The Dragon and Princess Madeline

by Kirstin Pulioff

  “Do you hear that, Braden?” the king asked, directing him to look at the village just off in the distance. “That is the harmonious sound of our villagers hard at work, rebuilding their homes and their lives.” He clapped his son on the back and looked him in the eyes. “Yes, Braden, you’ve done a good job. Our kingdom is back as it should be.”

  Prince Braden nodded in agreement. As he looked over the village, his mind wandered back to the fall, the faire, the siege, and his sister. Thoughts of his sister brought a sigh to his lips. Although they were twins and shared many traits, Prince Braden prided himself on being steadier than Madeline. His focus rested on the kingdom, its needs, and the price that had to be paid for duty, responsibility, and leadership.

  Braden had taken on the village rebuilding project as a personal challenge, to show to his father his leadership abilities and dedication to the kingdom. After all the destruction, this was a welcome sight. The kingdom awoke with the sounds of men hard at work, restoring the village to its former strength and beauty. Men raced in and out with bundles of thatching and wood to finish their homes. Sweet melodies filled the air as women tended their gardens and children laughed and played. Joy erased the fears of the past.

  Off to his left, at the tournament field, Braden watched knights and stewards working together, setting the final details in place for the spring market. Long banners hung from the stands, detailing the various crafts and wares to be sold. Barrels of wine lined the walls near the entrances, and flowers hung from all corners. Colorful streamers waved, welcoming the visitors.

  As the main gathering arena for the territory, their tournament field hosted events throughout the year, including the fall festival, summer tournaments, and the spring market. After the recent tragedies in their kingdom, this one needed to be even more spectacular than usual. The heart of their kingdom and the hope of their future rested on its success.

  The past few days brought a steady flow of princes, royals, craftsmen, traders, and caravans taking part in their celebration. Tents lined the highways, and the castle walls burst with the added visitors and excitement.

  A loud yell and crash rang out in the courtyard below, grabbing their attention. A man carrying armloads of thatching had collided into the edge of the steel gates. A flurry of helpers ran to his side, repositioning the load. Braden brightened at the camaraderie of his people.

  A red blur caught the corner of his eye. He turned to see Sophia. Her red hair shone bright in the afternoon sun as her head tilted back, allowing her sweet laugh to echo up to him. An unconscious grin spread across his face as he watched her talk with some of the visiting girls from the royal court.

  That warmth faded as he saw Emmett appear behind her with a handful of wildflowers, sending her and the other girls into a fit of giggles. The girls’ trilling laughter rung through the air as they fell under the wizard’s charm. As Sophia reached out to touch Emmett’s arm, Braden wistfully sighed.

  Sophia had been both his and Madeline’s closest friend, and when forced to choose between the two, she’d sided with Madeline.

  A hard pat on his back brought him back to focus. “Is everything alright?” King Theodore asked, raising his eyebrows and looking between the two.

  Braden quickly nodded and turned his attention back to the fairgrounds, keeping his regrets out of sight. “Yes, Father. Everything is as it should be.”

  The two men stood in silence, side to side, watching their kingdom heal. The wind ruffled their crimson robes.

  Braden squinted at the sky, looking beyond the village. “Father, do you see that?” He pointed to a small speck in the sky, looming larger every second.

  King Theodore blocked the sun with one hand and looked to where Braden was pointing. There was no doubt. Something was coming.

  “I don’t like the looks of this, son,” the king said, leaning over and gripping the edge of the castle walls. “I haven’t seen anything move like that before. Guards,” he yelled down. “Bring me Elias. I need him here now!”

  The guards moved quickly at the king’s command. King Theodore and Prince Braden watched, mesmerized.

  It flew through the air with a grace and ease uncharacteristic of something its size. The dragon swooped low over the western forest, its wings spread out, forcing the trees to sway under the force of the wind. Its neck craned around as it flew, searching the landscape, its beady eyes looking for something. Then it turned. The frightening beauty flew straight towards them.

  A shrill shriek rang out from the village, as one by one, villagers looked up to see the dragon soaring above them. Men ran through the streets as the women grabbed their children and rushed inside.

  King Theodore spared a quick glance at his son, then back to the sky before him. With a grim face and heavy eyes, he spoke. “Your mother was right. The age of the dragons is here.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Screams and fearful faces streamed past the windowsill. Madeline and Elias ran to the window, unnerved by the sudden confusion and yells from the courtyard. Chickens clucked loudly as their baskets overturned. Flower petals and dust flew as people stampeded by. Laughter faded under the commotion. Madeline scanned the courtyard for her friends. Her heart relaxed as Sophia’s red hair swept past her, tucked under Emmett’s protective arm.

  Her heart caught in her chest as her eyes settled back on the fountain base. A distorted image reflected on its surface. Madeline’s eyes darted up, caught between fear and curiosity. Her heart pounded as the dragon flew above her. The same green dragon she had seen while exploring Dragon’s Gate.

  The air whooshed with the strength of the dragon’s wings as she soared above them, circling the kingdom. Madeline screamed and grabbed her neck.

  “What is it?” Elias asked, concerned. His eyes flitted between her and the dragon that dominated the sky.

  “I don’t know. It feels like I’ve been burned.” She twisted around and peered into a reflective jar. “Do you see anything?”

  Elias looked closer and gasped. “Princess, what has happened? Did you touch something? Did the tea drop on you?” Concern etched his face as he fumbled for a cool cloth to dab the round red mark on Madeline’s neck.

  “No, I was just looking out the window with you, and my neck started to burn.” She swept her hair to the side and pulled her necklace off to keep it from touching her blistering skin, sending rainbows reflecting around the room.

  Elias’s jaw dropped as he saw the reflections. “How can this be?” he whispered. “Madeline, where did you get that necklace?”

  Something in his tone alerted her, and she instinctively tightened her grip. “Daniel gave the shell to me last summer, at the betrothal ball. He said he found it while he was searching for me, by the lake.” Her eyes glazed over as the memories of that night played through her mind. “I had it made into a necklace so it would always be close to my heart.”

  “Can I see it?” he asked, holding his hand out to take it.

  Madeline looked down tentatively before handing it over. “I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with it. Daniel wouldn’t have given me something dangerous.” Her voice quieted, and her heart beat wildly as she watched Elias handle it. Her stomach knotted as the lingering silence increased her unease.

  Closing his fist over the shell, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

  After a moment, his eyes popped open. “It all makes sense,” he said excitedly. “Princess, this isn’t a shell. Do you see the reflective rays?” He lifted it, its sparkling rainbows reflecting on the room’s jars.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “It’s one of my favorite things about the necklace. What does it mean?”

  Elias leaned in closer and looked her in the eyes. “This means you’ve been wearing your very own dragon scale.” Elias laughed. “Your mother knew what she was talking about.” He jumped up and paced the room, his eyes wide and as bright as his smile. “A dragon,” he mused under his breath.

  Madeline watched his excitement impatiently. “W
hat do you mean? My mother may have known, but I don’t. What’s going on?”

  He stopped pacing. “Do you know much of the history of the dragons?” he asked.

  Madeline shook her head. “No, not too much, just the old stories people tell. Are those tales real?”

  “To a degree,” he agreed, “but usually there’s a big part that’s left out. Here you go,” he said handing back her necklace and leading her to a chair, risking a quick glance at the sky outside. “Where to begin?” he mused.

  “Thousands of years ago, the dragons roamed freely, living harmoniously with us humans. We stayed out of their territory, and they left us alone, until we discovered the magic and power in dragon eggs. That peaceful partnership ended as our desire for power and money surpassed our appreciation for peace. No one was immune to their greed, even here in Soron. We went after their eggs, hunted the dragons, and tried to steal their magic. The red dragon emblem that waves on our flags symbolizes the capture of the most powerful dragon in history.” He stopped and looked at her before he continued. “I don’t know why this green dragon is back, and I don’t know why it burned you, but that’s one of her scales you have. It might simply be reacting to her presence. A dragon is magical, even the scales, and maybe being so close has recharged it.”

  Her heart fluttered as she flipped the scale over in her hands, examining it closely and letting his words sink in. Her mind struggled with his words, hearing a new level of deception and darkness to their history.

  “What am I supposed to do with it?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Elias said, pursing his lips. “Excuse me. I really must go see the king. Your mother mentioned the prophecy, and her words may hold the clues to solving this mystery. There’s no time to wait.” He paused for a brief moment, then grabbed his books and fled.

  Madeline watched him go, racing from the apothecary shop through the courtyard and into the main gates. She fiddled with the scale, feeling the magic tingle beneath her fingertips.

  King Theodore and Prince Braden shuddered and knelt down as the beast roared, releasing one last breath of fire and smoke before disappearing over the forest. Braden stood first. Sweeping over the courtyard, he watched the men and women scurry away, disappearing into corners, hiding beneath boxes and barrels. Relief washed over him as Sophia’s red hair peeked out from beneath Emmett’s arms. Reassured, he shifted his attention back to his father, watching the fear disappear behind his guarded gaze.

  “Father, what do we do now?” Braden asked tentatively, his own body still trembling.

  “I don’t know, I don’t know,” the king said, his voice trailing off as he scanned the distance and then the interior of the courtyard. Men and women slowly peeked out from beneath their hiding spots, surveying the sky and stopping at the walls. The villager’s voices rose until the roar of the dragon paled in comparison. Demands and questions rang out that they weren’t prepared to answer. His fingers tightened over the edges of his robe, pulling it straight as he gathered himself together.

  The pangs of doubt and worry running through Braden’s mind stopped, recognizing the strength in his father’s demeanor. Always the steady figurehead, his father bore the weight of their kingdom’s worries. Braden’s short reverie broke as his father looked him in the eyes.

  “First things first. We must make sure the villagers are okay, that the grounds are still standing, then gather our men and devise a plan. I’ll send out the guards, you gather the royals, and we’ll meet in my study. There isn’t much time. There’s no telling what will happen next.”

  The king turned and headed off to the throne room, leaving Braden the focus of the stares from below. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on edge. Taking a deep breath, he started down the stairs, braving the awaiting crowd.

  CHAPTER THREE

  News of the dragon spread through the kingdom quicker than the fall fire. If they hadn’t witnessed it, the tales they heard provided the necessary fear and apprehension. Before long, the villagers stormed the castle, filling the air with their plaintive cries. Questions about the security of their homes and lives shot out at him. Braden’s face paled against the onslaught as feeble consolations escaped his mouth.

  The corners and crevices of the throne room overflowed as villagers piled in to see the king. The noise only escalated as the king’s stewards tried to keep the calm. Braden offered the faintest of support as the fearful crowd overtook the stewards, pressing them back beneath the red banners and golden emblems hanging on the back walls.

  He tried to relax when he left the chaos of the throne room behind in exchange for the confined but quiet space of the gray corridors. His boots echoed off the floor as he made his way through the maze of paths, running the short distance between the throne room and the king’s upper chambers and study.

  His mouth dropped as he turned the corner and approached his father’s study. Lined up from wall to wall, royal entourages, princes, and knights waited to enter the room. Their dusty, smoke-covered clothes dimmed the poorly-lit corridor. A constant hum of voices melted together in the background. He pushed his way forward, provoking outbursts of disapproval.

  He stopped at the doorway, watching his father stand firm behind his desk. The sea of people pressed forward in waves. Arms gesticulated through the air, demanding answers and direction from their king.

  King Theodore raised his arm for silence. “Men, I wish we had more news, more information, but you all saw what I saw. The green dragon is back, and we need to act.”

  The momentary calm evaporated as everyone chimed in at the same time. Their voices escalated to cacophony.

  “Silence!” the king yelled. They quieted. His most prized possession, a model wooden ship from the Bay of Morengo, shuddered as his fist pounded his desk. “I know we’re all concerned and scared for our people, but this is not the time.” He lowered his voice and straightened his robe, his eyes sweeping the room. “This is the time to focus on the greater issue.”

  “Greater issue,” bellowed a man from the back of the room. “What’s greater than our people?”

  “What about my sheep and my village?” Prince Elliot asked.

  “We don’t know where the dragon is going from here. I must get back to make sure everything’s settled at home.”

  Voices rose from all around.

  “What about our people?” a noble asked from the corner.

  “My home,” another cried out.

  “What about my crops?”

  “Our women and children are home unprotected; what about them?”

  Murmurs of agreement spread, and the room spun out of control.

  “Wait, wait, wait!” the king raised his arms again, his face growing red in exasperation.

  Braden cringed as his father’s calm demeanor deteriorated.

  “Do not attempt to discount my concern for the people of the kingdom. Their wellbeing is my first thought when I wake in the morning and my last when I sleep at night. But look outside, peruse our ancient books, remember in your hearts. The dragons are back, and they are our enemy. For the sake of the people, we cannot ignore that! We need a strategy to get that dragon under control. Without control, we are doomed, along with our women and children.”

  Silent understanding registered from the men. The air tightened with their begrudging acceptance.

  Braden shuffled uncomfortably before speaking. “What do we do?”

  “Should we attack?” another voice behind him chimed in.

  King Theodore looked around the room, pointing to the tapestries and banners hanging on the wall by the door. “The men of our kingdom have a history with these beasts. Let’s show this green dragon we can add its picture to our banners as well. We will answer this threat with a threat of our own. With our men combined, it won’t stand a chance.”

  The room erupted with voices, this time in agreement.

  Braden turned as a scroll hit the back of his legs. Elias stood in the doorway, mouth agape, fumbling to ho
ld onto his armful of scrolls. He coughed to clear his throat and announced his entrance.

  “Elias,” the king said, waving him forward.

  “Your Majesty,” he began with measured breath, looking around at the gathered men and the king’s clenched jaw. “Before you jump into action, may I remind you of the queen’s message?”

  Braden inhaled sharply. His eyes searched his father’s face for the tell-tale signs of anger, but found none. Elias unrolled the scrolls atop the desk.

  “Before she passed, Queen Eleanor learned about something that she referred to as the Dragon’s Age,” the king explained to the royals who were not aware.

  “Yes,” Elias nodded as murmurs shot through the room.

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” King Theodore intoned at the tall man, then motioned to the papers.

  “Here, she outlined several pieces that stand out to me. The papers are smudged, but I can easily see key phrases that I recommend we consider before we attack. One wrong move, and poof,” he said, creating a spark between his fingers. His voice rose above their gasps. “Remember, my king, she died to share her power and warn us about this coming. We can’t ignore her words.”

  King Theodore stiffened, but he did not disagree. “We cannot ignore the queen’s words. In life she spoke with certainty and knowledge beyond her years, and in death... What have you found?” he demanded, focusing on the papers.

  Braden saw his father’s eyes glisten in remembrance. Elias nodded and continued.

  “It begins here,” he said, pointing. “She mentioned many things in her writing. This here, ‘when the lion attacks the dragon.’ We’ve already seen that with Prince Paulsen’s battle, that places the time right about now,” he said, moving his fingers along the rough timeline. He spoke slowly. “The race of the dragons to find the lost, he who recovers the orbs holds the line of the future.” His voice trailed as he looked around the room.

  “What does that mean?” a man asked from the front.