Aquila gulped.
“It is best if we just stay away from any dragonrider during our journey.”
“I want to go home,” Dasyra said.
“What home? The Dragonia Empire destroyed our village searching for the Resistance. Which I’m not entirely convinced was even there. You can go back to Caspar if you want. It’s only a day’s march north.”
“How do you even know we’re going the right way to find this Resistance?” Dasyra asked.
“I don’t. All we can do is follow rumors. No one admits they’re with the Resistance, or even Resistance sympathizers. If they do, the Dragonia Empire will find them and silence them.”
“I don’t see why we’re chasing the Resistance to join. That’s what got us in trouble to begin with. The empire is searching for people like us. That’s why they attacked our village,” Dasyra said.
Devarius gritted his teeth. “They hung your mother and father and burned them, didn’t they?”
Dasyra rubbed the back of her neck. “Yes.”
“Were they with the Resistance?”
Dasyra’s head drooped. “No.”
“Did they deserve death?” Devarius challenged.
Dasyra shook her head.
“My family is dead as well. That is why I want to find the Resistance. If they slaughtered our families, who were innocent, how many others have they killed needlessly? They rule all of Kaeldroga with force. There is no freedom ... only tyranny. If we don’t do something about it, who will? That is why I’m searching for the Resistance. Something needs to be done ... and I plan to be a part of it. We’ll reach Kaed in another day. You can decide to continue with me, or stay behind. It doesn’t matter to me. I will continue forward.
“They did not kill my family trying to find the Resistance,” he continued. “They were killed a few years ago.”
“Why did they kill your family?” Paedyn wanted to know.
Devarius shook his head, ridding himself of the memories. He focused on Paedyn. Devarius had known Paedyn and Aquila since he was a child, but he’d never told anyone what happened to his parents. “Taxes. There was a drought that year, and my family wasn’t able to sell any crops. Instead, they had to save all their crops for us to survive the winter. Two dragonriders came and demanded money from my parents’ profits. My parents tried to explain, but it did not matter. They hung Mom, Dad, and my eldest brother at the town hall as a lesson to everyone else to pay their taxes or die.” Devarius shivered.
“I’m sorry,” Aquila said. “That must have been hard on you.” She rubbed his shoulder.
Dasyra’s lips twisted. “If this happened years ago, why didn’t you join the Resistance then?”
Devarius clenched his teeth. “I didn’t know the Resistance existed back then. It’s only recently become open knowledge, hence why the Dragonia Empire is adamant about stopping them.”
“Perhaps we should turn ourselves in. They shouldn’t harm us if we come willingly and plead that we aren’t part of the Resistance.”
“Are you so sure?” Devarius asked.
“Maybe ...” Dasyra whispered.
“Let me know how that works out for you.”
“Come on, let’s stop arguing. We have a long way to go to reach Kaed,” Paedyn said.
Devarius looked at his twenty-nine companions. They weren’t warriors. Even he wasn’t a warrior. But he wanted to learn. He wanted to do something to avenge his family. Devarius didn’t know what he and his band of ragtag villagers could do, but he imagined they could be of some help. Perhaps all he chased was a dream. A dream of an incredible place full of men and women who worked together, striving to right the wrong of a corrupted government ... a tyranny. It might be only a dream, but Devarius refused to give up hope. He would find the Resistance, and he would do whatever he could to aid them in destroying the Dragonia Empire. The problem was ... he had no idea how. How do you defeat an army of dragonriders? Devarius didn’t know, but he wouldn’t give up hope.
“Is the dragon gone?” Dasyra asked.
Devarius studied the sky one last time and nodded. “Yes ... he’s gone. Come on, Paedyn is right—we still have a long journey ahead.”
Chapter 2
Keiran strolled through the flower garden, admiring the honey bees as they buzzed from flower to flower. However, what interested him more than the honey bees were the baby dragons just learning to fly as they chased the honey bees. Keiran grinned. He loved his walks through the dragon hatchery. Something about seeing hundreds of baby dragons soothed his spirits. He needed as much soothing as he could get with the recent news of the Resistance growing stronger. Keiran imagined most of the news was hogwash, but still, the Resistance needed to be dealt with before they grew too strong.
Footsteps pattered against the ground behind him. Keiran crossed his arms behind his back, locking his hands together. The footsteps stopped.
“General?” the voice asked.
Keiran turned around. Captain Vesryn stood at attention. His silver platemail glistened in the sunlight.
“Yes, Captain?”
“Our dragonrider has lost sight of the traitors.”
Keiran clenched his fist. “This is unacceptable.”
“Sir, there are only a few of them. Surely they won’t pose a problem.”
“Only a few of them?” Keiran’s eyes bulged.
He stepped closer to the captain, his face inches from him. “That is how the Resistance started. There were only a few of them. One, in fact. One man opposed our master’s view. He began the Resistance. Now, they are hundreds strong. What happens if these few traitors join them? And then a few more? And then a few more after that? No, this is unacceptable. Every time we hear about a traitor, even a whisper of a traitor, we need to show force and squash them all. We cannot allow the Resistance to grow any stronger. Right now, there is little they can do against our dragonriders. However, if enough of them band together, they might become a real nuisance.”
Vesryn extended his chest. “Yes, General.”
“We need to protect the people of Dragonia. These money hungry vermin need to be dealt with. All they want is to hide from us and not pay taxes. They want to destroy us because we tax them. Imagine just a few don’t want to pay taxes. That’s money our government cannot use. If they’re not paying into the government ... what good are they? We’re doing the empire a favor by exterminating the people who don’t contribute. If too many don’t pay their taxes, this whole world will spiral into anarchy, and the government won’t have the funds to fight it.”
“Yes, General.”
“Redouble your efforts. These traitors must be found. We destroyed their village because we received multiple reports that many of them were allied to the Resistance. There were supposed to be no survivors. I put that failure completely on you.” Keiran paused. “Do you know what their survival means?”
“No, General.”
“Word will spread that we massacred their village.”
Captain Vesryn tilted his head. “Isn’t that what we want, General? We want the people to know we do not accept traitors.”
Keiran nodded. “Yes, we do want the people to know we do not accept traitors. But what if some of the survivors have nothing to do with the Resistance? Word will spread that we’re destroying villages we suspect of having members of the Resistance.”
“And we don’t want that?” Vesryn asked.
“What village or city do you think has no Resistance sympathizers at all?”
“Umm ...”
“None. People are too diverse, too unpredictable, too stupid. If you’re in a city and think there may be someone from the Resistance there, and you know we’re destroying every village that has members of the Resistance ... what are you going to do?”
“Hide?”
Keiran smiled. “Hide, or, if you had any doubts about the Dragonia Empire, or sympathy toward the Resistance, you may leave the city, scared you may die there anyways, and search for the Resistance to
take refuge.”
Vesryn’s eyes widened.
“Ah ... you see now. If word gets out about these survivors, the Resistance may grow stronger. We may be pushing people toward the Resistance.”
“How does exterminating them solve the problem?”
“If you hadn’t failed, if the entire village had been destroyed, we could have spread word that we had evidence that every person in the village was in league with the Resistance. It’d be hard for anyone to question the dead. Then people would have feared our wrath. People who are with the Resistance would be scared to make any moves, isolating themselves. People who had sympathy for the Resistance would shrug their shoulders, realizing joining the Resistance was a sure way to lose their lives. Instead, we’re in danger of them thinking we’ll wipe them out whether they’re part of the Resistance or not.”
“I see,” Vesryn said.
Keiran shook his finger at the captain. “If they’re not dealt with ... it will be your head. Do you understand?”
Vesryn gulped. “Yes, General.”
“Dismissed.”
Vesryn saluted before scurrying away.
Keiran gazed back at the baby dragons. Many of them could only fly a few feet at a time before tumbling back to the ground. They would grow fast. In a year, they could be placed with a rider. Eventually, there would be too many dragonriders for the Resistance to battle. But they were still building their army. The Dragonia Empire needed more strength. Keiran scratched his beard. Something had to be done about the traitors. He didn’t trust that Captain Vesryn had the matter in hand. Keiran would have to take extra steps. He turned around to head back to Melonia. It was time for a council meeting.
Chapter 3
Devarius and his party arrived at Kaed in the late afternoon. The red sun had already set; the orange sun hung in the west, and within an hour the sky would turn golden with its final sunset. Two guards blocked the entrance to the village and studied Devarius and his party carefully.
“What is your business in Kaed?”
“We come seeking shelter for the night. We wish to replenish our inventory before we continue south.”
The guard spat on the ground. “Where are you headed?”
“We are traveling to Laeraed,” Devarius said.
The guard bit his lip. “That’s quite a long journey. Perhaps you should buy a few boats. It would be faster to pass south down the river.”
“Are there good boats in the village?”
“Some of the best. See the woodworker next to the blacksmith. He’ll give you a fair price.”
“Thank you,” Devarius said.
The guards stepped aside, letting Devarius and his party enter. They still watched them as they passed, and Devarius assumed word would spread for the guards on the inside to keep an eye on them. Ever since the Dragonia Empire became stricter on the villages and raised taxes, most cities and villages were wary of travelers.
He walked past the blacksmith and woodworker to a tavern. A few men sat outside smoking their long-stem pipes. Devarius paused to look at the sign: The Shaved Sheep. Below the name of the tavern was a carved image of a sheep looking back at its shaved rear with embarrassment. Devarius shook his head before moving to enter.
Aquila grabbed his arm. “Shouldn’t we check with the woodworker?”
“It’s late. We need to make sure they have a room. Besides, we can find him just fine in the morning.”
She nodded.
Devarius looked back to the party that followed him. “Have everyone stay outside while I see if they have rooms.” He glanced at the young children in his party. “There’s no need to bring children inside until we secure a room.”
“As you wish.” She bowed.
He pushed open the double doors. Smoke filled the interior, as men at every table smoked pipes. Devarius strode past them toward the bar. He sat on a bench and tapped his fingers. The barkeep turned around, wiping a glass clean with a white towel. He set the glass down in front of Devarius.
“What’ll it be fer yah?”
“Ale.”
The barkeep took the glass, turned around, unplugged a cork from a barrel, and filled the glass. He hammered the cork back in and set the glass in front of Devarius.
“That’ll be one copper dragon.”
Devarius laid down a copper coin with the face of a dragon. Ever since the Dragonia Empire took over, they’d replaced all currency with dragon coins. Devarius tilted the glass and took a long gulp.
“New in town?” the barkeep asked.
“Passing through.” Devarius took another gulp.
“Need a room for the night?”
“How much?”
“Two silver dragons.”
Devarius took another sip. “How many does it hold?”
The barkeep grabbed the copper dragon from the bar. “Two beds, large enough fer two people each. Enough room on the floor fer another six.”
“Do you have three rooms available?”
“Three? Quite a large party passing through.”
Devarius tilted his head.
“Yeah ... we have three. Tell yah what ... I’ll give yah a discount. Five silver dragons for the three rooms.”
Devarius scratched his chin. “Five silver dragons for three rooms and one more refill of ale.”
The barkeep raised his eyebrows. “Deal.”
Devarius shook his hand before taking five silver dragons from his coin purse. He had a little money, and hoped it would be enough to reach the Resistance. The barkeep took the coins, snatched his glass, and filled it to the top.
Devarius grabbed the glass, turned around, and noticed several people staring at him. He turned back to the barkeep.
“Don’t mind them. They don’t often see your kind here.”
“My kind?”
“Yeah. Dark complexion ... brown skin. They just aren’t used to it.”
“It’s not going to be a problem, is it?”
“Shouldn’t ... but keep your eyes peeled.” The barkeep slid over three keys.
Devarius clutched the keys and put them in his sash before draining the rest of his ale. “Thanks for the tip.”
He stood, then strode out the door. Outside, the sky was darker, and a crimson glow illuminated the torch-lit streets. At first he couldn’t find his party, but then he saw Aquila off to the side, signaling him by an alley. He rushed over.
“What are you doing over here?”
“A few men on the streets were casting strange glances toward some of us. We felt safer if we kept out of sight.”
“Who were they looking at when they made these faces?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter.”
He grabbed her arm. “Yes ... it does.”
Aquila bit her lip. “Me ... Jaonos ... Kaia ... the children, Marlyn and Faelyn.”
He nodded. “Everyone with a dark complexion. This is primarily a pale community. We may need to keep an eye out. It may be nothing ... but keep your eyes open.”
She nodded. Aquila opened her mouth as if to speak, but closed it.
“What is it?”
“I overheard a few calling us dark devils.”
Devarius frowned. “Anything else?”
Aquila bit her lip. “I’ve noticed a few people step out of my way when I walk, like my touch might be harmful to them.”
Devarius glanced to the main road and saw a small group of burly men talking amongst themselves. They weren’t pointing, but it was obvious they were talking about Devarius and Aquila.
“Let’s bring everyone inside. I found us a few rooms.”
She nodded again.
Devarius led the way inside; his twenty-nine companions followed him. The pub grew silent when all thirty of them walked to the side of the bar. People pointed and whispered to each other as they walked up the stairs. Devarius helped everyone into the three rooms. He stopped at Aquila and gave her a hug.
“I need you to stay here. Protect everyone.”
�
��Where are you going?”
“I’m going to do some exploring ... make a few inquiries. I’ll try and see if anyone here knows anything about the Resistance. Right now ... I have no idea which way to travel. We’re only heading south because it’s the easiest path to find more villages not directly linked with the Dragonia Empire.”
“You don’t need to go alone. Let me go with you,” she pleaded.
He shook his head. “No. It is too dangerous out there. Especially when these people are suspicious of us.”
“That’s why you need someone with you. It’s not safe for you out there.”
He shook his head again. “You’re not coming.”
“You need to take someone with you.”
“Fine ... I’ll take Paedyn.”
“Be safe.” She kissed his cheek.
He nodded, then turned around. He motioned to Paedyn, who joined him as he headed to the stairs.
“What’s the plan?” Paedyn asked.
“We need to socialize.”
“We need to drink.” Paedyn smiled.
“We need to fit in,” Devarius said.
Paedyn waggled his eyebrows. “We need to drink.”
“We need to see if anyone has any information about the Resistance ... without actually asking them if they know anything about the Resistance.”
“So ... we need to drink.” Paedyn grinned.
Devarius sighed. “Let me buy you a drink.”
Paedyn followed Devarius down the stairs. They made their way to the bar and ordered their ale. After a toast, they began talking about the dice games they used to play in Svetrum in the distant past. The barkeep refilled their glasses.
“If you’re looking to gamble, I have none of that in my pub.”
“Where do they have that?” Paedyn asked.
The barkeep sighed. “There’s a pub down the street that runs a lot of dice and card games.”
Devarius raised his eyebrows. “What’s it called?”
“The Silent Monkey.”
Devarius pushed out his bottom lip. “What do you say, Paedyn?”
“Are you feeling lucky?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“I think I just might be.”
Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns (Dragonia Empire Book 1) Page 2
