The True Colours of an Empire_Ch:1_Dragonborn 15

Meadow speaks for the first time in this whole conversation, "So, this person is helping the slaves to escape? This might not be the only factory this person has hit. And since Khecasha relies on its production, we nee…” Iriel's sharp glares shoot Meadow straight in the eyes, refraining him from finishing whatever he was going to say.

"Thank you Kaladras. I shall keep my word in exchange for this information." barely holding her tears in, Iriel, walking past Meadow, leaves the room. She bumps into Drachma, carrying the container, as she exits the lower region of the ship.

"Lady Iriel." Moving out of the way as Drachma looks at her, their eyes meet.

While bringing the container past the room Drachma looks in there and sees Meadow standing there silently. Right after, he notices Kaladras gazing at him. He even bared his teeth at the sight of Drachma, only for him to scoff at the slave's failed attempt of intimidating him.

Looking away from the room, Drachma puts the crate down and then removes the lid, "These are still warm, out of the oven. This entire crate is worth more than 100 times this ship is, crew expenses included." Taking one of the bars out, he places it in his pocket.

Coming back up the stairs, he walks over to Meadow and Kaladras, "So, how did our little lighting-spitting salamander get out of its muzzle, Meadow?"

The Fairy leaves the room without saying a word. Grabbing the brace, Drachma walks over to Kaladras. While placing the brace around Kaladras’s mouth again he touches Drachma’s hand and a surge of intense electricity is sent through Drachma’s whole body. The electric wave ends up getting absorbed into the bar.

"Bad boy." slamming the brace around the jaws of Kaladras, Drachma starts to furiously beat him up. The sound of bones snapping displays the difference in position between the two men. "Your little breaths don't work too well against me. Believe me, I eat that stuff up like kibble to a mutt." Drachma leaves the room as bleeding Kaladras is lying on the floor.

The group exits the lower region. Meadow goes to check on Eliel. His body was still badly burnt, even after receiving aid from Iriel. After some time, Eliel's eyes open. The scars on his body are still preventing him from leaving his bed.

"Eliel, I am so sorry. I didn't know how bad it could have been, and yet, I forced you to come with us on such a dangerous mission. And now…"

Eliel's hand touches Meadow's leg, causing him to stop talking. The boy’s hands are still warm from the incident that took place a few hours ago, and his voice is still damaged from all his injuries.

"No, I am happy to have attempted to help you guys. You were right. I am a lot braver than I thought. I was scared beyond belief. But I still attempted to help. Though it wasn’t much, just enough to defend you all for one time. Anyways, did we capture them?" Eliel starts coughing. It sounds like a rock hitting the iron. 

Meadow looks into Eliel’s eyes. The burnt cornea partially healed, but it was still a matter of debate whether Eliel could even see at the moment.

“Yeah, we got them chained up in the shipping area.” Meadow replies in a sad tone to the injured Eliel.

A crew member walks in to replace Eliel’s bandages. After changing them, Meadow and Iriel sit with Eliel, speaking to him.

“When we return to the capital, I will be sure to talk about a possible promotion for you. I am sure the house of Lomamantle could use people who are willing to stick their necks out,” says Iriel.

T.B.C.

Writer: Alejandro Faverzani.

Artist: Nayeli Zelaya.

Co-writer & art editor: adifferentway.