Daughter of Medusa

12

It was the most beautiful view she's ever seen

The sea sparkled in the sun in arrays of blushing pink, purple and peach, as the sun was setting, and the whole land was ranging from huge bluish mountains to lush green to golden sands

She looked at Archer, her reaction made him happy. She could see he loved this land, his face and look were the epitome of warmth

He whispered: Home..

Once they stopped at the harbor his whole demeanor changed, his spine straightened, and his frame became rigid. He was all cold indifference

This change worried her

They were met by groups of dragons, both in dragon and human forms

One of them welcomed him and Crystal: Welcome back, your highness

The honoriphic was added reluctantly and was accompanied by a shallow bow, which some of the others repeated

Avery frowned, was this all the reception their future monarch deserved

Archer: Thank you, Lord Thorn

Lord Thorn: Come, His Majesty awaits

They walked for a long while

One of the younger shifters gestured at Avery: Why isn't she in chains?

Avery was going to talk, but Archer made a subtle hand gesture, she frowned but held her tongue

Archer: She won't try to escape, so she won't need them. Besides none of the other daughters of Medusa needed to be chained before

He shrugged instead of continuing

The shifter quieted with a look from Lord Thorn

It took them a while, Avery's energy was waning. She was less fit from weeks on the ship without exerxise

When they reached their destination, which was a huge rock near an even larger cave opening, atop which sat the biggest dragon she has ever seen. He was gold, and blindingly so

He spoke, and his voice was so loud, booming and terrifying

Dragon king: You've come back at last, Archer

Archer kneeled: My king..

They all kneeled, and Avery was left standing, stupidly gazing at him

Dragon king: Is that her then?

Archer: Yes, my league

Dragon king: Come forth, child

Avery was still in awe, so Archer nodded at her

She took a few steps forward, and was dismayed to find her knees slightly shaking

The dragon king chuckled, his laugh was a weird mixture of boom and hiss

Dragon king: A brave one, aren't you?! Most cannot even walk after first laying eyes on me. Very well then, child. What can you do? Archer tells us you are a hybrid of Gorgon and Gargoyle. A rare mix indeed, and that you have traits from both species

She nodded, and looked him in the eyes. It was hard to hold his gaze, but she struggled and was finally able to

He laughed again: Brave or foolish? Hmm.. Perhaps a bit of both. Well, I do not like to repeat myself

Avery: What he said is true. I can petrify living things, like a Gorgon, and I can morph into a gragoyle form, but I am also part human

He made a gesture with his claws, which reminded her of a human waving something off: That part doesn't concern us

Avery: Why not, after all, dragon shifters are basically dragon and human hybrids

The shifters around her started whispering, and some of them gasped

The dragon king's reptilian face shifted ever so slightly: Foolish then.. A most human trait. There's your human part. It's a weakness. And I do not concern myself with weaknesses, unless they are my enemy's

He smiled a terrible toothy smile

He then turned towards Archer: You should have broken that spirit of hers, then again, you've always liked spirited little things..