My guards look shocked as I am. We never expected the Dragon General to look like a madman destroying everything in his wake. Well we actually imagined that to be the case but it was merely imagination and humor and not to be taken seriously.
In all honesty, I expected the Dragon General to be a person of great elegance and grace but...
He seems to notice our shock and let's out a chuckle. "I know, people don't believe that someone like me is really the Dragon General. Come with me, I'll prove it to you," He says as he gestures us to follow him.
People are starting to gather around us and Frederick moves to address the curious crowd. " Everyone, settle down! Our guests here is none other than our second prince and his entourage," he gestures towards me and my men. "So I expect you all to show him and his men some Ravage Rock hospitality."
The people seem shocked since no one from the royal family has ever visited here before. And in a way, I can see why. With this kind of festival, we'd go home with scrapes and bruises. Not to mention its distance from the Capital.
As we move to follow Frederick, a little girl suddenly approaches me. "Are you really a prince?"
"I am."
Her face lights up when I confirm it, highlighting a child's great innocence. "Are you going to be king?"
I smile and shake my head. "No, my brother, the first born is going to be king."
"Then what will happen to you?"
I grimace at her question, this girl's asking questions far above what she should know at her age.
"I'm going to be the head general."
Her eyes sparkle and she starts waving her arms excitedly. "That's someone who leads soldiers right?"
"Yes, it is," I reply with a soft chuckle.
She is about to ask something again when someone who looks like her mother steps in. "What are you asking his highness?" She scolds her. "I'm very sorry for my daughter your majesty, please excuse her questioning, it's only a child's curiosity," She says as she bows at me.
I wave her off. "It's fine, having children know these things even this far out in the kingdom spells brightness for our future."
She lowers her head even more at my response. "Thank you your majesty, we do not deserve such kind words."
I feel pretty awkward with all her bowing. "Please just raise your head, it's okay."
"Thank you your majesty."
"Come along now your majesty," Frederick waves over.
I give a departing nod and smile at the little girl, and she smiles back and waves me goodbye.
We travel to his house located near the Western edge of the village. Along the way, we are greeted by a small barracks and another exit to the town that leads to the forest. The village really is serene and Frederick states that the area is so peaceful that the forest actually serves as the children's playground. This fact makes a smile creep up on my face as I imagine such a peaceful sight in the great outdoors.
We stop at a house which should most probably be Frederick's and his family and I'm surprised to find that it's so neat and clean that I can't believe it's this man's home. "Here we are your majesty, my humble home."
"It's a good thing my wife and daughter cleaned the house this morning don't you think your majesty?" he gives a loud laugh. Now that explains it...
Again I feel awkward at the formal words. "You don't have to call me 'your majesty' you know. Just Leo is fine General."
He gives a nod. "Then how about Prince Leo?"
"I guess that's fine," I say in agreement.
"Okay, I don't think all of us will fit inside," Frederick muses as he points to my men.
I nod and turn to face my men. "Okay then, Captain, you'll go with me, the rest will guard outside."
"Yes sir," Robert nods and leaves to order the men.
We go inside and the home, like the outside is well organized and clean. I did not expect this from him. Perhaps his wife is the complete opposite of him...
"Ah, I think it was over here," Frederick calls from a small room.
As we go inside, we see items from the past. Old equipment ranging from a couple of swords, shields and perhaps the most conditioned weapon, a warhammer. I even see a torn Lumieri banner from long ago, and the symbol can't even be interpreted.
He finds me looking at the banner and gives a shrug. "Ah, I found that banner in a ruined outpost to the north. Unfortunately it was damaged beyond recognition so I can't understand the symbol."
Frederick continues to look until he finally finds what he's been looking for.
He puffs his chest out in pride. "Here she is, my armor."
The armor is definitely an designed for an officer's. One specifically designed for Lumieri generals as it's made with steel and has small symbols at the sides as evidence. Even though our symbol was lost in the last war, our smiths still put small marks that they call a symbol for the Lumieri seeing as not even they can remember our old banner. Still, the symbol is so small we have no idea what it is. The smiths who crafted it also don't know since they were only ordered to put the symbol by one of my ancestors. And what the symbol means was never told to them.
I scan everything and the main highlight is the helmet. It has the head of a dragon on the upper portion. Apart from that is the fact that the armor is made of reinforced steel forged in such a way that swords of mediocre quality would probably break on contact. Such an armor must've cost a fortune...and one appropriate for the man I'm looking for...
I guess that settles my doubts. He is indeed the Dragon General. And I see why he'd be called that. A man of great strength and power whilst wearing this armor. The second most powerful title ever bestowed by a Lumieri king is truly fitting for someone of his calibre. Had he been born in the past, before our fall, he may have been a candidate for the highest title we can bestow, Dragon Fire. But unfortunately no one's used that title since the last war centuries ago.
Frederick seems to sense my certainty and looks at me with a smile. "So do you believe me now Prince Leo?"
I sigh and give a small smile in response. "Yes General, you've proven yourself. Now if I may request this of you..."
He smiles widens as if to say he's found a chest of gold. " I know, return to the Capital City of Lunoire and become a general again, right?"
"Yes, is that okay?" I ask and not ordering since I don't want to get on his bad side.
He seems to think it over as he places a finger on his chin. "I guess that's fine. If we're really planning on regaining our power I'd be more than happy to help. Plus, I'm really itching for a fight." My thoughts slowly calm but he adds more to his statement. "We're no longer thinking of pulling the same move your father did back then now are we? Granted I was the one that forced him to retire me, it was still a tough pill to swallow you know."
At hearing this I look him dead set on the eyes. "No, we're no longer forcing you to retire if they threaten us again. We'll simply place you inside the Capital for a few years before we set you loose. That way, we have more time to prepare before we unleash one of our best weapons."
His smile widens at my statement and looks at me with such glee that one can think he'd be jumping for joy. "Then perhaps I should join then Prince Leo."
I become relaxed as my shoulders slouch. Thank goodness that worked. "Then let us-"
"On one condition."
And here it is...I had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy... "Uh... what's the condition?"
Both Robert and I are shocked when he points his index finger at me as he gives a playful stare, "Why don't we have a small fight first Prince Leo?"
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