The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 24 - Viola Finds Her Way as Queen

Chapter 24 - Viola Finds Her Way as Queen

* The Castle at Drakor; The Capital of the Chromos * Viola POV

Agenta and I now have the list of prisoners along with their pertinent information. We quickly mark off any prisoner that is a violent offender or a second time offender. Once we've narrowed the list down to nonviolent first time offenders I ask the prison guards to bring the prisoner up to the throne room so they can tell me their story. Soon, I'm flooded with hearing of thieves stealing bread for their families, servants that cannot pay off debts to their masters under terms that were not fair to start with, and even children with no place to go.

"Agenta, we're going to have a council meeting today. I want to share with them my findings from interviewing the prisoners and the proposals I have drawn up to meet the failures in the prison system. These proposals will face a great deal of opposition because of the nature of what we are dealing with, because Lucian is not here, and let's face it because we are women." Her and I take a collective deep breath as we prepare for the council meeting.

* The Council Meeting *

"Greetings Gentlemen, As some of you may know Lucian recently stepped away to deal with a matter at the western border. I have temporarily taken over his duties. While trying to learn about his position I came across some disturbing results in the prisons. Let's discuss the failed prison system on nonviolent first time offenders that are in three groups: thieves stealing food, indentured servants, and orphans.

Let's start with the children that have no place to go. We need to build a house for orphans to live in instead of prisons as they have done no crime. In the meantime we can bring the children inside the castle. To be within current labor laws children above the age of 14 can begin working as a servant or learning a trade here. We have plenty of servants quarters that can be dedicated as their rooms. For the children under the age of 14 we will set up a temporary school, playrooms, and boarding using Ambrose's old rooms.

The next proposal is for thieves stealing food for their families. This is so sad and should never happen in our empire. I would like to offer either food banks that people can go to or paper money that people can use with the merchant in exchange for food that is in dire need of help. My concern is that paper money can be easily exploited so I am more comfortable with the food bank. The empire can buy the meat and produce from local merchants so we are still putting money back into the local economy and spurring growth.

The last proposal is for indentured servants. After talking to many of the debtor prisoners there is no way to regulate this industry. These people are treated as bad, if not worse, than slaves because they are cheaper. So, since the empire has already outlawed slavery I believe we should outlaw indentured servitude as it is just another form of slavery." Wow. I can't believe I just said all of that in front of these old ass geezers. They're just sitting staring at me with their mouths open right now.

"Well, I don't think we should make any such big decisions as outlawing indentured servitude until Lucian is back and the other two proposals are just preposterous considering their price tags!" Advisor Forest said after he almost choked on some of my words. He probably owns some indentured servants.

"I agree with Forest!"

"Here! Here!"

"I agree”

"We should wait for Lucian."

"No decision until the king is back."

"Silence! We can't put off all growth waiting for the king to come back from battle. We have no idea when he'll be coming back. I stand firm on my first two proposals. As your queen you must obey and I am not backing down. Forest, your city is known for its resources of lumber. Start building me desks, beds, and other furniture for my orphan house. Advisor Brickenden your city is known for its resources of bricks and masonry. Start building my orphan house and my food bank. Advisor Clarke I need teachers for the children. You are in charge of that task. Advisor Taylor I need new clothes made for the children. Advisor Foreman I need you to start working with local merchants so that we can stock the food bank. Advisor Nash I need women that will staff the orphan house. That is all." I may have given in on my last proposal but I'm looking forward to what Lucian has to say about them turning me down when he gets home. That should be the most delicious meeting. Either they'll get spanked, figuratively speaking, or I will literally. Either way I'll be happy.

* The Western Border * Wolf POV

We are prepared to defend the Salona Kingdom from the invading Suzdal Kingdom. We are hidden behind the invaders and ready to charge ahead. We have sent a secret messenger ahead to the Salona Kingdom to prepare them for our attack. The idea is they attack from their side and we attack from our side and crush the Suzdal armies. Now I must prepare my men for war. I must give them a victory war cry.

"When I look out before me, do you know what I see? I see pride! I see power! I see bad-ass motherfuckers who don't take no crap off nobody! I see a bunch of warriors that are ready for battle. I see experience. I see professionals that have had their jaws broken, been lost, been knocked down a couple of times, been chopping trees. But I also see men that have done something new for this fight. They have wrestled with alligators, tousled with a whale, handcuffed lightning, and thrown thunder in jail. I see men that are ready to take down their enemy and let this field be soaked with their blood. When you're hurt don't quit. If you're already in pain and you already hurt, at least get a reward from it. Don't go to sleep until you succeed. Let's fight! GO!" I give the best war cry I can.

* Invasion of Cait * Cyprian POV

The invasion of Cait has been successful. The upper ranking officers are killed. The lower ranking officers are allowed to join our army as low ranking privates or return to their families. The king's advisors are spared for the time being. They are allowed to go back to their manors with a list of new laws and taxation. There's only three Lords not present: Lord Aragon, Lord Snorri, and Lord Branson. We need to visit them today. Fortunately Aragon's manor and village is not far from Cait. We'll stop there and rest for the night.

As we reach Aberdeen, the village outside of Lord Aragon's manor. We notice the people are incredibly poor. The road was a dirt road which is normal but it was also covered in animal and human filth. The huts that line the street barely have room for one person but probably fit a family inside. Animals roam freely about the streets as their owners try to corral them but most don't have well designed pens so the animals often get out. The people seem downtrodden and oppressed. It's clear that Lord Aragon does nothing to take care of the village that he is Lord over. He probably just pockets the taxes and when he can push his foot down even harder. The thought truly disgusts me. Most people give us a wide berth so as not to cross our paths. Some run inside their huts or gather their children inside. They definitely seem frightened by us.

We keep moving until we reach Lord Aragon's manor which isn't too far away from the village. It's a beautiful white brick, two story home, with white pillars out front. It's surrounded by beautiful gardens and a nicely cultivated lawnscape. I have my men wait outside and only bring in Lieutenant Ashdown with me. As the general of their new king and empire I don't feel the need to knock so I open the door and go right in.

"Are you here to see Lord Aragon?" An older woman with her hair tied up in a bun comes out of another room and asks. She's trying to not seem nervous but I can see her hands shaking while twisting a towel.

"Yes I am. I am General Cyprian of the Southern Company, of Drakor, of the Chromos Empire. Show me where he is." I need to command an air of authority right from the beginning even with the servants. "I believe he just sat down for his midday meal. Would you care to eat?" She asks politely.

"Sure. My lieutenant and I would love to." I don't want to turn down their hospitality once it's offered.

I walk inside the dining room and I almost explode with anger at what I see. A young girl in what once was a white dress is placing the midday meals on the dining room table. The first thing I notice are the bloody lines on the back of her dress telling that she has been recently whipped and has not had a chance to wash the dress yet. So, I'm guessing she's a slave. Slavery is illegal in the Chromos Empire. Before I am seen in the room she places a hot cup of tea down in front of Lord Aragon. He doesn't see it and moves his arm and accidentally knocks it off the table breaking the cup and plate. He gets so mad about the stupid cup that he back hands the girl across the face knocking her into the wall. I try to move as fast as I can but I can't stop her from hitting the wall. But, I'm on one knee in front of her helping her up. As soon as I touch her my dragon goes wild screaming MATE! Now I know I have to protect her with my life.

A/N

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