Dragonfly by L. Kendecia Bastian (electric book reader TXT) 📕

hair.

"What did you see?" I looked up at my only friend, seeing the understanding in his eyes.

"I saw arrows. Not the wooden ones used for the army's practice, but ones of steel," I replied. "They were set afire, and aimed for me. There were bodies. Blood was everywhere and the screaming…"

By then my face was buried into the cloth of his robes. I was deceitfully still, the images rolling before my mind's eye as if the events happened mere seconds ago. "I saw him: Luxor. But it wasn't him."

"How so?" Glen coaxed gently after he'd felt I had paused long enough.

"There was nothing of the Luxor I know. This man," I thought back to the horrified expression I'd seen, trying to find the right words to describe it. "He seemed frightened. He was looking at me with that wild look in his eye and he called out. But I couldn't tell what he'd said."

Glen hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe it's a message, Young One."

It could have been. But there was something about it that gave me that nostalgic feeling. That feeling from before, when I'd seen the painting in the hall.

There was a long, pregnant silence, but not an uncomfortable one. Glen tied my hair back neatly and nudged me lightly. I moved away, helping him stand. He ushered me into my cage and placed a covered platter in behind me. Just as he pushed the iron bars to, he leant heavily onto it and was overcome once more by a fit of coughing.

I placed my own hand over his in a futile attempt to comfort him as he rode out the obviously painful ordeal. "Please, Glen. Even if it cannot be cured, the least you can do is get some sort of medication for it."

He met my gaze with a pained one of his own. But it vanished soon enough to be replaced by another one of those aged smiles of his. He left without another word save for a polite good night.


I awoke again with a start, but remained still. I was laying on my side, eyes opening to mere slits so that I could see who had decided to pay me a visit so early in the morning. My initial tension did not go unnoticed, apparently.

"You've done well, Dragonfly." I opened my eye and sat up, moving as far away from the front bars as possible. General Takk had assumed his usual position across the room beneath the large window. His green eyes met mine, a smirk gracing his lips.

Looking to either side of me, I realized that there were no guards posted. It was just me and that sly general. Takk pushed himself off the wall and came toward me, squatting before the iron bars.

"Such promise," he seemed to murmur to himself. "Locked in a cage like some animal."

What was he on about? He seemed to read the question in my eyes for his smirk seemed to widen.

"Don't you want to be free of this prison once and for all?" I did not answer. "I know very well that you can talk, Dragonfly. I also know that the only thing standing in your way of total freedom in that stupid seal at the back of your neck."

I eyed him wearily.

"What is it that you want?" I finally asked, words curt.

"Ah, I knew you were a smart one."

I was about to ask more when the steel doors to the tower pushed inward to admit the crown prince's lieutenant. Roderick looked at me for a moment before fixing his gaze on the knight in front of me.

"He's an amazing creature, isn't he?"

Takk tore his gaze from mine and looked to the lad questioningly.

"His Highness requested your presence in the Common Room, General," the archer folded his arms, his quiver resting comfortably at his hip. "And here I find you having tea time with the Dragonfly."

I looked to the general and saw the subtle tensing of his jaw. He rose regardless, and strolled toward the doors, but not before glancing at me over his shoulder. Without a word to Ingram's Second in Command, he left. Roderick watched him leave and made to follow, but stopped short. Turning around he grinned brightly at me before leaving without a word.

My eyes narrowed at the closed doors. The boy was a puzzle that I never had any intention to solve. But it kept throwing itself at my feet. But I chose to ignore it once again, my thoughts returning to Takk's unfinished proposition. As enticing as the idea of being free sounded, it just was not that easy. He admitted that he wanted something from me in return, and sure as day follows night, it wasn't good.

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Publication Date: 09-22-2010

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