บท 2: 2
Chapter Two:
Princess Esme's POV:
Within the hour, Lady Eleanor has gotten to work unpacking a handful of my belongings, making quick work of aiding me in bathing and dressing. We are putting on the finishing touches of my hair when there is a knock at the door. Lady Eleanor asks if I'm ready and I nod, still trying to calm my nerves. Together we get to work changing me out of my luxurious dress and into more of a comfortable one. She then braids my hair out of my face.
I thank her just as there is a knock upon the door.
Lady Eleanor opens the door to find Prince Xavier standing there.
I smile when I see him.
He too had changed out of his day attire, choosing a slim fitting black suit, his hair combed back. He bows and I curtsy in return.
He extends an arm and I take it.
The two of us make our way through the arching stone halls of the castle and out into the crisp air. Walking along the soft grass, I feel relieved to be out of the chaos of the castle. After the long journey, long inside castle tour and endless greetings with strangers, it was nice to just breathe. We walk side by side, only accompanied by the best silent guards that walk behind us at a good distance for privacy. Out past the walls of the castle, we make our way into the field, deep into the forest along a dirt path. The trees tower over us with wicked shadows.
I stare up at the night sky.
The sun had finally set, the moon full in the sky.
Just a curved sliver surrounded by distant stars.
I watch as thin whisky clouds make their way across, covering it only for a moment before the moon shines through again.
"Tell me, we have not seen one another in quite some time. You must have been on some grand adventures since we've last been in each other's company." Prince Xavier says
I think back to the fondest memories in my life.
My mother telling me stories at night.
Nights flying on Annyth.
I smile thinking about it.
"Oh it must be good. Tell me!" Prince Xavier says excitedly
"Dragon riding, hands down. There is nothing else like it in the world." I say
We continue to move through the outside pathways.
The streets are empty, except for knights.
"Shall we go off for a ride?" Prince Xavier asks
I turn to him, stunned.
"You have a dragon?"
"Indeed. Pyronyx, or as he's better known: The Black Beast."
We make our way through the towering trees.
As I look closer in the torch light I see that hanging from many dark brown stems were assortments of red and green apples. In my own kingdom we too grow an assortment of fruits and vegetables. However, apples were not common in my own country. I reach out to grab one when Prince Xavier steps forward telling me to stop. I pull my hand back, now alarmed at his sudden shout. I back up and turn to face him.
"What's the matter?" I ask
"Snakes."
I stare back, eyes wide before taking a few more steps back.
He grins, stifling a laugh.
I furrow my brows.
I don't know why he's laughing.
I don't like being made a fool of.
"It's quite alright." He says making his way closer to the tree.
Reaching for his waist he pulls out a sharp dagger, the blade not even the length of a human arm. He points the blade toward the tree, ready. He strikes, piercing a green apple. Pulling it away it rips it from its stem. Since he'd stabbed it through the middle, he pulls it off, wiping the liquid contents from the dagger with a cloth, handing the apple to me and putting the blade away.
"For you, my lady." He says handing it to me
"Thank you." I say
He nods and with that we continue our stroll.
"Forgive me, I am quite exhausted from the journey. Perhaps tomorrow we can go flying?"
He grins.
"An excellent idea."
Prince Xavier and I make our way to a split path, turning left, making our way to the mountain. He pauses, turning to the knights as we arrive at the towering mountain. He takes a torch from one of them, leaving them with the other. Together we make our way closer. In the torchlight I can see a large assortment of man made caves dug into the mountain, made of various sizes and and secured with thick gating drilled into the mountain itself.
We make our way through the foggy hills and toward the caves.
I can hear the sounds of dragons grumbling.
The smell of smoke fills my nose.
I cough, batting a hand as if to expel the scent.
We continue to make our way, careful not to slip in the mud.
"Where is her stall?" I ask
I scan the array of cave entrances, line up every dozen feet or so. Deep within them held a dragon. Each cell was filled with chains to keep the dragons at bay when not flying, training or eating. I watch as Prince Xavier points to a stall in the middle row. I walk over, pulling the board up and at an angle, opening the door. Walking into the cell I look around in the darkness.
"Annyth!" I call out
In the light of the moon I see the shadow of a large creature moving closer to me. As the stunning dragon got closer, she raised her head, red scales gleaming. She stares up at me, at her rider, pleased to be in my company again. Following my hand signals and verbal commands I slowly get her from the cave to the outdoors. I make my way toward her midsection where the saddle is placed. She grumbles a bit as I grab a hold.
"That's my good girl." I coo
I climb up, hooking my feet in the straps just as a large shadow covers the sky. I turn to see a dragon twice the size of my own, soar down from above, landing upon the ground. It's black in color with yellow eyes. I watch as it gently nudges Prince Xavier. He too climbs atop his dragon and moments later, we're in the sky. Being certain we do not get in each other's way, we fly side by side as best we can. Prince Xavier shouts loudly, suggesting we move away from the town and towards the sea.
I light up with excitement.
Something about the ocean has always brought me peace.
He points to the right and I pull at the rein to the right, giving Annyth a pat on her right side as well. Her wings straighten out and she glides, turning her body towards the right, away from the sleeping town below and towards the open water.
I stare down at the rolling waves below.
The scent of the salty air fills my lungs.
I breathe out a happy sigh of contentment.
When I boarded that ship, I'd been worried about my future.
Would I ride Annyth just as much as before?
Would Price Xavier and I bond well together?
It seemed the answers the these questions were positive.
Prince Xavier lets out a happy shout as Pyronx opens his mouth, expelling a fireball that briefly sent a wave of warmth over me. I grin as I watch the two of them. There is something truly beautiful about the connection between a rider and their dragon. Bring bonded with one is a feeling you can't possibly describe. I tap behind me, signaling to Annyth to move lower.
There is no response.
I wonder if perhaps she was too distracted.
Looking out at the vast open sea, I see wales breaking out from the depths below, launching their large bodies into the air, filling their lungs before disappearing back into the depths. We spend the rest of our time out by the sea, feeling the wind blow and watching the sea creatures. Soon it's time to turn back and we do, landing one after another back at the stables.
I climb down off Annyth.
"I have enjoyed our time together tonight, Prince Xavier. I do hope, with time, I will get to know you better. Pyronx as well. He really is an elegant and fearsome soul." I say
Prince Xavier makes quick work of climbing off his own dragon.
We make our way back to the stalls.
Annyth walks into her den, moving deep into the cave.
Setting the door, I lock it closed.
I listen as Prince Xavier does the same.
Although we had spent quite a bit of time simply gliding over the sea, we also went assure for a bit and let them hunt for sheep.
"That was quite fun. We should do it again sometime."
"After tomorrow, we'll be together indefinitely and we'll have all the time in the world."
I turn back to face him, surprised by this news.
It was true we were soon to marry.
I did not know however that they moved up the time.
"Tomorrow?" I repeat
"Indeed."
Prince Xavier sees the worry across my face.
"It is true we don't know each other very well. In time, however, you will learn to know more about me, my kingdom and the people I rule as they will become your own.. Know that I shall do everything in my power to make sure our marriage is well."
My thoughts race in my mind, as I continue to worry and wonder about the future I will have. I fight the urge to flee in a panic.
"I know that it will take time. We knew one another at a time, for a bit. I do hope we can continue our tour tomorrow as the hour is becoming quite late." I say fidgeting a bit with my fingers, staring at the sky
Prince Xavier, unbeknownst to me takes a step forward, wishing he could reach out to comfort her.
However, she is still but a stranger to him.
"We shall continue to tour the grounds in the morning then. When there is daylight. Sleep well, Princess Esme."
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