Princess of Butterflies

Chapter 2

The days on the river blurred together, the steady sound of water lapping against the raft and the canopy of stars above marking the passage of time. At first, spirits had been high, buoyed by the thrill of adventure and the promise of freedom that lay ahead. However, as the days stretched into nights, the trio found themselves increasingly low on food and water. Jullan managed to catch a few fish, and Kai hunted small game in the nearby woods when they stopped, but it wasn't enough to sustain them for long.

Celia felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her like an anchor dragging her into the depths of uncertainty. She had left everything behind-the lavish meals, the luxurious bed, the suffocating expectations of her royal life-only to face the harsh reality of survival. Each growl of her stomach reminded her that freedom came with its own set of challenges. Gazing longingly at the horizon, she hoped for some sign of help, a flash of opportunity that would lift them from their current plight.

As if answering her silent prayer, a shadow loomed in the distance one afternoon-a large ship, its sails billowing majestically in the wind. It was unlike any vessel Celia had ever seen, with intricate designs carved into the wood and the figure of a dragon etched on the bow, its fierce expression seemingly ready to take flight. A wave of hope surged through her, washing away some of her desperation as they maneuvered the raft toward the ship.

"Look!" Jullan pointed, excitement rising in his voice, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Is that... a ship? Out here?"

Kai squinted against the bright sunlight. "It is! But can we get aboard? It looks massive, like it could carry a whole crew!"

As they drew closer, they saw figures moving aboard the vessel. A towering woman with sharp, fierce eyes and a dragon perched on her shoulder watched them from the deck, her presence exuding an aura of authority and power. Next to her stood another woman, dressed in flowing robes that seemed to shimmer with the light of the setting sun. She gently stroked the feathers of a phoenix resting on her arm, and Celia felt a strange sense of magic emanating from the creature.

"Hey!" Jullan called out, raising his hands in greeting as they approached. "We're travelers running low on supplies. Could we perhaps trade?"

The dragon tamer regarded them for a moment, her gaze hard and assessing, as if evaluating their worth in an instant. "You'll have to convince me," she said, her tone brusque and commanding. "What do you have to offer? This ship isn't a charity, you know."

Jullan rummaged through their meager supplies, feeling the weight of desperation in his chest. He pulled out a small loaf of bread, its crust slightly hard but still edible. "How about this? Freshly baked, from a village we passed through. It's got a good reputation."

Gaia's eyes flickered with interest as she stepped closer, the dragon beside her narrowing its eyes at the newcomers. "Bread? Is that all you've got? You must have something more enticing than that."

"It's not just any bread," Jullan said, trying to inject confidence into his voice, though he could feel his heart racing. "It's the best in the region. It'll make a fine addition to your provisions."

She tilted her head, contemplating, her fierce demeanor softening just a bit. "I'll take the bread. But only if you can show me you're worth the trouble of bringing aboard. We don't take just anyone, you understand?"

Celia furrowed her brow. "What do you mean? What kind of proof do you need?"

"I need to know you can hold your own," Gaia replied, crossing her arms, the dragon flaring its nostrils beside her. "This ship isn't a charity. You'll have to work if you want to stay."

Jullan nodded, adrenaline coursing through him, the thrill of the challenge igniting his spirit. "We can do that. We're good at hard work. Just give us a chance."