The Dragon’s Warning

Eira woke with a sharp gasp, her heart pounding in her chest. Sweat clung to her skin as the memory of her dream burned in her mind. It wasn't like any dream she'd had before it felt real.

She had stood in a ruined city, the sky burning red. In the center, a massive black dragon lay chained, its golden eyes locked on hers. Its voice had echoed through her mind.

"The darkness stirs. You must find the others… or everything will fall."

Eira shivered. What did it mean? And why had the dragon called to her?

"Eira?" Mae's gentle voice pulled her from her thoughts. She stood in the doorway, holding a steaming bowl of broth. "You were tossing in your sleep again."

"I'm fine," Eira lied, sitting up. But the ache in her wrist told her otherwise. Even though the golden mark had faded, the strange warmth remained like the power still waited beneath the surface.

Mae sighed as she set the bowl on the table. "You shouldn't push yourself too hard. You survived the hunt that's enough for now."

Eira gave a small nod, but she knew she couldn't rest. Whatever this power was, it wasn't going away.

A loud knock echoed through the cottage. Mae frowned and opened the door to reveal Kael, his silver armor gleaming in the morning sun.

"You need to come with me," he said, his tone serious.

Eira tensed. "Why?"

Kael hesitated before stepping inside. "Eirik wants to question you again. He doesn't believe you killed the Virelith without help."

Eira's stomach twisted. If the elder learned about her powers, she wouldn't just be cast out she could be executed. The village feared magic. Anything connected to dragons was seen as cursed.

"I didn't use magic," she said quickly.

"I know," Kael replied, but his sharp gaze lingered on her wrist. "But you need to convince him."

Mae stepped between them. "She's still recovering"

"No," Eira interrupted. "I'll go." She couldn't hide forever. And if she wanted answers about her dream, she had to face the truth.

Kael turned, motioning for her to follow. "Then hurry."

As they walked through the village, whispers followed them. She caught bits of conversation "How did she survive?" "Maybe she's cursed…" The words cut deep, but she kept her head high.

When they reached the elder's hall, Kael pushed open the heavy wooden door. Inside, Eirik stood by a stone altar, his hands resting on an ancient book. Behind him, a strange symbol was carved into the wall a dragon's eye surrounded by flames.

Eira's breath caught. She had seen that symbol in her dream.

"Eira," Eirik said, his voice cold. "You claimed to kill the Virelith. Prove it wasn't magic."

Her pulse quickened. "I used my dagger. Ask Kael he saw it."

Kael nodded, but Eirik's expression remained unreadable. "A dagger cannot kill a creature of dark magic," he said. "Unless…"

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Unless you carry dragonblood."

Eira froze. Dragonblood people born with the power of the ancient dragons. But they were supposed to be extinct.

"I'm not"

Before she could finish, the mark on her wrist flared with heat. She winced, trying to hide it, but Eirik's gaze locked onto her arm.

"You're hiding something," he said softly. "And I will find out what."

Fear crept into her chest. If he discovered the truth, she wouldn't be safe.

But as the warmth in her wrist grew stronger, another thought filled her mind.

If the dragons are calling to me… what else is coming?