Ryker
"Sammy! How are you doing?" I grinned widely when he came out to practice with me.
"Just give me the bow." He scoffed and grabbed a few arrows as a few servants set up targets.
"Do you boys even know how to shoot?" a voice called. We turned to see Nikita strolling up, a smug little smile on her face.
"We are trained knights, dear princess. We have been trained in archery since we were four years old."
"Well then go on. Impress me."
I nodded and brought up my bow, staring at the target. I released the arrow, watching it shoot out.
"Your aim was a bit off." She pointed to where it was slightly to the left of the middle.
"Barely. I would love to see you do better." I challenged, holding out the bow.
"And I will." she snapped, pulling out an arrow.
"Uh, princess, are you sure you want to do that?" Samuel asked, worry in his eyes.
She pulled back the string, ignoring him. I heard a small thud and looked over to see it lodged next to mine. "Right in the middle." she bragged, setting the bow down.
"Who taught you how to shoot?" I asked, shocked.
"My mother actually." She looked down briefly before glancing back up at us.
"And who exactly taught the queen of Alinity?"
"Her mother. It is a family tradition. In our family, for each generation, there was always one who looked innocent enough. She was trained in all arts of defense, whether it be bow, sword or a simple fist. I suppose I look more innocent that my dear sister. Therefore, the honor fell on me."
"Well, you do look innocent. But, a princess should not wield a weapon." Samuel folded his arms across his chest, eyeing her in worry as she played with an arrow’s tip.
"And what if all the guards are in war and I am left alone in the castle with nothing but a sword and someone breaks in to try to kill me? If I do not to handle the weapon, I will die."
Samuel grabbed the arrow and stuck it back into his quiver, glaring at her.
She giggled, playing with a lock of her hair as she moved to the side.
"That will never happen, princess. I guarantee it." he promised, his eyes softening.
"Once you are done playing, I wish to speak with you. Alone."
Samuel
I knocked on her door, staring at the painting across the hall of the queen.
"Samuel. Finally. I have been waiting for hours." She pulled me into the room, shutting the door quickly. There, on her bed, was a small little blue creature on her bed, looking up with clear gray eyes. It chirped at me and cooed, rubbing against Nikita.
"What is that?" I asked slowly.
"A water dragon. It hatched last night. I don’t know why. I think I know of someone who will. But she is another village. My mother never told me the name of it. All she said was, ‘all your answers will be found when you find her.’" She sat down next to the dragon, jumping when it crawled into her lap, purring deep in its throat as it gazed into her eyes.
"Well, do you know her name or what she looks like? I will send someone out right away."
It jumped into my lap when I sat down in a chair, scratching at the leather strap of my sheath.
"No. I must see her myself. She has been around much too long to follow a stranger. She knows of my…situation. That I am a Drago, that the eggs were stolen, that mother died before she could teach me to the lengths I require. And she will help me. She gave her word. But only if I am the one to contact her, not my castle." She looked down at the dragon, smiling at it when it stomped its feet and tried to go after the buckle on my sheath.
I lifted it up, ignoring its protests, examining its tiny body. "How is this a dragon?"
Nikita grabbed the dragon, cuddling it to her chest. "It is just a baby. It hatched 12 hours ago." she reminded me, shushing the dragon as it cried out. It ducked its head into her neck, closing its eyes as it started purring again.
"A water dragon, right?" I asked, reaching out to stroke the soft underside of its chin.
"I believe so." She brushed her hair back, detangling the dragon’s claw from the blond locks as it whined and clung to her hand.
"It looks different."
"Of course it does. Is that such a bad thing? It is just special." She straightened up, holding the dragon closer, holding her chin high.
I fought a smile and held up my hands. "I am not saying that is a bad thing. I am merely pointing out it looks different than the traditional water dragon…what are you going to do with it?"
"That is why I need to find the woman. She will know all of this. She will have all of my answers."
