CHAPTER FOURTEEN

It was night, and Yara hadn't even reached a quarter of the mountain base. She panted as she stopped to drink some water. 

'Having the big guy carry me around has made me lazy,' she thought, crouching by the side of the road. 

She looked up at the towering mountains and couldn't help but frown. All the peaks looked the same. Which one had the nook they were currently staying at? How would she let the dragon know she was here? 

'Maybe I should have thought this through,' she scratched her head. 

This was going to be a pain.

It was getting too dark to see, so she found a corner in the base to curl into. 'Tomorrow, I'll follow the sun. We came in from the south, so I'll just have to retrace my steps,' she said as she ate her preserved pastry, one of the few she had bought on her way out of the city. 

'Yeah, that's a good place to start,' she thought, wrapping herself in her cape, dagger in hand, as she settled in for the night.

Hopefully, this plan worked.

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As the sun began yet another descent behind the jagged peaks of the mountain range, Yara found herself trudging wearily along the rugged terrain. She had been hiking for hours since she woke and came to the conclusion she was going in circles a few minutes ago.

She couldn't risk actually climbing a mountain because she didn't know what creatures inhabited them, and it could be the wrong mountain. 

With a frustrated sigh, she came to a halt, her brow furrowing as she stared at a path she had just walked past.

"Great job, Yara," she muttered, kicking at a loose pebble with a scowl. "Lost in the middle of nowhere with no way to even communicate with the dragon."

She leaned against a moss-covered boulder and took a deep breath to gather herself. This was not the time to get angry. 

"What am I going to do?" she muttered to herself as she glanced around, searching for anything that struck a bell in her mind. 

She had been too high on the dragon's back to notice the landmarks on the mountain base. 

Just as she was about to resign herself to spending another night alone in the mountains, a familiar sound caught her attention. She turned, eyes widening, and spotted the dragon soaring through the air towards her.

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. 'It was a good thing the dragon was a stalker,' she thought.

"How did you know I was here?" Yara asked, her voice filled with surprise as the dragon landed gracefully before her.

'Why wouldn't I?' the dragon thought. 

Instead of answering, the dragon approached her, slitted eyes scanning her form. It sniffed at her clothes, lingering over the hand she had injured while fighting with the elves and the hand the drunk man had held. 

It tugged at the bandage, "It's a long story," she said, a wry smile tugging at her lips as it looked at her. "But nothing I couldn't handle."

The dragon huffed in response, ' This human brings trouble with her everywhere.' Its eyes narrowed as it continued inspecting.

"Hey, while I'm flattered you care, we need to get out of here before someone sees us," she said, pushing its snout away.

'You think too highly of yourself,' it scoffed, raising its head.

Yara couldn't help but smile at the expression on its face. It waited for her to climb before taking off into the night sky. The wind on her face was something she didn't think she'd miss after wandering about in the mountains. 

They got to the nook soon, and she walked over to the corner where she had made a nest for the eggs from her ruined tunics.

"Hey there, little ones," she cooed, gently running her fingers over their smooth shells. "I've missed you."

The eggs moved as she spoke, pressing against her hand. She could see the little forms under the now nearly transparent shells. 

"The shell looks thin but is actually quite sturdy. Are you sure they won't hatch before we get to the north?" she asked, turning to the dragon. 

It shook its head, staring at the nest.

"Well, if you say so, " she turned back to the eggs. "I can't wait to meet you all. I bet you'll be so cute and precious," she continued to praise the eggs, which seemed to make them glow. 

The dragon snorted, 'Dragons aren't 'cute' and 'precious', don't lump us with your puny young.'

"Are you jealous?" Yara teased, unable to suppress a laugh at the creature's behaviour. "Do you miss me too?"

The dragon scoffed dismissively as it turned away from her, feigning disinterest.

"Yeah, yeah, you know you did," she dodged a swipe. It was becoming a reflex at this point. 

Yara reached into her pack and pulled out a scroll, unfurling it to show the route and some notes on the side.

"Look," she said, holding out her hand for the dragon to see. "I found information about the Northern Pass." 

The dragon regarded the scroll with a curious tilt of its head, its eyes gleaming with intelligence as it seemed to consider her words.

"Can you read?" she asked, grunting as its tail landed on her head.

The dragon snarled, ' I know more than your little brain could imagine.'

"Hey! Is this the way you behave after not seeing me for so long?" she mock-glared, lips twitching as she watched it begin to walk away. 

"Alright, alright, come back! I said I have some information for us. Stop pouting and come and see."

She set the scroll on the ground and scooted over for the dragon to get a view. 

"I think we can make it through here," she said, pointing to the route marked on the parchment. "If we leave tomorrow, we should be able to reach our destination before the pass closes."

The dragon grumbled under its breath and flopped beside the eggs, closing its eyes.

'Leaving anytime is fine, as long as there are no more disturbances,' It thought, rubbing the eggs.

The north was harshlands, so it would be hard for humans to do as they pleased there. The perfect place to hide from the smugglers.

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As Yara and the dragon began their journey North, on the kingdom's south side, the bustling metropolis of Terebliss city's people went about their day as the sun began to set. 

People hurried home as the evening lanterns cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, and the aroma of exotic spices and perfume filled the air. 

The difference between the common man and the city's elite was clear in their clothing, looks and even structures. Both sides were quite literally divided by a small but strong wall. Some upscale establishments were at the edge of both sides for people of status travelling through the city, one of which was the renowned "The Golden Parlor."

 This grand establishment for the elite glittered in the evening sky, its golden walls reflecting the street lanterns and magic orbs hanging around it. 

The common man could only walk past it from a distance, afraid to get too close to the door and the guards. It was a place that saw its fair share of royalty and nobility, a place that screamed money. 

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting glittering light across the polished marble floors. The patrons, dressed in fine silk and adorned with jewels, mingled and dined on the city's best. 

A different kind of transaction was taking place in the restaurant's underground basement. Gathered there were men and women from different parts of the empire, their identities concealed under beautifully detailed masks.

Dressed in the finest silks and tailored suits, they oozed wealth and power, their eyes gleaming with disgusting desire as they eagerly awaited the start of the auction.

Security was tight, with burly guards stationed at every entrance and exit, their vigilant gaze scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble.

At the centre of the room stood the ringmaster, an imposing man with a booming voice that easily reached all corners of the room. He raised his hand, signalling the beginning of the auction, and the room fell silent save for the soft rustling of fabric as the masked buyers shifted in their seats.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to tonight's special auction," the ringmaster announced, his voice dripping with charm. "We have gathered here to offer you the rarest of treasures—magical creatures of power and beauty."

A cage was rolled onto the platform, the crowd murmuring at its captive. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present our first special item of the evening—a shifter, renowned for its agility and strength."

As the spotlight illuminated the stage, the shifter stepped forward, its sleek form rippling with power. Its fur shimmered in the light, a mesmerizing shade of ebony and silver, while its piercing amber eyes bore into the crowd with rage.

"Trained in the art of combat, it is the perfect companion for any nobleman seeking protection or entertainment!" It turned towards the ringmaster, and only the enchanted cage and the ring of silver around its neck stopped it from tearing him apart. 

"Ten thousand gold pieces!" called out a voice from the crowd, followed quickly by another, "Fifteen thousand gold pieces!" 

"Eighteen thousand gold pieces!" another person called out, raising their number. 

"Forty thousand gold pieces!" shouted a masked figure, a wealthy nobleman who collected exotic beasts as a hobby.

"Forty thousand gold pieces, going once! Going twice! Sold to number 69!" the ringmaster announced. 

As the shifter was led away, the attention of the crowd turned to the next item up for auction—the elf.

His silver hair fell down his back in wild waves, and his piercing blue eyes held disgust as he surveyed the crowd. It was clear there had been resistance to his capture; bruises and dried, bloodied cuts littered his pale skin. The chains and runes on his skin made him look pitiful, stirring the heat in the patrons' loins.

"Twenty-five thousand gold pieces!" shouted one bidder. One didn't need to see his face behind the mask to know he was leering at the elf.

The ringmaster laughed, "Patience, my friend, we have yet to introduce him."

Laughter rang through the crowd.

"This here is a feisty one; took down four of our men before we could bring him in," he grabbed the elf's chin, tilting his head in the light to show the way his eyes sparked with the reflection.

"A rare beauty from the great Veridax forest of the East," he said, moving his hand to the silver hair as the elf tried to bite his hand. "He's a biter, too," lustful murmurs rose from the crowd. 

"We start the bid with forty thousand gold pieces!" the ringmaster announced, pushing the elf to its knees. 

"Fifty thousand gold pieces!" called one bidder, their voice ringing out confidently from the crowd.

"Sixty thousand!" shouted another. The elf's gaze narrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he watched the proceedings with a mix of apprehension and disdain. 

"Eighty thousand gold pieces," another shouted, jumping to his feet as he held up his number. 

"Eighty thousand gold pieces! Going once! going twi-"

"A hundred thousand gold pieces," a cool voice sounded from the middle of the crowd.

All eyes turned to the suave-looking man seated there. His presence was filled with power that made others unconsciously pull away. He was the only one seated in his row, twisting the top of his gleaming silver dragon-shaped ring. 

"Pardon sir, you said a hun-"

"A hundred thousand gold pieces," the man repeated, his eyes on the elf on the stage. The elf stared back at him, holding his gaze coldly. 

He couldn't understand what gave humans the thought that they could do as they pleased with the lives of others. 

"A hundred thousand gold pieces! Going once! Going twice! Sold to Number 1." the ringmaster shouted; he was really pleased.

He had thought the elf's slightly battered features and defiant nature would scare away the customers, but everything worked out in the end. 

"Congratulations, sir, on your new acquisition." It was because of sick fucks like this that he was able to live in luxury. 

"Let's move on to the next option for the day," he beamed as the handlers dragged the elf off the stage. 

As the elf disappeared from view, the stage was cleared for the final lot of the evening—the group of gnomes, their small forms huddled together as they trembled with fear.

"What we have here is a special collection," the ringmaster motioned towards them. "These are juvenile gnomes from the frosted north. Old enough to know the trade, young enough to be moulded right." 

Murmurs filled the hall, "right, let us begin the bid at ten thousand gold pieces!" The ringmaster said.

"Ten thousand," someone raised their number.

"Twelve thousand!" Another voice called out!

"Fifteen thousand!" A burly man stood up, it was clear he was an artisan. The young gnomes whimpered in fright at his scary features.

"Fifteen thousand gold pieces! Going once! Going twice-"

But before the transaction could be completed, chaos erupted in the chamber as masked figures burst through the doors and out of the darkness of the walls, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

The resistance had arrived!

The auction was destroyed by the resistance members who fought with the guards to free the creatures. Taken by surprise, the guards scrambled to respond, their swords flashing as they clashed with the attackers. The sounds of steel on steel filled the air, mixing with the shouts and cries of the combatants and the fleeing auctioners.

The leader of the resistance stepped forward, his voice ringing out with authority as he addressed his comrades. "Secure everyone and make haste," he commanded, tone urgent. "We must not linger here—more guards are surely on the way." He raised his sword to block a slash from a guard. 

Some of the resistance turned their attention to the creatures that had been cruelly imprisoned. They rushed to their side, their hands moving quickly to unbind their restraints and set them free.

One went to the newly sold elf and knelt by his side, offering a smile as she showed her face briefly beneath her mask, "It's ok. We are here to free you."

The elf stared at her in confusion. She smelt human. Why was she freeing him?

He grabbed her and rolled out of the way as a sword came down on where they were just seconds ago. They looked up at the man who had bought the elf, "What do you think you are doing to my property?" the man asked, raising his sword with ease. 

The woman frowned, wondering why he had a weapon. These auctions strictly forbade weapons, so it was easy to catch them off-guard. 

'Just who was this man?'

All around them the chaos continued, but it seemed as though the man was unfazed by it. Once again people seemed to walk around him, not wanting to interact with him or touch him. They instinctively knew he was trouble.

But she couldn't let him take the elf.

"There's no property here as far as I can see. Maybe you should look elsewhere," she sneered, hand spread to protect the elf, who still sat silently. 

"Is that so," the man lowered his sword, and they watched as it began to glow. 

'fuck! he was an element user?! This might be a problem,'. She thought, evening the sword.

"Stay behind me ok? You're going to be just fine," she smiled at the elf and turned to the man.

"Let's get this over with," she rolled her shoulders as she got into position.

The man scoffed as he took in her form, "I have no reason to waste time with the likes of you. Step aside and let me through," he said.

"The only way you're getting to him is over my dead body," she glared. The elf and the man looked at her silently.

"That can be arranged," the man rushed forward, his light element aiding his speed. The woman barely dodged being decapitated in one move.

'Light element? The irony,' she thought, turning towards him again.

Luckily the elf had read his move and jumped out of the way before the man could grab him. He noticed teleportation runes on one side of the walls being guarded by members of the resistance while the magical creatures were being guided through it.

The elf turned his attention back to the sound of steel clashing and saw that the man and woman were now exchanging blows. While the woman had speed and skill, she clearly didn't have the man's strength and experience.

He watched her block a blow and attack almost immediately after, the man simply side stepped all her attacks.

'She would tire out soon,' the elf thought.

Equally sensing her exhaustion, the man seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful blow, knocking the woman's sword from her grasp and sending her sprawling to the ground.

As she struggled to regain her bearings, the man loomed over her, a cruel smirk twisting his features. "Pathetic," he taunted, raising his sword for the final strike.

The elf, who had been standing on the side, finally decided to jump in. He lunged forward, slashing the man across the face with a jagged piece of metal he had managed to grab from the mess around them.

Caught off guard and momentarily stunned by the sudden attack, the man staggered backward, clutching his bleeding face in shock. It was the opening the elf and the woman needed.

Without hesitation, the elf grabbed the woman's hand, pulling her along as they darted towards the teleportation rune embedded in the wall.

Other magical creatures that were supposed to be auctioned were already disappearing into it, vanishing into thin air. The rest of the resistance were also crossing as all the guards had been taken out. With a desperate leap, the elf and the woman crossed the threshold just in time.

The elf glanced back at the man, their eyes locking silently. His holding hate and contempt, the man's holding rage and possession.

The shimmering light of the runes enveloped them and they were whisked away to safety.

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