Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the Human kingdom, where the sun dipped into the horizon and painted the sky with hues of crimson and gold. The Human Kingdom stood tall and proud. Located in the central region of the world, the kingdom was a marvel of architecture, with towering spires and grandiose structure that seemed to touch the sky.

What made the Human Kingdom truly extraordinary was its unique bond with the most majestic creatures,‘The Dragons.’ For centuries, the kingdom’s royals,nobles and those gifted with the ancient magic had mastered the art of controlling these dragons.

With the scales that shimmered like diamonds and eyes that burned like embers, the dragons were a sight to behold. They soared through the skies, their wings beating powerful and strong, as they patrolled the kingdom’s borders and protected its people from harm.

At the heart of the kingdom, the royal palace stood proudly. Adjacent to the palace ,the grand Dragon’s keep,[a fortress built specifically to house the dragons.] Towered above, its fortress walls and spires a testament to the kingdom’s ancient bond with the dragon. Just a short walk from the Dragon’s keep, the Dragon Taming Ground sprawled across a vast, open area.

This was where the kingdom’s skilled dragon riders and trainers worked their magic, teaching dragons to obey commands and forging unbreakable bonds between dragons and riders. Together, the palace, Dragon’s Keep, and Dragon Taming Ground formed the vibrant, beating heart of the Human Kingdom, a place where dragons and humans lived, worked and thrived together in harmony.In the royal family, dragon tamers are held in the highest regard. At the age of eighteen, members awaken their dragon-taming abilities and bond with their own dragon.

Princess Nova Smith stood before the ornate mirror in her chambers, her slender fingers trembling slightly as she fastened the delicate silver clasps on her white leather armor. The soft,supple leather hugged her curves, accentuating her petite yet athletic build. Her long, golden curly hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of light, with subtle hints of dark blue that seemed to shimmer in the morning light.

As she prepared for her journey to the Dragon Taming Ground, Nova’s bright,blue eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nerves.Nova had extraordinary talent to communicate with dragons ever since she was a kid.

She took a deep breath, the silver-tipped scepter at her side gleaming in the mirror's reflection. A gift from her father himself, King Henry Smith, the scepter bore the royal crest of the Human Kingdom and served as a symbol of her royal authority.

With a final adjustment to her armor, Nova smoothed out her fitted white tunic,adorned with intricate, glittering silver thread embroidery that depicted the majestic dragons of her kingdom. Her black leather boots, polished properly and shining,seemed to gleam with anticipation,as if they too sensed the significance of this day.

Today, Nova would choose her dragon, forging an unbreakable bond that would last a lifetime.

As Princess Nova descended onto the dragon-taming grounds, the atmosphere was abuzz with anticipation. King Henry Smith, Queen Evelyn, the three princes namely Jack,Aiden and Leo, Nova’s elder brothers made their way to the elevated seats, accompanied by numerous nobles and dignitaries.

The nobles, resplendent in their finest attire, murmured among themselves as they took their seats. Some speculated about which dragon Nova would choose, while others debated the merits of each dragon’s temperament and abilities. Some said it would be much easier for her to bond with her dragon because of her extraordinary gift she possesses since childhood.

King Henry, regal and imposing in his ornate armor, took his seat at the center of the elevated platform, Queen Evelyn by his side. Her Majesty’s elegant gown shimmered in the sunlight, its intricate embroidery a testament to the kingdom’s master weavers.

Their eyes fixed intently on Nova as she approached the dragons bound by chains. The air was thick with expectation, the very fate of the kingdom’s future dragon riders hanging in the balance.

With a deep breath, Nova began her approach, her footsteps echoing through the grounds as she made her way toward the five dragons waiting before her. The dragons’ eyes, burning with inner fire, watched her every move, their massive bodies tense with anticipation.

“Remove their chains,” Princess Nora commanded, her voice clear and steady.

Queen Evelyn's face reflected her deep-seated anxiety, her hands instinctively rising as if to intervene. “Henry, are you certain this is wise?” she whispered urgently to the king.

King Henry's confident gaze reassured her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “Have faith, my dear. Nova is ready for this.”

The queen’s eyes lingered on her daughter, then returned to the king. With a subtle nod, she signaled her agreement.

“Unlock the chains,” King Henry ordered, his voice firm and authoritative.

The attendants hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to remove the heavy chains binding the dragons. The dragons’ eyes flashed with excitement, their massive bodies tensing as they sensed their impending freedom.

As the chains fell away, the dragons erupted into a deafening roar, their wings unfolding as they stretched their bodies. Princess Nova stood tall, her blue eyes sparkling with determination, as she prepared to face the dragons and forge an unbreakable bond.

The crowd held its collective breath as Princess Nova approached the red dragon named Vulcan, its scales glinting like polished rubies in the sunlight. It was the most powerful dragon of the five, and everyone expected Nora to choose it. With a quiet confidence, Nova closed her eyes, reached out, and placed her hand on the red dragon's forehead.

The air was heavy with anticipation as Nova focused on establishing a mental connection with the dragon. A tiny, delicate cut appeared on her finger, and a single drop of blood fell onto the dragon's forehead. The crowd waited with bated breath for the blood covenant to form, but as the moments ticked by, nothing happened.

Confusion rippled through the crowd, and Queen Evenly eyes widened in alarm. King Henry’s expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly. Nova’s eyes snapped open, and she took a step back, her face pale. “This is not supposed to happen.” She whispered to herself.

Suddenly, Vulcan’s eyes blazed with fury, and it charged at Nova with a deafening roar. Flames erupted from its mouth. The other four dragons joined the attack.

The three princes watched with gleeful expressions, their servants whispering among themselves.

“Ha! Looks like our self-proclaimed dragon-taming prodigy is about to fall,” one of the princes sneered. “The throne should be inherited by us men. This little girl is finished!”

Pandemonium broke out as the crowd screamed and panicked. Queen Evenly rushed forward, but King Henry grasped her arm, holding her back. “Wait!” he shouted above the din.

Nova stumbled backward, as the dragons closed in for the kill. It seemed as though all was lost, and the princess was doomed.

Just as all hope seems lost, a mysterious and elegant woman appeared out of nowhere, her presence commanding attention. With a swift motion, she raised her hand, and her dark blue, flowing robe billowed outward, blocking the flames and shielding Nora from harm.

The dragons, still enraged, turned their fury on the woman, but she stood calm and unruffled. With a subtle gesture, she reached out with her mind, calming the dragons and soothing their savage beast.

The dragons' wings ceased their frantic beating, and their eyes lost their fierce glow. They regarded the woman with a curious, almost respectful expression, as if acknowledging her authority.

The crowd watched in stunned silence, their faces reflecting their shock and awe. King Henry and Queen Evenly stepped forward, their eyes fixed intently on the mysterious woman.

Their faces, too, were filled with surprise, and the

y spoke in unison, “It’s you.”

TBC.