As Ragabat and Sicree flew over Pyre.
"The Famous Pyre,"
Ragabat said then ordered Sicree to burn it all down.
Without hesitation, Sicree blew yellow flame down at Pyre. People screamed as they tried to escape. In less than 20 minutes nothing was left standing.
"Don't look at me like that. Naming a town Pyre, they were literally asking for it. Besides, we don't want to leave anything you might come back to, do we?"
Ragabat said as they soar the skies. They flew for hours until they got to an island.
"Welcome to Ark Vasto, not Spitfire Archipelago but we do just fine," Ragabat said and saw two other dragons headed their way.
They accompanied them to the island. Ark Vasto was a huge mountain that sat in the middle of the sea. It was about 9,000 meters high with steep edges on one side.
"Where are Flamtard, Woodwore, and Sky Serpent?"
A blue dragon asked the moment they touched the ground.
"They are all dead but the sacrifice paid off. We got Sicree, with him on our side we have a fighting chance," Ragabat said and saw they were not convinced.
"Sicree, show Rainmaker and Windblade your flames," Ragabat ordered, and Sicree lifted her head and roared. A pillar of yellow flame pierced the clouds.
Rainmaker and Windblade stepped back. Dragons all over the island flew to Sicree like moths to a flame.
"See, like a beacon of hope that it is. It is bringing us together," Ragabat said as they watched as a swarm of dragons flew to them.
In Piek, Laud had commenced his training. On Sabrus's back, they flew 4000 meters. They had found out. Laud could breathe up to 8000 meters altitude high.
Sabrus gradually ascended as he received feedback from Laud. Sabrus flew above 8000 meters.
"How are you feeling?" Sabrus asked but there was no response. Then he saw Laud falling off his back. He quickly dove down and grabbed him before he landed.
Laud regained consciousness.
"I guess we know your limit now," Sabrus said as he was walking away.
"Again," Laud said and Sabrus took him flying again.
After weeks of constant training, Sabrus suggested Laud take a break. He was hesitant but Sabrus insisted.
"Can I go into town?"
Laud asked and Sabrus agreed. He flew him a little closer to town.
"Meet me here before the sun goes down," Sabrus said and Laud nodded. Sabrus watched as Laud walked out of the woods. Laud turned to catch a glimpse of Sabrus leaving.
He turned back around and continued walking. In less than five minutes, he got to a town. A rustic town where people just sat around.
He walked further and heard music. The music lured him like a siren's song. Laud watched as a boy his age sang.
After the song, the crowd cheered and dispersed. Laud was just about to leave when the boy grabbed him.
Laud turned and the boy reached out his hand.
"I have no money," Laud said and patted his pocket.
"Then don't be looking," the boy said and grabbed his guitar. The boy walked away counting the coins he got.
Laud followed the boy from a distance. The bard led him to a farm.
"Who is your friend?"
A young man said and the bard turned to see Laud.
"Why you following me?" The bard walked over and grabbed Laud by his shirt.
"Hey, let him go, the more the merrier. I am Zachariah," Zachariah introduced himself and waited for Laud to do the same.
"I am Laud," Laud said after a while.
"So, laud how much are you betting?" Zachariah asked then wrapped his arm around Laud's shoulders.
"I don't have any money," Laud said and patted himself.
"Why would you bring someone who does not have money?" Zachariah asked as he grabbed the bard and dragged him closer.
"I did not bring him," the bard said and was immediately interrupted by Zachariah.
"Are you calling me a liar?"
Zachariah asked and the bard just stopped talking.
"It is fine, I will just add his bet to your tab," Zachariah said and accompanied them to the barn.
"It's fine I would just not bet," Laud said as he watched the bard glaring at him.
"Nonsense, no one comes here just not to bet," Zachariah said and led them to a table. There were several beetles in sections. They raced as a group cheered.
Laud did not have a beetle to race with so he placed his bet on a random beetle
The moment Laud chose his beetle everyone was shocked. Zachariah even chuckled.
The beetle he chose was the worst he could have chosen.