The Dragon Queen

Prologue

The overpowering roar of the waterfall is comforting to Makena Rikon as she sits on the bank, tearing at a piece of bladed grass and brooding. At her side is her guard Anna and both are within close visual distance at all times. It has been six months since they were captured, and over that time they have made countless daring escapes, only to be caught each time. Their captors are smart; always planning, watching carefully, and seemingly fifty steps in front of them daily.

The Anarchy, as Makena discovered the colony to be called, is more of a strange band of misfits and tribe of outcasts than any real solid group. There is an equality in age, race, and gender; never one being higher than the other. The only exception is the leaders, to whom Makena sees a resemblance to the pirate king she had heard tales of; not in looks but in manner and action. The leaders have only been seen by Makena and Anna a handful of times during their captivity, but never close enough to meet them in person. Lucius and Lilith Shaw, a twin brother and sister team, share the leadership while somehow managing the chaos that sometimes arises. The people generally keep to themselves, or small groups, but every once in a while someone will put up a fight; itching for action. In a way, it is like a stronghold, and the twins are the baron and baroness, but more lax in their daily presence. Even with all of their escapes, the captives were never brought before them.

The two women established their rolls in the group immediately after discovering what they could get away with. Knowing the Anarchy won't let them escape or kill them, the two women have resulted to protesting; refusing to take any sort of part in daily life amongst them. Makena and Anna have a running bet to see how long it will last. Anna's bet expires in three days, but Makena still has a month left. The members of the anarchy tolerate their presence, but have clear opinions about them. They receive help from no one, and rely only on each other for survival.

Anna coughs softly causing Makena to look over at her with question at the disturbance of the almost peaceful morning. A small tug of her ear, a code early on developed, lets Makena know someone is watching them. They know the Anarchy wants them for information, at least Makena, but what information she can give is unknown to either of them. Slowly but surely they came up with a fall back plan if their escapes didn't work. It is a long running plan, and if it worked, the Anarchy would never see it coming. Makena knows the only reason they haven't been rescued yet, is if her family doesn't know she is truly missing; meaning they are somehow keeping in touch with her family on her behalf. "Do you miss them?" Anna inquires, dipping her fingers into the cool water and then running them through her short black hair.

"I do. I miss them, every minute of every day." Makena replies thinking of her family with a lost sort of look for a moment. "I can't help but remember the day they took me in from the streets. I was covered in grime and half wild. I had never seen such kindness in anyone."

Anna nods, understanding more than the girl knows. "What do you remember of your birth parents?"

"Honestly..." Makena trails off; a deep ache in her heart nearly pulls her into darkness. "I don't remember my father. All I knew was that he was gone before I arrived in the world. He abandoned us. And my mom, sometimes I see her face, but it fades with years. All I really remember is the day I lost her and being kicked out to the streets." A tear slides down her cheek and she is quick to wipe it away.

"I am sorry, Makena, I didn't mean to upset you." Anna places a comforting hand on Makena's shoulder for a moment. "I remember when the baron and baroness brought you home."

"The first time I ever got caught picking pockets." Makena lets out a soft laugh while remembering the goal at hand. "I thought they would turn me over to the soldiers, or into an orphanage, but they didn't. They gave me a home and a family that day." Makena takes in her surrounding, wondering just where they are; a lake to the front, grassy hills to the sides and the caves behind. The Anarchy would never dare to keep them so close to home, or near anywhere she could be recognized, which means she is somewhere no one will ever think to look for her. However, the group has made a fatal mistake in assuming they know her. Though she has been raised longer by her adoptive family, she is more like her birth mother than they know; just as unpredictable and defiant.