2.

~That Voice Inside My Head~

"Mistress, please wake up!"

I felt the quakes of the bed below me, but I couldn't bring myself to wake up. Tied between my dreams and reality. On one side there is my long dead parents cuddling me so close I couldn't breathe and the other side is getting beat to death by a god damn annoying nurse. Can't be that hard to tell which is which.

"Mistress, you're going to be late. Get your lazy ass up. The King's servicemen should be on there way right now." She yelled.

I bolted up so fast I got whiplash. It completely slipped my mind that I was going to the King's palace. I waited for my neck to stop hurting and got up. As I did the housekeeper started making my bed.

"Mistress, the meat that was on the floor last night, it uh…" she started and looked around like she would find the words on the walls.

I sighed frustrated. "My time has limits. What about the meat?"

"It's still on the floor. I tried to get it up, but it was too hot I'm sorry!" she cried.

The housekeeper came straight from the castle, where they beat her if she were to upset them. Once again I had to remind her that I wasn't like that. "It's alright," I said with a smile. "I tried to get it up yesterday, but it was too hot for me too. I shouldn't expect you to be able to get."

Her face became horrified. "I'm sorry! I'm a worthless housekeeper! Please forgive me!"

"Wait! Wait! I didn't mean you were worthless. I shouldn't expect anyone to get it, not just you. You are not worthless." I quickly tried to think of the nicest thing to say to cover up that mistake. "You are the best housekeeper anyone could ever have."

"Really?" Her face lit up.

Dammit! I do not have time for this. I thought. "Of course, now go maintain that title."

I didn't even watch as she left the room. The nurse already prepared bath with my name on it and I intend on using it. I grabbed my Summers Honorary dress, made by the best cloth maker in Bermany Haven, and hopped in the bath.

I closed my eyes after a while and thought back to last night. I noticed that unlike everyone else I didn't mind the fire. I actually liked it. Is this my destiny? I thought. Am I good or am I evil. What does this legend say and why am I the only one to not know about it?

I washed my self extra hard today to make a good impression. I finished and put on the Summers Honorary dress. The nurse came in and helped with my hair and make up. She fixed my hair to fall over the shoulders presenting the delicate layers through the edges to compliment the length.

I turned for her so she could see all of me. She smiled and nodded as she scanned me. "Excuse me when I say, you look hella fine." She told me. I nodded and she left. I had a little time before the servicemen were to be due so I decided to occupy my time by playing with fire.

I grabbed a scrap of cloth from the trash bin and twisted it around my fingers. I concentrated on that piece of cloth, just staring at it, but nothing happened. I tried thinking about fire only, about the heat of it, but again nothing happened. I put pressure on it, stared hard at the cloth, and thought about flames. I just stood still for a couple minutes waiting for it to catch fire.

"Mistress, the service-," she caught the position I was in. She pursed her lips and opened her mouth to say something, but closed it and threw her hands up. "I don't wanna know. The King's servicemen are here." She walked out shaking her head.

I threw the cloth and pace to the front door. I face four armored men on horses and another stirring a horse drawn carriage. The men on horses nodded towards me and the man stirring the carriage got up and bowed down on one knee.

It was a little weird for me considering he was a noble and I was the wealthy peasant. I curtsied and he shook his head. "A nod would do fine madam. In hierarchy, you are just below the king." He walked towards me and held out his arm. I took it and he leaned close to me and whispered. "Though some people also think you surpass him, but don't let him know that." He laughed and I figured him to be a lunatic.

He opened the door to the carriage and I got in. As it started moving I wonder if he knew about my powers and if he was referring to them. I looked at my hands and once again tried to make fire. This time just by snapping them.

It doesn't work like that genius. I nearly jumped out of my seat at that thought because it wasn't mine. And they're not your powers, they're mine.

Who are you? I asked.

Child, do you not know that you are a dragon wielder? She asked.

What the hell is a dragon wielder? Who are you? I asked again.

Dragon wielders are the peace holders of earth. They hold nations together in harmony. They are born every hundred years and only few are born. There is always one whom stands above them all in case the humans use dragon power for war, but alas that one dragon hasn't been around in more than a thousand years. I could hear her guilt, but I still hadn't got my answer.

Who are you? I almost yelled aloud.

I'm a fucking dragon stupid! I thought you would have got that. I'm actually the dragon who hasn't been around. I am Xeona Queen of the dragon wielders. She said real victoriously.

Great! So I have an egotistical, idiosyncratic dragon in me, I said. Everyone's dream. Do you know why I wasn't told of this before?

No. You should have been though. She said. That man was right though.

What man? I asked.

The carriage driver, She said exasperated. He told you that you are higher than the king and it's true. I really doubt the king would let you know that. I'm sure he would do everything in his power to keep himself at the top.

So what am I suppose to do? I asked a bit skeptical.

Fool! To humans we are Gods and I will not be put under a selfish malingerer. She shouted in my head. I am pretty sure why the king has called to you anyway, but you must not let him use you.

As she finished the carriage slowed to a halt. The door opened and the driver smiled at me. "Here you are my lady." He said.

Just behind him King Roland appeared from the gates.

Xeona growled at the sight of him.

For now we fake our position. I told her.

I curtsied. "Hello your majesty."

He smiled and nodded. "Hello Miley. Come."

I followed him into the castle. As I did so I took the time to take in the scenery. I was amazed at what I saw. The whole castle was split into segments. Some were bigger than the others. We passed a huge colorful garden. The castle itself seemed like a village. A rich and flourishing village.

We passed what looked like training grounds and finally stop at a door to a big and long building.

"Are you hungry," King Roland said as he opened the door.

Inside was a long table set with a red and gold table cloth. Candles were set along the table at each chair and food was already prepared and set in front of few of the chairs.

He sat down and motioned for me to sit in the chair right next to him. He picked up a bowl of pears and offered them to me. Being as I don't get the chance to try the rich delicacies, I grabbed four.

"Thank you your highness." I said politely. A little too polite for Xeona's taste, for she mimicked those very word in disgust.

He offered me some more food and I gladly stocked up. He started eating his own food after a while. A little later when both our plates were half full he looked at me with curious eyes.

"I heard of your shenanigans at school. Burnt it down or so I am told." He started.

"I'm sorry." I said emotionless.

"Eh, don't be. It needs to be rebuilt anyway. Besides it just means a treasure has been opened up that could help our country. Maybe even build it." His eyes turned attentive and he smiled. "Miley do you know who or what you are?"

I couldn't give away my secret, not yet. Not until I knew his full intentions. "An orphan?"

"Of course, but you are much more. You are the hope of this village and let me tell you it is an honor to be sitting with you today." He gave me a sincere look and if I didn't know what was going on I might have missed the spark of victory.

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"I'm saying Miley, You are a Dragon wielder. A dragon is inside of you and you could help our land become bigger."

"I don't want to do that. People in other villages will be harmed." I said as innocently as I could manage.

"They don't have to be injured." He said. "The only reason I want, no need you to do this is because a while ago our 'friends' the land of Norah, used to be ours until they tuned on us. After they turned on us, we were a sickly land. That part of the land had all the goods. We still don't have as much now and with that land I could heal our people. They have the right medicinal herbs." He looked at me gravely and I couldn't help but give in.

"I'll help you." I said.

He lies! That dirty little bastard lies! Xeona shouted.

I ignored her. "One more thing, I did know about my dragon. I found out today on the way here. She talks to me and vise versa. Her name is Xeona."

He looked at me surprised and then the biggest smile spread across his face. "Excellent! You can go now to the land of Norah, but beware of the dragon hunters!"

I smiled and nodded. I left the castle and headed to the forest between our lands. There I would start my Journey.