Take A Deep Breath

I push open the heavy iron doors leading to the throne room. The door screeches against the hard stone floor. Entering the spacious room, I am surrounded by the horde officials. They are all lined up side-by-side, facing fathers' throne. The ends of their gray robes trail behind them.  

     Standing just feet away from him, I place a fist over my heart and bow in our traditional greeting. "Father,” I say, looking up at him. The depths of his cold violet eyes search mine.   

     With a forced smile, he says, "You may rise."  

      "Thank you, father, " I reply curtly. 

      Standing straight once more, he lifts himself from the throne and moves closer to me and the horde officials in a composed manner.    

   "As you all are aware, there is a rogue horde who calls themselves Betsalel. They have been threatening to attack from the south so as to claim our land for themselves,” father starts.

 “If they make it that far we will lose everything we have worked so hard to build. That includes the trust of the human kingdom Samirya which lies just beyond our borders. I am sure you are all aware of our dealings with Samirya in recent years. It has taken a long time to build the trust we have with them. If that horde attacks, we will not only lose their faith in us, but the coming battle as well,” my father’s words echo around us, heavy with impending doom. The officials nod in agreement.  

  One of many officials' steps forward to address the Chieftain, his gray robes dragging behind him.

  "If I might be so bold, what is your plan to deal with the oncoming horde, Chieftain?" His eyes are cast down, unwilling to meet my father's intense gaze.  

  "That is the reason I invited you all," he says, pausing to scan the room. His cold eyes land on me and I stiffen up.     

 "I will be sending my daughter to Samirya’s capital city, Mimmgar, to serve and protect the people while we prepare for war," he says.

A wide smile grazes his lips as he gazes at me.     My heart stops beating as the room begins to spin. I put a hand over my mouth with the sudden urge to throw up. I cannot believe it; he is shipping me off to Mimmgar. This is outrageous! I do not want to be sitting in the capital with all those humans while the members of my horde die in battle. That is simply unforgivable.    

"Father, forgive me for being so bold, but I cannot go to Mimmgar. I will stay and fight beside my people," I refuse, my voice wavering. My body is shaking not with fear, but rage.       His face flushes with anger.

 "Eleonora, you will listen to me; this is for the good of the horde and you, my only daughter,” he states.    

 How could sending away one of his strongest warriors do any good? I doubt that horde will even make it to Mimmgar; the people there should be safe. Even if they do make it to Samirya, why should I care?  

  "Father I do not think it is wise to send me away. I am one of your fiercest warriors you will be at a disadvantage if I am away," I voice.   

  The faces of all the officials are white as sheets as they watch our exchange. They are no doubt preparing for my father's impending rage.     

 He sighs, running a hand across his face. "Nora," He says with sudden calmness, using my nickname, "Please understand, I am doing this for your own good, and the good of the horde.”    

  With how he is acting now I would only embarrass myself if I dare defy him. He might not be someone I get along with, but he is still my father. I can at least give him my compliance Infront of others.  

   “Fine. I will go to Mimmgar, on your order," I sigh, running a hand through my long, inky black hair.   

    My father claps his hands, the sound echoing throughout the room as he smiles widely, "Wonderful, you will leave for Mimmgar in two days' time."

 I nod my rigid body straining against my clothes. After coming to the conclusion my father wants, he dismisses me with a wave of his hand.  

    I leave the room as fast as I can, slamming the door behind me.  Two days. I only have two days until I am going to be trapped in the birdcage known as Mimmgar. All those people roosted like swallows there, each leading wonderful peaceful lives within their cages. Simply because we dragons sacrifice our lives for them. Every time there is a problem, it is left to us to fix, all for their comfort. Because my father thinks that having a good relationship with them is important. He did not even like humans until recent years.       

 I storm through the corridor, the earthen walls cold and unwelcoming. Making my way to a large ledge leading out, I stand in the windy glory of the Perilous Horde territory. The sky, a dark ocean of black, does much to abate my growing irritation as I strip, peeling off my leather garments. The cool air licks at my skin and a shiver runs through me as it plays with my hair in teasing pulls.

   Without a moment to lose, I jump off the ledge, my body becoming consumed in a cloud of my poison elemental. Thick violet fog shrouds my figure as I faze mid-fall. My wings are the first to burst through the fog. As the winds push under them, I take flight leaving the mountain behind me.     

  Pitch black scales take over my flesh, shining under the moonlight. The deep night sky is cloudless and empty. For that, I am thankful.      I finally have some time to myself, which, starting in two days, I will not get much of. Going to the kingdom of Samirya is not something I want to do, but then again, to fight my father would be futile. His word is the law of the horde. A law I wish I could break free from.    

  Humans have kings but we dragons have not had a king in over a thousand years since the Fires of Alira. Since dragons have broken away from the old kingdom of Highmire, individual dragon hordes are ruled by chieftains.      

  One would think that being the daughter of the most powerful man in the horde would mean I have an easy life, but that is not the case. Because of who I am, I am held to higher expectations than anyone else. I must be stronger than most. If I am weak, it makes my father look weak.   

   I fly above the dense forest enjoying the view of the lush green trees and small streams. I land in a small moonlit clearing, with a thump in the tall grass. I take in a breath of frosty air, slumping to the ground. My muscles relax and all the tension drifts off my body. Even if it is just a moment.  

   As I lay out in the clearing, I think about the last time the Perilous horde helped the humans. About three years ago, a human kingdom known as Damirium was attempting to overthrow Samirya. As my father's eldest living child, I was sent to fight on the front lines. The battle was easily won. But we suffered losses due to the kingdom of Damirium having dragon slayers.