A smile split his face. “All of us guards are big fans of the mages from the university. You kill all the monsters to make our lives easier. If you want, Lord Sandumas, we can arrange a carriage for you. It won’t take more than half an hour.”

  I shook my head. “My f… er… my feet will be sufficient. I’d like to see the city for myself.”

  “Ah, a lord of the people.” He nodded sagely. “I’m sure you’ll be very popular, your lordship. And if it isn’t out of line, I’m sure that you’ll be even more popular with the young noble ladies. The spring festivals will be starting soon and there are always a number of banquets. Of course, I’m sure his Imperial Majesty will have plans for you.”

  The wizard—Lord Mercius, I think the guard had called him—said, “That’s quite enough Captain. We will be entering the city now.”

  The moment we stepped into the City of the Dawn, a shimmering radiance surrounded us. The buildings, made of that distinct white reflective stone, gleamed brilliantly under the sun. This caused the streets to come alive with light. It was rather captivating, although perhaps not quite as beautiful as it would have been if I were flying over the city.

  The sound of vendors hawking their wares, citizens chatting, and the distant melodies of minstrels permeated the area inside the gates, making it vibrant and full of life. Even at a casual glance, I saw more diversity here than I had noted in the other cities I had seen. On more than one occasion, I saw a group of elves or dwarves walking through the city. There was even a building we passed which seemed to be some sort of embassy from the orcs.

  The streets were astonishingly clean for a city of this size. Instead of the typical muck and mire, I saw cobblestones that shined as if they were polished each morning. The air carried a unique blend of smells which my enhances senses picked up, as well.

  I’m not sure that it would have been the same for a human, but I immediately noticed the tantalizing aroma of roasted meats from food stalls, the fragrant scent of blooming flowers sold by local vendors, and the distant hint of fresh bread that wafted from some bakeries. Bread was a rather bland human food, which I didn’t quite understand the purpose for. It was like taking food from your food, and making it your food.

  "I've never seen anything like this," Cami whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the vast expanses of meticulously maintained cityscape. "It's like stepping into a dream."

  I couldn't help but smirk, but I kept my thoughts to myself. It couldn’t compare to the beauty of my hoard. Just thinking about my hoard made me miss it. I wondered if this was going to become an issue. My hand practically trembled with a desire to touch my gold, but when I saw the amulet hanging from Cami’s neck, it restored me. She was carrying two pieces of my hoard with her, making her a portable piece of that same treasure.

  Lord Mercius said, "It's quite something, isn't it? Wait till you get to the palace, it is even more splendid. I can assure you that the apartments prepared for you will be worthy of your status.”

  I turned on the human wizard. “I scarcely consider a human capable of determining what my status is. You humans have a poor track record on that front.”

  His face grew red, and he started to clarify, but I chopped my hand down in the air to silence him. “Besides, we don’t need you to steer us to the palace. We can hardly miss it.”

  I stared at the man until he smoothed the scowl from his face. “I’d like some time alone with my bonded,” I told him. I used polite words, but my tone left no doubt that this was not a request.

  He nodded. “As you will, Nico. But please remember that some of us actually do want to help you.”

  Then, without saying anything more, Lord Mercius and his three guards disappeared in a flash of teleportation magic. The display garnered us a bit of attention from some onlookers, but apparently wonders of magic were commonplace within the City of the Dawn. Soon enough, everyone else moved on.

  Once we had walked another block to lose any attention which might have lingered on us, Cami nudged me playfully. "Oh come off it, Nico. Just because you're a… well, just because you are you… doesn't mean you can't appreciate the marvels before you. I know how curious you are."

  I smiled at her. “Why do you think I wanted them gone?”

  Cami smiled and reached out to hook her arm in mine. It was unexpected, but I found that I didn’t mind it too much. Besides, she rode around on my back, how could I get upset if she wanted more contact?

  As we walked, the sheer variety of the people again caught my attention. There were children playing in the streets without a care, their laughter pure and unburdened. There were merchants proudly displaying their wares, from shimmering jewels to intricate carvings. And then there were the craftsmen—skilled individuals honing their trade. This neighborhood represented a unique blend of middle class that seemed to dominate this part of the empire.

  Turning a corner, we stumbled upon a plaza. At its center stood a grand fountain, with statues of what seemed to be past emperors, with water cascading down in rhythmic patterns. The gentle splashing sound, coupled with the murmurs of the crowd, created a symphony of its own.

  "I have to admit," Cami began, "seeing this place, feeling its heartbeat... it makes me wonder if peace between dragons and humans isn't some distant dream. They live in such a different world."

  I glanced down at her. It wasn’t lost on me that she had referred to the humans as ‘they’… rather than ‘we’. "Perhaps," I mused, "but peace isn’t my concern. Freeing the imprisoned dragons is—and even then, our work will have only just begun."

  She nodded, seemingly lost in thought. As we ventured deeper into the city, every alley and corner held some new surprise—an artisan's quarter here, a bustling marketplace there. Musicians played lutes and flutes, filling the streets with melodies that made even my heart stir.

  "Shall we get something to eat?" Cami suggested, pointing to a stall selling what appeared to be skewered meats and fresh bread.

  "Why not?" I replied. "But you can have my bread. The roasted flesh doesn’t smell too bad, though. I find that after living like this for so long, that raw meat no longer has the same appeal it once did.”

  Cami chuckled as she pulled me along. "Always the critic. I swear if you’d give vegetables and bread more of a chance, you might like them."

  I snorted. “I get all the grain and grass I need when I eat cows.”

  By the time we were done sampling various dishes, the sun was at its zenith, painting the white-cobbled streets of the City of the Dawn in a golden hue. Every step I took made the ground seem like it shimmered, radiating the light back in gleaming halos. The palace, resting atop a small incline, towered over everything else with its grand spires, arched gateways, and intricate carvings of gods, dragons, and what I presumed were former emperors.

  The humans always seemed to try to imitate our majesty, but I had to admit that they got close with this city. I certainly would have enjoyed having a city full of minions all waiting to do my bidding. The difference between humans and dragons, though, was one of time.

  Every human rushed about, trying their best to leave some mark that they had existed behind them. We dragons lived so long that we didn’t collect for others, but for ourselves. What was the good of a hoard if you didn’t get to enjoy it yourself?

  Cami and I walked along the broad boulevard that led to the palace. Marble statues flanked us, each immortalizing some past hero or emperor. Adjacent to the statues, gardens had been built up to make the city beautiful. I supposed that, lacking dragon scales, flowers were the most vivid colors the humans could come up with.

  “Thinking of having a little snack on the flowers?” Cami teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

  I scoffed, “Don’t hate me because I don’t eat the food of my prey. I certainly won’t be eating these decorations. Though, seeing how some humans put them in their hair, I can’t help but feel sorry for them. They grasp after the beauty of draconic scales but will never fully know it.”

  I looked down at my bonded companion. “You are truly blessed amongst humans because you can cover at least part of yourself in my beautiful blue scales.”

  Her laughter was light as she replied, "Just for that, I might pick some flowers for my hair. Do you have a preference?"

  "Is this another attempt to civilize me?" I retorted with feigned exasperation. "I can appreciate flowers without desiring to munching on them, though they don’t compare to gold for beauty."

  Cami smirked, nudging me. "Next, you'll be attending tea parties."

  The weight of our task settled on me as we neared the palace gates. These towering constructs were wrought iron with flourishes of gold leaf. Guards, resplendent in their armor, stood sentinel. They snapped to attention at our approach.

  It was good to see minions who took their responsibilities seriously. Thinking of them as minions, though, made me wonder just what type of hoard the Emperor might be guarding inside. Perhaps I’d be able to catch a glimpse of it.

  “Lord Sandumas and companion,” one guard greeted us, bowing deeply, “we were told to expect you. If you head in, one of the palace stewards will be along promptly to greet you.”

  His respect was almost tangible.

  Cami leaned in, whispering with a smirk, "After you, Lord Sandumas."

  I mumbled something about her insufferable cheekiness, though her playful demeanor lightened the gravitas of the moment. This new way of interacting with Cami was surprisingly pleasant.

  We ventured through the palace's opulent corridors. The lush carpets muffled our every footfall, while the walls—adorned with colorful tapestries—whispered tales of the Empire's history. Every servant or palace official we met greeted me with deference, their heads bowed. The Emperor's edict about our visit had clearly been communicated to all in the palace.

  More than once, I had to remind myself not to be lulled into passivity by this respect. Soon, we entered a grand waiting room. The ceiling bore a mural of a night sky, teeming with dragons that soared among the stars. I absently wondered if this room had been prepared just for my visit.

  The room's furnishings were exquisite. All were mahogany with plush, jewel-toned fabrics. A crystal decanter filled with some rich amber liquid sat on a side table. Such splendor made me long for my own hoard.

  A steward approached. “The Emperor will be with you shortly. Would you care for some refreshments, Lord Sandumas?”

  I shook my head. “No, thank you.” Turning to Cami, I teased, “Perhaps some bread or a salad leaf for the lady?”

  She stifled a laugh, “Wait till you try pastries, Nico. They might change your mind.”

  We sat in comfortable silence after that for a while. Cami politely declined each attempt by a minion to bring us anything. As much as the banter with her had been pleasant, she must have sensed my mood.

  Sheraleigh was supposedly near. Soon, I would see my sister again. Fortunately, Cami didn’t suffer from the illness that so many humans seemed to have, one which caused them ever to require hearing the sound of their own voice.

  After only a few minutes, the steward returned and said, “His Imperial Majesty will see you now. He bid me apologize for keeping you waiting.”

  I was still learning to read humans, even after my evolution, but I had to say that it seemed as though he was thrown off by something.

  When I didn’t say anything, Cami smiled and said, “I’m sure there were reasons for keeping a guest like Lord Sandumas waiting, but the Emperor can explain those for himself. Now, take us to wherever we are meant to meet with him.”

  Inwardly, I grinned. Cami knew humans and yet she had the brashness of a dragon when she needed to. I had chosen well when I’d picked her to be my bonded.

  “Uh yes… about that… Emperor Castine has personally ordered me to escort you to the underground. He is currently in a new wing of the palace which I am not allowed to enter, but there are specialized guards there who will take you to him from the entrance.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I simply nodded and indicated he should lead the way. We descended several flights of stairs until we were far underground—perhaps a good half mile from where we had been waiting. It was curious. This would have put it near the edge of the palace estate, though deep underground.

  When we reached another enchanted gate, the steward left us. He handed us over to none other than Lord Mercius. The wizard had a humorous expression on his face as he said, “You could have saved yourself all of this trouble if you’d just come with me directly.”

  “You wouldn’t know what troubles a dragon,” I replied.

  He studied me. “I know a bit about your sister. She isn’t much of a conversationalist, but is very free with her use of the word ‘minion’. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that you didn’t act like that. I’ve met many of what we now know of as domesticated dragons, and neither they nor Sheraleigh prepared me for you.”

  Cami grinned. “Nico is one of a kind.”

  “Yes, he might be at that, Lady Dragon Knight. Even those I’ve met from the Clan of Dragons are not quite as he is.”

  “If my sister is here, then lead on.”

  Mercius was about to reply when another voice echoed down the hall. “I’m afraid I’ve claimed that honor for myself,” the voice said.

  The man walking down the hall was trailed by a group of what I’d call adventurers. They lacked the formality of the wizards and knights I’d seen so far acting as guards. I thought about Modessa and the other adventurers and realized that these five made me a feel like they did. Apparently, Castine was not stuck on appearances, but surrounded himself with capable people.

  I was tempted to use Identify, but decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. It would take some time and they’d know I was doing it. It was better to act unconcerned.

  Castine came up and stopped about ten feet in front of me. His eyes remained locked on mine. “As I understand things, this would be more appropriately done before Draconis, but he won’t speak to me, so you will have to be an ambassador for your race, Nicosandumas.”

  Then he shocked me by dropping to a knee and lowering his head. The adventurer guards didn’t seem shocked, but Lord Mercius looked scandalized. He took his cue from his Emperor, though, and dropped to a knee as well.

  After a few seconds, Castine stood. “Words and gestures can never make amends for what my race has done to yours, but we will try. First, though, let’s get you reunited with your sister. This is a reunion which is long past due.”

  Interlude 9 - Tested Allegiance

  Cami was a bit hurt by how quickly Nico headed down the tunnel. He didn’t even say anything to her. A couple weeks ago, she might not have thought anything of it, but with how things had gone lately, she felt like they had made progress. Nico had even flirted with her.

  She wasn’t sure that he understood what it meant to her that he’d given her a ring. If she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t sure quite what it meant to her. She knew it wasn’t like he was some human suitor, but it had to mean something that he had taken not just one but two pieces out of his hoard for her.

  His emotions were often a jumble, and difficult for her to understand, but as their bond had grown, it had become easier. That he was proud of her and often protective of her was clear. And there were even times she was sure she felt affection across the Bond. Before she could ponder that too much, she heard someone speaking next to her.

  “I understand that you disagree with my decision, Lord Mercius, but I don’t believe you truly understand the depth of how the Empire has wronged dragons,” Emperor Castine was saying.

  “I do understand,” the wizard replied. “Our domesticated dragons aren’t anything like the others. Sheraleigh and Nico are as different from one another, but both are clearly intelligent, willful creatures. Our dragons are more like blank slates.”

  “That is only part of it. There are enemies moving behind the scenes with powerful magic. I am almost certain I know who it is that is behind all of this, but every time I close in, the trail I was following disappears.”

  Cami spoke up, interrupting Mercius before he could reply, “How is that even possible? You saw through the protection of a goddess to discover who Nico was. How could any other enemy hide more thoroughly?” The outrage on her face was evident for all to see.

  Mercius stepped slightly between the emperor and Cami, but Ferdinand chuckled. “Of our two guests, I doubt Camille is the one you have to worry about.”

  Then the Emperor turned his eyes on her. “Isn’t that so, young lady? You are the more rational part of your partnership, aren’t you? Well, actually, I take that back. Dragons are highly rational beings based on what I’ve learned from Sheraleigh. They just have a different set of priorities.”