The Princess and the Dragon

Chapter 5: Northward Bound

© Avalon Lee, 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Rowan

I was running. This time, it wasn't from the ones who had ridiculed me, but from the only one who hadn't. Rokevir. I was running away from the best thing that'd ever happened to me. But, I reminded myself bitterly, it is for a good reason.

He had warned me that his clan was gathering, and that I had to leave before they found me. He didn't say what would happen, but I already knew.

So, I turned from him and raced away, heart breaking with every step. Where I would go, I had no idea. It seems I have a habit of running and not knowing where, I thought with grim amusement.

I could return to the castle. But no sooner did that thought enter my mind than I immediately rejected it. I couldn't. I had already left, and there was no going back. One part of me felt regret, but the other rejoiced in my new freedom.

Then, my parents entered my mind. I sighed in sorrow. They had always been good to me, had tried to shield me from those that weren't accepting. But they couldn't protect me from everything. I halted my thoughts before they could wander to darker places.

Think, Rowan. Where to go? Not the castle; not yet. I tightened my cloak around myself unconsciously at the thought of facing Lionel. I recalled sensing Rokevir's emotions at learning of the squire. They were tumultuous like a raging river, anger at the fore. His eyes, his sapphire eyes had blazed in fury. Why? I most likely deserve Lionel's torture, I thought darkly. But there had been another feeling . . . one that I couldn't quite name. Protectiveness.

I stumbled to a halt, my lungs prohibiting me from running further. Oh, no. I gasped for air, trying to catch my breath. It was impossible for me to reach the castle, and returning to the forest wasn't an option. I sank to the ground, the hopelessness of my situation overcoming me. It was clear to me now that two-legs and dragons were dire enemies. What am I doing? I'm just a girl. A girl lost in a world she doesn't understand. Trapped between two worlds: friend and enemy. Dragon and Man.

It's hopeless.

I bowed my head in exhaustion, too tired to even cry. I wanted Rokevir's comforting presence. But he was gone, away from here with his Clan.

Somewhere in the depths of my sorrow, I sensed something. A light at the edge of my vision. Ever so slowly, I tilted my head upward, peeking through the curtain of my hair.

My eyes widened at the sight before me. A sapphire dragon stood proud, eyes sparkling with wisdom. He--for something told me it was a he--seemed to almost shine with the stars' light, his scales shimmering. At his side was a slightly smaller dragon, colored amethyst like the wild beauty of dawn. Its slender frame and more delicate features told me it was a female. Like the other dragon, she held an ethereal light. But unlike the male, she had emerald eyes that gleamed in contrast with the purple of her body. She was beautiful. Looking back at the male, I realized he bore a strong resemblance to . . .

"Rokevir?"

"No," rumbled a voice in my mind. This time, I knew it was the dragon who had spoken. It was indeed male, and was definitely not Rokevir. This dragon had not the youth of my friend, but had the world-weary tone of an adult.

The blue dragon tilted his head. "I am not Rokevir, though I do know him. At least, I did." His voice sounded sad.

He didn't seem as surprised as Rokevir had been at discovering I could understand the heart-speak. It seemed as though he expected it, as if he knew who I was.

"I know him too," I said quietly. I waited for the dragon's shock, for his surprise at learning a human could hear him. A mental chuckle startled me. The female smiled a draconic smile, immediately reminding me of another.