Chapter 7: Kingdom Of Dragons 2
1459 Words
“Uh, uh... Pan! That's a real dragon!” Maria stammered as she held my hand tightly, ceaselessly shaking. “Just stay calm. It's harmless,” Valdanus said, still trying to calm us.
The dragon was flying high above the palace. Its wings were moving slowly but strongly. I didn't even know how to react. I couldn't scream or say anything. I just kept looking at it, dumbfounded. Its body looked huge, even from way down here, its scales shining under the light, and all I could do was just stare. “It's real,” I whispered.
The carriage stopped, but I didn't notice at first. My eyes were still fixed on the sky. The dragon let out another sound, lower this time but just as powerful.
“Don't be scared. Follow me,” Valdanus said as he got down from the carriage and reached out for my hand. I hesitated at first, then glanced back at Maria, and she gave a small nod for me to go ahead before I held Valdanus' hand.
My legs felt strange the moment I stepped down from the carriage. The ground was firm, but I still felt unsteady. Maria quickly followed me, still holding on to me.
Estevan, who had been the one who rode the carriage, was already outside. Prince Valdanus waited for Maria to come down. His expression was calm, as always, still keeping that smile, but his eyes were focused and looked serious now.
Beside him stood Estevan, and a horse was also beside him. “Welcome to Scorish,” Valdanus said. I nodded and gave a small smile, but I wasn't really comfortable.
Estevan noticed my uneasy face. “Try not to look too frightened. These creatures tend to notice things like that.” Maria tightened her grip on me. “That's not helpful.”
“Brother, don't scare them,” Valdanus said to Estevan, hitting him lightly on the back. I almost smiled, but my attention went back to the sky. The dragon was still there, moving slowly above us. I couldn't stop watching it. “You'll get used to it,” Valdanus said. “I don't think I will,” I answered honestly.
“Maria, for your injuries, I asked the guards to get a horse for you to ride into the palace,” Estevan said to Maria. “Oh, thank you, but it's not really necessary, though. I'm a little better,” Maria said, trying to decline.
“You'll get proper treatment, but for now, just get on,” Estevan urged. Maria didn't argue. Estevan went to her and helped her get on the horse, and after, opted for me to get on too.
I also didn't argue and just got on. Estevan also helped me. I actually smiled. I had never really ridden a horse before, always royal carriages.
We were led into the palace. The moment we rode inside, I felt something change. The air suddenly felt heavy, like some unknown force was pressing down on me.
It wasn't painful, just strong. Maria and I alighted from the horse with the help of Estevan, and with his support, he helped Maria as we walked through the palace halls.
The hall was large, with tall pillars on both sides. Every pillar had carvings on it, that same dragon insignia. Some were flying, some breathing fire, and some looked calm, almost peaceful. This was both terrifying and fascinating. Who would have ever thought dragons existed? I thought that without realizing it.
“Everything here is about dragons,” I said absentmindedly.
“Yes,” Valdanus said simply. “They are our strength.” “And our pride,” Estevan added.
Maria leaned closer to me. “Back home, there was nothing like dragons.”
“Well, our kingdom is a bit special. There's a whole story behind these dragons, but that will be later. Don't want to bore you,” Valdanus said while laughing lightly.
I didn't say anything. I was too focused on the carvings. Something about them felt familiar. I couldn't quite place it, but I could feel it.
We walked deeper into the palace. Servants moved around, bowing as we passed. But when they looked at me and Maria, their expressions changed. They started whispering, but it was in that strange language again. Few actually spoke my language, and I could hear them.
“They must be the outsiders the people saw earlier.”
“Why are they here?”
“They don't belong.”
I kept my head up even though my heart was beating fast. I wasn't going to let them see fear. I had already lost too much to start breaking now.
We entered a large room full of people, and everything went quiet. Everyone was looking at me and Maria now. I stopped walking without meaning to. The silence was pressing down on me. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, questioning.
Valdanus walked up to the front of the room and spoke. “Greetings, dear people and nobles. I'm sure the majority of us here understand what I'm saying. Glad you all are already gathered, makes it easier for me. Lol.” He laughed lightly.
Valdanus cleared his throat. “These beautiful ladies are not part of us, but they're stranded, and we are peaceful and helpful people, so these ladies are under my protection and should in no way be harmed.”
Murmurs erupted throughout the room. A man stepped forward. “Your Highness, we know nothing about them. They could be dangerous.” Then he said something in their language.
I clenched my hands slightly but stayed quiet. Valdanus didn't look at him. “I have made my decision. They shall be taken under our care.”
Estevan stepped forward as well, standing near the front. The room fell silent again. For a moment, I glanced at Valdanus. He didn't look unsure or afraid. He looked certain. Somehow, that made me feel just a little safer. My eyes met Maria's, and she looked less frightened now. Then she smiled at me. I smiled back.
A servant spoke again. “They need rest.” Slowly, the tension faded, though the stares didn't. I could still feel them as we left the large room.
We walked into a quieter part of the palace. A servant opened the door, and we stepped inside. The room was simple but clean. A bed, a small table, a window that let in light. It wasn't like my old room, but it was calmer.
“You just have to bear with us and stay here for now,” Valdanus said.
Maria let go of me and walked in fully, looking around. “We really don't know how to thank you enough. You've been of great help, and the room is nice.”
I nodded slightly with a smile. “Thank you, for everything.”
Valdanus gave a small nod. “You should get some rest,” he said to me. “And Maria, once you rest, after some time we'll send someone to clean and treat your wounds.”
Maria gave a small nod. As he turned to leave, I spoke without thinking.
“That dragon…”
He stopped. “Yes?” I swallowed. “Do they always fly that close? I still can't believe they are real.”
He looked at me for a moment. “Well, mostly when something interests them.”
A small shiver ran through me. “What does that mean?” I asked.
He just smiled and said nothing, then simply walked away. Then Estevan followed. “Get some rest.”
The door closed. Silence filled the room. Maria sat on the side of the bed. “Can you believe it, Pan? Dragons are actually real. Scary, but interesting.”
I didn't respond. I walked slowly toward the window. Something was pulling me there, though I didn't understand why. I looked outside, and then I saw it again. The dragon.
It wasn't in the sky anymore, but on the ground, in the open field, closer than before. My breath caught. My palms were sweaty.
The dragon stood still, its large body unmoving. Its eyes were fixed in one direction… on me.
I couldn't look away. Everything else faded. The room, Maria, the palace… gone. It was just me and the dragon. Its wings shifted slightly, and a low sound left its throat. It wasn't loud, but I could feel it.
Maria stood up quickly. “Pan? What is it?”
I didn't answer, because the dragon was staring at me. But for some reason, I didn't feel like it was a stranger, but like it was part of me.
We just discovered a whole new creature.
- Writer
