the other kingdom

Estelle - the witch kingdom

She was dragged away by Eris , and though she wanted to fight her , her legs stumbled after the terrifying witch , because when she had mentioned blood , Estelle had craved it. She hated what she was now, she wished for the normality of what she had before, she didnt care if she was teased or left by her father, she would go through it again. She had fallen for the lie that she would ever be more than a half breed.

Outside the tent she had woken in was an encampment with tents all over. And those with dragons had built structures over theirs , so their beasts lay in slumber upon this platform, their tails dangling down over the tents beneath. The mud squelched between her feet , but these simple clothes the witches had gifted her , including the boots , kept her warmer than she expected and they were sturdy in the wind that winded and rattled between the camp.

The blood witch dragged her for ages through the camp until they reached a small shed like building in the centre of it all. It was simple and made of wood but it seemed to house a large hall inside. Eris began making for the door and Estelle fought her craving then , though the smell of the sticky sweet blood was drifting out. She wouldn't be a witch.

"Don't fight it girl, cant you just taste it on your tongue." Estelle struggled more but then the witch's hands were on her throat and she stilled. "You may be a half breed , but that gives you power , stronger than theirs. Here you will be envied, we don't spit on half breeds... I'm only sorry we didn't find you sooner". Estelle was shocked by the witch then. Was this death or paradise that beckoned to her.

When the witch pulled her wrist , she didn't fight it this time.

When she entered the hall, the feeling in her stomach of fear was not so strong. She would be their weapon, so long as she was one of them. Eris let go of her and walked in front of her towards the font table with food and drink littered on it. As she walked, other witches stared after her , Estelle saw them awed by Eris' presence, they must look up to her.

Eris took hold of two bowls then and Estelle showed quietly behind as she ladled red broth into their respective bowls. She cringed when she saw the colour of the blood but soon found her predatory nose overcoming her thoughts. Estelle followed Eris with hunger to a far back table where two lethal looking witches sat.

"Estelle , meet Kiara and Kayla." in turn Estelle looked upon them. Kiara with her slightly upturned eyes and tanned skin was clearly more lethal. And Kayla with her rich brown skin and wide eyes was beautiful too. All the witches were , she wasn't nearly as stunning as them. But she knew that their looks were just another weapon to use against their enemies.

"Kiara is the leader of the dragon riders , her and Kayla will train you to ride with them. I'll leave you now." Eris spoke quickly as was her manner, and then she turned to walk away , leaving only a bowl on the table facing the two witches from the other clan.

The witches looked at her then and so Estelle sat across from them. She felt her senses take over and picked up a spoon lying on the table and scarfed down her food. But after a few spoonfuls Kiara spoke,

"Can you fight?" , Estelle nodded.

"Can you use your power yet?"

"I , I don't know".

"Fine , the prince will teach you then". Estelle only nodded to this. She wouldn't tell them that the male and the human would both resist. But she wouldn't. She would be their warrior.

She ate the rest of her meal with them in silence and then they rose from the bench.

"Come , you need to choose a dragon and then you need rest". Estelle followed at a quick pace behind them not wanting to be left behind. Her quietness seemed to please the witches , and though Estelle usually talked too much , she fell into a rhythm behind them. She was finally at peace behind these lethal creatures. Because she was one of them , and that was all she cared about.