~Aaron's POV~

I woke up with a gasp and cold sweat.

"Aaron, are you alright? You look like you seen a ghost." exclaimed the gentle warm voice of Meriwether, Blu's mum.

"No. Ma'am. Just um....just a nightmare," I shook my head, breathing heavily.

I closed my eyes, focusing on calming down my racing heartbeat. What had that all been about? The dragon... and Garagain himself? I rarely had premonitions, but I couldn't help but feel as though this had been real. I managed to calm down a little and sat up on my bed, looking around the area we were in.

I had been sleeping under a large pavilion that had been designated as the temporary hospital for our current camp. My brother, the late king of Teleran, was sleeping mostly peacefully in a bed just across the room. I hadn't wanted to leave him during the night, and was still worried for him. I knew he was in a coma, and wouldn't be waking up for a while, but I couldn't help but be there... just in case he did end up waking up. His wife was also there, along with the child, though they were asleep at the very moment.

I sighed, rubbing my eyes and turned to look at Meriwether. She had a concerned look on her face. It had been a couple of days since we arrived at the camp, and during that time we had all been trying to keep each other in high spirits. We hadn't been found, thankfully, but I knew that it was only a matter of time. We needed to move, but none of us knew where to go.

"It must've been some nightmare for you to wake up like that," said Meriwether.

I smiled grimly, "Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing though."

The sun was slowly rising in the sky, casting it's purple-orange light over the sky. The stars were beginning to fade, and a morning fog had rolled through the valley, creating a chill in the air. I shivered softly and pulled myself up. I grabbed a robe that I had set next to be bed and threw it over my shoulders, before picking the white staff leaning against my bed. Malcolm's staff... my recently deceased mentor and friend. I looked at it for a moment, before sighing softly.

A small meeting had been organised between the leaders of the camp and Blu and Tyron. It seemed the dragons had figured out somewhere that we needed to go to, somewhere safe. None of us knew exactly where that was though.

"I better get going," I said to Meriwether.

She nodded, "Tabitha is already there. I'm going to stay here and continue to help."

I smiled. She had been eager to help the people around here, helping clean up and take care of wounds, as well as sooth terrified people and children. She had really created quite a calming atmosphere... which had been something I was extremely grateful for.

I made my way out from underneath the pavilion and walked through the camp. The fog made it a little difficult to make out everything, but people were slowly waking up and getting ready for the coming day. A couple of soldiers were patrolling around the camp. A number of kids rushed past, playing with some sort of ball. A mother, sorting out the food for that morning, waved me a hello, which I responded to.

The command tent was in the middle of the camp. It was a reasonably large size, with one side opened up allowing for the dragons to look through. Blu and Tyron were already there, sitting in the clearing surrounding the tent and talking quietly to each other. Tabitha was with them as well, and spotted me first. She waved with a smile.

"Morning," she said as I came up to the three of them.

"Morning," I replied with a smile.

"Have a good sleep?"

"Mostly."

She frowned slight at that but shrugged it off and looked to the command tent. A table had been set up with a couple of people already sitting around, talking in lowered voices. They were from my brothers council, ranging from army generals to rich lords that held a say in the lives of the people of Teleran. I took a deep breath and moved over to sit at the table, moving the head seat that was empty. Though I was young, with my brother unconscious and unable to rule, that position had been temporarily given to me. At least in part.

"Prince Aaron," said one of the commanders, "I'm glad you could join us."

I nodded, setting Malcolm's... my staff against the table and crossing my hands as I looked over them. They weren't showing it, but I could see fear in their eyes, along with worry and a desperation. It was strange seeing them so uncertain. Usually it was general practice for everyone of them to be quite sure of themselves, but after the attack a couple of days ago they were simply scared.

"Where are we headed? Has there been a decision?" asked one of the less composed Lords, instantly getting into the conversation.

"For the last time Lord Hemsworth, we haven't decided yet. It's an even vote and the prince can break the tie. Plus I'm sure he doesn't even know what's going on," Said a general. He looked well into his 40s, decked out in Teleran's finest armor. His hand on the hilt of his large sword that was in the scabbard hanging on his waist.

"No, I don't," I said with a small grunt, "Could you please tell me what your supposed decisions are?"

There was a slight hesitation, before the general sighed, "We are deciding whether or not it would be wise to attempt to take back Teleran. Some want to, while the others suggest we fall back into an allied kingdom to regroup for a while."

"Take back Teleran?" I blinked in surprise, "I didn't think we would have the numbers for something so drastic."

"Garagain won't let you take back the city. His forces already occupy it. And all of Teleran's allies have fallen as well. We were the last to be attacked. This isn't simply war. This is a world invasion. He wants to conquer the world," Tyron spoke up.

All eyes turned to him in surprise. I nodded my head in agreement. As far as I knew we hadn't heard from any of our allies since the threats of demons entered the land. How these Lords didn't understand that I didn't know.

"Indeed. My brother sent us a message while we were in the forest. He told us that the nations around Teleran have already fallen within the week. Some reports say that they were attacked all at once. So that's safe to assume that Garagain commands around a rather large army. Taking back Teleran will not be possible. It would be suicide," I said, looking over them.

There was a silence over the table, "Than what do we do?"

I looked back at Blu, who had chose to sit slightly behind me, "You said you may have something Blu."

He hesitated for a moment, before nodding his head, "It's not certain... but there's somewhere where we can go that could be safe."

"Where?" the general that had spoken before said instantly.

"North west," Blu said, "Past Lysia... I think. That mountain range there extends down toward it... I think."

"You think?"

"Well..." he hesitated again, "I... I've had a dream... of an ancient kingdom ruled by dragons thousands of years ago. If we can find that then... well... we can be safe again. At least for a while."

"What!? We can't just go traveling to some unknown place just because you had some dream," grunted the Lord known as Hemsworth.

"It wasn't just a dream," exclaimed Blu, "It was a... a memory."

"Memory?" mumbled everyone in the tent.

The dragon nodded, "Yes... I mean... well. It turns out that this body that I have was originally a dragoness princess of the kingdom... and she used an amulet to encase herself to be safe. When I broke the amulet... her and I became one."

"Can....we speak to this....princess? Obviously if it's her body, means she can possibly talk through you," said one of the mages, seeming to be one of the few that didn't think what the blue dragon was saying was completely stupid.

"Um...I don't know. I just found out the other night," he said.

"Alright," said the General, "Assuming everything you've said is true, and there is an abandoned kingdom somewhere in that direction that's been like that for thousands of years, what's not to say that it's already crawling with demons and the like. I don't think it was abandoned for no reason at all."

Blu hesitated, "I... I don't think it would be."

"And why not?"

"Cause why would Garagain have his guards continuously guard it for more than a thousand years? And during that time, he was trapped in the Netherworld, so... he probably hasn't even thought about it."

"I don't think it's worth the risk," said the general.

I frowned, thinking, "Well it may be a risk we have to take."

There was an immediate response to my words as multiple people got up to object to what I had said. I put my hand out, and they instantly fell quiet, a few of them falling back to their seats.

"I know that some of you may think of this as nonsense. But this kingdom is our best bet," I began, "We can't stay here. We can't flee to our allies. What other choice do we have. If there is even the slightest chance that this place exists... than it's worth the risk

I turned towards the dragon. "Blu what's the name of this kingdom?"

He hesitated for a moment then opened his maw, "The former Helvarian Empire."

There was a soft murmuring from the councilmen as they quietly discussed what I had said. There were a few that seemed to actually like the idea, while others were a little hesitant on agreeing. I waited patiently for them to make a decision.

"But how can we move near five thousand people? It could take us weeks to get there your majesty." Said a old lord, his face wrinkled and his hair white from old age.

"Hmm," I frowned, "Soldiers will act like a barrier around the civilians. We can conscript more men to thicken our defences. We'll take rest stops as necessary. Elderly and the sick and wounded will be carried by carriage. Blu and Tyron, along with the mage's gryphons can circle overhead and warn of any coming danger, and provide air support. It may take a couple of weeks but it's the only choice we have."

Another murmuring passed through the leaders as they considered this.

""Very well," said the General, "We will spread the word throughout the camp. When do you think we'll be able to leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," I replied, "The sooner the better."

"Yes your grace." They all said in unison.

~Blu's P.O.V~

I sighed as I walked out of the tent, a little relieved but also desperately worried. The dream I had the other night had been real enough, but I couldn't help but be slightly hesitant to follow it. For all we knew it could just be a random dream... and now I was leading all of these people on a goose chase to some place unknown.

"You alright my love?" asked Tyron as he walked up to me.

"Yea. I'm just worried," I replied slowly looking at him, "What if my dream was really just that... a dream?

"You shouldn't worry Blu," he smiled slightly and gently nuzzled my chin, "I'm sure this is the right path. And even if it isn't... you managed to get that idiot council to actually agree on something."

I chuckled and leaned into his shoulder, until I felt a small hand touch my paw. "Momma, Papa, can we get breakfast now?"

"But you ate forty minutes ago sweetie."

"But I'm still hungry!" he exclaimed, looking up at us with begging eyes.

I sighed, "Okay... come on."

Tyron chuckled and together we made our way through the camp toward the food court that had been set up on the east wing of the camp. As we walked by I saw minotaurs, centaurs and other mythological creatures bowing as we walked passed. My eyebrows, if I had any, scrunched up in confusion and I glanced at Tyron. He shrugged slightly. Trying my best to ignore them we hurried through the rest of the camp.

The food court consisted of a couple of makeshift stalls set up in a line along the edge of the camp. It wasn't as glamorous as it had been in the city, with only a limited supply of food. But the bakers and chefs, the ones that survived anyway, were doing their best with what they had to give people at least something to eat. There was a butcher handing out parcels of cooked meat that had been caught the previous day. Some edible nuts and fruits had been found around the camp as well, which were being handed out.

"Hey dragons. A squad and I are going hunting. Wanna join us? We could use the help," said a hunter.

"Umm...no thanks. But thank you for the invitation." I humbly declined.

"Look. The dragons have returned," murmured a couple men at a table.

"Those dragons don't belong here. They might as well fly away and leave us alone, " grumbled a man who reeked of alcohol, "Like they did right before the city was attacked."

Tyron growled lowly but I nudged him and shook my head. It wasn't worth it. We turned away to look toward the meat stand but the man continued to babble onwards.

"Hey! Where r' you goin' you overgrown lizards!?" the man stumbled to his feet and waved a bottle at us, "Were ya cowards ha? Big cowards. Leaving us. My family is dead because of you! You ugly lizards!"

I froze, tensing up as a familiar feeling rose from the back of my throat. I gulped softly, taking a deep breath. Tyron growled, turning back to face them with narrowed eyes. They took a step back in slight surprise, even there drunken sense able to respond to fear

"Who the hell do you think you are? Upsetting my lover like that!? You think you had it bad? He couldn't see his family for ten fucking years 'cause he was a dragon! He didn't get to see his little sister grow up into a fine young woman, he watched his mother suffered tremendous heartache knowing he can't do anything to fix it! We tried our best to get back here in time, but you weren't the only ones that were attacked."

They were forced into a stunned silence.

"T...Tyron. Please. Stop shouting. I...it will only make things w...worse," I stuttered, choking on my own tears.

"Blu...."

"No... just... just leave them. Please."

He hesitated, before snorting angrily at them one more time and turned back around. We walked away, the people around us silent, just watching us go. Harry hugged my leg and I smiled slightly at him, before taking a deep shuddering breath, forcing back the tears.

"I'll always protect you mommy," He mumbled into my scales.

I chuckled slightly, "Th... thankyou Harry."

Tyron watched us for a moment, "Come on... lets go for a little fly. It'll help clear our heads."

I nodded my head, breathing deeply again as I tried to breath calmly, "Good... good idea."

Harry climbed onto my back, me helping with my tail, and we quickly flew up into the sky and out of the morning fog. The sun had risen now and was steadily breaking away at the cloud, revealing the valley beyond. It was a peaceful sight and I instantly felt myself calm down. Harry let out a yell of excitement and I rumbled softly, smiling at Tyron. He smiled back.

"It'll be alright," he said over the wind, "Don't let what other people say get to you. They don't know what they are talking about."

I smiled back and nodded my head, the tears drying away in the wind. I turned forward once again to the valley, looking to the road ahead. It would be a hard journey, for many of the people with us, and I know that many more would be joining on the way.

"I'm scared Tyron," I said softly, barely audible over the wind, "I'm scared of going back to Lysia."

He looked at me, a little surprised, "Why?"

"Because of what happened there. You remember... don't you?"

He nodded his head slightly. He had been a human back then, a hunter that had tried to take on the opportunity to slay a dragon. It was kind of amusing to think that he had ended up falling in love with that same dragon.

"They won't be able to hurt you," he said, "We have the king's army with us now. And even the mayor of Lysia can't go against that."

"I hope you're right," I replied with a soft sigh, "I really hope you're right."