Legend of the Great Dragon Read Online Free Page A

dig into the plate. Already he was stuffing his face with chicken wings and potatoes. “Is something wrong?”
    For a moment, she closed her eyes. “It's been a long day, and let's not forget the reason that we're here.”
    â€œRight, of course. I'll help you get settled into bed. I'm sure you're overwhelmed.”
    She was, and not from socializing. Even the memories of all the funerals she'd attended in the past did not make her feel anxious, like they used to. It was the sudden pressure that had fallen on her shoulders. Mikko's instinct was kicking in again, and it told her that whatever it was her grandmother had to say to her, it was going to be big. Soon you'll understand, my child. A voice inside of her said.

 
    Chapter Four
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    Ichi didn't stay long at the celebration. He was pleased to see he wasn't the only Aero there. Throughout the course of the evening, he’d spotted four others, but he’d never once approached them. They could have been his distant cousins, or even nephews. Fear kept him from introducing himself. He’d spoken to hardly anyone there. A couple of Inero men had tried to strike up a conversation with him and a Terran man had offered him a strong drink which he’d politely declined. Outside of his dance with Mikko, he'd hardly had any meaningful interactions.
    He walked back to his hotel. It was roughly a mile away, but it wasn't a walk he minded. The summer night air was warm, and the towering skyscrapers of Oceina City made for excellent scenery. His father had told him about skyscrapers before, but he'd never seen one up close until he’d arrived for the funeral. Ichi had seen lots of pictures of course, and he'd been to Aero City a few times as well, but none of that compared to seeing everything in person. A picture didn't do the scene justice, and Aero City was the exact opposite of Oceina City.
    The Oceina people prided themselves in their technology. Glass towers made up most of the city, and they reached high into the sky going above the clouds. Several were connected to each other via skyways that were on various floors, creating an entire web of transportation. Electric trains ran up and down the sides of the buildings, allowing for fast travel. It was like being in a jungle of glass and lights, and it was so beautiful to look up at from the ground. Even the street level was clean and a sight to behold. The sidewalks had old-fashioned, flower-shaped street lamps lighting the way. In fact, the businesses all reflected the same traditional vibe, connecting the new city with its past.
    There was a park nearby that he was tempted to explore. Nature had always fascinated him, and he wanted to see more of Oceina's native flora. Perhaps another day. That party took a lot more out of me than I originally thought.
    â€œCare for some company?” a gentle female voice asked from behind him.
    Ichi faced her and saw an elderly Oceina woman. He recognized her as the Great Lord's widow from the funeral. “You're welcome to join me so long as you won't get in trouble with the rest of your guests.”
    â€œI can get away with doing just about anything I want to,” she said. “I'll escort you back to your hotel.”
    â€œIt's going to be a long walk. Are you sure you feel up for that?”
    She scoffed at him. “I may be old, but I am far from weak. Besides, I want a chance to talk to you alone. You're a bit hard to track down.”
    â€œMy address hasn't changed,” he said.
    â€œNo, but you don't live in the cabin much these days. My husband would spend weeks at the cabin waiting for you to return home, and you never did.”
    He glanced down at her. “Darien, I mean, the Great Lord, visited the cabin after my parents died?”
    â€œOf course. He was your godfather, remember? Why wouldn't he come to see you and make sure you were all right?” Her gaze met his and he saw sadness in her blue eyes. “He