Dragon Watch

“Mama, please don’t leave Libelle here. I’m sure the king won’t kill you and Libelle. She’s not even one yet.” A boy whispered to his mother. Both were unaware that they were being watched by the very thing that they were trying to avoid. In the mother’s arms was a bundle of blankets. But on a closer look, there was a toddler swaddled in the blankets. The mother stopped and turned towards Justus. There was a wary and scared look but the love and desperation were more apparent than anything else.

“I would have kept Libelle if it meant all of us would live. But that isn’t the case. If we don’t do this then when the king finds us he won’t just kill us and make it seem like the queen had given birth to Libelle but he’ll wipe out our entire family tree.” The mother whispered as she grabbed his hand and pulled him along so he wouldn’t get lost. The forest was dark and thick. If they were to lose each other then the chances of them finding each other were as slim as dragons accepting them. Soon they reached a clearing that had a clear view of the moon and stars. Looking up tears sparkled in the moonlight in the corners of the mother’s eyes. “Lady Mahina please protect my child and bestow upon her a gift to protect her. So no evil will do her harm or corrupt her.” The mother whispered before she hurriedly set Libelle down on the ground. The mother with Justus's hand in her hand turned and hurried away. The son's eyes never left the bundle of blankets. He bit the bottom of his lip and looked up into the night sky.

Until my dying breath, I promise to bring my little sister Libelle back and to make the world more just for everyone. And that will include, even those in power.” He whispered before he turned and followed his mother. He may not agree with his mother but he knew that it wasn’t safe to be in the woods. Not with it being night and dragons roaming around.

Libelle walked as she lay on the ground in the forest. She cried for hours but there was no one around to hear her cries. The moon was in the middle of its wane. With its soft creamy white glow, Libelle looked like a fallen angel in the moonlight. As the dragon landed by Libelle, it bent down to examine her. But the appearance scared Libelle causing her to cry even more. Moonlight shimmered on its blood red eyes, muscles, and black scales. Besides its yellow fangs, the elbows, knees, and feet were covered in solid black spikes. This tail was long and extremely sharp. In addition to its horns and spikes on its back, it had a dark gray color. Moonlight became brighter and seemed to reach out toward young Libelle. Soon the light became too bright to look at. When it faded a woman who had skin paler than the moon itself, white hair, pale blue eyes, and silk like dress stood out as if it was black.

“Ansley, do not harm this child. She has done nothing wrong.” The woman said, looking the dragon in its eyes. The dragon growled as the mist came out of its nostril. “I don’t care if she’s human. She was abandoned by her family. And she will die out here if someone doesn’t take care of her.” The woman said, crossing her arms. The dragon bared its teeth as it flicked its fork tongue at the woman. “I don’t care that you hate humans. But this baby needs guidance. I will give the child heightened senses, endurance, strength, flexibility, and foresight in the form of intuition. At night I will teach her the bare necessities so when and if she enters human society. It will also make it so she can survive on her own when the time comes.” The woman finished as she picked the child up and kissed her forehead. The child glowed for a few seconds before it vanished. Then the women walked over and set the child down in front of Ansley. “She will be able to live on her own by the age of sixteen. Once she is sixteen you can drop her off at the border of the kingdom that's not too far away.” The woman explained before she faded away into the moonlight. The dragon looked down at the child and huffed causing the blanket to move. Libelle's face became visible to the dragon.

She had pale skin, blond hair, her eyes were pale crystal green, and a birthmark. The birthmark was one that she wouldn’t be able to hide. It started at the base of her hairline on the right side. It wasn't thin but large. It went to the edge of her eyebrow diagonally than it curved under her eye and ended at a point. The birthmark was a pale red. Ansley lowered his head and studied the birthmark. Ansley recognized the mark. It was the mark that made his hatred for humans start. The human who bore the mark was a man. For this child to have it made Ansley wonder who her family was. Due to his suspicions about her father, the way the child's mother spoke and acted made his scales curl. He carefully curled his tail around the child. Opening his wings that spread across the valley he flapped his wings. He shot up into the air causing a strong gust to make its way through the forest. The boy felt the gust and looked up from where he hid in the village. He saw Ansley in the sky. And he knew that his sister was safe. Even if he never saw it with his eyes.

Libelle ran through the forest jumping and swinging in the trees. She had grown into a beautiful woman under the care of Ansley for the past fifteen years. She made herself a name in the society of dragons. She became a strong warrior. Libelle had scales that dragons had shed throughout the years as clothes. She had learned how to sew along with a few other skills through her midnight meetings with Mahina who visits her in her dreams. Stopping on a tree she looked down at the waterfall. Pulling a dagger out of her pocket and checking to make sure that the vines were tight and wouldn’t break. Smiling she looked up into the sky. “Ansley! I’m gonna jump then I’ll meet you at the weeping willow like you want in three hours.” She then jumped down to free fall down the waterfall. “Wwwoooaaahhhh!” Libelle yelled with a smile her eyes wide open. Tears were forming in her eyes but they were quickly blown away by the wind. When she was halfway down she threw her dagger toward a tree right between a boulder and a stone wall. The dagger embedded itself into the trunk of the tree to the hilt. Libelle gripped the vine and adjusted her position in case it snaps.

Ansley flew through the sky near the border of the kingdom he planned to drop Libelle off at. He knew from all the night flies around the area where it was least guarded and safest to drop her off. But he didn’t want to do it. He remembered where and who that birthmark came from. It was this kingdom's king. Rumor had it that he has been unable to produce an heir. Besides Libelle, no one knew about her. He knows if he drops her off there and they see her birthmark she will be taken to the king. From there from his own experience, he will try to convince her to keep the war going. Her knowledge of dragons would be deadly for them. But if the king couldn’t convince Libelle that leaves two options. Either marry her off to someone that's loyal to him or kills her and name a loyalist as his successor. Ansley would never admit it but he had grown attached to the human girl in the years he had watched over her. He turned his head to the woods when he heard Libelle. He flew higher heading to the weeping willow. He needed to figure out what he was going to do with the remaining week he had with Libelle.

A telescope was set down and the owner looked towards the forest yet above it to the sky. “It’s been a long time my old friend.” The man said with a cruel smile. He had black hair and a mustache with a few gray strands and brown eyes. But what made him so recognizable by many was his birthmark. It started at the base of his jaw on the left side. It was large. After going diagonally to the edge of his mouth, it ended at a point after curving over his nose. The birthmark was a dark red. He turned away and made his way to his meeting room. He barged in to see his men fighting.

“Enough!” He bellowed, stopping the fight. His men stood up and bowed to him.

“Your Majesty!” They yelled in unison. He smirked as he made his way to the middle of the room. He slowly walked around them as they continued to bow.

“I have just spotted my old friend Ansley. Whoever brings me his head and whatever has made him fly to our borders during all hours of the day. They will get the title of dragon slayer. And whoever finds evidence of my missing heir will get the pleasure of marrying my mistress.” Abaddon said with a smile and watched his men get greedy looks. He then stormed out of the room. His demeanor changes as he approaches another.

An elderly woman had a kind face but it could be easily seen that she was very sick. Despite being so pale, she was unnaturally pale. She had completely white hair that was thinning rapidly. As well as looking kind, her face also used to look gorgeous but was gaunt now. Several cracks and scabs were present on her lips. It was as if her eyes were sunken in. In her condition, she resembled a skeleton. Abaddon walks over and knelt at the edge of the bed. The woman slowly turned to Abaddon with a smile.

“Abaddon my son, how are you?” She asked softly her voice was weak yet she still smiled. Abaddon took her hand as he looked at her kindly.

“I am well mother. I have some news that will make you happy.” Abaddon said softly as he smiled at her. She smiled at him as she gripped his hand tighter.

“Your grandchild that was stolen away from us will soon be returned. I promise you will meet them.” Abaddon said as he leaned forward. His mother smiled at him.

“I don’t have much time my son. I know you wish for me to meet your child, but I won’t in this world. But I need to tell you something..” She said with a great amount of struggle. Abaddon gripped his hand tighter as he watched her.

“What is it, mother? Is there anything I need to do to help you?” Abaddon pressed in an almost begging tone. But his mother simply laughed softly as she looked at her son.

“No, my time to dance with your father once again is coming nearer with each breath. But this is about your birthmark. Your child will have it. That’s how you got the throne even though you were the third born. But to reach your full potential you must complete what your father sought after. Drink the blood of a…of a…a” She took a deep breath before closing her eyes and exhaling. The grip she had on his hand went slack. Abaddon bowed his head. He then stood up and walked out once the door to his mother's room was closed he looked for the nearest servant.

“Spread the word the mother queen has passed. Send all my father's journals to my study. If you need me I’ll be getting a few more answers from the wench.” Abaddon said as he stormed to the dungeon. Where a woman with blond hair and crystal green eyes was chained to the wall. “Where did you hide my heir!” Abaddon thundered as he gripped the bars. The woman looked at him.

“I’ll never tell you. She’s safer with the dragons than with you.” She replied with a kind of scratchiness to it.

“You will tell me all of the places you could have left my heir or else. I know that you wouldn’t sentence your child to death more so since you’re secretly a dragonologist.” Abaddon said as he leaned away from the cell. But all the woman did was spit at his feet angering him even further. Seeing how she would never cooperate, he looked at the man dressed in black and nodded. “Waterboard her. But do not kill her. She will need to be prepared for her wedding.” He then left since he had much to do.

Libelle ran through the tall grass, her blond silky hair was still wet. Her feet were covered in mud as she slowed down as she approached the weeping willow tree. Looking around it, she saw all the different colored bleeding hearts. Mixed with the golden tall grass. She weaved the grass together so that it would become stronger and wider. As she sat down, she pulled out two bunches of partially woven tall grass. Once she finished weaving them she slipped them onto her feet. Her long hair was blown into her face. She smiled as she turned to watch Ansley land. “Where have you, Ansley?” Libelle asked as she walked toward him.

Ansley snorted and shook his head. “What do you mean? Why have you been flying around the human border? You told me that it's dangerous. You have never allowed me to be near the border.” Libelle said worried and confused. Ansley flapped his wings and huffed. Libelle got a confused look as she looked at him scared. “Why were you looking for a spot to drop me off?” Libelle asked, scared as she backed up a little. Ansley stomped his feet several times then huffed five times and shook his head. “What do you mean that I was only here because Lady Mahina told you to look after me? I thought you took me in after my family abandoned me.” Libelle demanded there was anger in her voice and eyes. Tears were in her eyes as she looked at him. Turning around she ran away from him. Ansley watched as Libelle ran away from him. He took a deep breath in and opened his wings. But he stopped and looked at the woods surrounding them. He inhaled the air repeatedly as the smells were coming from where Libelle was running.

Libelle ran, she ran to get away from the dragon shell Ansley had dropped on her. She didn’t want it; all she wanted to do was forget about it. She stopped upon hearing him roar. She knew that he only roared when it was serious. She looked around as she slipped her hand into her pocket. Her eyes though puffy picked apart each of the shadows in the forests. The slight shake in the ground and the feeling of a slight breeze told her Ansley was behind her. Closing her eyes she slowed her breathing and listened to the surrounding area. The leaves were rustling, from a slight breeze, Ansley's heart rate, and breathing. She blocked those out and tried to listen to other sounds that aren’t familiar.

“Whoever…heir…birth…slayer…” That was all Libelle heard confusing her. She looked at the woods trying to find the people she heard. Ansley was displaying his fangs as he stared at the forest. Looking into the forest she looked for movement for a long time. Her eyes snapped to a patch of bushes and her mind was on high alert. She just saw a glint. Something she saw when Ansley flew her near the border of the human kingdom a few years back. It had been high up so the detail wasn’t the best but the view was amazing. But one thing she remembered was the glint of metal on all of their weapons, armor, and buildings. Taking a step forward she knew that she had the human's and Ansley's attention. Her dagger was still in her pocket along with her hand. But that didn’t phase her. The quietness did.

Ansley watched Libelle slowly make her way to a cluster of bushes. He knew that there were men there but he didn’t know how many. All he knew was that he was going to make sure that Libelle would be alright no matter what. Ansley shook his head in frustration at how the girl had made him soft. He needed to drop her off at the border as soon as possible. But he knew that she didn’t want to go. And he knew that her fate would be one of misery. He watched her closely as she reached the edge of the forest. Just then a hand shot out to grab her. Ansley rushed over to help but it seemed that Libelle was already ahead of him. At almost the speed of a dragon, she pulled her dagger out and stabbed his arm before jumping back. “Aaahhh, you stupid wench!” The man roared as he swung at Libelle. Seeing this Ansley swung his tail and knocked the man away. He flapped his wings creating a strong gust of wind. It revealed the rest of the men. All of them wore armor and had various weapons on them.

Pulling her dagger out, Libelle swung her dagger around on the vine it was connected to. She glared at them as her eyes flickered between them. Never once staying on one too long. But there was one that made her pause. He had long shaggy slightly dark blond hair, pale crystal green eyes, black eyebrows, and tan skin. He seemed familiar but she wasn’t very trusting towards any of the men at the moment. The man she stabbed was off to the side holding his wound. She was proud of it. She knew that affected their plan of how they were going to go about this. She smirked at them. The wind stopped; she saw Ansley lower his head so it was leveled with her shoulders.

A young knight stared at the girl swinging the dagger with awe. He had made it this far and he wasn’t going to waste it. He knew both sides were waiting to see what the other one would do. It was a test of willpower and bravery. He had gone through the same thing when he was training with other boys. Slowly he pulled his sword out. His eyes flickered at the knights around him. Then back to the girl and dragon. Looking at her closely he took note of her blond hair. It was lighter than his and looked a lot softer as well. Her skin was pale yet also tan like she had spent hours in the water to get the perfect tan, Her clothes were made out of dragon scales causing him to feel impressed. She had protection on without knowing it. Her eyes were just like his pale crystal green but the birthmark made it so he knew who she was. There were only two people he knew that had that mark. Focusing on her eyes until she looked at him, he winked and swung his sword at the knights around him. He caught them off guard giving him the advantage.

The first one he was able to knock out with a blow to the head. Then the young knight slashed the other knight near him across the back of his armor; his sword cut through the armor due to the material his sword was made of. Now that the first two were down everyone was catching on to what was happening. The girl rushed forward and engaged with the knight she had previously stabbed. The knight was trying to get near her but the way she purposely swung the dagger around made it hard. She was landing nicks on him here and there but nothing serious. By some luck, the knight caught the dagger by the vine. “Gotcha now you wench.” He growled out as he started to pull on the vine. But the girl stood her ground still gripping the vine tightly. A looked surprised across the knight's features before he glared. Yanking with all his strength he was able to get her to stumble a little. Taking advantage of this he swung his sword in a wide arc. Seeing this the girl let go of the vine and bent backwards so far that she was on her hands and feet. Looking like a bridge. The knight was stunned by this, giving the girl the time to get back up and charge him. With this in mind, the knight stepped back and started to turn around. The girl's reaction to seeing this made her run faster and jump onto his back. With half her strength, she pulled the vine towards him, wrapping it around his neck. He tried desperately to pull the vine away from his neck in desperation. The girl pulled even harder as she switched which handheld she was using. Due to a lack of oxygen, the knight soon fell to the ground dead. While the dragon grabbed two knights and flew off with them to who knows where. The last they heard was a roar and their screams. Leaving the young knight to face the remaining knight.

“You little bastard. I should have known that you would have betrayed us. With how your mother is the king's toy.” The knight sneered, causing the younger one to glare.

“My mother had no choice in the matter. You should know since you use your position of power in the same way. What gave me away?” He replied as he steady his sword hand and adjusted his stance. They slowly circled each other waiting for the other one to make the first move. The older knight smirked at the younger one.

“The eyes and hair gave you away. Your mother’s family is known for those traits. No other family has them. After I kill you I’ll kill the dragon, behead it and drag the girl back to the king by her hair. Where I will receive all the rewards and praises. Including your dirty -” The knight stumbled forward and coughed in the middle of his sentence causing blood to come out of his mouth. The blood was thick and dark. There was a look of pure surprise on his face before he fell face first on the forest floor. The young knight looked and saw the dagger of the girl embedded in the older knight's back through his armor.

“That guy was seriously annoying.” The girl said as she pulled her dagger out from his back. Looking at the younger knight, her eyes narrowed. With her dagger dripping blood in hand, she cautiously approached him. Just then the dragon landed in the valley again. He roared at the knight causing the girl to turn to him. Blood marred his fangs and scales around his mouth. “Calm down Ansley, he helped us. The least we could do is find out why. But I do have one question though; why do you look so familiar?” The girl said as she circled him. The dragon shook his head, banged his tail and feet down on the ground, and flapped his wings. But the girl wasn’t paying attention; she was focused on the knight.

“My name is Arvan and I’m your brother. Our mother left you here in these woods due to the danger for not only us but for you as well.” Arvan answered carefully as he sheathed his sword. The girl had paused when he said this and turned to Ansley.

“Is this true? Do I have a brother? And is my father the king?” She demanded there be a tone that no one could explain. It not only confused Libelle but Arvan and Ansley as well. Ansley bowed his head, shocking Libelle who had a distressed look. But then she turned to Arvan.

“How is it dangerous to me? Why would your mother leave a child here in the woods and how can I trust you? You just turned on your people?” Libelle demanded as she slipped her dagger into her pocket. Arvan collapsed onto the ground as he sighed looking at her. But there was a smile that had appeared once he heard her name.

“Your father the king is a cruel and selfish man. He was third in line for the throne but for some reason, he was chosen to ascend after his father's death. After which he banished his brother and sister to these very woods. Their remains were found two days later. And our mother is secretly a dragonologist. The king knows you are alive but he doesn’t know where. My mission here with the other knights was to kill the dragon and prove that you are dead or alive. I knew you were alive but I didn’t know how. Search parties stopped years ago when a dragon scared all the search parties back across the border with a few bodies. While our mother is still alive, she is being held captive until the matter of your fate has been resolved. This will determine her fate. You can trust me because of this look at my sword.” Arvan explained he handed his sword over to Libelle who took it gingerly.

“You are right, this is made from an Eeli dragon who had shedded its fang. That's how you were able to cut through the metal. It is a few years old though meaning you have had it for some time. But if what you said is true about Ansley and the other protectors then how were you able to get this.” Libelle said as she gave the sword back. Ansley growled as he glared at Arvan.

“I took the path our mother used when she left you in the forest, during nighttime,” Arvan said in an almost pleading tone. Libelle looked at him before she sighed.

“I need time to process this. If you are my brother, if the king is my father, if my mother is captive, I need time to figure this out. But do not fool yourself. My desire to go with you to the human kingdom is nonexistent.” Libelle said as she turned and started to walk away. She needed to be alone and sort through her thoughts. Arvan and Ansley gave her a lot of information and she wasn't sure what she thought or felt at the time.

“Wait! Libelle, please. The king will destroy these woods and every dragon if we don't do something. He’ll get the title Dragon slayer. That title holds much power. If you were in poverty when you got the title, you will become rich after you get it. The title is highly sought after. Time is running out before he kills our mother." Arvan pleaded in desperation as he stood up. Fear crept into his eyes as he stared at her back. Hearing her name, Libelle had stopped walking. Slowly, she turned her gaze to him.

“H-how did you know my name? I never told you my name. No one could have told you my name.” Libelle said her eyes were wide open as she pulled her dagger out. Arvan saw the dagger and swallowed nervously. He raised his hands slowly with them wide open.

"Our mother named you Libelle before leaving you in the forest. When she named you, I was there. I was with her when she left you in the woods. Please believe me, Libelle. What do I gain from lying?" Arvan asked, his eyes glancing at Ansley who had been staring him down with his large red blood eyes the whole time. Libelle looked at Ansley and then at Arvan.

“Ansley, let's take him to a candid dragon. With their gifts, they will make it so we know if he is telling the truth. And then we’ll decide what will happen.” Libelle said as she slipped her dagger into her pocket again.

“What do you mean by what will happen?” Arvan said as he felt fear coursing through his veins, Libelle smirked at him as she looked at Ansley and then at Arvan.

“To decide your fate. It is unlikely that Ansley would murder you if what you have said is true. But if you're lying well… that changes everything. If you're telling the truth then I don’t know what to think.” Libelle replied, shrugging her shoulders. Arvan sighed as he looked at his sister. "But taking the king out is a strong possibility. Seeing how even if we decide to have nothing to do with you he would still harm our home." Libelle replied making Arvan groan.