This is a Rise of the Dawn fanfic. If you don't know what that is, you need to spend more time at FictionPress! The Inkslinger has kindly given me permission to write RotD
fiction, but I wouldn't suggest reading any of this if you've never read RotD.

Disclaimer: The Inkslinger is the mind behind the world. I just copy her brilliance. :laughs:

Break of Dawn: A Rise of the Dawn FanFic

"And he stood, valiantly, by the side of his fallen master, unsure if his mentor still even breathed! The dragon reared its mighty head, its scales flashing red and silver in the bright sunlight. Ikeda clutched his sword, his full-mail armor shining dangerously as he prepared himself not for defense; oh no, my friends, he was going to attack the ferocious beast. He was going to attack, and he was going to kill it, that fiery demon who had so viscously attacked he greatest friend." Kalli leaned forward, into the tale, brandishing her nails like claws at the children. "The dragon unfurled his wings," she threw open her arms, much to the shock and delight of her four intent listeners, "came in, taunting the brave warrior. But he would not step down! Oh no, my friends. When the dragon swooped down like a hawk for his supper, the gallant Ikeda ran full force, driving his trusty blade through the throat of the gigantic-"

The children had heard this story hundreds of times, and each time they would engross themselves in the telling, watching in delighted horror at the bravery of their hero and the rage of the fiery dragon. The four sat in rapt attention, each with their little mouths wide open. Kalli marveled at their curiosity, a bittersweet feeling brewing in the depths of her. These children had an incredible innocence. Something she had never really had...

"But when our brave hero stepped into the ruined castle, he found that the dreaded she-demon pirate herself had dragged his love across the sea to Cathland! Into the very clutches of his Gifted adversary-"

Three of her charges were boys, triplet Azarians with sandy blonde hair and thick, curious green eyes. The fourth child was a dark girl of what had to be mixed blood. Her black hair spoke of some kind of Methron ancestry, but her accent betrayed she was from Trista. She was rough and tumble; her eyes shown with the same admiration in her mud-brown eyes as the boys. One day, people would be telling such stories about them...

Just as Ikeda had come to the aid of his lover in the depths of Cathland, a shout rang over the compound, shattering the world the story had built around them. "Where the hell are you, you lazy buggers!" The children's mouths snapped closed, the four of them scattering as if they'd never been. Kalli sighed heavily, brushing her fingers through her platinum curls. They would continue the story when they could. For now, the children had to work.

Pulling her waist-length hair back into a ponytail, Kalli smiled at the small workroom. She'd had the room emptied just for the children. A few handmade toys lay scattered around the room; seven tiny stools, half of them overturned, lay empty, waiting for their masters (or mistress) to return to occupy them again. This room was a safe house for the servant children, and Kalli was glad she had given it up.

'Making those poor children work so hard all day... It's a wonder they make as much time as they do for me. Phoenix help me, I have a sore spot for kids.' Kalli brushed her skirts out, shaking dust and dirt from the ends. 'Maellyn will kill me if she sees me like this. Perhaps Maellyn will kill me anyway, and get it over with.' But even Mae wouldn't kill without reason, or so Kalli hoped. 'But she will kill you if you're late again.'

The afternoon sun drifted lazily through the glass into the hallway. Kalli shut the doors behind her with a click. There was a tiny frown on the woman's face as she made her way reluctantly down the hallway. 'The hell with it all; why did I have to end up with an old bitch like Mae anyway?' For as far back as Kalli could remember, she had dreamed of marrying a brave, gallant warrior, or a powerful prince perhaps. Rich, handsome, and strong, her dream man would whisk her away, off into the setting sun...

But Fate had other plans for Kalli.

Mae was pretty enough in a way, but she wasn't brave or strong or handsome. She wasn't even a husband for Phoenix's sake. 'Think it's funny, do you, Phoenix? Marrying me off to a woman. It's disgusting, that's what it is. She's rather humorless, quiet, and overly logical. Doesn't that woman even want to have any fun?'

She wandered down the hall, lazily, sighing as the failing light poured in thick, like shimmering peach jelly, drizzling over the marble floors. 'Whoever heard of a female Dawn of the Dragon anyway?' Kalli fiddled absently with her marriage necklace, trying to shake the feeling of bitterness from her mood. 'Ah, well; the price one pays to be a Dawn I suppose.' The bell tower chimed the hour, shaking a curse from Kalli's lips. She hitched her robes up around her ankles, tearing away at breakneck speed towards her rooms. 'Damn it all, I'm going to be late! Mae will have my head!'

Ahh, how I'm all about short chapters. This isn't much yet, but I think I have some great ideas. Oh, sorry f/f relationship warning; I guess I should have mentioned that before... Hehe, sorry guys. There'll be more tomorrow, if it rains. If not, I'm going out to the Isle to do a photography project.

Much love to Inky! And also love to Walter Dash, for drawing such pretty pretty pictures.

Mina