The Dragon’s Breath

In her mind, Isabelle saw again the destruction of her home. When the first dragon had been sighted, her father had sent Isabelle to the village to hide. He had decided to fight, hoping that would give Isabelle time to get well away, perhaps even time to find a protector. Too late he saw that it was a dragon pair and the female’s belly was round. She would attack the castle to use it for her nest. There would be no battle, only slaughter.

Isabelle had watched the terrifying scene: the killing, the falling of the outer towers. She had felt the death of her father, her mother, all kith and kin.

The villagers had begged Isabelle to save them; leaving them was the only way she knew she could help. Her magic would eventually draw the attention of the male dragon and he would destroy anything, devour anyone, to get to Isabelle.

Hoping to make her way to the next kingdom, Isabelle had left for the forest. At its edge she had stopped and turned, watching the castle burn and its outer walls crumble. The male dragon’s roar made her look up. He was already seeking her. She had stepped back among the trees, took a deep breath and evoked the magic of the large ring she wore on her left forefinger. A vortex of magic had appeared, designed to provide escape. Isabelle had faced it. For a moment, she thought she heard something behind her and looked back, then the vortex had swallowed her.

Cold rain spattered against Isabelle’s face as she turned her head in a restless doze. She woke up. It was morning at last and Isabelle looked up at the tall lamp that had been her sanctuary. Its candle had burnt out and daylight showed the outlines of strange buildings. Sounds she did not recognize came from the end of the alley.

Isabelle knew she had been taken far away and that she would have to rely on her magic and her intuition to survive. Her legs were stiff as she stood up and her feet felt like blocks of ice. Her fingers were almost numb from the cold and Isabelle flexed them slowly. She held her hands out in the rain, washing away the mud from her rings.

At least I have protected the village and escaped the dragon. Now he cannot steal the magic I possess. She looked about. Unless he has followed me. Isabelle knew that dragons could disguise themselves to aid their hunting and allow them to rest undetected. She knew much about dragons but she was uncertain if she knew enough.