The Dragon Scale

Chapter 1

The little river danced merrily as it flowed between the rocks. Ella breathed in the sweet spring air. She was sitting on a rock by the river, braiding her long red hair. Her bow and quiver of arrows lay beside her. She looked down at her reflection in the clear water. A girl, short for 14, looked back at her. The girl had sky blue eyes, and freckles smattered across her face. Her forest green dress looked beautiful with her red hair.

As she was watching, a stone hit her reflection's nose and the river rippled. She stood thinking of the monsters that roamed the forests.

"Wait!" a voice came from behind her. She turned around and saw a 15-year old boy with hazel eyes and brown hair come running from behind the trees. He was tall and also had freckles. He held a stone in his hand.

"Wait," he panted, bending over to catch his breath. "Where is your palace?" He asked after straightening up.

"Excuse me?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. The boy persisted.

"I know you're an elf. Where is it?" He asked.

"I am not an elf!" Ella raised her voice. He looked hurt. "I — I — how do I prove to you that I'm not?" She asked softly.

He pointed to the quiver of arrows.

"Shoot something," he suggested. Ella stooped over to grab the bow. As quick as a flash, he was behind her with a knife to her throat. "I'll give you one last chance, elf," he whispered harshly.

"Honestly, I'm not an elf!" she whispered back. "And why do you need to find their palace anyway?" The knife went slack. She wiggled out of his grip and fell onto the rock. Then she drew herself up.

"I am Ella Marie Jacobs, resident of the village of Delma, in the kingdom of Gemma! I swear!" she said angrily. The boy shrugged and sheathed his knife.

"Alright then," he stuck out his hand. "I'm Zachary James Smith. You don't really look like anyone that I know in Delma." He sat down on the rock next to her. Ella shrugged.

"My mom says that I'm special. She said that I'm probably magical," she laughed and wiggled her fingers at him. They both laughed. "Anyway, where are you from? I've never seen you before in Delma."

"I'm originally from the village in the mountains; the village of Mons. But I'm on my journey," he said.

Ella sighed. Once a child turned 15, they would have to embark on a journey to find a special object. Each child received their object when they became 15. The elder of each village would give the child the name of their object. And once their journey was complete, they would return to their village where they were received like knights returning from a battlefield. The purpose was to help the kingdom if their object is helpful, like the Stone of Rain. That had been found by a boy. He had left his village at the age of 15, and didn't return until he was 25. He was treated by royalty and soon became royalty. He was the king of Gemma, and his son was about to become heir. Ella had just turned 14 a few months ago, and 15 seemed a long way off.

"What's your object? Does it have to do with elves? Because you seemed pretty serious when you were trying to kill me," she teased. He chuckled, but then looked serious.

"Well, it does have something to do with elves. I should start from the beginning. But I'm a little hungry," he said. Ella laughed.

"Don't worry. I can find some nuts and berries in a flash."