The Death of a City.

When Michael came too he found himself destroying his bed. Everything on top of it was shredded into confetti and the mattress was raining stuffing. Anger on at a level that was on par with when the pirates had tried to rape Sky fueled his dragon. He could feel his guards in the room with him but they were all terrified and on the floor. He could feel Eli shaking through their King's bond that was strengthened by their friendship. Something was defiantly wrong. He knew he was having problems going to sleep because of the pain that raged within his body. Surely that wasn't the cause of all this anger. Had something happened while he slept? Michael thought about that as he watched his dragon physically picked up the mattress and threw it against the wall. As the mattress soared through the air the breeze it caused brought a familiar scent to his nose. It was a strange, but lovely scent he knew very well which was peppermint and pine. Tangled within that scent was another one that went straight to his groan. Taking in a deeper breath his dragon roared, "She was right here. I had her right here," and then launched the bed frame at the wall.

"We are so sorry," apologized Eli from the floor as they all flinched when the bed shattered on impact.

Searching himself Michael could feel that he wasn't releasing any of his powers. With that being so, he couldn't understand why everyone was flat on the floor. Huffing in frustration on not being able to find the reason why his dragon was now tearing apart his dresser Michael asked, "Why are you destroying my room, and why do I smell Sky?"

"She was here," roared his dragon in anger.

Michael's heart sank to the pit of his stomach at that statement. He feared the worse had finally happened. "I held her in my arms as she wrapped us in her heat and wetness. She wanted us and now she's gone!"

Michael inwardly flinched as his dragon busted his table against a wall. Not fully understanding what was going on he turned inward further. Looking through his dragon's memories he found what he was looking for. Immersing himself into the memory Michael came out panting with the most painful rejection he'd had to date. Now he understood why his dragon was in such a fit of rage. Pushing himself further to the surface Michael stilled his hand as his dragon went to destroy his couch. "You can not mate with Sky when her body isn't here," stated Michael lowing his hand.

"We felt her," shouted his dragon trying to resume his demolition of the room. "I saw her, felt her, and smelled her. You can smell her still!"

Not being able to deny this fact Michael tried to redirect his dragons anger. "Yes and the only reason she was here is because of her mating mark. Since it doesn't hurt any more she was here to do what was natural. She soothed our pain with her touch. Lord knows what kind of state she's in after that. It's got to take a lot of power to project that much of herself here."

Sliding to a stop on his path of destruction Michael dragon did a complete 180. Worry filled him as he began to freak out. "What if she didn't just disappear and go home! What if she is a slight coma again because she used too much energy. Remember when she healed Eli! We've got to go now!"

"Stop freaking out," shouted Michael mentally hitting his dragon in the back of the head. "If she was in danger of dying you'd be the first to know. Stop and use the bonds the Goddess gave us for once. Open your mind and since what she's feeling. I'll tell you right now it isn't death that's for sure."

Being the King gave him the privilege of feeling through the bonds of his people. That way he could feel their nervousness, anger, deceit, or whatever else they might feel. He used that to the best of his ability to make the best-informed decisions he could. He could also keep track of the important things in his life, like a little wayward dragon. He would know instantly if she became really hurt, like when he found her on the beach that day. Normally he keeps those bonds shut down because no one wanted to feel a barrage of emotions from millions of people. After that horrible day, he kept Sky's close at hand. He never wanted her to suffer the way she did that night again. That was one of the reasons his dragon had placed a seal on her chest the last time she went on a walkabout. If her soul left her body again he'd be the first to know about it. That was probably why his dragon woke up as soon as she appeared in the room and he didn't. Which by the way he was a little mad about because he wouldn't have minded experiencing her hands all over him. Of course, hindsight for him was twenty-twenty because he knew she was looking for her mating mark. Either way no man alive wouldn't appreciate a beautiful woman feeling them up.

There was the worry of her expending herself too much to make herself as solid as possible. As soon as he'd thought about that he'd reached for that bond and found her tore up with an array of emotions. The most prevalent next to amazement was sexual gratification, and yes that had a feeling. Well, it's really a combination of feelings all rolled into one jelly legged, sweat induced, ready for the best night's sleep ever feeling. "If she thinks that's good just wait until I get my hands on her," purred his dragon as he settled himself down and curled around the bond they had with Sky.

Rubbing the tension from his face Michael ignored the bodies on the floor and headed into his bathroom. How did one apologize for scaring the piss out of your own friends and make them fear for their own lives? Not knowing the answer he figured it best just to leave. Closing the door behind him Michael turned the water on to the bath and climbed in. Sinking down into the tube he made an un-Kingly like sound and hung his head in shame. Here again, he was going to have to clean up his dragons mess but at least this time there weren't any deaths to go along with it. Turning the water off Michael sake down until his head was underwater and stayed there until his lungs were burning. Coming up for air Michael sucked in the needed oxygen as he scrubbed the water from his face. "Trying to drown yourself never solves anything," came a familiar voice out of nowhere.

Shooting up straight Michael snarled at Shelby as he extended his claws. Ignoring the clear sign of aggression Shelby packed a chair over to the tub. Sitting down he kicked his feet up on the edge of the tub. "What do you think you're doing old man," snarled Michael glaring at Shelby, but in complete shock at his behavior.

This was something only Eli would dare to do, but yet here was a council member lounged out in his bathroom like they were old friends. "I am stepping into shoes I never figured I would for my King," laughed Shelby still ignoring Michael's very apparent signs of aggression.

"And what shoes are those," asked Michael not lowering his aggressive stance.

"The ones of a father having to talk to his son about dragons and mating," smirked Shelby raising an eyebrow at him.

"Are you insinuating that I am stupid," roared Michael as his death whirled around him.

"Nope," laughed Shelby in the face of danger. "I know for a fact you are ignorant of the way dragons court each other. How truly possessive they can be of their mates. As well as the need to mark and claim them as soon as possible. It's a need that borders on insanity, because for them it's almost a life or death emergency. To them, it feels like if they don't mark them then they will die."

Michael stood there confused as he listened to what Shelby had to say, and even though it didn't make much since it did. The level of anger he'd felt rolling off his dragon did feel just like the anger he felt on the beach. He understood the beach but tonight didn't make much sense at all. What really shocked him was if there was more to his mating thing why hadn't anyone told him. Why is it he'd never known? Chuckling Shelby pointed toward the water. "Sit down my King and listen to the words from this old man." Nodding his head Michael sank back into the scolding hot water. Once he was settled Shelby began again. "As King, you were never expected to have a mate as all the Kings before you didn't have mates. None of their dragons wanted anyone and so they never experienced this unwavering need to mark a female. The previous King never taught you this because you can not teach what you yourself do not know. No one else thought to teach you because why explain things you'll never experience. Of course, now we are here."

"My guards know about all this though correct," asked Michael perplexed on why they haven't been forthcoming on this information.

"Yes their fathers have had this same kind of talk with them," answered Shelby propping his hands up behind his head. "But they were also told that they would probably never find their mates because of the line of work they do. Because they are not among the females of their kind they typically never mate. From what I understand and read that never once has all of the guards ever found their mates. One or two have but never all of them. Honestly, they probably didn't think anything of your behavior until you threatened to kill them."

"I would never," shouted Michael shooting up right at that accusation. "Never once did I utter such a thing!"

Looking back at the memory again to make sure he didn't miss anything his dragon glared at Shelby who was laughing. "You didn't have to say anything. Your dragon said it all in one primal snarls that any male dragon knows instinctually. Sex is a very compromising position for a female and can be deadly if you're attacked. Your instincts to precept her put your dragon on a new level of aggression even toward your best of friends. Hell, he would attack his own brother in that situation."

"You jest," huffed Michael sinking back down into the water feeling even worse than he did before.

It was no wonder everyone was on the floor without his powers putting them there. This also explains the fear he felt from them like their lives where threatened. Giving Michael a humph sound Shelby stood up and pulled his shirt over his head and presented Michael his back. "I do not jest my King."

Looking at Shelby's back, Michael cringed at the sight of the jagged scars. They ran fat and deep from his right shoulder down to his left hip where they disappeared under his pants. It was a wonder how Shelby was alive today to be standing here talking to him at all. Putting his shirt back on he didn't bother with tucking it back in as he retook his seat. "What happened," asked Michael genuinely curious about how all of this relates together and the story behind the gnarly scar.

Getting a far off look, a half-smile graced Shelby's lips. "It happened long ago and I can laugh at it now even though it wasn't so funny when it happened. But let's start at the beginning of this tail and let me tell you about my baby brother. We were born about two hundred years apart so it was my job to care for and protect him. Like all big brothers do. He was my shadow and wanted to do everything that I did, but he made a horrible guard. He could wield any weapon we handed him but he spent more time admiring the handy work of said weapon then using it. Our family is from a long line of distinguished generals as you know, but was my little brother was a failure. His heart just wasn't it and never would be, but I saw what it was into. At the age of fifty when he flunked his entrance exams to become a guard, I took him to the Smithing Guild to apprentice under the Master smiths. He became the youngest Master swords maker to date at the age of one hundred. No one could forge a better blade than him. They where lightweight, stronger than any sword to date and man would they sing in battle!" Pausing in his story as if reliving a past battle Shelby smiled and laughed a little before shaking the memory from his head. "His craftsmanship of all of his weapons became legendary and everyone traveled from the four corners to get a sword crafted by him. Even the previous King had a sword made and it's the one you carry to this day, your Majesty.

All was good in the world until a new doctor moved into town bringing with him his beautiful daughter. Her skin was as pale as cream, her hair was raven black like yours and your eyes could be a direct copy of hers. This woman was as beautiful as a porcupine doll. Her name was Bella and my bother fell madly in love with her. In the fire kingdom, interracial couples are shunned and ostracized. It's not as bad as it once was. Since the number of females has dropped substantially over the last several thousand years it's gotten better. At this point, most of the old ones will welcome any baby hoping for a girl. From what I hear the capital city hasn't seen a girl born in the last forty years, but that's a worry for later, back to the story.

Anyway, my father found out he was courting this earth dragon and lost it. He went on a rant at my bother on how he is shaming his family by courting a she-dragon of a weaker element. Of course, my brother ignored the tirade and continued to pursue Bella. Then one day my father found out that not only was my bother still courting this little earth dragon, but her dragon was also mute. She could not heal and she could not move the earth. To him, that was adding insult to injury and he could not stand it anymore. He could not send his son away because of his prestige and notoriety, but he could force the doctor and his family out of town. One day when my brother went to meet his love she was gone. My father had sent them packing in the middle of the night and made sure that Bella could not contact my brother. My father was dumb to think that the separation would make my brother forget about Bella. My father locked him away in jail for a little while when he disobeyed his order of not following after them. Not even that worked because he went after her. Of course, me being the older brother I am, when I found out I went in search of my wayward brother.

What no one knew was that Bella did have powers, but they weren't normal, and I was about to find out the hard way."

Holding his hand up for Shelby to wait Michael got out of his now cold bath and asked, "What do you mean by not normal? Like Sky and her blue flames?"

Shaking his head no Shelby replied, "Oh no Sky is an alone freak when it comes to that, and I say that lovingly," added Shelby quickly holding his hands up in defense. "See some times an earth dragon baby comes out odd. They have powers that don't fit into earthmoving or healing powers. Their powers are still earth based but they specialize in metals, but they are very rare. So rare they are thought of as a birth defect and most people toss those baby away."

Pausing with his pants halfway up the Michael looked at Shelby mortified. "How can they kill babies! They don't even have the use of their powers at birth how can they even know that they have this ability!"

Spinning in his seat so that he could talk directly to the King, Shelby's voice took on a serious tone. "Because the males are born with grey scales, and the females are born with jet black hair with either blue or green eyes. the same as fire dragons typically have red-brown to red hair with hazel or blue eyes. It's like they are a class of their own and they can not deviate from it."

"This is horrible," stated Michael aghast at the thought of this practice still happening under his nose. "Please tell me this is a thing of the past!"

Shaking his head no Shelby stood up and returned his chair from where it was once sitting. "Unfortunately no. I hear that some earth cities it is a law that a mother must kill her child if he or she is born defective. Some run away with their babies, others leave their babies at the altar of the Mother in hopes she'll take them back because they can not bring themselves to take the child's life. Others the choice is taken out of their hands as the guards take the baby from them. There are some cities that have become sanctuary cities for the metal movers or so they are called, but a lot of the cities pay good money to bounty hunters to hunt them down and eliminate them."

Fully dressed now Michael walks out of his room and heads for the door leading out of his room. "I'm hungry so let's continue this in the office," said Michael pulling the door open and looking at the twins standing just outside. "Have the cook bring us something that goes good with whiskey. We'll be in my office." Bowing deeply a twin ran off as Michael began making his way toward the office. "Please continue unless you fear the hallways have ears."

"Everything has ears here," replied Shelby following the King silently.

Once they were inside the King's office and Michael was seated behind his desk did Michael ask, "Why is it I've never heard of this atrocity before?"

"Because they are a cur to the earth dragons highest houses, and an embracement. They have fought for thousands of years to eradicate their curs from existence. So, of course, the noble houses would try to hide it," replied Shelby packing Tanner's chair over and sitting it in front of the King's desk.

"And how is it you know of all of this," asked Michael opening his desk drawer. Picking Sky's picture out of the drawer he laid it in front of him before plucking two tumblers out.

"You know you should really frame this. Whoever drew it got the laughter of her eyes just right," said Shelby as he turned the picture around and smiled. "They truly captured her essence and free spirit and she's grown into a beautiful woman."

Plucking the picture back off the desk Michael placed it quickly back into the drawer before closing it and opening the one below it. Pulling out a bottle of whiskey Michael poured them both a drink. "So I've been told, but again how is it you know this information? I find it odd that while I was training in the Land of Earth I've never heard such things, and I would hope Jamie wasn't keeping such a secret from me."

Taking the glass Shelby took a sip before sighing with please and sitting back in his chair. "Jamie probably doesn't know his parents are fighting the hardest to stop the killing, but it's hard to fight tradition. Most people don't talk about it or even know much about it. It's not until a metal dragon is born, do most learn of their existence. That's when the Lords descend and demand the freak be killed. After my sister-in-law told me about this I did my own research because I couldn't believe such things. Fire dragons are considered the most cold-hearted and bloodthirsty, but not even we kill babies. Welp's are precious even if the Goddess tests our love with a special welp who requires more care then most. That was one reason her father moved them to the Lands of Fire so that he could protect her from the hunters."

Excepting that answer, Michael made a mental note to investigate this matter fully. Thinking about who he could inquire too within his own castle Michael sneered as he thought of Leon. Suddenly several things clicked into place on the hatred Leon had for his mate. Looking up over the rim of his glass Michael asked, "I take it Leon is one of the financial backers for the metal dragon hunts huh."

Finishing his drink in one gulp Shelby thunked his glass down upon the desk. "That I can not say but you're a smart King. I'm sure you can figure it out. As a council member, I can not speak ill of other members."

Refilling his glass Michael replied, "I understand. So is there a point to his story?"

Laughing Shelby picked up his glass and took a sip before replying, "Of course there is. So back to the story then. I searched for him for five years when I got word that he had settled in a tiny town near the border of the White Woods. So I went to him and found he'd got himself a nice home and a workshop just far enough from town for privacy, but close enough to make it there in a two hour ride. When I arrived at his home I found it empty. As I walked around it I found my brother running around down by the river like a crazy man. He was laughing and jumping and rolling down the shoreline. Then out of nowhere he dropped trow and began humping the air. I feared the worst and ran to his side. He made that same sound you did toward your guards and attacked me. I was one of the highest-ranking guards before I left to go find my brother. No one could beat me. No one was faster than me. No one could outmaneuver me, but yet my blacksmithing brother did. In my heart, I knew I was going to die, and I knew when and if my brother came to his senses he'd beside himself with grief.

The goddess is kind though. What I didn't know was that Bella was a playful mate who could do walkabouts. She was gifted with a level of walkabout that I didn't know existed. Most people who can walkabout are insubstantial. They can not touch anything or be touched. They are merely observers in whatever area in which they choose. Then you have ones like Sky and Bella. They both have so much spiritual energy that their body can take form even if we can not see it on this plane of existence.

See Bella was down the road a ways at her parent's house. He father was having guest over and her mother was ready to lay her egg any day. They were just waiting on her dragon to say today is the day. Well while at the dinner party she hid way and went to torture her mate while he was down by the river trying to catch supper. So what I really saw was him chasing and playing with her. She brought her father and all his doctor friends in enough time to patch me up before I bled to death. Bella is the reason I'm alive today and I couldn't be any more grateful to her.

If I would have known that when my brother had dropped trow he was reaffirming his bond with his mate I would have never dared get close. The instinct to protect a mate that is in such a compromising position is so strong the dragon will kill anything close. Of course, you know this."

"I know this even if I don't understand it. I was told it as fact to never approach a male dragon who is claiming his mate. If the dragon attacks then he is not liable for the damages or the death he causes because there is no controlling the action," stated Michael as if he was reciting it from a book.

Laughing Shelby emptied his glass again before getting a faraway look. "Oh, you will when she finally lays under you. Only then will it all make sense to you."

"But if Bella was on a walkabout then she was in no real danger because she wasn't there," stated Michael refilling both of their glasses.

"Ah but when a dragon is balls deep in his mate he doesn't think about whether her body is there or not. Honestly, he doesn't think much at all besides I need to fill her with my seed so her belly with swell with my child. Oh and I need to make her scream my name," added Shelby before he busted out laughing.

Suddenly the door behind him flew open as Lord Leon blew in like a raging storm. "What is the meaning of this," shouted Lord Leon his face red with anger. "Why are the King and a council member meeting secretly in the dead of night!"

Rolling his eyes Shelby finished his drink and stood up. Adjusted the obvious bulge in his pants Shelby gave Michael a sheepish grin. "Thinking about my mate under me as put me in a slight predicament so I ask to buy your leave, Your Majesty. Should you have any more questions about mating marks and claiming a mate I'm sure Lord Leon wouldn't mind answering them for you."

Making his way past the Lord with a tray ladened down with food, the twin sent for the food stated harshly, "Why would his Majesty ask a man who caused his pain in the first place for help. That is about asinine."

Setting the tray down on the desk the twin suddenly flew backward at the sound of a slap. Hitting the ground hard the twin rolled to a stop against the wall, blood dripping from his lip and nose. "Mind your place and head boy, before you lose them both," snapped Shelby with a murderous look. Turning his attention to Lord Leon, Shelby continued, "Was that sufficient Lord Leon or should I continue the lesson?"

"Maybe another good wack to make sure the lesson sinks in," stated Lord Leon with pure evil in his eyes.

With a nod, Shelby walked over to the twin who was struggling to his feet and grabbed him by his shirt collar. Pulling him up by it, Shelby decked him hard in the face knocking him unconscious. Letting his body drop to the floor Shelby stepped over the him and made his way toward the door. Pausing by the door, Shelby's anger turned to worry as he looked at the King. "Please your Majesty since you missed supper please eat, and I know you're in pain but you also need to try to sleep."

With that Shelby left the office walking passed Lord Leon who was pinching his nose. "You reek of mate me hormones," complained Lord Leon waving his hand in front of his face.

"Well if you just had the conversation we were having you'd want to go home and affirm your mating bonds as well," smiled Shelby before he walked off laughing.

Bowing to Michael, Lord Leon turned, "I paid someone to have that kind of talk with my son. I'm glad he called for you," stated Lord Leon as the door closed behind him.

Staring at the closed door Michael racked his brain on how Shelby could smell so strongly of mating hormones. Then again he was defiantly sporting an erection, but it's not like they were having that kind of conversation. Plus who had called for him, and why. Michael knew he hadn't. "Man," complained the twin pushing himself out of the floor. "That old man can still land a punch. It's embarrassing getting knocked out by an old man with a hard-on."

"You're taking this well," said Michael eyeing the twin suspiciously.

Laughing the twin rubbed the blood off of his face before smiling. "This is better than Lord Leon asking for my head, and this light pain is better than Lord Shelby being in trouble. I don't mind being a misdirect. All in a days work your Majesty."

With that, the twin left leaving Michael completely lost and wounding what he'd missed. Because apparently something transpired between the two that was left unsaid. Having too many questions and not enough answers Michael figured he could find a couple of them with the help of two individuals. Theses individuals were the best of the best when it came to sneaking around. It was good to have top-notch spies he could trust. Without hesitation, Michael reached within him and found the two bonds he was looking for. Grabbing ahold of Kyle and Owens bonds, he gave them both a sharp pull. Now all he had to do was wait for them to arrive.

*******

Placing her newly queried money into her satchel right next to the sleeping Mayaya, Sky smiled. "So what do you want to do now? Since we're going to be stuck here for a couple of days until they fix the van?"

"Let's go to the market and see what kind of food they got," beamed William as he got excited about the prospect of food while he took possession of Mayaya and her caring case.

Smiling herself April agreed wholeheartedly as they all trudged through the crowded city streets. "Anything with meat," said William almost drooling. "We haven't had any good meat in about a month. Can we find maybe a barbecue place or a steak house?"

Turning around and walking backward Sky looked toward the gaggle of guards traveling behind her. "What do you guys think? Y'all want barbecue or steak?"

"Whatever pleases you, Princess," replied the head guard.

Pausing if only for a brief moment Sky counted aloud before turning back around and continuing forward. "The steak house wins at seven to two," stated Sky taking in the sights.

"Yummy Steak," shouted William leaping into the air like the kid he was. "Oh I can taste it already!"

Everyone laughed at his antics as they continued their adventure through the market until they came to the square. In the center of town was a tall dais on one side and gallows on the other. There was also a guillotine and a whipping post in the center. The stench of death, rot, and blood clung to the air as the group came to a stop. "What kind of town centers itself around the death of others," asked the head guards as he stepped up beside Sky.

"More like who whips a naked man and leaves him hanging," asked April pointing toward the whipping post.

"By the Goddess," exclaimed the head guard rushing in that direction.

Making her way quickly over to the platform that held a thin and bloody man Sky followed the head guard up the stairs. Wrinkling her nose at the stench of the man's pain and suffering she looked upon a pile of bone draped in flesh. From here she could see maggots feasting within the deep furrow within his back. That alone told her this man has been strung up by his wrists for more than a day. "What has this man done to deserve such heinous treatment," snapped the Head Guard as Sky walked passed him toward the barely standing skeleton.

"He raped the town Lord's daughter, for that he is to be strung up for three days and whipped by all who wish to avenge the Lord's daughter," replied the Executioner presenting the head guard with a whip. "Would you like a whip or a cat of nine tails it's your choice."

Hearing that the man raped a woman made Sky furious. Memories from the man who tried to rape her flashed in her mind's eye. Agreeing that any man who did such atrocities should suffer, this was not the way. No, that man in front of her should be given a quick death, not a slow agonizing one. Making her way to stand in front of the man Sky wanted to know why one chooses to rape when it seems practice mating is so prevalent. Humans have establishments for needly men who need to release their excess pheromones. Humans had the exact same bodies as dragons so coupling with a human was easy enough, so why rape? Why take with force what someone else might give willingly. Coming to a stop before him Sky watched the man's bloodshot eyes open and stare sadly at her. Bringing her dragon up Sky looked pasted the golden-brown eyes and into the strings that moved sluggishly within the man's dying body. "Did you rape the High Lord's daughter?"

"If I say yes would you beat me less than if I say no," croaked the man as he licked his dry cracked lips.

Within him, Sky could only see the memories of him looking at people while tied to this pole. None of what she saw led her to any kind of conclusion causing her to get angry so she asked again, "I want the truth did you rape the High Lord's daughter?"

"Do what you wish with me. I can see you've already made up your mind," whispered the man getting his feet up under him and standing tall. Using the post to lean heavily on the man waited. Sky turned to see the head guard behind him whip in hand waiting on her.

Stepping closer to the dying man Sky glared at him. The Executioner tried to step around the head guard as he cautioned, "Be careful my Lady don't get to close he might reach out and hurt you!"

Legs shaking with the exertion of just holding his own body up Sky knew he didn't have the strength to hurt a fly. Why willing take a punishment and not think about why you were being punished. Reaching out Sky place her hands on either side of the man's face before laying her forehead to his. "Tell me true," growled Sky opening the flood walls between them. She was going to get her answers one way or another. "Did you rape her?"

April knew what Sky was doing and so did the rest of her entourage. They were warned about Sky's ability to look into memories and limit their contact with her. If she was emotionally upset to never under any circumstances touch her, or she could lose control and bring down whatever building they were in. On top of that Sky used her gift many times to help the High Lord in Rivia to get to the bottom of some arguments and accusations. Being able to see into people afforded her the truth of a situation. Of course, April didn't know why Sky wanted to see the truth of this situation. Having known that Sky was almost rapped herself and suffered through her rapist memories, it was beyond her why she would put herself through such horror.

Hearing what Sky had asked they figured things would happen like normal. She would ask her question, shuffle through the memories and step away. All of this always happened within a fraction of a second. Within a fraction of a second, the man began to scream as blue flames erupted all around them. Jumping from the platform in all directions guards retreated to a safe distance. April hand gripped her chest as the man continued to scream on a level she'd never heard. Within his voice, she could also hear his dragon screaming in pain. The sound echoed throughout the town bringing people from all corners. Mortified April stood there shocked. In her heart, she couldn't believe Sky was killing him in such a fashion that was making him scream like that. Tears rolled down her face as the man continued to scream. No man deserved this even if he was a very bad man who did very bad things. Okay, maybe baby killers or child rapists but that's about it.

Holding Mayaya closer to his side as she poked her head out of the satchel William scratched her ear. Even she looked deeply disturbed by the man's screams. The group surrounds the town center continued to grow as one man pushed himself through the crowd. "Move out of my way! I am the town Lord," shouted a man as he shoved his way through the crowd.

Turning to look at the pompous man walking out and shoving people to the ground as he went April's body froze. A scream tore through the air so loud and shrill she was sure her ears would bleed. The scream shook the ground and the very air around her. If an angle was to come to this plane and scream out this is what it would have sounded like. This scream touched almost all of April's senses. Bile rose into her mouth as the sickening feel of her body. Her ears threatened to burst and the world around her began to get blurry. Not like she was losing her sight but like the air around them was beginning to fill with a milky white light. Out of nowhere, the ground below her was torn asunder. Crying out April back peddled away from the gaping chasm that began to appear in front of her. When she looked up again she could no longer see the crowd of people or the buildings at all. All that was in front of her was a wall of white and the only sound was the screaming. No one seemed to be behind the wall except for her which meant she would have to turn around. April didn't know why she hadn't looked to see who was screaming until know. Maybe because in her head she knew it was Sky but if she didn't look at her then the screaming wouldn't be so bad. Now as she turned tears rolled down Aprils face. Sky was on fire as blue flames consumed all of her clothes. The beaten man lay on the ground unconscious at her feet. Blood ran freely down Sky's face from her eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Her skin was stark white as if all of her blood had been drained from her body.

"Dear child, heart of my heart, why do you weep so," asked a haggard old woman out of nowhere.

"Their pain," screamed Sky bringer he hands to her ears. "I can hear them all!"

"I always hear them, child," replied the old woman sadly, "I am the mother and into my embrace, they all come."

"This is wrong," screamed Sky as the ground began to shake so violently that April lost her footing as she fell to the ground. "What was done to them is wrong!"

Looking around the white enclosure, all April could see was the four of them. Who was Sky talking about? "Can't you hear them all," cried out Sky again before letting loose another scream.

Flames shout up from the broken ground and seemed to reach for the heavens. Backing away from the closest blue flamed April rubbed her eyes before doing a double-take. Within the flames were people of all different shapes and sizes. They all seemed to be screaming and crying. Helplessly April watched as all of the crying people were killed one way or another. Lot's were hanged, others were beheaded, a couple of fledglings were whipped to death. Hundreds of them had died right here from the looks of it, thought April as tears began to flow again. What kind of place was this that, this many people needed to die? Something wasn't right here. There were even little babies within the flames crying out as they were pulled from their mothers. Black-haired, blue-eyed babies of all ages from newborns to toddlers. April could no longer hold back the vomit from witnessing all of the atrocities around her. "By the Goddess," gasped April wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "What kind of evil have you let dwell here?"

Suddenly a golden dragon landed inches from April and snarled at her. Canines snapped together inches from her face as the dragon spat, "I only let dwell what the people will allow. Do not blame such atrocities on me CHILD! Do you wish to die!"

April's dragon instantly had her face-first on the ground only inches from her pile of vomit. Fear on a level she'd never experienced before had her body shaking violently as she lost bladder control completely. Sighing the golden dragon lowered her head before nudging April and apologizing, "I'm sorry my child. I do not mean to take my anger out on you. You did no wrong, But it's time you leave now."

April's face was smashed in the dirt as she cried like her life was forfeit to the golden dragon. She was crying so hard she hadn't even realized that she no longer resided within the globe of white. It wasn't until a set of hands was cradling her to their chest did the small voice reach her ears. With the pressure of another body holding her tightly April continued to shake violently as she listened to her little brother desperately trying to soothe her and telling her she was safe. "Move her quick the wall is moving again," shouted someone as she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

Looking over the head guards shoulder April watched as buildings began to designate as soon as the white wall touched it. Running away from it everyone fell to the ground as the earth shook violently. Fissures began to open up within the street as what was left of the buildings began to collapse. "By the Goddess what's going on in there," whispered the head guard watching as the town slowly began to be wiped from existence.

"The Goddess is in there," whispered April shaking like a leaf. "Don't speak too loudly or she'll hear you."

As if on cue the walls suddenly dropped and a golden blonde woman with gold-colored eyes was making her way toward them. Dragging two bodies cross the ground the strange woman came to a stop in front of the head guard. Quicker then possible April was out of the guard's arms and laying flat on the ground at the woman's feet. Ignoring her the woman turned her cold golden eyes toward the town Lord. "I can not believe that I got drug here to deal with a low life scum like you," spat the woman who stepped over April.

"How dare you speak to me in such a way," shouted the Lord in return as his face became red in anger.

"I will speak to you in whatever way I wish. I figured the people of this town would have killed you by now, but no. I gave everyone the power to choose and they chose to let you rule and continue to rule. They chose to do nothing, and it's not my place to interfere," lectured the woman as she stuck her finger in the Lord's face.

"How dare you," shouted the Lord as he drew back to strike the woman.

The group gasped at both the woman's words as well as the Lord's reaction. Of course, the gasps were different depending on who made the sound. There was the lower class that gasped at the woman's words because they knew she'd signed her own death warrant. The upper class gasped because they were surprised that the Lord was getting his own hands dirty this time. When the hand never moved from the raised position the crowd began to look quickly between the strange woman and the town Lord. Shaking her head the woman turned back toward April who was still laying flat in the floor shaking like she was about to be executed. Poking her in the ribs with her toe the woman said, "Get up child, you're worried for nothing. I get told worse things on an hourly basis than what you said. Either way, I need you to get this one idiot to the Inn as well as her soon to be new best friend. Oh and please let her know I'm using her suggestion."

Crawling off the ground April made her way slowly over to Sky as she stammered, "Yes Goddess as you wish."

Looking between April, the strange, woman and the Lord who was still frozen in place the head gaurd made his way over to the dead looking man. "May I ask how is it you're making me move without my consent and what was Sky's suggestion?"

Laughing the woman's smile hit the head guard like a bolt of lighting. "Because I created you and I can suggest you do something really strongly. Your dragon is smart and knows when to listen. As far as what Sky requested, she requested death by manticore as a means of purging the evil from this city. An I figured why not. Either way I suggest you move quickly," informed the woman as a manticore landed on the rooftop behind them and let loose a roar that shattered the windows around him.

At that moment the streets erupted into chaos as dragons, humans, and beast ran for their lives. The first to die was the Town Lord because fat people couldn't run fast. That and the head guard figure the woman claiming to be the Goddess put him at the top of the list. Even though his logical brain couldn't believe what the Woman said was true he ran, but the time they reached the Inn he had begun rethinking it. For one how many women did one meet with golden eyes? Two how many could make his dragon do whatever they wanted it to do. It was like he didn't have a choice in the mater. An three, he'd never seen so many manticores in his long existence put together in one place. It was like they had descended from all corners of the world upon this town. Full-grown males to spry juveniles raced through the city attacking this person or that. He'd even spotted quite a few females as well. How they made it to the Inn without getting eaten was beyond him. The Goddess had to have a hand in it, but then again it was the Goddess who'd told them to get Sky and this rank smelling bag of bones back to the Inn. Closing the bedroom doors behind them the group sat huddled together in the middle of the floor as the screams of people and the roar of the manticores could be heard throughout the night.

When morning came the world was deathly quiet. Leaving April, William, and the two unconscious bodies on the floor, the head guard left the Inn to look around town. Claw marks and blood decorated the town like it had one heck of a party last night. The streets were clear of animals and surprisingly bodies. One would think with the carnage that happened last night there would at least be a couple of body parts laying around. To his surprise, the streets where clean besides the normal trash one found upon the city streets of a substantially sized city. Every so often he'd hear the whispered voices of people in hiding or the quick movement behind a current. At every corner, he expected to see a manticore jumping out but there were none there.

After a thorough search of the city, the head guard found that all of the aristocracies were gone. This also included almost all of the upper guardsmen and standing military for the city. If nothing was done this city would fall to ruin without some kind of leadership. It wasn't like the people couldn't lead themselves, because they could. Currently, with all the heads of town government dead it would leave a power vacuum. This whole would be filled and not necessarily by a good person. Lawlessness would ensue and the poor in this town would suffer even more.

Changing tactics of seeing who was alive the head guard sent his men out in attempts together up as many guards as possible and reassemble some kind of standing army. He would also need to get help from higher above in the social standing to rebuild this town. There would also need to be a change in command since their current raceme is dead.

Locating a letter service the head guard wrote a quick letter explaining just enough to get the High Lord's attention. From there he handed the Letter over to the man who was hiding in the living quarters above the postal service with the instruction to send it to the High Lord Silvanus. Looking at the letter the postman raised a questioning brow at the head guard. "You're joking right? The High Lord will never receive this or lift a figure to help up. You are wasting your time and money."

"It's my time and money, and I'm sure none of it will be wasted. Now send the damn letter!"

Rolling his eyes the postman placed a green crystal bird upon the letter before opening the window. Within the blink of an eye the inch long crystal had transformed into a peregrine falcon and flew away.

Even though he hadn't written much he knew that whoever read it would make sure the High Lord got it. If not then there were more problems then just this little town. No one could ignore the words that read. Sky burnt down three city blocks and ripped the city in half literally. Manticores devoured a quarter of the city populates in a bloody rampage that lasted all night. Sky and a half-dead man I believe are dying in the middle of the floor and there are no doctors left alive. I'm sure we met the Goddess personally and the King is going to kill me. Send help! Then he signed it with his name and title.

Leaving the shop he sent a prayer to the Goddess that they would receive the letter and that someone would come. Since he was almost one hundred percent sure now that she existed, he knew she'd hear him.

Two days passed with no change in anything. Sky was still ice cold and unresponsive, and the half dead man was thought to be fully dead. It was hard to tell if he was still living with as bed as he smells but he did have a heartbeat. They did manage to get a doctor in from the next town over but he stated there was nothing he could do for the two of them. Their lives were in the Goddess's hands. On the third day, one of his newly appointed guardsmen rushed into the Inn completely out of breath, "Regent Commander! An entire fleet of dragons just landed on the outskirts of town!"

Dropping his fork the head guard snatched up his biscuit and ran out of the door following the new guard. When they arrived at the edge of town the High Lord and Lady were straightening their clothes. Spying him the High Lord grinned from ear to ear. "Fredrick my old friends how are you," greeted the High Lord as he embraced the head guard.

"It would have been a lot better if I was on my way back home, but I'm not so lucky. I laughed when I was given this escort mission, and thought I was being punished. Now I understand why," laughed Fredrick rubbing the back of his head. "As it stands right now I'm failing at my job all the way around."

"Yes," stated Lady Silvanus making her way over to the men. "You should have been at the capital over a week ago and you're still a week out!"

"Yeah well, we had quite a few hang-ups along the way including several uncontrolled walkabouts. But we can get to those later. Right now I'm worried about Sky and the stranger's health. They are both unresponsive and if it wasn't for the heartbeats one would naturally assume they were dead," informed Fredrick as he turned quickly and gestured for them to quickly follow him.

Reaching the Inn as quickly as their feet would take them Lady Silvanious rushed up the stairs to the living quarters. Finding Sky laying on the bed she quickly looked her over before turning her attention toward the unconscious man on the floor. "So what's the prognosis Lilly," asked Fredrick with a worried look.

"We need to get him back to the castle as quickly as possible or he will die," stated Lady Silvanus pointing toward the man on the floor. "As for the Princess she seems to be in some kind of super hibernation. Her power has been completely drained passed the point of death, but somehow she's still alive. On top of that, the flow of magic into her body is trickling in slowly and even with this reduction her core is erratic."

"Meaning," asked Fredrick looking even more worried.

"That if she wakes up then her power will be unleashed upon the world unmetered. There would be nothing to stop it from consuming her while it recks havoc all around her," replied Lilly unaware of the devastation that Sky could really cause.

"By the Goddess lets hope not or none of us will survive it," prayed Fredrick.

"Show us what you mean by burnt down the town and ripped it in half," said the High Lord as he gestured for Fredrick to lead the way.

Making his way down the stairs and out of the Inn Fredrick rubbed his tired and beard stubbled face. "It's exactly as I wrote it Brandon. She burnt down three city blocks and tore the city in half. It's honestly a very scary sight, so brace yourselves. I'm honestly surprised you didn't see in before you landed."

"I know she looks to be about two hundred years of age but she's only twenty Fredrick. She's just a baby by our standards. There is no way she's got enough power to do what you claim she did. An we just flew in, we didn't circle first. Your letter sounded urgent so urgency is what we did," scoffed Lilly taking in her surroundings.

Even though the town had been working hard to put itself back together there was still evidence of the manticore massacre. The blood as been scrubbed away from the buildings and from the roads. Claw marks, on the other hand, couldn't be washed off. Continuing in an uncomfortable silence the Lord and Lady Silvanus came to an abrupt halt when they turned the corner and found a massive void within the city. Where buildings should have been nothing remained and even from where they stood they could see the massive crack in the ground.

"By the Goddess," exclaimed one of Lord Silvanus's guards as they stopped at the edge of the fissure. "Is all of that ash?"

Nodding his head yes, Fredrick ran his hand through his disheveled hair. "Not even the stones are left from the houses that once sat here. All of it was turned to ash."

"How can one person have this kind of power," gasped the same guard with an extremely worried expression.

Looking at Fredrick before scanning the damage again Lilly turned to him. "There is more to this story than I am seeing here. I since worry and fear coming from you spit it out old friend before I write my sister-in-law and have her beat it out of you."

"Ah yes how is sister doing," laughed the High Lord? When Fredrick didn't respond back or laugh the High Lords smile fell from his face. "Spit it out old man, what's really bothering you? I know it's got nothing to do with your mate."

Taking a deep breath Fredrick rubbed the back of his neck as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. "The damage was growling quickly in size and I don't think it would have stopped until Sky died or the town was destroyed. I believe the Goddess put a stop to it when she showed up. I saw these spirits, these people with in walls that consumed the city and they looked like metal movers."

"You saw the Goddess," laughed one of the many Guards that had just arrived. "What ale are you drinking? I hope there's more."

"So you've seen the Goddess huh," laughed Lilly. "She does have pretty purple eyes huh?"

Shaking his head no, Fredrick looked back over the damage while he brought the memory back up of the strange woman. "No, she had golden blonde hair that sparkled and shined in the sunlight like spun gold. Her eyes were pools of liquid gold that sat in her sun-kissed skin."

Looking at each other in shock Lilly and her mate Brandon both spoke at the same time, "Tell us everything!"