Chapter 3

I looked down at my bath water, staring at my reflection in the stilled water. The birth mark that laid on my left breast, had been changing in shape. I touched the raised skin, that had once been a non-uniform splotch, and traced my finger around the current perfectly symmetrical ring shape. It was a bit disconcerting, but only a doctor would be able to ease my mind at this point.

I could tell Merlin, but knowing the lecherous old fart, he would definitely use it as an excuse to grope me. The thought of him being his perverted self, was enough to make me shake my head. No, I couldn't go to my mentor. I needed to find an actual doctor. Perhaps, I can visit Larcbost, and see if they have a medicine person. That way, I can also do some more digging into the old man's claims.

I finish my bath in a hurry, and get dressed. My mind is set. Since it is still pretty early in the day, I will set out for Larcbost post haste. It has been about a month that Merlin has been training me to use dragon slayer magic, so I think he would agree that I deserve a few days off.

"I am departing," I loudly proclaimed in front of Merlin, as I packed some fruits and bread for my journey.

"And where, may I ask, are you going off to?" He asked me with a cocked eyebrow.

"Larcbost. I am looking to possibly stock up in more medicines, and perhaps peruse the local wares. You never know when a magical item will show up in small town market places," I lied. A sigh is what I got in return.

"Annora… I know why you're really going. It's about your parents, I'm sure, but I don't think it's safe for you to travel by yourself right now. I have to be here to receive word from his majesty. The king is supposed to be filling me in on developing details of the job I'm working on. But, from the rumors I've heard, there have just been more and more sightings of dragons. I don't think you're ready."

"Master, no offense, but I am no longer a child. My eighteenth birthday had passed while you were on your journey, which makes me a grown woman. We have been training with dragon slaying magic for nearly a month now. I am proficient enough now to hold my own!" I challenged.

"You know not of a dragon's strength, so how can you stand there and say you are proficient enough?! I know you wish to be reunited with your parents, but you will make that time come a lot sooner than it should, with your recklessness!" His words stung. I could see the instant regret in his eyes, but I couldn't forgive him in that moment.

I slammed the thick wooden door behind me as I stormed out. My feet picked up the pace, and a blue hue began glowing from them. I ran as fast as I could, into the forrest that surrounded the cabin, with only a night's worth of supplies in my satchel.

The dampened grass felt cool against my hot feet. It was a small bit of relief that I appreciated. I had to resort to walking after I used up a bit too much of magical energy, and was starting to get tired.

Orange, pink, and yellow hues painted the sky as the sun was disappearing behind the horizon. I'm about halfway to Larcbost now, but it would probably be wisest to set up camp for the night. While I can use illumination magic to light up a path in the dark, and continue my journey, I do need to conserve some magic in case the worst case scenario happens.

In the dead center of the forrest, I began to look for decent kindling. While it was spring, the nights do get somewhat cold, and I prefer to be as comfortable as I can be in my travels.

With a decent pile of small twigs for kindling, and sticks of different thicknesses and sizes, I flicked a small flame from the tip of my right index finger, igniting my campfire. The sparks immediately took to my pile, crackling instantaneously as it began eating at the bark.

I prepared myself a small meal with the campfire that was now lighting a small section of the dimming sky. I had compiled a stack of leaves into my satchel, and used it as a cushion for me to sit on the ground with. I sighed and closed my eyes. I focused on my body, relaxing my tense muscles. I envisioned each and every inch of muscle, from head to toe, and loosened each one in a meditative state. It was a great way to unwind at night, right before bed.

It wasn't much longer until my eyelids began to feel heavy, ready to turn in. I took it as a sign to put out my fire, and find the perfect spot for me to rest for the night. I looked up at the forrest canopy and smiled to myself.

My feet began to glow once more, and I pushed off the ground with all my might. I shot straight up through the trees, and found the perfect couple of branches in the middle section of a tree. Strong enough to hold my weight, and thick enough to serve my purpose.

I gently floated myself down onto one of the two, and cracked my knuckles. I flung my arms out straight in front of me, and they began to glow with a greenish hue. The leaves began to rustle rather violently, and the flimsy branches at the top began to snap. Piece by piece, the foliage built a strong hammock between the two logs, under my command.

Once I was satisfied, I released command of the plants, and carefully crawled into the new bed I had made for myself. I can't say it wasn't scary to be high up in the tree, but I knew for sure it was sturdy enough. I have faith in my abilities as a magic user. I've been Merlin's apprentice for over thirteen years now. If I wasn't skilled with magic by now, I would have to be incompetent.

My eyes close, and I allow my muscles to lay completely limp. The song of crickets begin to lull me to sleep. I couldn't help but breathe in a big gush of the fresh night air. I felt at peace. Something I haven't fully felt for a while now. This, this feels so nice.

·°·°·°·°·

I was busy dreaming, and had been asleep for maybe four hours, when I was awoken by a searing pain on my chest. I looked down, underneath my blouse, and let out a loud gasp.

My birthmark. It had once again changed shape, but now, it was also glowing. A bright red light shined from my birthmark, for a solid thirty seconds, before it eventually dimmed, and with the brightness out of my face, I squinted underneath the moonlight to make out the new shape of my birthmark. The air was caught in my lungs when I noticed it.

A dragon.

There was a red dragon, chasing its tail, creating a ring on the pale skin of my chest. I gently touched the mark with furrowed brows, but regretted my decision. Under my own touch, the mark began to feel as if it were on fire. I simply stared at this new symbol, in shock and confusion.

I need to see a doctor... And fast.