Dragon Queen

Dragons

    The day the dragons came was one that was forever etched in the memories of those who witnessed it.  The sudden darkening of the sky as the great wings blotted out the sunlight, the great roars of the giant beasts as they flew over the villages and towns, and the screams of the inhabitants as they fled to find safety in their homes could not soon be forgotten.   

    On that day, a 5 year old child sat playing in the courtyard of the castle, her nanny on a nearby bench keeping close watch.  The dolls that only moments before danced in merriment were soon forgotten as the rush of the dragon wings was heard overhead.  The nanny let out a small shriek as she rushed to grab the young child and bolted indoors.  The crown princess was to be protected at all costs!  As they entered the castle, the nanny and her charge met with what seemed to be organized chaos.  Soldiers rushed here and there as generals and advisors barked out orders.  The king was bellowing directions to his men, while the queen stood by his side, wide eyed in fear.

    The nanny rushed forward to consult with the queen, only to be push back against the stone wall as more soldiers poured through the corridor.  The fear on their faces was only matched with their determination to protect the land and its people at all costs.  Fearing that the young child might get injured in her attempt to reach the queen, the nanny instead turned and hurried through a back corridor almost dragging the child behind her.

"Keep up, Adilene!" She hissed in fear.  

    The girl simply whimpered in response, too overwhelmed to understand what was happening.  The duo made their way through the back corridors and into a series of tunnels.  On their way, they encountered another group of servants who had the same idea as the princess' nanny - to escape through the tunnels.  Among the group were the young twins of the Duke and Duchess of Orison.  Their nanny had grown up in the palace and knew all the back ways through it.  Their duty had always been clear: in case of emergency and without contrary instructions, the aristocratic children were to be removed from danger as quickly as possible.  This would protect the noble lines from coming to an abrupt end.

"Addy!" whispered the elder twin to the princess. "Join us!!"  She held out a hand to the young princess, who sprinted to the older child and wrapped her arms around her waist, holding on for dear life.  

"Adilene, come back here!" demanded her nanny.  The girl shook her head, her sparking blue eyes fearful as her body trembled.  

"Never mind that now!" retorted the twins' nanny.  "We shall just stick together and the children can help each other."  

    The princess' nanny nodded agreement as they wound their way through the darkened tunnels.  They stopped to listen from time to time as great booms sounded above them shaking the walls of the tunnels and loosening the dirt to fall onto their hair and clothing.  The children seemed to remain fairly calm as long as they were together in their little group.  It made their journey through the tunnels somewhat easier.

    After what seemed to be hours in the tunnels, the group could feel the floor start to slope upward.  Nervous at what they would find when they finally emerged into the light, everyone slowed their pace and began looking at each other as if to find someone who would lead them to safety.  As the end of the tunnel came in sight, their forward progress came to a halt.  As they stood there contemplating their next move, noises could be heard from behind them in the tunnel.  

    Frightened, the women exchanged glances, but were too scared to speak out loud and give away their presence. The noises became louder as whatever was behind them came closer.  Too scared to move forward out of the tunnel, yet equally afraid of what followed in the tunnel, the women crouched down against the wall, shielding the children from the inevitable.

    "We've found them!" a man's voice called out.  "Both nannies and all the children are here!"  they heard him exclaim in a voice filled with relief.

    The nannies looked up to see four of the royal guards approaching them through the tunnel.  Relief flooded their faces as they realized there was no danger creeping up from behind.  

    "Thank the heavens!" exclaimed the twins' nanny.  "We thought we were done for!"

    As a group, they all moved together toward the exit.  Two of the guards motioned for the women to stay in the mouth of the tunnel with the other two guards to watch over them.  They crept out into the brush that covered the tunnel's existence, ducking down as a dark shadow crossed the sky above.  They moved further through the brush, stopping just at the edge to survey the kingdom.  From their vantage point much of the castle and surrounding village could be seen clearly.  The men froze as the scene before them unfolded before their eyes.  Dragons of different colors and hues flew through the sky, swooping down to unleash their fiery breath upon the land below.  Most of the village was burning or already burnt to the ground, and half the castle was engulfed in flames.  The sight was fearsome to behold.

    The guards glanced at each other questioning what to do next, when a small-ish white dragon landed in the clearing ahead of them.  The men stood still, not knowing if the beast had seen them.  The dragon c****d its head to the side, and the guards could not take anymore.  They turned to run, but before they could move more than a step or two, the dragon opened its mouth, almost lazily, and charred them alive.  They did not even have time to scream before their remains were crumbling to the ground.  Satisfied that its job was done, the young dragon took off again to find another target.