Dragonblood

2

When I approached the cabin, I saw my brother arms crossed against his chest, leaning against the back door leading to the forest and pond. My brows fussed together at him. Certainly creating wrinkles on my forehead. His brown t-shirt was all sweating from his chest, armpits, and back. His slightly tanned face still sweating and he was breathing heavily. His black hair a mess. I raised my eyebrow at him. "Already giving your services to the ladies before the celebration." I asked, knowing damn well what he was doing not that long ago. "Well now bunny, I couldn't exactly give our fancy coins to her now could I?" he said and walked towards me. "She'll ask questions about the coin with dragon eyes on one side of the coin and on the other side our family crest.". I made a face and shrugged. It made sense to me. We try not to use those silver and gold coins. "Now my sweet loving brother of mine, why do I have a dress?" I asked getting right to the point. I never get a new dress unless I'm being allowed out of the cabin. "Alron thinks it is time you join the festival since you are now of age that you don't need a babysitter." Kalinth said and let out a loud sigh. I could tell by his facial expressions that he is not at all okay with this decision. He reached out and placed a hand behind my neck, pulling me closer to him and planting a kiss on top of my hair. "Go get ready." with that, he walked towards the pond and Alron. A dismissal and approval before he changes his mind.

I wasted no time going inside and to my room. There was no second floor. There was a kitchen, a living room with a fireplace, a bathroom and two rooms across form each other. There was no decoration expect for the bear skin rug in the living room. All you see everyday is wood and it smells like wood and fire. It is very depressing being locked in this place. I entered my room and a chill breeze greeted me. There on my bed on top of the wolf skin blanket was a beautiful red dress. I grabbed the dress and changed out of my clothes that contained holes in the fabric. I put my hair in a half bun and the rest of my hair hanging down mid-back. I noticed red shoes by my bed and put them on. When I was finished I walked back outside to the pond. I noticed that none of the boys decided they should change clothes. "Now darling boys, am I the only one meant to be shiny today?" I asked with their backs turned to me, which caused them to turn around. They both smiled. "You look beautiful Zalea." Alron said. I stood in between them and looked at my reflection. Indeed, when dressed up I look okay. Nothing much to it really. No one bothers with me. I stared at my reflection. The red dress going a little passed my knees in the front but trails a bit at the back. The strap on my shoulder to hold the dress but a pice of fabric attached to the strap falls off my shoulder. I look at how the dress fits perfectly and hugs my body, almost as if they want me to sell myself today. My medium dark tan skin goes well with red. "Come, let's not be late." Kalinth said and grabbed my hand.

It took us an hour to walk to the kingdom of Thaossa. By the time we reached the center of the castle grounds, my shoes were all muddy due the rain last night. Kalinth frowned at my ruined shoes, "I'm sorry". I smiled at him, "It's okay. I'm just happy I get to finally be at the festival.". Alron nodded and handed me a small coin pouch. "Don't spend it all at once. First look around at the shops and see if there is anything you like or want.". I nodded and started my way to look at the shops people set up for the festival. As I began my journey of exploring, I noticed that most shops were the same. Selling clothes or fabric to make your own clothes, jewelry, shoes, fish, fruits, sweets, meats, dragon claws, teeth, scales, weapons, armor, shields, etc. Most things I didn't want until I saw a shop selling face paints for those who want to embrace the dragons. I walked towards the wooden table where an old lady was sitting. She was wearing a torn up blue robe and her skin was wrinkling and pale. "Care to embrace your inner dragon girl" her voice was horse and quiet. I stared at her and felt an unsettle warning in my gut. "Perhaps another time". I turned to walk away and I felt her cold wrinkling hand gripping my forearm. "Nonsense" she said, elongating the s at end. Before I could reject, the old lady blew a powder on my face and my vision started to become fuzzy.