The streets of Highveine and the castle grounds were chaotic as people ran around. It had been a long time since a dragon was spotted in Alderias and so close to the castle! In recent years, dragon sightings have dwindled down. They come from the west beyond the Dragon's Teeth mountains where the world just stops.

Armor was strapped on and horses were mounted by broad shouldered knights. Though most were fearless and donned their helmets with a stoic sense of purpose, a few were shaking. Dragon hunting usually ended in high casualties.

Of all the times for Prince Jareth not to be visiting!

By the time I was almost to the outer gate of the castle, the dragon was overhead still darting around in the cover of clouds. It suddenly dipped down. I had dived to the ground but the beast pulled at the last second before it would've collided into a building. A chorus of screams made a symphony, the dragon movements like the wand of a conductor.

Though in actuality the movements were not swift. In fact, there was a certain sound in the air that I have never heard before. A grinding sound? Ticking and clackety sound? I couldn't describe it exactly. It was strange and unfamiliar. I guess I just never thought a dragon would sound like that.

I suddenly felt myself lifted into the air and out of my thoughts by two strong arms. The knight had icy blue eyes. Carmine's knight.

"Are you alright, Princess?"

I opened my mouth to speak but realized I lost my voice. Clearing my throat, I attempted a response, but he grabbed my arm and pulled us behind an abandoned wagon.

Of course, it is not safe to just be standing out in the open during a dragon attack. But was anywhere truly safe if a dragon was around? I did not see a difference honestly.

Perhaps the creature would not like to risk chewing the wagon with us? Splinters?

The thought was so ridiculous and badly timed, I let out a nervous laugh.

The knight looked down at me with confusion.

"Sorry." I swallowed though my mouth was dry then tried to explain my outburst. "I know I should be more scared but even during a dragon attack, I can't seem to focus..."

"Don't apologize. You are right. This is all strange," he said.

"What's strange?"

He just shook his head. "Perhaps we will have a chance to talk later about the strangeness of it all. But for now, I must get you back to the castle where you will be safe." His eyes scanned the sky. "On the count of three I want you to run there. I'll be right behind you."

I nodded and positioned myself to do just that.

We ran and I heard that rumbling-clackety noise grow loud and knew the dragon was dipping again. I moved fast and risked looking over my shoulder as the dragon ascended once again. The knight stopped to watch it. I was about to double back and drag him. Now is not the time to be admiring it! But he turned and ran full pace. We made it to the gate only to find it closed.

"Open it up!" The dark knight shouted. "They're missing a princess!"

A couple of other knights rode up to us on horses. These two I recognized as Sir Arthur and Sir Jauncy. Both men were decorated scarred veterans.

"We've already evacuated the east side to the hidden forest shelter. I need an update about our efforts on the west. Ready the catapults. Have the archers take position alpha, and dammit somebody hit the bloody devil!" Sir Arthur's deep voice commanded.

"One casualty has been reported," Sir Jauncy said regretfully.

"The dragon?"

"Not exactly. Slink had been deep in his cups. His daughter said when he heard the first alarm sound, he stumbled down the steps and broke his neck. Poor girl was shocked and wouldn't move, had to be carried to the shelter."

"Curses...."

"Other than that, a few minor scrapes caused by the panic. Some roof damage from when the beast has swooped down. No fire damage reported thus far but we have provisions, blankets, and water on standby."

"Good. Sir Wilhelm," Sir Arthur said addressing the knight beside me. "What are you doing here?"

"I found Princess Sienna out in the town. I was escorting her back, but some dimwits are operating the gates. They're in a panic and don't want to break protocol by lifting the gates, Sir," Carmine's knight responded.

"Those yellow-bellied idiots can't recognize one of our own princesses? I'll put a boot up their arse later. Excuse the language, little Enna. And forgive us. We were told all the princesses were in the castle today. Should've realized that wasn't true." He smiled. Sir Arthur and many of the older knights doted on us.

I just grinned in return.

Wilhelm, on the other hand, frowned. "Why are we not evacuating the royal family? Or at least the Queen and princesses."

Sir Arthur looked at me again with a sense of pride. "None of our princesses would dare leave until they knew all of their people were evacuated first. Trust me, you will learn it's sometimes best to just not argue with a Princess of Alderias. For now, with how this dragon is behaving, I think Enna is just as safe standing here with the three of us as she would be standing a few feet away on the other side of the gate."

Wilhelm didn't look like he completely agreed but he accepted the answer of his commanding officer and moved on. "That dragon is strange."

"Yes, I agree. It does not make a move to strike at us or the livestock. It has not burned anything. Hell, we've become pretty relaxed right here while it just flies over Highveine." He stroked his red beard and turned to Jauncy. "Have we heard back from Nazam?"

"No." Suddenly a purple flame flashed before them disappearing as quickly as it came leaving behind only a flimsy piece of paper that dropped to the ground. "Oh, I mean, yes. It says ... the dragon must be of a different breed. He advises us to strike it down as soon as possible so that he may study it further upon autopsy."

They began to load the catapults and take aim. Wilhelm instructed me to stand against the gate and he moved between me and the town. I felt a drop of rain hit my cheek.

As soon as the boulder of debris hit the creature there was a loud boom that was not thunder. Fire suddenly engulfed the beast. It's as if the flames in his belly just came alive devouring the dragon. He came crashing down creating his own black clouds in his wake.

The rain was now a steady down pour and I realized someone had thrown a fire blanket on top of my head. I had a sudden urge, an indescribable urge that had my feet moving. Without thinking much about why, I ran and mounted Sir Jauncy's horse whom he had left tethered nearby. I kicked my heel into his side and rode straight for the smoke that marked the creature's descent. I heard shouts calling after me but ignored them.

The dragon had crashed on the edge of the forest just where it grew dense. I had to dismount and continue on foot. I stepped effortlessly around the familiar twisting roots as the rain slowed down to a sprinkle.

I do not know what I was expecting to find, perhaps some splattered guts and blood. Dragon blood was a very powerful ingredient. No doubt Nazam would love to get his hands on it. That is what he would be doing here. But what am I doing here? Was I feeling sympathetic? Maybe the creature would still be taking its final breaths and I felt a need to make sure it was not alone when it left the world. I was not sure. I didn't know what I expected to see.

But it was not the mess I found.

There was no blood.

Smoke stung my eyes. I crouched low to the ground inspecting the debris. The spots of fire created just enough light for me to make out the weirdly shaped ... things. The light, in fact, reflected off the dragon pieces. I kicked at a piece experimentally and it made a hollow, echoing sound. I touched it, hesitantly. It was too smooth for a dragon scale.

I went further, bringing a handkerchief to my mouth and nose. More dragon pieces. Most were too heavy for me to lift. Some were too hot for me to try. It was baffling. How could a living, flying creature have no blood? Maybe Nazam was right. It was a different kind of dragon, but everything has a heart, right? I decided that that is what I was searching for: The heart of a dragon.

I heard a noise. A groan.

I followed it until I found a boy sitting up against a giant piece. He was covered in black soot and had unusual bulgy eyes. His breathing was shallow and fast. Then I saw a dragon piece was sticking out of one of his long legs.

"Oh my---you're hurt! It's okay---um-- I'm just gonna-"

I had kneeled beside him, my hands hovering over him, but realized I didn't have the slightest idea how to help him. I didn't expect to find anyone injured. It did not seem like a good idea to move him.

"If you can just hang on, I'm sure some knights are on their way. They'll-ahhh!" I cut myself off with my own scream when he made a sudden movement. With no warning, he pulled out the dragon piece with a sharp yank and grabbed onto my skirt. I didnt even have time to kick him off me. He ripped off a lengthy piece of my dress and used to bind his bleeding leg.

"Sorry," He croaked breathlessly. He straightened up with a wince then removed his bulgy eyes from his face, throwing them away. My yelp cut off short when I realized it was not his eyes. It was something that was covering his eyes. The area the "bulgy eyes" covered was clean of the black soot that covered the rest of him.

He inspected the wound. "Oh, good. It wasn't too deep after all. Hurts a lot though," he grunted.

"Do you think you can stand?"

He finally looked at me with a pair of startling gray eyes. "Maybe with assistance? I don't know... Either way we need to get away from here. The boiler could explode any second."

His voice was very hoarse, and his words confused me. What is a boiler?

I did not have time to ask. He was already trying to get up. I stood with him and looped one of his arms around my neck. His knees buckled and suddenly his dead weight had me going down, my knee striking the earth hard. This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

"I'm sorry. I don't think I'm strong enough to help you," I said, lowering his head to the ground and realized it wasn't just his leg that wasn't allowing him to stand. He looked like he was about to pass out.

"Hey! No! Stop that!" I slapped his face lightly. He mumbled something. I shook with frustration. Is he going to die? He said something would explode soon. We may both die. I cannot just leave him. I realized I could not quite catch my own breath. The fumes in the air were making me lightheaded.

My eyes grew heavy, and I vaguely heard voices approaching. I risked leaving the strange boy behind and made my way towards the voices, but I suddenly found myself on the ground. The shadows and light from the crash site waltzed together in my blurring vision. Then there was nothing but darkness.

Author: Thanks for reading this far! You're great ^_^ Don't forget your vote and comment.