FSE

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As Brandon left the confounds of the castle, his mind wondered to the talk he had with his father about the female he liked; which was the Drake Tentra. He couldn't understand it at first, why he liked her the way he did, she was to just wait on him hand and foot when the need came for her to come to him; but why did he care? He did know about her last master, how she was treated, that was one of the reasons he allowed her to serve under him, to keep her away from that monster; but was that the only reason? He shook his head, right now all he had to worry about was getting the gold so they could leave the next morning, walking into the stone bank, he was greeted with praise and bows as he nodded back, going up to the counter.

"Prince Brandon," the clerk bowed slightly. "What may I get you?"

"Three bags filled to the brim with gold," he answered. "I am going on a trip that requires some gold, and also if the need comes."

"Yes, yes," the clerk answered getting the three bags he needed as Brandon strapped them on the pants he wore. He was about to turn to leave when he thought of something.

"On second thought," he turned back. "Can you also get that bag of gold I have been saving?" The clerk nodded and went off, coming back with another bag slightly bigger then the others, as he pocketed that one. "Thank you," he bowed and left, going back to the castle. Even then he still thought about the Drake that he would be traveling with to see her mother, granted he would be with two other, both with sole duties to keep the two safe if the need arises, but maybe as Brandon thought, he might get some alone time with Tentra.

Once in his room, he found Tentra already there, placing bags by the window filled with dried food and bedding for the road, with the close of the door, she jumped slightly, but claimed down when she saw it was Brandon who entered.

"Oh hello Ma-, Brandon," again she corrected herself. "I have found everything we will need and told Nixi to meet you later tonight while at diner to meet the new guy that will join us."

"Alright," he answered going to his desk and placing the three bags of gold down, but kept the forth hidden. He didn't seem to want to look at Tentra at the moment, as he looked downward on the hard table, his hands clutched up as he couldn't work up the nerve to tell her his feelings.

"Is something the matter?" she asked looking at him as he shook his head.

"No," he lied smiling to her. "Nothing is wrong, hey Tentra?" she looked to him with a tilt head. "Would you like to stay here tonight? It would mean less travel when we leave from the servant house to here in the morning." Tentra gave a puzzle and somewhat shock look at him, he had never offered her a place to stay in his room before, granted the two didn't make any plans to go out on this quest like they were now; but she couldn't shake the feeling it was for something else. "I'll take the chair over there," he pointed with his thumb, the chair being as plush and maybe as soft as the bed itself. "You may take the bed if you wish."

"I uh..." Tentra didn't say anything for a while, somewhat shocked at what he asked her still but shook her head a bit, not enough that Brandon saw. "S...sure," she stammered. "If that's what you want, I'll stay here for the night."

"Alright then," he went over to the desk and sat down as he started to write, as long as Tentra knew the human, he always did this. He loved to write, and sometimes draw, what he was doing this time was a mystery to her; but maybe he would show her later when he was done.

A knock came to his door as Tentra was making her way over to make sure she really did have everything they needed for the trip, making her way to the door, she opened it to come face to face with another Drake. His scales a deep black, his underbelly red from what she could see. It was unlikely but possible for Drakes to have horns, and he was such one of these, with two horns under his chin like bread pointing downward as two horns on his back pointed straight back. He wore light sliver armor like all new comers to the Guardians so Tentra knew at once who this was. His long tail seemed to have fur or hair on the tip, as black as his scales as his gold dragon like eyes locked with Tentra.

"Is this the room of his majesty Prince Brandon?" Brandon turned over to see who it was that called him as he stood, Tentra moving out of the way as the Drake walked in and bowed. "A pleasure to meet you my prince," he bowed a bit lower. "I have heard..." he bowed to low and fell face first on the floor, yelping out in pain as Tentra and Brandon turned to each other and burst into laughter. Brandon knelt down and helped the Drake who was tending to his muzzle. "Permission to speak freely before you prince?"

"Granted," Brandon answered while chuckling.

"Damn it!" he cried turning away for a bit. "My first visit to you and I fall on my damn muzzle like a fool!" he grumbled and rubbed while looking back with a small shy like smile. "My name is Drakeis," he answered bowing slightly but not to far as of last time. "But my friends calls me Drake, and before you say anything, yes I know my folks didn't think to hard on my name taking it after the name of my race," he rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I guess I will be coming with you to your servant home along with my teacher Nixi."

"Well I'm glad to have you come with us," Brandon held out his hand as they each grasped the other wrists and shook. (Fun fact, back in olden days everyone would shake like this if they wore long sleeves for finding out if any knives were hidden underneath, this was how many kings and lords were killed back then as well before this was made to be greeted.) "I take it your ready to leave in the morning?" Tentra like her plans seconds ago went over to look to see if they had everything they needed for the few weeks they may be out to doing.

"Yes," answered Drake as he crossed his arms, Brandon did not see what type of arms he bore, ether he did not bring them with him, or he had them hidden from view so the human couldn't see. "We leave but the brake of dawn is what Nixi told me, truth be told, I was never the kind to do an early march." Brandon only smirked lightly as he sighed.

"Well I do have to be back here at a certain tome as well," he answered with a sigh. "Same old stuff you know,"

"The ball?"

"Yeah the very same," Drake nodded his head then looked back to the door.

"Well I better go," he said. "If I'm to be up in the wee hours of the morning, might as well get some sleep right?" Brandon nodded, and the two bid each other farewell and as he closed the door Brandon went back to the desk, as Tentra left for some last moment gathering.

"Really, you should take your own bed Brandon," Tentra true to her word was staying in Brandon room, already the human who was to be dragon king some day had removed his own blankets and brought new ones for the Drake to use. Brandon only sighed, putting his hands on his hips and just smiling.

"I already told you Tentra," he spoke in a soft voice. "You take the bed; it wouldn't be the very gentlemen like thing to do to allow a lady such as yourself to sleep on the chair,"

"We could always share the bed." Brandon gulped at the words she spoke as she looked back with her backside to her. "I mean look at how large this bed is, you can sleep on one side, and me the other, and it's no big deal."

"I sleep shirtless," admitted the human as she only chuckled.

"I've seen you half naked loads of time because of me walking in on you without knocking, now I'll stay," she crossed her arms smiling at him. "If you sleep on the bed with me,"

"You know," Brandon said laughing. "For someone whose supposed to be following my order...you can really get me to do what you want!" she only chuckled as he rolled his eyes. "But fine, I agree to your terms." Going toward a cover up to allow him to change into his sleeping pants, he striped himself and brought the pants on, leaving his chest bare as he walked out. Already Tentra was in the bed, lying on her side with eyes closed. He inhaled sharply, closing his eyes and letting another breath in and out, he made his way to the other side of the bed, pulling the covers off; and slipping in. Brandon was already tried, and fell asleep almost at once, but Tentra stayed awake, her eyes opening for a moment to see if Brandon was awake, a slight snore answered her question as she turned fully to watch him sleep; his chest slowly rising under the blankets as she watched him over for a moment, before smiling lightly and turning her back to him, and falling into a deep slumber herself.

"Brandon wake up!" a loud knock on the door startled both Brandon and Tentra to awake from their sleep. Even though the curtains were closed, a few ray of light shone though, showing that the sun was just rising over the hills of the land. Both human and Drake blinked and yawn, and when things became clear, they saw how they were. Tentra in her sleep had moved over to the middle, as well as Brandon, both hugging the other in a light embrace. With wide eyes they both pushed away without a word, turning from each other with blushes on their faces.

"S...sorry," he whispered as she only nodded. He got up and went to change into his traveling clothing. A simple green tunic and brown pant legs with matching brown boots. Tentra went to answer the door; both Drake and Nixi stood there, a little confused seeing Tentra there, but didn't say anything on the matter. Drake on his back bore a large double edge axe, symbols unknown to anyone but his family, while Nixi wore her two swords. "Are you almost ready Prince Brandon?" asked Nixi once he came into view, pushing his hair back as it was wet from the water he splashed on himself.

"Yes," he answered. "There are some bags here, each of us can carry one." They were of norm size, but to anyone unused to the weight it would hurt in the long run. But being Drakes and dragons, the weight was easy, even to Brandon fro he trained his body for many years.

"Your father bids us farewell," answered Drake. "He was a little busy getting thing ready for the ball, and couldn't come to see us off."

"That's understandable, now before we go," he brought out a map and placed it on the table, all moving over to look it over. "Tentra, where is your home again?"

"Here," she pointed, where she pointed was past the seas of which anything goes for both humans and dragons. A rule long ago that no sea could be charted for what is whose, so a pact saying that all who crossed, crossed at their own risk. Nixi hummed in slight anger as she saw that of which they would have to go, and Brandon heard it.

"What is it?" he asked.

"See this," she pointed to a small docking village by the sea coastline as he nodded. "We got word that the human king had taken over that area, so getting in and getting a boat won't be easy at all. For you yes, but not for the other three of us."

"Yes I see what you mean," Brandon heard about the takeover and forgot all about it up till now. "Maybe I can get a boat, and travel it up here," he pointed to the spot he was taking about, maybe a ten minuet boat ride, but on land, maybe half an hour. "The only thing, it will have to be a boat that is small enough for me to handle on my own...but large enough to carry us."

"You know what I don't understand?" Drake asked as they all turned to him. "How could the humans capture it without us knowing ahead of time, I mean look." He pointed to different docks on the maps. "Right here belongs to us dragons and Drakes, so if we saw many flag ships going to one place, wouldn't we have sent a Wyvern massager to warn the others?"

"Unless they were made to look like the dragons and Drakes own ships," Tentra sated. "It's easy to paint a boat you know."

"True," he answered. "Very true."

"Okay here what I think," Brandon said. "We go with the plan I just spoke of, get a boat that can carry us and meet here," he pointed on the map once more. "After sailing over the water which will no doubt take two days, one and a half if the wind picks up, we will stay in the dock village for a bit to resupply then go again, if we don't get into any trouble and our speed is good on land, we can make it to the dock village that been capture in little more then a day, or close to nightfall." They all nodded their heads in agreement, as Brandon folded up the map and nodded. "Then once we make it over to the other side, it should take another two, three day tops to make it to Tentra home and see if we can help her mother. The next full moon is in little over three weeks, so that's our time limit, so any questions?" no one said anything as he nodded, going to the wall and took his large blade and strapped it to his back with a click. "Let's go then."

Before leaving, Brandon wore some of the simple of armor, he didn't dare wear any that bore dragon markings, for when he did make it to the capture docks, and he would have a hard time explaining it. The traveling was easy at first; the first few hours of walking and talking to keep everyone up to speed was great. But Tentra was not use to the long walks like the three ahead of her, and would have to take breaks to allow her legs to rest. This no one mind, and to speed things up, Brandon would heal her legs with magic as she watched with wondered. When nearing the docks, true to when Brandon said if the speed was good, they would make it at nightfall, Tentra walked up beside Brandon to speak to him, while Nixi was behind to make sure no one got in behind them, and Drake took point, looking ahead.

"Hey Brandon?" asked Tentra as he looked toward her with a nod. "Can you teach me magic?"

"You wanna learn magic?" he asked as she nodded.

"I have no weapons to help if we get into a fight," she said. "Only my claws, and even then I doubt they will do much to warriors with steel around them." Brandon nodded as she went on. "So can you?" he thought for a moment, as he walked he bent down and picked up a rock and bounced it on his hands for a moment as if studying it and pasted it to her as she looked at it with confusion.

"As you know," Brandon spoke. "Every Dragon and Drake can wield magic, it just takes great measure for them to unlock that part of them, that's why when they do wield magic, they are as strong as three human sages, for they can become powerful. But be warn," he gave her a stern look. "Some spells can cause you to make you feel faint, lose all your powers, and kill you in a second," he snapped his fingers as she looked back blinking. "This was a test I was giving later on in my training," he went on. "I was gifted with magic, as I can do it without uttering the words out loud, but this would be the first test. This may be harder, but it will be useful in the long run if you know how to use the spell without speaking it."

"What do I have to do?" she asked as she soaked everything in.

"Think of this stone floating," he spoke. "Think of it just hovering a few inches above your hand, and hold that thought for as long as you can." She nodded and did as he said, even while walking she was able to think of the rock floating, but it did not move. Frowning she tried again, still nothing. "Keep trying," he smiled patting her hand. "And keep that rock, it's a good size to start with, train yourself until you can float it up to your eye and keep it from wobbling, do not try to do any other spells unless I'm around, understand?" he told her as she nodded. "And never...ever try to bring someone back to life. For the price for a life..."

"Is life itself?"

"You learn fast."

"We're here..."

Drake stopped as he knelt on the ground looking out at the small dock village, the sea water heavy in the air as he watched many humans walk around with spears. Brandon walked up beside him and knelt as well as Nixi and Tentra who all looked around. In the middle of the village, were cages, on one side seemed to be the males, punching the bars but only getting shocked as the other side, females and children cried out for them. The humans guards laughed, bearing the human king icon, looking like a dragon with a spear though the head.

"Slavers if I ever saw them," Nixi hissed though teethes clutched tightly. "And we can't even help them."

"Why not?" Tentra asked as Nixi sighed.

"We can't really go in there and attack a whole village to save them now can we?" she asked as the drake looked down. Brandon sighed as he shook his head.

"That we can't, alright, you three back up a bit down the road and go to where I pointed on the map,"

"Will you be alright on your own Prince?" asked Drake as Nixi laughed.

"Do not worry," she told him standing up. "Brandon single handily took down a Wyvern with nothing but dagger and tamed it to take me back home when we were attacked by the very same one he tamed!" Drake eyes grew wide as Brandon smiled.

"It was luck, now go. If I'm not there in two days, go back home and report to my father, ether that I've been capture or killed. I do not know if these human know who I am, but let's hope not."

"Here," Nixi pasted him a green hood as Brandon brought it over his head as well as a bandana to cover his mouth, once on, he nodded to the three as they turned and left; Brandon making his way down the road toward the gates.

"Halt!" two guards with spears pointed their spikes before Brandon who stopped at once and stood with arms on his side and legs spread apart. He thanked himself for knowing human words as the man who spoke, black skin, brown eyes and braided hair that seemed to making him look like he was loosing hair spoke in a deep voice. "Who are you and what are you doing around here?"

"My name," Brandon spoke in the human tongue. "Is Thor, as to why I am here, my father went missing around here many years ago. I am just out trying to find some information about him. I heard this dock was capture by the king men, and I just wish to stay and find some information, and to also buy a boat and cross the water if I don't find any here."

"Arm and guarded pretty well for someone just looking for their father," spoke the man again as Brandon laughed slightly.

"Mothers are always worried about their child, no matter what age they are, am I right?" the man seemed to smirk and raised his weapon, the second man doing the same.

"Yes they do," he chuckled. "My mother still cares for me when I get sick; you got to love them though."

"That you do, now sir, would you mind letting me though? I have five gold I can give you as well?" the man smiled as Brandon brought his hand out and pocketed the money out and placed in his hands.

"Sure thing kid, let him in buddy!" he called banging the door with his fist. Brandon sighed inwardly as the gates slowly opened, allowing him inside, and once in; closed behind him. "Oh and kid," the man called from the other side. "I would buy one of those dragon bitches; they can be a good lay even for a night!" Brandon grunted his teeth lightly but forced a laugh.

"I'll be sure to remember that," he spoke back as he made his way though the city.

Everywhere he went in the city, he smelt blood, more cages then what he and his comrades found where scattered around, one on the outside of each house, many empty, some with a dragon or two with the brands of slaves burned into their skins. One dragoness who looked as close to a seven year old was one such, crying in the corner as her owner laughed and kicked the cage. He had to look away, he knew that once this was done, he and his father would come back and deal with these monsters in skin, but right now, four on a city, not very good odds. Going to the docks, he found many of the ships were being sold for money to feed the men and their beers, not one was small, only those large honking ones that would take a crew to use, he thought for a moment, then remembered those dragons and drakes he saw from afar.

"Maybe they weren't sold yet," he thought to himself as he walked up to one man selling the large boat. On the side the word Dragon Wing printed out in deep black was easily seen.

"Hello there young sir," the man bowed slightly as Brandon didn't say anything. "Looking to buy a boat I see?"

"Yes," answered Brandon. "But it seems I need a crew am I right?"

"That you are," the man laughed. "And what are a better crew then a dragon one? And what's better, these Dragons will listen to what you say once you buy them!"

"How so sir?" the man whose face wrinkled with age and hair as white as cloud laughed.

"We had a wizard make these collars that goes around their neck once bought, if they disobey an order, they get shock, if they keep disobeying, and they will burn on the inside out!" Brandon grunted his teethes again as he held his composer.

"How much are each dragon?" he asked as the man smiled.

"About ten gold," he said. "Not bad, but these dragons seem to just kill themselves, so that's why they are so cheap; damn lizards." The man shook his head.

"And the ship?"

"Hrm," the man looked up and then to the human before him. "I'll give you it for five hundred."

"Can you make it two fifty?"

"Four,"

"Three sixty five,"

"Make it three ninety and I'll hold on to the ship until you get your dragons slaves alright kid?"

"Deal and I'll also give you an extra fifty if you don't sell this until I come back."

"Now why would I do that?" Brandon rolled his eyes.

"Just making sure you know?"

"Fine, deal." The two shook on it and Brandon turned to leave, going to the middle of the city.

"What do you mean you wanna see them before buying?" asked the salver as Brandon crossed his arms.

"I just want to see what I'm buying before I pay you know, and I'm also planning on buying some of the kids maybe, females too." The slaver whose face was covered laughed.

"Planning a little 'party' with the kids and female?"

"What I do with them is none of your concern once I have them, now will you allow me to see them; and step back, I hate people breathing down my neck." the slaver rolled his eyes and went to the side of the post, earshot away which was good for Brandon as he first went over to the males, lowering his cloth a bit to speak clearly in the dragon tongue. "Listen to me carefully," the dragons jerked when they saw that he could speak their tongue, and knew at once who this human was. "Don't look right at me, look away as if nothing is going on," at once they started to do what he said as he started to ask questions. "Who has mates and children who are across on the other side right now? Raise your tails a bit," three did as he nodded. "Alright, how many children show me on your hands." the first dragon, showed two fingers, the Drake showed only one, and the second dragon three. Looking back slightly, seeing the Salver wasn't looking, saw the children that looked like them, and he could even see the mothers, seeing how they were trying to get as close to the children as possible."Okay listen to what I'm going to say here, those three who are fathers will come will me as well as three others, make the choices quick, and do not worry, my father and I will be back for the rest of you I swear." They were quick, thee more dragons, strong looking moved forward a bit as he nodded and brought the cloth back over his mouth and called the slavers over. "Give me these five dragons and drake here," he pointed then pointed to the females. "Those three female dragons and those six children there." He pointed to each one he wanted as all dragons and dragoness turned some crying knowing it was their time.

"That's a lot kid," the Slaver answered. "But as long as you can pay I don't care, one hundred and fifty gold." Brandon pass the gold to him and at once what seemed to be magic, the bars seemed to dim less, the doors opening and the six inside got out seeming to growl going on with Brandon plan as he winked slightly. Once collars were on, they bowed to Brandon, which didn't shock the slaver, for they did that to their new masters or they would get shock. The children came out next and ran by the males as the three held them back; they already had their one on, but were made like all others. The females were next who also went by the males and held to the children as the Slaver laughed. "Have fun kid," Brandon nudged with his head for them to follow and they did, the males speaking softly telling them who it was that was leading them, and once they knew, they followed all the faster.

The moon was high over the air once Brandon made it back to the old man who looked with wide eye at Brandon, who passed him the money he owned the man, and ordered the dragons inside, they pretended that they were sad and upset, but inside they were cheering for they knew they were free at last. Once on deck, they were not in the clear just yet, Brandon giving quick orders to get the boat ready, the sail came down and the breeze of the ocean pulled the ship off as Brandon quickly moved the boat down the coastline, the docks slowly leaving behind them. Many minuets went by as the dragons who weren't working watched as the docks became nothing but a dot.

"It's safe!" cried the dragoness, and soon the whole ship was up in cheering. Brandon sighed and leaned back a bit, letting the wheel go a bit as a few dragons came up to pat him on the back, before remembering who he was, and all bowing slightly as he took his hood and cloth off.

"My Prince," a male dragon spoke still looking down. "I would like to thank you for saving us, how can we repay you?"

"We are going a little up to catch up with three of my traveling buddies," he answered as they all looked up. "We will then be moving into a dragon dock, there you may do as you wish, your homes will be giving back, that I swear to you!" again another roaring cheer went off as a soft thud was heard, they all looked over to see Nixi climbing up the side of the boat, Tentra on her back as Drake climbed over as well, falling on his head as he rolled off the edge.

"Yow!" he cried. "Think I bit my tongue!"

"Really Drake?" Nixi questioned as Tentra got off her back as the wingless dragoness helped her student up. As Tentra looked around at all the dragons, drakes, and children; she turned to Brandon with questionable eyes.

"You set them free?" asked Tentra as Brandon smiled lightly.

"I couldn't just let them stay there, granted there are many left there...but they will be free as well soon, I swear it."