I Alone Breed Dragons

Chapter 52: Good To See You... Baran

Howling of the winds lashed past me as I soared through the air, maintaining distance as far behind as possible, higher into the clouds. I dove down on Bron as he darted through the dark alley, leading to what I suspected was his house. Frantically, he trudged to the back of his house.

I lingered in the sky, trailing. If I drew closer, my shadow would betray him, which would shatter my cover. If Baran hid in Kingston, one of the most fortified regions, I resolved to be smart — nothing risking more trouble with no gain.

Moments later he emerged, tugging a horse by its reins. How did he manage one? Indebted solely to Baran, since the only thing I knew about Bron was he stood destitute, doing Baran’s work for scraps. Slipping out of the darkness into the spot of moonlight, Bron’s bulky frame now cloaked with a cape.

From afar it remained hazy, but I caught a glint — a metal crest on the badge of his cloak. He clutched a lantern, threading through the dark. I shadowed him; finally he advanced to the edge of the village, mounted his horse, cracked the reins, spurred north to Kingston. I shadowed his tracks from a distance.

Gradually it sharpened — Bron’s desperation.

An hour elapsed. Never once did he look back, his mind locked ahead, desperately lashing his horse to surge faster.

The horse thundered faster. I effortlessly soared, harnessing the aerial force to keep pace with him.

---

I gazed up ahead. Before me, I beheld the great wall of Kingston. Its colossal barrier soared high into the sky, guarding the kingdom. Tower castles thrust upward, their ceilings prominent from afar. Guards posted at the mighty gate where Bron rode.

I angled my wings, ascending higher till concealed in clouds, to evade detection from the tower wall. Archers positioned there, maintaining watch. I couldn’t chance detection — Baran would easily vanish from the commotion if I attempted to barge in.

Concealed above the clouds, it grew tougher to track Bron. I slipped through the parting, peering from above as I witnessed their exchange between Bron and a posted guard. Soon the guard motioned, and the gates creaked open. Bron lashed his horse once more, continuing his journey as he entered Kingston.

I soared over the wall, still tailing him. Once past the walls, I dropped and touched down in an alley. My wings folded. I pressed my back to the wall, staying stealthy.

As two guards passed by, one halted. He peered into the sky — my shadow had swept past from my dive.

"Did you see that?" he asked his colleague.

"What? I didn’t see anything."

The guard hesitated a moment with a brief scan around, then dismissed it and they continued.

I trailed behind them.

They conversed, not noticing my presence. I veered left, navigated corners, threading my way to the main road. I emerged from the narrow alley.

On emerging into the clean street of Kingston, a horse thundered past me. It was Bron. So I resumed my pursuit.

The town of Kingston stood distinctly different — more opulent. Each house constructed from fine concrete. Decorated carriages rolled by. Those strolling by attired in elegant clothes — nobles in fine tunics, hats on their heads, some waving a hand fan across their face as they conversed.

While I clad in my peasant clothes. Eyes followed me, people murmured, sneering among themselves. I attracted too much attention and had to remedy that swiftly.

I noticed a man. A man leaned on the wall, close to a corner, as he studied a parchment. He stood finely attired, and from sight alone, he appeared just about my size. I yanked him into the corner — with effort — rendered him unconscious, took his clothes with me.

I emerged from the corner, clad in a pristine emerald tunic. Hat perched flawlessly on my head. A monocle at my eye. I surveyed the environment, praying no one had seen. I straightened the collar and resumed my pursuit.

Well — Bron stood well ahead. I had to hasten, but I noticed I didn’t need to. Bron eased his horse, halting before a mansion.

I smirked. ’So Baran hides here, uh? Well let’s find out.’

I approached the gate.

Bron already admitted. Positioned before the gate, guards posted — three conversing — while one maintained a stern stoic expression, spear in his grasp, blade at his hip.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

I didn’t respond.

Just coolly appraised the out-front garden and fountain in the compound. The stern guard then stepped closer.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" he echoed his words, with a sharper tone.

Now I held no fear of Baran escaping — I positioned right at his door. I dismissed the guards. They would prove simple to overpower.

I rasped my throat. "Yes, gentlemen, I’m here to kill Baran." I fixed his eyes with lethal glare.

The guard’s face twisted. His hand swiftly flew to his sword. I steadily lifted my palm — mana swirled idly around it in the form of a blue mist.

"You don’t want to do that. Let’s not cause a commotion for the neighbors."

The knight stiffened, hand at his hilt. He stared at my palm. "You’re a noble?"

I replied casually. "Who knows. You and your boys leave and you don’t suffer — just Baran."

"Tsk, who do you think we are? We aren’t called knights for show — we’re more honorable than—"

Slam. He hurtled as I drove an ice pillar into his chest. He sprawled like a ragdoll flung about, almost smashing into the wall. I directed ice spreading on the ground and encased his body an inch from the wall.

’Don’t want to ruin the surprise.’

The other two guards halted their conversation, their heads whipped to their comrade — encased — then snapped to me.

I seized the lock of the gate, crystallized the steel solid, pulverized it in my hand like a mere bug. I shoved the gate open and strode inside — composedly, greeted unpleasantly by a rushing knight, his sword brandished.

I clapped my palm to his mouth, encasing his lips.

"Shh. What part of ’I don’t want to ruin the surprise’ didn’t you understand?"

The knight whimpered, fingers clawing at the ice, but it didn’t yield. The last one bolted. I followed where he dashed — mounted on the wall was a rope lever, which would sound the bells, calling more guards.

I flashed past him, positioned between him and the rope lever.

His blade whistled out. He attempted to move — couldn’t. He glanced down to see his feet already encased, anchored to the ground. I slashed my hand sharply through the air, ice shot from my palm, striking the knight’s lips, sealing it shut.

I removed my hat, then turned to the duel. ’What a lovely mansion.’

I flexed my knees, mana surged through my veins, my muscles tightened. I vaulted onto the balcony and touched down elegantly. The glass slid through the window.

I stepped into the room. It stood faintly illuminated from the light leaking under the doors leading to the main house. I ran my finger on a desk — a chair positioned behind it. The room lined with books and arts. I circled around, examining each piece, till I settled on a painting of Baran mounted on the wall.

Baran’s voice carried to me from a conversation between him and Bron. Their voices drew closer, accompanied by their steps.

I retreated from the painting, returning to the desk. I settled seated in the chair, legs folded, while I waited for him to enter. When he betrayed me I remained unaware — and now he swayed to the tunes of karma.

"What do you mean he had magic now? How did he even leave the Dragon Kingdom? What is the Queen doing?"

Baran’s shadow halted at the door. Its hinges creaked open and he entered, with Bron shadowing him. The moment he flicked the light on, he jerked — eyes bulged in shock.

"Impossible." Sweat beaded down his head.

I stayed cold, reclining back into the chair.

"It’s good to see you, Baran."