Chapter Three: Aarons' Resolve
Iolene sneaks away from Lei and Lexi, after their small lunch. Using the excuse to go back to her room to read. The storm ravaged on as rain can be heard outside. So it is obvious she won't stroll through the city in such dangerous weather. Walking through the large maze of thin hallways where the human servants lived. Reminding her of the Palace of Voices, the servant quarters are underground. No windows are seen as it is only doors, so no natural sunlight can be seen. The dark walls are made of brick as it is not painted over to be fancy. It reminded her of the temple... But unlike the temple, they don't have statues or immaculate glowing imagery carved into the pillars and walls. The torch sconces are placed at every two feet, as it can get dark underneath. Iolene remembered the temple had ancient carved images lighting the way as you walk past. It is beautiful as someone those carvings are made of Light Blue draconium. But the servant level is not so fancy to have such a thing.
Iolene is confused as to which door is possibly Aaron's. Having not seen him since yesterday's meeting, she is desperate to talk to him. Quickly she opens the doors ajar and takes a peek. Hoping no servants notice as they are all working upstairs. Opening door after door, Many empty as some are key locked. Iolene accidentally opened a door as a servant slept. Iolene quietly shuts the door as if he must have been a night worker. Eventually, she finds Aaron's room by seeing his old sword resting next to the bed.
Iolene shuts the door and sits on his bed. It is nicely made she noticed. Thinking repeatedly in her mind about, what to say to him. Her hands clenched on her dress while her legs shake as she waited. Looking around his room. The King gave him servant quarters, much to her dismay. Her explaining to them that he deserves a guest room, even Murray has his input. Remarking Aaron has more than earned it, but it was not to be... Aaron is a bastard, the Light Blue Empire sees them with dismay. As bastards here have a long problem of usurpation, they are not trusted with their noble blood. Iolene sighs as being poor or being low-born here is still a hindrance in someone's life. Murray has sought to change that... Beginning to speak with other bastards, to help them get accepted into society. She is happy to hear it. Murray was uncertain of Aaron at first. Even when she was little, her devastation of never seeing Aaron again, swayed him to try and do something. Slavery is illegal in the Light-Blue Empire and Aaron possibly being sold is a cause for concern. Especially from Teryn Caspian a highly revered man. Nothing came from it as there was no proof until Aaron reappeared. Aaron can testify... But Teryn is a loved man by his people, even full well abandoning his son in his time of need...
She could not imagine the loneliness Aaron must have felt. He had no one... Only the thoughts of his mother. She remembered when Aaron spoke of her. When she first met him as Sabreal, she died a few months before. He was still grieving over her... Aaron said by accident that she was a woman of the night. It never mattered to Iolene what Aaron's mother did. Aaron is a good boy, harmless and kind. With how he is, she must have been loving and wonderful to raise such a boy. Aaron had no ego, only desperation to please others... He wanted love.
Iolene was so mad when he lied about who he was. He wanted to hide as she now understood. For he knew being himself was not enough. Iolene regrets being mad at him, it was so stupid... For their argument was the last they spoke alone, he held wildflowers... They were colourful and beautiful, she remembered. She didn't take them for she was mad at the lie, his half-brothers revealed the truth. She hates being lied to... For the priesthood always lied to her. Especially Akvor...
She grabs onto his pillow and cries. I was such a fool... Regretting that day. She should have stayed...
Ever since the reveal of Mali going to Dominus Sahara. Aaron has been avoiding everyone. Iolene thinks that he must be exercising and training. It explained why he has not been practicing his reading and writing. Aaron is usually hard training two to three hours a day. Even when traveling and in terrible weather, he does not stop. It impressed her as she admired his dedication.
"Do you have to go?" Iolene asks to herself worried. Dominus Sahara... The Orange Empire... I lost him to that horrible place once. Why must he go again?
Iolene gazes up to the plain white roof. Everything is so white... It is plain and empty as he never asks for anything unique to decorate his space. Her only noticing his bag on the nearby small table.
His old sword sits leaning next to his bed. Still shiny as he cleans it regularly still. Curious to see how heavy it is. Aaron wields it with such ease... Iolene planned to pick up the sword as Aaron walks inside. Surprising him and oddly her. Iolene pretended that she didn't try anything. As the massive sword thunks heavily on the floor. Clearing her throat as she sways her arms. Having no idea how to start.
"Iolene? What are you doing?" He asks while picking up his sword, on its original spot, leaning it on the wall.
"Why are you returning to Dominus Sahara!?" She blurts out angrily. While she shuts the door behind him, keeping it private between the two. Iolene leans on the door so no one can interfere. "Why!?" She asks with tears in her eyes. "Why would you willingly go back!?"
Aaron pretends to think hard with funny facial expressions while smiling at her. "For you..."
Her heart felt as if his sword pierced her. FOR ME!? She is speechless as she refused to look at his handsome face. Tapping the back of her head on the door. "I know this an opportunity to make an enemy an ally. You don't have to go, be safe here, with me... Mali can hire mercenaries." She said. "I don't want you to throw yourself away because of me. YOU DISAPPEARED FOR SEVEN YEARS! Enslaved in a nation that you have described many times as horrifying!"
Aaron gently grabs her hand and leads her sit on his bed. Iolene having such a pouty look he tries not to laugh. Recalling that same face when she was little. You were so stubborn in petting those hounds... So angry after a mother hound nearly bit you and you were mad at me. When I saved you, from your own recklessness.
Aaron holds her hand tightly as she leans her head on his shoulder. "I lived there for seven years..." He says softly. "I don't want to go back. But I know the city, speak prisshek, the culture. Mali needs me, for him and Khafra to succeed. Mali also trusts me, and I him. I know for a fact we won't betray each other."
"Khafra?" Iolene asks. "Don't trust him..."
Aaron laughs as he tries to hide his nerves. "Of course, I will not trust him... Mali has been friends with Khafra for years. That was when Mali and I first met, Mali was paying Khafra a visit... He will pledge allegiance to your cause. So you will have Light-Blue, Brown, Blue, and possibly Orange on your side. Khafra will give information for him to be on the orange draconium throne."
Iolene thought carefully. Wary to have such a possible ally... The Orange Empire has always had a terrible history with her family. However, King Marlowe and Grand Princess Nerida gave Mali his blessing. The Light-Blue Empire is the northern neighbours' to the Orange Empire. Light-Blue had a war against the Orange Empire seventy years ago. It lasted a year and was short-lived. But it is a continuing problem for the two nations. Water trade disputes and slave trades always made the nation's peace time difficult to handle. The Light-Blue navy attack Orange ships all the time, if they sail too close. Freeing the slaves into refugee camps, much to Asoteles and Black Empires' dismay. So they try to sail as far into un terrain waters or use their easily accessible portals.
Iolene closes her eyes as it is so peaceful at this moment. The rain can be heard pouring from the outside. With all her heart she desires to follow him, to the ends of the Sand Sea. Viewing the large pyramids and sculptors of massive dragons, they look down at you with ferocious faces. But she knew it would be far too dangerous. Even seeing a human female brings them attention to make money. Especially a beauty such as herself. Aaron warned Lexi and she took a step back. Breeding farms full of human women... Prickles appeared on her skin as she thought of how terrible it is.
"But that is not all... I need to rescue another. Keyra, she helped me when I was enslaved." Aaron has barely spoken of Keyra. But she was always in his mind.
"Poor Keyra..." Iolene says sincerely. "Is, she your friend?" Asking carefully, clenching Aaron's hand tighter.
"She was very kind to me, under circumstances, even tried to convince nobles to buy me and get away from Isils' grasp... It is a condition, I made before I agreed to leave." Aaron gives Iolene a gentle smile to reassure her. He and Keyra did have fun many times. But Iolene does not need to know this.
"Help her Aaron and get her out of there. If anything tries and saves as many slaves as you can..." Iolene gently turns Aaron's head. Both of their golden eyes stared into each other. Like the meadow...
"I plan to..." Aaron says reassuring himself and her. No easy task as there are millions of slaves. Men, women, and children same as unfortunate dragons. He doesn't have any money. But life is a life. It is worth more than money. If he can save a life he will... His devastation reappears as he remembers the boy he tried to save, he didn't even know his name. A young boy of the look of ten, long brown hair unkempt, all of his skin burned pinkish red from continuous exposure to the harsh sun, filthy, starved, and scrawny. He reminded Aaron of himself just years earlier. Aaron's training as an Iqosha soldier, in his final steps, was to murder a child without hesitation. Aaron is a quick motion to attack the soldiers for the boy to escape. Only for Aaron to be imprisoned and tortured. The mouth brace was placed on him for punishment. What made it worse the boy failed to escape and was captured soon after Aaron gave him a way out. Seeing the dead child hanging high for everyone to see.
Aaron begins to break emotionally as he begins to cry. No matter of physical strength could hide his emotions or memories. Suppressing his memories even further away as they resurface. A voice echoes in his head, Everything hurts... Fight to live or sacrifice for another's power. As Aaron's mind eye sees a tall boy with brown hair, they were the same age. The mysterious boy holding a sword, as he is injured and scarred trying to kill Aaron again and again. The sword swung in repeat as Aaron dodged. "KILL ME!" the boys' voice shrieked in his head. Aaron's body freezes as he still remembers the voice of his past clearly to this day.
Iolene had no idea what to do, she hugs him tightly. Kissing his cheek as she asked no questions. She never saw him so broken as she has now. He cried for an hour as thunder can be heard above them...
He is so terrified... "You can-" Iolene says as Aaron interrupted.
"I am going!" He says as their eyes met again. Iolene... I am not free and never will be. Avery is no longer queen... I am still a slave a tool to be used by masters, my paperwork still rests in the slave archives. The slave registrar can still come after me, as Mali has not abided by slave laws. Isil can demand for me back as Mali has not used his purchase properly... It is a true fear I will forever have. But alongside this, I want you to be safe, so you can walk free without terror. Your freedom and the key is your ancestor's country. I will happily go to the place I loathe and fear for it to happen. For I know when this is all over, I can live in peace. You can protect me as I have protected you. Maybe I can have a little cottage home surrounded by greenery and flowers. Make a family of my own, to be a loving father and have a wife I can adore... To achieve this you will need a large army to get your home back. The Orange Empire will have secrets of the Black Empire that can help the cause. Once we fight for Gold Country and reclaim your family's old lands. A potential world war will begin and I will fight by your side.
His eyes turned red from the tears. He knew he looks awful... Some strong man I am, thinking of dreams that will never happen... Their foreheads touch as Iolene tries her best to comfort him. He recently bathed as he smelt of sandalwood. Aaron in turn gets a whiff of her hair, berries... Like the meadow, he desperately wanted to kiss her. Iolene leans forward for a kiss.
"You better go..." Aaron says sadly pulling his head back, as he strokes Iolenes cheek with his index finger. As his left-hand grabs her hand as he takes a few steps back. "Stein doesn't approve of us... They will be searching for you. I will see you at dinner." Letting go of her hand.
Iolene storms out of his room. Leaning on his door as she heavily breathes as her heart races. Placing her right hand on her chest. Swallowing hard as he did it to her again... She imagined that he kissed her with such passion, wanting Aaron to perform acts she saw in the Hall of Love. Her body is eagerly waiting for him to take her. For her lessons in life, it was always a man who sweeps the woman off her feet. Calming herself as her pulses can be felt in her temples. Takes deep breathes as she walks away from the room.
