Thru the Heart of a Dragon

A Chance Encounter

Kizzie is making her way out of the castle.  The moon is rising and it is bright tonight.  If she doesn't hurry now, she'll surely be seen.  It is important she sees her daughter, Lucretia.  She is coming of age and there are things she must be told.  Things that she couldn't know until now. Things she has shielded her from, better yet, protected her from.

"You, there, where are you going?" the guard grabs Kizzie's arm.

"Let me go!" Kizzie jerks her arm away. 

"You know that King Teffix has ordered all to remain in the castle at night."  The guard starts checking her clothing and the basket she was holding.

"Surely, the King doesn't fear anything from a woman?" she asks as she jerks out of the reach of the guard. 

Suddenly, a voice calls out as a man approaches, "Why, Kizzie, are you causing trouble tonight?" Kizzie doesn't recognize the man but she senses he is trying to help her.  How does he know her name though?

Laughing, Kizzie answer, "I assure you.  I would not dare such actions, sir!"

"Good!" the guard interjects. "I'll leave her with you Victor, I"m sure you'll make sure she stays within the castle walls."

As the guard runs to catch up with the others, Kizzie looks questioningly at Victor.  He takes her hand bowing, "Allow me to finish the introduction, ma'am. I'm Victor VanDulfrey.  I'm here at the King's bidding. You see, the Queen is sick and I'm a healer. No need to be afraid of me."

"I haven't heard of her ailment, sir." It's no wonder she is ill, having to live with such a vile man Kizzie thought to herself.

"Not many have. I'm afraid it won't be long before the whole castle knows.  She screams a lot, mostly at night.  That's why I'm up.  I was on my way to the castle when I saw your predicament. I couldn't let such a pretty one be hassled by the guard." Victor was hoping she'd open up to him.  He needed some distractions.

"Why would King Teffix call for help from outside the castle when there are people here that he could call upon?" Kizzie studied the reaction on Victor's face hoping to tell if he was being truthful.

"Where can I escort you to?" he asked Kizzie.  The less she knew about him, the safer they both would be. "You know I can't let you leave the castle." He knew what was happening outside but couldn't tell anyone.

"I don't understand why he is keeping us inside, we haven't been attacked in a long time." Kizzie took his arm as she pointed in the direction they were to go. "How is it that you know my name?"

"It's the job of any stranger to the castle to be informed of important people living within," he smiled. "Aren't you important, Kizzie?"

Kizzie was taken aback at that accusation.  Merlin had taught her magic from an early age.  They had lived in a cave in the mountains.  It was important that she remained unseen and she had been until his disappearance. She has not seen him in over 15 years.  She started thinking back at their last night together, she had played a trick on him and in the end she left their place. He hadn't contacted her since that night. When she returned, she found the cave sealed and he had disappeared.  She often felt like he was near but ....

"Kizzie?" Victor interrupted her roaming thoughts.

"Yes, Victor, all women are important," she laughed.

Victor watched the sparkle in her eyes.  He had been told that Kizzie was a mystery.  That she arrived at the castle walking in with only a bag of clothes.  The story was told to him.  Her family had been attacked while traveling through this area.  She had buried both her mother and father and then walked all the way here by herself.  He wondered how she managed to escape the same fate.  He was fascinated by her and would make sure to find out.  He was informed about all the inhabitants of the castle.  He needed to know everything about everyone, in order to help the Queen.  It could be the Queen was under a spell.

"I'm not more important than anyone else in the castle, I assure you."  Kizzie sensed he already knew the answer to his question.  He could be a dangerous man, she would have to be very careful around him.

"Over there, sir."  Kizzie pointed to a stone building with a sign reading "Bakery."  She explained, "I live above the bakery; however, I am the baker."

"I can't imagine you with flour on your nose," he laughed.

"I go outside the castle to pick flowers and herbs that I use in my baking.  Tonight, the moon would have provided the light to do so." She hoped that explanation would be good enough.

"Well, Kizzie, I'm glad that I could rescue you." He teased.

"You, sir, might have been told about me, but how exactly did you know that I was that person?" she needed an answer.

"Who else in the castle would have that long, flaming red hair?" he reached out to touch her hair.  He looked in her eyes as he picked at a strand and he was shocked!  He could not read her mind. He wanted to. He had never seen such a beautiful woman.  Her laugh was intoxicating.

Kizzie felt pulled to him as she felt him touch her hair.  She looked into his eyes and they held her captive.  She wanted to melt into his arms. She opened her mouth to speak but could not.  What was happening to her.  Oh, he was trying to read her mind, how dare he! Kizzie jerked away from his touch.  "Remember yourself, sir!"

Before Victor could reply, she was gone.  How had she moved so quickly, he wondered.  There was more to her, he was sure of that.  He stood still, not wanting to lose the scent of her. He had never been affected this way.  He didn't want to go but he had to go to the castle, the Queen needed him.