Alright, this short introduction to Melody and her world of magic and monsters has finally drawn to a close. I’m not sure what I’ll be posting next, at least as far as stories go. I’m still having a hard time working through the creative block, but it never lasts too long. It just feels like it to me sometimes.
“Enough!” said a soft voice, the gentle tone holding a power that stopped her cold.
Melody dropped the man in shock and turned around to see a woman standing beside the docks. She was tall, and dressed in a beautiful gown that looked jarringly out of place in the rustic colony town. Her stunning appearance and shining violet eyes were so distracting that Melody nearly missed the men standing by her side.
“Enough!” she repeated, her violet eyes flashing. “Lord Ethan!”
Ethan tottered to his feet and backed away, clutching a hand to his torn neck. “Lady Victoria,” he spat. “This matter is the Court of Magi’s to resolve, not the Blood Court’s. The hatchling and her maker are mine!”
“This hatchling is not responsible for her maker’s crimes,” Victoria rumbled. “Do what you will with the maker if you can catch her, but you will not touch this hatchling. By right of her rebirth, she is a member of the Blood Court and under our protection!” Fangs glittered in her mouth as she looked at his bleeding throat. “Though by the looks of things, she may not need us much.”
Ethan’s face became ugly with rage and he grabbed Melody by the hair and reached out with his free hand. The dragonbone sword, lost during the struggle, came to his hand with a loud smack and he touched the deadly edge to her neck.
“I was only getting started!” growled the mage dragon as Victoria’s eyes widened. “The girl is mine! Let me leave peacefully or I will kill her here and now!”
“If she dies you will die as well,” she warned as Melody gasped for breath, struggling to force Ethan’s wrist and blade away. “Take care friend, this is an act of war.”
“I’m no friend of yours,” Ethan snapped. “And peace died with the aspects! They were the only ones keeping you in check!”
Victoria’s face tightened and she took a half step closer. “Look around you! While you fought a harmless hatchling, you put this city in danger and exposed all of us!” Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you think they haven’t attacked you in terror?”
Ethan backed away, pulling Melody with him. He swallowed anxiously and she could feel his breathing quicken.
“My men have seized control of the city,” Victoria said firmly. “The townsfolk have already been evacuated from the area and their memories altered. You cannot face the might of the Blood Court alone Ethan.” Her voice became like granite. “If you had attacked the hatchling while she was still in the tavern you would have been dead already!”
“The Court of Magi gave me my orders Victoria,” Ethan insisted stubbornly. “The hatchling comes with me… she may well lead me to her maker!”
His grip loosened and Melody took her chance, yanking her head to the side and clamping her fangs down on his exposed wrist. There was a crunching noise as his bones broke, shattering under the force of her bite. He howled in agony and the sword fell as he tore himself free. Melody reached for the blade but Victoria moved before her fingers even touched the hilt, bounding past to drive her fist into Ethan’s gut. The man doubled over and she raised her knee, smashing his jaw. She threw him into the snow, her lip curling in disgust.
“The hatchling is under my protection!” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “As is this town! Leave now or I’ll arrest you for exposing us to the humans!”
“Escort him out of the colony,” she ordered, turning to her guards. She sighed and shook her head as the beaten man snarled and shook away their hands.
“Stubborn fool,” she muttered, turning back to Melody. “Are you alright young one?”
Melody nodded nervously, suddenly noticing that the voice seemed to have vanished. “Y… yes my lady.”
“You don’t have to be afraid of me hatchling,” Victoria said with a gentle smile. “You’re with family now. What’s your name?”
“Melody,” she replied, overawed by Victoria’s strength and beauty. “My… my name is Melody.” She hesitated and looked back at the inn and Mary’s ruined house. “Wh… what happened to my friends?”
Victoria’s face fell. “Your friends? My men will have altered their memories by now. If they remember you at all they will think you died in the fires.”
Melody’s heart fell and Victoria caught her arms as her knees buckled. “They think that I’m dead…” she mumbled, forcing the words past a lump in her throat. “I won’t be able to see them again will I? I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
“I’m sorry Melody, but it’s better this way,” she replied. “Humans don’t do very well in our world.” She squeezed her shoulder. “Come. Let me introduce you to your new family.” Her eyes twinkled and she winked. “Better than a voice in your head I’ll wager.”
Melody’s eyes widened. “What? How…”
“You aren’t the only one who was left alone when she was turned,” Victoria said gently. “But it gets better. I’ll show you everything you need to know.”
End
Within the Endless Skies 