In the big halls of the Drakon Clan's palace, everyone was partying with so much joy. King Draven lifted his cup, spilling wine as he cheered for the latest land he had taken over. It was a big win celebration as the tables were full of food, music was blasting and the people laughing.
On the continent of Valeria, most clans had special magic from old pacts with spirits, house of flames with elemental fire magic, House of the shadows with Shadow magic. But the Drakon Clan picked something else. Their ancestors made a blood pact with an ancient dragon lord that let them control the huge beasts, but it meant no one in the Drakon clan could use elemental magic. All their power came from the dragons.
King Draven was the worst ruler ever. Greedy, mean, always killing innocents and forcing small kingdoms to pay heavy taxes. Tonight, he was toasting his newest win.
The hall was wild with dancers in short skirts shaking their hips, their bodies shiny with sweat.
Men and women serving drinks also wore short skirts and shorts, and nobles grabbed at them while gulping their wine.
Some couples were already making out in the corners, the air filled with sweat and booze smells.
Outside the doors, Princess Nymeria stood watching the show but not going in. She had long black hair and bright green eyes like her dragon's scales. Her face had that look that she hated all this. Her father's victory made her sick. She shook her head and walked away, heading to the back fields where the dragons stable is.
Her dragon, Viridia, was curled up on the field, it was a big green one with shiny scales.
"Viridia," Nymeria said softly. The dragon made a friendly rumble and nudged her head closer. Nymeria knelt down and patted her on the forehead. Viridia closed her eyes, loving it.
"Mother has only been gone a few weeks," Nymeria murmured, rubbing her dragon gently. "And father is already partying like she never mattered. Like nothing does." She let out a sighed.
Back inside, the party was getting rowdier. Dancers twisted closer with their skirts flying up, nobles joining in with their hands clenching tight to the dancers waist.
Draven yelled a cheer: "To more wins and dragons crushing our enemies!"
Everyone roared back.
Then bam! The doors slammed shut with a hard loud.
People turned, murmuring, "What the hell?"
Draven stood up, confused. Immediately an arrow zipped in and hit his chest. Before anyone could know what was happening, another one hit his neck. He choked on blood and dropped dead instantly.
Screams broke out as everyone ran for the doors, but the doors wouldn't budge like it was locked with magic. People banged and scratched, but no luck.
Arrows flew in from everywhere. People were dropping dead left and right, even a dancer got nailed mid-spin, blood splashing. A noble fell with his whore on top, both bleeding blood. The floor turned slippery with blood and spilled food. The hall that was filled with laughter and fun now turned to screams of pain.
Outside, everything suddenly went dark like it was night already.
Arrows cut through the palace and street of Drakon Clan. Guards, servants and citizens dropping, their throats hit, and arms pinned. The atmosphere was filled with yells mixed with dragon roars from the stables.
In the field, Nymeria jumped up, scared. Viridia growled with her wings out to protect her. The incoming arrows thunked into the dragon's side. Viridia howled in pain, wrapping herself around Nymeria like a shield.
The princess huddled close, yelling, "Viridia! Hang on!"
When everything was cleared, it was dead quiet. Nymeria opened her eyes and gasped. Viridia was down, her scales turning purple from the poison arrows. The arrows were everywhere. The dragon's eyes went dull.
Nymeria screamed "No!" and fell next to her, sobbing.
Suddenly, cold laughs sounded. Armed guards stepped out from nowhere, wearing the House of flame symbols. "Look at that, the only one left alive," one said.
"The princess herself," another mocked. "And her pet's is dead. Too bad."
Nymeria's anger exploded and she yanked an arrow from Viridia, her hands bloody, and rushed to them to stab one. But he kicked her hard in the gut. She hit the ground, wheezing in pain.
"What do we do with her?" a third asked, eyeing her up.
"Fu£k her senseless, then kill her," the first said with a nasty grin.
They grabbed her, pinning her down. Nymeria kicked and screamed, "Get off me!"
"Stop." A strong voice suddenly cut in. The guards backed off as a tall man walked up, his armor glowing with fire marks.
King Harlan of the House of Flames smirked down at her, his eyes like hot coals. "Chain her up and dragon her home. She lives... but as our slave. Let her be a reminder of our today's victory."
The guards nodded and slapped chains on her wrists. As they pulled her away, the ground scraped her her body, every bump hurting like hell.
The trip to the House of Flames was torture as the rough ground was tearing her clothes, bruises swelling from the shoves.
Soon, they got to their palace. The towers were lit with endless fires. The guards yanked her chains harder, making her yell.
One kicked her side: "That's for all the crap your father did to the innocent kids and women."
Another booted her to stand: "Get up, cunt."
Nymeria groaned as blood spill down her skin and she was hurting everywhere.
She pushed up and her eyes met a female on the balcony, auburn hair, amber eyes, fancy dress. The princess of the House of Flames.