THE DRAGONS RETURN

1013 AF FALLMONTH

DAY 12

The caravans trailed behind Arial's horse like the procession of a King.

He rode proudly on Firebringer, admiring his family's banner stretched once again across the castle wall.

His face is full of pride and his disposition was valiant and heroic.

They had returned.

Inside the castle walls the common folk were waving the dragon flag, the banner bearer displaying the crest of the Vermont's: the dragon.

People lining up to see the noble family, like they were monarchs of a great kingdom.

Arial wore his magnificent red armor encrusted with black rubies, glinting in the summer sun, and atop his blazing red horse it gave the fantastic illusion of being on fire.

The people stopped and stared at him as he rode by, marveling at how strong he had become, for although he still was young it was plain to see that the boy would one day rule his father's lands with ease.

The image is etched inside their mind, of his majesty and force. The hundred caravans, the leading young Lord, this kind of procession would surely be turned into stories in a play.

The procession was important.

To show power unwisely may lead to destruction, thought Arial, but show it in the proper light and they will revere you.

The careful diet Arial had consumed throughout his new life had worked.

He now had dazzling white hair streaming gracefully to his shoulders, and was taller than he had been before in his previous life at the same age

His crystal blue eyes scanned the crowds, full of people cheering his family's return.

Clinging to Arial's waist was Helia, dressed in her armor with the Zephyr crest of a golden pearl shining in the breastplate.

Arial's parents rode in the caravan behind them, waving to the common folk from the windows.

The nobles, the minor lords that swear fealty, the guild master all were waiting for his father to enter the castle.

After the news had arrived that the lords had called back the Vermont's, the rioters had cleaned and emptied the castle, never to enter it again to show their respect.

They guarded the castle, while the common folk held a mini festival of their own.

They would die for us, thought Arial, they believed in us with such vehemence, they love us and they will bleed for us.

But such love can turn. After all, the greater the love, the greater the hate.

Arial's altercation with Henry Palais had taught him many things. Some battles were won with brute strength, others with gold and words.

Well, we have a lot of gold, and I have a lot of strength. With both of these things, our rise to power is unimpeded.

Arial's mouth twisted into a small satisfied smile.

He would not repeat Henry's mistake.

If he came across as ambitious, he would stir up opposition and envy that would ultimately threaten his family's rule and his long-term plan.

But he had to expand his power, and he had developed a new plan.

The time for procrastination is at an end.

He needed to face things aggressively now, and make fast decisions, but if the Vermont's stayed on the side-lines they would leave an opening for some other family to rise up and threaten them.

Arial decided it was a problem he would have to solve later. For now, he enjoyed his victory, and let his head be filled with the sound of cheering.

"Hail the Vermont's!" the crowd of common folk screamed and whooped.

Daniel Lethe stood in front of the castle, smiling as the family approached. Arial grinned back at him.

"Uncle Daniel."

"My lord," Daniel replied, bowing, and Arial remembered the crowds all around him and the importance of hierarchies, for appearance's sake.

"Thank you for your service and your loyalty, Lord Daniel," Arial nodded.

Arial recognize the deeds Daniel had to do for his family, after all orchestrating a revolt a kingdom away could not be done without helper.

"Once again, the dragon banner rises," Daniel said, and stepped aside.

Arial and Helia dismounted, and his parents climbed out of their caravan. The nobles kneeled, and the common folk followed suit.

Arial approached his father and also kneeled before him.

"Lord Father, please enter your castle," he said solemnly. Aries stared at Arial in shock, before his mother quickly took his hand and guided him into the castle.

"The Dragons have returned!" a crier bellowed, and the crowd erupted in cheers once again.

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Fifth chapter for the mass release