Veyron by true.fantasy (best books to read for self improvement txt) 📕

have a history. It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.” I smile
She gave a small laugh. “Yeah ok. Hmm….well, when the Empire was formed; it didn’t just form because we all came around and thought it was a good idea. Our past lineages were Emperors; we just rebuilt the olden Territory of the Ancients.”
“And a great job you did, might I add.” I smirk. She gave me a look before continuing.
“Well anyway, back then there were also people known as Aurorans. They led the Empire, so there wasn’t really one Emperor/Empress. Well, publically there was an Emperor; but he was…less of a chief and more heritage retain—largely respected, but his verdict or decree on any matter could be negated instantly if the Aurorans so wished.”
“Right…”
“The Last Emperor’s descendants had been traced down to Aksum’s family and so when the Empire rebuild, and his father passed away, he was to be crowned Emperor. But then descendants of the Aurorans were traced; my father was a direct descendant of an Auroran and so the nation all demanded father be Emperor. He did, but then fell ill and I had to take over as the successor.” She sighed. “Aksum, being the ‘real’ descendant of the royals, well, I—I have to give him some leniency. Though I wish Harran could take over—he’s the other royal heir, but younger than Aksum, so he couldn’t be appointed without Aksum’s consent…”
“He’s a good man; and a good leader.” I concur.
“He is.” She nods.
There was a pause. “Isn’t there something else you’re forgetting?” I ask. “He wants to marry you?”
“He wants to marry into the Aura lineage. He wants the Empire.” She scoffs.
I shrug. “From what you told me, the Aurorans seem of higher endorsement anyway. How many are there?”
“She’ll know.” She gestured grinning at the cottage in front of us.
We had arrived earlier than I had thought we would. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Yeira pulled me to the cottage door.
“You’ll love her.” She told me grinning. “Not your typical wise shaman though.”
The door opened and on the other side stood a cross looking woman who glared suspiciously at me. Yeira jumped up with a greeting and the shaman’s face melted into a welcoming smile.
“Yeira; my child!” She beamed. “You’ve come after quite a while.” She gestured to me. “Who’s he?”
Yeira cleared her throat. “Well…there’s actually something I need to ask you about that. I do know he’s…ah—well, he’s one of the bandits from four years ago…” She trailed off. “He came for military support and now he wants to help me in return…” The shaman stepped aside and ushered us inside.

The cottage was quite roomy from the inside. The shaman stood staring suspiciously at me.
“Do you trust this man? She asked Yeira. I smiled at seeing Yeira blush. The Shaman stepped towards me and struck out her hand. “Give me your hand.” She instructed.
I glanced at Yeira—who nodded. I give the shaman my hand, which she held palm up, gazing at it with such scrutiny—I felt extremely uncomfortable. She glanced up at me—and smiled. “Welcome son.” She smiled. “A good man and a deeply meaningful future you will have.” She turned to Yeira. “You came for something?”
Yeira nodded. “We’re…we’re going after the spring...”
The shaman nodded knowingly. “I’m guessing you’ll need supplies and information. Well, young man, all supplies in the store are at your disposal.” She gestured to a door in the corner of the room. “Leave me and Yeira to converse privately.” She added. With a nod and a longing look at Yeira, I headed for the ‘store’.

~Yeira~

“But he’s a foreigner!” I say frustrated. “And he didn’t even know anything—he still doesn’t know much about the Auroras and the Tenet. His eyes were glowing!!” I fall into the couch frustrated.
She gave me a sympathetic look. “Blue?”
“Green.” I sigh. “A beautiful green—emerald.”
She frowned. “Green??” She gave a thoughtful look. “I swear I’ve read it somewhere—I can’t point it out right now, but…” She trailed off.
“He’s a foreigner! Newcomer! He doesn’t know anything! How can he be tied to the Auroras?? Let alone a descendant??”
“Maybe you need to find out more about him.” She suggested.
I give her a look. “Joy.” I say sarcastically. “As if it weren’t bad enough as it is.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but immediately closed it as we heard Xavier close the door—fully dressed in our traditional native male clothes. My eyes widened—he looked…amazing! I smiled; maybe going out into the middle of nowhere with the hunk wouldn’t be so bad. It fit him really well. A sword hung lightly from his waist from a leather belt. His hair fell down—some strands just touching his shoulders—his broad shoulders. Muscular arms…wide chest. Tall, strong, handsome. He walked up to us with a smirk.
“Like what you see?” He asked me quirking an eyebrow.
I looked back up embarrassed. He and shaman laughed at my blushed cheeks and I give him a look. “It’s the native clothes. They’re nice.” I say nonchalantly.
He smirked. “Sure…it was just the clothes you’re admiring. Or who’s wearing them?” The Shaman laughed again as I gave him a ‘shut-up’ look.
“You have the map?” The shaman asked Xavier grinning, He shook his head and the shaman disappeared into the nearby closet only to re-emerge with a large sheet of paper. “Here.” She handed him the map. “It’s got all sites labelled on it. Head for Oasis Tura, and you’ll get to your destination. It won’t be an easy journey—many have tried, many failed. You’ll come across many surprises and trials you have to pass…just be careful with that map. And good luck.” She smiled.
I walked to the door—knowing that was her way of saying ‘now get out of the cottage’. Xavier soon caught on and followed me out. With a wave I farewelled the finest shaman in the empire.
“Pray for us!” I call out. She nodded with a laugh, and I followed Xavier back down into the forest; with Xavier deeply connected to the map. What comedy.
***
My legs were aching and I slumped down beside a tree. We’d travelled really far—I didn’t even recognise this area; which meant I had to follow him. How embarrassing.
“Come on Empress, we should get ahead while there’s daylight.” He smirked. When I gave him my ‘shut-up’ look, he laughed. “Come on, just a few more meters.”
“You’ve been saying that since we left the Shaman cottage. And that was over 3 hours ago. Don’t act like you’re not tired either.” I say annoyed.
“I’m not.” He says turning to face me fully. “Just past that orchid, there will be a village. We’ll stop there for the night.”
“What orchid??” I squint to get a better look. “I don’t see an orchid.”
“It’s just a bit further.”
“How much further Mr I-don’t-get-tired.”
“A few acres Ms Complain-a-lot.”
I give him a look. “I may not know where we are, but I still own the land you’re standing on; and I could have you kicked off it if you’re not careful.”
“You and what army?” He challenged with a smirk.
“I, sir, don’t need an army.” I say pushing past him to walk on ahead. He had pointed in this direction, hadn’t he?
He followed behind me chuckling—what a don.

We walked for another half-hour before I turned to face him. “Where’s the orchid??”
He shrugged. “Should have been here,”
I glare at him. “Tell me we’re not lost.”
“We’re not lost.”
I give him a look. “And be honest.”
“We’re lost.” He smirked.
“Xavier!” I grumble. “This ain’t funny; what’ll we do now??”
“We could always just make wild erotic love out in the wilderness and—ow!” I pinched his ear and he yelped laughing.
“Don’t talk to your Empress like that!” I scold blushing. He winked and I let go of his ear with a huff. “Seriously Xavier, what do we do?”
He laughed. “Perhaps we should find a river, Empress Tsarina.”
I give him a look. “Fine. I guess we follow it in the hope of finding a settlement?”
“That’s right.”
I give him a look. “Seriously? What if there isn’t?”
“I’m open to any other ideas.” I didn’t reply so he walked on ahead. Fine; walk aimlessly in hope of finding civilization it is then.
Village Raid

~XAVE~

There was little in the way of small talk between us. Yeira was annoyed at being ‘lost’ which was apparently my fault. Just because I had the map? I was reading it perfectly fine; just after a while the things on the map weren’t showing up! I looked up to see a grey mist above the tree further down.
“Yeira!” I call. She turned briskly. “Smoke—out there; near the mountains.” I point.
She let out a sigh of relief. “Another village I hope. I’m sick of following this stream you’ve named a river; hopelessly lost.” I laughed and she picked up speed as we both headed towards the smoke.
We walked quite far until finally we jogged up to a small pond and stopped to take a breather Yeira shook her head smiling.
“I think we can make it before sunset.” She chirps.
I smile. “I think so too. I’ll fill up my drink bottle; quick break and then we’re heading off again.”
She nodded. “Okay. Though I think the Stream back there has clean freshwater; I wouldn’t fill up in this pond.” She smirks.
I smile. “Ok. Be right back.”

Filling up my bottle, I sat down for a bit by the stream. I drained some of the water—and wow. It tasted beautifully sweet. The sun was warm and lying semi-lazily in the shade; I almost got lost in the moment. There was a scream—Yeira! I bounce up and ran down to where the small pond was. This better not be something stupid like a spider, I think. Holy crud. They’re back? It was the same men from the other day. The masked dark-clad creeps had surrounded her. One pulled viciously at her arm. Her sword lay behind them—out of reach. I came to a stop behind him, pulled him away from her and thrust my fist in the face. Hopefully that’ll leave a mark. I don’t know why, but my blood was boiling and I was more aggressive than I would have thought I’d be. I wanted to slay the lot! Especially the one who’d touched Yeira. Knocking down the filth three by three I mopped them down well. They’d fall; and I’d just drag them up again and keep bashing them.
“Xavier, that’s enough!” She pulled on my sleeve. Pulling my arm out of her grasp, I flung the man whose collar I was holding, a few meters off. “Xavier!” She took hold of my arm again. “Are you crazy?”
The vermin group fled and I turned to face her gaze firmly with my own. “Why the hell would you be defending them?!”
“Defending them??” She punched my arm and I scowled.
“Hey! What was that for?!” I