The Aelfgar Wars

Orabella

I was awakened by the sound of heavy foot falls on the floor. I lifted my head from the cold stones, wincing as my neck screamed in protest.  Memories from the night before rushed back into my head, and I almost started crying again. I felt someone stop in front of me, and soon rough hands hauled me to my feet. I whimpered  as the myriad of bruises covering my body throbbed painfully. I looked up to find that Brutus, the master’s head troll, had a hold on my upper arm. His ugly face was impassive as he dragged me down a stone corridor, then another. I struggled to keep up with him, but I could feel myself getting more tired by the second.

“Where…” I started, my voice hoarse.

“None your business.” he rumbled. I resisted pointing out that considering the fact that he dragging me away against my will to some unknown fate was definitely was business, and turned my tired eyes to the walls, where somber portraits of past kings stared menacingly back at me.  I noticed that they all had black eyes, black hair, just like Prince Lucas.  I thought then that the crown prince of Ryassa was perhaps the most evil man I had ever known. Barely seventeen years old, he had ascended to power after both his parents died by accident while on a boar hunt with their beloved only child. He then proceeded to force all the nearby villages and small countries to submit to his complete authority, enslaving those who resisted.  My father was the king of one of these countries, and consequently Prince Lucas’s wrath fell on me as a way of punishing my people.  I was an example, a beacon announcing what the prince was capable of. And after six months of living in the same monstrous castle as him, I had a very clear image of what immoral, unscrupulous acts he could commit. My bruises were proof.

We came before a door which I had never seen before. I could hear a muffled roar, as if a large crowd was gathered just outside of it. The head troll wrenched the door open and shoved me forward. I fell and lay sprawled on the ground, my head thrumming with the loud, continuous chanting of a thousand people. I raised my head to find that I was lying on an elevated platform which resembled a balcony, except without rails surrounding it.  I was again yanked up by my arm, but this time I found myself looking into the cold, black eyes of Prince Lucas.  Before the death of his parents, he had been considered quite a prize for neighboring princesses. A potential ruler of one of the richest kingdoms, a smooth talker, and as many thought, a boy in possession of ‘dark and mysterious’ good looks. To all who really knew him,  however, he was the spawn of all things wicked. Presently he smiled slowly and I struggled to pull away, wincing as his iron grip tightened on my arm.

“People of  Ryassa. I present to you, her royal highness, princess Orabella!” He pronounced the word highness  like an insult. I looked out at the people gathered underneath my feet. All of them cheering on their prince as he ridiculed his fellow human being. At that moment I was overwhelmed with disgust. How dare he! How dare he make these people, some of them my people (many of my people had surrendered to the prince when faced with the threat of losing their lands or families) turn against me? My father had helped them, supported them during droughts, sent in troops during wars. And yet they turned their backs in cold blood as their so called ‘ruler’ tortured me. I spit onto the ground before me in a weak act of spite. The Prince inhaled and his voice took on a murderous tone.

“Do you see? Do you watch as this impotent girl insults your prince?” He demanded, and I finally understood what he was about to do. I listened carefully as someone  started shouting, “Kill her!” A mere minute later, most of the people said the same.

“KILL HER KILL HER KILL HER,” they  chanted. The prince made a face, as if the thought had not crossed his mind.

“What is that you say? Kill her?”

“YES, KILL HER!”

The prince made a tutting noise and looked down pityingly at me.

“Well, my dear, it seems as if the people have spoken.” He whispered into my ear, and I shivered involuntarily. It took me a second to get used to the idea that I was about to die at the hands of this boy, playacting as a tyrant. “Any last words?”

I straightened slightly and looked him in the eyes, swallowing back my fear. “Yes.”

He laughed. “Well, go on, then.” He shoved me forward. I stumbled but regained my balance.

“As I am about to die at your hands,” I began, “I feel it necessary to explain to you exactly what you are doing. My country has been nothing but helpful to yours for centuries.” My voice got louder. “My people have treated you as brothers. And yet, you set out to destroy us, you forget your promises. By killing me, what do you hope to accomplish?” Two guards grabbed me as I continued.  One of them tried to cover my mouth with his hand, but I writhed until I was free. “You think you are winning a battle over us.  You think you are defeating us. Well, let me inform you of some earth-shattering news. You can torture me, as your prince already has. You can kill me if you want to. But you will never, ever, kill Aelfgar!” My voice had risen to a crescendo, and as the guards took out long, leather whips, I stood still, stretching to my full height, which unfortunately was not very much.  So they would beat me to death? It was a death reserved for the criminals, prisoners of war,  and those whom the king despised.  A tear slipped down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. If I was to die, I would die as the proud Aelfgarian that I was.

I heard the shrill whistle of a whip and I soon felt an overwhelmingly painful sting through the thin fabric of my dirty dress. I would never see my family again.

  Another whistle, and I gritted my teeth. My country, with its wooded forests and lush valleys, would be lost to me forever.

Another, and a small shriek escaped my lips. At least my kingdom was still free. At least my family was safe.

 I was about to fall. I could feel my legs turning to mush as my head began to spin from the pain. But then I heard sound which caused me to look up. It was a methodic thumping accompanied by a whoosh.  All of a sudden, the entire court went quiet as first a couple, then all the people turned to look above them. There was a moment of shocked silence before someone yelled out,

“Dragon!” Immediately, chaos broke out. My execution was forgotten as the people below me scattered like ants. The prince yelled out orders and was soon surrounded by his personal guard.

“What about the girl?” someone asked as I collapsed.

“Leave her out here, the dragon will take care of--” A sound like a strong gust of wind was heard and fire  began to rain down from the sky like a holy, terrible, thunderbolt. The prince was ushered inside and the castle and the last  of the people drained out from underneath me. I was left alone on a balcony with nowhere to go. I struggled weakly to my knees as fire rained down before me. I looked up to see a giant serpentine form circling the air above me. As terrified as I was, I could not help but admire it. It was the color of gold, its scales glinting like diamonds as it dealt out terror.  There seemed to be a lump on its back, although I could not make out what it was. Suddenly, the fire stooped. The dragon circled closer and closer until it was flying just beyond the edge of the balcony. I yelped and scrambled backwards until my back was pressed against the heavy oak door through which I had been escorted not fifteen minutes ago. The dragon flew back and forth twice before I saw the lump spring from its back and land gracefully not twenty feet away from me. The loud thrum of the dragon’s wings beating drowned out any footsteps as the figure came closer. I pressed against the door, nearly scared out of my mind. The person, if that’s what it was, walked faster until it was before me. Kneeling, the figure spoke.

“I’m here to help.” I realized it was a boy, not much older than I. His voice was low and melodious, reminding  me of warm honey.

“Get…get away!” I said weakly as he bent down. He was wearing a hooded cape which matched the dragon's golden scales, and as his face got closer I was able to discern two eyes as green as the grass which grew in the fields of my home. I pushed him away with all my strength as he made as if to pick me up. He didn’t even budge. “Don’t touch me!”

“Shh, it’s all right, princess Orabella.” I gasped at the mention of my name. In my momentary shock, he scooped me up and started to carry me to the dragon. I screamed and writhed in his arms. His hold tightened. “We won’t hurt you, I promise.” He soothed as I cast terrified glances at the flying serpent. Up close, it was even more beautiful, and scary. Its elegant head held high as it regarded me with  intelligent dark eyes.  Indeed, it didn’t look as if it were about to eat me, although I couldn’t be sure.  When we were close enough, it tilted its head upwards and let out a very long stream of fire that cast rippling waves of heat in all directions. That is when I screamed. And then, I passed out.