Daring Escape

Ivy

I had crafted a makeshift stairway that brought me to the summit of the towering crate. With determination, I seized a large sack of rice, testing its weight as I swung it experimentally. My trainer's voice resonated in my mind, a constant reminder of the grueling training sessions that had shaped me. Just as I began to find my balance, the carriage lurched to an abrupt stop, and the unmistakable sounds of movement outside the crate sent a chill racing through me. My heart thundered in my chest as I tightened my grip on the edges of the sack, a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins.

The rustling outside the crate was followed by the ominous creak of wood as the lid began to shift. I crouched low, heart racing, poised to leap into action the moment the opening revealed itself. Sunlight sliced through the narrow gap, momentarily blinding me, while the sound of metal scraping against wood resonated with a chilling precision—smooth and calculated, far from the chaotic clatter I anticipated when someone struggled to pry open a large crate. This was no struggle for them; they wielded no tools. I caught a glimpse of powerful fingers tipped with sharp, white claws, thick and slightly curved. On the back of two ghostly white hands, small pearlescent scales glimmered. My heart thundered in my ears, and my stomach plummeted at the sight of those scales—my worst nightmare had come to life.

I had never encountered one face-to-face, but the countless books I was compelled to read since childhood painted vivid images of dragon-kind in their Dragonborn guise. They were depicted as towering, muscular figures, their skin with a scattering of scales that glimmered in the light. Some had majestic horns, others sported sharp fangs, and their claws were lethal. Their eyes, were like snakes and piercing, held a strange allure, while some had pointed ears. Each dragon's features varied, yet they all exuded a haunting beauty that masked their true nature. They were predators, expertly crafted to ensnare humans, drawing them in with their captivating appearance before draining their life force to sustain their unnaturally long existence. Beneath the alluring exterior, they were mere beasts, shrouded in a captivating guise crafted to ensnare the unwary. Their charm, their fragrance, their strength, their grace—all meticulously orchestrated to draw in their victims. I refused to let myself be lured in; I was too wise for that. They were nothing more than monstrous beasts.

I gripped the bag of rice tightly, my heart racing as I braced myself. The opening widened just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the most stunning man I had ever encountered. He had long, flowing white hair and striking light blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. But "man" felt inadequate; he was so much more. With magnificent white dragon wings and sharp fangs, he resembled a beautiful yet twisted angel, just as the stories had described. His features were delicate, his skin flawless, radiating a dark allure. Yet, despite his captivating presence, I felt no pull towards him. My training kicked in, allowing me to step back with ease, a fact for which I was immensely grateful in that moment.

He ripped the lid off the massive wooden crate, splinters flying, and for a heartbeat, our gazes locked. His piercing blue eyes, like a predator's, widened in surprise at seeing me free and at the top of the crate. I didn't hesitate for a moment. With every ounce of strength I had, I swung the bag of rice, feeling the satisfying impact as it collided with the side of his head. The dull thud echoed in the air, striking right at his ear—one of their vulnerable spots. He crumpled to the ground like a rag doll, and I couldn't help but smirk at my own audacity. 

I barely registered the thud of his landing before adrenaline kicked in. I sprang from the top of the crate, twisting mid-air into a forward roll that absorbed the impact. As I sprang back to my feet, I launched into a sprint, heart racing. My surroundings blurred as I scanned the village, taking in the oversized buildings that loomed above me, their grand doors dwarfing my frame. The cobblestone streets felt ancient beneath my feet, lined with light brown wooden structures accented by dark beams. Thick glass windows glowed with warm, inviting light, while lanterns swayed gently on tall poles, casting flickering shadows. Fruit trees dotted the pathways, their branches heavy with ripe offerings. At the end of the road, a massive castle loomed on a hill, its gray stone rising sharply like the jagged peaks of the mountains, a fortress unlike any I'd seen before. The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks piercing the sky, and there it was—a narrow, treacherous path winding through them, the one I had been warned about. I had been taken through the forbidden route into the dragon lands.

The road stretched out before me, my sole chance to return to the Voltaire kingdom. But charging straight ahead would be a one-way ticket to capture. They weren't about to let me slip away after all the trouble they'd gone through to snatch me. I needed to outsmart them. Besides, running on foot would take forever, and I was far from ready—clad in nothing but a flimsy nightgown, barefoot, and wearing a suppression collar that felt like a vice around my throat. It was time to think on my feet and move with purpose.

I dashed around the street corner, the path to Voltaire kingdom ahead, but instead of barreling forward, I executed a swift pivot and slipped into a dimly lit alley. There, a massive puddle of mud awaited me. I plunged into the muck, rolling until every inch of me was coated, effectively masking my scent. Then I slipped into the shadows just as I heard the pounding of footsteps and saw several Dragonborn men in their humanoid forms run along the path past my hiding place. 

Their thunderous footsteps pounded against the cobblestone path towards the forbidden pass through the mountains. I let out a relieved sigh when they were further ahead then I watched as some of them shifted into their dragon forms and flew off into the distance. 

I arched my back, feeling the tension release, and scanned my surroundings for anything that could help me make a break for the mountains.

Ellis

I reclined on my golden throne, the opulent throne room surrounding me. My clawed finger tapped a steady beat on the armrest, a clear sign of my growing impatience. The weight of the realm's matters pressed down on me, especially with the imminent arrival of envoys from a rival dragon kingdom. As the dragon emperor, I command the loyalty and respect of all dragonkind, reigning as their undisputed lord. I am the eighth son of the former emperor, the victor who emerged from fierce battles against my brothers and the heirs of rival dragon kingdoms, as is the tradition. This relentless struggle has firmly established my claim as the rightful sovereign.

My piercing light green eyes bore down on the man kneeling at my feet, the white dragon dispatched to the human realm with the mission of seizing the general's daughter. He briefly locked eyes with me, but fear washed over him, causing him to tremble before he hastily turned his gaze to the floor.

"I beg your pardon, my Lord; I did not foresee that she would be able to escape."

I extended my hand toward the guard flanking my throne, palm facing upward. "The paired necklace."

"My Lord, I humbly request your permission to proceed. I believe I can restore her to us!" said Mikah, the white dragon.

"Have I granted you permission to voice your thoughts?"

"My Lord," he uttered, bowing his head to the onyx floor.

The guard beside me allowed the necklace to drop into my palm from afar; it's customary that no one is allowed to make contact with me. 

"I'll take care of this quietly before it becomes public knowledge. In the meantime, make sure her new accommodations are fortified; she's showing more fire than we expected. Relocate her to the suite next to mine so I can monitor her more closely, and station guards at every entrance." 

I rose from my throne, and as I strode toward the exit, every person in the room lowered themselves, heads bowed in reverence.

I stepped out of my throne room, securing the paired necklace around my neck. This would guide me to the general's little daughter, no matter where she chose to conceal herself. Once the necklace was fastened I felt a guiding force effortlessly leading me toward her location. 

Coming Next Time: First Meeting