The Black and Red Dragon

Chapter 9: Where the Doom still rules - part 2

I push the doors open but it is very difficult. It is clear that it was closed for a very long time. After some pushing and grunting, I managed to open it far enough so I could squeeze through.

I peered inside and I could barely make anything out. It was dark and could see no windows. The silver-haired woman was also not there to greet me. I wonder where she is.

I look around in the area to see if I could make an improvised torch. Better to have some light in case something is hiding in the dark. With some effort, I managed to find a piece of wood. Most likely from some broken furniture and I used some cloth I found in the satchel Martin gave me.

With the torch lit, I make my way inside the mansion. The inside was as I expected; broken furniture, walls and floors with cracks, and walls and pillars standing in odd angles. Occasionally I see motifs of a three-headed dragon. A lot like the house sigil of the Targaryens or the Blackfyres. Only these are made of black stone with a lot of detail. I could hardly imagine that someone could put so much detail into a stone carving.

The pulling sensation eventually leads me to a room. It looks like a study or perhaps a salon? I am not sure. It is broken down like many of the halls and rooms. I saw some tables, chairs, and shelves around the room. Some on their side and some broken beyond repair. On the northern side of the room was a fireplace. In front of it were two comfortable-looking chairs and a table.

There she is, sitting in one of the chairs. The silver-haired woman. She had ghostly pale skin that can almost be described as see-through. A ghost? She turned in her chair to face me. Just like in my dreams she wears a very sad expression. Also, I could see multiple wounds and bruises around her chest and neck. Like someone has been abusing her. She is wearing a red dress that was slightly torn at places.

She motions to the chair next to her for me to sit in. I slowly walk to the chair but kept a hand on my sword. Not sure how useful it will be against her but it makes me feel safer. I stand next to the chair not really sure if I should sit or run. "Who are you?" I ask her with a shaky voice.

She motions to the chair again. I look around for anything suspicious but find nothing. I hesitantly sit down in the chair. "Who are you?" I ask her again. She did not answer. Her hand was reaching for mine. Before she could touch my hand I pulled away. "What are you trying to do? Why won't you answer me?" I ask her.

Her face looks at mine. "Dif... fi... cult," She says. It takes a lot out of her to speak apparently. Painful almost. "So taking my hand will give me answers?" I ask. She nods. "You won't kill me with some deathly touch?" I ask with a shaky voice barely louder than a whisper. She chuckles lightly, I think. She does not make a sound.

She shakes her head "Wo... n't... hu... rt... you..." she manages to get out. I was not really convinced. "Can I still leave?" I ask her. She shakes her head. Great...

She reaches for my hand again. This time I did not move it. My hand is shaking heavily though. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the worst. For pain. For some horrible death.

I did not feel any pain and still felt alive. When I slowly opened my eyes I was standing in some luxurious bedroom. I saw the silver-haired woman sitting in front of a mirror with another woman who was helping her with her hair.

"Is there anything special happening today Lissanne?" The silver-haired woman asks. The woman called Lissanne seems hesitant to answer. "I... I don't know, Your Grace" she says. Your grace? She is a queen? The silver-haired woman sighed "Another one?" She asks. Lissanne nods ever so slightly.