Dragon Emperor 4

by Eric Vall

  “What is your name, child?” Julia asked as she stepped forward to join Ruslan at the gate.

  The woman corrected her posture and spoke in a clear, peaceful voice.

  “I am Ravi, daughter of Chief Fiyero.”

  “Chief Fiyero?” Alyona echoed, and she too stepped toward the woman. “That’s impossible, Chief Fiyero died a thousand years ago. He and all of his people.”

  “If you know of my father, then you know what I am,” Ravi said as she turned her attention to Alyona. “My father chose to hide my people away so we could live. Demons are attracted to our essence, so for a thousand years, we have roamed the desert, hiding from those who would do us harm.”

  “What exactly are you?” Ruslan asked.

  Ravi turned her head toward him.

  “Was my entrance not obvious enough?” she asked with a smirk. “Perhaps it would be easier to show you.”

  Ravi raised her right hand, and the action sent the sleeve of her robe over her body. Then a column of orange and red fire flashed in the spot she just stood.

  When the flames died down, Ravi was gone. In her place stood a medium sized bird, about the size of a falcon. It had orange, red, and golden feathers that seemed to shift and change with the light, and the tail feathers were long and extended out similar to a peacock.

  The bird spread its wings and lifted off into the sky, and flames trailed behind it as it swooped in the air. Before the bird could land, another column of fire erupted from the ground and collided with the bird. When the smoke and dust cleared, Ravi stood with a sweet grin on her face.

  “Ta-da!” she sang as she twirled, and her robe billowed behind as her hair sent a shower of golden feathers fluttering to the ground.

  I heard the startled gasps of my parents, and I stared in amazement. Suddenly, Valerra’s word from this morning ran through my head.

  “The desert holds many secrets,” I whispered.

  I looked back to the woman, and I wondered if Valerra even knew this girl existed. My brain was compiling all the information the girl had given me, and I couldn’t believe how long it had taken me to piece it together.

  “You’re a phoenix,” I said.

  Chapter 4

  Nike’s voice shattered the silence of my realization.

  “A phoenix?” the noble echoed. “How is this possible? Alyona was right, the phoenix tribes were slaughtered after the Breach ripped across the country. It was said they fought bravely, but in the end their essence of purity was no match for the demonic power of the miasma.”

  Ravi’s eyes burned with hatred at the mention of the miasma.

  “Many people of Rahma died in the days that followed the emergence of the Breach,” the phoenix replied, “but for my people, the number of deaths crippled our population. The miasma twisted their minds and destroyed their essence within seconds. In the time it took one human to fall under the miasma’s influence, ten phoenixes died.”

  Her voice was dark, and anger seeped into her words. She clenched her hands into fists, and the ends of her hair sparked with tiny red embers that danced off the strands and drifted toward the ground. Ash formed into little piles where they fell onto the earth, and the smell of smoke filled the air.

  “If your people were wiped out centuries ago, how are you here now?” I asked. “It sounds like you should be dead.”

  “Not all of us are gone,” she explained. “We have survived for a thousand years, hiding away from the rest of the world to protect ourselves. Only his majesty, the king, is aware of our survival.” She paused for a moment. “Well, the king, and now all of you.”

  “So, why have you come then?” Ruslan questioned. “If only the king is aware of your people, then surely you are meant to stay hidden away? Why risk exposure now?”

  “My people have been stalked by hideous creatures for months,” Ravi explained as she pursed her full lips. “We are unable to fight them off, so we flee. I no longer want to run away. I want to fight and stop these abominations once and for all.”

  Ruslan and Julia shared a look before my father walked over and grabbed me by the arm. Then he led us over toward the corner of the gate, away from Ravi and our friends.

  “What’s up, Pops?” I asked, but my eyes stayed focused on the phoenix and my people.

  Nike watched Ravi with narrowed, suspicious eyes, and he stood with his feet set apart, as if he was prepared to fight should the phoenix display any signs of aggression.

  Laika also moved and stood in front of Alyona, which forced the princess to stay away from the stranger. Alyona didn’t seemed bothered, though. She simply watched Ravi, and the princess’s gaze was only curious.

  “Julia and I are interested to know how you would like to proceed,” Ruslan said to me.

  “What do you mean?” I turned my attention away from the group as I looked at my father.

  “The last time I trusted my gut and let an outsider into our city, we all nearly died,” Ruslan said with a frown. “You were the only one of us to be wary of Olivier, and you saved us all. Which is why as the Elders of Hatra, Moskal, Julia, and I agreed the next time we needed to make any decisions in regards to strangers, we would trust and support you and whatever you decided. You will be the Lord of Hatra after me, so Ravi’s fate is in your hands. If you feel she is a threat, we will send her away. If you wish to let her stay, Julia will have a room prepared for her.”

  I looked toward Ravi, and my eyes watched her carefully. As she examined Julia’s fan, I could hear her coos of admiration over the colors and designs.

  “When Olivier first arrived, I knew he was up to something,” I muttered. “I felt it in my bones.”

  “So, you want to send her away?” Ruslan asked as his ears twitched, a sign of his discomfort.

  “I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “Ravi feels different. Her presence feels peaceful and kind, not corrupt and distrustful. I think she’s here under good intentions, so it might be worth it to hear her out. But we are stretched thin already, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to add ‘save mysterious princess from danger’ to our list.”

  “We do have a lot on our plate,” my adoptive father murmured thoughtfully, and I nodded in agreement.

  The new crop fields had only just been planted, and with Afra doing most of the work alone, they were not nearly as expanded as I would have liked. Food was not scarce, not by a long shot, but Hatra would soon be growing. We would have visitors, new settlers, trade partners, and others who would come to our city for any number of reasons. The last thing my people needed was for me to be distracted.

  I mentally sighed as I thought of all the things we had left to do.

  “We’ll let her explain what she needs help with, and she can stay, but only for a few days,” I decided. “We can feed her and let her rest, but I don’t think we should let her stay long.”

  Ruslan frowned and seemed disappointed with my answer, but he nodded nonetheless. I’d known my father wouldn’t agree, he was too trusting and kind to say no to anyone who needed help. That was why he’d trusted me with this decision. I knew what was best for Hatra, and I would always push aside my own personal emotions to ensure the safety of her people.

  “I will let Julia know to set up a room for the princess.” He turned to walk away, but I quickly grabbed his arm.

  “Pops, listen. I really wish we could help everyone, but we can’t.”

  “I know,” he sighed. “I’m not angry with you, my son. I’m just upset we have to tell Ravi she came here in vain, since we cannot help her or her people.”

  Then, with a tight smile, he continued toward Julia.

  He spoke quickly to Julia and Ravi, and I could see the moment Ravi received the news of my decision. Her face crumbled, and I could see her swallow hard before she nodded. Then Ravi and Julia walked toward the city, I assumed to find her a room to rest, and the phoenix avoided my eye as they passed by.

  I felt bad for her, since I knew she only wanted to help her people, but I
also knew I made the right choice. Ravi seemed strong, so I just hoped she could find another way to help her people.

  Alyona and Laika followed after them, then Ruslan and Anton. Nike fell behind and into step with me.

  “Do you trust her?” he asked, and he kept his eyes forward.

  “I don’t think she’s here to hurt us, I think she’s just desperate,” I replied with a frown. “But I can’t afford to trust her yet.”

  “Fear can make people dangerous,” Nike murmured in agreement. “I think we should keep an eye on her.”

  I pursed my lips in consideration. Nike was right, fear was a powerful emotion. With her control over fire, Ravi could bring devastation to Hatra if she chose, and the thought alone sent a wave of anger throughout my body.

  “Don’t worry, Nike,” I reassured the noble. “I will be watching her closely. Like I said, I don’t think she’s dangerous, but I also can’t get a good read on her. So far, she hasn’t displayed any hostility toward us, but that doesn’t mean she won’t.”

  “Ruslan told her we won’t help her people,” Nike said, and his eyes flickered over to me. “Was that his decision or yours?”

  “Mine,” I replied resolutely.

  “I thought so.” He nodded. “If it’s any comfort, I agree. With all the attacks and betrayals Hatra has been dealing with as of late, it is best if we do not interfere. Even if it would be a noble cause, we cannot afford the distraction.”

  “Thanks, Nike,” I said with a relieved smile. “I know Ruslan and Julia don’t like it, and I’m sure Moskal feels the same. There is just no way I could possibly stop everything I’m doing here to help a pretty girl save her people. Who, by all accounts, shouldn’t even exist anyways. My people have to come first.”

  Next to me, Nike nodded and stayed silent, and he seemed to be lost in thought.

  “I am curious how her people have lived so long with no one finding them,” he said after a long moment. “I know she mentioned the king is aware of her people, which leads me to believe he has something to do with how they survived. We should talk with her more before she returns to wherever the hell she came from.”

  I agreed with him. It was strange how Alyona and Nike believed phoenixes were extinct, yet Ravi was proof that they were still alive. She seemed to give us more questions than answers, and Nike was right, we needed to find out more about her.

  “We can talk to her later,” I decided, “once we’ve had the chance to alert everyone that we have a visitor.”

  We approached the heart of the city just as the sun began to set. The streets were turning dark, and the heat from the day was replaced with a comfortable coolness.

  I watched as Ravi and Julia stopped to talk to a woman along the side of the street, and I could hear Julia tell the woman to set up a sleeping area for Ravi for the night. A moment later, the woman bowed and took off toward the direction of the infirmary, probably to grab the extra blankets and pillows we stored there.

  “I have a few things I wanted to do before it gets too dark,” Nike said from beside me. “I’ll see you for dinner, Evan.”

  “Okay,” I replied as I glanced at him. “Maybe we’ll have the chance to talk to Ravi after dinner.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then.”

  Then with a single wave, Nike walked toward the magic cabin he and his people had arrived in. With most of the buildings in the city still under reconstruction, the citizens of Leyte had continued to use their flying cottage as their living quarters. Hopefully, we would have more rooms and sleeping areas completed within a few weeks.

  I continued straight down the road and joined up with Alyona and Laika, who were in a tense conversation over Ravi. I caught up with them right as Alyona began toying with one of her dark forelocks.

  “Laika, she’s not dangerous,” the princess argued. “If she had plans to hurt us, she would have already. Besides, my barrier would have prevented her from entering the city if she was going to be trouble.”

  “Milady,” the wolf sighed, “I know you always want to see the best in people, but this is too dangerous. She is a stranger, we don’t know anything about her. Just remember Olivier and Aleksey.”

  “She’s not going to hurt me,” Alyona insisted, and I stepped between the women.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked.

  Laika groaned in exasperation, and then she threw out her arm toward Alyona.

  “The princess thinks it’s a good idea to let the newcomer have a sleepover in her room.”

  I turned to Alyona with a frown. “No, absolutely not. We don’t know anything about her. She is not sleeping in your room.”

  “Thank you, Lord Evan!” the wolf Demi-Human replied with a sharp grin.

  “You sound just like Laika,” Alyona sighed as she faced me. “Ravi’s not here to hurt us, I know this, but even if she were, I can protect myself. Even more importantly, she is a princess, and we can’t let her sleep in the infirmary. That is not how Hatra will treat royal guests.”

  Laika and I shared a look. Then the wolf shook her head, and worry was clear on her face.

  “Alyona, think of all the times you’ve been attacked in the past few months.” I pulled her close to me and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, and I don’t want to see you get hurt, okay? We’ll find Ravi a room, I swear. Hell, she can even use mine. But I don’t feel comfortable with her in your room. I only want to keep you safe.” I looked over at Laika. “We both do.”

  It seemed like Alyona was going to argue some more, but she finally sighed.

  “I know, I’m sorry,” she replied. “I just want her to feel comfortable.”

  “I don’t understand what the big deal is,” I chuckled. “You slept in the infirmary when you arrived in Hatra.”

  “Yes, but I came to help Hatra,” Alyona pointed out. “Ravi has come to ask for help.”

  Laika grabbed Alyona’s arm gently and pulled her to a stop.

  “Milady, I know you want to help her,” the wolf said softly, “but we can’t risk your safety to do it. You are too important to the country to risk.”

  Alyona frowned, but before she could respond, I spoke up.

  “What if she stays inside the Blue Tree Guild’s airship?” I suggested. “We let her have her own room to give her privacy. I know they are not the most luxurious rooms, but it will only be for a few days.”

  “That sounds much better.” Laika nodded in approval. “The new princess would be secure, and I could help keep track of her. The rooms are spacious and should be able to accommodate whatever a phoenix needs.”

  After a moment, Alyona nodded, and she dropped the strand of hair she’d been fiddling with.

  “I guess that would be suitable,” she replied. “Thank you, Evan.” Then she turned and stepped toward the temporary palace we’d been using until the real one was rebuilt.

  The building was once used as a courthouse for the city, and it was near the original Lunar Palace so the lords could easily travel to make judicial decisions. It was not nearly as nice as the real Lunar Palace would be, but it was sturdy and strong. Its walls were high, Alyona’s room was near the top, and her window oversaw the entire city. Ruslan and Julia had their room in here as well, toward the main level. My room was here, too, but on the opposite side that faced the ruins of the old palace.

  Laika and I followed behind her, but we stayed a few feet away to give her an illusion of space. I knew Alyona would be upset at my decision, she was too kind and helpful for her own good, but I still wasn’t going to let her travel alone, no matter how far the distance. Especially since it was getting dark.

  “She will calm down,” Laika said in a hushed tone from my right. “She knows this is the right decision.”

  “I know,” I replied just as quietly. “Her desire to help everyone is one of the things that makes her Alyona. That’s why she needs us to protect her, she’ll never see her enemy coming. But I would never change anything about her. Her kindness makes her,
her.”

  We both watched as Alyona quickly ran up into her room inside the temporary palace. Only when we saw a lantern light up the window did Laika turn to me.

  “I will stand guard,” she said. “I don’t think the princess has given up quite yet. She is stubborn, so who knows what she has planned. I’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything foolish.”

  “Like hunt down Ravi and force her to stay in her room?” I asked, and Laika’s mouth twitched into a smile.

  “Something exactly like that,” she laughed. “I shall send word to prepare a room.” Then she pressed a hand to the blue tree on her gorget. “There, it’s done.”

  “Thanks,” I said as I kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later, I need to go tell my Pops I found a place for Ravi to stay.”

  Her face turned red, and her tail wagged. “Farewell, Lord Evan.”

  Then I left Laika at the temporary palace and walked around to find my parents.

  After a quick search, I found my father outside the infirmary with his arms crossed as he leaned back against the hard stone of the walls. His eyes were closed, and his fox ears laid flat against his head.

  “Hey Pops,” I greeted, and as he jumped in response, I stifled a snicker. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you, old man.”

  “My own fault, I was lost in my own thoughts,” he replied with a dismissive wave of his hand and pushed himself off the wall. “Is there something you need?”

  “I was looking for you and Julia,” I said. “I was wondering where you had planned to place Ravi? Alyona is determined to not let her stay inside the infirmary.”

  Ruslan clicked his tongue.

  “Well, that had been our plan,” he muttered. “Do you have any other ideas of where she could stay?”

  “I know with the restoration work going on with most of the buildings, we don’t have a lot of spare rooms, especially rooms fit for royalty, but I was thinking she could stay inside the Blue Tree Guild’s ship,” I explained. “They have plenty of room, and we would be able to keep an eye on her. I’ve already spoken to Laika about it, and she agreed it was the best solution.”