A Female Dragon is Here?

Chapter Five

Betty POV

After the kitchen was cleaned up and the boys came rushing down the stairs with their bags packed, Mother turned to me, and I saw the sadness in her eyes, she was going to miss the boys, I thought as I saw a small tear run down her cheek before she wiped it away. Dad walked into the kitchen, where I had just finished tidying up and putting the leftovers and what few there were into the cold box that keeps things cooler for a few days.

‘Sweetheart, go pack your things, you are accompanying the twins on the trip to the palace, where you will learn the ways of the royals.’ Dad urged kindly.

‘Why dad, why do I need to know the way of the royals?’ I pushed, not at all liking being sent away, I was ready to leave, but on my terms, but it seemed this time I had little to no choice in the matter.

‘You will find out at the palace, now go do as you are told and pack your things.’ Mum growled at me, something she had never done before, and I wondered what I had done wrong. The party was over and so was the fun. Now it was packing and leaving the only home I remembered, and I was a little nervous and upset at how fast I was being shipped out the door.

I dragged my feet to my room and packed what little I had. I was never one to collect a lot of things, and I doubted it would be worth taking the few trinkets I had. One last look at my room, and I dragged my bag back to the front room. A man from outside was standing at the doorway, one look at me, and he rushed forward took my bag from me, and left outside the front door, I stood in the hallway, looking at the ones that would be left behind, and soon I was engulfed in hugs and kisses and words of goodbye and behave and other platitudes that would mean something later when I am alone and think about today, the sixteenth birthday party that turned into a farewell party.

Dad led me outside, where a wagon had my bags and my brothers in the back. I looked at it for a moment and then at the pack horses.

‘Dad, can I take it, Nelly?’ My horse I raised from a foal. I had found it next to her dead mother out in the mountains, and I did not want to leave her behind.

‘Nelly is yours, go saddle her quickly.’ Dad pushed me to the back of the house where our stables were, and I could hear Nelly whickering for attention.

Nelly was a beautiful black mare, smart and quick. She was not scared of me or my dragon. Having been raised by me, she was used to the smell of a dragon. I saddled her and placed a bag of dried food and some water, attaching it to the saddle, and a blanket I always used when out on the fields. I had a long coat that would shield me from the cold, though hot or cold never really bothered me like it did the rest of my family. I put it down to my dragon. Her scales protect me from many things. Only Dad, Mum, and the twins knew of my dragon, and they had sworn to secrecy. They did not want anyone to come and take me away. It was ironic I am being sent away now. Anyway, the first time I had ever shifted into my dragon was when I was six, and I did not know what I was doing. From that day on, I was more careful and learned more about my dragon and listened to her advice. My dragon was a golden color, with flecks of silver running through her scales. Gloria is unusual. I cannot say I have seen any other dragon in her color. She assures me the flecks of silver help keep me hidden when I am in the sky, whether it be night or day, only another dragon would see me, if they were looking closely for me, otherwise even to them, I would seem to merge into the sky above. I found that handy when I was out hunting for the family meat.

I led my horse out of the stables and to the waiting band of men and the two wagons, one holding my brother’s. They were grinning at me, as I mounted the horse and smiled back at them. At least I would have family with me and could protect them if need be. Though they are strong lads, and most likely not need my help.

‘Your horse is not afraid of us. That is rare. Most horses shy away from us Dragons. Horses normally fear they are a meal to them.’ The man said, and I frowned at him, not wanting to give anything away, I have yet to be introduced to any of them. What do I call him? Or any of the men, for that matter.

‘No, she is not afraid, she trusts me, and if I do not show fear, she will obey without question, regardless of you being a dragon. Hope no one tries to steal her, they will be in for an unpleasant surprise.’ I replied, hoping this would tell him I was not afraid of them either.

‘Good, saves us having to worry about you being bounced around in the cart, not exactly the most comfortable way to travel long distances.’ He said and kicked his horse to the front of the group and chatted to some men. I wondered if he could mind-link them and if he could, why he needed to ride next to them to chat unless they don’t use the mind-link except in emergencies or want to keep their conversation hidden.

I looked over to my home for one last time and waved to Mum and Dad, who was standing in the light given off by the candles in the house. I was unsure, but thought I could see my mum crying. As she waved back to me and my brothers, who also had turned one last time to our former home and parents, up in the window of the first floor, I could see Jonny waving back to us, I gave a wave and blew him a kiss, which he pretended to catch it and place it on his cheek and blow me a kiss back, which I did the same, before turning back to the front and joined the line of horses as we traveled south towards my future.

The streets were empty at this time of night and, other than the inn that had its doors open to invite travelers in for a meal and a drink, and hopefully a bed for the night, its light was a warm beacon for wary travelers. All the other homes and shops seemed to be hiding behind their curtains, giving little to no light out, as we walked by. My night sight was good, my dragon had excellent night vision. I was glad no one would be able to sense her. You may ask why the men did not know I had a dragon. It is because my dragon can hide herself inside of me, plus most men don’t even look at women to see if they have a dragon, it has been that long since a woman had a dragon. Don’t ask me how she does things. I had no idea I could shift back and forth and still have my clothes on, yet that is not something male dragons can do, but she can do several things that she can do that a male cannot, and I am looking forward to seeing what a male dragon can do. I have only ever read about them in the books in our library when I was looking for more information on myself and comparing the differences with what I can do.

We left the village and trotted along for about two more hours, before the man stopped the horses and said we were staying there for the night. I looked around. It was a small alcove hidden under a canopy of large trees. I dismounted and pulled my saddle off of Nelly, and dropped it on the ground, grabbed a brush from the saddle, and started to brush Nelly and check her hooves for stones or any harm. She was good. I did not tether her. I never had, she wouldn’t move far from me. I then cleared a small area of rubble and placed my blanket on the ground and the saddle where I would place my head, hoping it would be a small windbreak. A man came to me and handed me a wooden bowl of stew, and I thanked him and sat down with the stew. He had a spoon for me to use and a small chunk of bread, which was still fresh, though give it a few days, and I am sure it will be rock hard. I ate the stew, enjoying the spices they had put in it to give it some flavor. Soon, the stew was gone, and I laid down, pulling my blanket over me and let sleep find me. I have never had any problems finding sleep in the fields.