Saving Rose

Chapter 6

"Andrew!" Rose's shout rang out across the courtyard as the soldiers remained silent. They watched in quiet horror as the dragon swallowed the lumpy Prince, the outline of his body sliding down the dragon's throat and ending with a splash in its stomach.

Without a thought for her own safety, Rose dashed across the courtyard. She pushed her way through the gaggle of soldiers, stopping only once she could clearly see the dragon.

"Andrew!" she hollered again, cupping her hands about her mouth so that the sound would carry. She waited for a moment, gaze fixed on the dragon's stomach, and gave a cry of relief when she heard Andrew's voice.

"Rose? Are you out there?"

"I'm here Andrew," she called back to him. "Don't worry, we're going to get you out of there. Just...try not to move."

Rose stared up at the dragon, its golden eyes sweeping over the soldiers as if to assess their next move. She had never met anyone that had been swallowed by a dragon and lived to tell the tale. She had no idea how long someone could survive inside of a dragon's stomach, or what she could do to get him out. But she knew that she had to try. Prince Andrew was her only shot at living a free life. He didn't care if she wanted to fight, or that she liked swords as much as gemstones. He didn't care if she wore armor or dresses. If he didn't survive, she would just be married off to another prince, and she doubted very strongly that the next prince would be as accommodating of her desires as Prince Andrew was.

"Don't worry Andrew," she whispered, her face filled with a grim determination. "I'll find a way to get you out of there, before it's too late."

Rose took a few steps forward, surprised when a pair of strong hands grabbed her from behind. She twisted in time to see her father pulling her back behind the soldiers.

"It isn't safe for Princesses to go trotting about when a dragon is near," the King explained in a huff.

"But Andrew needs me!" she cried. "I have to help him!"

"You leave that to me and the soldiers," her father replied, and she could tell by his tone that he would argue with her no further.

He took her to the side of the courtyard, dropping her unceremoniously onto her backside before racing back to join the soldiers. Rose watched with a hammering heart as one by one the soldiers surged forward to attack. The dragon flapped its wings, sending cyclones of wind toward them, and the first line of soldiers was sent sprawling in all directions.

The dragon gnashed its pearly teeth as her father made his way beneath the beast's belly, slashing with his broadsword at its soft underside. It whipped about, its long tail sweeping across the ground, crashing into those closest and sending her father and her brother soaring across the sky. Rose winced at the sight, knowing they would have a terribly long walk back to the castle.

With their King gone, the soldiers attacked without strategy. They forged onward, but without their leader to guide them, their attacks were ineffective at best. Soldiers slashed as the silvery scales of the dragon, their swords bouncing off, shattered to pieces from the impact with the beast's tough hide.

As the dragon reared once more, its tail sweeping across the ground, it lashed out with its claws, knocking dozens of soldiers to the side as it worked its way through the throng. Rose watched in horror as the soldiers fell one by one, until at last, there were hardly more than a handful left to fight.

It was in that moment Rose realized what they didn't. They weren't going to win. The dragon was too big, too strong, and for all their efforts they had hardly left a scratch on it. Though her fingers trembled with fear, her heart thundering against her ribs, Rose knew she couldn't sit by any longer. This was her chance. Her one chance to prove herself to everyone.

Squaring her shoulders and steeling her nerve, Rose raced forward and grabbed up a discarded sword in both her hands.

It was time to save the Prince.