Marked by the Dragon

Chapter 3-1

The morning sun filtered through the canopy above as Mina made her way along the winding forest path. Her worn shoes crunched on the undergrowth, the familiar sounds of the woods calming her restless mind.

Mina breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of pine and moss. This was her favorite place, where mysteries lingered behind every tree and adventure waited around each bend.

As a twelve-year-old girl living in a small farming village, life was often dull. But out here, deep in the forest, she was free. Here, she could pretend she was the High Princess, or follow the tracks of a legendary beast. Her imagination knew no bounds amidst these trees.

Most days she spent her free time exploring, climbing rocks, crossing streams, and mentally mapping new routes. Her parents worried about her, but she was resourceful. Mina knew which berries and plants were edible, and how to navigate her way home as darkness fell. The villagers had long since given up trying to keep her out of the woods. Mina belonged there as much as the wild animals.

Today she wandered further than ever before, lured by the promise of discovery. She’d found strange markings on the trees and an unfamiliar animal print in the mud. What sort of creature could it be? Mina quickened her pace, her senses heightened. The forest was calling her deeper, into a world of mystery.

She shook her head, smiling to herself at her overactive imagination. Yet still she walked onward, unable to resist the pull of the unknown. The sun sank low on the horizon, shadows lengthening between the trees. Nightfall was approaching, but Mina did not turn back. The forest had gripped her in its embrace, and she willingly followed where it led.

It was just getting dark by the time she trudged into the village. Leaves and twigs were tangled in her unruly hair, and some of the nearby villagers glanced up at the familiar sound of her approach, concern marking their expressions.

“You shouldn’t be traipsing about this late,” Dela, the baker’s wife, scolded. “Your parents have been looking for you. Off on one of your adventures again, were you?”

Mina grinned sheepishly. “I was following some strange markings I found. I didn’t mean to be gone so long, but I lost track of time.”

The baker shooed his wife inside their shop and stared at her with amusement. “One of these days you’ll wander too far and we’ll have to come searching for you.”

“I’m always careful,” Mina protested.

The villagers knew she could fend for herself, but for some reason, they still worried about her. She appreciated their concern, but there was nothing to fear out there.

“Did you finish laying the traps for Tarrow?”

“Yes, I did that before going into the woods.”

She often aided the people in her village with such tasks despite her age.

“Very good. I knew he could count on you. Have a good night.”

Mina’s cheeks flushed. It was not easy to get a compliment from the old baker. She waved and continued to her parents’ farm. Darkness had settled over the village by the time she reached the dirt path that led to the house.

Her parents would be finished with their chores, tired and worn from a long day of labor in the fields. They worked from dawn until dusk, struggling to grow enough crops to feed themselves and pay the high taxes imposed by their Dominion lord.

Despite their hardships, her parents always had a smile for her when she returned home. They were proud of the things she did for their fellow villagers, but she often wished she could help them in a bigger way. Perhaps one day she would be able to.

Mina sighed, eyeing the broken fence and crumbling stone cottage that was their home. She loved her family, but part of her yearned for something more. A life of adventure, where every day brought something new.

Her gaze drifted to the forest, dark and forbidding in the fading light. Somewhere in that sea of trees and shadows lay the answer to her restless dreams. She just had to be persistent enough to keep searching for it.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Mina went inside to help prepare their meager dinner. Her parents would need her help, and helping them cook was the least she could do. No matter how strong the call of adventure sang in her blood, her duty was here. To her family and her village, who had given her so much and asked for nothing in return.

The next morning, Mina rose with the sun and set about her daily chores. She fed the chickens, milked the cow, and collected eggs from the henhouse. Though mundane, she found comfort in the routine. Her parents were still asleep, worn out from the previous long day of plowing the fields.

After a quick breakfast, Mina ventured into the village. Many of the townsfolk greeted her warmly, waving from their shops and cottages. She stopped by the baker"s and traded a dozen eggs for a loaf of bread and sweet bun, knowing it would be a welcome surprise for her parents.

The village blacksmith hailed Mina as she walked past his forge. “My wife’s taken ill today. Do you think you could deliver this to the miller for me?” He held out a large iron horseshoe, still warm from the fire.

“Of course,” Mina said, taking the horseshoe carefully. She balanced it on one hand, careful not to burn herself, and set off down the road toward the mill.

The miller thanked her profusely when she arrived, pressing a copper coin into her palm. Though she tried to refuse it, he insisted. “You’re a lifesaver, Mina. We’re lucky to have you.”

Mina flushed at the praise, though inwardly she swelled with pride. No matter how difficult life became, she would always do her best to help others. It was her duty, and the right thing to do. Her parents had raised her to be kind and selfless, values she intended to live by.

With the errand complete, Mina returned home to find her parents awake. She gave them the treats she had brought, and her father ruffled her hair affectionately. “What would we do without you?”

Mina smiled, warmth flooding her chest. She might dream of adventure, but this? This was all she needed. Home and family, a place where she belonged. It might not be an extravagant life, but it was a good one. And that was enough.

The following day dawned bright and clear. Mina rose early as she always did, eager to check the snares on the edge of fields to see if they had caught anything. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of fresh meat; they hadn’t had much of it lately.

She made her way across the field, following a winding path only she seemed to know. The snares were empty, but she spotted some mushrooms peeking out from under a log near the edge of the forest and gathered them. Every little bit helped.

When she returned to the village, she found old widow Cora struggling to repair the hole in her roof. Mina didn’t hesitate, climbing the ladder and tackling the job with enthusiasm. By the time the sun was directly overhead, the roof was mended.

Cora clasped her hands, eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, dear one. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

Mina shook her head. “No need. I’m happy to help.”

“You have a gift, child,” Cora said softly. “Far too wise and kind for your years. Never lose that, you hear?”

Mina bowed her head. She never thought of herself as special. She simply did what anyone would do in her place. Helping others came as naturally as breathing. But she appreciated Cora’s words nonetheless.

With the roof repaired, Mina set off to check the remaining snares, hoping today’s efforts would yield better results. She thought of Cora’s praise and smiled. As long as there were people in need of aid, she would do her best to provide it. And she would never stop trying to make the world a little bit better, one good deed at a time.

Unfortunately, those snares were also empty, so she headed into the woods. The sunlight slanted through the leafy canopy above in dappled patterns, causing shadows to dance across the winding trail. The air was lush and verdant, scents of moss and fern mingling with the sharper tang of pine.

A red fox peered at her from behind a tree, unafraid. Mina smiled, waving a hand as she walked past. The fox watched her, sniffing the air, before slipping back into the underbrush.

The deeper Mina traveled, the more alive the forest grew. Squirrels chattered in the branches, and a woodpecker rapped against a tree somewhere in the distance. Something rustled in the bushes, and Mina caught a glimpse of tawny fur and bright eyes. She kept walking, hands swinging at her sides, drinking in the vibrant palette of greens and browns.

Here, she could lose herself for hours. Exploring the twisting trails and hidden glens, discovering secrets tucked away in quiet hollows. The forest was endlessly fascinating, filled with mystery and wonder.

By the time Mina made her way home, dusk was falling. Shadows lengthened between the trees as the woods grew hushed with twilight. An owl hooted softly in the distance.

She emerged from the forest and paused, looking back. The trees stood like silent sentinels as night descended, cloaked in darkness thick as velvet. She might live on a farm, but the woods were her real home.

*

Mina chased a yellow butterfly, heading deep into the woods. She had wandered far from home in her pursuit of adventure, as she often did, her curiosity driving her onward.

She paused, realizing she didn’t recognize where she was. Strange rock formations jutted up around her, unlike anything she’d seen before. Her heart raced with excitement. She was discovering new lands!

Approaching one of the rocky outcroppings, Mina ran her hands along the ancient stones. “How did you get here?” she whispered in wonder.

A glint of reflected light caught her eye through a c***k in the rocks. Mina peered inside, her heart pounding. There was a whole hidden chamber inside! She had to see more. Gripping the edge of the rock, she started to pull herself up to get a better look.

Without warning, the ground caved in around her. She fell, landing hard on the floor of an enormous cave. A sharp pain pierced her leg, and she cried out, grabbing at her calf. Something hard was embedded in her flesh, and blood slicked her fingers.

Panic rose in Mina’s chest as she stared at the strange object stuck in her leg. She had to get help. Struggling to her feet, she made her way out of the giant hole and limped as quickly as she could, leaving the mysterious rock formation behind.

Mina winced with every step, sweat beading on her forehead. She didn’t know what was in her leg, but she knew it was bad. Her heart pounded as she ran toward the village, desperate to find someone who could help her. She had discovered more adventure than she’d bargained for this day.

“Help!” she cried, collapsing to the ground. Her leg burned, and she was growing lightheaded from blood loss.

A few villagers rushed to her side, gasping at the sight of the strange object embedded in her leg.

“What is that?” Deka asked, leaning down to examine Mina’s injury. She grasped the object and tried to pull it out, but Mina screamed in agony.

“Stop!” Mina cried. “It hurts too much!”