Book One - The Dragonkin Empire.

One day

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Before anything I wanna give my thanks to mlareau for all the attention she's given to this story.

Lumiere's side

The small sound of water dripping woke me up from a light dream. Greeting my eyes is the endless darkness that lurks, forever etched, in the ceiling. Feeling the cold stone beneath my body rouses my senses.

"So, have you changed your mind?"

A hard voice disturbs the silence, reaching for the darkness above. My only guest for a while stands near the door with her feet firmly planted. I stretch my sore limbs and manage to sit, taking my time to answer. I squint at the strong light, even though it's only a small fire it shines like the sun.

"No, I don't have any intention at all to change." My voice is coarse.

"There is nothing I can do to persuade you from your recklessness? You know that what you're trying to accomplish is forbidden."

"I have to. "

"Fine! You may as well end your life in this cell!"

The woman storms out as she slams the heavy door sending deep echoes to resound in the dark recesses of the room.

I see her leave and cross my legs, light escapes my eyes and sound runs from my ears. Her departure takes away her life and slowly the veil of darkness falls upon my shoulders opressively, light nor sound can disturb it anymore, it was here before andit hugs my body refusing my escape. My dull thoughts begin anew in a slow chain of memories.

 I was locked in here by the a while agoChief, without the light of the sun I can't tell how long a while ago really is, could be a week, could be more. Locked in this forgotten room my chances to escape have almost vanished with my dwindling strength.

Surrounded by the ancient walls in the Tunnel, the stones confine me firmly  The ancient stones are said to still hold ancient magic but even without it I can't escape.  This little piece of land is under direct control of the Chief and not even an ant gets through. Even if you're allowed in this place the interior is like a maze with many corners, rooms, halls, and many more making it easy to lose your way but more than that nobody wants anything to do with this place.

My name's Lumiere, I've lived in the North with the tribe of the Keton-ri for two long years under the protection of the Chief after I was found unconscious and almost frozen in the caves outside of town. While my body healed the Chief started teaching me how to read and write to pass the time. After a while she took me under her wing.

My efforts in reminiscing are interrupted when I hear subtle footsteps. I already know who it is as there is only one other that knows how to get here. The usual knocks come before Lily pokes her little head through the door. At fourteen she's already taller than me, with long and slender limbs and dark red hair that reaches all the way down to her waist, she has sharp features and her eyes are of a deep green, penetrating and severe most of the time adding some years to her face, she was always emanating some kind of elegance, simply put, she was beautiful and on top she was the Chief's granddaughter, so she managed to have the appearance befitting her position without trying as the next one in the line of power. When our eyes meet her face illuminates losing the severity and making her look like her fourteen years.

"You look like you could do with a little more light and exercise, you know?" She starts saying mean things as she walks, her dress just above the floor.

"I don't get much light anyways, I like reading more. You're ready to get me out?" She snorts lightly, amused.

"You wish! I just came here to see your pathetic state and mock you a little." After a brief pause she scouts for something in the empty room like she's distracted. "I talked to the Chief and she told me she'll let you out if you can do her a little favour..." She leaves her words hanging in the air.