Adventures of the last Wild Dragon

Chapter 295: Sonantis Beast Emporium

The vast courtyard of the dragon farm was abuzz with activity, overseers and guards walked with purpose urgency, fine armour adorned the guards whilst smart uniforms adorned the overseers.

Yet they were not the only humanoids around, for an equal number of slaves were also present, easily identified by the iron collars around their necks and the feeble state that their bodies were in.

Yet it was the dragons that truly captured Violet’s attention.

She watched as dozens of dragons of all different types of colour were being led around, all of whom had similar iron collars around their necks as well.

The sight angered Violet, she knew that she would not have favourable impressions of this place, yet actually seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.

The dragons walked with no purpose, their eyes dull and emotionless, lacking that true spark of intelligence that should have been present in such beings.

She saw dragons that must have only recently hatched, small enough to easily fit in her arms, young dragons the size of a small horse. She did note with interest that no dragons present seemed to be in the third tier.

’It seems like that only keep baby and young dragons here, they must transport them elsewhere when they get large and strong enough to become a threat.’ The thought annoyed Violet even more for some reason.

Still she managed to reign in her anger thanks in no small part to the reassuring presence of Luna standing besides her.

The two did not have to wait for long before someone came over to greet them.

A quite portly man waddled over with impressive speed for someone of his stature. By the time he reached them however, his forehead was already covered in a thin film of sweat.

Violet caught to not wrinkle her nose at the man, he positively reeked of entitlement and foul intentions. That thought momentarily surprised the dragon as she was not sure how she was suddenly able to smell such things but quickly shook the thought out of her head and forced a thin smile onto her face.

When he got close enough he slowed his speedy waddle and gave the barest of nods towards the two girls, a faint grimace etched on his face that he failed to fully erase. Clearly the man held strong opinions about beastkin, judging by the significant majority of all of the slaves being beastkin it made sense.

The fat man then spoke up, his naisly voice irritated the girls immediately yet they fought to not react. "I am Lucas Sonantis, chief operator of the Sonantis Beast Emporium." He sniffed loudly before continuing.

"You have the honour of being allowed to select a singular egg this day, be grateful." As he spoke he angled his nose up into the air in an almost comical manner, to the point that Violet was unable to hold back a snort of ammusement at the pompous fool standing before them.

However said pompous fool did not seem to appreciate that and his face began to turn crimson in building anger. But before he could say anything Violet spoke up.

"I am Violet, it is in fact your honour that I purchased the right to obtain on of the eggs." Then her voice dropped an octave and her presence seeped out slightly, wrapping around the portly man like the caress of death. "Don’t forget that."

Then like nothing had happened her presence disappeared and a fake warm smile adorned her lips once again as Lucas was left shivering in place momentarily.

A couple of the nearby guards did seem to tense slightly at her words but did not take any action. Luna took note of that, quickly scanning them and getting a good feel for their relative power.

"I sense at least a dozen Lords, most of them seem pathetically weak though. I only sense one of any decent strength." Luna relayed to Violet through their bond as she stared at the one relatively powerful Lord present. He was a middle aged man wearing a butler uniform, standing precisely one step to the side and behind the fat man.

He matched Luna’s gaze, his face not displaying the smallest of hints at any thoughts or reactions. A small smile formed on Luna’s lips as she took note of the man, ’hmm he seems like he would be a fun opponent to fight.’

After having his sense of superiority so utterly crushed in but a moment the fat overseer required several moments to fully regain control of his faculties. Yet even after understanding the gap in strength between himself and the two companions his left mind refused to accept his own weakness.

He puffed out his chest and was about to make a foolish mistake when a white gloved hand rested on his shoulder and the butler spoke up.

"Young master, if I may. Why don’t I deal with our guests, such work is beneath you and you could return to your office for a late lunch. I hear the hunters recently caught a Moon Deer, I know that is one of your favourites."

Lucas paused at his butlers words, his small mind instantly agreeing with his statement, unable to truly believe that he is inferior to mere beastkin even when the truth was plain to see for all present.

So with a haughty snif he turned on his heels and waddled away, his pungent flesh rippling with each step.

Silence reigned for several long moments before the butler stepped forth and gave the two companions a refined bow with one hand resting against his chest. Only after Lucas was out of earshot did he speak.

"I apologise for any insults rendered to your esteemed patronages. The young master is a man of... passion. Please allow me to be your guild this day and I can show you around our fine emporium."

"Hmph, well it’s fine I suppose, nobles will be nobles, even when they should know better. But regardless, we would be happy to have a tour of your... emporium, and what might we call you?" Violet asked, having to reign in her distaste at the word emporium.

The butler showed next to no reaction, just the smallest twitch at the corner of his lips displayed his apparent amusement at her statement, still he dutifully replied in a professional manner.

"You may call me Harvey, my ladies. Now if you would please follow me I shall gladly show you around." With that he gestured behind him and turned on his heel to begin leading the way.

He led them on a curcuitus route through the emporium, showcasing several of the buildings and further explaining their functions.

From the combat areas where wild beasts are brought in for the young dragons to fight against in order to gain strength. To the various barracks, be that for slaves, guards or regular workers.

The state of said buildings spoke volumes about the apparent importance of the residents. With the slave barracks being little more than a overly large shed whilst the workers were granted a full apartment complex, including an interior courtyard.

The tour took some time, the butler remaining ever professional and providing the two with several tidbits of history about the place.

"The Sonantis Beast Emporium has been established for close to 200 years, it was founded back before Sonantis was even recognised as a true city. Back then it was a simple border outpost. Now however, whilst under the stewardship of the Sonantis family both the city and emporium have progressed to great heights."

The man clearly held a positive impression of the family as a whole, yet the girls did take note of the fact that whilst he readily praised the current city lord, he never provided any praise for the ’young master’ his opinion of the man made quite clear due to that simple fact.

Eventually the tour did end however, they were currently standing in front of a heavily guarded building with reinforced steel walls and a constant patrol of guards circling the structure.

"This here is both the breeding and birthing pen. And is where we store the eggs as they await to hatch. Please follow me in and I shall show you to the eggs where you will be allowed to select your preferred one."

Like that he led them into the building, the guards only watching them as they walked inside but not stopping them.

Harvey led them down a long corridor before stopping in front of one door in particular, he turned to face the girls and spoke in a serious tone of voice.

"Inside here are the eggs, I must emphasise that whilst you will be allowed to approach and touch the eggs. No damage will be permitted to befall them, if such an event were to pass the punishment would be severe. With that said please follow me."

Violet and Luna shared a glance before they nodded to one another and followed the butler into the chamber, inside they laid eyes upon a rainbow of large oval eggs resting on luxurious cushions.