Chapter Twenty: A Good Morning

Iolene felt nervous as the gala is tomorrow. She has practiced every dance and re-introduced herself to the harp. Constant buying one as he knew Iolene can use it to impress the other high borns.

Iolene was incredibly grateful when she first saw it. It was more beautiful than her standard harp, back at the temple. Her new harp is wood carved into angels, and butterflies and painted with gold.

Lei and Lexi read books in the corner enjoying the ambiance. Stein and Lei make sure Lexi learns Turquoise etiquette. Using fire tricks will get old quickly and she will need to learn how to hold a conversation. But unlike Iolene, Lexi can afford to be lazy. But heeding their advice she is revising the history of both nations. With the library, Constant has she can easily access information. Lexi was surprised that the Red Empire occupied Turquoise for seven years. Weirding herself that at one point her country was known as "the villains." Opening her eyes to find out more and make sure she does not follow the mistake of Queen Helene and her lover Priestess Vesta. Lexi sipped her tea as she read of the unnecessary sacrifices of innocent people. Vesta... You knew that is not how it works... Lexi thought of the sacrifice rituals. There is much to it that the average person outside of the order does not know. Lexi went through it herself; she killed a man in combat. She no longer remembers his name... No matter how much she tried. It has been years since then. She glances up at Lei who is just as quiet as she is.

Lei's injuries have mostly healed since the night of the kidnapping, thanks to Iolene. However, he and Fred made everyone keep silent over the matter. The last thing Lei wanted is more scandal when his orientation has quelled enough problems at home. His mother would surely be impressed... Especially keeping the kidnapping quiet as his mother will DEMAND him to return home. Fred in the meantime stays away from everyone due to his harmed ego. As far as everyone knew Fred is riding his dragon Duryss around the city.

Aaron walks into the music room after sword training. Everyone says good morning to him happily while Iolene concentrates on playing the harp. Exhausted he slumps on an empty couch as a servant offers lemonade. Happily taking it and thanking the servant as Constant noticed it perks Aaron up.

Aaron relaxes as the early morning sun gently shined through the window. The Gold Empress wearing a baby blue gown that is long enough to spread on the floor around her. She looks so graceful and ethereal Aaron could not help but admire her beauty. No wonder why she chose the harp... So gentle and relaxing. Staring at Iolene, Stein gives Aaron a look of disapproval. Was I that obvious? Aaron quickly shifts his gaze to Constant and Mali. The two are having a whispering conversation. Constant laughs as they must be having a light conversation.

Iolene finishes the song as she winces in pain. Looking at her hands the cuts and bruises on her fingers began to hurt. Mali grabs her hand gently as he changes her finger bandages. "You should stop now, my Empress..." Mali gently says, her agreeing.

Everyone claps as Iolene did a quick bow.

"Good thing I have gloves to wear for the ball," Iolene says. The last thing she needs is people gawking at her injured hands. The people in this country get disgusted by a paper cut. But it is the price of music. She must highlight her skill tomorrow night to impress the Queen.

"That was really beautiful," Aaron said enamoured.

Iolene smiles as she playfully thanks him. "How was your training?" she asks Him.

"Normal... Same thing every day." Aaron jests. "Running, swordplay, push-ups, archery..." Aaron pauses as he wanted to practice with Iolene again. She must keep up those skills. But the gala is important, she does not need to use a bow. "Talking to Constant's men. They are fun to be around."

Iolene smiles as she is happy that Aaron is content. Noticing he has lowered his defences and freely speaks more.

"Beau and Iympetus have returned." Speaks Constants, head steward. Everyone meets the dragons outside. As the dragons have been gone all night. Iymp has a large smile on his face of pure mocking. Wearing his favourite large feather hat that he stole.

Beau is a different story as he expressed frustration. Aaron tries his hardest not to laugh as he sees a giant red bow on the gold dragon's neck. "Oh no... What did they do to you?!" Aaron says aloud. Noticing the makeup on his face. He laughs hard and loud as he bends over, trying to compose.

Beau grunts and rolls his eyes. The white powder on his face itched and his mouth felt odd as his lips are painted red. His eyes watering as the eyeliner accidentally hit his eyeball when Evelyn applied it. She did not apologise and continued putting make-up on him. His claws are even painted red, but the amount of scratching he has done damaged the paint... Feeling like he is choking as a bow is wrapped around his neck. Beau scratches the floor damaging the pavement. His tail swings erratically accidentally knocking a plant pot and smashing it into pieces.

Everyone tries their best not to laugh by biting their lips and tongues.

Lexi whispered in Lei's ear that Beau looks like a clown.

Beau is maddened as he roars with full force at them. Iolene rushes to comfort him by gently stroking his face and scratching his nuzzle. "Oh, you beautiful boy... I am sorry, Thank you..." She whispered to him. "This must be so embarrassing for you." It must be so hard on him... Still far from his home and is trying to help me. And we laugh at him. All though he does look silly... Iolene gave him a peck on the cheek.

Beau sighs as he just wanted to roll in the mud. The makeup is itchy, and he wanted it off. Beau nudges Iolene as softly as he could. Iolene then realised to scratch around the eyes and cheeks. The makeup started to crack and break off as it became hard and dry.

"Come on Beau, let's get that shit off you," Aaron said as he leads Beau around to the stable. Preparing buckets of water as Iolene prepped the dragon grooming tools. Beau annoyed at Aaron for laughing at him, refused to face him.

"Iolene! You do not have time! Leave Aaron to clean him!" Stein shouts from the mansion. "COME!"

Iolene turns and leaves knowing that she will be practicing her dancing. Her feet are already blistering enough from the shoes, she will be needed to wear extra padding in her heels. Giving Beau a quick kiss on the nuzzle before running away.

Aaron fills up all the buckets that can be used to carry water. Taking him a while as he filled ten of them. To his relief, the waterspout is just outside.

"Alright let's start." Aaron pours water all over him, causing Beau to shiver as the water is cold. Aaron then used a hard brush to rid of dead scales and makeup. To Beau, it felt like a blissful scratch. The dragon smiles as he could not hide his relief.

"This will be over soon; the gala is tomorrow... Sorry for laughing. But those dragons from the den made you look like a clown. You don't need any of this crap." Aaron starts to talk as he scrubs Beau's face. Beau grunts curiously at the word clown, as he has heard of them. But he did not know what they did. Beau tilts his head trying to reach his question across, for he did not speak the human tongue.

Aaron suggested random words until the one Beau wanted to hear. "Clowns?" Beau nods yes.

"They are fools, trained or forced to make people laugh. They wear baggy clothes, heavy make-up, and wacky coloured wigs. Supposed to make you laugh and smile, children mainly love them... Or fear them." Aaron laughs as he feels unsettled by clowns. "I saw one for myself on the street once in Watersgate... He scared me, poor man. Just living and working as many others do." He giggles as Beau laughs with him. "I ran straight back into kennels."

Beau feels his face refreshed as the makeup is finally off him. His disguised blue scales shone after a good clean.

"After the gala if it goes well and we don't die. The next destination is my nightmare... And there won't be clowns." Aaron said with deep sadness. "This place is nothing compared to Dominus Sahara."

Beau's eyes opened wide as he heard those words. Dominus Sahara... The city that dragon's rule. He has been curious about Orange country. His father spoke of it frequently in his puphood. Deserts, heat, pyramids, and massive temples. It is a modern civilisation where humans are slaves and work at dragon whims. However, his father never approved of Asotele... They love their gold and wealth, he said. The human construct... Father didn't want to be with humans at all... Wanting to kill them all and begin the world again with only dragons. Asotele and his followers still wanted to keep their slaves. Beau's father failed in regard about convincing them to destroy all their slaves. In the end Asotele wanted nothing to do with the separatists and cherished their refreshed alliance with the Shadow Emperor.

The disguised gold dragon turns his head as Aaron scrubs his rump. Aaron's fear of the Orange Empire cannot be hidden as he scrubbed harder. Beau remembered the mouth brace Mali showed them. He did not know why Mali kept it. Beau imagines the brace on Aaron's head. A metal contraption with sharp barbs that imbed into the gums and is tightened by a turning mechanism. It can only be loosened and tightened by a key. He could not eat normally or speak. Even Beau couldn't imagine how agonizing it would be. He gently chirps at Aaron as he tries to speak like him. The scrubbing started to hurt and does a short shriek. Shocking Aaron to lose his focus.

"Sorry... I am so sorry..." Aaron walks to Beau and looks into his gold eye again, stroking his cheek. "Hey, you will like Dominus Sahara. Dragons rule the place without interruption. But you still need to be careful. They like enslaving their dragons as much as humans. You're smart, so keep to your wits and do dragon things. Just don't grab their attention too much."

Beau tilts his head again and listened to his advice. What? They enslave other dragons. That's not possible... Dragons don't do that to each other. They enslave humans and humans alone... No... They are DRAGONS!

"All nice and clean!" Aaron proudly says. "Not even a speck of dirt on you. If only you can parade with your real colours. You would look magnificent... Your gold scales would shine and reflect the sun. Such a shame, but it's for your safety."

Aaron then starts scratching under Beau's chin. Beau smiles as it felt amazing. He cannot scratch underneath his large and long chin by himself.

"You like that huh?" As Aaron jumps onto Beau's bare back. Examining Beau's old scar that he received from his brother Ironclad. Patting Beaus' shoulder with encouragement.

Beau without hesitating races out of the stable. To ride around the arena. What am I doing? He wanted to ride outside and here I am with him outside... Aaron on his back closes his eyes. Beau races faster around the arena. Beyond his usual ability. All the soldiers and dragons move out of the way. Beau looks at the wall surrounding the estate. Beau felt he can jump over it with ease.

"Beau, STOP!" Aaron shouts as he realised what Beau planned to do. Beau did not listen as he raced forward. Aaron scoffs as he jumps of off landing on his two feet, Beau slows down to his usual running pace. Beau stops, looking back at Aaron with annoyance. Roaring at him as Aaron stood with arms crossed.

"It's too dangerous..." Aaron simply says.

Beau scoffs and looks up at the wall. I can easily jump and climb like I did last time. This time though... I felt like I could fly over the wall... But when Aaron jumps off. It felt like a part of me left. What is happening to me?

Mali watches on from the window as Iolene and Constant dance the waltz. It has become a habit of his, to observe everyone around him. Aaron hated Beau at first, fearing him... Oleander was savagely killed by that dragon, souring Aaron further. Remembering that night in the village near Chuma. Beau was sick and could not control himself. It felt so long ago to him. Now Beau is cured and has seemingly changed both inside and out. He knew well that Beau is a wild dragon at heart. Will he ever betray us? Mali's mind lingered. Iolene saved his brother Ironclad in Unmei. A move he hoped she will not regret later. His brother is a general for the Black Empire... Iymp relayed information to him. Mali's heart eased as he watched Beau walk towards Aaron calmly.