War of the Veil

Chapter One

The horizon burned a bloody red as I gazed upon it. My wavy black hair whipped around my face as I stood on the edge of the cliff.

Another bloody battle. When will they stop? I thought to myself.

I sighed as I turned away from the cliff. My olive green gaze fell upon the shadows of the forest. A large, sleek figure lumbered out of the towards me. An emerald green dragon.

The dragon stopped once it was a foot away from me. Its bronze eyes looked down its snout at me. The dragon's thick hide rippled with jagged, almost crystal-like emerald green scales. A pair of horns grew straight backwards from its head. The beast's huge, clawed wings were open slightly and the leather between the bones shined in the sunlight. Its ridged skull lowered and revealed a spiny fin going from the base of its skull down to its tail. The dragon's tail ended in a renaissance spear shape.

I smiled and placed my gloved hand upon its lowered muzzle. A low grumble escaped the dragon's throat.

"It's good to see you too, Smaragdus," I spoke and walked to the side of the creature.

Smaragdus lowered himself into a crouching position. I grabbed ahold of the leather reins and mounted the sleek leather saddle.

"Come on. We better get back before we are missed," I grumbled and snapped the reins.

Smaragdus lunged over the side of the cliff and spread his majestic wings. The wind caught ahold of his wings and lifted him upwards. The dragon leaned slightly to the west. In the direction of the Oculos Imperium.

+++++¥+++++

The Oculos Imperium shimmered in the sunlight below Smaragdus and me. The grand city was made of stone and wood. The castle was made of marble and stone though. Parts of the city glistened more due to natural gold veins in some structures. The Oculos castle glittered with stained glass windows picturing parts of the Imperium's history.

I directed my dragon towards the northern tower of the castle. He glided over and landed with a thud atop the tower. The dragon folded his wings and dug his talons into the stone.

I slid off the saddle and looked back at Smaragdus. "To the stables with you," I smacked him on his rear haunches and he took off.

I ran over to the wooden door atop the tower and quickly opened it. I slammed the door shut behind me as I rushed down the spiral staircase.

Oh please say they are not awake yet!

I ran down the halls, but froze at a corner where two hallways met. I heard footsteps fading as someone walked away from where I was. My eyes darted to look at a door and my booted feet quickly moved my body over to the door. I turned the doorknob and slipped into the room beyond.

My eyes closed as I sighed in relief. I turned and opened my eyes. A scream escaped my throat as I saw my half-naked brother, Sirin, staring at me with wide eyes. I quickly snapped my eyes shut and swung the door back open.

"I've been scarred for life!" I shouted as I ran back into the hallway with my eyes closed.

My legs carried me quickly before I smacked into something solid. My breath knocked out of my lungs and I fell backwards onto my rear. I opened my eyes to look upon the smug face of my eldest brother, Draco V.

"Father has been looking for you," he sneered with a wicked grin.

Draco grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled me onto my feet. I let out a yelp of pain as he dragged me through the castle's many hallways.