Chapter 5

Jade slowly circled down into the edge of the town on Ryuu, seemingly shocking several people in the square a block or two away. He quickly put his glasses back on his face. Ryuu walked towards the people with Jade on his back, he nodded at them, hoping to show he meant no harm.

“Truy thres con crav seah mecd truy gret. Hur guj ik wath breadfer yut?”

(I seem to be lost and don't know where I am. Can someone show me where the capital is?)

“Uhm… I can show you a map if you need to see one young lad.” A gray haired man spoke up in Kingstongue.

“Vang suthy.” He thanked the man and put a curled fist over his chest and his arm behind his back to show proper respect to his obvious elder. Just as he learned from movies his guild friends had recommended. He did wonder if people thought it was strange or maybe something not normal to do but better safe than sorry. Plus the man seemed to relax and smiled brightly.

“Ah! What a proper youngling!” He exclaimed.

The man showed him a map from a crystal he pulled out of his pocket. It flashed white and showed something like a hologram in the air. Jades eyes widened but he made sure to make a mental note of how to change his course. He thanked the man and waved at the people. He was about to leave again when he noticed a man in uniform holding up a tiny crystal ball and staring at him. The uniform was very pristine and he seemed to be carrying a sword at his waist.

Jade looked back at the older man.

“Who is that?”

“Oh, he is part of the law enforcement around here. He was trained at the castle with the army.”

Before Jade could ask another question the man walked up to them, still holding out the crystal ball. He bowed lowly and then kneeled before Jade.

“Prince Jade it is nice to meet you. The King has just announced your rise of rank earlier today. Would you like a team of guards to escort you to your destination?”

“......What?!” He asked in English shocked.

The guard looked up and tilted his head in confusion.

Whoops! Jade thought.

“Umm, what do you mean?” He switched back to Kingstongue.

“The King gave you the title of Crown Prince the moment you entered our country and told us to record all interaction with you on the magic line.” The man gestured to the crystal ball.

…..is this man mentally well? Jade thought disturbed he knew he crossed the border.

The man stood up and tapped on the ball twice, it shimmered yellow.

Confused Jade raised an eyebrow before several men came out from a building down the road. Every man locked their eyes onto Jades figure and went to stand behind the man with the crystal ball, they all kneeled.

“We are yours to command Crown Prince Jade.” They all said in unison.

“What are your orders?” The man with the crystal ball who Jade assumed must be in charge.

“Uhh, I have no orders?”

The man turned to the other guards.

“Prepare a room and a meal for our new Prince!”

“Yes General!” They all replied and moved in unison to complete their order.

Jade was pretty sure he had said he had no orders. He looked around trying to find a way out of this craziness.

“We shall help you in any way you wish so you can reach the capital and you can meet the King.”

UHHHHHHH………...Jade thought in confusion.

“Who and what and why………….?” Jade asked.

“What would you like to eat?” The General suddenly asked.

“ah… im… I'm not hungry.” he lied.

His stomach grumbled in response and the General raised an eyebrow at him.

“We have some roasted chickens about to come out of the oven and… there's enough to feed that dragon of yours as well.”

Jade's mouth watered. He had never had fresh chicken before. He mostly survived off table scraps and whatever he bought on his own. His “Uncle” never gave him lunch money for school either.

“I-” Ryuu whined before he could finish his sentence.

Ryuu and him had been flying around for several hours and they had yet to eat. While Jade could handle not eating for awhile longer Ryuu had been carrying him and had been flying for miles.

He felt guilty at making him wait longer to eat especially when it was fresh chicken. Jade didn't even remember if Ryuu had ever had chicken before.

“That…. I suppose if you are willing to share a meal….” he muttered softly and moved closer to Ryuu.

The General grinned and nodded. He bowed before Jade.

“The crown Princes command is my pleasure to complete.”

“.... It wasn't a command.” Ryuus tail came up to wrap around his body. He could sense his masters unease.

The General dragged him into the building where the men had came out from and brought him to a table. He sat down awkwardly and touched his bruised neck nervously.

The General stood at his side while Ryuu laid down on the floor on his other side.

Jade couldn't meet the man's eyes so he let his palm down towards Ryuu so he could pet him to calm himself.

*puuuuurrrrrrrrrr…..*

Ryuus vibrations made him feel less panicky.

A man came into the room with a cart that had several covered platters.

The orb in the Generals hand pulsed yellow and the man cocked his head as if listening to something. Jade stared at the General in confusion as the man with the cart unloaded the platters. Several were put down and uncovered for Ryuu.

The steam wafted off the platter filled with several large roasted chickens. Ryuu’s eyes widened and his tail swished around. He looked back up at Jade as if asking for permission.

Jade laughed and nodded.

Ryuu attacked the food, growling happily as he tore the meat into chunks and swallowed even the bones whole.

The General uncovered the plate in front of him. Several slices of chicken were curved perfectly into a circle and a large biscuit with some kind of soup in it was in the middle of the chicken slices. His mouth watered and he almost passed out from the wonderful smell.