The Dragons Daughter

The Dragons Daughter: Training

The horses and footsteps woke Atsuko from her sleep, She and granny quickly got dressed and went to the door everyone was standing around also. She rubbed her eyes and yawned a little.

"Atsuko?"

She recognized the voice and tried to wake herself up.

"Oh. General! welcome to our village."

The man walked over to the sleepy girl and just smiled. 

"She's had quite a night. I'm General Kuang, please to meet the granny that has taken care of Atsuko."

Granny showed the general into her home and sat Atsuko down in the tub to wash. He sat waiting looking around the small home and wished and longed for his home.

"Granny, I've come on Official business it seems. You see the emperor is looking for a new bride."

Granny quickly closed the blinds behind her and sat down.

"You wont take her. General Kuang."

"Granny, look I see great potentonal in her. She could be happy."

"With all due respect. Atsuko is happy here. Sure she might be an orphan but-" granny closed her mouth instantly wishing she had'nt said that.

"Orphan? Than her parents?"

"They..died in a fire. But please, don't take her and forgive my words. The emporer will only use these girls. She wont have power!"

"Granny!" 

She stood and went to help Atsuko get dressed. Kuang stood and went to get some men to help. Once she came out he order them to take Atsuko to his horse. Granny just cried as the young girl screamed and fought.

"Granny hear me, If Atsuko doesnt do well in her training i will make her my wife. You don't need to worry."

"Please. bring her back to see me."

"I will try my best. Goodbye granny."

~

Atsuko sat in silence as they rode to the palace. She was upset to know she would be leaving granny and her friends. But knew this was her chance to get closer to the emperor, her chance to let the world know dragons exist.

"You can call me Fai if you wish." General kuang said.

"Kuang Fai?"

"Yes. Is it strange? Your name it means?" He asked.

"Fire. my papa gave it too me."

"It's pretty and strong. Atsuko, please don't be sad the emperor will make you very happy. He's young  and nice."

"By young you mean twenty years and I won't be old enough until he's fifty."

"Oh Astuko you're so educated. Why live with Granny?"

"She's nice to me. Smart girls cause trouble."

Fei laughed at this and soon it was dark, they set up camp and waited for morning. Atsuko just sat by the fire and read a note from her father over and over again.

"Atsuko? come to bed."

Fei, had laid out a sleeping mat for her as the soldier's got ready to sleep. She pulled it over to the fire and went to sleep.

"General your not scared she'll burn?"

"She looks fine that close. keep watch."

~

The next morning they ate and set off again Fei said they would be there by sun set. She asked what  his family was like and what she'll learn at the palace. She was to learn basic things and attend school.