Cursed

Dragon Killer

The change that went over Aidan was beyond peculiar. He went from surprised to something between sadness and anger to nothing.

"Why?" he finally asked.

For a second I had to think about it, but I had always felt this way since I saw my first dragon.

"Because they're monsters. Monsters that deserve what they get."

He arched one of his eyebrows. He didn't believe me. I wondered if I was always so terrible at lying.

"I don't want to be one. I think that they are beasts. I have seen them kill people with no remorse. I hate how scared I am of them. I refuse to be afraid of such a creature," I replied, honestly this time.

There it was again. It was a hint of sadness in his eyes that was gone as quickly as it came. When he didn't say anything, I continued.

"So, do you you know how to kill a dragon?"

He sighed, "Yes. I do, but I don't know if you should know."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I thought you wanted me to know how to defend myself," I shot back hotly.

He held up his hands.

"You're eyes are gold again, Emmy doll. I just meant that it might not be such a good idea for you to try and kill dragons. You're right. Dragons are monsters. They're dangerous and all they want is blood. You'll get yourself killed if you try to rage a war against Dragons."

I silently cursed my eyes for being so be revealing. Especially when Aidan could hide his emotions so well. I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.

"I can defend myself. I'm going to try to kill the next dragon I see. I can either try to kill it with a dagger with no hope of killing it, or you can teach me how."

He looked torn for one split second before he nodded.

"Fine."

For the next few days we fell into an easy routine. We would practice swords in the morning, bows at midday, and knives when we made camp in the evenings. Aidan taught me that the most vulnerable spot that a dragon has is right under its chin. Although I wasn't terrible at any of weapons, I was very distracted. Aidan almost seemed mad at me for wanting to learn. He didn't talk or smile nearly as much as he had before. Then after a week of tense silence, something miraculous happened. It started to rain.

Ever since I left my village, it hadn't rained a drop. It was highly unusual for this little rain for this time during the spring. Aidan saw the clouds rolling in first. They were thick, black clouds that was heavy with rain. At first it was just a light sprinkle, nothing to be worried about. But then it turned into something much more serious. Although it was only midday, the sky was as dark as night. The only light came from brief flashed of lightning. The horses were going crazy. We made camp as quickly as possible, tying the horses to a large tree in the process. I fell asleep listening to the storm roar just outside my tent.

I woke up feeling water. My eyes snapped open. Water was everywhere inside the tent. The only thing that had kept my head from going under was the large saddlebag I had been sleeping on. I tumbled madly out of the tent and back into the rain. Each drop seemed to slice at my skin. Outside it was like a war one. Where a low clearing once stood, a river raged down the middle. The horses were neck deep in muddy water, trying to stay afloat. The tree they had been tied to had fallen. They wouldn't last much longer tied to the sinking tree. For a split second, I was torn between trying to wake Aidan or rescue the horses. Aidan would have to take care of himself. I shouted his name a couple times, but the wind ripped apart my words. There was no way he could hear me. Then I was running. The tree that we had tied the horses to was wide enough to walk on, but the water was rising fast. I heard Spirit let on a chocked cry, and that was all it took for me to get on the log. My boots slipped on the bark for a split second before I got my footing. I thought I was going to fall more than once, but I somehow made it to where we had tied the reins. My fingers slipped on the knot. It took me so long to untie the reins that I was worried it was to late. Everything happened at once. Both horses started to struggle madly for the shore. Aidan's horse's front hoof connected solidly with my stomach. I was sent off the log into the river. My head went under, and water flooded my throat. The water was roaring now. I kicked and tried to get my head out of the water, but the current was too strong. I felt my hand graze something scaly. I barely had time to wonder what it was before my head hit a rock. Everything went black.

"Emmy?" a voice called.

I was floating. Higher and higher. The wind was pushing me different ways and I felt torn. I wanted to go against the wind. I had to, but it was just so easy to be swept away in the opposite direction. No. I had to go back. Then I was. Just like that, I was flying swiftly back to where I wanted to go.

I opened my eyes, but quickly wished I hadn't. The sun burned my eyes, and I quickly squeezed them shut. My head was pounding. I let out a small groan of frustration before opening my eyes again. Aidan was sitting on my left, looking at me anxiously. When I looked at him, he almost jumped.

"How are you feeling?"

Like a horse kicked me in the stomach. Like I hit my head while slowly drowning in a flooded river.

Instead I replied, "Fine."

Aidan obviously didn't believe that. He handed me a piece of bark.

"Eat it. It will help with the headache," he instructed.

It tasted bitter, but I choked it down anyway.

When I could talk again, I asked, "How did you manage to pull me out of the river?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't. You washed ashore, by some stroke of luck."

"Did the horses make it?"

He nodded.

"I'm really sorry. I should have known that that clearing was a riverbank. I almost killed you."

He seemed so guilty that it almost broke my heart.

"Why are you sorry? You're not responsible for me. I knew that I was taking a chance by trying to get the horses, but I would do it again in a second. I can think for myself. If anything, I should be sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you to teach me to fight. Not if you didn't want to."

Aidan shook his head.

"No, you deserved to know how. I can't always be your knight in shining armor," he said.

For a minute, something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as soon as it came.

"We're close to Irlon. We'll probably be there by tomorrow," he continued without pausing.

"What's it like there?" I asked dreamily.

I hadn't ever been to a city, but I had always daydreamed about them. Tall buildings that arched high in the sky. People from everywhere and doing everything. My family. My bloodline.

Aidan smirked, "Tall buildings, bunch of people, and lots of activity."

My mouth dropped. I stared at Aidan dumbstruck. That was exactly what I had been thinking about. I stared at him for a good couple more minutes. He just looked back at me quizzically, showing no sign that he had practically just voiced my thoughts.

"Are you feeling well enough to ride?" he asked after a long pause.

I nodded slowly, and he offered me his hand.

"Well, what are we waiting for, Emmy doll?"