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Dragon's Blood~
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Dragon's Blood~
Dragon's Blood~
Just a fantasy story I wrote that I want to share. Feel free to give me feedback!
And without further ado, here is the start:
A glistening vial of thick, dark red liquid rested in my hand, a thin label on it reading Dragon’s Blood. This was the very thing that was keeping the world alive, as it was the only known cure to dracosis, a deadly disease that had been formed by an alchemist by accident and had escaped to the rest of the world. Luckily, dragon’s blood was plentiful—or at least, it once was.
“Saige! Are you done placing the vials on the cart? We’re going off to the market soon,” my father yelled.
I nodded and quickly set down the vial and began pushing the cart towards the door. For three days a week my father and I went out onto the market to sell the blood as a cure. It was our only way of making an income to support our family: my father, my younger sister Aria, and me.
My father walked over to the cart and scanned the vials with slight disdain. “That’s all we managed to get? Twenty-five vials? That will barely give us food to eat, let alone payment.”
“The Lux Ignes could only find a young dragonet,” I explained, shaking my head. The Lux Ignes were a small group of knights who went out to slay dragons to collect blood and distribute it to market sellers in exchange for payment.
My father heaved a big sigh and said, “Fine, that will have to do for now. Better than last time, at least. Last time, the Lux Ignes couldn’t even find a single scale. What a disgrace! Much too humiliating to show my face at the market that time, without a single vial.”
I nodded and put my hand on the slightly rusted handle of the door, which was made of stripped spruce. I swung it open, taking care not to hit the cart, then pulled the cart behind me and onto the stone path. I followed the stone path, my father close behind me, and walked for a while before seeing the familiar color, bustle and scents of the market ahead. I pulled the cart up to our market stall—made of dark oak and a slightly tattered white tarp with stripes of red tacked on top for shade. My father went behind the stall while I began setting the vials onto the counter to sell.
“Alaric!” A voice exclaimed. I turned my head around to see a portly man in a brown tunic waving a hand at my father.
My father glanced up at the man and greeted him. “Ah, how great to see you, Orvyn! I haven’t seen you at all last week!”
“I’ve been away, out for adventure, as some might say,” Orvyn said, smiling.
“Do tell me,” my father said. He turned to me and said, “Saige, watch over the stall while I take a leave for a bit, will you?”
I nodded, biting my bottom lip. “Of course, Father.” This happened every time we came. Whenever someone came by who my father knew, which seemed to be everyone, he would take this excuse to leave. At this point, I had pretty much perfected selling these vials by myself. I had no need of help.
My father ruffled my short dark brown hair, before leaving, gesturing to Orvyn. Together, the two of them disappeared into the bustle of the market.
submitted by Moon Wolf, age lunars, A Celestial Sky
(October 6, 2024 - 9:19 pm)
(October 6, 2024 - 9:19 pm)
I really like this! It sounds like a really good begining to a book. I'd totally read it!
(October 12, 2024 - 8:57 am)
Thank you! That means a lot. <33
(October 12, 2024 - 11:12 pm)
Of course! I seriously hope you continue to write it :) may writers block avoid you *bows slightly*
(October 16, 2024 - 1:55 pm)
(October 12, 2024 - 6:23 pm)
Next part~
“Hey, Saige!” A familiar voice caught my attention. It was Eira, a girl around my age with silver-blonde hair that fell down in waves just beneath her shoulders. She was also my good friend who always stopped by whenever I came to the market.
“Eira!” I replied, a smile breaking my face. “How nice of you to join me! Or…” My voice took a professional tone as I said, “Perhaps you are interested in our vials of dragon’s blood? They are 100% pure, I repeat, pure dragon’s blood valiantly harvested by the Lux Ignes. Care to take a bottle home for your medicinal stores in case you ever need one? You never know when dracosis will strike.”
Eira laughed, and in a similarly clipped tone, she replied, “Of course I would like a vial. I live and breathe dragon’s blood!”
I laughed and laughed, nearly toppling a couple of vials from the stall. When I at last composed myself, I beckoned Eira behind the stall. “Come on, be my moral support while I advertise ridiculously in order to catch my customers’ attention.”
Eira smiled, trying not to laugh, while she went over to me behind the counter. After a few moments of silence, she said, “You know Daegal’s Best Medicinal Remedies and Cures?” She nodded to the stall across from us.
“Indeed, they get their dragon’s blood from the same knights: Lux Ignes,” I responded.
“Well, this time, they got hundreds of vials,” Eira said, her voice a sarcastic tone.
“Ha! And we all know that dragon’s blood is only a quarter actual dragon’s blood and the rest is red currant wine,” I scoffed.
“Good thing they have other remedies as well,” Eira added. “Otherwise, if we called them out, they’d have nothing to sell!”
“Excuse me, but may I purchase a vial?” It was a thin middle-aged lady in a faded orange gown.
“Of course,” I said, as we both quickly composed ourselves.
The lady picked through the vials before finally choosing one of them and set it in front of me. “I do believe that there are less vials than usual today, unless I am to be mistaken?” the lady commented.
“Dragons are unfortunately getting more scarce these days,” I said, shaking my head. “But I can assure you that these vials contain 100% pure dragon’s blood, thus why there are less.”
“And the disease still rages on as much as ever,” the lady sighed, shaking her head.
I nodded, trying to seem concerned as well, though I was really focusing on the lady setting a small stack of coins on the counter and taking the vial. Our first profit of the day.
“Well, do have a good day,” the lady said, dipping her head before disappearing into the market crowd.
“Likewise for you,” I called, though I wasn’t sure if she heard me or not.
“Eira! Mother’s calling for you!” A young boy with messy silver-blonde hair who looked similar to Eira was waving a hand at her.
“Oh dear, it’s my brother, Emil,” Eira said. She began to leave the stall and towards Emil. “I have to help out at Mother’s stall now. Must be another difficult customer.”
I smiled a little and said, “Of course. See you another time, Eira!”
“You too, Saige!” Eira replied before following Emil into the bustle of the market.
Now it’s just me, I thought, propping up my elbows and resting my chin on the palms of my hand.
“Can I buy two vials?” My gaze snapped up to a new customer, a man with a dark beard and pale blue eyes.
“Of course,” I said, and went back to business.
(October 16, 2024 - 11:30 pm)
Mm HMM. I like how this is set in the more medieval times! I enjoyed the friendly banter between Saige and Eira. The names are all so exotic too!
(October 17, 2024 - 10:19 am)
Seems interesting so far! I'd like to see where you take this!
(October 17, 2024 - 11:21 pm)
Thank you, Hawkstar and Jaybells! :))
“NO VIALS AGAIN!?” my father shouted at a young man who could’ve been only a bit older than me with ruffled brown hair. The young man had a small shield design etched onto his silver tunic that was pale yellow with a bright orange flame in the center. He must have been a member of the Lux Ignes, who wore tunics instead of typical armor as a show of courage.
“Sorry sir, but dragons…they are getting scarce—”
“I KNOW THAT!” my father barked. He took in a deep breath to calm himself, then continued in a soft yet dangerous tone. “But is that not the entire reason why I entrusted you to find dragon’s blood for me? I know they are scarce, and that’s the point.”
“Extremely sorry sir. I will work to not disappoint you next—” The young man started, but got cut off once more.
“Never mind, Sir Conleth,” my father interrupted. “I have a solution. Saige!”
“Yes, Father?” I said, going up to him calmly like I wasn’t just eavesdropping.
“Saige, you are to accompany the Lux Ignes on their next excursion to find dragon’s blood,” my father ordered. “You will ensure that they will come back with at least one dragon’s worth of blood.”
“B-but Father! I…I don’t have a sword!” I protested. I had plenty more things to say that I didn’t have so I wasn’t prepared for this, but all I could manage to say was a sword.
“You may borrow mine,” my father said, pointing to a silvery sword in a light blue scabbard hanging from a nail on the wall. He turned to Conleth. “When is your next excursion?”
“Tomorrow at mid-morning, sir,” Conleth replied, bowing his head.
“Good. Saige, you better be ready by that time,” my father said, turning to me. I nodded, since what else could I have done? “Then you may go.”
“Wait—I have one question,” I said, right before my father signaled for Conleth to leave. “Might I bring a friend along?”
“Who? And for what reason?” my father asked sharply.
“Eira,” I replied. “For support, but also because she has keen eyes that will be helpful for finding dragons.”
My father paused for a long time, long enough so that I knew he was going to refuse, before saying, “Fine. But if you fail—”
“I know,” I interrupted. “But with Eira by my side, we will definitely find a dragon at least.”
“Notify her. And Sir Conleth—” My father swiveled his sharp gaze to the young knight, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. “—You may take your leave.”
(October 18, 2024 - 11:24 pm)
Go Saige!! She's totally gonna like, be the heroine in some way :D
(October 19, 2024 - 9:48 am)
short part~
Conleth nodded and went out the door as quickly as a rabbit. Just when I was about to leave to my room, my younger sister Aria came over.
“What was that commotion about?” Aria asked curiously.
“Nothing to worry about, my dear,” my father replied. “Go on outside and play with your friends, now.”
Aria ran outside eagerly. Meanwhile, I wrote a short letter to Eira, dipping my quill in ink and writing:
Dearest Eira,
I write to you to request of you something that I hope will interest you, with your love for adventure. My father has asked me to accompany the Lux Ignes on their next adventure, and I am asking if you’d like to join me. If so, report to my house tomorrow at mid-morning with a sword prepared if necessary.
Best regards,
Saige
I rolled up the parchment and sealed it with softened wax I saved from a leftover candle before discreetly making my way to Eira’s home—across the street, to the left—and dropped the letter through their door. I left without anyone noticing, crossing my fingers in hopes that Eira would come along.
(October 22, 2024 - 11:19 pm)
The sun streamed through the thin cloth that covered the hole that acted as a window to my bed. It took me a moment to realize what was meant to happen today. I immediately sat up in bed and got ready, changing into my pale green tunic and going over to the main room.
Suddenly, I saw my father, bursting from Aria’s room. His expression was of thunder, with hints of worry and desperation. I immediately knew that something was wrong.
“Father,” was all I managed to say.
“Saige,” he returned, his voice low.
“Aria…?” I said hesitantly.
“Dracosis,” he replied shortly. He walked over to me and bent down a little so that we were eye level. “Saige, you must find more dragon’s blood before it’s too late. You know how fast dracosis acts.”
I nodded, unable to speak. Aria…now it was more important than ever to find the blood. The only known cure.
My father stood and took the sword from the nail. He handed it to me, handle first, without a word. I understood, and slowly took the sword from him, tucking it in my belt.
A knock sounded at the door. I opened it eagerly, and saw Eira waiting. She wore a simple light blue tunic, a small silver dagger tucked in her belt.
“Thank you, Alaric sir, for your kind allowance for me to join this expedition. And Saige,” she said, turning to me. “I hope a dagger will suffice. That’s all I managed to find in my household, as my family is not one of knights.” She gestured helplessly to the dagger around her belt.
“I am sure that it will do plenty,” I said, nodding.
Just then, another series of knocks were heard at the door. Eira stepped aside as I went and opened the door, to five knights, all wearing silver tunics with the Lux Ignes insignia embroidered at the center. Each had immaculate swords in scabbards tucked in their belts.
“You two are ready?” a knight who seemed like the leader who had short combed black hair and green eyes asked.
I nodded, a little nervously, and Eira nodded as well.
My father gestured us forward. “Go ahead, and return with dragon’s blood…”
(October 27, 2024 - 5:31 pm)
Dun dun duuuuuuuh
(October 29, 2024 - 12:10 pm)
by the way, i really really intend to read this and comment, but i don't have the time rn to give enough thought to it, so just know that I will comment later!
(October 29, 2024 - 4:44 pm)
Sorry for not updating for a while! (nanowrimo's taking up most of my time)~
As we stepped forward and out the door, my father closed it behind us. I looked up expectantly at the knights.
“Sir Aldous, at your service,” the knight who had asked us earlier said. He bowed as he said this.
Another knight stepped forward, one with short silver hair and pale blue eyes. “Sir Cyprian, at your service.” He bowed as well before stepping back.
“Dame Celestina, at your service as well,” another knight said. She had wavy silver hair and pale blue eyes like Cyprian’s, and they seemed like siblings. She bowed before stepping back.
“Sir Conleth, ready when you are,” the knight who had come the day before said, bowing.
“Ser Gervaise, at your disposal,” a knight with light brown hair and gray eyes said.
Aldous gestured to us to introduce ourselves. I dipped my head a little clumsily and said, “Saige, ready for action.”
“Eira, all set for the expedition,” Eira said, bowing politely.
“Then we are set,” Aldous said, nodding sharply. “We shall take the usual route.”
Aldous took to the front of the group and started leading us away from the village and towards Lacus Lake. He veered along the lakebed, and after a few moments, he stopped. I watched as he drew his sword. Was there something dangerous there? My grip tightened around my own sword, ready to draw it at the first sign of danger.
We crowded behind Aldous as he pointed the tip of his sword to the ground, at a somewhat familiar shallow dip in the shape of…a dragon’s footprint. It was a slim shape with five claw markings at the front, making little grooves in the ground.
“Now that’s the sign of a dragon,” Aldous said.
My grip loosened on my sword handle as I bent down to examine the footprint. Fascinating…
“The dragon footprints lead in that direction,” Cyprian observed, pointing towards the west.
“Do we follow it?” Eira asked.
“If we want that dragon’s blood,” Celestina replied, nodding. She gestured for Aldous to lead in that direction.
“Be prepared,” Aldous warned. As he continued to lead us, my hand found its way back to the handle of the sword, gripping tighter and tighter as we continued. This would be my first encounter with an actual dragon. From what I’ve heard, dragons are unpredictable and dangerous, known to blast fire onto innocent villagers and decimating homes by the hundreds.
Suddenly, Aldous paused. His expression, once fierce and ready, dropped to a calm. I quickened my pace to see what it was.
“The footprints have disappeared,” Gervaise explained. Indeed, the footprints, which seemed to have become a trail, had vanished.
“Does that mean…?” I trailed off, not finishing my question.
“Yes,” Conleth replied. “The dragon must have taken flight.”
(November 8, 2024 - 11:14 pm)
Oooh!! New part :D I'm excited for the next part already, it sounds like it's going to be a good aDvEnTuRe!!
(November 9, 2024 - 11:38 am)