Dragon Blood Chronicles: Chapter 1 Part B by Benjamin Soto

(7 ratings) Rate this Story (5 best) 1 2 3 4 5   1 comments /

Beggars moved about through the crowded streets of Co'dana in their rags pestering the rich in their finely tailored clothing for any money that could possibly be spared. The rich simply moved along the stone streets of the city acting as if those beggars never existed in the first place.

Others in the city made a living selling goods outside of shops already established and usually family owned. They sold food or second-rate merchandise compared to the merchandise found in the shops they did business before.

Then there were the few that performed tricks and acts of magic along those streets, and if one were to cross the Golan Bridge situated over the Vernan River one would encounter the best wielders of magic tricks in all the city for a fair price.

More elaborate than the people inhabiting the city of Co'dana were the structures that made up the city beginning, of course, with Co'dana Castle which proudly sat in the center of the magnificent settlement. Surrounding the castle were the grand estates of the politicians that made up the court of Emperor Alturon, and the circle of homes after those estates belonged to the noble warriors that have fought and still fight for the glory of the Alturon Dynasty. A circle of road the width of a large river wrapped around those homes, and following that circle were the homes of the commoners that made up the bulk of the city, and that gave the most economically to the treasury of the government.

A few feet away from where the commoner homes ended the large wall that surrounded the city of Co'dana stood vigilant making sure nothing harmful could enter. Drax looked upward as he passed under the large gate to the main entrance of the city while seated on his horse. He noticed the sharpness of the bottom of the gates and imagined how painful it would be for the large steal gates to quickly fall upon someone passing beneath. As he rode his horse he looked to Cervantes and Teoak while they inched their way through the large mass of people. It was then that Drax realized the three of them were the only ones on horseback.

"I can remember a time when a more peaceful sensation emanated from these streets." Teoak looked into the large group of people squirming about. "Those days seemed a lot safer."

"Well I still see it as a beautiful city; the best in the entire Empire. I don't think any place in the world could top it." Drax could feel himself swelling with pride for his home.

"With all due respect my young Lord, it may be beautiful on the outside, but working on the inside are the ugliest monsters you could ever lay your eyes upon." Cervantes spoke while keeping a watchful eye.

Drax noted the strange behavior in his companion. "What in all the Empire do you mean by that? Nothing is wrong with the dynasty in power. They are still honorable."

"Says you my young Lord. But I do not particularly care for this new Lord Darkain that has been admitted into the council. Emperor Alturon chose him rather blindly. I have heard stories about him, and stories about why Alturon chose him.