A Sword Among Dragon

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. Yet, it was not the only occurrence in the realm of Chatrice.  This land was plagued by such incidents since the dark magic entered the land when the sorcerer entered the kingdom. He had been caught and killed, yet the evil magic endures. Darkness has come to this kingdom, yet Queen Pourpora stood against it. King Kyron was inconsolable as the situation continued to spiral out of control. A hush of snow fell on the land for the first time.  The seers were searching for a way to defeat this evil, spreading like a disease across the land.  The lords were slowly turning dark and embraced the evil methods.  One seer finally saw a vision and prophesied that a destroyer of magic would enter the realm. The sword will cut the power of the dark dragons and restore the peace of the land. The destroyer will be known as a Sword Among Dragons.

Such an enchanted land to live with vast fields and abundant rains.  The king and queens ruled with pride as the land prospered under their sights.  The river ran down the lords' domains as they protected the lands. Not to mention, the dragons could cause problems from time to time.  However, the changes started as they spoke out against the dark magic yet secretly practiced it simultaneously.  This downfall was inevitable, but the Queen stood to stop but now is missing.

***************

The lawyer's office was cold and uninviting as the grieving family entered the room.  The many books filled it with so much knowledge, but a pretentious feeling from the room came over Allison.   Each family member sat in the stiff chairs, ready for the will of old Aunt Agatha.  She was a little crazy, and yet the family gathered for such a loss.  The lawyer casually entered with the ever so mysterious will that all theorized the document's content but might give everyone nothing.   The lawyer stood up with his perfectly straight tie and officiously read the will.

To the will and testament of Agatha Renee Piper, she had so much to give because of her passing. Still, she must give to her family, which has abandoned her for all these years.   Each does deserve absolutely nothing.  I have had no children and now must give what little I must to those who never sent a birthday card. I will give my sister, Janise, our mother's ring, which she wished she had received.   My brother Jack will be given one hundred fifty dollars for the problems he has caused with our father.   For my nephew Sam, I will give my husband's pocket watch to make sure he is on time for things.  My nephew Brody will receive my car since he can never afford one.  Finally, my niece, Allison Marie Conely, will have my exclusive permission to enter and maintain the old family book in the Spector Special Library.  I have kept it safe, and you must, too.   The rest of the family is out since all will have to sell to pay for my bills and funeral.  

Each member stared angrily as if nothing had been given except to Allison.  The book was the last item worth anything.  Allison just quickly snuck out of the room as the fighting began.  It was not the most splendid funeral nor the reading of the will.  Allison could only feel the chill of such a responsibility.  It was said that Aunt Agatha was sane till she looked at that book.  Yet now, it was on the shoulders of the younger generation.  The day was bad enough, but Allison wanted to avoid it anyway. 

The breezy morning put a chill in the air as Allison traveled to the extraordinary library of rare and old books. The family book had come from the Middle Ages and yet in custody of the family. It was put there for safe keeping since the stories had fanciful of entering the book.  Now, her blonde hair was blowing, and her coat was not thick enough to enter the place of so many books.  A stern-looking woman sat at the front desk with a smirk.  The place was elaborate, with carved wood and tall bookshelves.  A perfect place for the old book to be lost somewhere.   Allison went to the lady with the envelope that the lawyer gave her.   The lady looked at the paper and replied," This is for the rare section in the back where Phillip works."

Allison simply smiled as she looked for that part of the library.   After a short trip around the back door, rare books.  The nob would not turn as she heard someone behind her.

The man stated, "You have to have special permission for those ones."

Allison replied, "I have the letter from my aunt granting me permission for a family book that is kept here." 

With a scowl, she handed him the envelope, took an old key out of his pocket, and opened the door. He could only shake his head.

The man replied," Your book is instead a mystery, and yet it drove so many to insanity, including your aunt."

Allison walked into a different world with sprawling staircases and thousands of books.  Most like they were falling apart.   Phillip was climbing to the second level to pull out her book. He grumbled about its sheer weight, yet it was only getting heavier.   He gently lugged it into the cart and wheeled it into a chair.  It was a stiff chair with some age, but she sat down to see the title, A Sword Among Dragons.    This was curiosity and yet so intriguing.   She had to wear latex gloves to avoid more damage to the book.  The creaking of the opening was felt as the words in old English came alive.   A second language was also there, but it was not what she had expected.  The whole room started to spin as Allison felt the chill of winter, and some snow started to be seen.  The library was no longer there.

***********

The cold was seen as the village was filled with old-looking houses.  Darkness filled the area as the wind only blew harder.  Allison was not dressed for this weather as she scrambled towards the village.  One minute in the library and now in this awful forest in the middle of some fantasy world.  Allison tried to head towards the town.  All this was her inheritance, yet she would have been glad to receive nothing.  The town seemed abandoned, but at least the snow would not be a problem anymore.  The bitter cold was getting to her, and this world was already terrible.  A strange heat was felt as she saw a white flaming object falling to her location.  Her speed picked up as she tried to avoid such a dangerous item.  Her steps were never fast enough, and she kept moving in the direction she was running.  The village was right there, and a building was a way to hide from this horrible fate.  Just as Allison entered the gate, the flame picked up speed and crashed into her, engulfing her body with the heated blaze.

The heat was just as bad as the cold, and Allison could not move but endure the heat.  The flame was not burning through her body.  It was slowly getting smaller as she felt the snow was not even there.  Her outfit had changed to a white cloth with a flaming sword on the front.  The bitter cold was not even noticed as she rose from the ground. The gate had been destroyed, but not her.  Stones that should have crushed her broke into pieces.  Her blonde hair had become bright, but her skin had become lighter.  This world was already strange but was now taken by the white flame. She found her sword in her sheath, which was of a white tone.  Yet it felt hot to the touch.  Only what power had been given to Allison to fight what enemy?  

The day was gloomy enough to have a knight's uniform and weapon.  Going into the old church was the best choice. The rickety-looking pews and damaged roof were as strange as her transition to some kind of warrior.  Something happened in this town to be abandoned, but all that was left was evidence of an attack. Yet the old fixtures still had their charm as she explored the altar.  The other houses were in worse shape than the church.  The families' items were left in disarray over each one she visited. This world was somewhat a different place than her mundane modern world.  Allison could just try to figure out her circumstances.  She had never used any swords, and this one probably needed an experienced fighter.  The flame chose her for the challenge but not another more deserving.  Aunt Agatha was always a character and put Allison through a loop on this one.

The chill was not felt as the vacant village was explored.  The blacksmith shop still had all its tools, while homes with the clothes left. This was a sudden attack, but no one returned for their items.   The evil could be felt in this land, and maybe that was the reason for her entry.   The buildings were still sturdy and standing with minor damage.  The abandonment was a mystery as Allison entered the small castle of the Lord.   Each room in its eerie way of old tapestry and beds.  The fireplaces still had embers that had some heat.  This place was not what she expected.  Despite going through the top rooms, the basement was not seen.   The cold air blew through the open windows, yet no people were left in the castle, not even its Lord.  The place was desolate, and going to another town might be the answer.

Allison peered into the grand, strange landscape, trying to figure out how she was even in this book.  Out of nowhere, a sound was heard.  With the unfamiliar sound, she drew her sword, which was pure white like the flame.  Using it would be another challenge.   Allison could feel her heart pound as a large dog entered the town.  Its teeth were dark with red eyes that stared right into any soul.  There was nowhere to run, yet it snarled as she held her ground.  The hair was gnarled as if it were a rabid, evil creature.  The attack was imminent, and yet it would not advance.   She screamed as loud as she could, but only the fire burst out of Allison's mouth.   The animal was struck as its dark complexion became lighter, and ran off in terror.  Allison could just stand there with a brand-new skill of fire breathing.  Only a panic in her mind could not explain the new powers except the weird flame that had crashed into her.

Allison focused her mind to see if she could do anything else.  A funny feeling flowed over her body as she was much higher in the air, with a few houses knocked down.  Looking at her hands, I saw that they were huge. The white scales were like untouched snow.  As she was more extensive, she was her average size again.   This was not normal at all.  A dragon, of all things, would be devastating yet an excellent defense to all that seemed evil.  This world was too confusing as Allison was ready to leave and not deal with even power.  Her feet could only run into the castle again for some grievance.   This world was too crazy, and only the natural world was wanted.  No matter, so many went crazy, and this mad dream never seemed to end as she was stuck in a shape shifter's body.

The flame had not killed her after all but to give the power of it.  This land was worse than anyone could have expected. Somehow, Allison just sat there with dismay.  Everything had started abruptly without warning, and now she could become a monster.  Yet this place was so unreal and such a place of old.  She should have woken up by now if it was a dream, yet she was still in a strange place.  The craziness of an actual book, having a living world, seemed impossible, along with the odd stories of the ancestors.  The darkness was not in those either, which was a specific challenge for her. Evil can rule even in the real world, but magic is impossible.  The powers were unnatural, and how to use them was now the mystery of this exciting but scary place.  All this just appears with all fearlessness in the wolf's eyes.  The book was now Allison's; it was all to see ancient family relics.  The family always joked about how the book messed up with Aunt Agatha. It seemed to be nothing at all.  All to escape this sick fantasy and never to revisit the book. 

The castle had its own creepiness with weird sounds and lights, but nothing attacked her again. The shelter was welcome as a place; at least no one knew she was there for some rest.  It was another place that was full of life.  The beautiful fireplaces, along with solid walls, fend against an enemy.  All that could be seen was abandonment, as she had done more damage than an attacking army.  The people were cozy in their little homes but maybe left before the oppression arrived.   The whole place was eerie without the population present. It was as if a more powerful enemy was coming across the land, even more significant than a well-defended city could handle.  Maybe another place could answer what was happening.

Allison gathered herself to start the following challenge: to find some kind of population to give her a chance to prepare for her destiny in this realm.  It was such that maybe she could even leave this place without much time spent here.   The cold food still lay in the kitchen as Allison quickly ate since this Lord or Lady was not returning soon.  The journey ahead was unclear, but the forces of evil were not done with just one sick dog to attack her either.  The mystery had just begun with so many questions.  Maybe it would be a dream, but Allison knew something was wrong. 

The snow kept coming, and the roads could lead to doom or success. Allison went against the wind, hoping to find a place that was not taken or abandoned. At this point, everything was at risk, yet death might not be the worst fate for someone. Powers were great, but using them properly is the most significant challenge.