Prolouge (Verena, Age 14)
Im sitting in my room, on the fur before my bed, watching the dragon egg I got from my parents. The soft crackles from the fireplace across from me, adding to the comfortling feeling in my room. I turn the egg in my hands. it's completely black, like a coal stone. A knock on my door startles me for a second before i carefully set down the egg.
"Come in."
The door opens to reveal my mother, the queen. She has a warm smile on her face as she enters my room. The crown on her head looks quite heavie, and the gown she wears looks elegant beyond everything else.
"Hey, little dove, what are you doing?" she asks in a soft voice.
I give her a smile in return,
"Not much, i was just inspecting the egg. It's fascinating."
The awe in my voice is clear. She lets out a little laugh, coming to stand beside my still sitting form.
"Yes, i know, dragons tend to be fascinating, little dove."
She has a dream like look in her eyes. I know that my mother lost her dragon due to old age 2 years ago. After her father passed, the dragon accepted her as its new rider. After her dragon died, she didn't want another one. Maybe she felt like she would replace her dragon if she got a new one. I look up at my mother,
"Where's father?"
She lets out a sigh before answering my question.
"Your father is in the throne room, talking about an alliance, i believe." she says,"Not even i know where he is most of the times, though."
I give her a reassuring smile and get a cheerful one in return. We keep talking for a little while until a guard stands in my doorway, bowing slightly before he speaks.
"My queen, Princess."
He looks at my mother,
"Your presence is required in the throne room, immediately and urgent."
Even i know that he sounds worried and stressed, even more than usual. My mother gives me a reassuring smile and kisses my hair.
"I have to go, little dove. I'll come and look for you after this."
I nod and give her a smile before she leaves my room and closes the door behind her. My gaze lands on the egg again, i stand up, carefully take the egg, and place it before the fire before i turn around to my bookshelf and pick up my favorite romance. Making my way to my bed again, i crawl into the middle and start reading the book i know better than this very castle. Maybe two hours later, suddenly i hear screams. I flinch, and my head snaps up. Closing the book, i slowly crawl off my bed. Luckily, i wore a short but still elegant dress today, so it doesn't make too many rustles. I silently walk to the door of my room and press my ear against it, waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting
There! Another scream pirces the otherwise silent air before hell breaks loose. I can hear screams from everywhere, hurried footsteps, swords clinging against swords. I take a fast step away from my door, and luckily, i did because seconds after, it flies open. My maid, Irene, frantically searches the room with her eyes until she finds me. As soon as she does, she runs in my direction and takes my arm in a strong grip.
"Princess! We have to leave immediately!"
She starts pulling me towards the door. I try to pull against her,
"Wait! Where are my parents?! What's happening here?!"
"We dont have time for this, Princess! We have to leave now!"
She starts pulling my arm again. I try to yank free of her grip, but i can't.
"Wait!"
I look to the fireplace where the dragonegg is still placed before.
"I can't leave it here!"
I try to reason with her. She casts a look in the eggs direction before hurriedly walking over and grabbing it, placing it in my arms, and taking one to pull me with her again.
"Now, Princess!"
She keeps walking hurriedly through the castle with me behind her, looking around every corner. I still dont know what's happening, but i know that this can't be good. Not at all.
We walk through the kitchen to the back door, where we are stopped by the Captain of the kingsguard, Aeron .
"What are you doing in here?" he asks frantically, looking behind Irene until he sees me.
"Princess! Are you hurt anywhere?" he looks me up and down, making sure im unharmed.
I shake my head as i see him looking around as if the devil is behind us. He takes us in before he gestures to the back door,
"We have to get out of here, right now."
Irene nods and follows behind him, still pulling at my arm. They hurriedly walk out the backdoor of the kitchen and look around. Aeron says that we have to get on horseback or we won't make it far. Im still confused about what's happening when we make it to the stables. Irene gets on a horse, and Aeron lifts me onto the horse in front of her before getting on another one himself.
"Where do we go now?" Irene asks in a hushed voice.
"We'll go into the woods for now." Aeron says with a darkness in his voice i heavent heard until now.
I look at him pleadingly,
"Where are my parents?"
He lowers his head and gives it a slight shake. I know what he means. Im not dumb. But i dont want to believe it. I shake my head from side to side before turning towards the castle once more. The doors into the castle are shattered, and pieces of wood are laying everywhere. All around are dead guards, some of us, and some i dont recognize.
"This can't be true," i mumble not to anyone in particular.
"Im sorry, Princess," Aeron says with a little more calm in his voice than before.
He looks at Irene and gives a slight nod before he sets his horse in motion. Irene does the same, and only a few seconds later, i see how we distance ourselves from my home. Im looking down at the dragonegg in my hands, a tear escaping my eyes. The last gift i got from my parents, and the last thing i have left of them.
(to be continued)
