Chapter 229: mories (Ch.229)
Jian sat leaned against a rock, his head was tilted backwards, the rays of sunlight illuminated his features and his silver tresses gleaming dimly in the sunlight.
His hair was unwound, splayed out behind him in ssy tresses, reaching down to his shoulder.
Not far before him was a small stream, the water flowing at a steady current and Jian’s bare feet was dipped in them, his boots and coat discarded at a side.
He was dressed in a lose white tunic and leather breeches, with arm guards securing the sleeves of his tunic.
And there was a golden sash around his waist, the exact shade of his scales.
After months of leading the flight patrol on the orders of his brother Dragon King Asrig, as punishnt for speaking up against his brother’s wishes, Jian had only just returned a few hours ago.
Rather than reporting to Dragon Keep, Jian had co here first and though Jian knew his brother’s wrath would be triggered, he did not plan to return anyti soon.
If he did, Jian was certain he would lose his calm again and who knew where he would be shipped off to this ti.
The Dragon Keep...his brother’s dynasty, everything was against all Jian stood for and if he could do nothing about it, he would much rather not bear witness or be a part of such madness.
"Jian... I knew I would find you here." A familiar voice drew Jian out of his thoughts.
"Xenon...you have made a hobby of tracking , I see. And here I hoped you would not hear of my return so I may have so peace." Jian murmured beneath his breath, his eyes still closed.
Xenon chuckled quietly as he erged from the close of trees, his black robes fluttering in the wind behind him.
"Might I say it is a pleasure to have you back, My Prince?" Xenon asked in barely concealed amusent.
"It most certainly is not." Jian grumbled.
"Well, you certainly do look... terrible. But you have been away for long enough, my friend." Xenon said.
"My Prince...My friend... pick a side, Xenon. Do not toy with my emotions, heaven knows it took months to get the most honored dragon guard to have a single conversation with the stubborn and disloyal Dragon Prince."
"Looking back on it now, I would not have bothered had I known you were such a trouble." Jian said with a scoff.
"No greater trouble than yourself, my friend. Your brother had
fetch you...to think he believes he can now order
about." Xenon said as he walked over to take a seat beside Jian.
"Asrig is Dragon King, Creator helps you anyone hears those words of yours...you will hang Xenon." Jian warned half-heartedly.
"And you would watch that happen?" Xenon asked with a raised brow.
"I would not have to...my brother would find you tasking to be rid off." Jian replied with a shrug.
"Indeed... I am Xenon, the black scaled dragon from the greatest clan of dragon warriors, killing
would be a task indeed." Xenon agreed.
"But you avoid the question, Jian. Would you watch it happen? Watch your brother hang my head on a pike for all to see?" Xenon asked again.
"I speak up against him and Asrig ships
off as punishnt."
"This ti, it was to the warring borders of Runderloc, where the trolls rage and charge our fortresses. Next ti...it might be my head on the pike." Jian said in a dark tone.
"Your brother is a snivelling bastard, that much is established...yet, you avoid my question." Xenon insisted.
"What would you have
say then? That I would overturn this damned stronghold if Asrig lays a hand on one of mine?! That I would rip my own brother limb from limb to save my dearest friend and I would do it with no hesitation?!" Jian snarled.
"There...that is the Dragon Prince I know. Not the lad drowning in self pity from a mont ago. This is who you are Jian...a noble and honorable man." Xenon reminded with a quiet chuckle.
"Your brother has offered
a place on the King’s guard." Xenon spoke after a mont of quiet.
Jian passed a look to Xenon, raising a single brow.
"Many would consider it a great honor." Jian pointed out.
"He can shove his honor up his tyrant ass!" Xenon scoffed with a roll off his eyes.
"And you declined his offer...in those words?" Jian asked in amusent.
"A simple no was the best I could muster...it was either that or this." Xenon replied.
"My brother does not prefer being refused, he is sure to hold a grudge and get back at you at the slightest opportunity." Jian warned in concern.
"Oh well, I have no intentions to cater to his fragile ego and I am well acquainted with his pettiness."
"But my stance remains unchanged. I will say this but once, Jian. I will only swear a blood oath to serve one King... and that is Jian of Golden Scales." Xenon clarified.
"I am no King, Xenon and I never will be. The laws of our kind favor primogeniture, hence Asrig is rightful in his succession." Jian murmured in a low tone.
"And is his dynasty rightful? His laws that bind all those who are not dragon kind in chains?! Whip innocent people into submission?! Enslave the prisoners of war?!"
"Your brother deals the tyranny we have endured! And believe , soday soon, the people will rise up like we did!"
"No innocent man deserves to live in chains, Jian. No race deserves bondage! Not even one!"
"And make no mistakes, you will be king, my friend. You will restore the great and noble empire your father built and I will be by your side through it all."
"So no, I will not swear an oath of fealty to your brother. My loyalty is yours whether you want it or not! And if you would rather not have it...then cuff ." Xenon hissed as he got up to his feet.
"Xenon, wait..." Jian called before Xenon could leave in rage.
"Your loyalty... I will have it, and your oath too when the ti is right. Besides...a cuff would look hideous on you." Jian finished with a quiet chuckle.
~~~~~~~~~~
The ascending room stopped halfway down and Jian stood within, his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his chest as his mories faded off to the back of his mind...
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