.Dragon's Legacy.

-33-

"You'll help me."

"You won't touch her."

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I woke up with a start, sitting up.

Those two voices didn't leave me alone, the snow woman's cold voice and the eerie voice that crept around in the snow storm I imagined while unconscious.  

I got up, I feel asleep in the stables with Mir-til.

I brushed the hay off my body and left.

"No one can keep you safe from me, not eternally." I spun around, lashing out with a whip of water but no one was there. "You are too naive to think you can get rid of me that easily."

"I can and I will!"

"Foolish child." A dark silhouette suddenly towered over me, at least the super sized orc's height but everything the width of a fist if not less, the arms almost grazing the ground as it stood with its head pulling the back in an arch, rows upon rows of spear like teeth smiling sinister down at me as the eyeless creature stared down at me. "you'll never best me, no one can."

And it lunged at me, teeth digging in my left shoulder as I screamed in pain as my bones shattered under the jaws grip like glass under a hammer.

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And snapped awake.

I looked around fast, eyes scanning every dark crevasse of the room, I was not in my room... Not my usual on at least, it was the small room I used in the castle when I slept in here.

"Lin!" I screamed in fear as Mystery kicked in the door, looking haphazardly dressed and in clothes that belonged to mother not her owns. "I heard screaming." She looked around.

"I'm fine.... Bad dream." I sighed.

"It is so stuffy in here, a bit of fresh air could help." She said as she made her way through the room and opened the window. "What troubles you?"

"It isn't much, some weird dream."

"Could help to talk it out."

"Sure." Like if you'd listen to me for once. "But I am fine."

"Lin." She sighed and had a pondering look on her face for a moment. "Can.... Can I sit down?"

"Wha-- I mean sure." I pulled my legs under me as she sat on the bed. 

"Lin you're shaking."

"It is really nothing." I grabbed my hands. "Don't worry about it."

"I'll always worry about you." Gods bless what Belladonna showed me or I'd never think that was meant nicely and not as a bad comment for bothering her with worry.

"I can deal with it Mystery." I head her sigh and tap her finger on the foot-board.

"Dreams can be important Lin." She said. "That's how I had any idea your mother might be in more danger then simply people not being happy that she'd take the throne, dreams are what warned me to stay on guard, dreams are were I first met your grandfather.... Don't underestimate what they can mean because your subconscious always knows much more then you do."

"I won't."

"Good, don't make that mistake, could cost you more then your life."

"How?"

"It could cost the life of those you care about while you'll live on.... I didn't think anything of the harsher winter and what dreams of cold it brought, thinking it is just weird dreams like usual but this time with snow.... Your uncle Leo might still be here if I didn't brush my worries away."

I watched in silence, not much to add.

"You don't like meditating, it isn't something you ever will enjoy I thing, you were never the quiet child like I was despite me being one of the two that raised you, but if you want to be head mage later on you need to learn how important it can be to be able to consult spirits, the realm will guide you to the answers."

"Like Seraphim?"

"Ah, you do have an affinity to the spirits after all." She looked at me. "She can't be worst then I am in your mind can she?" It was a bit disheartening to hear her say that but I said nothing.

"She's a bitch."

"I guess you weren't on my mother's good side when you met."

"She'd whoop my ass if we met again."

"A full blooded dragon, be careful, she is strong."

"Yeah." Silence slowly came back as she added nothing on.

I sat there, for once not pressured or displeased by her presence, a sort of neutral ground was reached.

It was amazing how just knowing how she thought could tilt the point of view I had and that made me feel guilty like when I first realized that.... But it is hard for me to always try to look at the positive of it and not that she is being mean.... But this could be worth it.

"Feel better?" I looked up.

"Yeah, much."

"Try to get some shut eye then, it is still early."

She got up and walked to the door but before closing it she looked back to meet my gaze.

"I might not be all for it but if you think you are old enough so be it, your the master of your body..... I'll teach you."

"I'll do my best." Is all I was able to put together without sounding way to excited at the idea.

"Oh and." She stopped the door one more time with her foot. "I am not the woman to say it, your mother can agree, but I do show it by actions.... Actions you don't seem to see whatsoever but that's not the point right now.... I do love you Lin, call if you need anything."

I didn't say anything as she closed the door, I waited a bit before getting back under the covers, playing the conversation in my mind a few times.

I had a peaceful night after that.

It was in bathroom that I caught my reflection in the mirror in the corner of my vision.

Red and purple blotchy bruises in a half circle around my left shoulder as a shiver ran down my back.