The Forbidden Alliance

Thousands of years had passed with the wind, but the war between the Dragons and humans had not ceased, and blood continued to spill between the two. The ground had always been painted red and a graveyard of the unburied every time these two species met. However, as the season changed and the world revolved the battles became fewer in number until there were hardly any encounters between the humans and dragons. Yet the hate still lived on in their dark hearts, and that bitterness inspired the tradition in the kingdom of Pirus called, “the Hunt.” Before a child can transition from childhood and adulthood, they had to bring back to the kingdom the head of a dragon to celebrate their coming of age, and today, it was declared in the kingdom of Pirus that another dragon was about to lose its head by a young maiden name… “Frida, please wake up. Your father will be displeased if you are late for the ceremony.” A young lady, wearing a print dress with a cap and a rough apron said as she pulled the huge curtains apart. As the sunlight streamed golden through the window and settled on Frida’s face, she hastily turned, covered her entire body with the sheet, and mumbled, “Hilda, one more minute. It won't cost you much to wait, will it?” “Yes, it will cost me my head! Your father told me that he expects everything to go as planned and can't afford any mistakes, and I promise him that his word will get kept to the letter. You know what happens to people who break their promises to the king.” Hilda said, striving to stay calm. Hearing the fear in her maid’s voice, Frida immediately threw the sheet off her and sat up. Then she pitifully stared at Hilda, seeing how worried her maid was. “My father will do no such thing. You are more than a servant to me. You are my friend, and he knows not to harm my people.” “And I appreciate your kindness to me, my lady. But have you forgotten that today is a special day in the kingdom?” A sigh escaped Frida’s lips as she got out of bed and stepped onto the cold floor. Then she gently rested her hand on Hilda's shoulder for a second before heading into the bathroom. “How can I? It's all that everyone in and outside the kingdom is talking about. Everywhere I go, there's always someone talking about ‘The Hunt’ and playing a guessing game on what kind of dragon I am going to kill.” Frida said as she stared at her maid's reflection in the mirror. With a soft smile on Hilda’s lips, she walked over to the sink, took a white towel, and wet it. Then she rested it against Frida's smooth skin as she gently wiped her face. “That's not all. Today is the day my princess becomes a queen. I have been praying from the day since you bought me off the slave market and made me your servant. It's like the heavens have heard my cry.” Hilda softly said with adoration in her blue eyes. Then she lost her smile when Frida’s palm tenderly rested against her cheeks, and said, “I thought we were friends.” “My lady, we are.” “Then why would you wish the burden of the crown upon me.” “I do-don’t und-understand, my lady. Please give your humble servant some clarity.” Tears were settling in Hilda’s eyes as she watched Frida undress and once the nightgown slid off her body, those tears rushed down Hilda’s cheeks as she clapped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from sobbing out loud. “Is this why you never allowed me to bathe you and watch you shower or even dress you?” Hilda cried while her hands trembled as she lifted them to touch Frida’s skin. But out of fear, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Then all of sudden, Frida grabbed Hilda’s wrist and pulled it towards her, and said, “I may have the face of a princess, but I have the body of a warrior. My father took me on my first battle when I was fifteen, and the war front had been my playground ever since.” “You are so brave. Now I understand how you got the name ‘warrior princess, and why everyone fears you, including your father.” Hilda said while staring at the deep scar below Frida’s breast. “Are you one of them?” “No. I do not fear you because I have seen your heart, and it is so pure and beautiful.” Those were the strangest words Frida had ever heard since it was the first time she had gotten such praise from anyone, and even though she didn't want to believe them, the sincerity in Hilda’s eyes when she spoke made Frida keep those words closer to her heart. “You can leave now.” She said to Hilda as she turned her back and got into the bathtub. Hilda then slightly bowed before hurrying out of the bathroom. After Frida got done, she walked into the room, dropped the towel from around her body, stretched her arms, and waited on Hilda to dress her. An iron helmet was placed on top of Frida’s red hair after Hilda had braided it into two separate plaits, then her body got clothed with chain mail armor, her feet were put into leather shoes, and a sword got placed on her side while a bow and arrows were handed over to her. “You are ready, my lady,” Hilda said with pride in her voice as she stared with adoration in her eyes. “Am I?” Frida mumbled unknown to herself. She then slowly walked over to the dress and gazed at her reflection. Staring back at her was a girl she knew, and yet something felt different. ‘All I have to do is kill a dragon. How hard can that be?’ Frida thought, and somehow she felt extremely restless and unsure about what fate had planned for her as she embarked on a test that will prove her strength to rule her people.