Dragon Born

Chapter 2

Atlas's P.O.V

When I started to come to, I couldn't remember much of what happened. My vision was blurry at first but when it began to clear. I realized I was in some sort of infirmary, but I still didn't know exactly where I was and panic started to take over. I bolted upright but quickly had to lay back down because of the sharp pain in my side.

"Hey, take it easy. You're alright." I looked over to see an elderly man with big glasses looking at me.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the infirmary."

"No! Where am I?! What kingdom?!"

"Eldoro." Immediately my muscles and nerves relaxed, I wasn't back home. In fact somehow I ended up where I was going in the first place.

"How long have I been out?"

"A few days."

"Days?! Has anyone else come by?"

"Not to my knowledge."

My nerves relaxed all the way now, I was still safe. I made it to Eldoro and my father hadn't found me.

"Would you like some water?" I hadn't noticed until he asked that my throat was bone dry.

"Yes please."

He filled a glass and helped me into a sitting position, I flinched when he touched me though.

"Are you alright? Did it hurt when I touched you?"

"No, it wasn't from pain... I'm just... not used to physical contact."

He seemed to understand what I was trying to tell him, because he handed me the glass, instead of helping me. As I finished the glass, another voice entered the room.

"You're awake!"

A beautiful girl, with long red hair that resembled a flame, had entered the room. Her eyes were blue like the sky. She wore a golden dress, and a crown of leaves with a single flower. There was a man standing beside her, he had brown hair and hazel eyes, and was a little bit taller than the girl.

"I'm so glad you're okay."

"Who are you?"

"Oh! Sorry, guess I got ahead of myself. I'm Skyler, Princess of Eldoro."

"You're the princess? Why am I in the castle, why didn't whoever found me take me somewhere in the village?"

"Well, because I was the one that found you."

"You did? When you found me was anyone else there, or did you see anyone nearby?"

"No, I only saw you." I let out a sigh of relief, the princess had confirmed that my father didn't know where I was.

"So, what's your name?"

"I'm Atlas."

"Well, Atlas. It is very nice to meet you. And I wanted to let you know, you are welcome to stay in Eldoro for as long as you'd like."

"Thank you, this is actually where I was headed."

"Really? If you don't mind me asking where are you from? And why are you all on your own?"

I didn't say anything, I only looked away from her. I really didn't want her to know why or where. I didn't want her asking anymore questions.

"It's complicated..."

"How long until he can be released?" This she said to the physician.

"Well, his shoulder has already begun to heal, and his side is starting to but his rib will take more time. So probably not for another week at least."

The Princess seemed disappointed it wasn't sooner but nodded her head.

"I'll come by again later and see how you're doing okay."

"Okay..."

I didn't know how I felt about seeing her again, she seemed a little too eager to know more about me. And there are so many things that no one can know....

***

The week passed, and Skyler had come to check on me many times. Each time she came, she tried to get me to tell her where I was from or why I was alone. And each time I told her it's complicated. Besides her asking the same two questions each time, the rest of her visits were enjoyable and each time I found myself enjoying her company more and more. She was very different from other royals I had met, she wasn't stuck up and distant. She actually went out of her way to come and check on me, and it felt nice. I wasn't used to being doted on.

Skyler was sitting with me when the physician came in.

"Well, Atlas. Good news, your shoulder is completely healed. Your side stitches can come out and your rib is healed enough for me to let you go."

"Atlas, that's great!"

"Yeah, thanks."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"Don't even try it, I can tell something's bothering you?"

"It's just now that I'm here. I haven't thought about where I'm going to stay."

"So, you didn't come here because you knew someone?"

Great, this again...

"No, it was for other reasons."

"I'll be right back."

She smiled at me before leaving the room, as she did, the physician walked over.

"Are you ready for the stitches to come out?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

***

***

By the time Skyler came back, the physician had all my stitches out. When she came in, she was really giddy.

"What is it Skyler?"

"I just talked with my Mother and Father and they said you can stay here in the castle!"

"Really?!"

"Yes! I already have a room ready for you!"

I looked at the physician.

"Yes, you are free to go."

For the first time in a while I smiled, I was actually excited. I had really grown to like Skyler. She led me out of the infirmary, through a series of hallways. The castle was huge! I couldn't believe how many rooms there were. She led me up a set of stairs and stopped in front of two doors.

"Here it is!" She pushed open the doors and walked in.

"Wow"

It was beautiful, and like the rest of the castle, it was huge! The room was circular, and had a loft where the bed was. There was a desk with a calligraphy set on it, and there was a bookshelf filled to the brim with novels.

"Skyler, this is amazing!"

"I'm glad you like it!"

Ì walked around and took it all in. Things were working out better than I had ever dreamed! My only hope was that it would stay that way.