Purple Dragon [REPUBLISHED]

Chapter 11: Sabra's Story

Amasya slowly started adapting to life among her fellow Rogues. She was still an outsider to them, and she sensed an air of mistrust. But they still managed to treat her with kindness even if it was from a distance. Amasya assured herself that it was normal to distrust strangers...especially Rogues.

Still, they trusted Everett, who trusted her, and so the tensions with the others started to loosen. Except for Cass.

The ice dragon was outright cruel, except for the times when she ignored Amasya.

Amasya was grateful for Sabra's friendship and Edin's enthusiasm. It made Cass's cruelty bearable.

"We don't tolerate laziness," Cass had said meanly on her first day. She shoved a huge bucket into Amasya's arms. "Gather any herbs that can be used. You're in the real world now, princess."

From the tone of her voice, Amasya dared not to correct Cass's term of "princess".

It had been hard work gathering and digging in the ground for food. She had never done a Gather or Servant task, but it felt strangely rewarding.

She had been hesitant and wary of Branwenns. The job started out far too similar to that day in the woods long ago.

Gradually, she became stronger and stronger and started looking forward to her work as long as Sabra came along with her. The two often laughed and shared stories.

"What's wrong with Cass?" she asked Sabra one day while gathering wild onions. "I have no idea why she doesn't like me."

Sabra stopped working and sighed. "Cass had a hard life. She was a Warrior, as you can see. She was orphaned."

"Orphaned?"

"I shouldn't tell you. She has to when she's ready. But she's a good dragon who's had a hard life. Her story isn't a happy one."

"Her story?" Amasya asked.
Sabra shrugged. "We all have one. How Everett rescued us. That's why he's our leader. And I think Cass is just scared."

"Scared? Her?" Amasya said doubtfully. She could tell Cass had been a great Warrior, so great that she could have given Floressa a run for her money.

"Appearances aren't everything," Sabra warned. "There's more to the story."

A slight breeze blew, rustling the reeds. Amasya dug into the ground and plucked out an onion. Munching on it, she gave Sabra her full attention. "So what about your story?"

"You really want to know?" Sabra asked, her dark eyes flickering with doubt. Amasya nodded. Sabra took a deep breath, and then began to talk.

"I am from the legion of Iniss, the grasslands. My parents were both Warriors, but not as honored as some of the others. They were mediocre soldiers. Battered and bruised from being in the front line of the infantry, they pinned their hopes on me. I had no brothers or sisters. But both wished to raise their stations, and I was a promising chance. They managed to live vicariously through me. Ever since I was young, fighting came easily to me. I was quick, clever, and strong. I wanted to make my parents proud, and who knew? Maybe I'd sit on the throne one day."

Sabra paused, and Amasya could see regret and shame etched in her face.

"I was stupid. I had seen a few battles and had killed too many dragons to count. It never fazed me, and I never thought about my actions. It was good for me, I thought. My parents were so proud and so was the tribe. I was even going to get married to a Chief Justice."

"The day came when Chief Talos offered me a spot on his Council. My parents were elated. There was a single task-ensured to be simple-that I had to do in order to prove myself worthy of the job. There was a prisoner that had been irritating Talos. I was told to execute him. No big deal right?"

"I remember the moment the guards dragged the prisoner out. He was from our neighbor legion, Cham. Dried, black blood encrusted his scales and spikes. Open wounds from a beating bled, and his left paw had been mangled with bone crunchers."

Sabra closed her eyes and took a breath. "They forced him to his knees in front of me. The whole legion was watching. I had the ax in my hands; it would slice through as if the prisoner was made of clay. Easy, so easy." Her eyes were far away.

"I raised the ax, and the prisoner looked up at me. I hesitated. His eyes were so tortured, so full of torment and pain, and even disgust, that I felt so intensely ashamed. But at the same time, they were subjective. Like he had given up or something."

"What did you do?" Amasya asked.
"I swung the ax down."

Amasya sighed and nodded. Of course Sabra killed the prisoner. She couldn't have done anything else.

"And it clattered to the floor."

Amasya looked up sharply. "You didn't kill him?"

Sabra shook her head. "I refused. Talos was furious. The crowd turned against me, forcing me into the dungeon. My parents helped to close my cage." Pain darkened her face. "But Everett was there, and he helped me escape."

She smiled up at her. "And I never looked back."

...

Amasya could tell that all the dragons looked up to Everett. He had saved all of them, no matter what legion they were from or how old they were. They constantly surrounded him, talking to him, and vying for his attention.

She managed to get him alone once. "Amasya!" he said, pleasantly surprised. "How are you? I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to talk."

"It's fine. You're busy," she said smiling.

"We're moving out of Rinwell soon," he promised. "Then we can get to Icina. If Eira knows anything about the Egg, then she'll know something about the URA. Don't have that much time."

"Thanks," she said. "Truly. You didn't have to do this."

"We're in this together," he insisted. "You're part of the family now." He smiled at her, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Everett." Cass's cold voice said abruptly. Her eyes narrowed as she flicked her tail in irritation. "Judd needs you to help fix a tear in Darrock's tent."

"Oh yeah, Cass, I'm coming." He smiled briefly at Amasya, "We're close to the URA, I can feel it." He squeezed her paw and then disappeared through the tall grasses.

Cass stared at her.

"Cass," Amasya said politely.

"You'd better watch it, princess," Cass said.

"Excuse me?" Amasya said angrily. "What have I done you? Why do you hate me?"

"You'll never last long," she snarled.
"Not with that leg." Cass turned and stalked away.

Amasya felt a harsh sting in her chest. Over the years, she had learned to defend her one spot of weakness until she fought as well as anyone. Her leg didn't slow her down anymore, but the anger was still there. The freak.

Forever.