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(Page 2 of 3) Dragon Blood Chronicles: Chapter 1 Part B by Benjamin Soto It has been said that the dynasty is in great peril and that the Emperor needed the services of this Lord Darkain to stop an invasion of Barbarians from the north. Rather savage barbarians at that, that feed on the weakest of their own. They have been pushing the front lines farther and farther back with each new day." Cervantes spoke more passionately and had only begun to explain things to the son of the man he had served all his life.
"Cervantes!" Teoak yelled cutting off the bald warrior.
"Yes my Lord General."
"Stop filling my son's head with stories old hags tell one another while doing wash. The Emperor is still an honorable man, and Prince Apath shall soon take the throne furthering the honor of this dynasty. I shall not have you speak poorly about the Emperor. Not in my presence or in the presence of my son. Is that understood?" Teoak looked back to the bald swordsman and Drax.
"Yes, of course my Lord General. Forgive me."
Drax looked down as his father gazed upon intently with those soul piercing eyes of his. He had been unable to do anything but look the other way when Teoak cast the stare upon him since he was a child.
Cervantes looked back to Drax making the youth forget his father's stare. "Let us just say that there is much that goes on in secret. Remember that Drax. If you forget everything else I have taught and told you... Just remember that one thing. The surface of a thing may no properly represent what lies beneath it."
"Of course." Drax agreed uncertain of what the long time family servant was telling him, and without giving it a second thought he turned his attention back to the large mass of people that surrounded him. This time he really paid attention to the people as they walked by. Many wore rags of gray and brown, and he looked to his own clothing noticing how intricately tailored his wardrobe actually was. The blue tunic and pants covered him nicely and were made to fit only him.
Teoak looked to his son as he rode next to him. "What is the matter, Drax?"
"The people. Many seem to be in such great pain. Are they truly happy?"
Teoak looked about. "I wonder that myself, son."
"It doesn't seem that they are given the attention they deserve. We have ridden by and through them so many times that I never really took proper time to make note of it." Drax looked to his father. "It does not seem right."
Teoak nodded. "You are correct son, it isn't right. But that is the way of things, and probably the way it shall always be. As long as there is money to be made there will be the greedy to make it."
The loud screams of a boy caused the three to turn their attention to the small wooden bread stand set up outside of a bakery. A larger more obese man dressed in simple clothing with a white apron that covered his belly held a small boy up in the air by his left arm. The boy, of a poverty driven stock, was wearing brown rags, and continued to scream for help as he let the piece of half-eaten bread fall to the street of stone.
"Stealing from me! I'll teach you better than that!" The bread man pulled the boy higher so he was face to face with him.
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