"Since you've interacted with the sea serpents, the newly hatched fire dragons will fight over someone who has the smell of a dragon attached to their body," Holly said that night. Those words kept echoing in Elsie's mind, making her resolve to sneak into the Fire Mountain, where the dragon eggs that didn't have a master hatched. They held the Harvesting Competition on the most prominent mountain next to Crystal Mountain.
Elsie slipped into the room where the masterless eggs were incubating. While the guards dozed, she snuck around, exploring the stalactite-covered chamber. She examined each egg nestled on the thick, warm pillows. Suddenly, the lone blood-red egg began to sway violently, and cracks erupted across its surface.
"The red dragon… it's hatching!" Elsie breathed, her eyes widening in disbelief. She quickly covered her mouth in shock. She couldn't believe her eyes!
A fine crack snaked across the eggshell. It widened, then split the shell in two. A tiny creature emerged, radiating an intense, fiery red light. Its scales shimmered like rubies in the firelight. Amber eyes, burning with curiosity, scanned its surroundings. With a sudden burst of energy, the creature roared. Flames erupted from its mouth, dancing and flickering in the air. Elsie was mesmerized, utterly captivated by the birth of this legendary creature—a red dragon that the royal family had never possessed. Elsie felt a surge of honor, witnessing this incredible event.
Elsie closed her eyes, her fingers tightening on the edge of her robe. Her lips moved silently, a hushed prayer to the Saints and Holy Dragons. The night breeze, carrying the mystical scent of the ancient temple, washed over her face. "O Saints and Holy Dragons, grant me goodness and fortune, whether I find my destined dragon or not. Protect me from all the evils of this world," she whispered solemnly. "I…"
Suddenly, a loud voice shattered the stillness. "What are you doing there, you thief?" a guard barked.
Accused of being a thief, Elsie gasped, nearly bolting. But she stopped herself. This wasn't why she'd come. Not to be labelled a thief. She was here to witness the dragon's birth despite her growing attachment to the soon-to-be-hatched creatures. Prince Mason and Princess Elois, on a routine patrol of the dragon nursery, rushed over, barking orders to the guards to apprehend Elsie.
"What in the blazes are you doing here, Larousse?" Prince Mason demanded, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Looking for trouble, Miss Larousse?" Princess Elois echoed, her voice sharp.
Calmingly, Elsie replied, "Your Highness, I simply wish to witness the eggs hatch." She bowed deeply to Princess Elois and Prince Mason despite the guards' iron grip on her arms. "Had I harbored any ill intent, I would have acted long ago. Indeed, I would have done so the first time I lost my egg during the Harvesting Competition," she declared, defending herself.
Prince Mason gulped, his gaze darting between his half-sister's face and the guards' vice-like grip on Elsie's arms. His heart hammered against his ribs. "Release her!" he commanded, his voice barely a whisper.
Princess Elois let out a sarcastic laugh, her eyes narrowing. "Are you a coward, Mason? Cowed by this…creature?" she sneered, gesturing towards Elsie. "You're far too soft, Mason," she remarked, shaking her head. "The world is a harsh place; it's a lesson you must learn."
"I'm certain she's innocent, Sister," Mason insisted, attempting to sway his elder sibling.
Elois regarded him with an enigmatic expression. "You defend her far too often, Mason."
Mason scratched his head. "I simply cannot bear to see her treated this way."
Elois sighed dramatically. "We have to safeguard the kingdom, Mason. We cannot afford to let sentiment cloud our judgment. Fortunately, Katya is not on duty tonight; she would have given you a severe tongue-lashing, Mason."
Gesturing towards the struggling Elsie, Elois commanded, "Secure her! Do not allow her to escape."
Princess Elois rushed towards the newly hatched red dragon, her hand outstretched. But the tiny beast, a fiery ember of fury, erupted in a shower of blood-red flames, forcing her to recoil. She watched its every move with rapt attention as it darted and weaved, finally settling on Elsie's shoulder. The dragon nuzzled Elsie's hair playfully, then unleashed a torrent of fire upon the guards, Princess Elois and Prince Mason.
'Elois, get back!' Prince Mason yelled, his warning a heartbeat too late. The dragon unleashed another flame, but Elois dodged just in time.
'Bloody hell!' she exclaimed, thoroughly exasperated. She retreated into the cavern's gaping maw, ready to summon her golden dragon if the little beast decided to cause more trouble.
Using the ancient Eventide tongue, Elois commanded her dragon to bring Katya and her dragon to their location. While they waited, Elois pulled Mason into the shadows, seeking refuge from the enraged red dragons fiercely protecting Elsie from the onslaught. One of the guards, caught in the crossfire, had fallen, consumed by the flames.
"What the hell just happened?" Katya exploded, leaping from the hole above the cave and rushing towards Elsie and her tiny, panicking red dragon.
"That girl! She was about to steal the little guy!" Elois exclaimed, peeking out from her hiding spot. "Now he's freaking out!"
Katya grinned, whipping her hair back into a ponytail. Approaching the baby dragon cautiously, she tried to soothe it. "Hey there, little guy," she murmured, using Old Eve's language. "I'm not here to hurt you or the girl."
The dragon, still trembling, seemed to understand. It relaxed, allowing Katya to stroke its snout gently.
Katya nodded as the baby red dragon coughed, spewing red sparks from its mouth. "The guards can leave," she instructed the soldiers clad in fireproof armor. 'This red dragon desires the girl," she continued, her gaze fixed on Elois and Mason, huddled behind a massive stone pillar. "To this dragon, that girl is its master."
"It can't be!" Mason exclaimed, puffing out his chest as he stood up. He glared at Elsie and the dragon, his voice filled with defiance. "Isn't the Blood Red Dragon as rare as the golden dragon? It should have chosen me!"
Elsie smiled graciously. "Forgive me, Your Highness," she said. "If you don't mind, you can take this little dragon."
The baby dragon unleashed a burst of fire at Elsie and Prince Mason. Katya chuckled softly at the spectacle.
"Your name is Elsie, is it?" Katya asked.
Elsie nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"The dragon has chosen you because it senses something special within you," Katya explained, her soft voice echoing pleasantly through the cavern. "Give it a name. And don't even think about giving it away."
Elsie bowed deeply before Princess Katya. The baby red dragon, perched on Elsie's shoulder, mimicked her by bending its head and coughing up a tiny wisp of fire. "May the saints bless you, Princess Katya," Elsie said sincerely.
Princess Katya smiled and nodded. "So, what will you name this red dragon, Elsie?" she inquired.