Chapter Seventeen: Murray Returns

Iolene looks down at the water in the bathtub. Brown sludge oozed down from her hair. Eleya rubbed the substance into her scalp.

Aaron... They thought it was him... I have been so careless... I cannot go the Hall of Love again. They do not know I went. Lexi and Lei kept their mouths shut. But we all agreed... No more random trips out of Mercer Mansion for me...

However, she had an enjoyable time. Lexi and her returning that night laughing like there was nothing to worry about. Joking and having fun even dancing together until very late into the night. Constant's personal singer Rosero was exhausted after such a night. He is a womaniser and sleek man but his voice can please anyone.

Until Aaron, Fred, and Mali disappeared during the night and did not return in the morning. Constant immediately raised the alarm once finding out they went to the Hall of Love. It was unlike them to disappear in such a manner. Matters became worse when Lexi said Lei also wanted to experience it. Leaving her and Iolene out of it...

"The hall of Love is dangerous, being connected to the Mordecai." Constant spoke.

Iolene's mind returns her life back to the priesthood. Iolene sat alone reading as she watched priest apprentices leaving the temple for a day of fun. They had a free day at the end of the week, to do whatever they pleased. Go dancing, swimming, fishing, the street markets, making jewellery just general fun. But Iolene never knew them, not even knowing their names. They were strangers to her and her to them. Iolene asked the priests if she can join them, but the answer was always no. The young ones would return with laughter and refreshed from being underground. Iolene finally felt that and it felt amazing.

Lei and Fred have finally returned. After discussing what happened Iolene questioned. Why would Mordecai act so foolishly? Lei did say it was a kid Who kidnapped them. The Mordecai must be in bad shape. Desperation for a dying breed? I can relate... An assassin group once feared who toppled kingdoms and their armies in a single stroke. But Aaron, Mali, Fred and Lei, all encountered them and survived. Iolene relieved

Iolene's hands clenched on the bronze bath as Eleya digs her fingers onto her scalp. Hoping the metal will bend. Her hair will now be brown. She has done it in the past and felt comfortable with the colour. But I love my gold hair... It is a part of me... Goodbye for now my shiny hair.

Eleya helps Iolene dry her hair.

"It's only temporary my lady..." Eleya says. "You are still very beautiful."

Iolene looks at herself in the mirror admitting that she is still pretty, sighing with relief. Her hair now looks like dark chocolate.

Gervais knocks on the door. "My lady, your cousins Prince Murray and Princess Marina have arrived." Iolene jumps up with excitement. She hasn't seen much or heard of her cousins. In Lan-Se Murray was the voice of his father the King Marlowe of the Light-Blue Empire. Busy with Stein as they focused on the civil war. He was surrounded by generals and soldiers when she had glimpses of him.

Iolene races to the front door. Feeling excited to see him and Marina. The gates open as a light carriage makes its way down the path. Being pulled by Murrays and Marina's dragons. The water dragons are not graceful with the carriage like other kinds. They stumble their pace which causes small odd jolts. The carriage looked beautiful though as it is white to look like a shell and its edges were painted gold stormy waves.

Constant appears wearing his best for visiting royalty. This time wearing a matching navy blue velvet waistcoat and breeches, with silver embroidered flower details. His daughter Eidith soon follows as she could not wipe the smile off her face. Herself wearing a matching dress to coordinate with her father. Her white wig high and firm, waving a fan fast as she is blanketed with heavy fabrics.

Stein, Lexi Aaron, Fred, Mali, and Lei appear. All wearing the finest they have or borrowed. Fred looks bored as his facial injuries are still healing. His nose will be forever crooked. Lexi wearing a fine light dress that reveals her figure, Lei wearing a hanbok and Aaron is the one who is borrowing an outfit. By looking at his face he felt foolish. The breeches looked so odd and short on him. But he remains complacent.

Iymp, Beau and Duryss decide to see the fanfare and stand nearby.

Their carriage ride ends roughly as the carriage dragons stop suddenly. As the group watch through the window, the two royals jerk forward. The dragons hold their tongues as they try not to laugh.

"Prince Murray and Princess Marina of Aquarius City!" The announcer says as Constant and everyone including Iolene bows.

Murray hugs Iolene playfully as soon as he leaves the carriage. "It is wonderful to see you again. Still looking beautiful with your brown hair."

"Thank you, Murray you look, great!" Iolene beams. He does look great her admitting it. Him being locked up by bandits and travelling in the wilderness changed him. He looked weak and dishevelled for a man that focuses on talking and politics. Now a year later he looks strong as he now has defining muscles. His light blue hair grew long and grew a beard. Wearing light robes that reveal his chest.

His younger sister Princess Marina steps out and stretches, cracking her neck and back. "Ugh, I hate carriages... I miss the endless sea and my ship. Clifford is probably going to be eaten by my crew."

Murray rolls his eyes. "You wanted to come!" Leaning forward to whisper in Iolenes ear "She has been insufferable through this whole journey. I am trying not to kill her..."

Iolene giggles.

Marina looks at everyone and notices Iolene. "Do I know you?" She says annoyed.

"Hello Marina..." Iolene says cheerfully.

"Iolene? Is that you!? You are a woman now..." Marina says just as happy running up to hug her. Iolene smelled the sand and sea on her. Her head is still shaven but now has a new tattoo on her scalp. Marina lets go and see's the dagger. "You still have it!" Saying excitedly. "To be honest I thought you would have lost it. Did you use it?"

"Yes, I did!" Iolene says with pride.

"Did they die?"

"No, only injured and they used it against me." Iolene remembers the cut on her thigh. "Besides I don't kill... I help the sick and injured."

Gervais then announces lunch is served. Murray asks for the three to dine alone as they eat in the smaller dining room. Much to Eidith's disappointment, but to everyone's relief she did not cause a scene.

The rest decided to have lunch outside underneath the clear blue sky. Where the dragons can also join them and enjoy each other's company.

A wonderful spread of salads, slices of various breads, butter, cold meat, and cheese. Simple food for a simple day. Iolene eagerly grabbed slices of sourdough.

Iolene looks at Marina across the table wishing she still had her letters of adventures. But Akvor got rid of most of them. For many years Marina and the other siblings knew Iolene as an adopted bastard daughter of Vivian and Mortimer (Iolenes grandparents). A case of pity and sorrow after losing Laelia and having no other children.

Murray knew of Iolene's secret years before his sister Grand Princess Nerida. Heir to the Light Blue country and seat of power Aquarius City. He found out by accident when he overheard a conversation between his parents with his aunt and uncle. Murray always treated Iolene as a fellow royal, unlike the others. Eventually telling her he is part of the reason she went to Watersgate.

Iolene happily asks them questions about their time in Lan-Se.

Murray begins. "It was difficult not going to lie... We are not exactly the best land fighters; we learned that the hard way. At the battle of Ishi Pass, we lost fifty-three men and thirty-one dragons in less than a day. We had to learn how to use their swamplands, rivers and lakes to our advantage. The mud became a great weapon for us, as blue dragons struggled to keep balance on slippery mud. They had to use balancing gear just to keep up and you have so many of those made. But the generals and I have sent letters to father to update our battle strategies on land."

"Clifford and I had the battle of rock shore. Their attempt to invade Lan-Se from the north. Even though I would not exactly call it a battle. More of a slaughter... Their puny ships were no match for our dreadnaughts. The light-blue draconium metal plating made it impossible for mag attacks and their cannons to penetrate. Not to mention our ships are triple the size, I just wished I saw their faces as we rammed into their ships like it was nothing. AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS FUNNY!" Marina shouts. "THEIR SHIPS ARE MADE OUT OF PINE WOOD! AND THEY USE OARS! FUCKING OARS!" Marina laughs as she drinks straight from a bottle of wine.

Iolene remembers that Light-Blue dreadnaughts use draconium engines. Gold created them but Light-Blue mastered them. Engineers are the only people who keep the ship moving. Iolene in her mind's eye from seeing the Empress of the sea. The ships are magnificent their bows decorated with different dragon designs. The colours are painted in different blues to camouflage against the enemy.

To her disappointment she did not get to see King Idris's port. Known to be one of the largest in the world, as it holds the world's largest ships. She only saw them at a distance sailing on the sea from the hospital window, as she worked.

"Keep it down Marina... I think the city heard you." Murray says frustrated as takes a bite of bread. Afterwards, Iolene tells them of her journey to Unmei.

"Your grandparents were furious when they found out. I could feel it in the letter they sent me. They sent me to punish you, but I was too busy." Murray winks at Iolene with a wry smile.

As lunch finished Mali, Stein, Lei, Constant, Iolene, Aaron, Lexi, Murray and Marina met in Constant's office. A large map of the world is set up. Each country is coloured by their distinctive draconium energies. Gold, Red, Green, Blue, Black, Orange, Light-Blue, Light-Green, Purple, Brown and Turquoise.

"It is an old map..." Murray says sadly.

"Indeed." Said Marina.

Gervais in a rush changes to the new map. The countries of Gold, Light-Green and half Green have been painted a dark purple. Taking up the north and majority of the south of Draconis, it looked intimidating. Their land is massive and Inclementia the Black capital sits in the middle of a massive land mass.

Iolene with her index finger strokes the south, a dark purple mark that used to be gold country. "This land once belonged to my family... I have seen its magnificence in my ancestors' memories" she said sadly. "I want to see it in person..." Her heart sank as she will have to fight for it. Pointing to the drawing of Loan now renamed Dragon-City. The city is massive, large buildings where dragons were able to walk freely. White Marble buildings, gold statues, massive colosseums where they hosted tourneys and races, clean red-bricked roads, illustrious palaces, mansions, chateaus, and dragon dens. The many gardens of Empress Arina... Iolene trying not to cry bites her lip. Her family and their dragons built this masterpiece of a city... I want to go home... My real home...

Murray begins by saying an update on the Blue Empire. "Most of our soldiers have left the Blue Empire, leaving a few garrisons over the southern region. It could take potentially years for the south to recover. Towns and villages were destroyed along with Unmei. Father has sought to send twenty merchant ships of cargo to help them rebuild. Many of the southern lord families who committed Seppuku have been disposed of with all lands and titles removed. With their lands and title being awarded to Zhens allies. Most notably the Saito clan, with Empress Zhen officially proclaiming Arai Saito as warden of the south. Aika's marriage to Cheng has been officiated and they bedded."

Lei tenses up as he holds Iolenes hand. "I wanted to save her from my brother..." He whispered.

Iolene felt dread for poor Aika... She was such a sweet girl. Pushed to marry Cheng. Terrified to think of what happened that night. Such horror... Iolene left a note in her mind to send her another letter. She hoped this time she will get a response.

"Some revolts happened but they were quickly squashed." Murray finishing.

"And that is that., the war is now over," Mali said. "Now to begin a new one." Giving Iolene a nod. Everyone remains quiet as they looked at her.

Iolene focuses on the map. This is really happening; they are waiting for me... This is the beginning of my council... Trying to hide her nervousness she lets go of Lei's hand and braces herself by leaning on the table.

"Let us begin..." She announces as Constant brings out a large wooden box. Taking out wooden figures of each country sigil. The five-pointed curved gold star, the blue lightning bolt, painted red flame, the green fist, the black dragon eye, orange ankh, light-blue ocean waves, the light-green key, a sigil of purple six purple eyes, streaks of white wind, a brown mountain and turquoise echo of song.

"We first need to discuss my allies, enemies and neutral." Starting with Blue Iolene explains when she and Zhen spoke. "She pledged to me her allegiance and gave me her oath." Constant places gold and blue figurines on the blue part of the map.

Lei inputting that he is the voice of his mother in this council. "We have forty-thousand human soldiers and fifty thousand dragons able to leave. We could have more. However, we are still suffering from a food and labour shortage and still need to prepare for war with gears and weapons."

"I thank you for your support and I am grateful." Iolene says kindly.

There is no questioning the allegiance of the Light-Blue Empire. Iolene was raised and grew up hidden in the city's underground temple. Laelia her mother was a duchess and Empress of the gold empire. Is the aunt of Murray and Marina. Their armies have yet to be improved, but their navy is stellar. Having twenty thousand dreadnaughts. They have been planning this moment since the night of tears.

"Queen Hara has also proclaimed support," Stein says placing gold and brown together on the map. "I am the voice of Queen Hara and Montahan. They have twenty thousand humans and twenty thousand dragons ready. But they are encouraging more of their citizens to join. They lost many lives during the five-year war. Give them time they will be ready."

Iolene nods as she understood.

"What about the White Empire?" Lei asks.

"Unsure... They have had a weak standing for the past few decades. Their leader chancellor Volantriss is a feeble leader, and she was the best senator they had. They will crack under pressure... Just don't know whose pressure. The occupied Gold lives next door all they need to do is take it." Constant says.

"But they had not..." Iolene points out, the country on the map remains white. The Black Empire has taken every opportunity to invade. The cowards... But they did not take advantage of White... Did they have no use for them?

"Exactly, they cannot be trusted. They probably live under Armageddon's whim." Constant replies.

"Lord Nero." Iolene corrects. I will never call him by that stupid name and give him satisfaction. Traitor...

"We must not forget, Volantriss voted for the Shadow Emperor to have dominion over green. Along with purple..."

Aaron nods as placed purple and black along with white and black figures on their respective countries. Stein picks up the eye from white.

"We should at least discuss matters. Volantriss may be a flimsy leader. But there are some wealthy families who have been our allies for thousands of years... Or until the great war of Elerah's Bluff. But it has been hundreds of years since then. I saw some of their names on the invitation. Maybe they were lucky like Constant and were given leniency." Stein looks at Iolene. "It is a risk, but we are beginning to start a war. We need all the help we can get."

Iolene nods again and agreed. She herself had already taken risks by seeing Erena Morningstar. Stein has no knowledge of it. Iolene still felt unsure if she did the right thing... Nothing has happened to her yet which gave her confidence that Erena has said nothing.

"What of the Red Empire?" Iolene asks. Trying to keep her mind away from Erena. She looks at Lexi intently.

"Unfortunately, Iolene I have no authority over the political workings of my home. I have Kenneth but he has decided to stay back and relax. Even if he did speak to the Elders, they would not listen to him. They are a stuffy bunch who relish in their own greatness. Same with me... I am just a little pawn to them."

Iolene understood Kenneth deserved a good rest. Losing most of his leg saving her. "Have you told him of how grateful I am to him?" She said sweetly.

Lexi smiles. She missed Kenneth... She missed her home... She is your charge, Lexi... He said to her before he left. He was to stay with the group. But it was too much... So he and his dragon Pyromancer travelled home.

"If we can help the Red Empire claim all of Green that will be a sure alliance..." Iolene looking at Green country split. Red in the south and Black in the north. The Green Empire is no more... Green draconium may grow but that is all it is.

Stein glances at Lexi. Her smile is large, no doubt she liked the sound of that. They have been spending far too much time together. The Black Empire invades for sport. But history has taught me, Red is just as dangerous. Iolene is sixteen, she needs wizen up quickly if we are to win.

Stein looks at Iolone with disapproval. "Iolene... There is another way to gain their favour. You must think of other options. If you help Red become the sovereign of Green. The green citizens will despise you. In reality that is not your decision to make and can have disastrous consequences in the future for you and your family." Stein grabs her hand as he takes her away from everyone's earshot. Noticing Lexi's smile vanished.

Stein still holding her hand. "Those people and dragons are in the same situation as you... Their citizens crave a rebellion. They may not be strong now... But give it time... Green folk are strong by will and determination. One day we shall hope to have their rebels by our side. For the time being though leave Green out of this."

Iolene swallows as she heard him speak. He is now counselling like he once did with Aelius and Laelia. Iolene thought of how true it is... One day Green rebels will plan like she is now. If she helped Red claim over the whole country, they could easily lose it. Red will demand Iolene's family to help them keep it. If they said no the alliance of Red and Gold will fall apart followed by more war.

"You are right... It is not my place to make such a deal. I am such a fool..." She says meekly. "I should think of the long term."

"It is balance... Every decision you make in councils weighs. You must be careful." He says encouragingly. "Empress Vatra still has an unwed son." He says gently. "Prince Elias is her second son. He is older by six years, but it is an opportune proposal."

Iolene tried her hardest to not vomit in front of everyone. She hated the discussion of marriage... But in her heart, she knew she would have to take vows. A wedding, then bedding, then thinking of herself cradling a large belly, heavy with child. She nods with acceptance as she sees Aaron on the other side of the table. Standing behind Mali with his arms crossed. His face has a soft expression. Why does he have to be so handsome? I wonder what is he thinking. Her mind eased by the thought of Aaron. But her other thoughts begin to overcrowd as her imagination took hold and turned Aaron into a total stranger. Dread filled her even worse. "We shall look into it..." That is all she could say.

"Good girl..." Stein says encouragingly.