Dragon Lord

We fell flat to the ground from exhaustion. 'Father did not go easy on me this time. Training with him takes the wind out of me.' I thought. He laughed a hearty laugh that forced my frowning face into a smile. I looked up at the red sun admiring the different hues it gave off. When I heard him push himself up off the ground I knew that meant it was not over. He conjured a ball of fire and threw it. It connected with the ground where I once laid. I flew up to the sky out of the line of fire but did not escape him. He followed my movement and flew up behind me. His fist swung at me. I dodged it, then threw my own punches. Some connected, some did not. He maneuvered quickly around each of my attacks. It seemed as if I was seeing his after image and not him. This soon enraged me. I collected the heat radiating from my body and stored it within my stomach. He circled around me and struck me as he tried to break my focus. Once the burning became too much I opened my mouth and let it flow from me. A blinding flame erupted from me covering my vision. I closed my eyes to sense his presence and followed him as he tried to escape my attack.

Three minutes pass and I can no longer breathe. I allowed myself to slowly descend til I hit the ground with a thud. I fall over on my hands and knees trying to breathe again. I vomit and spit til my stomach settled. It was then that I noticed his footsteps and that he was by my side. "You need more training." He stated. I grunt and punch the ground. "Soon you will be able to do it without discomfort." He helps me up and we continue again.

After training I could barely move but the day is not over. I have to observe father and continue my studies. To become Dragon Lord I must learn everything I can. I observe closely and take note the people that he trust enough to take their advice. My mother would make herself known every now and then to get attention from father. She'd kiss and hug him as if they were still newlyweds. When I was young I thought it was gross but they do it so often that it became normal. She'd save me from the mountain of work with treats and things she would find interesting.

Father was called away by someone who said they him personally. This was odd because all of his friends died a long time ago during the seven nation war. "Mother, I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back to play more games with you." I lied. I i followed father's scent to listen in on his conversation. Instead of going to the council hall to speak with the man, he took him to his bed chamber. 'He must really know him to have let him in here.

I stood out in the hallway but couldn't hear anything. In a fit of anger I kick the wall next to the door. A metal clank was heard when my foot made contact. A vent. I smile in triumph at me new idea, then kneel down to unscrew the bolts. Once open I crawl in, closing it behind me. A few minutes in I hear the two conversing. "Take it and leave this place!" My father spoke. "I'm going to get what I deserve! No cheating me out of it like you did her." the man responded. "Is that what she told you I did? That witch deserves nothing, not even the air that she breathes." Father spat. They went on arguing about a woman until the man revealed her to be dead.

The room fell silent, leaving me in fear of being discovered. Father broke the silence with a single word, "Good." A few seconds pass then an ear piercing screech erupts from the small hole I was using to listen in. I cover my ears as the world around me shook. I was jolted by the thundering sounds that I could only assume were their punches. A battle commenced so I made my way out of the vent to escape the aftermath. Roars and the sound of crashing was heard throughout the west wing. My mother rushed down the hall and took me into her arms. "What is happening?" She questioned. I shook my head in an attempt to stay out of trouble. I was escorted away where I could not hear anything.

Father was seething. The paint on the walls even cowered in fear. It was best that I stay away and never mention what I heard.

That was five years ago today. Instead of being granted the title of Dragon Lord by my father, I am inheriting it. I stand over his grave with my mother crying by my feet. I can't imagine how she would have reacted if she saw his body hanging on a wall like decoration. Just the thought of it enraged me. I clutched my fists and let them heat up as if I was preparing to fight. I want the person responsible head. I want them dead for what they've done. "Ace. . . I would like to rest." My mother's weak voice brought me out of my murderous thoughts. She looked drained. I helped her up and guided her back inside. My subordinate, Griffin, approached me and began his status report. She released my hand without a word and went to her room on her own.

I watched her til she was gone then returned my attention to Griffin. He listed off the information he gathered in his private investigation. "I interviewed the first person that viewed his body. They were coming in for morning prayer but saw nothing. He was already dead when they arrived." He began. This investigation was going no where. Everything was a dead end. His voice trailed off in my head since nothing he was saying amounted to anything. He was basically telling me he failed.

My body shook as the heat from my anger filled me. I toss a side table, breaking it to pieces. I feel my body heat up even more. I want to release it all but cool myself when I remember where I am. The castle may be sturdy but it will be a pain to fix everything. I'm not a child anymore, who can't contain his flames. "What else is there?" I say through gritted teeth. "The Ambrym district is getting hostile. It is likely that they'll revolt." He answers. I sigh out then breathe in sharply. "I will handle them. Just as my father did."

"Ruling takes diplomacy not just combat." He reminded me. I learned many things from my father but few on diplomacy. I thought for a moment. "Perhaps I could visit the Ambrym district with mother and approve some laws that have been ignored. I'll reform the system. Then they'll have to acknowledge my rule for the better." I responded. "I do agree my lord." He bowed. A since of achievement rushed through me.

I longed to tell mother the news. I want to give her some excitement. I climb up the grand staircase and make my way down the west wing to her bedroom. I knock softly in case she is asleep. The door creaks open against my knuckles. I am slightly alarmed and walk in before announcing myself. I saw her laid out on their bed fully clothed. I rush to her to shake her awake. I only want to see her eyes, to know she is still with me. I shove and push but she does not budge. I also could not feel her pulse. My eyes water once the realization sets in. The last thing I see before my vision becomes blurry is the bottle of poison resting on her nightstand. I press my face into her abdomen to hide my tears and screams. I failed to conceal them. The walls shook under my wails. I could feel the flames threatening to flow from me but I did not care if they did.