Winona's POV
I know they can catch up with me in due time because the dragons can fly, and the horses can run faster than me because they are not ordinary horses. They can also fly. How I wish I already shifted so I can fly away right now; even though I can move quickly, my legs can't keep up with my determination to run. I need to do something to lose them. I am still in the land of the dragon realm. I can see the thick forest ahead; I need to get a sanctuary before they find me.
I can feel the heaviness on my chest as I remember my mother's body on the ground. I am just glad my dad arrived, or I won't be here escaping from the Dragon King; I don't know why King Alexandix hated our existence, especially my dad. He tried to lock away my father in one of the dragon prisons of the realm, but my dad escaped, and I hope he can still do the same this time. And when I looked around, I can feel the Knights of the Dracousia Kingdom looking for me as I hear the loud and intense sound of the horse hooves.
I know that I can use my power on those horses, but their flying ability makes it harder for me to escape. I have been running for hours, and I realized my father was right. I have strong stamina, and I can run faster than the cheetah. And I admit I am now out of breath, and before I know it, I am already inside the forest of Orio. My father already told me if ever I will get inside this forest, I need to be watchful and be keen on my surroundings because this place is full of tricks and illusions.
"Listen, Winona, once they will find out that you are the Dragon Witch, you are no longer safe from the mage realm and the dragon world, so you have to find refuge in a place that no one dares to cross, and your only option is to go to Dasos, there is a cave there, and I am sure no one will find you there." My mom said on the night before the tournament.
"You will find some comfort in that cave because it was your father's sanctuary." My mom added, and I know she avoided telling me about my father's secret base because she was afraid I would go to him one day, and when she learned, I will participate in the yearly tournament. She had already seen what could happen because it was one of her abilities. But she didn't tell anyone about it except me that there are times she can foresee the future, but I think my mom can enhance that kind of power. But she opted to close her mind and heart to that kind of magic because she doesn't want to know what will happen to her family in the future. After all, it will make her paranoid. And I am sure she opens her mind to see a glimpse of what will happen during the tournament because I was one of the participants.
"Stop! You little dragon witch!" Someone yelled at me, and it echoes the entire forest; when I turned around, I see the red and green dragon behind me, and I can tell they are ready to attack.
"You better come with us freely than fight, you are inside the forest of Orio, and you don't have any idea what the creatures are lurking in this place." The green dragon spoke, and I am contemplating on what to do.
"I am not coming with you, and I rather die here than come with you," I shouted at them.
"Do you know what will happen to a stubborn like you? You should be lock in the dungeon and to be fed to the King's pet." The red one said.
"Then, if you want that to happen, you better come and get me now," I said, and before I could move, they fire me simultaneously with fireballs with different pigments, and I am hit all over my body. I know most girls my age are weak, but because I am the daughter of the golden dragon, Emeric, I can resist their power. And because they simultaneously unleashed their power upon me, I find it hard to counter their attack, and I know it was because I became tired of running, and I am so worried about my parents.
"You better come with us now, little girl, before I get angry with you." The red dragon said, and I become confused on what to do anymore; it seems my dad's lessons can never level to the actual battle's difficulty. And I know I shared the same power with my dad, so before I lose my sense of thinking, I try to concentrate. I don't care if they continue to shower me with their fireballs.
I knelt to the ground when a powerful flaming ball hit me on the chest, and I realized the two dragons combined their strength and power to take me down. And when they strike me again, my body flew into the big tree, and I can feel the breaking of my bones in my body as my frame bounced back to the ground. It made me so hard to get up, and I can't move my entire torso. I lay motionless on the surface, and I felt like dying. Then I felt horrified when I saw the knights gathered around my frail body. I am only a twelve-year-old girl, yet two magnificent dragons and more than twenty knights besiege me.
"I told you, you are week, and look at you now before you can even wield your magic on us, you are already crawling on the ground, but I am impressed that you withstand our fireballs for an extended period, and I can tell you are indeed the daughter of the last golden dragon." The red dragon said.
"Winona, remember, even if you are on the brink of death, you still have power in you because you possessed the power of the dragon witch, and you are unique and one of a kind. Don't lose your hope, my love, because you are born to fight, to uphold the name of your grandfather, the true king of the dragon world." I can hear my mother's voice in my head, and I don't know if it was because I am succumbing to death or because she knows I am fighting for my life.
I try to raise my hands, but it was futile, for I feel so weak, then I feel strong hands hauled my delicate body from the ground.
"You should put her on my back!" The red dragon ordered, and I can feel the knight who is carrying me walked in the direction of the red dragon. I tried my best to open my eyes, but I can no longer flutter them. And I can feel the knight lay my weak body on the back of the red dragon, and I can feel the warmth of his scales. I can feel my captor is now flying, and this is not new to me since I have been doing this every time my mom and dad meet at their secret meeting place. I love mounting on my father's back, and I can't help but cry because I realized I failed my dad.
I want my parents to be proud of me, and right now, I can tell they already captured my father and mother. Now I will reunite with them, and the Dracousia Kingdom will celebrate our captivity, and I can tell they will hang us in front of the palace ground, and it will be the king's delight again to see us under his mercy. He had captured my father before, and he scheduled his execution during his birthday, and my mom was very frantic on that day, but my father gets away from the Dracousia kingdom, and I wish this time my father can save us.
As my tears continue to roll down my cheeks, then something clicks on my mind, and I slowly put my hands on the back of the red dragon. I use my mind to communicate with him.
"Red dragon, the mighty one, listen to my plea as I request thee to help me," I said. I try to listen to his response, and I can feel he is listening to me.
"Red Dragon, I command thou to bring me to Dasos cave at once, and I bade thee protect me with thy life," I speak to him using my mind power, and I gently put my hands on top of his back. And as I open my eyes, I can see the green dragon flying ahead of us, and even though I felt so hesitant to use mind power over the red dragon, I don't have a choice but try. He suddenly stopped his flight, and he answered me through telepathy. I can see my hands are glowing, and it covers his entire body.
"Your wish is my command!" He said, and I felt so triumphant that my powerful mind is still functioning even though I felt sore all over my body. And I felt him change his course of direction.
"What is your name, red dragon?" I asked again.
"Lizardo!" He replied.
"I want you to listen to me, Lizardo. My name is Winona Bravegard; starting today, you will be my ally, and you will help me with anything that I need. You will be my protector, and you will become forever loyal to me." I said.
"Yes, of course, I am looking forward to serving you until the day I die, Winona. I am one of your father's supporters, but King Alexandrix poisoned my mind. Even though I am a red dragon, my allegiance has always been to your dad because I know he is more powerful, and he is not cruel like Alexandrix. Thank you for using your witch magic on me, and you open up my mind that I must fight for what I believe in." Lizardo declared.
"Thank you!" I felt so happy to know that he was one of my father's followers, and I mumble my thanks to him before losing consciousness.