Chapter Five: A Dragons Past

Like all nights Beau stares up at the sky. Sitting in the palace gardens alone. The stars shining brightly have always amazed him, something that seems so basic is beautiful to admire. A brief storm reprieve as the clouds parted, leaving a hole so the clean sky can be seen. Mali tried to teach Beau how to see constellations. But the wild dragon did not understand only laughing at the small man. How do they even form a picture? Beau asks himself. Tutting in annoyance, he cannot see and only admires the sparkling dots above.

The Seashell Palace is something he never imagined. The main buildings look like actual seashells... To Beau's relief, the palace halls are large enough for the average dragon to walk inside. He has a room and not a stable... It is a nice set up to be sure. He has a large bed with a mattress and pillows. Unlike Constants mansion which is a basic wooden square with hay in it. This is much more comfortable and less itchy, Beau admits. Nice and warm away from the cold and storm weather.

Stretching his back, it cracks satisfyingly as Iymp walks up behind him and decides to sit next to him. The dragons chitter in happy greetings. Not needing to speak the human tongue.

"Looking forward to Dominus Sahara?" Iymp asks Beau. The red dragon has been with Lexi all day today. Beau sees their training techniques from afar. Iymp breathing fire surprised him, but Iymp couldn't hold it for long as the fire causes him to cough. Lexi jumps off to help aid her dragon. Her face... She fretted to see if Iymp was okay. Beau watches them from a distance. As Aaron practiced with any weapon behind him.

Mali is now starting draconium lessons for the two. Aaron is excited to learn something new he will find useful. Beau's natural power has grown considerably since his change.

Iymp wants to spend as much time with her as possible, he will undoubtedly miss his human partner. Beau could feel suppressed anger when Iymp told him. Beau now has to spend more time with Aaron or Duryss, to keep himself preoccupied. Aaron and Iolene endlessly conflict in Beau's mind, I hate humans, I HATE them! He thinks every moment he is in the same room as them. Yet the thought never shows in his actions, leaving Beau bewildered when a strange emotion comes. His heart feels strange in moments he does not understand. Yet it is always when Aaron and Iolene are around...

"I am indeed!" Beau says enthusiastically. "A city ruled by dragons! Humans barely have any power. Could be a paradise for us."

"I'd be careful with that line of thinking. Humans are assholes and are far from perfect. But the Orange Empire is cruel to other dragons who are not like them..." Iymp warns shuddering through his back. Seeing their breed for the first time at the gala. When he was told their brains are visible. He really did not think of it like that... Their brains are massive for their head size. Aaron says they have a special coating that is like skin protecting their brains. Still creeping Iymp out... His intrusive thoughts to poke their brain to see if it is squishy and gooey. Orange scales, with a blue underbelly. Walking gracefully as they are taught to walk a certain way from birth. Iymp did not speak to them, preferring to speak with his own kind. "Dragons are enslaved there as well." Iymp finished his sentence.

"You sound scared..." Beau mocks.

"I am... Reading books from the priesthood, the amount of shit I have read." Iymp simply says. "Only a fool isn't afraid, are you a fool Beau?"

"I am no fool!" Beau jokes. He has always wanted to see Dominus Sahara. The capital city of the Orange Empire. The dragons rule the city with no human intervention and are kept as slaves. His father never supported them for they still affiliate with humans. The orange dragons live too much of a human lifestyle. Houses, temples, foods, and personal items. Father did not like it one bit. Dragons are wild, belonging to the forests, and mountains... They have no need for such luxuries, his father said repeatedly. Beau admits to himself that he is beginning to have a taste of such richness. Loving not to go and hunt, to only fail, the food is already hunted and gathered. No such worries for these people...

The times of hunting were rough back at Beau's old home, in the valley of Thaddeous. Rabbits and small animals became the norm since deer or other larger animals were hard to come by. Beau ate after his father and brother with respect to the Alpha hierarchy. He was starving most days... And starving for a dragon is harder to cope than a human. Dragons are inherently powerful and strong, but the bodily cost is high. After starving for a day or even missing breakfast. The body immediately feels weakened as their draconium powers cost energy. Dragons in the wild who starve at highest last a week. After being with Iolene he has never felt so full after each meal and clean. He had no idea how weak he really was...

"Beau... If they discover, you are a gold dragon. They WILL imprison and experiment on you." Iymp says seriously.

"I have perfected my scale colour-changing power." Beau points out. But there are times when he is far too weak and tired his camouflage fades. His blue scales revert to the unique black and gold scales, the world has not witnessed in twenty years.

Stein even once tried to imprison Beau like Iolene. Did not bode well with the wild dragon. Stein kept his distance since then. But Beau knows not to push the old man... Even Beau can feel Stein's powers are far beyond the average person. Stein has shown restraint with his powers, same with Mali. He has never seen them use their powers to their full potential. Curious to see what that looks like...

Beau yawns as the night goes on. The clouds cover the sky once more as thunder can be heard. Lightning can be glimpsed in the distance. Tiny drops of rain can be felt...

"What about Aaron and Iolene?" Iymp asks.

"Iolene has been in the library doing what, I don't know... What about Aaron? He can do whatever he wants. He is no responsibility of mine." Beau says with no care. As a feeling of utter dread came upon him. His heart felt strange as he roared those words.

"Stop lying to yourself..." Iymp replies. "You care for the boy. He is going to need us..." Iymp says. He has gotten close to Aaron since meeting him more than a year ago. Aaron is a great hunter and is generally a nice boy. He has issues to be sure, but he tries to hide them as best he can. Lexi used to play with him as a special buddy... But Aaron and Lexi are still close friends. Lexi asked to help keep Aaron safe while he is there. Iymp accepted the task.

Beau sighs as he continues to gaze up at the sky. He does like Aaron enough. They train together almost every day. Aaron can do the basics of riding on his back without falling off. Which is good for Beau as he doesn't have to worry about him slipping.

But Beau much prefers to stare up at the sky like he is now or to be with his own kind in the wild. Beau admits to himself that he has gotten stronger, since being with Aaron. He can oddly feel Aaron's presence when he appears. Iymp explains to him that is a good sign, their souls are tuning together as they should. Iymp tells Beau how he can sense Lexi and can feel her fear if she is in danger.

Beau sighs as he tries to shake the thought Aaron away. He hates humans... They are awful spiteful, prideful creatures. Inclementia proved it to him. They transformed him into a monster. He couldn't control himself as he violently attacks anyone in his path. But then... Iolene saved him, a human... The level of self-shame could not be described at that moment. Eventually, as time passed he accepted it. But his father Tyrannous will murder him if he ever found out.

Tyrannous the Alpha leader of his herd. In human terms, he will be considered a king. The dragons' respect or are terrified of him. Beau is both, even though his father does not show the same love he does for Ironclad. Beau aspired to be like Tyrannous, even though the dream is far-reaching. Ironclad was destined to be the next leader of the herd. But Lan-Se changed all that... Ironclad is clearly working for the Black Empire. What happened to Ironclad? He hoped his brother is still alive to answer questions. Is father still alive? Where is the herd? Why did he join the Black Empire?

Thinking of his mother and sister often. He hopes they are safe, still living in the wilds. Along with Myshka... She was left behind in Inclementia. He hopes she was never harmed. There will be a time when he can go back north. But everyone is right going back is far too dangerous for a dragon like him. He will be alone in his venture as no one is planning to even go there. Not even Iymp... He is only going to Dominus Sahara to protect Aaron and Beau.

"Beau, are you alright?" The red dragon chirps.

"Just lost in my own thoughts..." Beau replies.

"We should go back inside." Says Iymp as the rain starts to soak the two dragons.

Beau nods in agreement as the stars are now completely covered by the dark clouds.