Chapter 42 (outside the academy)

The darkness softened and hues of amber and gold bled into the horizon as morning approached. Drake stood tall and unwavering upon Xena's back, arms outstretched like wings, embracing the limitless sky. The wind whipped through his hair, with sweet whispers of promise for the day to come.

Drake's senses prickled with unease as Xena's energy changed. "What's wrong? Why the sudden bloodlust?" he asked sharply, his gaze scanning below.

"There are people trying to rob five transport carriages in the forest beneath us," she said, her voice low and filled with pent-up anger as she plunged down toward the scene unfolding before them like a meteor blazing across the skies.

With instinct guiding her, and driven by the fire within her, Xena let loose a wave of pressure that smothered the forest, sending all onto their knees as if the earth itself wanted them to kowtow to its might.

But before Drake could say anything, she burst into fury. "Flame Dragon Bloodline: Dragon Breath!" she roared in a voice louder than thunder. Her fiery maw spewed flames onto the robbers, who were promptly engulfed in a sea of fire. The air crackled with heat as the flames fed greedily around them, leaving smoldering ashes where the would-be thieves once stood.

Drake reacted in a flash, his voice piercing through the tumult. "Draconic Mana: Aqua Dragon Roar!" A torrent of pressurized water erupted from his hands and clashed with the flames in a hissing dance of steam. The fire receded, leaving behind perplexed merchants and scorched earth.

The merchants sat up, startled. Their heads jerked, displaying a smoky and steam-wraith fog that diaphanously veiled everything. Some chattered about the fog, some about what could have set the fire. In their speculating, they observed a man and a woman-the man berating the woman. Three of them edged closer, curiosity overbalancing wariness.

"Why do you always jump straight to burning everything?" he admonished, his voice an emotional mixture of exasperation and concern. He gently patted Xena's head but looked at her gravely. "You could've have destroyed goods and endangered lives. Those robbers were not worth such fatal measures."

Just as Xena was about to retort, the men approaching them became more in focus. At the lead of the pack was a man in his mid-thirties. His ash-colored clothes insinuated money and high birth.

Behind him, two men in matching deep blue uniforms stood like silent sentinels. "My name is Owo Brass, but you may call me Brass," he began, his voice smooth as he gestured to his companions. "These are my family's workers." His eyes darted between Drake and Xena. "May I know the names of our benefactors?"

Drake and Xena exchanged a glance. "I'm Drake Alexandra, and she's Xena," Drake replied, folding his arms behind him. His tone was measured. "We're no benefactors, just travelers on our way back to the academy's business district." He gestured toward their destination with a slight nod.

"Ah, the academy is also our destination. Why not join us?" Brass offered, bowing slightly.

Drake was a suspicious soul, choosing to avoid entanglements. "We have business to take care of before heading back. Sorry, but we can't go with you."

Brass, however, did not give up easily. "What if you were to escort us? We could pay you a lot."

Xena's eyes brightened at the promise of strawberry cake. Without letting Drake intervene, she jumped in, "Deal!" Her hands went to her hips triumphantly.

Drake sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. He had no choice but to agree.

Of the five carriages they escorted, three were laden with goods while the remaining two carried passengers. Xena rode in one with Brass's wife and daughter while Drake himself rode with Brass in the lead.

Their journey was uneventful until, a day later, a palpable tension gripped the air. Drake's instincts screamed danger. "We need to stop," he said firmly. Brass nodded without hesitation, signaling the procession to halt.

Drake stepped from the chariot, his sharp eyes scanning the dense forest. "I think you're overreacting," Brass said, attempting to reassure him.

"I hope you're right," Drake replied, his tone cautious.

Before they could breathe easy, the crunch of footsteps shattered the silence. Out of the darkness, ten figures appeared, led by three faces that were all too familiar.

Drake's face clouded the moment recognition hit. "What did I tell you?" the second in command, the same man who had refused them a place at the inn, sneered. "I told you they were spies, feigning innocence."

Brass's eyes narrowed as suspicion crossed his face. "What's your relation to them?" he asked, his voice sharp.

Drake didn't flinch. "We merely met at an inn. They refused to share their table; that's all."

Unfazed, the second in command yelled orders. "Snatch the goods! Bring those two to me, they must've blown our operation!"

His sword sliced through the air as he pointed at Drake and Xena, heavy with accusation hanging in the taut forest air.