Dragon's Keeper

Flame 2

Curtsying low, I tried to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest. I kept my gaze low, but managed to see the smirk on Steven's face. He is only a few  years older than me. I also saw the disgust on Michelle's. She is my age. Both of them are children of the Master and I am making it a point to avoid them at all costs. I don't know why, but it seems their life's mission to make me more miserable than I already am. However, Daniel's face only showed pity. He is the oldest at eighteen. My face flamed red when I saw it.

"Milord? You sent for me?" I panted.

I could feel his eyes assessing me, and my heart pounded louder. I'm not sure what he was looking for, but apparently I didn't meet his expectations.

"Well, for my little kitchen waif, I guess I cannot expect too much..." he mumbled to himself.

"Yes, child. I was told that my dragon, Flame has called for you. Although, for the life of me, I cannot understand why. You are filthy," the Master said as an afterthought.

Steven and Michelle snickered.

 "But never mind that. You are excused from your chores for the rest of the day. Run along and tend to my dragon," he commanded.

"Thank you, Milord!" I managed tightly.

I made another deep curtsy  and turned to dash from the room. 

I almost tripped in my haste to make my exit, but caught myself just in time. That would be the last thing I needed, to make more of a fool of myself than I already feel. 

Running through the hallways, I passed several servants, and hear there grumbled complaints as I passed by.

"Sorry!" I shouted over my shoulder.

Rounding a corner, I literally ran into Jefferson. He is fifteen and tends to the horses. He also has slimy hands that he can't seem to keep to himself!

"What's your hurry, Tasha?" he  asked in a deep voice. He grabbed me by the waist and pushed me up against the wall and leaned into me. "If you want fast, I might be willing to oblige," he whispered into my neck.

"Get off!" I shouted and tried to shove him off me. But he was well built and at least twice as heavy. But it was all muscle. All my squirming did was make him chuckle, and he started kissing my neck again.

"I know you like it, Tasha. Why pretend you don't want me?" he asked as he put his calloused hands all over my body again.

By this time, tears started streaming down my face. "Please stop!" I choked out. I was trembling  all over.

"See? I knew you liked it!"

Suddenly, the door to the servant's exit flew open. James took one look and in half a breath he was on Jefferson, then threw him against the other wall. While he pinned Jefferson, he looked over his shoulder.

"You okay, Tash?" he growled.

I knew he wasn't mad at me. If anything he would be mad at himself for not protecting me sooner. That's why I loved my best friend! He was always looking out for me, when my own mother wouldn't give me the time of day.

"Yes. I'm fine. Thank you, Jamie!" I sighed.

Jefferson may be two years older than James, but because James worked in the horse stalls, he was stronger.

James turned back to Jefferson. "If I ever catch you touching her again, your pretty blue eyes will end up black!" he growled again.

"What good is a kitchen wench if I can't have a little fun with her?" Jefferson whined.

"She didn't look like she was having that much fun!" James shouted. Then he shoved Jefferson down the hallway.

"So, why are you out of the kitchen? It's dangerous out here without me!" asked James, giving me his full attention.

"The Master called to see me and said Flame needs me. I was running to see her, when I bumped into Jefferson..." my face flamed again in embarrassment at having Jamie see me in such a position.

 Jamie threw his arms around me and whispered in my ear, "It's going to be okay. I won't let that creep touch you ever again!" he promised.

I slid my arms around his waist and let him hold me for a few minutes while I got my emotions under control. It felt so wonderful to have someone value me the way he did. He would have made an amazing big brother, if his mother hadn't died giving birth to him. But he was the BEST best friend.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him along with me.

"Come with me! But we need to hurry..." I told him.

We dashed out the back entrance and continued through the valley  and finally made it to Flame's cave.

We entered the dark, cool stone hollow. Our breathing was heavy and ragged from our taxing journey. My side had a stitch from running.

"Flame! We're here!" I called out.

"Back here," came a low sleepy voice.

We followed her voice to her nest.

Turning a corner to face her, in her cozy little nook, my breath caught in my chest. Pure joy replaced all of my emotional problems from this morning as my eyes fell on a bundle of midnight blue scales.

"Oh! How beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"His name is Midnight, Tasha. And he is why I sent for you.," whispered Flame.

I dashed to the adorable sleeping baby dragon.

"Tasha, I feel my magic leaving my body as we speak..."

"What!?!" I exclaimed. "How can I help you, Flame? We need you to keep your magic! You just had a baby! You can't die now!" My voice had become more shrill as my panic rose. 

"Tasha, my time is at hand. I will not be here much longer. But I trust you and James more than anyone else. Tasha, do you remember the story of the Island of Dreams?" she asked.

"Yes. But why-" 

"You must take my baby there!" Flame cut me off. "He is the only one who can restore the magic to the land. If you don't, even he will die soon. I can't have that for my little one. Take him now! I am begging you. Save my baby..." she asked weakly.

As she spoke her form became less solid  and closer to a thick smoke.

I panicked. "I promised, Flame! I will save your baby!"  I screeched, as she faded further.

"Thank you..." she whispered as she turned into red sparkly dust.

Tears leaked out of my eyes and I threw my arms around Jamie's neck.

"I'm going to miss you..."

"No!" shouted James. "I can't let you go without me. You are the only thing that matters to me, Tash. If you left me I would have nothing! You are my everything, and I will protect what is mine! I am coming with you!" he stated.

"Of  course!" I giggled. I have never heard him speak like that. Like I was all he was living for. It made me feel so  special! " I would love for you to go with me. But what about your father?"

"I doubt he will even notice I'm gone!" he assured me, but he didn't sound sad about it.

I smiled up at James, then gently grabbed the sleeping dragon in my arms. "Let's go!"