after years of famine, like a crackling fire in the middle of the coldest winter, like…like…hope. And if that didn't sound cheesy enough, then it sounded like home too. The Gold Empire. Was that where his Dad and friends were? Artha smiled. They had to be.

Delilah noticed his somewhat vacant stare. "Er…yes…."

Artha blinked and tore himself away from his little daydream. "Who's in the Gold Empire? Where are they? How far are th…"

Delilah held up a hand. "Firstly, I'm not sure who's all in the empire, but the Dragon Priests are, I have a general idea of where they are, and it might take us…weeks, a month, to get there. More if we're forced to hide from wraiths and other…people and dragons, which we might have to."

"Weeks?" Artha spluttered. "Then we should go now. We have to get there soon!"

Delilah looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You're very eager, aren't you?"

"I just think that we shouldn't waste any time." Artha twisted his hands together behind his back. There he went again, being too obvious. First in the inn, and now here. Artha wasn't even sure how far he could trust Delilah.

Delilah nodded her head so slightly that Artha almost missed the movement. "I guess." Delilah tightened her grip on Covert's hand, who was picking leaves off low hanging branches. "But I hardly see how a few minutes are going to kill us. Come on. Since we've only got a general direction, it'll be a long, long walk. We'll stop by a small village and get some supplies for you."

"Delilah?" Artha said quietly, stopping her from walking away.

"What?"

"Isn't going to the Gold Empire a…big risk? If someone found out…"

Delilah studied him. "Yes, it is. But I've waited too long. I have to take the risk. And…I'm trusting you won't tell."

"I won't. I have to trust that you won't tell either."

Delilah smirked at him. "Not a chance. I've got Covert to think about too. I guess we're both depending on blind faith here."

"I guess so." Artha relaxed somewhat, hoping beyond all belief that he really could trust her. But why couldn't he? She hadn't done anything yet. It was a great advantage for him to have someone with the same goals as he, traveling with him so he wouldn't get lost. Things were going to be alright. He would find his Dad soon.

"Artha?"

"Wh…how did you know my name? I haven't told…"

"You've got it stitched on the back of your jacket. Backwards, for some reason."

Artha glanced at his back quickly, then grinned sheepishly. "Oh, right."

"Artha, you…don't seem to know as much as I expected you might. I know people from the mountain towns are somewhat cut off from the rest of the world…but you're very…oblivious to everything."

"I lived in a…very…remote…town…"

Delilah gave him a careful look, then accepted his answer with a small shrug. "I suppose that makes…some sense." She brushed her shoulder length hair out of her eyes, then bent down and told Covert to stop fiddling around, that they had to go.

"You're really walking the entire way?" Artha asked as she turned.

She looked back at Artha, slightly amused. "What else do you plan on using? Wraiths are to dangerous to sue, they have tracking devices fitted onto them. You planning on flying?"

"Not quite," Artha mumbled, then he spoke louder to Delilah. "I have something we might be able to use. I think you'll like it." Artha grinned and turned to the deep forest behind him. "Beau?"

Delilah looked questionably at Artha's back until Beau stuck his head around a boulder, looking at Artha with a "Did you call me?" type of expression on his own face. Artha was pleased to see Delilah gasp in complete surprise. Covert grinned and ran to Beau and threw his arms around Beau's leg, laughing at the colorful dragon.

Artha gave Delilah a knowing, slightly smug grin. "I have a feeling that we'll make better time now."

"You…have a…a dragon…" Delilah gasped. Artha crossed his arms and grinned even wider. Delilah suddenly scowled. "How did you get a dragon? Where's the wraith gear? Did you take it off?"

"No," Artha said, slightly taken aback by her sudden harsh voice. "I…Beau came from the mountain towns with me."

"They have free dragons in the mountain towns? Since when?"

"Beau was raised secretly by my father," Artha said, which was kind of true. Delilah shook her head in disbelief.

"I didn't think…"

"Why is it so unbelievable for a free dragon to be in the mountain towns?" Artha shot back.

"Don't you know? You're from there."

"Umm, yeah," Artha said, and suddenly found the dirt beneath his shoes very interesting.

Delilah peered at him. "If I were you, I'd be careful. You've already caused a huge stir. If you don't know what's going on in the Paynn Empire, then step lightly. I'll help you if I can."

Artha turned to Beau, and murmured softly, "thanks." He needed all the help he could get.

Delilah smiled faintly at his back, then approached Beau. "Covert," she scolded the little boy, "stop petting the dragon so much. We've got to go."

Covert whined as Delilah picked him up. It was the first time Artha had heard so much as a peep from the kid. Delilah strained with holding Covert and his pack, so she looked over at Artha. "So the dragon does what you say? I've only ridden wraiths before." She trailed off, slightly unsure of herself.

"Yeah, Beau's great. Just jump on his back there. Or here, Beau will mag you."

Beau grinned, winked at Delilah, which Covert found hilarious, then lifted them up with a mag-pull and dropped them on his back. Delilah grabbed the pedals of Artha's saddle to keep her balance.

Artha jumped onto the saddle. "So how do you like non-wraiths?"

Delilah glanced up at him quickly and seized Covert with one hand to keep him from falling. "Pretty good."

Artha slammed his helmet onto his head and gripped the handles tightly. He still had a lot to do.

"The Gold Empire is in the east. We'll have to find someone who knows where they are better than us. Because I have no idea."

"Alright. Let's go boy."

"Artha? East is the other way."

----------

The inside of the citadel was dark and cold. The harsh lights illuminated the predominant feature, the vibrant control center, in a menacing manner. Edd had heard that it was the most advanced piece of technology in the entire world, but had never fully grasped that meaning. Until now.

Piled up high against the walls and covering every square inch of free space were computers, sleek and highly powerful. Humming with the control of an Empire, they rose high above his head. But even all the potent machines were nothing in comparison to the dark throne that sat in the middle.

Edd walked forward slowly, followed by Kyd, who peered around with wary eyes. He had never met Word Paynn before. Edd had, though it hadn't been in the famed citadel. Word had always made him uneasy. He was the most powerful man in the world, and could have them killed with a flip of his hand.

"I wonder," said Word Paynn, sitting in his throne, back turned to them. Edd and Kyd stopped where they were. "Why I keep in my employs two idiots who do nothing of value?"

Edd remember the brawl he had caused and bowed his head slightly out of habit. "Sir, I can explain…"

"I do not need you to," Word replied smoothly. Edd scowled. "Your service for me is ended. You two will be seen out. There are others, more capable, of carrying out my wishes."

Word raised his clawed hand and waved a finger, signaling that this meeting was over and was not important enough to acquire more of his attention, and to beckon four human wraiths to advance upon the two men. Edd felt a surge of dread. He could kill them with a wave of his hand. Edd knew Word Paynn wasn't about to be kind to them and let them off. Edd envisioned jail, or worse, yet more probable, death. Word couldn't have two men like them walk around. Even with the little they knew, Word was best off to have them both finished off. It was safer, and war was such a risky business.

A wraith reached for his arm, but Edd yanked it away and took a few pleading steps towards the throne. Kyd was grabbed by two wraiths and stood shaking. "Sir," Edd said, and continued to make his way to the throne while keeping out of reach of the wraiths. "We've only messed up once. Give us one more chance. We've found someone from the mountain towns who…"

"Yes, yes. Another from the secluded towns. Another who doesn't agree with the war. Another who may cause a little stir before they're dealt with. Is this worth my attention?" Word asked callously.

"But this kid, he's strange. And I've received some information that he intends to go to the Gold Empire." Word fell silent, and Edd hurried on. "Let us follow him. We'll relay back to you the exact location of the Empire." Kyd nodded his head vigorously, eager for the wraiths to back off.

When Edd stopped talking, the long silence filled the room. Even the machines and computers seemed to have gone quiet. At length, the throne turned and Word Paynn faced them, fingering his amulet, an unreadable expression on his face. Then he grinned.

"I know the Empire is currently in the east. Somewhere." Word paused, and then motioned for the wraiths to back off. "Do follow them. I want to find the Empire." Word leaned forward and spoke the last slowly while staring into Edd's eyes, his own cold and murderous. "I want the empire destroyed."