The first thing Jesika did when she woke up, was get dressed and head to Audric's house. On her way out the castle though, Darryn quickly caught up to her, grabbing her wrist and stopping her.
"Where do you think you're going?!" he asked as she turned to him.
She glared at him, arching one brow. "Who do you think you're talking to that way?" she asked back, mocking his tone.
He paled a little, stepping back but holding onto her wrist. "I apologize, Your Majesty. But my duty as a soldier is to guard you. This job was given to me by your own parents."
At the mention of her parents, Jesika's eyes dimmed. She grit her teeth, wrenching her arm free. "Well, as QUEEN, I'm hereby releasing you from that duty."
His eyes widened, paling even more. "Jes--"
Jesika didn't stick around long enough to hear what else he had to say. She briskly left him where he was.
She saddled her horse and rode to Audric's manor in record time. She knocked loudly when she reached his door. The door was soon opened by Audric himself. At the sight of her, he quickly bowed.
"My queen. To what do I owe this honor?"
"I am here to demand you tell me what happened to my parents. In full detail."
Audric swallowed as he stood upright. He cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck. "Jesika, I can't--"
Her eyes steeled. "You will."
Audric considered asking her what she would do if he refused, but decided she probably had an answer and he probably didn't want to know what it was. Left with no choice, he sighed, nodding. He stepped back and gestured for her to come in, at which she promptly did. She went to his living room and sat down on the sofa. He was close behind her, sitting across the room. When one of his servants came in, asking if they wanted refreshments, Audric shook his head.
"And make sure you and all other servants keep from this room for the next hour. You are to stay near your quarters. This isn't for your ears to hear. Am I understood?" Audric ordered. The servant nodded and left.
Audric turned his attention back to her.
"Tell me, Audric. What happened?"
He groaned. "Where do I even start? Well, let's see. It was one of our most prosperous years as a kingdom. We were expanding, which meant we also were expanding towards the mountains, with new housing and business. There was a large sense of optimism in the kingdom. Until in the middle of the night one night, the roar of a dragon filled the kingdom as it set fire to the castle."
Jesika's eyes widened and she paled. "A dragon!!! But what dragon?!"
Audric looked away, looking around at his living room. "Have you...ever heard of Aethelinda? The dragon of the mountains?"
Jesika slowly frowned. "Of course. Everyone has. But Aethelinda has always been peaceful. No one has ever even seen her."
Audric shook his head, still not looking at her. "That's not true. People have. They just never live to tell... Because Aethelinda kills them. While she is mostly a peaceful beast, she doesn't appreciate it when civilians encroach on her territory. Which led to the rumors that Aethelinda was the one who caused the fire."
"Rumors?"
He looked at her finally. "Well, yes. Unfortunately, the dragon flew off before anyone could get a good look at what it was. All we know was it was a dragon."
