Dragonborne

Chapter 1

I woke up and found myself facing the four wooden walls of the wagon. I sat on my bed feeling the rhythmic rocking of the wagon I'm in.

My name is Feyre Corvette. I am the daughter of Felix Corvette. My father, or rather, my family, is the head of the merchant class back in the capital city of Dragonheart.

Today, we are on the road to Dragonfang to deliver goods that the Prince requested. It's been a while since I went out of the capital city.

I feel the rhythm of the wagon stop. My mother, Lyre Corvette, opened the door of my wagon. Sunlight streamed in my wagon, my mother's brown hair tinted with golden sunlight. "Time to get out of bed, my dear." She said, her melodic voice gave me no choice but to obey. I got off my bed and put on my purple velvet robe and walked outside.

My whole family was already outside preparing for breakfast. My young cousins were running around already, playing tag. I wish I had the same energy as them in the morning. I lazily made my to the table set up just for the head family, in other words, my family. Which, at the moment, is just composed of me and my parents.

"Good morning, Feyre." My father greeted me. He was already sitting on the table alongside with my mother. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"It certainly is." I said as I take my seat. We were somewhere on the outskirts of a forest though we were not really off the road. "We're occupying the road. What if some other caravan will pass by?"

"Highly unlikely, Feyre." My father replied. "This road runs along the outskirts of the Great Forest of the Fey. So, you know..."

I nod. Yes, I know. Because of the war between The Dragons and The Faeries, almost no one passes through the outskirts of borderline territories for fear of an ambush.

"We only passed here because it's the fastest way to Dragonfang." My mother said as she sipped on her cup of coffee. "We need such a route because we carry urgently needed and highly valuable goods."

"There's nothing to worry about the danger." My father assured me. But I observed that that day, breakfast was over quickly and the caravan was on the road again.

The sun was already setting when we arrived at the gates of the city. Father talked to the guards for a few minutes before we were allowed to enter the city.

I've never been to Dragonfang before. Number one reason is that this city specializes in the manufacture of weapons and other armaments for war, no reason for a young lady like me to go here. So, now that I'm here, it just begs the question: why?

The city itself isn't that bad. The residential houses were drab and cube shaped though. But the residents seemed cheery. Like they don't know that their city is the primary target when the war does go all out.

I remember my tutor said that, probably, the best way to end the war is to "cut off the claws, fangs, and wings" of the other. In other words cut off the weapons. And Dragonfang just happens to be the center of weapons, at least for the Dragons.

"Greetings honored merchants." A voice said in greeting. I get off my wagon to see who it was. I stood beside my mother and saw that it was one of the princes of the Dragon Kingdom.

"Greetings to you, too, Prince Aeon." My father greeted the prince. "I see that you have been well."

"It's certainly been quite peaceful lately." The Prince said it as if there was something humorous about it. that only he and my father could catch. "Let's continue in my palace, shall we?"

Our caravan moves again, following the Prince through the crowded streets of the city. People were standing on the sidewalks, quietly observing us. They were wearing the plainest tunic I have ever seen. Gray and worn out.

As we make our way to the Prince's palace, I took the time to observe the royalty walking in front of me. Because even for someone who lives in the capital, one rarely sees the royalty walk on the streets.

Prince Aeon walks in a dignified way, with purpose. As if his every step leads to something  great. His long auburn hair is tied in a ponytail. A sword is sheathed on his right side, partially hidden by the golden cape on his back.

"We are here." The Prince turned to face us. "Welcome to the Palace of War."

I look at the "palace" behind him and the moment I laid my eyes on it, the word palace was thrown out of the window.

The Palace of War is no palace at all.

It's a fortress.