Dragon Legacy

Letting the dust settle

Opening my eyes again, I could see that the sun was rising. Either I hadn’t been out long, or it’s been more than a day. Either way, I would have to get moving, in case someone came around looking and found me. My family had turned to dust, so there wasn’t even a way I could say goodbye to them, except in my heart. All I had of my family was the memories I carried with me.

Sitting up I realized that my clothing was gone, and I am naked. I could not go running around naked, so I would have to scrounge arounds and see whether I could find something suitable for me to wear. Anything that would disguise who I really am, so I get up and walk towards the kitchen, seeing that only the dungeons and the rooms above them took much damage. Bodies are still strewn around the courtyard, but in the daylight, it seems even more disgusting as I can see that heads are lying on their own, clearly separated from their bodies.

I would have to go the armory to see if I could get another strap for my blades. Picking up the blades and daggers that were strapped to me, I first walk to go and find clothing, after that I can see what damage was done in the armory. I would think that they would not have left the armory as it was, they would have taken as many weapons as possible, to either sell or use.

Fortunately, our dragon weapons were stored under the armory, something only we could access, unless that guy, Reginald, knew of it and opened it for them. Mentally crossing my fingers that he did not know of it, I carried on walking towards the kitchen, grateful that it wasn't too cold, and my dragon blood helped to keep me warm. Looking towards the kitchen entrance I see that this part of the castle has not really been damaged, though walking through the door, I see that they had raided the kitchen itself. Food was everywhere, and it was a mess, couldn’t they at least take the food away and go mess somewhere else. Though If they had thought that way or were decent, they would have never even come here.

Filled with such a hatred for the men that took my family captive and killed them, I felt heat sear over my skin, smoke started coming from my nose and mouth and I screamed, a purple flame shooting from my mouth, as I fell to my knees in agony. The scream that came out of my mouth, was more of a roar and I realized that I needed to quiet myself. I could not allow hate to take over my heart or mind. Wiping my tears, I got up from the floor and walked to the closet that I got the other clothing from, opening the door, I could see that they had not bothered to take anything from here. Thanking my lucky stars, I took the clothing out and started dressing, looking down, I realized how much my corset had helped me, even though it was not comfortable, now I felt free, yet uncontained. An oddly liberating feeling came over me. I had nothing to replace it with, as our quarters were on the damaged side of the castle. I would have to make do until I could find cloth to bind myself with.

Dressed as a boy, I put a brown coat over my arm and walked towards the armory to see what I would find. As I thought, they had cleaned out the armory, but it seemed as though they didn’t find our dragon weapons. With a hopeful heart I walked forward and placed my hand on the painting of my father and brothers, all dressed up in their purple armor with our crest on. I stand and trace their faces, wishing I could take this picture with me or hide it, but it hid the doorway to the dragon weapons chamber.

I was glad that it had not been destroyed and hoped that the dining room also had a few of the portraits that had been left unscathed. This way I would be able to keep some of our history alive for my future generations. For I will make sure that I find someone to love me as much as my mother loved my father and we will create the next generation of dragons. Pressing on the jewel encrusted into the portrait and pushing some of my fire into it to make it unlock, I hear the doorway click open. I slowly push the door and move into the chamber, making a ball of purple fire come to my hand so that I can see better.

Lighting the torches in the chamber so that I can see what weapons I would need. I found the strap that would be suitable for my two large blades, though it seemed to be a bit large. It must have been for the youngest of my brothers, who at eighteen, hadn’t been much taller than myself though his chest had been a little broader.

Looking for sheaths for my dagger, while I strapped on, adjusted and sheathed my blades, I spotted my father's favorite dagger. I wish I could have taken it, but it had a purple jewel in the hilt and would have been easily recognizable to anyone. My husband would one day wield all my father’s weapons to protect this land. I would not let that man, Reginald, get them.

Dousing the torches, I walked out of the chamber, pulling the wall closed, pressing the jewel again I heard the click of the door locking. Walking out of the armory, I move towards the kitchen again, so that I could get some supplies. I would need to hide out until some time had passed, before I would be able to travel to my uncle to find out what had happened. He might even know who Reginald was, it is most likely someone powerful, so my uncle should have an idea as to who would want to do this.

Walking into the kitchen again, I grab a sack and fill it with as much fruit and vegetables as I can. I look in the back of the pantry and see that the men did not find the dried meat that I am so partial to and I take the whole sack. Knowing that I would not be able to come back to the castle without reinforcements.

The only place that I would be able to hide is in the magic garden where my brothers had built a fort and my sisters and I used to play dolls, since the boys had grown too big. Fortunately, we had set up with blankets and kitchen utensils, since we often had tea parties together. Now, it would serve to keep me safe.

Walking through the destruction of the courtyard again, I have flashbacks of being caught last night and wonder whether I would have made it back in time, with my uncle and cousins, if I had been able to get free. No time to look back, this is something that I cannot change. I will need to look forward, to be able to make it through the next week. Reaching the doorway to the magic garden, I look over my shoulder, remembering the soldier that had reached out towards me, and one silent tear fell for someone who was so badly hurt and yet tried to protect me. I realize now that he was trying to keep me safe from the man that had caught me. He had probably seen the man behind me and tried to warn me.