Dragon's Soul: Chapter 1
Ygraine was woken by the light of the moon peering through the gaps left by the trees. In the distance she heard men and amour crashing through the bushes somewhere behind her. Rapidly she gathered her blankets and stuffed them roughly into her bag. Pulling the bag onto her shoulders she sped off into the darkness away from the torches and swords.
She ran faster than she had ever run before. She didn't care where she was going, she was just running. Leaving everything behind… She had done it again, there was no way of controlling it and that meant she had to leave. She had begun to makes friends but she knew that her secret couldn't be kept. Not when she had no power over it.
In her mind she knew where she was heading- Camelot. It was something she had learnt when playing hide-and-seek; hide were the person looking for you thinks you are least likely to be. Just like hiding in plain sight.
"The dogs have picked up her trail."
Ygraine's heart leapt to her mouth. Adrenaline and magic was pumping round her body, getting her ready to fight them if the men came to close. As she was running and looking over her shoulder, she didn't see the fallen tree that blocked her path.
Crashing to the ground she scrambled around, trying to pull herself up again. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a dog approaching, closely followed by a man brandishing a sword.
"Quick!" he shouted. "Over here. I have her!"
He pushed his sword up against Ygraine's panting chest. She didn't move, instead she closed her eyes and when she opened them they flashed golden. The other bandits didn't see what happened; they only saw the first man flying through the air followed by the dog.
Guards covered every wall of the castle; there was no way she was going to get in the main entrance, especially not at night. Her eyes scanned the walls lit by the moon. She saw a cave, far from the main entrance. A branch snapping behind her made her spurt towards it. She knew that the bandits following her wouldn't follow her into Camelot. She hoped that they weren't that stupid.
As she peered into the mouth of the cave Ygraine couldn't see a thing. Taking a deep breath she edged inside and let the magic within her reach her finger tips. Concentrating hard she cast a white orb that hung above her right shoulder. She took a final look behind her before darting into the darkness.
After a few minutes of aimlessly walking she decided that if she went any further she would get lost and be unable to get out of the cave. This thought made her settle down on the floor. Tired from her run she easily fell asleep.
"Ygraine"
A deep voice called her name and woke Ygraine from her light sleep. Her light was still glowing, just not as brightly. She let her magic fill her again, just in case she needed it.
"Ygraine", the voice called again.
"Hello. Who is there?" She called back.
"Ha! Come and see young one."
The voice seemed to be coming from a ledge below her. Cautiously she moved towards it and before she reached the edge something flew over her and the force of it threw her backwards. Magic was causing her senses to tingle. She knew that there was something magical here and it was calling for her.
"Where are you? Who are you?" she called into the darkness. She was trying to contain her magic but it was flying around the cave. Looking down at her hands she saw that they were glowing orange, as if they were on fire. She fell to her knees and pressed them deep into the ground. They scorched the floor beneath her. She felt tears streaming from her eyes. Why couldn't she control this?
Out of nowhere a dragon landed in front of her. His scales gleamed in the light and his eyes glowed golden which showed Ygraine the power he held within. In his presence her hands returned to normal. She looked deep into his eyes.
"You are a dragon."
The dragon smiled then said, "That I am, you are very observant."
"I thought all the dragons were killed during the great purge." Ygraine panted. She was pleased and amazed that her hands had returned to normal. She stood up as the dragon spoke.
"I am the only one that remains. I am almost like you and I sense that you are not in control of you magic. "
"I didn't know that people who had magic were like dragons… You're right, I do not know how. It is too much for me to contain."
"I understand young one, but I sense you have had a tiresome journey and for now you must rest."
The dragon had a compassionate look in his eyes. Ygraine nodded and lay down. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the dragon move to fly away. Sitting up quickly she said, "Please dragon, stay with me. I know that is an odd request but I do not want to be alone this night."
The dragon contemplated her request for a moment then returned to her side a curled himself into a ball beside her. He watched as she fell into a peaceful sleep. There was something about this child. She was young in years but it seemed as if she carried a great burden.
Ygraine's back hurt from sleeping on the hard ground. Rubbing her eyes she woke to find the great dragon looming over her, a confused look on his face.
"Good morning."
"Hello again Ygraine- I trust you are well rested."
Ygraine replied by nodding and then rolled up her blankets to form a bundle of bedding. She stopped when she noticed that the dragon was still staring at her. Half-afraid, half-determined she stared back into his golden eyes.
"What is my name Young One?" The dragon asked softly, maintaining eye contact.
Ygraine found that the answer came to her even when she hadn't thought she knew it.
"Kilgharrah is your name. Wait- how did I know that?"
"You are correct young one. I can't see your name; all I know is that it is Ygraine after the past queen."
"You didn't answer my question."
The dragon's reply had hurt and anger hidden within his words, "I did not answer because I do not know."
"Oh. Sorry. My name is Ygraine Neve Ladgon."
Kilgharrah paused before he said, "I had kin called Ladgon."
Ygraine could hear sorrow in his voice. "I was named after a dragon called Ladgon. My parents told me so. She came to our village after she was attacked by Uther's knights. My parents said she gave her life for mine. I was deathly ill and she was dying so she saved me."
"That is why you feel so familiar."
Ygraine could sense that he was keeping something from her. Through the entire conversation the dragon had not broken his eye contact with her until now. He looked down at his feet as if seeing something that wasn't there. Ygraine followed his gaze but saw nothing.
"Well Young One, I feel that our destinies are intertwined. How would you like me to teach you how to control your magic?"
Ygraine looked up again. Softly she said with a smile, "I would like that very much."
