Dragon Masters

The Secret of Galvadöorn

'I was six years old when my mother had first told me of the Dragon Masters, my father, King Elaevandor wasn't too thrilled of Mother's stories, thinking that was not proper for a young princess to wonder of adventure. I am Dasira, Princess of Galvadöorn, Daughter of Queen Vervadana, student of Dragon Master Strom Michaelsson, the lover of Prince Amir, the Master of the Dragon Bromston, and this is my story..'

*Twelve years later..*

"Good morning, Dasira." Elaevandor said

"Good morning, Father." I replied

"Behave yourself, Dasira or I won't tell you about how the Dragon Masters escaped the Firestone Kingdom's army."

"Vervadana, may I have a word with you for a moment?"
Elaevandor asked, pulling my mother aside

"Of course." Vervadana said

"Must you fill her head with that nonsense? Dasira's eighteen years old. She is too old to hear of such fairy tales. Besides, how can we marry our child off to Xalbatoran The Dragon Prince if she believes in those made up legends? She is a babe no longer, Vervadana. The tales of the Dragon Masters must end." Elaevandor said

"You're planning to marry Dasira to that brute? She won't agree to the marriage arrangement, Elaevandor. We both know that." Vervadana said

"You know that I won't be King as soon as Dasira and Xalbatoran are wed, you and I will step down as King and Queen and spend our remaining years with our grandchildren.." Elaevandor said, taking his wife's hands in his

"Those stories have always lifted Dasira's spirits. It would seem wrong to take all that away from her." Vervadana said

"It's time she grew up and moved past these Dragon Master stories." Elaevandor said

"I need to take care of something. I will return when I can." Vervadana said

"I am Xalbatoran. Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Draconius. I have come to ask for the hand of the beautiful Princess Dasira." A man said

"Have you told her, Vervadana? She has to know. We have kept this secret from her seventeen years longer than we should have. It's time you told Dasira the truth.."

"Strom, my husband is forcing our child to marry Prince Xalbatoran. I know Dasira will never marry him, but you're right. It's time Dasira learned the truth." Vervadana said

"Mother.." I said

"Dasira, how much of that did you hear?" Vervadana asked

"What-- marry Prince Xalbatoran? Has Father lost his mind? I'm never going to marry him." I said

"I knew it would come to this." Vervadana said

"We can stop the wedding.." I said

"Dasira, you have a visitor.." Elaevandor said

"I know that it's Prince Xalbatoran, Father.. Mother's already told me everything." I said

"It is an honor to meet you, my Princess." Xalbatoran said, my hand tiny in comparison to his.

'Prince Xalbatoran. His father was an Orc, and his mother half Dragon. Which explains his size.. That's the reason most feared him.. Why I fear him.. He is claimed to be the fearless and most handsome in the Kingdom of Draconius. Which is why my father wants us to marry; To protect Galvadöorn and unite our two kingdoms..'

"Thank you, Your Highness." I say, gently removing my hand from his grasp

"Princess Dasira. Come.." Vervadana said, gently

"Mother, did you see the size of him?" I whispered

"That Prince is monstrous." Vervadana whispered back

"He's half Orc, half Dragon, all Beast. He is a major barbarian. I apologize, but I can't marry someone I don't even love."

"I should have followed your wise words all those years ago, my sweet Dasira." Vervadana said, stroking my cheek while brushing my long auburn hair out of my face.

"Aren't you happy with Father?" I asked

"Dasira, there's something I must tell you.. It's about your father--" Vervadana paused

"Princess Dasira, Prince Xalbatoran is requesting that you join him in the Throne room." Elaevandor said

"Tell the Prince I'll join him in a moment. Thank you, Father."

MEANWHILE, IN THE KINGDOM ACROSS THE SEA

"You will tell me where you and that sorceress friend of yours have hidden that Dragon's Egg, Your Highness.."

"Ventis and I will never tell, Draegor." The boy said

"Very well, Prince Amir. If you and your friend will not tell me willingly, then you alone will feel the burning sting of Solani Draconis, a poison that will make your blood burn and I will let you die slowly unless you tell me where that egg is." Draegor said

"Go ahead and poison me, because we will never tell you where we've hidden that egg, Draegor." Amir said, sarcastically chuckling

"Just remember, Prince; you signed your own death sentence."

"I guess if you kill me, you don't find your precious Dragon's Egg." Amir said, smirking at the wizard

'And with that, the dark wizard had filled the Prince's bloodstream with the burning poison of Solani Draconis, he screams in pain as I awaken just that night. I was surprised to sneak past the guest wing in the castle to see Xalbatoran still fast asleep. I then follow the glowing light coming from the library. And that's when I spot what was hidden; a giant egg..'

"How did you get here?" I asked myself quietly, hiding the egg inside my pouch

"Princess Dasira, what are you doing up at this hour?" A guard asked

"I couldn't sleep." I fibbed, hiding the pouch behind my back

"Allow me to escort you back to your chambers for the night, Your Highness." The Guard said

"Thank you, but I think I can manage my way back." I insisted

"No more of your tricks. I am growing impatient, young Prince; where is the Dragon's Egg?" Draegor asked

"The Dragon's Egg is back where it belongs; with the next Dragon Master; The Princess of the Kingdom of Galvadöorn. You and your men won't get there before the Egg hatches, Draegor." Amir said

"I will find this Princess of which you speak, I shall take her prisoner, steal back the Egg and take over her little Kingdom."

"Both she and the Egg are well protected. How will you ever tell your ruler that you failed to retrieve the Dragon's Egg?" Amir asked

"I will take it back from that Princess, and take the Kingdom right out from under her. And I, Draegor the Fierce shall rule all." Draegor said

'It wouldn't be long before the Egg would hatch, and I would unravel the secrets of my mother's past. I was about to be hunted by one of my Father's greatest warriors, and I would possibly become the wife of a monster.. and when I fled Galvadöorn, I would learn the truth..'

~End of Chapter One~