ng like crazy over a plain full of rocks forming towers and crazy passages.

She saw Romas on his horse and some knights escorting him, Kratos in ambush.

Travelling in wartime was extremely dangerous and a thousand and one precautions were necessary to survive until the next day.

The enemy was powerful, cunning and vicious and, through magic, could take any form or threat.

"WHHIIIIIII WHIIIIIIII WHIIIII" she hissed. to announce herself with a whimper...

"MIIIIIIIIIIIRRRR MIIIIIIIIIRRRR... PAPAAAAAAA!!! HELP!!!"

A ball of tears, sweat and white scales almost crashed in front of the convoy.

Immediately I left the comfort of Romas' shoulder and pressed myself against Snow who clutched me like a cuddly toy, teddy bear or pillow and she cried her eyes out against me.

Not very dragon like behaviour but Romas saw how close this tribe was to humans in language, religion and behaviour. They would surely be integrated into the human community if there was no major accident.

"MAMANNN!!! they took MAMAAN Help!!! Help!!!! They . they took your mommy and daddy too!!!!!! they went "POOF" and took in the red ray... WHOUAAAAAHHHH MIR... I want my DADDY!!!!!!!"

I was shocked...

My mum... My dad... my family...

"Kri, Kra and Kroa???"

Romas: "They are safe and sound.... they are learning and protected by the magic of the fortress."

Me, looking seriously into the eyes of my friend Blanche: "Tell me the details!

"I... I arrived late... Only Aunt Sido stayed behind, she was hurt at the time... then he went around and was invisible. Sido felt it and when she wanted to scream she fell asleep by force. Some felt the attack but they all fell asleep. Then they disappeared... Old Uncle said it was the Wicked Witch of the West who took them. They are making war on us. I'm afraid Mir... she's going to come for us!! Protect me."

I let go of her in shock and started to cry after my mum and dad...

I wanted to fly away but Romas shouted at me.

"NO. MIR!!!" and...the submission collar numbed me.

"Sorry, Mir... this is for your own good... Your mission continues... They will probably continue and you wouldn't know what to do against it. You'd end up in slavery, or as a mount or worse as a familiar of the witch, bound and powerless. If you want to save them... you have to get stronger... much stronger and... especially with a team of friends you can rely on...

They have dragon hunters and you saw... your strength, intelligence and knowledge were no match...

As Vigil used to say: "Sleep, level 1 spell!!! you saw the result!!!!"

Study, Study again and again...

Only the princess can help you."

But I didn't listen to him anymore... My world was collapsing and I saw, no, I felt the same misery that I was running away from in my previous life... as if happiness was forbidden to me, even in animal form.

I was paralysed by grief, and I felt as if I wanted to let myself die...

Blanche screamed but was stronger than me, more courageous.

Romas picked me up like a limp, unresponsive cat, and put me in a bag or I would sink into grief.

He had a sad thought behind his dragonslayer facade.

He understood my grief and somehow deduced that we also have feelings and emotions like anyone else.

Blanche was also picked up and Krator arrived after hearing an ultrasound whistle.

He picked up his little one and roared off to the west.

Then he flew away, his cub clinging to his dad.

Romas continued for several days and I never got out of the bag. The monotony was shaken from time to time by hiccups of grief and to do my business.

Kratos was absent and I could understand that but he was not far away, I could feel it.

He stood strong in front of his child and cried secretly, while she slept.

Romas went through a part of the country and you could see the troops busy preparing for a special event. The hero exchange ceremony. This was a special ceremony where evoked young people from mainly the land were somehow abducted and given various divine powers and blessings in return.

Each country in the empire could call up to three at a time. Finally, there could be no more than 3 per country.

It was also a trade fair. A sort of masquerade of auctioning slaves called "Heroes". They were however untouchable and could at worst be locked up but not for long, for fear of provoking the ire of the "Gods".

Most of them hated the empire and everything that represented this world because they all had one goal: to go home!

But none of them ever went home.

The event would take place in 3 months and would also mean the recognition of the first princess as the one and only heir of the empire but also the advent of a new "Witch" of the East, capable of defending the empire against magical attacks.

However, the empire was torn on all sides and this had led to many taxes and hardships and, in a way, the absence of great famines had protected the empire somewhat.

The rider then rode through the gates and towers, ignored by the crowd.

His soldiers followed and the procession moved into the city.

Normally I would be excited but I had fallen into a kind of severe depression.

The world had passed away and my very existence was wavering.

Romas stroked his bag a few times.

"Come on. Mir... hold on, we're almost there... You'll see... you'll feel better. You're not alone.

Doc, Auntie, Sido and Kratos are still here and they love you... and you've got Snow and your brother and sister.

They're not dead. And the princess will help you find them... I'm sure of it!"

Romas couldn't believe he had to comfort a dragon, a dragon hunter... but Mir was different, endearing in a way. Cute, so to speak.

And with the size of a big cat, it was even better.

They arrived in front of the castle, but there were annexes and the royal couple had better things to do than listen to a knight from a border post.

They entered through the back door, reserved for soldiers and security personnel, and after identifying themselves near the imperial guard post, they were allowed access to the gardens in the inner courtyard of the castle.

From there, a sort of annex house with no real luxury, just a little better stocked than a servant's quarters, connected to the garden, like a small manor in the courtyard garden of a large castle. It was a palace but a castle nonetheless. It was the imperial castle. Not just any castle.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

If one were to compare the city, it would be like Carcassonne with its castle and its keep integrated into an inner city. Of course, the city extended outside into the lower quarters, inhabited by mostly half-humans.

Romas then pulled a bell and a female butler opened the door to the mansion.

Romas saw a groom and handed over his horse. The men were able to break off and visit the capital, their mission complete.

"Who shall I announce, Sire?"

"Sire Romas, from Winter Fort. I come on behalf of the "Old Man" to inquire about his majesty Chlorophyll".

Immediately, he saw his nose turn up in an annoyed grimace. The second princess was obviously not liked by the people around her, nor by the household staff.

She went in and out again.

Her Majesty receives no one!

Romas: "It is not for you to decide who Chlorophylle may or may not meet. I have come on behalf of her godfather and you should know that I have royal blood in me. I don't have to justify my title, but it's higher than baron."

She gritted her teeth and curtly let the soldier pass.

Hearing the sound of boots and coats of mail clashing, Chlorophylle rushed to the entrance hall and jumped at Romas' neck.

"Sire Romas... Sire Romas... how I have missed you."

The butler coughed, to remark that familiarities were banned from the house.

But she didn't care.

Romas was there.

Then she invited him into the greenhouse, which doubled as a small dining room and overlooked a small garden with a grotto and a pond that stretched inward.

Statues of mythical figures and deities were carved there, giving the place a mystical air. There was even a stone lion guarding the garden.

"What news?"

He took the princess' hands, "I have made an amazing discovery and, with your Godfather's blessing, I have brought it here."

The princess with slightly reddish brown hair but green eyes looked around.

And Romas laid his satchel on the table and lifted me carefully out of the bag.

I was asleep but my tears were still falling.

"Ohhh Ohhhh What is that? A dragon??? a little dragon? But... It's dangerous!"

"No, Princess, his name is Mir and he is still a baby dragon. "

"But the bag is all wet, you have to wipe it off! "

She got up and went to get a dry cloth herself. The bag didn't stink though.

She rubbed me and I was flaccid, as if dead, and I let her. I didn't care. I didn't want to wake up and stay in the dream where I was still in the egg, being rocked and brooded over by mommy dearest.

"He's not moving... what's wrong with him or her?"

Romas: "She is a very very intelligent male wyvern and she can talk...She came here to be your friend but on the way, the witch, the Enchantress of the West attacked her tribe and took away her parents and her whole family. She has been crying for three days and is dead of grief."

"Dragons cry? I didn't know... I thought they were like winged snakes or vicious flying horses.."

Romas "No, those of his tribe work for us as mercenaries and dragon hunters.. They are a bit like the lizard men and Mir came of his own free will to have your support and as a friend. He hopes his tribe will be recognized as beastmen and not as monsters."

I opened my eyes. And stared at the floor and the sheet.

Then I hissed "mamaaann!" and fell back to sleep in a ball on the sheet, which I hugged like a blanket.

The princess reached out and hesitated and saw that I had a small leather pouch tied to the end of my tail. It was to protect the princess from my sting or the poisonous knife.

"Am I safe?"

"No. Mir needs affection just like you do... and with a dragon in your room, no one will dare hurt you again... trust me. Their aura alone will protect you.

She placed her hand on my horns and then moved down my neck and then down my back.

She repeated the caress and I let her.

After about ten times, I scratched her knee lightly as I lay curled up on her lap.

"Again? Mir???"

Then she scratched me between the horns and I stuck my head between her knees and then between her chest and her arm, as if I was trying to hide or regain some sense of security.

She held me a little tighter and I wedged myself between her arm and body and she covered me with a blanket.

I purred for a moment like the cats and then fell asleep, running away to the princess, looking for the protection of Mum, which I no longer had.

She could feel my sobs.

"Romas, it feels like a cat but also like a little orphan..I feel like I have a person on me.. Not an animal. Is that normal?"

"Yes, Mir is like that. He has studied the basics of arcane magic and divine healing magic but he still needs a lot of experience. "He wanted to add more, but it might harm the bond and he kept quiet.

Evening came and the dining room was finally ready and the servants, called to order by Romas, complied and were frightened when they saw the little dragon on the princess's lap.

Martha the steward: "But... It's a monster! How dare you bring that here... "

Romas: "You will address Her Majesty Princess Chlorophyll correctly!"

Martha: "She is only second..and will not inherit..."

Romas: "It is not for you to judge. Besides, even if you are a nobleman or a noblewoman's daughter, you are nothing compared to the princess and political affairs are none of your business.

Moreover, if Her Majesty Chlorophyll wanted to have a horse or a swan in her room, it is still up to her to decide.

Mir, here is not a monster but a noble dragon specially trained by Duke Vigile and Godfather of Her Majesty Chlorophyll. The little dragon is here as a companion to the princess and also to protect her from any harm that may befall her.

He is also here at home and you will also have to provide for him. "

She looked down and asked to be excused for her behaviour.

But the housewives feared the queen above all else and nothing was enough to please her.

I will also inform the guards of the presence of the little wyvern who is also under my protection, the protection of the mercenary guild and the dragon hunters. She has the status of a squire and any attempt on her life will be considered by us as murder."

The princess was shocked..Mir was considered a squire and a child, not a trained pet..

The maid went away.

"Romas. the dragon... does he speak?"

"Yes...like you and I...and he is very intelligent...as I keep telling you, he has begun to study magic...this is no joke."

If you're in danger, here's a whistle, its lost. No one will hear it but the wyverns will.

His uncle, a great wyvern I trained roams the forest and eliminates bandits, and monsters. He is a mercenary dragon. In case of extreme or desperate danger, he will come to your rescue. But beware, he is a giant and can be dangerous, that's why I'm here to supervise him. His name is Krator and he is the brother of his father, an even bigger dragon.

"How big is Mir going to be then, when he's grown up, if he's a baby?"

Romas: "I don't dare think about it. 25-30 meters maybe more"

"!!!" But But that's as big as a castle!!!"

It is my job to eliminate monsters of this size, but they have submitted to the Order and obey us with their fingers. Training them is useless because they are intelligent, but they are taught to respect life and they have been baptised into the cult of Miseria

Mir also prays to Miseria... and so he will be able, no, will have to go to the temple with you to pray.

He will be my eyes and ears, a friend but also your personal bodyguard.

He owes nothing to the king or the queen, nor to anyone...his only master will be you and your godfather."

The evening was spent quietly telling stories and they avoided subjects involving politics so as not to spoil their present time.

I was in a wicker basket with a blanket by the fire listening to the stories they were telling each other and thinking about my family and how I was going to save them.

I was too young but the time I spent with them was like a sweet memory, a refuge, and I looked forward to seeing Kroa, Kri, Kra and Blanche again. I missed their lips and a tear fell once more.

I rested my head on the stone and watched the embers burn, and... I turned to see that the light was off and it was night.

I was alone in a huge room, not knowing what to do or where to start and how to introduce myself as a first contact.

It was dark and at the back, against the wall, was the large four-poster bed in which the princess was resting.

It was simple and austere, and the drapes were mainly used to conserve body heat and avoid the chills which, in the Middle Ages, could prove fatal. In fact, the word "Creve" or "catching death" had something to do with it.

I calmed down and breathed, analysing my situation and regaining control of my emotions. I had the body of a young animal and I was also very emotional. And crying had been a way to get rid of all that negative energy. It was healthy to cry in the face of such a tragedy.

"Mir... Mir... pull yourself together... I must be brave. I must be stronger... We have to beat this witch! Besides, I was imagining what a witch could do to my parents.

I have to learn magic to undo everything... grr!!!!"

I wanted to roar but the princess was sleeping.

Like any dragon, my instincts were powerful, and whether I wanted to or not, I wanted the princess to be MY princess.

A dragon... it guards a princess! ---- It kidnaps them too...!!

My heels and hand claws were ticking on the floor and I could only see that the underside of the furniture and the corners were neglected...

Change was going to have it here!

Then I jumped onto the princess's bed and got under the covers like a discreet snake.

I purred and slithered subtly, between her arms and chest whose little hills pressed my back and wings.

Which was not unpleasant at all.

So I was as if I was being nurtured under Mummy's wings, but it was up to the princess to look after me.

I fell asleep like that, against the princess.

The rooster crowed a few hours later and an irritated knock knocked at the door.

"Chlo.. Princess! It's time to get up... you've run out of life skills this morning!"

She opened her eyes and felt something suck her thumb. It was the wyvern!

"Ohh [https://img.wattpad.com/d6739b753a00c5eff075d4bdf027911138b9c89d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f735975677171495850714b4252513d3d2d313333383231333436362e313735613166663231613136323534633937383437303533363231302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Ohh... Mir. You came close to me!!! You are cute as a dragon... You look nice!"

I still had my head in the pillows, no... against her breasts and she stroked me like a little cat.

"I know about your mum... but I'll do anything to make you happy here..."

I responded with a lick... a reflex from our non-verbal communication

Then she put me down.

And I turned and curtsied.

"Bonsssour Massessté!!"

She burst out laughing and took me by the front legs and spun around and then pressed me against her chest and started to cry...

"My first and only friend!!!! "

My eyes and head were spinning but I was happy. An animal would have turned and bitten.

Then, petting me madly, "Come on, let's go for a ride!"

I was like a baby in his arms. But in the eyes of the others, I was a bloodthirsty and extremely poisonous monster.

It was as if someone was holding a Mamba wrapped in their arms and going around the house. The staff were on the verge of fleeing.