I Alone Breed Dragons

The wind blew past the balcony, the curtain flapped from its winds, cool and calm. Dressed in my night robe, I was perched at the edge of my bed, with the chess board right before me, carved from fine wood. I hadn’t learned how to play, but I always had a desire to learn such. I sat in reflection on my plan to take the land. This had to be treated delicately; those likely occupying the land wouldn’t just leave because we say so, but to also avoid riot or more problems, not one had to be killed, just shoved out of the land.

I rearranged the board, keeping the pawns ahead, mixing both black and white. My plan was simple: with the militia, we stage a barrier, starting from the border, then push forward using the force of our army to push those occupying the land, then stage a huge barrier and hold the line from resistance. I moved the pawn on the board forward, visualizing, but it sounded too good to be true, like I was missing a lot of this. The militia I was planning of bringing into the kingdom is risky, on second thought — I’ll need to keep them at the border till they’re strong enough to push forward with the plan. If anything was reported before they were ready, problems will arise faster than I could respond to...

I sat in thought, looking at the board. Hmm, what can be the solution to this situation.

Aria still isn’t done writing back to the noble. I looked to the corner where Aria was seated at a study table, a light lamp at her side, her quill making lines across papers, her focus didn’t even change.

"Yes, I’m not."

"Do you intend sleeping in my chambers tonight."

"If it’s necessary, yes." She glanced over, catching my lingering stare... "Don’t have any funny ideas, I’m not authorized by the queen to carry an heir."

"Who said anything about that. I was thinking, what’s the best way to hide a weapon in your enemy’s tent without making it obvious."

"Is that your question." Aria paused, scribbling, setting the quill in its ink pot. "A Trojan horse is the answer. Make it seem like a gift or something beneficial. You should know that, right."

For a moment I remained still, that fleeting moment when every piece just clicked together — why didn’t I think of that all along, a Trojan horse. I’ll make the militia seem harmless... and I’ve got the perfect way. Currently, with the nobles’ fear of dragons, I smirked, it seems it’s time to let go of the monopoly of magic.

"Thank you, Aria," I said with genuine gratitude.

She tilted her head. "After staying by your side for quite a while, it’s more surprising to see you don’t actually know everything."

"Is that how it seems."

She picked up the ink and continued scribbling. "To me it seems. I can’t say of others..."

I smirked. I’m not perfect... I then picked up the queen piece, the sculpture of a woman with a crown, sword raised in the air. My next move is you, Stephanie, I said to myself. Tomorrow, we’ll see.

...

My shadow pooled beneath me, my body slowly submerged into it. I didn’t open my eyes to check if Aria was still present, didn’t untangle myself from the blanket. The sunlight hitting my eyes told me it was morning and I needed to move before a dragon named — Aria — trailed me throughout today. I opened my session already fully sunk into my shadow. Then I began moving from shadow to shadow, taking vacant corridors, till I reached out, continuing my escape, on a visit to Stephanie.

I reached the house as Maltie had provided info of, the luxury build and complete palace. The metal of bronze towers jutted from the walls, guards stationed at every corner. Still I couldn’t get spotted as long as I was inside my shadow, though I could feel the stress of exhausting mana this long gnawing at me, as my body grew weaker, slowly growing closer to the surface of the shadow. Still I held in till I was inside the house. From inside, I searched the room I was presently in, the artful decor, orange walls, colorful. My shadow widened and a breath of air filled my lungs on stepping out. Staying in the shadow didn’t allow me to breathe, keeping me in a temporal, dead... living through the reserve of my mana, which made staying in them... affect me quicker than most spells.

I took a step, pacing around the room. Guard patrol moving past the windows, just a second and I would have been caught. I drew the curtain and continued around the room, landing on a family picture hanging. Stephanie sitting in the middle, her husband staying beside her, she held a little girl on her lap, with a young man standing beside her. A much closer look — this young man I saw looked familiar.

"Kids... dinner is ready." I snapped to the door where Stephanie’s voice had come from.

Once more the voice rang, but this time drawing closer to the room. "Veronica. Why did you let them out of your sight. How many times have I warned you to keep your eyes on them, find them before dinner gets cold."

"Yes, ma’am," a second voice answered, her footsteps growing closer. I returned my stare to the very painting.

Then the curtains parted as she stepped inside, her steps receding, landing on me before she caught herself. Her eyes widened. "What are you doing here. How did you get inside."

"This is a very detailed painting, masterpiece — the artist must be very talented."

Stephanie raised her voice. "I asked you what you’re doing here."

"Is that the way you welcome a visitor, who crossed a river just to visit you, you might just get me upset. And believe me, you don’t want me upset."

She swallowed her words, looking more tense than before. "...Welcome to my home, how did you know where I live."

"We both know you’re pretty popular, you’re a princess, of course I’ll know where you live."

"This is my secret home, at the edge of... only my guards and workers know this exact location."

"Well, you have your answer."

She gasped, took a step out of the room.

I caught her.

"Don’t move another step, Stephanie. I’m not here to cause any harm."