[Ch. 54] The Dragon Elders (Past)

In the evening we met at the base of the mountain for the banquet.

The Dragon clan sat comfortably on the grass with small tables made out of rocks. Even if they did love eating meat, they gave respect to the animal before every meal and used every part of it. Tama leaned over to me and spoke in a low voice, "Not that I'm complaining, but when will you give Mino his voice back?"

I looked at Mino who was glaring at me. I sneered, "Maybe when I leave."

Korph asked with a mouth full of meat, "Isn't that a few days away?"

"Mmn."

Tama forced a chuckle, "I didn't think you'd be so cold."

I shrugged, "I dislike loud people."

Tama ceased speaking after hearing my cold voice as he knew that he was naturally loud. Korph handed me a plate with only fruits and veggies.

I nodded at him, "Thank you, little dragon."

Korph puffed out his cheeks indignantly, "Stop calling me that…"

Raylon noticed I was appreciating the utensils and smiled, "Do you like Dragon island?"

Instantly, all of the Dragon clan members froze and turned to me in anticipation. It was clear that they desperately wanted to hear the answer. I found it a bit cute.

The corners of my lips twitched, "Mmn. I've never met a group of people who have respected the Earth to this extent. It's comforting."

Korph almost choked, "Are you telling the truth?!"

"Mmn."

Amanda smiled warmly at Korph, "My Lady rarely speaks, but she never lies."

Mona burst out laughing and tried to hide her face. She glanced at Raylon, "If that's true, then you must be extremely happy Raylon!"

Raylon's face immediately turned bright red.

...Perhaps I've been too honest with these people.

After we finished eating, Korph sought me out, "The elders wanted to meet you after the banquet. I will bring you there to speak with them."

"Mmn."

"The elders? Oh wow. What an honor." Mona said with an astonished smile.

Amanda looked at her in confusion, "Why is it an honor?"

She answered, "They live in caves on the mountain and never show themselves to outsiders. Usually, only members of the dragon clan are allowed there."

"She is one of us!" Kali shouted slamming her fist against the table, "She may be the daughter of the Baron, but she belongs to the dragon clan!"

"Kali. Don't say such weird things." Korph gave a forced laugh, "The Elders discovered who was behind our first trip and wanted to say thanks."

The rest of the group looked at him in confusion, but Raylon and I understood immediately. I nodded in understanding, "Mmn."

Kali jumped over to me, "You should just live here! The Elders and my people would love to have you!"

I gave a faint smile, "Thank you for the invitation. I may take you up on it one day."

"Really?! You'll consider living here?!"

"Mmn."

"Lady Moao!" Amanda shouted in disbelief, "You can't seriously be considering their offer?!"

I glanced down at my hands, "The Baron will not tolerate me much longer. I expect to be banished from the kingdom soon. You also need to be prepared for this."

The gears had already started turning. It was more of a matter of when and not if.

Mona patted Amanda's arm, "It's okay! If something like that really does happen, then I will sneak you into my estate and tell my father you are a refugee. He is very accepting of those who need help."

Amanda smiled weakly, "Thank you."

I glanced at Amanda and had an ominous feeling in my chest. I didn't understand why her response gave me a bad premonition.

We left the group and started to climb up the side of the mountain. Korph spoke to me as we walked, "Are you serious about living here?"

"Mmn. Is it not allowed?"

"It is… You saved my people. Not only that, but sometimes it feels like you aren't truly from the Baron's Kingdom. At the parade, I began to realize it. You don't fit in with them. You don't belong there."

I felt the corners of my lips turn up, "Then where do I belong, little Dragon?"

He thought hard, "It's true that you aren't like us either. You don't have the blood of the dragons, but you respect the Earth and that's enough for us. If you belong anywhere, it's here."

I cast my eyes down. No. I don't think I belong anywhere. Not in this world, or any others.

Korph hesitated before the cave entrance, "I can't go any further. Just walk into the cave and the elders will greet you."

I nodded and did what he asked. As I walked inside the dark cave, a luminous light shined on the ceiling revealing the people inside. An older man with drooping wings and a long white beard approached, "Are you Moao?"

"Mmn."

He smiled gently, "Thank you for what you have done for this clan. Prince Korph said he promised you Dragonshine." He motioned for me to follow and led me to several jugs, "Make sure to store them in darkness. It helps to preserve its quality."

I nodded and walked over to the jugs. With a flick of my wrists, they disappeared. I looked at the elder and noticed something strange in his eyes. "What is it?"

He looked away in shame, "Truthfully, I called you here because there is something I needed help with. Will you hear me out?"

"Mmn."

"Prince Korph told us that you healed a near-fatal wound on him like it was nothing. As you know, our people who had been captured and forced into slavery were brought back to us covered in terrible wounds from torture and experimentation."

I nodded with a dark expression, "Mmn."

We walked further into the cave and I noticed several individuals laying on straw beds. The ones tending to the injured people looked at me with strained, exhausted eyes. They wore intricate headdresses filled with jewels and herbs and smelled like a medicine cabinet. These were the reclusive shamans of the Dragon clan.

Although this clan had male rulers, it was actually a matriarchy. Only females with a tremendous amount of royal dragon blood can hope to become shamans. These shamans rule over the village while living in seclusion. It was said that the Kings ruled the army and the Shamans ruled the clan.

The elder turned to me with a pained expression, "Do you think you could help them?"

I didn't answer him and walked over to check the individuals on the ground under the shaman's watchful eyes. The man in front of me didn't look much older than Korph. He was covered in purple splotches and breathing with much difficulty. I moved on to the next who looked fine on the outside, but she had dull eyes that were unreactive.

As I checked the other few bodies, I looked back at the elder who had led me here, "Your medicine was ineffective?"

"Yes. Nothing we tried cured them or woke them."

If the shamans couldn't cure them, then they didn't have a positive outlook. The Shamans' medicines were far better than anything I could make.

The older woman next to me spoke, "Can you fix them without medicine?"

I pursed my lips, "There is a way. But they will never be the same again. They won't wake because their souls are shattered. I can try to piece it together, but it will be very difficult. "

"That's fine. Even if they aren't fully them, we cannot leave them like this."

The Elders are so calm, unlike the other Dragon clan members I have met.

The Elder man spoke as if reading my mind, "Our race tends to grow more docile in our late age."

I nodded slowly, "I see."

He looked at me timidly, "Well? What do you think?"

I hesitated before speaking, "I can heal them."

The shaman sensed my hesitation, "What will you need to heal them?"

I looked at her with an unbending expression, "I will need five vials of dragon blood."

"What blasphemy!" The younger shaman shouted in horror, "How could you even ask such a disgusting thing!"

I nodded, "I understand your feelings. Trust me, the last thing I want to do is drink blood. Just the thought is repulsive to me. However, I can't possibly heal a single one without dying."

Dragon blood had many unique properties. Not only did it provide the Dragon clan members with amazing fighting strength and healing abilities, but anyone who consumed it would be healed from any wound.

To heal these individuals, I would have to pour all of my magic into them. It was a much more intense process than healing the fatal wound on Korph. My only hope for survival would be to consume the dragon blood. However, the Dragon Clan was deathly afraid of anyone consuming their blood and found it horrific.

It is said that the once large Dragon clan was thinned out due to those kidnapping and draining their blood. It was partly why they were so ferocious and untrusting of the outside world. As a result, many nations saw this genocide and outlawed the practice in hopes to alleviate their suffering. Now their blood could only be sold on the black market.

I had brought up their biggest taboo. Their response wasn't surprising at all.

The fact that they hadn't killed me yet showed just how much they needed me.