Nithe: The Dragon Emperor's Love

Chapter 2: Lala's Adventure

White Tigers and their entourage had several sneak attacks planned on the emperor. He had once fallen into the trap of a dragon clan because of his one weakness as a firedragon, ice cold. The area to the west of the Northern Forest is extremely cold. This area was not mapped correctly.

“This is premeditated. No way a scout missed this area,” said Tarako.

“Your Highness, we must retreat,” said Bahemos, another courtier.

“Retreat where? We have already reached this far.

They walked on barefoot, the carriage left behind. There was smog covering everyone soon. A sword was pressed against the emperor’s neck.

“Your Highness’ stubborn character won’t allow you to turn tail and run back,” sneered a man.

“Bahemos, do you think I only sent one or two scouts out?” asked the emperor. Bahemos was shocked at being identified. The emperor sure can’t see him but then how did he understand?

The next moment, a set of steel nails flashed before his eyes and he fell back. The emperor walked carefully, listening keenly. The smog was unaccounted for but the cold, he was aware. There were at least twenty-eight guerilla warriors ready to usurp him on the way. He could hear his courtiers call out for him. He just whistled, signalling that he is safe. When it was day break, the emperor was tired and separated from rest of the crowd.

He sat leaning on a tree, sword in his hand. He was bleeding in some places but overall, he was fine. A sleep should do.

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Lala had quite a lot of fun. He didn’t particularly watch the hunting. Rather, he loved the flowers and the butterflies, he chased them around a little bit. Fafnir was keeping an eye all along. Then they saw a group of white tigers leaving, blood trailing after them. The warriors in the group chased after them, leaving the children in the care of some of the older members. They really didn’t have the sort of energy to keep up with a five-year-old like Lala. They lost track of him. Lala stopped short when he saw a pair of yellow eyes. The big white tiger was staring him down. The White Tigers do attack dragon cubs.    

The emperor who was dozing off leaning on a tree heard the sound. He was soon on his feet. A young child was facing off with the white tiger, probably one that came for a sneak attack on him. The child seems to be throwing the things in his tiny hands. He saw a signal flare go up. He jumped on the tiger in one swoop and then, cleaved it with his sword. The battered animal fell and the child was staring at it and then at him. There was an inexplicable sense of familiarity. His own son must be this old now. He missed so many milestones, so much.

“Are you well? My ama will be here soon. He knows medicine. He can take care of you,” said the child.

The emperor looked at the little dragon.

“Are you not scared?”

“Of tigers? No,” said the child, as if the mere concept is silly. Then the emperor scented a familiar scent he hasn’t had the chance to scent in years. It was nearing.

“Ama is coming,” the child beamed.

The emperor sat on the floor, looking at the child- his son. It must be.

“Why are you not scared of tigers?”

“My ama says, all the tigers in the world are scared of my Baba. Then why should I fear?” asked the child, looking genuinely confused.

“Ama” the child was soon distracted and turned south and then walked over to him and tried to treat him with leaves he ran around picking.

Nithe’s heart was thumping from the moment he saw the signal flare. Then he located his child. To his relief, he seems unharmed. But as he drew close, he felt a very familiar scent in the air. His heart froze as his legs sped up. He found them.