Firebolt(72)

The section that explained what their skin could be used for brought a shiver up my spine. Most of the Metallic dragons were harvested for armor, whereas the Chromatic ones were slaughtered for their blood, guts, toes, and scales. It was the main ingredients for almost all the important potions. Dragon teeth were used for making weapons, but ever since metal was discovered, the only purpose they held was as trophies.

We were greeted with a more civilized era in the next room. It began with large paintings of hulking castles. The one in Etan was the most enchanted; it looked as if fireflies made homes on the edges of the walls and rooftops. I stared at it for at least ten minutes, completely entranced.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” he said.

“Does it still exist?”

“I don't know. I was only five when the creepers consumed Etan. If I did see it with my own eyes, well, I don't remember it anymore.”

“Such a pity,” I spoke solemnly.

He told me that Etan was his hometown, and his dad was trapped there because his Dragonian chose to side with Goran. His father couldn't break their bond, but had made sure that his wife and son got out before it was too late. A longing grew in his eyes as he told me his story. It made me feel sad for him.

We moved on to another Night Villain. This one had a human figure right next to it. He had dark hair with honey-colored eyes and was very handsome.

“Sir Robert,” Cheng whispered.

I read the dragon’s name on the brass plate. Right next to it was indicated that he was King Albert's dragon.

“This was the Night Villain King Albert claimed?”

“Yes.” He smiled.

“Where is the Queen’s?”

“She had a Green-Vapor that believed she was a Crown-Tail.”

I giggled.

“She wasn't into all this lime-light stuff, so she didn't give her consent when they asked if they could make a model of her.”

“You said “wasn't”. Is she dead?”

“No. Her name is Tanya Le Frey. She carries a lot of the Queen’s secrets with her,and as you can imagine, a lot of people looked for her after the queen’s death. Sir Robert went through the same scrutiny. The royal Council tortured him, thinking that he had something to do with the betrayal. They tried to look for her too, but she was already on the other side of the wall for almost a year. When she finally came back, she went into hiding, and even today, nobody knows where she is.”

“You think she's still alive?”

“I don't know. She's definitely not on the other side.”

“How do you know that, Cheng?”

“Because of what she is. To hide as a human is too difficult for Chromatic dragons. They don't share the same passion as our Metallic ones. I have to give it to her,she did manage to live two years on the other side. I would love to know what her business involved. A lot of people thought that she’d betrayed the queen from the other side of the realm, but even if she is a Chromatic dragon and a Green-Vapor, Tanya would have never betrayed Queen Catherine. They shared a sisterhood.”

He spoke until we reached a temple. Cheng lit one of the thousand candles that were outside the two doors. He gestured that I should do the same.

I followed his lead.

“It's to pay respect. Some people come here to pray. Although they know the dead are in the spirit world, they still believe that God is always present where there are people that live by His Son's example. Remove your shoes, Elena.”

I toed them off and waited for Cheng to enter first. I followed him and felt everything around me stop. I couldn't stop staring at the two figures sitting on their thrones.

A soft gasp left my mouth.

Cheng looked at me and smiled as he kneeled down to them, like they were still alive. I did the same and was glad that he misunderstood my gasp. My heart beat inside my throat, which made it hard to swallow. It was the same feeling I experienced when I read that foretelling. When I looked up, she was still there, sitting next to him; the lady from my dreams.

A golden rope became the barrier between them and us. They both sat on their thrones, tall and proud as if they waited for something. She sat upright, very gracefully, and his pride shone in his erect posture. They didn't smile, and they looked unnatural.

“My mother said the crafters got almost everything right, except their faces─ the eyes in particular. His was friendly, hers full of compassion,” he said quietly. We bowed down once more before exiting.

My head pounded with questions as the tour went on, and Cheng led me through the last part of the museum.

I froze as I found the statue of Blake. It looked nothing like him really, except for his blue peacock eyes. A couple of teenagers that didn't attend Dragonia took pictures standing next to him, like he was some sort of an idol. I understood now why Blake didn't like the city very much.