Redeeming the Broken Dragon

Chapter 7. The Doubts

Crimson's footsteps echoed against the stone floor as she paced her chamber, each step stirring the swirling doubts in her mind. This behavior was not like her. She was usually a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, feisty, ready for a challenge. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the uncontrollable worries like wisps of smoke.

Crimson's brow furrowed as she bit her lip, a storm of doubt swirling in her chest. What if I'm not up to the task? Her voice, barely a whisper, trembled in the room's silence. The council's decision to send her with him… gnawed at her, an unresolved puzzle.

What if I'm making a mistake reading the situation? What if they made a mistake and overestimated me?she muttered, her hands clenching and unclenching as she pictured Mr. Grumpy's scowl, his displeasure with the vote etched deeply on his stern face.

Her pacing continued. Each step was a rhythmic echo of her racing heart. The council's decision… purely political? she questioned the shadows, her voice rising with frustration and fear.

Would my confidence be greater if the vote was unanimous? She paused, her gaze drifting to the window, seeking answers in the starlit sky. Her reflection stared back, a portrait of uncertainty. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her, tightening like a vice around her heart, leaving her breath short and her mind clouded with what-ifs.

She knew she needed to confide in someone, and her only friend here was King Vlad. While she didn't want to come across as a crybaby, the weight of the Council of Allies' meeting and Solstace's objection were bearing down on her. King Vlad was more than just a friend; he had been a father figure to her, a steadfast mentor who had guided her through some of the darkest moments of her life.

In the shadow of King Vlad's loss, their bond had woven deeper, knitting together in shared grief and resilience. She had witnessed the anguish and despair that had consumed Vlad and stood by his side, offering what solace she could. While he recently reconnected with his daughter, Crimson still had a place in his life.

Today, she needed his guidance about the future, the mission to capture the traitor, Zoltan, and bring him to justice to pay for all the harm and heartache he caused so many people.

Crimson's heart skipped a beat, a fragile vulnerability flickering across her face. What if he thinks I'm a crybaby? she wondered, the words echoing in the hollow of her mind. A surge of frustration rose within her, the weight of the dragon's opinion heavy like a stone in her stomach.

Why does his judgment matter so much to me? she questioned, her voice a silent plea in the solitude of her chamber. With a huff of exasperation, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, Crimson threw herself onto the bed. The mattress groaned under the sudden weight, mirroring her tumultuous emotions. Her fists clenched the sheets as a fiery resolve ignited in her eyes.

He better get his act together, or I'll show him what I'm made of, she vowed, her determination burning brighter than the doubts that threatened to consume her. Taking a deep breath, Crimson stepped out of her chamber and went to King Vlad's suite. Crimson's steps hesitated at King Vlad's door, her hand trembling slightly before she knocked. She knocked softly and opened the door.

As she entered, her eyes immediately found King Vlad. He sat in a large and comfortable chair in the small living room. He was reading, as he often did. The modest décor of his suite clashed with his regal presence, which always commanded attention.

Crimson approached with a respectful nod, her heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. A gentle crinkle formed at the corners of King Vlad's eyes, softening his usually stern gaze as he took in her appearance, and for a moment, she was transported back to the many days when he had been a father figure to her.

King Vlad's keen eyes softened as he observed Crimson, his seasoned gaze catching the subtle shadows of worry dancing across her face. "You seem troubled, Crimson," he noted, his voice a gentle rumble in the quiet room. He gestured to the chair beside him, inviting her to share her burden. "Tell me what's going on and what I can do to help you."

Crimson hesitated, a flicker of vulnerability flashing in her eyes before she masked it with a composed smile. "King Vlad," she began, her voice carrying a formal timbre uncharacteristic of their usual exchanges. She quickly corrected herself, her tone softening, "Thanks for seeing me, Vlad. It means a lot." Her gratitude was genuine, but her words barely concealed the undercurrent of anxiety that lapped at their edges.

King Vlad leaned forward, his deep voice enveloping the room like a warm embrace. "Crimson," he said warmly, a paternal affection threading through his words, "it is always my pleasure to make time for you." His brow furrowed slightly, a sign of his concern. "You don't seem as excited about the upcoming mission. What has changed?"

Crimson felt the intensity of his gaze, a gentle yet unyielding probe into the depths of her worries. She shifted uncomfortably, her hands fidgeting in her lap, betraying her inner turmoil. King Vlad's familiar, reassuring presence was both a comfort and a reminder of the magnitude of what lay ahead.

Crimson met King Vlad's gaze, her eyes filled with determination and vulnerability. "The council of allies has given me this task, you know, to help capture Zoltan, but... well, it's just that..." she trailed off, looking at her shoes. She tried to steady her trembling hands, a silent battle between her determination and anxiety.

"What worries you about this mission, Crimson?" King Vlad's eyes flicked to her hair, which had shifted to a delicate shade of pink—a telltale sign of her anxiety—as he made a subtle gesture. "I hope it is not our conversation over breakfast the other day that has you doubting yourself. That was never my intention."

Crimson sighed, the weight of her concerns etched on her face as her shoulders hunched. It was indeed uncharacteristic of her to worry to this extent.

"It's not the mission itself. I could get that done in my sleep!" Crimson scoffed.

Her hair, still pale pink, seemed to mirror her emotional turmoil. "It's about the other individual going on this mission." She sighed once more, her shoulders slumping further under the weight of her apprehension.

King Vlad nodded, his understanding gaze softening. He leaned closer, reassuringly touching her arm, the contact offering a fleeting moment of comfort amidst her inner turmoil.

"Solstace will be... difficult to work with, to say the least. He's visibly annoyed by me going on this mission, and it's clear that trust between us is lacking. I don't know if he thinks I'll cramp his style or if he truly thinks he'll need to 'save me.'" She shook her head in disbelief. "The nerve of that arrogant dragon."

King Vlad leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "Trust is the foundation of any successful mission, hazardous. You'll have to work to gain his trust."

Crimson nodded, her jaw set in a determined line, the muscles in her neck tensing with resolve. "That's easier said than done," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration and defiance. Her eyes sparked with a fiery spirit as she thought of the dragon, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

"That dragon is a brick wall. There's no changing his mind!" A determined shake of her head punctuated her words, her entire being radiating an unwavering commitment to face the challenge ahead.

King Vlad's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "You have a unique gift, a talent for bringing people together, for mending bonds that others might deem irreparable. You read people and can use that ability to get them to open up. Solstace wants to redeem himself. Maybe your gift will be useful."

Crimson's mind drifted back to her past, the trials she had faced, and the moments when she had been on the bridge between warring factions. "Yes, I have used that gift before, but I'm unsure if it will work with Solstace."

King Vlad shifted in his seat, reflecting his contemplation. "Sometimes, it takes time and patience. But it would be best if you made the effort, Crimson. Our mission's success depends on it. You can't let one dragon's skepticism deter you from your purpose."

"One dragon! You mean the only dragon." She rolled her eyes. "I guess you're right, your Majesty." She tried to convey to him that his pep talk was working. "I'm not stepping aside. Trust me, Solstace will come around to trust me—because I'm the key to nailing this mission." Her hair was back to its natural Crimson color.

King Vlad's expression softened. "That's the spirit, Crimson. Remember, trust in your abilities. Together, you will capture Zoltan and bring him to face justice, and the Moondance pack and their allies will thrive once more."

And with a devilish grin, he added. "And maybe you will help redeem that old grumpy dragon." Their laughter echoed warmly in the room, a moment of shared amusement at the thought of the perpetually grumpy dragon. Crimson's eyes twinkled with delight, her lips curving into a genuine smile that softened the earlier tension in her face.

"Thank you, friend," she said, her voice brimming with gratitude. The sincerity in her tone was unmistakable, a rare display of her vulnerable side.

King Vlad's smile was a rare and tender sight, softening the usual sternness of his features. He looked at her with an affection that transcended their formal roles, his eyes reflecting a paternal fondness.

"You are like a daughter to me, Crimson," he expressed warmly, his voice a soothing balm to her anxious heart. "I want to see you succeed in this mission and maybe learn about yourself." His words conveyed a deep belief in her potential, an unspoken encouragement that resonated deeply within Crimson, igniting a spark of hope and determination in her.

Crimson touched the iridescent pendant that hung around her neck. She had it as long as she can remember. It was with her when the guards found her in the garden, and it's been with her since. Sometimes, it almost glows. She thought to herself. Why has no one figured out what it represents? Could it be the key to unlocking secrets from my past?

Crimson's curiosity got better, and she couldn't resist pressing further. "You mentioned my past, King Vlad. What do you know? What secrets hide there?"

King Vlad leaned forward. "We know you have a unique ability, but I'm sure there is much more to discover. I simply hope your past is not somehow interconnected with Zoltan and the mess he created."

Crimson's heart quickened, the tantalizing prospect of discovering more about herself tugging at her soul. She looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"I can't be sure of anything at this point." Kind Vlad looked in the distance, loosing himself in his thoughts.

I fooled myself into thinking that keeping Zoltan close would stifle his thirst for power. He played me well, too well. Crimson, clearing her throat, took King Vlad out of his reverie.

Crimson knew this face. She knew King Vlad blamed himself for Zoltan's action, even if he was not to blame. She figured today was not the day to push him. But eventually, she would need answers.

"Thank you again," she said, bowing respectfully. "I need to get ready now. That ready-bag was more for show than anything else. I'm glad no one called my bluff! "

With a nod of approval, King Vlad watched her depart.

"What will I tell her?" King Vlad pondered, his gaze lingering on the closed door. The thought of her 'father,' if he was the monster Vlad feared, cast a long shadow over his thoughts. He knew all too well the treacherous path ahead for Crimson, a journey that would test her mettle and shake the foundations of her resolve.