sarri
Before I could even say a word my mother spoke "this is not up for discussion Sarri." I shook my head "but this is madness, surly you can see that. You can not think that Commander Drake and I can convince the borderland civilizations to help us?" My mother stood all female pride "do not question my decision Sarri it will get you nowhere." My anger started to boil at her stubbornness "please you can not send me to travel so far with him alone. With the threat of Alicia getting ever closer we can not separate our army at such a time. What if she attacks you cannot hope to protect the Sanctuary on Deagan's army alone its suicide." Without warning my mother raised her hand sticking me jaw with the back of her hand. Refusing to let her see how much it hurt I left it untouched as she spoke. "Do not raise your voice to me you are not queen yet and have no right to argue something that is already decided." Sitting my mother acted like nothing had happened as she spoke again "be ready by dawn." Dismissed I turned to leave but again she spoke before I reached the door. "And remember Sarri I expect you behave accordingly, I will know of everything you do." She spoke to my back, I did not turn around. Leaving her study I felt like a prisoner and the prison was my royalty. Always my mother dictated what I did and who I spoke to, only when I snuck out with Coran did I have any freedom and when I was with him but even that had its consequences. As I walked I remembered the few times my mother caught us on our time of freedom, she punished Coran for not stopping me then she punished me by ordering guards to follow me wherever I went. I am the strongest warrior of our race, at least until Drake yet I didn't feel like it. It was hard to think of myself as a dragon with incredible powers of the elders when I had to answer to her. A true dragon answered to no one, the dragons of old certainly never did. So deep was I in thought I did not even notice that Coran stood at my door. "Sarri? Are you alright?" "Oh Coran I didn't see you there," I paused "What are you doing here?" I tried to hide my split lip however he was not fooled as he lifted my face so that he could see "what happened?" I shook my head as I stepped past him to enter my room, I heard him enter after me. I did not look at him not wanting him to see the confusion and hurt in my eyes "nothing happened, I just asked her about the details for tomorrow." Coran stepped closer and turned me around to face him "that's not all. Come on Sarri I can see it in your face. Tell me what happened," I shook my head again. "It's not what happened she has done worse I can handle the blows she deals out, I fear more for what will happen." Coran stared at me in confusion "what do you mean?" Going to the window I sat down, staring at the stars I felt Coran sit beside me. Finally I turned to look into his eyes "if I go on this mission, if I am alone with him…oh Coran what am I going to do?" He pulled me into his arms, stoking my hair he answered "just follow your heart Sarri. You do that and everything will be alright." I pulled away from him suddenly angry "how can I?!" I stood "if I follow my heart it will only cause chaos. How can you tell me to follow my heart when you know what it will result in?" Coran looked to the stars as I had done, as he turned back his eyes had a shine to them that I had never seen in him before. "You might not have noticed but I have recently come to know the love of another." I cut him of before he went any further my anger gone "I have noticed." He nodded and smiled "I thought so. What I'm trying to say is that if you love someone then nothing can get in the way of that love. Don't you see Sarri if you can notice me and Adryin then I notice you and Drake and if I notice then everyone else does. You can not hide how you feel so why hide it at all." Angry again I yelled "you know what the consequences will be Coran, how can you even suggest it. How can I open my heart to something that will break it beyond repair? To protect him I can not do what you say." Coran stood "shouldn't that be his choice?" He started to walk to the door, with one hand on the knob he turned. "Think about it Sarri no one should be with out true love." I watched him leave the room, he had changed so much. I knew it was for the better but no matter what he said I could not do as he suggested. I can not open my heart to Drake, I can not watch him die.
Later in the night I was woken gratefully from my nightmares, sitting up I found Deagan on the bed beside me. "Deagan wh-" He cut me off by placing a finger to my mouth. "Shh, I only came to toast our last night together until your return." Gently he caressed my split lip "soon you will not have to worry about her." I put my hand on his curious as to what he meant. He smiled returning to what he was saying before I could question his words. "Don't you remember?" My mind still groggy from sleep I shook my head. He sighed "Perhaps you are not probably awake else you would remember that night almost a year ago." My mind becoming clear I remembered the very night he came back from Lantra city. He had been there visiting his parents for the past three years getting everything ready for when he was to marry me and make Crystalansio his new home. That night he had come to my room with wine to toast our new life together. I returned to the present and nodded "yes I remember." He smiled "that was the first night we spent together in the same room, it was the first night of our future. Well tonight shall be just like that a celebration of the coming victory against Alicia and the rest of our lives together." He began to pure wine into the two cups that he had bought with him, handing me one he raised his cup "to our future, may it be long-lasting and full of happiness." I touched his glass with mine and we both drank. As the liquid ran down my throat something about it seemed strange. The wine seemed familiar, though I was sure I had never tasted it before. I looked to Deagan about to ask what wine it was when he pulled me close pressing his lips on my own. Our bodies collided, however I found myself wanting more and knowing he could not give it. This feeling left me empty I only hoped that he did not notice.
The first light of morning brought dread in my heart, rising out of bed I found Deagan gone. Surprised I dressed in my warriors garb and left for the stone clearing where we were to take off. Many warriors both human and dragon waited, also the families of those leaving stood saying good bye to their loved ones. Through the crowd Deagan approached where I stood. "There you are sorry I was not there when you woke," "its fine Deagan we will have plenty of time together when I return." he pulled me into a hug as he whispered "I wish I didn't have to see you go so soon after your return." He released me to stare into my eyes "and I wish I could stay too, however I do not have any choice mother has made that quite clear." Deagan placed his hands on my cheeks "promise you will watch your self around him." I started to deny his words but he put a finger to my mouth "for peace of mind. Mine if not yours" slowly I nodded "for your peace of mind." "Thank you," he pulled me into a hug again. Stepping back I turned to face Coran and smiled "be careful Coran. I expect to see you back in one piece," He laughed. "I was prepared to say the same to you, you are the one going into the unknown. I'm merely traveling to the surrounding towns and villages," I shook my head "it is still just as dangerous. There is no way to know who supports Alicia and who does not." Here Deagan stepped in "it's not the same Sarri and you know it." I smiled "will both of you stop worrying about me, I will be fine. It will take a lot to take me down both of you should know that." Coran chuckled "you are defiantly right about that, even without the elder's powers." I laughed with him "well I could always beat you that's for sure." Then as I looked at Coran I saw Drake behind him. He stood staring with those sapphire eyes that I loved so much, they held everything that I was trying to stay away from. I stared back as that same girl approached him, this time I was able to see her face. She was exquisitely beautiful, no more than fifteen years old yet she seemed so much older in the way she held herself then I had observed the first time I had laid eyes on her. I watched as they began to talk, as I looked upon them a strange feeling came over me. The way they seemed so comfortable together made me uneasy. Then my eyes settled at her neck suddenly my heart skipped a beat for around her neck she supported a white dragon necklace. Drake had of course told me about it but the surprise still hit me. To my dismay those standing near me noticed my sudden surprise. "Sarri?" Deagan questioned as he followed my eyes, before he could spot Drake I put my hands on his shoulders. "It's alright I worry about all of you," Deagan smiled. "There's no need we will be fine, you should concentrate on your self." At that moment my mother arrived to send off her warriors. Briefly I looked to Coran, I knew by the look on his face that he had seen what had surprised me. However we did not get a chance to speak for Deagan was already pulling my hand to meet my mother as she entered the stone clearing. Still angry with her I did not greet her nor did I even look her way. Deagan and everyone around me however bowed and greeted her with all their devotion. "People of Dralic human and dragon alike, by now you have been told of the vast numbers at Alicia's disposal. Well it seems it is time to try even the odds, all of you have been given and area of Dralic to travel and to gather as many warriors to fight Alicia as you can. You all know your mission and I hope all of you succeed, for if you can not it will mean the downfall of Dralic and her people. So to protect your families and friends gather warriors and when you return we will have our revenge on those who have taken our homes and who are responsible for so much pain and suffering." Here the entire crowd cheered at my mothers words. I had to admit that she always had a way with words, I suppose she had too to be queen of a kingdom as vast as Dralic. However that only meant that she was good at manipulating people. We watched as my mother spoke words to each warrior as they left for parts of Dralic they were assigned too. There were five groups of fifty to depart. Sandit was second in charge of my own personal warriors and was the first to leave. "Good luck Sandit and be carful that also goes for the rest of you, I expect all of you to come back in one piece. May the dragons of old watch over you all." I said to her and the forty nine behind her. "And you princess Sarri, it goes without speaking that we expect you to return unharmed. And may the dragons of old shine in the darkness before us." They departed to the south east of the sanctuary in dragon form with humans on their backs. Next were Adryin and her warriors, Coran stepped forward. "Good luck and be careful, may the dragons of old watch over you." This was the formal Farwell of warriors that go into a dangerous battle, it would normally be answered like Sandit had but Adryin surprising us all leaned towards Coran and kissed him on the cheek. I turned to watch my mother's reaction expecting one of disapproval, however she surprised me by nodding her head in approval. At that moment I felt very jealous of Coran, but it faded quickly when I remembered I wanted Coran to be happy and if mother approved then at least he will have the life I will not. Then she too left with her warriors to the south of the sanctuary. Next was Lucas he was taking a hundred of Drake's men and fifty of his own to cover the south west and the west. I had not even noticed that Drake stood beside Coran until he stepped forward to Farwell Lucas and the warriors behind him. "May the dragons of old watch over you all," "and may the dragons of old shine in the darkness before us." Here they clasped hands "look after her my old friend." Lucas turned to stare at the girl from before. "You can count on me," Drake nodded then turned to his men. "This is dark times my friends, but do not give up hope. I may not be with you in person but I will be there in spirit, just remember what you fight for, remember to work together and most of all remember that you are warriors." At this they all roared in a loud war cry as they turned and took to the sky with humans on their backs and headed west. I watched as the girl changed into a white dragon, she was not entirely the same as Drake but the resemblance was strange. I could not help myself from being jealous of her. Next it was Coran's turn, his warriors stood before him as he turned to face us. He did not stand before my mother as I thought he would but stood in front of me. Not wanting to show my emotions before every one I merely spoke the formal farewell. However Coran did not answer in the formal way. He stepped forward pulling me into his arms, whispering into my ear he said "follow your heart little sister don't let her destroy what makes you, you." Stepping away before I could answer Coran turned and left with his warriors North. With Coran and his warrior's departure it was now time for me to leave. Drake turned to me I saw his briefly widen at my split lip however he banished his emotions quickly by asking "are you ready your highness?" I looked to where Coran had disappeared, Deagan touched my shoulder. I spun and wrapped my arms around him "protect the sanctuary and stay alive." He kissed my forehead and stepped back "protect yourself and come back to me." My mother stepped beside Deagan "make sure she returns unharmed commander." Drake stepped up beside me "I will your majesty," She turned to face me. "Never turn your back on those from the borders, even if they agree to join us they can not be trusted until they prove their worth." I did not answer, only stared. Finally Drake spoke pulling me from my thoughts "come your highness it is time to go." I turned and together with Drake we transformed into our true form and took to the skies.