Dragon Unleashed (Book 1 of the Dragon Mage Saga)

The Eternal Night

“And…there we go,” Marisse the healer chirped merrily, sprinkling fine silver powder onto Darla’s severe bodily burns.

            Darla cringed in pain as the silver specks melted into her skin. Slowly, the swollen wounds began to simmer down and slowly ease back to normal.

            “What did I tell you?” Marisse asked with a smile, capping the bottle of powder with her gnarled, twig-like fingers. “Good as new, my dear.”

            Darla nodded feebly as the pain washed away, leaving her with a cool, refreshing feeling. Marisse was something of a sorceress. They were very lucky to have her assistance, especially with the severity of their wounds.

            “And Hugo…he’s going to be alright?” Darla asked hopefully, staring up at the emerald-haired woman.

            Marisse gently patted Darla on her shoulder, a light, gentle touch that meant to soothe and calm her worried soul.

            “Do not fear, my pet,” she whispered in her sweet, airy voice that reminded Darla of a cool autumn breeze. “Hugo has been healed by the magic vested in me. He must rest now, but will be good as new by morning.”

            Her eyes, glinting pearls in the darkness of night, shimmered radiantly. Darla bit back tears, as it had been quite a traumatic night. Not being able to control herself, she flung her arms around the strange lady.

            Marisse gasped, but chuckled softly and wrapped her long, sinewy arms around Darla. “I only wish to help you, Dragon Mage. You are our savior.”

            Darla stared at her. “No…I’m not. I’m only sixteen and I honestly have no idea what to do with the Wreckers or the Shadow Master or anything.”

            She wasn’t sure why she was emptying her soul’s tortured contents to a stranger, but it felt right, justified even. There was something almost spellbinding about being in Marisse’s presence, as if your innermost secrets were simply willed out of you by an advanced charm or hex.

            Marisse wrapped her cold hands around Darla’s messy, dirty blonde hair, her pale lips forming a tight line.

            “Look at me, Dragon Mage. Whether the doomsday approaches or doesn’t, it is all up to you. You determine fate. The choice is yours, Darla. Make a good one,” Marisse whispered, her voice sending chills up Darla’s spine.

            She could only nod tensely a few times in order to appease the ethereal healer standing before her.

            “Farewell,” Marisse cooed, waving her hand and vanishing in a flash of shining white light.

            Darla was instantly reminded about her mysterious visit from Laurel an hour ago. She had been so…peculiar, not at all the bold, valiant hero of Pharix she was painted to be. Laurel had secrets, deadly and dangerous secrets. Why else would the Shadow Master strike fear into her noble heart if he didn’t have the upper hand at something? But what? Laurel was the most powerful dragon of all. If she was still truly alive, then couldn’t she have found a way to fight it off?