Chapter 10

• AERA
• Above us, a brilliant green streak of light appeared. The light stood out against the purple hues of the dusk. The ground trembled beneath our feet. Vibrations so strong that the shock wave caused the swaying of trees. One branch fell and nearly hit me.
• As dawn broke, I had made up my mind. I was going to look into the anomaly. I began to collect my belongings. I already knew the elders would be discussing their next steps.
• Seth, Bao's son, was waiting for me outside of my cabin door. A smirk was on his face. "Dad told me that I was to travel with you."
• "What?"
• Seth chuckled. "Come on, Aera, you are predictable. We all know you are going to investigate the anomaly. Even if the elders say no. You are the only one that would defy their words."
• I leaned my head to the side. "And you are willing to follow me. Never took you for a rule breaker."
• "Ah," his ears slightly flopped. "I wouldn't be breaking the elders' ruling. Dad said to follow you. Get to know you." He scratched the back of his head.
• "I said no to the ... proposal." I blinked three times as I straightened my posture.
• Seth held his belly as his head had gone backwards. "Grandmother is always playing match maker. Let's just humour the elderly for a bit. No offence, you're attractive for a girl. But you don't have the appendage that I am attracted to. I just haven't had the chance to explain things to my parents."
• It was my turn to laugh. "Time, or do you mean the balls to say the truth?"
• Seth rapidly looked behind him. "Shh. You are so loud."
• My hand landed on his arm. "Your secret is safe with me. But I am not entertaining your family. I said no. No OFFENSE but I value my privacy more than repopulating the land."
• Seth walked up to me. "You really value your privacy over having offspring?"
• "I thrive in the silence. Offspring. They are noisy."
• Seth rested his hand on the nape of his neck. "Mother said once that you were a quiet child. Also had eyes that noticed everything. Found it to be unearthly."
• I clicked my tongue. "And I haven't changed a bit."
• As we stepped into the outskirts of the town center. I could feel the change in the air. The breeze carried their scent. Long before I could see them. Five imposing figures emerged. They were unmistakable. Three of them were green dragons, their exposed scales shimmering like emeralds. Their slightly curved horns told me they were in their late 20s or early 30s. Mothers rushed to pull their offspring away from what they perceived as danger. While young available ladies took the time to stop and stare. Pushing strands of hair behind their ears as they gave the strangers a shy smile.
• "Everywhere we go," one of the two black dragons glared at their companions. Cursing that they were getting all the attention. "Why do you three always get the girls?"
• I discreetly sniffed the air. Something felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on it. The two black dragons' aura was oddly placed.
• I watched as the tallest green dragon used his looks to lure the townsfolk to them. Then he took the opportunity to begin his questions.
• I directed my feet towards them. "Is there a problem?" My eyes shifted to a mother ushering her young cubs away.
• "Yeah." The male had introduced himself. "My name is Vlad, we are looking for these criminals."
• I looked over the warrants. The outlaws' names didn't register, and neither did their pictures. One thing did, though. Eljor's last warning chimed in my mind. I had described the trouble Iron Valley had endured.
• The bounty hunters nodded. "Sounds like them." Vlad had responded.
• "Last I heard they were east bound, but that was weeks ago."
• "Unfortunately, they had turned around. Been causing trouble across the trading route. Upset enough merchants to get a warrant out. Dead or alive. The reward is worth the hunt." The shortest black dragon smiled at me.
• "Forget about the Maned Grasslands. There will be a swamp there by now. The permafrost would have melted. Shawpond will be overtaken with insects and not the nice kind. If the bandits are in the area, Iron Valley and surrounding locations are your best places to look."
• "You seem to know the location well." Vlad rolled the pages and slipped them into the inside pocket of his jacket.
• I grasped my red hair, wiggling it in the air. "Local. We all know the territory like the back of our hand."
• Vlad let out a low chuckle. "Just because you are a local doesn't mean you are educated."
• Seth snorted, "Don't mistake us for an Elysiarian. Parents educate their cubs here."
• "My apologies, I didn't mean to offend you." Vlad raised both hands in surrender.
• "We pride ourselves by understanding the land. When we care for the ecosystem, it returns the favour. Who you look for, stay off the merchants trail. They will see you. You stick out. Try the tall grass. Tree lines and such. They are of the Canidae family. Think like them and you will find them easily."
• "And your name would be?" Vlad smiled.
• "Aera Ashpene, please leave. You are upsetting the cubs."