Princess of Dragons

Chapter 2

Ciara smiled as she stroked the scales on Sunrose's snout. Each scale was about the size of her palm and felt warm to the touch. Sunrose was a fire dragon, after all.

Ciara had spent all that remained of her evening the other day thinking about going to the Fire Kingdom. It probably wasn't going to be entirely safe, despite what Sergon promised.

She had absolutely no clue who the king was or what she could expect of him and the life she might lead in the castle. But her opinion hadn't changed; she wanted to do this for her people. She could do nothing where she was right now, so maybe she could from over there.

The dragonelle's snort brought her back to reality again just as a voice spoke up behind her.

"It amazes me how you so effortlessly seem to control these powerful creatures."

Ciara turned to see who it was, though the rattling armor gave him away.

She smiled. "Good morning, my lord." Was Sergon showing some interest in dragons as more than just violent beasts?

He smiled back. "Good morning, princess." He looked up at the dragon who was eyeing him. "How do you do it? Is it magic?"

She giggled. She'd heard some speculating in the existence of magic, but she wasn't quite sure she believed it. And she most certainly didn't practice it.

"No, it is nothing of the sort. I simply do not grab the hilt of my sword every time I lay my eyes on one." Her gaze elaborately dropped to his hand, which was indeed resting on the pommel of his blade.

He chuckled. "Ah, you have caught me, princess. However, I do not possess the skills that you do."

She looked at him a little strangely. Did they really think it something only certain people could do?

"Anyone can do this – it is no secret art of ours." She received a skeptical look in return. "Try putting your sheathed sword down on the ground next to your feet." When she got an almost nervous look from him, she simply smiled comfortingly. "Do not worry. Sunrose has a very calm temperament as long as she does not feel as though you are threatening her or anyone she cares about," she promised the knight, though it was hardly true for this dragonelle. She knew, however, that Sunrose wouldn't be aggressive in this very moment.

Taking a deep breath, Sergon slowly undid the sword from his hip, placing it on the ground beside him. Never did his eyes leave the dragon, whom he was well within range of. He looked to the girl, trying to conceal his nervousness.

"What do I do now, then?"

She smiled. It was almost like teaching a confused child.

"Simply place your hand on her snout. Right here." She petted the scales between the nostrils.

She watched as he slowly placed his hand there, scared the dragonelle might bite his hand off if he made one wrong move.

Ciara nodded. "Good. Now caress her gently. Just like you would a horse," she instructed, remembering they used horses a great deal back in those four kingdoms.

He did as told, carefully running his hand over Sunrose's pink scales. He looked mesmerized that something like this was even possible.

She smiled as she watched him, glad if she might just be able to change a single person's mind.

"Dragons are incredibly wise creatures; far smarter than humans." Her gaze was on Sunrose as well, who was enjoying the attention with closed eyes. "If they are angry or aggressive, there is always some reason for it." She felt the need to tell the knight all of this now she had his attention. "The best thing you can do in a situation such as the one yesterday is to drop your weapon and raise your hands over your head. Let them know you mean no harm."