Legends of Belariath

Salina Kyle

Betrayal Part One

The dragons had been systematically destroying the farms of the Syhn Tou region. The people weren't being injured but their farms were laid to waste. The fields burned to the ground along with all the buildings. Any animals were eaten or driven away. Each time knights went to fight the three beasts, the men returned on foot speaking of their defeat. No one died at the hands of the dragons. If anything, the creatures took great pains to make sure no one was killed during their rampages. Still, the simple country folk had reached the point they could take no more attacks. They wanted King Loubard to protect his people, as the Laws required. Many stood outside the castle demanding their sire do something about the evil monsters.

In the secret audience chamber, the council sat around the ebony table trying to reason with their ruler.

”Your majesty, you’ve got no choice,” growled one elder. “The dragons have taken over most of the Syhn Tou. If they continue in their destructive rage there’ll be food shortages. As it is, hunger will be felt through much of the kingdom.”

”You're asking me to sacrifice my only daughter to the revenge of these evil beasts!” the king shouted. He jumped to his feet knocking the chair over to clatter on the stone floor. “Damn the peasants, and let them die. I'll never surrender Rebecca to those creatures. Never!” Enraged, Loubard left the room to seek his wife for comfort.

Unknown to anyone, the privacy of the inner chamber had been violated. With her royal blue satin gown up to her knees, the teen fled down the dark, dusty stairs with the confidence of practice. Rebecca doubted her father even knew these hidden passages existed. She and her younger brother found them a couple of years ago, and used them to hide from the rest of the court. Edward played in a room they'd cleaned to make it more comfortable.

”Eddie!” his sister cried as she entered. He jumped to his feet in fright, wheezing deep in his chest.

”Becca! What's wrong?” he demanded. She threw herself into the weak arms of her brother, her face buried in his chest, as she sobbed her fear.

”The- dragons- are-“ she tried but the words couldn't get passed the lump her throat.

”What about the dragons?” he said shaking her gently. It took several minutes but the young woman finally got her mind clear enough to tell her brother the horrible truth.

”They won't stop till father gives me to them,” Rebecca said, wiping at her puffy eyes, “Father would let the peasants suffer and die rather then give me up.” She paced the room in bitter fear.

”That sounds like father,” Edward said, “He'd give me up in an instant.” The princess didn't hear the bitter words or the look of anger her 'loving' brother glared at her.

”I've got to do something,” she said, jumping to her feet, then turned to her brother. “Please help me, Edward. I can't let others suffer and die because of me. I must go to the dragons and surrender myself. That’ll get them to stop their attacks.”

”What makes you think that’ll stop the monsters?” he asked.

”I can only hope the dragons have some honor,” she said gazing at him. “Please help me, Eddie. If I don't do this it could mean the kingdom.”

”I don't think you should do this,” her brother said, “Its' just a bunch of peasants.” She came over to where he faced the wall. With a gentle hand, Rebecca turned her ailing brother around to face her.

”This is something I must do,” she said, firmly, smiling down at Edward, “I can't do it without your help. Please, Edward. Help me save the kingdom.”

”It’s just like you to throw your life away...” he said, sighing in defeat, “I'll help you, Becca. What do you want me to do?” Quickly, she gave her brother a list of things she'd need to escape the palace.

That night both teens took dinner in their quarters. Consumed with the dragons, their father and mother didn't really take notice of the absence. Edward brought a bag of clothing to his sister's chambers making sure no one saw him.

”I've got the squire's clothing just as you asked,” he said, handing her the bag, “How do you plan on getting off the grounds? Even as a squire, someone is bound to see you and demand to know where you're going.”

”I've got it all figured out,” she said as she changed in front of her brother. “I wrapped bands of cloth around my breasts to make people think I'm a boy. You'll go down to the stables with me and tell the stable master father’s sending Windchaser to the Fathington Estate for stud. Papa meant to send Windchaser this spring but the attack of the dragons distracted him.” Edward watched his sister change with mixed emotions. He was disappointed he didn't get a chance to see her breasts. Quickly, he schooled his face so she wouldn't notice. Pulling the hood of the tunic into place, Rebecca turned to face her brother. “What do you think?” He walked around her a couple of times.

”I can still see your breasts,” he said, with the tiniest of smiles. “It won't be bad in the dark, but you should avoid talking to anyone on the road.”

”I'm not going to let anyone see me,” she said as they went to the door. The young woman looked back on her room with a sad heart; sure she'd never see it again.

At the stables, Edward took the lead as befit a prince. He walked with his head held high trying to look confident. The stable master met them at the entrance to the stables.

”What can I do for you, your highness?” he asked a light sneer in his voice. Rebecca felt sorry for her brother. Thin, weak, and always suffering from one ailment or another, Edward rarely got any respect from the servants or other courtiers. In fact, the king had a tendency to ignore his son. Everyone knew it'd be Rebecca who inherited the throne or so they thought. She knew she couldn't do anything to help Edward. Taking a deep breath, the prince stepped into the light to glare at the arrogant man.

”I've brought a boy to take Windchaser to Fathington Estate for stud,” he said in his strongest voice. Being nighttime, this was the regular time to send valuable horses from the grounds, yet the man looked a little surprised scratching his chin in thought.

”Are you sure that's what the king wanted?” he asked.

”Are you daring to call me a liar?” Edward hissed in a quick rage. Accusing a member of the royal family of lying could get a person hung. At that moment, the Stable master didn't want to tempt fate by angering even the least of his sire's children. With a snort of irritation, he went into the stable to get the horse. The teens stood shifting from one foot to the other. Neither risked ruining their story by speaking to each other. When he brought her horse out, Windchaser was drawn to Rebecca's scent. This only irritated the man even further.

”Just don't stand there gaping at the wind,” he snapped at her, “Get the tack.” Quickly, the princess jumped forward to obey. Her first thought was to reach for the set she'd use if she were to go riding. “Not that one you fool.” The stable master’s leather crop struck her on the back. Rebecca cringed a little staring at him in real fear. “Who do you think you are? Princess Rebecca?”

”Forgive me, sir,” she whispered in a timid voice. She went to the plain tack well suited for a lowly squire. Her hands shaking, she took the gear down and prepared the horse for their journey. Though he didn't realize it, the man was watching the heir of the kingdom struggle with the saddle.

”Idiot!” he growled, striking her again. “Mind what you're doing, you fool.” Edward watched him hit his sister wondering what the stable master would do if he knew he was striking the crown princess. After what seemed like an eternity of abusive words and blows, Rebecca tightened up the girth then turned to face her brother. They stared at one another in silence for a moment.

”Are you sure you want to trust this fool with such a valuable animal?” he demanded of the prince. Her brother gave a crisp nod of his head. “As you will, your highness. Get a move on.” Rebecca got onto the horse she'd grown up with, feeling her courage return with the feel of the strong horse beneath her. “Come to me at once when you walk back. You'll be having a long talk with the leather strap.” She had no idea the squires were abused in such a manner. Taking one last look at the brother she loved, Rebecca turned the horse to the gate with her heart full of courage. She'd give her life to save the kingdom of Kildare.

It took a little more then two weeks for Rebecca to reach the proper province. Two weeks of dodging the knights her father sent to find her. Rebecca took bread and other food from the farms she passed. Being honest, she'd leave a small gold coin in exchange for what she took. It was her honesty that gave the knights a way to track her. The good people of the countryside knew only a thief or a member of the royal family would have these coins. A thief was unlikely to pay for food with stolen gold. This let the knights narrow their search. It was her father's armsmaster, and several of the most trusted knights chasing Rebecca down the dirt road at great speed.

”Princess Rebecca, come to your senses,” Lord Bracken shouted, “This is nothing but foolishness. Please stop your horse before you're injured. Please, my lady.” Rebecca had been riding for as long as she'd been walking, maybe even longer. She didn't bother to answer his pleas. Her body pressed down against Windchaser's strong neck as she urged her friend to run faster than the wind. As they rounded the bend of a steep hill, Rebecca dared a quick glance over her shoulder. All of a sudden her horse screamed in fear stopping so fast she couldn't hang on. The princess flew into the air screaming in fear despite her. She smacked the chest of a very large dragon with a bit of a thump. His clawed hands came up to catch her trapping her arms at her sides.

”Well, what have we here?” the great beast rumbled. The knights rounded the curve and stopped not far away. Their horses were also giving them trouble but the men were better prepared to deal with unruly mounts. Looking down at Rebecca, he flipped her around so her arms were still trapped at her sides but she was now facing her father's men.

”All this fuss over a horse thief?” a second voice asked. The shimmering form of another dragon appeared beside the first one, smiling at the knights.

”Release her, beast!” shouted the younger knight, without thinking. Lord Bracken glared the young man into silence but the damage had already been done.

”Her?!” the dragons said together, looking closely at what the one held.

”Altier, go get Landorin,” said her holder. The other dragon disappeared into shimmering silver light. The armsmaster moved forward cautiously watching the dragon's every move.

”Release her, Kycha,” the man growled, “I won't let you take her.”

”I'm impressed, butcher, that you’d actually remember my name,” Kycha hissed, “And what do you plan on doing to rescue this tasty little morsel? Are you brave enough to face an adult dragon in fair combat?” Something in his tone of voice seemed to be speaking of terrible pain. Looking at her father's closest friend, Rebecca thought she saw a hint of shame in the man's face.

”What is he speaking of, Lord Bracken?” she demanded. Before Lord Bracken could reply a great thundering filled the air. Tremendous wind yanked back the princess' hood and her thick braid of auburn hair slashed back and forth. Rebecca felt her mouth dropping open as the great emerald green dragon landed beside her. His sparkling eyes gazed at the armored men, and then at the female his friend was holding.

“Princess Rebecca, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Landorin rumbled bowing slightly, and then turned to the men.

“What’s happen between you and my father’s men?” she demanded, struggling a little in Kycha’s hands. The two hundred foot long creature glanced at her but remained silent.

“Release her, Landorin, the king will give you anything you want...”

“He knows what I want, oathbreaker,” the emerald dragon snarled, his claws digging into the ground. “Tell your king he has till the moon waxes full. If he ever wants to see his daughter alive again, he’ll come here with you alone. Now leave here before I remember the screams of the mothers and bring them justice.” The young woman watched the knights leave with mixed emotions.

After making sure the knights had gone, Kycha gently put Rebecca on the ground with the three giants surrounding her. They were talking in dragon tongue almost ignoring the young woman. Her eyes were drawn to the dragon that’d been holding her. Kycha seemed no more then a hundred feet high. He had a mossy brown body and a green mossy belly all in muted colors. He didn’t have any wings but looked well suited to living in the deep woods. By far the brightest in color, Altier had a teal green back that sparkled in the sunlight. His creamy belly was speckled with teal, sapphire, and diamond like scales. He had a mustache of dark blue/green under his slender nose. Altier looked like a treasure from the sea taking her breath away with his beauty. Lastly, almost in fear, Rebecca turned to their leader, the emerald dragon named Landorin. Twice the size of the other dragons, the great beast stood over two hundred feet tall. His wings were the darkest green she’d ever seen. His back had the color of rich emeralds and his stomach was a lighter green. His eyes were like fiery emerald jewels glowing with power from within. Kycha shifted a little bringing the princess back to her situation.

“I’m ready,” she said with her head held high. The three of them glanced at each other in surprise.

“Ready for what, your highness?” Landorin rumbled. She took a brave step toward him.

“For you to eat me of course,” she stated. That brought laughter from all three as they chuckled at her suggestion.

“My lady, what makes you think we want to eat you?” asked Altier. Their reaction was beginning to really anger the girl, after all she went through to finds these wretched creatures.

“He called me a tasty morsel,” she said, pointing to Kycha.

“That was an act for the knights, my lady,” he said smiling, “There’s much better eating in the forest over there then you’d ever provide. Human flesh is sickening in taste.”

“I think you should tell us how you came to be here,” Landorin said, “It’s obvious from your dress and the men that your father didn’t send you.”

“Well, it’s like this,” Rebecca said, looking down at her blistered hands, “I accidentally overheard...”

“Lying doesn’t become you, Princess Rebecca,” he said. Her face turned bright red in shame.

“I was spying on my father’s council meeting. I heard about all the damage you’re doing to the farms,” she said, “My father said he’d never give me up to you. I couldn’t bear to see others suffer and die because of me. I decided to come to you to surrender myself.”

“Even though you thought we were going to eat you?” he asked. She nodded a little. “Why?” She lifted her eyes to stare into his glowing eyes.

“I don’t know what my kingdom has done to you and your brethren,” she said, “I only ask you take me and leave the farms in peace.”

“You’re willing to give you life to protect Kildare?” Landorin demanded.

“Of course,” she said, “These people count on my family to protect them. If my father won’t do it, then I’ve no choice but to protect them myself. Do with me as you wish, but if you’ve any honor at all… Please cease your attacks on the peasant folk, I beg you.” The three had a quick exchange in their language staring down at her with surprise.

“Now that you’re here, there’ll be no more attacks,” Landorin told her. “We need only see your father for this to be at an end.”

“Will you kill my father?” she asked fearfully.

“We’ve no intention of killing anyone,” he said, as he picked up the girl.

“Even if death is what he deserves,” hissed Altier.

“The princess and I are going to the den to get better acquainted,” the emerald dragon said, as the other two nudged each other grinning. The air crushed from the teen’s lungs as the dragon leaped into the cool air. He climbed in a spiral and headed toward the setting sun.

It took little time to reach the den of the dragons. The air whooshed from Rebecca’s lungs as the great beast back-winged to land lightly before the large cave entrance. The size of it surprised the princess.

“I didn’t know there were caves of this size in Kildare,” she said in an awed voice.

“There aren’t caves of this size in your land normally, my lady,” Landorin said, his wings tucking neatly over his shoulders. “My brothers and I made this den with our magic. Of course, we’ll return this place to its’ natural state before we leave. Dragons don’t rape the land as humans do.”

“Humans don’t rape the land,” she said with a snort, “How could anyone ‘rape’ the land?”

“Spoken like a true human, your highness,” the dragon muttered, then carried the girl into the den. If she thought the outside of the cave was impressive, the young woman found the inside of the cave beyond belief. The caverns extended deep into the earth illuminated by globes of magic light. They went through the entrance into another cavern that had four different tunnels leading away. This cavern had a large pool of steamy water big enough to be a bath for a dragon. The emerald dragon gently eased himself into the water, putting the girl down beside him. They stared at each other in silence till he snorted in irritation.

“Those clothes don’t suit you, your highness,” he rumbled, “You should remove them.” That suggestion made her face grow pale. Still, she’d surrendered herself knowing the dragons might kill her, besides he was a dragon after all. There was no way he could violate her at his size. Taking a deep breath, Rebecca pulled the low boots from her blistered feet. The hard leather had been torturous as she’d never worn anything rougher then a pair of silk slippers. Next, she untied the rough cloth breeches and let them fall to the wet stone. Looking up, the teen wasn’t sure how to read the look upon her captor’s face. He seemed to be having an inner war of some sort. She took a deep breath then began to lift the tunic over her head. It was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do in her life; being eaten by the dragons would’ve been easier. His eyes widened at the sight of the cloth she’d wrapped around her chest.

“Were you injured, Princess?” he demanded in agitation. The idea she might be hurt seemed to bother the creature greatly.

“No, Lord Dragon, I’m not hurt,” she said, gazing up at his glowing eyes. “I was trying to hide the fact I’m a girl rather then a boy. I used the cloth to bind my chest making it look flatter.” Landorin couldn’t help feeling a need to see how much of a ‘girl’ the princess might be. He extended one clawed hand with his razor sharp claw curved out.

“I suggest you hold very still, Princess Rebecca,” he warned, “My claw goes easily through thick plate armor. It would go through you with the least of effort.” Utterly stunned by the dragon’s words, Rebecca felt her body stiffen holding perfectly still. The great dark emerald claw carefully reached forward to hook the very tip at the top of the cloth bands between her flattened breasts. Like magic, the cloth sprang apart. The princess didn’t even see his claw move down. Her startled eyes went up to look at the dragon, but the creature had disappeared. In his place stood a human man maybe six feet tall. He had long emerald green hair that flowed over his strong shoulders. His body was easily more powerful then any knight she’d ever seen. When his eyes opened, the glowing jewels of the dragon’s eyes stared at her from a man’s face.

“Now I may enjoy your ‘company’ much better, your highness,” he said taking the young woman into his strong arms. Rebecca’s first instinct was to fight his wandering hands. She turned her face from his conquering mouth. As she struggled against the dragon/man, a thought occurred to her terrified mind. The princess had surrendered herself to the dragon on an oath of honor. She’d thought they’d eat her but since that wasn’t the case she would, in honor’s name, submit to whatever the dragons might want even if it meant the sacrifice of her woman’s virtue.

“Wait, my Lord dragon. Please.” She wanted to catch her breath and prepare herself for what was to come. The dragon stopped his attack looking into her fear filled eyes. Taking a couple of deep breathes, Rebecca cleared her mind of any thoughts to fight his wishes, then looked up into his unreadable eyes. She reached one tentative hand to touch his smooth cheek.

“I’m ready now, Lord Dragon,” she said in as strong a voice as her frightened heart could muster. Her eyes closed even as her hands reached out to hold his hips. Landorin took her back into his arms pressing their bodies together. Her heart pounded in her breast fit to burst. Without warning, the dragon shoved the princess away roughly. He turned his back to the confused girl.

“Go through that archway there, Princess Rebecca,” he growled softly. “You’ll find a bathing chamber, and clothing to suite your station. I’ve made living quarters for your use. If you hunger you need only sit at the table in the chamber and state what you wish to eat. Invisible servants will bring the food to you. I’ll have healing salve brought for your blisters. Please go now.” Confused, the princess couldn’t understand what was happening. Had he suddenly found her unappealing?

“Lord Dragon...” she started but he returned to his dragon body with his back still toward her.

“Go… now… your highness,” he growled waving at the arched stone. With little idea of what had caused his change in attitude, the young woman retreated to the chamber prepared for her.

Thoroughly bored, Princess Rebecca sat on the satin sheets of the canopy bed trying to work on some needlework provided to her by the invisible servants. It occurred to her she still hated the tedious activity. She’d have rather been reading scrolls from the royal library, or riding her dear Windchaser. Sounds from the main cavern caught her attention. Cautiously, the young woman crept to the opening to hear what was being said. The other dragons had returned to their lair. With the greatest of care, Rebecca crept forward till she could see into the chamber beyond. Altier seemed especially excited about something. She could see Landorin getting out of the hot pool with his usual unreadable expression on his massive face.

“Well?” Altier demanded, “Was she a virgin? Did she fight you? I hope you didn’t hurt her very badly. I’m looking forward to my time with the princess.” This last statement came out in a sneer of hatred that frightened the young woman. Rebecca realized Landorin had meant to rape her taking her maidenhood regardless of her protests. That being the case, why did he turn away from her when the princess offered herself in submission? The huge Emerald dragon took an equally large tankard of wine from a rock shelf drinking deeply.

“Don’t keep us in suspense, Landorin,” Kycha said, “I haven’t heard anything else from Altier this whole night, and quite frankly, its’ driving me mad.” Finally, their leader turned to face them.

“Yes, Princess Rebecca is a virgin,” the great dragon growled, staring hard at Altier, “and thus she’ll remain, Altier.” That statement brought several stunned moments of silence from the other dragons. Kycha recovered his senses first looking quite startled.

“Are you saying you didn’t take her?” he asked in a cautious voice.

“That’s correct,” Landorin growled. “She doesn’t deserve to be dishonored in such a way. Rebecca isn’t our true enemy, only another innocent child…”

“After what that two legged dog did to us, you feel his offspring deserves more respect then was given to ours?!” the water dragon roared. Landorin moved to stand before the archway leading to their human prisoner.

“Do you think it’s right to take an action just as base against an innocent girl?” he shot back. “She’s a child with great honor and respect. She came to us willing to die for her people…”

“Then loosing her maidenhood will be a much kinder fate,” Altier hissed. “The Grand Dragon gave us the right to have her, and I’m not as softhearted or foolish as you. Get out of my way, Landorin.” The dragons faced off as the air around them began to crackle with the building of magic energy.

“You aren’t going to touch the princess, Altier,” the dark green dragon growled.

“I will have the female,” the other dragon hissed, “Even if it has to be over your dead body.” Kycha moved to the opening into his temporary den watching the others circle. Rebecca watched in horrid fascination as the great beasts came at one another. The sound of their roars nearly drove her deaf even with her hands pressed tightly to her ears. Bolts of magic energy twisted around the combatants as they grappled with one another. Landorin pinned the younger dragon to the floor with his mighty strength. The smaller dragon squirmed for a few moments but couldn’t free himself. They had a growling exchange in their native tongue, which the tone of Altier’s voice made the young woman’s skin crawl. The younger dragon disappeared in a flare of light. Taking a deep breath, Landorin turned to Kycha with a glare.

“Don’t look at me,” the forest dragon said, raising his hands. “I only touched a female for procreation. You know that, Landorin.” Quickly, Kycha moved into his den out of the sight of the still angry Landorin. With a snort, the Emerald dragon took up his tankard to take a deep drink. Putting the glass back on the shelf, he came over to the entrance to her chambers to look down at her. Grumbling softly, the dragon curled up in front her chambers. The great beast went to sleep leaving the young woman to wonder at the strange turn of events.

It seemed to Rebecca that time had stopped in her luxurious prison with the invisible servants waiting on her, and keeping the chambers clean. Landorin never left his position guarding her. Altier hadn’t returned to the caves, which worried the princess to some degree. Without warning, Kycha appeared in huff speaking to Landorin in their language. The huge dragon turned to face her chambers.

“It’s time, your highness,” he rumbled, as she stepped out of the tunnel. Magical light surrounded her body for a moment then soaked into the gown she’d been wearing, turning it into a sparkling masterpiece of white finery, a dress she might wear to the coronation of a king. Her golden circlet of rank rest lightly in her perfumed auburn hair adding a touch of gentle weight she’d never really liked. Rebecca only wore her crown to the highest of occasions. She wondered why this strange situation would require such finery, but held her tongue in difference knowing the answers would soon be coming. Using gentle care, Landorin picked the young woman up; his eyes as always gave no hint to what he might be thinking. Rebecca wondered what would happen to her prepared dress if the great dragon took flight. He surprised her with another display of magic sending both to the bend in the road where she’d first met the dragons.

A sight of great shock greeted her eyes. Her father stood beside Lord Bracken leaning on the man as though his legs would collapse at any moment. His appearance was just as shocking. The fine robes and garments of rank were gone to be replaced by the simple clothes of a peasant beggar and those had great tares and dirt covering them. Her father’s ashen face beneath the dirt showed he’d had little to no sleep for quite some time. Perhaps most shocking of all, her father wore no crown, not even the circlet of rank he wore when in his private chambers. Her father never went anywhere without his crown. Lord Bracken looked little better supporting his king’s trembling form. Rebecca had never seen her father look so terrified, not even when the orcs tried to invade the kingdom when she was a small child. She wanted Landorin to put her down but he showed no sign of doing so. They stared at one another in silence for several moments. An explosion of light heralded the arrival of Altier and three new dragons. After a moment of study, Rebecca decided the new dragons were female by body shape differing from the ones she already knew to be male. Landorin took a step forward raising the hope the dragon meant to put her down but he didn’t.

“Speak your crime, oathbreaker,” he growled. Her father trembled for a moment then sank to his knees.

“I beg you to spare my daughter,” he pleaded. “Take my life… take my kingdom… but let me have my daughter. I beg you.” The princess had never heard her father sound so broken and never expected to hear such from him. She glanced up at her holder but saw no pity in the dragon’s glowing eyes.

“Speak your crime, oathbreaker.” Shuddering in the dirt of the road, Bracken helped his liege to his unsteady feet to face the six dragons.

“Forty five years ago I was a spoiled youngster used to getting my way,” her father said in a weak but clear voice. “I knew of the standing agreement with the dragons and Kildare. I wanted to keep one of the dragonettes as a pet but my father refused to allow it.” Altier snorted in barely contained rage. Rebecca’s father looked up into her eyes seeking some sort of understanding.

“I was little more then a child of fifteen,” he said. “When my father continued to refuse and nothing I said to him or my mother would change his mind, I decided to have revenge. I found out where the eggs were by looking through journals of state. I wasn’t supposed to have access to these until I came of age to take the throne. Enlisting the help of my dearest friend, and trusted companion, I went to the caves meaning only to take one of the eggs to be mine. The eggs were too big and heavy for the two of us to move. I doubt less then ten men could move one of those eggs… In a fit of rage, I destroyed all nine eggs…” That admission brought a shriek of despair from one of the females. Kycha moved to comfort her. Rebecca couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her father had destroyed nine dragon eggs. No wonder the dragons were so enraged, but she hadn’t heard all of her father’s crime.

“What else did you do that night, murderer?” Altier hissed with bitter hate. The princess couldn’t imagine anything worse then killing those defenseless baby dragons. Her father cleared his voice a couple of times but the words seemed to be stuck in his throat. After watching his king struggle to finish, Bracken cleared his throat then took a small step forward putting the king protectively behind him.

“We were foolish in these actions,” he said, staring hard at the dragons. “Out of curiosity and knowing no better, we cooked and ate some of the meat…”

“No!” Rebecca screamed in outrage. It was bad enough her father had killed these innocent creatures but to eat their flesh seemed reprehensible. She turned to see the horror and disgust on the faces of the dragons. She felt a great shame come over her at the knowledge of what had happened so long ago. No one spoke after her outburst, her father sinking to the ground once more seeing the horror in his daughter’s eyes.

“Please place me on the ground, Lord Dragon,” she requested in a low voice. He hesitated but finally put the princess down on the dirt road. Calmly, she walked up to her father. Her face and stance showed her disgust in what had been confessed. Rebecca spun to face the dragons dropping to her knees before them.

“I can’t beg for your forgiveness,” she said as tears ran down her cheeks, “for there can be no forgiving a crime this horrendous. My life is hardly equal to what my father has taken from you, but I beg you to take it and do with me as you wish.”

“Rebecca! No!” her father gasped reaching one trembling hand to his child. She gave him a cold stare as he dropped his eyes. The dragons seemed surprised at the exchange between the girl and her father. Landorin reached down to pick Rebecca up to stand before the dragons.

“The eggs your father destroyed were mere days from hatching,” the emerald dragon told her. “A dragon may only mate once in a long lifetime. A female dragon is considered blessed if she should have two eggs. Three are so rare I can count on one hand how many times a set of three has been laid. It’s the will of the Dragon’s Council that Rebecca be slave of the two dragons who’ll be guarding this laying. Should anything happen to this group of eggs the kingdom of Kildare will be destroyed.”

“You’re very generous, Lord Dragon,” she said, then turned to face her father once more. Slowly, Rebecca approached the beaten, broken man she’d grown up admiring for his wisdom. She knew this would be last time she ever saw him, and even with all the rage she felt at his crime he was her father.

“Please forgive me, Rebecca,” he moaned.

“It’s not my forgiveness you need, father,” she said in an even voice. “I do this to try to regain some of the honor your act has destroyed. I do this for the kingdom.” She lifted the circlet from her head holding it out to him. Seeing that Loubard was unable to, Lord Bracken accepted the symbol of her royalty.

“You’re my father, and I’ll always love you,” the princess said then started to turn back to the dragons. Her father cried out in anguish taking her into his weak arms. They held one another for a few brief moments but both knew there could be no turning back. Her clothing changed to that suitable for a servant’s, Rebecca went to stand before Landorin. The dragon bent down to take the young woman in his hands once more.

“Your word, Landorin!” Loubard shouted. “When my daughter has served her time you’ll return her to Kildare. I beg you. Return Rebecca to the high court of Kildare. Your word!” It occurred to the princess her father had no right to demand anything. Still, Landorin looked down at her with those deep glowing gems for eyes then glanced at her father.

“I will return Rebecca to the high court of Kildare.” After making this statement, the dragons all vanished from the road taking Princess Rebecca with them.

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