Dragon's Veil

Chapter 1: The Shadows of the Past

The first rays of dawn filtered through my small, wooden cabin nestled in the heart of the countryside, painting the walls with a soft golden hue. I stretched out, a tangle of limbs and blankets, savoring the quiet morning. That peace was quickly interrupted as I rolled over and accidentally knocked over the stack of books beside my bed. The crash echoed through the room.

“Oops,” I muttered, wincing as I hastily tried to gather them up. Not the best start to the day, but I’d had worse.

“Up early and causing a ruckus already, I see,” my father’s voice, gruff yet warm, called from the doorway. General Elias—though he had long since shed that title—stood there, arms crossed, with a smirk playing on his lips. His broad shoulders still bore the weight of his past, but his eyes were soft as they landed on me, his disaster-prone daughter.

“You know me, Father,” I replied with a grin, shoving the last of the books back into place. “I like to start the day off with a bang.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Some things never change. You’re up early, though.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” I said, shrugging as I walked over to the window. I looked out over the fields, the familiar sight of rolling hills and grazing animals a comforting one, yet it stirred a restlessness within me. “I’ve been thinking about that backpacking trip.”

Father raised an eyebrow, leaning against the door frame. “Ah, the infamous trip. Still itching to see the world beyond these hills?”

“You make it sound like I’m plotting some grand escape,” I teased, though there was truth in his words. “But yes, I am. I want to see what’s out there, beyond the chickens and cows and… well, whatever that is,” I added, pointing to a goat that had somehow managed to get its head stuck in a fence. Again.

Father followed my gaze and let out a deep sigh. “That goat is as clumsy as you are.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad,” I protested, though I couldn’t help but laugh. “But seriously, I’ve got this itch, this feeling that I’m meant for more than just milking cows and chasing stubborn goats around.”

He nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “You’ve always had a wandering spirit. Your mother would have loved that about you.”

There was a brief silence, and I could see the shadow crossing his face as he mentioned my mother. I softened my tone, stepping closer to him. “Tell me again about her. Please?”

He sighed, but I could tell he wasn’t really reluctant. He knew I’d ask, as I always did. “Your mother was fierce, Nadine. A force of nature. She had the kind of determination that could move mountains literally, in her case. She never backed down from a fight, but she was also the kind of person who would stop everything to help someone in need.”

I smiled, picturing the woman I’d only ever known through stories. “And I inherited her knack for tripping over my own feet, right?”

Father chuckled. “You got her spirit, that’s for sure. But also her heart. And her stubbornness.”

“I prefer ‘determination,’ thank you very much,” I retorted playfully. “But what about the war? What made you both leave everything behind?”

His expression grew more serious, and he motioned for me to sit down. I settled into the chair, ignoring the creak it made under my weight.

“It was a dark time, Nadine,” he began, his voice low. “Ten years ago, the dragons were nearly wiped out, our kind hunted to the brink of extinction. Your mother and I... we knew we couldn’t stay. The Empire demanded loyalty, demanded that all dragons fight in a war that was never ours to begin with. When I realized your mother was pregnant with you, I couldn’t bear the thought of raising you in a world drenched in blood. So, we left. We ran, far from the reach of the Empire, far from the politics and the war. We hid, and we survived.”

“But you could have been powerful,” I said, not for the first time. The idea of my parents wielding such power was both thrilling and terrifying.

“Power comes with a price,” he replied, his tone firm. “The council would have used us, exploited us. The royal family might have survived, but at what cost? They’re bound by duty, by the expectations of others. We chose freedom instead.”

I nodded, trying to imagine what life would have been like if they hadn’t left. But I couldn’t quite quash the flicker of curiosity about the world beyond our quiet existence. “Do you ever regret it? Leaving, I mean.”

His gaze softened, and he crossed the room to place a hand on my shoulder. “Never. Not for a moment. Your mother and I made the right choice. We gave you a chance at a life free from the burdens of our past.”

I could feel the weight of his words, but the restlessness inside me only grew. “I’m going on that trip, Father,” I said, this time with more determination in my voice. “I need to see the world for myself, understand what’s out there. Maybe… maybe it’ll help me figure out who I am, who I want to be.”

He looked at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “I knew this day would come. You’re your mother’s daughter, after all. Just… be careful, Nadine. The world is not as peaceful as it seems. There are creatures out there, remnants of the war, and people who would do anything for power. Stick to the trails, stay with your friends, and remember everything I’ve taught you.”

“Of course, Father,” I said, grinning. “I’ll be the picture of caution. You know, right after I figure out how not to trip over my own boots.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “You’ll manage. Just try not to bring any trouble back with you, okay?”

“No promises,” I shot back with a wink.

As I packed my bag later that day, I could feel the excitement and apprehension building. I knew he was right the world was dangerous, and I was no ordinary traveler. But I also knew that I couldn’t stay hidden forever. The dragon within me stirred, yearning for freedom, for adventure.

When the sun dipped below the horizon, I stood at the edge of the farm, my bag slung over my shoulder. I took one last look at the place that had been my home for nineteen years, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. “Well, here goes nothing,” I muttered to myself, before turning and setting off towards the unknown, the first steps of my journey echoing with the promise of adventure.