DRAGONQUEEN: RISE OF THE SILVER PHOENIX

Chapter 6 - Plot and Appologies

Lila continues to follow the river downstream. Only now the air is fresher and cooler and the scent of the ocean tickles Rebecca's nose. The river flows against the mountain ridge on her right. While her left is covered in hills. These hills are covered in lush green grasslands. Antelope roams freely across it.

Then farmlands begin to dot the hillside in patches. Gravel roads lead away from the farms and Lila starts to follow the roads. Rebecca watches as the roads flow into each other like the branches of a tree. Lila flies over the main branch of the road low enough for Rebecca to see people traveling on the roads towards a central point.

Rebecca sees a strip of blue on the horizon that broadens as Lila approach the coastline of the continent. Seagulls pester them with their noisy screeching as they approach the shore.

City walls appear on the horizon and before she even realizes how she knows it. She cries out the city's name in excitement. "WINTERFALL CITY!" Lila's laughter bubbles over in her mind.

"Then you say you are not from this land," Lila laughs.

"It never was a figment of my imagination. The city is real! Lila, I'm home. I've come home. The river that you followed is the mighty Phinix river. You didn't say anything because you wanted me to remember it on my own. Oh, Lila my beloved friend. Please forgive me for ever believing that you would intentionally harm me," Rebecca replies as tears of joy stream down her face.

Lila flies low over the city and flies over the mountain that is dotted with numerous caves. She circles the mountain. The mountain gives way to battlements and thick, high, white marble walls. Lila continues to circle and as she does a magnificent white castle with lush green gardens comes into view. Two towers have been converted into lighthouses for the boats. She remembers the castle but not from this view.

She sees the Phinix river flowing past the castle entrance that is a draw bridge that has been lowered unto the opposite river bank. Lila flies away from the castle and heads west along the coast.

In Rebecca's mind's eye, she sees a map of the kingdom that hangs in her father's study. She sees the coastline villages. It wasn't long until the village Gant comes into view.

Immediately she notices the state of the village and Rebecca suddenly feels a hundred years older. The people in the streets look hungry and sickly as if the people do not have enough to feed themselves. She sees a rich man cross the street looking pompous and proud in his fine silks. Rebecca pulls a cynical face.

It was clear from the little she sees that the people have barely enough money to feed themselves. Much less pay the taxes. She is certain that pompous rich fat man in his fine silks is a tax collector.

Lila flies inland and finds the main road that leads back to the mountain range behind them. The sun's position is already long past midday. Chances are they might not reach Leticia's camp until after sundown.

"Lila, I think you and Silverwing need to pick up the pace. Otherwise, we won't get back on time."

"There is still one more thing you must see. You need to know what the advisors have done to the kingdom. It will not take long. Look at the farmlands of the villages up ahead. The people barely manage to survive," Lila replies.

Rebecca sees lush green meadows ahead that tell that the earth is very fertile and rich with minerals. Then the farmlands come into view. They are sparsely planted. "The farmers no longer plant crops to feed the people of your country. They are boycotting the government to lower taxes. They only plant enough food to feed their villages while the crown gets nothing. For the past four years, business owners have started to hide their yield and profits. Just to survive with disastrous consequences. Earl will tell you more once we land."