The travel back was, Yi Qiang had to say, far faster than the original journey to the cavern. He didn't remember the path very well, but thankfully, it was straightforward; if Yi Qiang remembered correctly, he just had to go east and he'd get near enough to the city to see it eventually.

And though, regrettably, Yi Qiang didn't encounter any other foes, it did make for a speedy return. So as the forest surroundings whizzed by, Yi Qiang conversed with Shenyu, who had long since woken up.

Really?

"Yeah, I feel bigger and stronger, more energetic. Soon I'll be able to help Brother, I know it!"

That's good. But now that you've started to grow, you might have to stop perching on my shoulder soon enough!

"No!"

All in all, the travel was profoundly relaxing, and Yi Qiang found himself enjoying every minute of it as he would relish every minute of high-stakes combat.

And soon enough, the duo arrived at the towering gates of the city. But a problem presented itself.

Just what do I do with Shenyu?

Eventually, the only thing Yi Qiang really could do was... well, just waltz through the gates and act like nothing was out of the ordinary. Which seemed farfetched, even to the dense marksman, but it wasn't as if he had much choice - Yi Qiang had neither the skills nor the means to hide Shenyu's presence, and even if he did, Yi Qiang would be reluctant to do so. Shenyu was a brother to him, after all, and it felt like a betrayal to smuggle him in, like an admittance that Shenyu was criminal.

"Don't worry Brother, even if there is trouble, everything will be alright in the end. There's no reason for it not to - if what the old lady said was right, humans and dragons are at peace; even if there hasn't been any contact between the two for years on end, that wouldn't change for no reason."

I know, I know, but I can't help but worry Shenyu. If they decide to come after you, I may be strong, but I know I can't take on the combined forces of the city and those of the organization that rules it. If, against all odds, they accost you, there'll be little I can do. I don't know if you respawn after death like I do, and taking the risk to figure it out is unacceptable. So if that happens, I'll try to hold them off, and you try to escape as quickly as possible. It's a shame you can't fly yet...

"You worry too much, Brother!" Shenyu chirped happily, evidently taking the concern pouring through their emotional link as a compliment. "Let's just go!"

Fine.

As Yi Qiang drew closer, he noticed, to his dismay, that there were indeed guards posted at every station, roughly checking every person entering and exiting. But no matter how rough the check was, there was no way for it to miss a gleaming golden dragon hatchling.

Yi Qiang smiled wryly and advanced. The last time I left the city with that party, I never thought I might be returning as a fugitive. Life's funny sometimes.

Quickly enough, the moment of truth approached, and Yi Qiang found himself next in line far too soon for his liking. The amount of unease broiling within him was such that Yi Qiang almost let it show in his face, but thankfully, he was too strictly trained for that - it was one of the key features of any capable man; never let anyone know what you were feeling.

"Halt!"

Yi Qiang, who had been trying to rush through, didn't last even a glance before a guard yelled at him.

"Come over here! What the hell is that on your shoulder!"

Hearing the armored man's brash and disrespectful tone, Yi Qiang responded with a bit of ice-cold fury. People could disrespect him for a while, but no one touched the dignity of the Empyrean Dragon, the nobility of the power that flowed through his veins and the power that shaped Shenyu.

"He is my partner, Shenyu. He is a dragon. Now, if I may, I have things to do and places to be."

The guard squinted, and Yi Qiang, sensing danger, began to memorize everything about him. The messy stubble on his exposed face, the uniform, dull gray metal armor, the sword hanging at his side. Everything would be important to Yi Qiang who, were he to land up in a fight, wanted to leave a possibility of a favorable ruling should a higher-up arrive.

After staring at the oddly-dressed archer, carrying a worn bow on his back, and his 'partner' the dragon Shenyu for what seemed like minutes, the guard turned his head and called.

"Sel! There's trouble!"

I certainly hope not, Yi Qiang noted to Shenyu. But it's seeming more and more likely. Thankfully, the combat standards of these guys don't seem too high. If they're all I have to face, I'll be able to handle it. What I need to stay wary of though is-

"It better be good!"

Another guard arrived, his jaw dropping in shock at the sight of Shenyu on Yi Qiang's shoulder. Then, staring at Yi Qiang the whole time with wide eyes, the slightly taller man stooped down to his partner and whispered something inaudible.

The original guard shook his head.

Sel spoke up. "O-ok, so this is something unprecedented. As such, you have two options. Either leave peacefully now, or wait here while we take the issue to the higher-ups and see what they say. Fair warning, if they determine either you or your dragon to be a threat, you might find yourself killed."

Yi Qiang nodded, smirking slightly at the taller guard, Sel's, obvious discomfort and false bravado. "I'll wait, but just tell the official this: whatever happens, I'm not one to shy away from a fi-" Yi Qiang caught himself mid-sentence "-ery conversation."

The guard nodded.

"Well, Bron, you can just wait here and keep this guy occupied, I'll take it to the captain."

Yi Qiang, on the other hand, was more preoccupied with the bad decision he could have just made. Shenyu, I know you have trouble with this, but you must learn to calm yourself. Having emotions is not a bad thing in itself; it's letting them affect your mind that will bring you trouble. And now, not only are you letting it affect your mind, but you're letting it affect mine as well! Do you realize what the consequences might have been if I, overwhelmed by YOUR rage, said that I wasn't one to shy away from a fight? Perhaps nothing, but there's an equal chance it could have gotten both of us killed. People don't like it when there's a) something new and mysterious and b) something powerful and confrontational. Us fulfilling the first criteria is troublesome enough - the moment we fulfill both, our lives become much harder! Shenyu, I'm asking you here, no matter how hard it is, you have to be able to rein your emotions in.

For a few moments after his tirade, Yi Qiang heard nothing but the equivalent of a stunned silence through their telepathic bond, before a small, cowering though slipped through.

"Okay. I'm sorry Brother. But I just don't know how."

Yi Qiang pressed his lips together in concern and thought. It's different for every person. For me, it came easy - I just ignored them, as my emotions were always small and weak enough to make it easy. Over time, it became easier and easier; I guess emotions are like food in that if you don't feed them, they begin to die. And that's what happened to me. But that doesn't mean I want it to happen to you, Shenyu! I'm recovering, my emotions are returning in full force, but it's a slow process! One that I don't want to see you go through as well. That's why I'm asking you to restrain your feelings, to not let them bleed through, but I still want you to feel them! Don't let yourself starve your emotions out!

"Ok, Brother, I'll try."

Yi Qiang, who was about to begin a tirade, was interrupted by the small commotion happening behind him, where a crowd of people being waved through the gates spotted him and his companion.

Yi Qiang, with his keen senses, could distinctly hear their muffled conversation.

"Is that a dragon on his back?"

"By the Four, it is!"

"What could this mean? Are the dragons returning?"

The news traveled down the line quickly, more and more conversation erupting. The guard who was with Yi Qiang saw this as well, his face darkening. Internal conflict showed on his face as he debated leaving the spot so as not to cause any more panic, or to wait here for the captain to arrive. Eventually, he visibly came to a decision and grimly squared himself, trying his best to turn a blind eye, or deaf ear, to the commotion.

Yi Qiang smirked. Oh my apologies, it looks like we are inconveniencing you.

Yi Qiang had his fun watching the man trying not to squirm until Sel arrived, accompanied by a man wearing silver and green armor, that not only looked expensive but, from Yi Qiang's marginal experience with plate armor, highly effective. And overshadowing even the formidable armor, the captain, as Yi Qiang presumed, radiated an aura of considerable power - it was the aura of a man used to combat and used to giving orders.

Impressive. I hope this man has reason to go along with power.

The captain pulled up his silver and verdant green helm, revealing a grizzled, though handsome face. It was marred by the marks of war, but those scars only added to the mature, seasoned air he gave off.

"So we have a Dragonbound with us here today, eh? It's been a while since the all of you last resurfaced. Tell me drakhna, what do you want with our humble city?"

Yi Qiang didn't know what drakhna meant, but the tone of the man implied it wasn't something good. And he seemed polite, even kind on the surface, but it was pretty clear to the seasoned sniper that this captain was trouble.

"I'm here to rest and find something to do. But that's no concern of yours. I'm aware, captain, that the dragons and the humanoids have long made peace. There's no reason for me to be detained, so with your permission, I'd like to be on my way." Yi Qiang wasn't particularly mad at this man, just tired, really, so he had no interest in being held up any longer.

"See, that's fine and all, but there's something we aren't sure about. Your relation to the dragon tribe and elven heritage makes you eligible for the Dragonblood test. I'm not sure you're aware, but we elves have a race we hold taboo; any member of this despicable clan that we find, we must execute. It's just a matter of course, and I'm sure you have nothing to hide, honorable sir?"

Yi Qiang's face stayed still. "And what would this test include, captain? I've no interest in inconveniencing myself too thoroughly based on a groundless hunch, though if it's simple enough I'll comply." Dread was creeping into his heart as he spoke. Technically, he was no longer a Dragonblooded Elf, but if the test was based on assessing the levels of Elven and Dragon blood in his body, Yi Qiang held no illusions that he might find himself wrongfully convicted - his race's specifics were based on the Dragonblooded Elf, after all, and for all he knew, the test wasn't advanced enough to tell the difference.

"Oh, don't worry drakhna. You'll just have to follow me to headquarters and submit yourself to a blood test - we'll draw blood and assess. It's very simple, and I'm sure a seasoned warrior like you would have no qualms about it?"

Yi Qiang was liking this man less and less. Every word dripped with the poison of an aristocrat, his tone carefully engineered to be polite yet ever-so-demeaning. He couldn't stand it. "Oh, by the way, did I mention, it's not optional."

Yi Qiang, who was about to respond, froze at the ice-cold threat. The captain's hand, now at his sheathed sword, was readily placed upon the pommel, poised to act. Yi Qiang felt the air grow several degrees colder, as the captain's gaze morphed into that of a beast at bay. Bloodlust. Impressive.

Curious, and beginning to suspect that battle was imminent, Yi Qiang analyzed his possible opponent.

Captain Saril

Rare

Level ??

HP ?????

Damn, looks like his level is quite far above mine. If we were to fight, I'm not sure who would come out on top - there's just too many variables and too many unknowns. I think I have to just go along.

"Fine, I'll follow you. I've nothing to hide, so lead on."

Unknown even to Yi Qiang, the moment he began following Captain Saril, a black figure hiding in the shadows took off, flashing through the streets as it headed for the imperal palace.