Chapter Thirty-Five: To Aquarius City

It has been two weeks since Jardin de Fleur. Leaving at dawn the next day. A long journey of seeing some ruined villages as a few towns remained perfectly intact. Stein evaluates that the towns that survive surrendered to the Black Empire forces.

The cold weather is setting in as rain happened at least once a day. The group travels off the main roads to return to the Light-Blue Empire. A mutual decision as Aquarius City is the safest place for anyone to be at this moment. However, them being in the wilderness for so long they needed to return to refresh and purchase necessities.

Everyone needs warmer clothes as many of them have been soaked. Everyone almost caught a cold at one point throughout the three weeks. Iolene manages to use local plants to help make it easier on the nose and headaches.

"A small town named Aerien is nearby." Marina points to the map. Famous for its bakeries and various different kinds of bread. The wonderful smell of cooking bread lingers even half an hour away from the town. Beautiful and scenic like the capital it is surrounded by greenery and flora. But the atmosphere has changed from tranquillity to fear. Turquoise and Black Soldiers patrol the roads as Black Empire soldiers, enter the town. To the group's surprise, there are not too many of them. Only five humans and six dragons are seen. They can easily be outnumbered, however, it was quiet as they lived amongst the natives. The town quickly surrendered without a fight. As a result, the place is not touched with violence and they kept their word.

Stein pays a bronze to a news and paper boy. Returning to the group as they rest in a small inn. However, due to a lack of funds not everyone could not reside in a room for a night. Aaron, Marina, Lexi, Constant, Duryss, Beau, Iymp, and Ponderrah, have to camp outside the town limits among many others who are planning to flee the nation. Stein, Murray and Iolene reside in the same room as Eidith, Avery and Fred sleep in another room. Fred unhappily sleeps on the couch as the ladies have the two beds. Another is occupied by another few guests.

Stein opens the newspaper as he now reads Mille Voix the capital is officially owned by the Black Empire, and the rest of the country has quickly revolted. But as the news is revealed of how much the Turquoise Empire owed the Black Empire. The highborn rebellions ceased as they instead raised taxes and Millions of money and trade, with the King and Queen not repaying their promises. Queen Avery is listed as missing as there is a massive reward of ten thousand gold to find her dead or alive. The middle class, peasants and slaves uprise against their own wealthy elite. Many of them are executed by guillotine as the wealthy are dragged from their mansions. Stein reads down as he sees a logo for a new revolutionary cause. As he continued reading the next pages it was not all. Iolene made the news... A gold child lives. As the article speculated about her. Rewarding fifty-thousand gold and a lordship to those who find Iolene. "Spotted amongst the chaos of the former Queen being shot. A child used gold draconium powers to help try and heal the queen. Many witnesses confirm this to be true as they saw her with their own eyes. She was known to be a guest of the gala, named Iolene Summers as records showed. Known for her gorgeous gown, harp and dance skills. Did they not know? If so they are not as smart as they thought they are. But it also comes to the question will the Gold Empire rise again?"

Stein slaps the paper on the desk in his room. There is no saving this nation... He never trusted anyone here... A potential ally is now an enemy. They lost... But whoever wrote the article just besmirched the Black Empire. They are not as smart as they thought they were... In a way, he hoped the news will reach the far west. Empress Vatra receives the news of Iolenes' existence. He wished he could have spoken to her in person about an alliance. But it's not to be for the moment. It is still common knowledge that the Red Empire is still rebuilding and repairing the five-year war. Entering with Iolene will trigger a war response, for the moment the Black Empire does not know where she is. It is safest to keep it that way for now...

Lexi slowly lowers her letter relieved. Nuria wrote to Lexi that she and Prince Elias were imprisoned for questioning. They treated them well enough. But are quickly released and returning to Vulkania. They are under the Black Empire's "protection" until they reach the red border. She relaxes on her bed as she thought of Vulkania. It is so cold here... I hate the cold. I miss my family... I miss the food... Kenneth... Using Murray's crowdrag she releases him to return to his owner. Falling backward in the bed, Lexi closes her eyes as she lies for a nap.

Lei receives his letters from his pet crowdrag named Butters. Gave him the comforting knowledge that his people are well on their way back to Lan-Se. Like Prince Elias, they were treated well. Considering the blue citizens attacked them at every chance after their civil war. The Black Empire was clearly involved with the uprising of Sazan Jona.

Avery is no longer Queen reminding herself, staring out of the inn window... Looking unrecognisable as her make-up, wigs, and fancy heavy gowns are no longer with her. Borrowing Lexi's spare clothes as she even tries to remove her heavy accent. Taking up the name Camille once again to avoid suspicion. Sitting away from everyone. Her facade was now broken as she gazed at the horizon. Her injury has mostly healed thanks to Iolene's intervention. But she wished she died... Her husband borrowed so much for his own gain. She knew none of this secret debt account, but everyone will think she is complicit in this mess. Only she thinking of how they could afford so many balls and galas. Eventful shows and constant entertainment for her and her patrons. Avery's family businesses and taxes helped pay much of it... But her husband in reality was broke, as she realised he was not the only one. Those who were not on the list must have been in on Gauthier's plans. Sacrifice everyone so they could live the richest lives possible. The price of wealth and opulence has killed their home. A magnificent jewel of the world phased out of existence. Her constantly wishing she killed her husband more often.

Iolene walks into the former Queen's room freshly bathed from the basement baths. Iolene's brown hair dye fading as her blonde roots can be seen. Wearing a simple dress she sits next to Avery. "I bought you some bread. You need to eat Avery..." Iolene says gently as she passes a few slices on a plate. Avery looks at it disappointingly. Desiring a buffet feast, now she is eating like a peasant. Reluctantly eating the bread she loved how fresh it is. Pulling it apart she can hear the crust crackle as she eats the soft inner. Perfect bread... Could use a marmalade or butter...

Iolene did not say much as she did not know what to say. Queen Avery has just lost everything... The room is silent as the outside world continues on with their own business. The world moved on quickly without Avery... No one even speaks about her deceased husband the king. Only the anger of what he did. Never about how they are royals and ruled for years...

"I never thought I would live life like this... How do people do it? I feel constantly hungry and underdressed." Avery chuckles as she tries her hardest to hide her thick accent. "I see your people. You all have been through this before, I know Constant has suffered like this after the night of tears. How do you put up with it?"

"Oh, I hate every moment of it. I admit I do prefer luxury travel in a carriage with a large entourage. Fancy feasts and socialising with everyone. But it is only luck I have had the privilege of having such lovely things. None of it is ever mine... I have no choice but to accept what I can get. I suppose we take steps to continue on with our lives. It may be rough times now, but hopefully, the sun will shine again for Mille Voix. As I dream of the Gold Empire being real once more..." Iolene reaches out her hand as Avery grabs it.

"Have I told you, that you can play the harp beautifully?" Avery softly laughs as she keeps a grip on Iolenes hand. Looking at Iolenes healed scratches from her harp practice.

Aaron and Stiletto are hunting in the nearby woods together, as Aaron shoots and captures a magnificent dear.

"I will be staying here..." Stiletto says as Aaron carries the dead deer.

"What!?" Aaron says dropping the deer. "Come with us! You will be safe in Aquarius City." Aaron says as he grabs her hand.

"You are too sweet... I know." Stiletto says. As she lets Aaron hold her hand. "But I need to remain here, I can be your eyes and ears." She admits. "I fight in my own ways... My country may be flawed. But it is still my home. Avery will not be queen, but I shall find another potential monarch. The Senate is probably self-destructing at the moment. A King or Queen to unite and pay back the debt will be great for any storyteller."

The next day they leave Aerien and continue forward to the Light Blue Empire. Turquoise Empire is a country that has access to many countries. The occupied gold Empire is south with their small neighbour White. The purple Empire is north, Red straight to the west, Green to the northwest, Incognito forest, the unclaimed land south West. Blue northeast, Light Blue straight east, Orange southeast. Purple direct north. The only country they do not have a direct connection with is the Black Empire. Which is why they have direct portals to travel between nations.

Following the path east it will be another week to reach the Light Blue border. Marina wished she still had her ship Dragonswrath. But it rests in the Mille Voix harbour. But it was too dangerous to use as the harbour is an hour away from Mercer Mansion. Her second in command Roughouser if smart enough will sail her back to Aquarius City.

It is a long week as they finally reach the Light Blue border. The beautiful seashell gates can be seen. The pure white walls of beauty of shell designs, a mark of the Light Blue Empire. Everyone is relieved as they see it. But there are guards checking everyone. Avery and Iolene panic as everyone concocts a plan to hide them.

Avery and Iolene jump onto Duryss's back they hide underneath a tarp. Iokene holding onto Avery. "The girl is heavy..." Duryss jokes.

"Shut up!" Iolene says annoyed as Avery covers her mouth. Stein shooshes her and taps the tarp. Iolene and Avery struggle as their bodies rock back and forth. Bull Class dragons have a large humpback. Duryss take lumbering steps as his five-ton weight shifts.

The guards walk forward as they check everyone's identities. The Light Blue guards notice their prince and princess. As they communicate to the Turquoise and Black draconium guards let them pass. Not revealing their identities making sure the Black Empire soldiers know none the wiser.

Opening the pearl gates they all sigh with relief as they have finally escaped. Murray almost cries with relief as he is returning home.