The Dragon Sorcerer

Prelude

"They're coming."

The cold tone of voice took the young woman off guard.
Her brown eyes shot to the window, seeing the small village drowning in the flames that climbed high into the dark of the night.

She tightened her grip on the sleeping newborn that she held in her arms, staring down at him in silence.
His white locks, white as snow, were peeking out from the blanket that he was wrapped into so securely, hiding the golden scales that covered his dark skin.

The young man gritted his teeth impatiently, and pointed to the door.
"Alba. They're coming!"
He took a step towards her and grabbed her hand with a firm grip.
"We have to leave! Now!"
The woman shook her head wildly and ripped her hand away from his.
"The cold will kill us all!" Her voice was stern, like her eyes.

Suddenly a loud knocking sounded sharply through the room.
"Open!" An angry voice demanded, leaving the two peasents riddled with fear.
Alba's heart beat faster and tears welled up in her eyes as she took a few steps backwards. Her arms tightening around the sleeping boy.

"We have to fight.." she whispered shakily, her eyes falling to the newborn in her arms.
The young man stared at her for a while, the knocking still sounding through the small room.
She sounded so brave, even if the fear still had her body shaking heavily.
It was one of the reasons he loved her for.
But at this moment, there was no place for bravery.
There would be no escape for the both of them.
And a man had to protect his family.

"Leave."
Her eyes widened, clearly not believing what she just heard.
He took a deep breath and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Alba, take our son and leave!"

The first tear left her eye, running down her cheek.
Was this what the gods wanted?

"Lares, we can't outrun them! We need to stick together!"
Her voice was shaking and her eyes full of concern for the man she loved so much. "I don't want to lose you!"
He stared down at her as his eyes soften.
"I know you never run, Alba." He whispered softly, his hand cupping her cheek. "But now there is nothing else left to do."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly against hers, putting all his emotions in this small and innocent touch.
"I will distract them. So you and our son can flee." He whispered into her ear, his hand resting lovingly on the little boy's head.
"I love you both with all my heart."

With these words, the door bursted open with a loud crash as three armed men rushed into the room.
On their hands the symbol of the white dragon.

"Give us the boy!" The one in the front hissed and rose his sword in a daring manner.
Lares gritted his teeth. "Alba, Run!"
The men roared in anger and lunged forward to attack.
Lares lifted a chair and dodged the three swords that headed directly for him.
The young woman hesitated but turned to run out of the room to the back door.
Behind her she heard the furious voices.
"The whore escapes!" - "Get the boy!"

The cold reached into her bones as soon as she opened the door. Her barely covered legs dove knee-deep into the depths of the ice cold snow.
With all her strength she tried to make one step after another, sloshing through the muddy snow, as fast as her legs could carry her.

"There she is! Follow her!"
Dark figures followed her through the storm, coming closer with every arduous step she took.
She entered the woods, drawing the infant closer to her chest to shield it from the howling wind.
His warmth never faded.

Suddenly her legs gave in and she collapsed into the depths of white.
Her breath was heaving as she layed there, paralyzed from the cold and fear.
She knew she wouldn't get away in time.
Her body started to slowly give in to the cold. Her muscles stopped shaking and her breath slowed down, as the snow flakes began to color her dark hair white.

She couldn't give up.
Lares was gone, but she was still here, and she wouldn't let his death have been in vain.
With all the strength she had left, Alba pushed herself off the ground.
"I won't let them get you..." she whispered softly, her gaze stern as she heard the voices come closer.

She lowered her head and gently kissed his temple, feeling his soothing warmth on her lips.
"I love you..."
With those words, she carefully placed him on the ground.
The snow surrounding his frame in a cold embrace.

Then she got up onto her shaking legs and ran the way she came from.
Luring the oblivious men into the cold of the night, their voices growing quiet in the distance.

And so, the forest fell silent.
Nothing to be heard but the howling wind and the quiet whispers of the gods wondering about the destiny of this lonely little child.

As his white curls slowly disappeared in the color of the snow.

But the golden scales continued to sparkle in the peaceful light of the shining moon.