A Princess's Sword

Chapter 1

Arilina's Bow

Once upon a time, there lived a princess...

"Princess Arilina!"

"Yes?" I replied, hastily covering my sword with my cloak. The door flew open and the scared face of one of my maids peeked around it.

"Oh! I have been looking everywhere for you! There is a flying Erif dragon at the north side of the castle! It is burning the barracks! What are we going to do?"

As she started to sob, I realized I needed to take control of the situation. "Listen, you stay here."

She nodded her head and choked out, "But where are you going?"

"Do not worry about me. I will be fine. You stay here, though, do not come out until I come back, understand?" She nodded shakily, then curled up on my floor crying into the rug. I closed the door and thought up a plan. The barracks, hmm? I was going to have to hurry if I was going to make it in time.

Five minutes later, I reached the bottom of the castle. I opened the door and stepped out into the chilly night air. I glanced around, my hand on one of my small throwing daggers in a belt around my waist. I hurried across the courtyard to the barracks. The flames leaped into the dark sky. The fire was throwing enough light around that I could see people running towards it with buckets. Several knights were firing arrows at a dragon spewing fire. It was on the ground, but I saw wings folded up on its back. I drew my sword and stepped closer to it, staying in the safety of stone buildings.

I analyzed the dragon. It was about the size of a horse, a small one. It took me awhile to remember my training, but then in the midst of this chaos, it came to me. If it was the size of a horse that meant it could shoot flames ten feet forward and two and a half feet wide. 

When I was thirty yards away I prepared to close the distance. I took a deep breath and jerked as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around and saw Father's face inches from mine.

"Arilina, what are you doing? You cannot take on an Erif dragon with a sword, you know that!"

"Father! Why are you here? I could have done it! It would have worked!"

"How? You most likely would have been shot by our own archers!"

"But, Father!" I protested.

"Do as I say. I have enough problems with this dragon without adding my stubborn daughter to my troubles."

"I am sorry, Father."

"Go back to your room. Quickly now."

"But what about the fire?"

"There are enough people here. Please go, Arilina." I nodded and turned back to the Keep. I hurried up the stairs to my room. The trembling maid was still there.