Dragons Breath

I push open the heavy iron doors leading to my father's throne room. The door screeches against the hard stone floor. Entering the spacious room, I'm surrounded by my father's officials all lined up side by side facing his throne. The room is engulfed in an all-consuming silence. My heart is worming erratically in my chest. Why am I being summoned so urgently? Something must be wrong. I walk slowly through the room. The sound of my feet scraping against the floor is painfully prominent as I approach the tall man, clad in black armor, his long red hair tied back. Standing just feet away from him, I place a fist over my heart and bow in our traditional greeting, "Father." I look up at him. The depths of his cold eyes search mine. With a forced smile, he says, "You may rise." "Thank you, father, " I say curtly. Standing straight once more, I watch as he moves closer to me and his officials. "As you all are aware there is a rogue horde threatening to attack from the south in an attempt to claim ours and the humans land for themselves. If they reach the north there will be hell to pay, we will lose everything we've worked so hard to build and that includes the trust of the humans. I'm sure you're all aware of our dealings with the humans in recent years, it has taken a long time to build the trust we have with them. I'm afraid that if those dragons attack we will not only lose their faith in us but the battle to come as well." My fathers dooming voice echos throughout the room, all the officials nod in agreement. One of many officials steps forward to address my father, his red robes trailing behind him, "If I might be so bold, what is your plan to deal with the oncoming horde, chieftain?" His eyes are cast down, unwilling to meet my father's intense gaze. "That is why I invited you all here today so I could express to you my plan to deal with the oncoming attack," he pauses scanning the room. "I will be sending my daughter to the humans capital city to serve and protect the people while we prepare for war," my father expresses this proudly, a wide smile grazing his lips. My heart stops beating as the room begins to spin, I suddenly feel like I'm going to throw up. I can't believe it, he's shipping me off to the capital city. This is outrageous, I don't want to be sitting in the capital with all those humans while the members of my horde die in battle. That's simply unforgivable. "Father forgive me for being so bold but I cannot go to the capital city, I will stay and fight beside my people," I say this with a low voice, shaking but not with fear as my face fills with rage, not afraid to voice my thoughts. His face flushes with anger, "Eleonora you will listen to me, this is for the good of my horde and my children." How could sending away one of his strongest fighters do any good? I doubt that horde will even make it to the capital, the people there will be safe. "Father I do not think it's wise to send me away, I'm one of your strongest fighters you'll be at a disadvantage if I'm hidden away," I say standing up to him. The faces of all the officials are white as sheets as they watch our exchange. They are no doubt preparing for my father's impending rage. He sighs running a hand across his aging face, "Nora," He says with sudden calmness using my nickname. "I'm doing this for your own good, and the good of the horde, please understand." Seeing him like this I can't help but give in, he might not be someone I get along with, but he's still my father. "Fine, I'll go to the capital, on your order," I sigh running a hand through my inky black hair. My father claps his hands the sound echoing and smiles widely, "Wonderful, you'll leave for the capital in two days," I nod stiffly then father dismisses me. I leave the room as fast as I can slamming the door behind me. Two days I only have two days until I'm going to be trapped in the birdcage they call the capital. All those people roosted like swallows there, leading wonderful peaceful lives within their cages, simply because my people sacrifice their lives for them. Every time there's a problem we are slaughtered for their comfort. All because my father thinks that having a good relationship with them is important. He didn't even like humans until recent years. I walk through the long stone corridor until I reach a ledge leading out the mountain, I strip out of my dark leather pants and bra. Allowing the cool night air to lick at my skin relishing in the feeling. I jump off the mountain shifting mid-fall, the wind pushes under my wings as I take flight. My pitch black scales shine under the moonlight. For now, the sky is empty, and for that I am thankful. I finally have some time to my self, which starting in two days I won't get much of. Going to the capital is not something I want to do, but then again to fight my father would be futile. His word is the law of the horde. A law I wish I could escape. Humans have their king we dragons have our chieftain. You'd think that being the daughter of the most powerful man in the horde would mean I'd have an easy life, but that isn't the case. Because of who I am, I'm held to higher expectations than anyone else, which also entails getting the jobs no one wants. I even have to be stronger than most, if I'm weak it makes my father look weak. Flying down to a small moonlit clearing I land with a thump in the tall grass. Breathing in the night air I slump to the ground allowing all tension to leave my body even if it is but a moment. I spend what feels like hours staring up at the stars and enjoying the quietness, that is until feel a sharp pain on my tail. OUCH! I jump up quickly releasing a loud earth-shattering roar. Looking down I see my little brother clamped down on my tail. The bright red of his scales making it easy to see him. Little brat what does he think he's doing! I thump my tail against the ground knocking him off. I watch as he rolls off. What is he doing out here, my mother should have put him to bed hours ago. Grumbling I pick him up in my mouth careful not to hurt him with my sharp teeth and fly us back to the mountain. Landing I put him down and shift into human form. "Loki, you shouldn't be going outside, you're supposed to be sleeping," I scold and the once happy baby dragon puts his head down and whines. After getting dressed I pick him up and begin walking him back to my mother. Baby dragons are very different from human children, for starters we dragons may take on a human form but we do not give birth to our children. During the time of pregnancy a female stays in her dragon form and lays an egg, she does not leave until the baby hatches. When the baby does hatch they will not be able to shift into a human form until they're around three years old. My little brother is only three months so it'll be a while before he can change. While taking him back to my mother he falls asleep in my arms. Reaching his nursery I find my mother frantically searching for her lost baby. She's tossing blankets and pillows everywhere. "Loki...Loki, where did you run off to, if you hiding you better come out now!" I laugh at the sight, "Mom he's right here." As soon as the words leave my mouth she spins around, looking at me she breathes a sigh of relief running a hand through her long blue hair. "Thank you, Nora, I thought I'd lost him." That's because you did. "Where did you find him?" She ask. "Actually he was the one that found me, I was taking a flight he decided to grace me with his presence." "Well, I'm glad you found him," She says taking him from my arms. For being so tiny Loki's really heavy I think stretching my achy arms. "I'm going to bed now, night mom." "Goodnight sweetie. Oh, and remember not to sleep in too late tomorrow wouldn't want you to miss your combat training." Oh right I have training tomorrow, I sigh will I ever get a break. Normally I'd be up for beating people with wooden swords but with all the things stressing me right now I just don't feel up to it. "I won't mom," I grumble walking away. Entering my room I jump onto my messy bed that's covered with more blankets and pillows than I need. Groaning I roll over on my stomach shoving my face into my pillows. Why oh why did I agree to go to the capital. I know this is my father's ploy to keep me under control and away from the fighting while also keeping our relationship with the humans strong. But I can't help but think that's there's also a hidden motive, my father could have sent someone else, anyone else. Well, I can't dwell on this forever. Grabbing some of my blankets I pull them over me snuggling into the warmth. I wish this was just a dream if I leave for the capital right as a war is about to begin then who knows how long it will be before I get to come back. Turning onto my side I close my eyes and fall into a restless and dreamless sleep. I wake up the next morning feeling as if I hadn't got a wink of sleep, this is just great, not only am I worried but now I'm in a bad mood due to lack of sleep. Fisting my dark locks I yank my hair frustrated. Releasing a big sigh I get up from my bed a put on a pair of black leather pants and a grey shirt, tying my hair back. If I start my training early I'll get to blow off some steam before anyone gets to the training grounds. But I don't think all the training will in the world prepare me for what's to come from being in the capital. Leaving my room I bolt through the cave the smacking of my bare feet echoing through the halls. Reaching the training room I see my father standing in the doorway, "I knew you'd be here early Nora, please come in we need to have a talk." His words send worry shooting through my body, and the grim look on his face doesn't help matters. Either I'm in trouble or my father has terrible news coming my way. I can only hope for the latter.