Dragonborn

Chapter 1 ~ An Unexpected Chance

     Akila awoke with a start, the sun was shinning straight into her eyes. Today was a special day, the din of early morning hadn't awoke her because it was nonexistent. Merchants from all over came to set up brightly colored stalls, including the bookseller. Every year, on a birthday she happened to share with the wretched brat called the lords daughter, the bookseller came and sold wonderful tales of knights and kings and princesses and demons and love. There was also one other important thing happening today, one she didn't think very much of but was regardless an crucial event. The dragon tests.

    Crap.

    She was late. Hurriedly, she grabbed the satchel that contained all of her belongings (in exception of her books) and dashed out the door. Nobody every got picked. After all, only twelve people had the power at a time, but missing it would be disastrous.

    She made her way through the masses of people heading towards the town square. They much resembled a small stream that was made up of more mud than water as it churned lazily towards the sea. The younger ones always went first in the tests, ending with the elderly. Though it was almost insulting that it had taken them two decades to circle to her village with the ever precious gems that decided the course of your life.

    She attached herself to the end of a line that seemed to include kids her age. The big giveaway was the lord's daughter, Ariel, though fashionably late (as usual), she still made it there ahead of Akila. The snotty brat looked down at her with those muddy brown eyes, which complemented her dirty blonde hair.

    "Urchin" Ariel addressed her in a condescending tone. "Don't get mud on my dress, it must be in pristine condition for my birthday celebration."

    The brat always liked to shove it into Akila's face that her birthday was much more important than hers. Refusing to be put down, though she knew her retaliation could mean a cut in her father's already low pay, she replied "My name is Akila."

    The aristocrat simply sniffed before turning away from her with a flurry of her silky pine green dress.

    "Calm down!" A commanding voice carried across the town square. Upon closer inspection, it belonged to a woman with  dark hair and eyes, as well as tanned skin. She looked like she might have spent a great deal of her past on a tropical island. She was obviously a Dragonborn, for the sides of her head were decorated with aquamarine frills. "If I can have your undivided attention please, I will explain what we are doing and the process you must follow so that we can finish quickly"

    She really had no need to explain, for everyone already knew, but the woman continued regardless, "As you know, twelve Dragonborn knights are the ultimate defense that keeps our realm out of the hands of demons. Currently though, there are only six. This means that there are six more people in possession of the power to keep you safe, our task is to find them. The process is quick and painless. You hold this gem," She held something up to the sunlight, it shined so brightly that it temporarily blinded Akila. "If you are Dragonborn, then it will shine brightly in your hands. If not, don't rub it to try to coax the power out, just accept that you are not Dragonborn and pass it down your line."

    "And please," She added. "No making a scene when you discover that you are just human."

    While she had been talking, accompanying guards arranged the villagers into rows. And as soon as the woman finished speaking, the gem was passed directly to the first person. It was no surprise when it didn't light up, but the poor boy who had gotten it burst into tears.

    Beside her, Ariel fanned herself, "Oh! Can't the peasants just hurry up. We all know the power belongs to me, there's no reason to delay it."

    Akila bit her tongue to stop herself from replying, for if it weren't for the hell that she could make Lord Destrian rain down on her and her father's lives, she would have long ago put the girl in her place.

    The gem passed in quick succession, one adolescent after another was forced to face the truth that they weren't special. While Akila wanted to escape the cursed town that was her home, she didn't want to do it by being a Dragonborn. The responsibility of protecting the entire realm was just too much for her.

    It finally got to Ariel, who quickly snatched it up with manicured fingers. She held it up in the air. "Alas I can show all of you lowly peasants that I am indeed better than you, kneel before the newest Dragonborn knight!" Silence followed, confused as to why her subjects weren't bowing, the brat looked up and yelped. "How it could it not glow!" She frantically searched for an explanation. "My power is probably just too great for it to comprehend!" She surveyed her surroundings for anything that could help her. "You!" She tossed the gem to Akila, who fumbled before she caught it. "Fix this gem now! It lies."

    All she could do though, is gasp. For the first time in her life, she agreed with Ariel. The gem was glowing. In fact, it was blinding. "No..." she sniffled. She didn't want to leave home, she would probably never come back. "But... but... something has to be wrong with it! I'm not Dragonborn!"

    "Alas, our efforts come to fruition." The woman smiled, but she quickly regained her composure. "No, nothing is wrong with it. I'm sorry to disappoint those who did not get selected, but it seems that you have a very rare power. You should be proud of it. So tell me, what is your name."

    "A- A- Akila" She stuttered.

    "Great, welcome Akila to the Dragonborn Knights."

Total words: 1003