The Dragon Wars

Chapter 1

Something called to me, it sang to my soul and beckoned to me. It propelled me through the forest until i was running blindly, longing to find the source of the sweet melody that was calling to me. My entire body ached to find the source, and i knew if i didn't reach it soon i would burst.

There was a clearing in front of me, but no matter how fast or how much i ran i couldn't reach it. A powerful force shoved me from behind, and i toppled into the clearing. It was still calling to me, and i quickly stood to find it. In the center of the clearing there was a large spiral column that towered thirty feet above me. I couldn't see what was on top, but i knew it was what was singing to me.

I ran to the column and frantically tried to climb it, but i couldn't find something to hold on to. As i continued to claw wildly at the column, long sharp claws grew from my nails. They were as tough as metal, and i dug them into the column and clawed my way to the top.

When i pulled myself up i saw what i had been searching for. An egg, bigger than i was, was sitting in front of me. An intricate design of gold flames decorated the shell, and a beautiful mix of dark reds and greens swirled brilliantly around them. Specs of silver glimmered as the sun caught on it's bright surface.

I walked slowly towards it, entranced by the pure beauty of it. I reached out to touch it, but before my hand could graze the surface a sharp pain exploded in my side.

My eyes jerked open to see Mrs. Zeal standing over me, screeching, "Get up you worthless prat! You should have made breakfast an hour ago!"

I scrambled onto my feet quickly and bowed my head. "I'm sorry Master, I swear it won't happen again."

A loud smack filled the room as her hand made contact with my cheek. It stung my entire face, but showing pain would only make her slap me again. "You're damn right it won't happen again. If it does i will turn you over to the king."

As she stormed out the room images from my dream kept coming back to me. I tried to shake them out of my mind as i pulled on my ragged dress and headed into the kitchen. I poured some oats into the pot and added the proper amount of water. It may have been later in the morning than usual, but Mrs. Zeal would still expect me to make the porridge. I put the mixture over the fire and waited for it to cook, stirring it so it wouldn't burn. When the porridge was half done Iris came running into the room.

Iris was Mrs. Zeal's six-year-old daughter. She was a pretty little girl, with golden locks and emerald green eyes, but as she ran towards me her beauty was masked by a thick layer of mud, and her silky hair was full of tangles. The mud on her face was smeared with tear tracks.

She hugged my leg tightly and sobbed into my hip. She was such a sweet young girl, and even though her mother technically owned me i couldn't help but feel only love for her. She was so innocent. I picked her up and held her sobbing form close to me. When her crying finally calmed down i wiped the tears and mud from her face. "Oh Iris, what happened?

"I was-" she tried to speak, but another round of sobs was torn from her throat. She buried her face into the crock of my neck and continued to cry.

I stroked her hair and cooed, "It's okay baby. Just tell me what happened." I couldn't stand to see her like this.

"I was playing in the mud puddles when Jorgan threw a rock at me," she mumbled into my neck.

"Jorgan?" i asked as i continued to sooth the girl. "Do you mean the Vreda's kid?" I knew the kid could be a brat, but i never thought he would hurt anyone. If it was true he would pay.

She nodded. "Don't worry baby. I'll take care of it," i said softly.

 She sniffed and finally her tears stopped. "Thanks Momma," she said as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.