Anne pried her eyes open to see sunlight beating down on her face. She felt so sore and her mouth felt like cotton. She groaned a bit, putting her arm over her eyes.
"Well, looks like the cutie is up." Anne didn't recognize that voice.
She moved her arm up to see a blonde girl staring down at her. Her face was angular and sharp with a beauty mark under her left eye. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and long bang parted on the right side of her face. The thing that caused Anne to stare the most was the beautiful yellow eyes that were looking at her. Even more interesting was her pupils. The pupil was a thin slit like a cat's eyes. They soon expanded in surprise.
"Who are you?" Anne whispered out. They stopped moving. Anne soon realized that they had been carrying her bridal style. She let out a small squeak and wrapped her arms around their neck. They gasped in surprised and faltered in their steps.
"Anne! You're awake." Anne saw her brother run up and grabbed her hand. She could see Sprig was so scared. She squeezed his Sprig.
"Sprig, you're safe. What happen?"
"I saw those strange soldiers attacking you and came in to help. You collapsed all of a sudden and I knew I needed to get you two out of there." Anne looked at the strange girl. They looked down at Anne and cracked a smile. It wasn't a human smile though. No. She had sharp, canine like teeth.
"I'm pretty sure you just want to eat us." Sprig shot back. Anne tighten her hold on her brother.
"Listen twerp. If I wanted to eat you two, I would of done so much earlier back in the forest. But I don't eat humans. I'm not some monster."
"Can you put me down?"
"Oops. Sorry about that cutie." They finally allowed Anne down. Anne took a few steps before gasping in pain. The girl helped Anne hobble over a tree stump. Anne sighed in relief. The blonde dropped to her knees and took Anne's farm boots off. Her nose wrinkled a bit. "Looks like you sprained your ankle. You will need to stay off of it for a bit. Running around isn't going to help it at all."
"I should thank you for saving me and my brother." The blonde looked up at Anne and then turned towards Sprig. Eyes darted back to Anne's face.
"You two are related? You don't smell the same."
"We don't smell ….the same?"
"Human families always smell similar to each other. Siblings and parents will have similar scents to one another. You don't share that. Plus you two don't exactly look the same."
"We are adopted."
"Well that explains it."
"But I do thank you for saving us. How did you though? There was a ton of those soldiers and a dragon." Anne looked at the blonde. She was smirking with that large tooth grin. Anne suddenly put the pieces together. "You are the dragon."
"Yep. The scary, fearsome dragon actually helped someone for once. This little twerp here," She glared at Sprig. She growled a bit. "Kept asking me if I was going to eat you. I may be a dragon but that doesn't mean I go around eating people. That ain't me. Plus you are too cute to eat. Now your little brother may be a different story if he keeps annoying me."
"Anne Planter." The girl tilted her head in confusion. "My name is Anne Planter."
"Sasha Waybright at your service Milady." Sasha bowed towards Anne, holding her cape out.
"I'm Jonathan Planter. But you can call me Sprig." Sasha growled at Sprig. Sprig stood tall, chest puffing out.
"So may I ask what brings you out here?"
"We got separated from our family and our friend because of those Core Soliders."
"Damn those things. We are too far away from the road and we can't backtrack now. Not with your ankle. We are closer to the Tower though. I'll take you there."
"What's the tower?"
"It's my home and where my clan resides. You will be safer there with a bunch of dragons protecting you. Then we can work in finding the rest of your family. Now that you are awake Anne, it's faster to fly."
Anne looked at Sasha strange. Sasha smirked again in Anne's direction and winked. Anne could feel a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Alright you two. Give me some room."
Sasha backed up with her arms held out. It was like she was putting a show on for Anne. Fire surrounded Sasha and her eyes flashed pink. The fire flared up into tornado before wings burst through. Instead of a human girl, there was a red four legged dragon in place. Sasha had two black horns protruding from the top of her head and blonde hair from the tip of her crown running down her back. Sasha stretched her large yellow feathered wings. Her tail ended with a black spade like tip as it whipped around. Sasha smiled down at the two.
"Whoooaaa. I mean I don't like her but that was cool." Sprig whispered to Anne.
"Shush Sprig. She saved our life there." Anne berated her brother before focusing her attention back to Sasha. "We really appreciate this."
"Hop on."
Anne never would of dreamed on flying in a dragon in her entire life. If she could go back and tell her six year old self that this was going to happen, she was sure she wouldn't believe it. But it was here. She clung to Sasha's hair tightly as the dragon flew. Sasha made flying seem easy though. She was cutting through the air with ease. Anne could feel Sasha's powerful muscles with each beat of those strong wings. Sprig hung onto her tightly from behind.
"How are you doing buddy?" Anne patted his head.
"Nauseous." He whimpered out.
"We are okay buddy. We are safe. I promise."
Sprig buried his face into Anne's shirt. She clenched his hands around her waist. She knew he was scared despite his brave face. He was only eleven. Anne made a small vow to make sure to continue to watch over Sprig. A hand went to touch the gem in her pocket. It was still there and still safe. It felt warm to the touch. She prayed that Hop Pop, Polly, Yunan and Marcy were safe.
The Tower was a enormous structure in the distance. It looked like an abandoned castle with one long tower sticking out from the rest of the crumbling ruins. Sasha took a straight dive down before allowing a cross breeze to catch her wings and allow a gentle landing. Anne was in awe at Sasha. She looked up to see several larger dragons walking towards them. The largest one was a grey dragon with dark hair running along the back and two straight, black horns. The left eye was white with a scar running through it and the other was a glowing yellow, similar to Sasha's eyes.
"Hey Grimsey. How's it going?" Sasha drew out her words as she walked over to the group. The larger dragon growled loudly, clearing annoyed. Anne was afraid he was going to attack Sasha. She was now wondering if this tribe accepted her. Did Sasha just lie to them?
"Sasha Waybright!" Now Anne was beginning to believe that Sasha had lied. "You snuck out of the Tower to explore again, didn't you?"
Sasha backed away. "Yes. But…"
"No buts! You deliberately disobeyed my order. I told you to stay in the Tower." The voice was deep and harsh.
"I'm Twenty years old. I think I can handle myself just fine dad." Sasha spat.
"Tower. Now young lady. Then I will discuss what chores to have you do as your punishment. But first, we discuss why you have humans on your back."
"They are with me. One of them is injured and they got separated from their family. They were attacked by Core Soldiers. I saved them."
Grimsey just sighed before motioning with his head to the brown dragon. They soon transformed into a rather buff lady. She had a helmet with horns on her head. She walked over to Sasha's side and held her arms out.
"You can trust her Anne." Anne looked at her brother and helped him jump down. The lady caught him with ease and set him on the ground. Anne swung her legs over and jumped into the woman's arms. Anne hopped onto the ground but grimaced at the pain. She lifted it up to avoid standing on it.
Sasha quickly transformed back into a human. The other two dragons did the same. Now Anne got a better look at Grimsey. He was a tall, intimidating man. He had short salt and pepper hair that was spiked and stubble on his face. His one good eye moved down and up, clearly eyeing Anne. He turned his attention back to Sasha.
"You are to take care of them. They are your responsibility." He pointed a finger at Anne and Sprig. "Got it young lady?"
"Yes Captain Grime." Sasha sounded small.
"Good. Braddock. Percy. You two are with me."
With a swish of his fur cape, he was gone with the other man in tow. The woman walked away from Anne. Sprig allowed Anne to lean on him. Sasha growled before kicking a rock.
"Stupid dad. Treating me like I'm a kid. I'm old enough to explore on my own. I don't need an eggsitter."
"Sasha." Anne attempted to get Sasha's attention back to her. She stopped her tantrum.
"Right. Sorry. Dad can be a bit…much." Sasha danced around the subject.
"That's your dad?" Sprig asked. Sasha snorted in response.
"Yeah. That's my old man. Come on. Let's get you inside Anne." Sasha was quick to scoop Anne up again and carry her bridal style. Sprig had his hands clenched. "Come on tiny. Get moving. It's going to get dark and you don't want to be out here with bears and those other soldiers."
The inside of the Tower was just a big. It was designed as if to accommodate a dragon. Anne marveled at some of the tapestry and walls. They were filled with intricate designs. The only sound was the clanging of Sasha's boots against the stone floor. She took a hard turn right and entered a long hallway. After a few more steps, she paused at a surprisingly human sized door. Sasha looked down at Sprig.
"Mind opening the door? I got my hands full."
Sprig mumbled something before opening the door for Sasha. The bedroom had two beds and a dresser. Sasha sat Anne down on the bed and took her boot off for her. Sasha examined the injured ankle. Anne noticed that it was swollen. Sasha grabbed an extra pillow and placed Anne's injured foot on it.
"I'm going to get ice and some bandages and some food. I'll be back. Stay here."
Once Sasha was gone, Sprig hopped on top of the bed and helped Anne take her other boot off and grabbed the sword. He grew really quiet as he twisted his hat in his head. It was his nervous tick. Sprig tucked himself into Anne's side.
"I really thought Sasha was going to eat us. Then I thought that Grime was going to kill her and us."
"I thought so too."
"Anne, can we search for Hop Pop and Polly?"
"I really can't do anything with this ankle. I think we are stuck here for a few days."
"I don't like Sasha either. She seems…off."
"Sprig, you really need to stop misjudging people. You didn't trust Marcy at first. Now you like her.
"But Marcy is different. Sasha is a dragon."
"That shouldn't matter. Sprig, trust me then. We will eventually be out of here then we will search for Hop Pop and Polly. And also look for Marcy and Yunan." Anne hugged her brother tight. She sent another prayer that they were safe. Anne slowly began to sing a small lullaby. The very one her birth mother use to sing to her.
Sasha traveled down to the mess hall. Various dragons hung out in their human forms as they drink. She spotted Grime as he spoke with his sister. Her aunt Beatrix had been the one to help her sneak out. She was so desperate to explore the nearby village despite Grime's law that she wouldn't go near it.
Why though? She was the only dragon who had not been allowed to go to the village or any village period. She just sighed before making her way to the medic area. She needed something for her own wounds and Anne's ankle. She did a hastily patch job before feeling that surge of magic in the air. That's what had lead her to Anne.
She stepped into the area and noticed that Braddock was working it. The other woman noticed her presence. She raced over and cupped Sasha's cheeks. She turned her head multiple times to the side, examining her.
"I can't believe you snuck out young lady. I was so worried for you. I can smell your blood on you. What happen?"
"I'm fine. Just a little scrape is all. I fixed myself up. I just need some more bandages."
"Sit. I will look at them myself." Sasha was pushed onto the bed. Before she could protest, Braddock had taken her red armor off and then her boots. She rolled her pant legs up to see the large gash on Sasha's leg. "No wonder why Grime said he smelt you a mile away. That is serious. And your bandages are sloppy. I thought I taught you better Sash."
"Yeah sorry. I really didn't the chance to fix them. Had a damsel in distress to save."
"Be careful around humans. You of all dragons know what they are capable of. Especially ones we don't know well." Sasha chewed the inside of her cheek. Oh she knew. How she knew but there was something different about Anne.
"I know Braddock. I just…felt something and found her fighting a Core Soldier. Then there were more. I figured I needed to save her."
Braddock just sat in silence as she reapplied a new bandage to Sasha's leg. Once she was done, Braddock clapped her hands together. She settled her hands on her hips as she stared at Sasha.
"Anymore wounds that I need to know about?" Sasha couldn't escape that look. Grime may have been her only parent, but Braddock very much treated her like she was her daughter. Sasha just rolled her sleeves up and revealed another hastily done bandage. "Young lady. This is why Grime didn't want you out there. You are prone to getting into trouble. Trouble that you tend to cause."
After Braddock's brief lessons about watching herself, Sasha left with her other bandages in hand. She was then off to grab something to eat. As she made her way to the mess hall, she heard another footstep follow her.
"Hey Waybright." Sasha internally groaned.
"Hey Maggie." She turned to look at the red head girl dragon. "What do you want?"
"What? I can't just talk to my home girl?" Maggie slung her arms across her shoulders.
"Not now Maggie. I got two humans to take care of. They are my responsibility and I'm starving."
"That girl is pretty cute though." Sasha felt her eye twitch at Maggie's comment. She turned her head to look at Maggie. "Never seen a human girl that pretty before. Think she is single?"
"Don't know. I never would think to ask that question. Only you would." Sasha hoped that Maggie would drop the conversation. Maggie had other ideas though. She seemed keen on driving Sasha up the walls by asking her constant questions about Anne. Sasha debated on how much trouble she would get into if she picked a fight with Maggie. "You have somewhere else to be Maggie?"
"Minus annoying you? No. So, where is that human at? I bet she could use some company. Looks like your father wants to discuss something with you." Sasha saw Grime walking towards her. She could tell he was grumpy. Maggie snickered before walking away. "I can probably find her anyways."
Sasha snarled before feeling Grime's hand on her shoulder. He pulled her away from starting a fight with Maggie. They walked away from the dining area to one of the more secluded areas of the large castle. They walked in silence for a bit till they reached a large chamber. It was filled with a large bed and the walls was decorated with maps and a lone painting near the bed. Grime stopped in the painting. It was a painting of a beautiful blonde woman with blue eyes. She smiled softly down at Sasha.
"You know why I am grumpy with you right?"
"Because I disobeyed your orders. I was doing just fine."
"You were wounded. You fight those soldiers. You disappeared under my nose. You were somewhere I couldn't reach you fast enough." Sasha looked at Grime. "I was concerned for you."
"I… I didn't think about that."
"Of course not. You don't think sometimes Sasha. I was worried. I was worried I was going to lose you."
Sasha rubbed her neck. She didn't think about Grime's feelings or Braddock's either. She just wanted a little adventure.
"I know you want to explore the surrounding area. But it's too dangerous. Especially when you carry that thing with you."
"I'm twenty. I have trained under you since I could walk. I think I could handle myself and this little beauty helps me be stronger." Grime focused his good eye on her. "Father, I just wish to be a little bit more independent. That's all."
"Fine. Here's what we will do. If you can defeat an opponent of my choosing in the coliseum then I will consider you fit to be allowed out of the Tower. If not, then I will have Maggie or someone else accompanied those humans home." Sasha felt that surge of anger at that name. Grime knew how to rile her up. "You have two days before the fight and you are not allowed to have that thing with you in battle. Got it?"
"Yes sir." Sasha saluted.
"Good. If you do well, then who knows. You may eventually be made my lieutenant." Sasha just stared at her father as he made his way to his painting. He slowly caressed the painting's face. "I'm sure she would of loved you. I bet she is watching over. You are dismissed. And don't allow my sister to get anymore ideas in your head. I am…worried about you."
"Awwww. Are you getting soft on me dad?"
"Only around you. I am still the ruler." Grime smirked a bit. "Good night Sasha."
"Good night dad."
Sasha made her way to her room with food in her hands. She opened the door to see a man with short, shaggy, blonde hair in her room. He was juggling several bright balls as he danced around, his jester hat bells jiggling. Sasha chuckled.
"Percy, what are you doing here?"
The man stopped juggling before getting hit in the head with several balls.
"Oh hey Sash. Braddock asked me to keep an eye on the humans. I figured I would entertain them."
"Thanks Percy. I'll take it from here."
"Have a good night Sasha."
Percy walked out of the room. His bells jiggled with each step. Sasha could hear Anne laughing. Man, that was a beautiful sound. She turned to look at the two. She tossed Sprig his food before focusing her attention to Anne. She plucked a piece of branch out of Anne's long, curly hair. Anne must of let her ponytail loose. Sasha wasn't going to deny that Anne was gorgeous.
"Thanks for the food Sasha. Sorry we are having to crash here."
"Don't think much of it. I'm just glad that Grimsey was okay with it. I will make sure you are safe." Sasha placed a comforting hand on Anne's shoulder. She could feel Sprig bear into her back. She chose to ignore the twerp. "Now, I bet some food. Bog is actually really good with cooking so eat up. We dragons get up pretty early so you may be awaken by a dragon roar. Don't be too surprised."
"Reminds me of getting awaken by our rooster."
"A farmer?"
"Yes."
"You definitely didn't act like a farmer out there. You acted like a warrior. So, what would bring a little farmer out here?"
"We were planning on going to Newtopia. Then you know what happened." Sasha nodded.
The three ate in silence. Sasha grabbed the plates and took them back to the kitchen. Once she arrived back, Sprig had settled in the opposite bed, snoring. Anne was still awake, staring out the window at the moon. Sasha gently sat down on Anne's bed.
"Mind if I join you? Your brother is hogging my bed."
"What! Oh my stars, I'm so sorry that he is sleeping in your bed. I can move him."
"Don't. You can't walk with that leg. Stay. I'll be fine. I can always sleep on the floor."
"I will not allow the dragon who saved me sleep on the floor in her own room. I can sleep on the floor."
"So righteous. No. You will stay right where you are. Just hope you are okay with company. The floors get a little too cold for us fire dragons."
Anne shifted a bit to allow Sasha in the spot next to her. Sasha gently moved so she was on her side so Anne had the most space. She couldn't sleep yet. She had an interesting human next to her that she was dying to hear her story. Sasha propped her elbow up and set her head into her hand. She was looking down at Anne's face.
"So Sprig? What's the deal with that name?"
"His real name is Jonathan Planter. He was named after our dad. Dad use to call him his little sprig and the name sort of stuck."
"You speak as if your father isn't alive." Anne looked solemn. Sasha hit something heavy there. "He isn't. Is he?"
"No. He died about four years ago. A beast took him from us."
"I'm sorry."
"It hurts still. I lost another family member."
"You said you were adopted early."
"I don't remember much. All I remember is fire and screaming and my birth parents yelling at me to run." Anne clutched the comforter. Sasha took her hand and held it tightly. "My parents died in front of my eyes by those things."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm grateful that the Planters took in this strange girl. They raised me as their own. Then Sprig was born followed by my little sister Polly. So Sasha Waybright, might dragon, what is your story?"
Sasha flex her right arm on purpose. Anne was marveling her muscles. While Sasha may be stuck in the tower, that didn't mean she didn't train. She had her regiment.
"Well Anne. I am the only daughter of Captain Grime, current leader of the Tower dragons. I guess I am in the same boat as you though. Only I don't know my birth parents. They died when I was just an egg. Grime found me and took me in. My clan was wiped out I guess."
"So you were born from an egg?" Anne snickered.
"Of course. I'm a dragon. I may look human but I am beast. We don't learn how to use magic or our human forms till we are a year old."
"So Grime raised you? He seems gruff and mean around you."
"Grime can be like that. But it shows how he cares. I'm kind of a spitfire. I've been cooped up in this Tower for most of my life. I just want to stretch my wings and explore."
"Does he not allow you out?"
"No. But that doesn't I won't try. But he is giving me a chance. I have to fight in the coliseum with an opponent he picks. If I prove myself then I can take you myself to find your family. I made the promise and I plan on keeping it."
"Thank you Sasha. I don't know what I would of done if I ever lost Sprig." Anne turned her head to look at the sleeping boy.
"You two really are close. Alright Anne. Get some sleep. Then maybe I will take you around the Tower."
Anne shifted further into the bed and pulled the comforter closer to her neck. Sasha settled into a small ball and was soon about to drift off. She felt someone roll into her but ignored it.
