Master of Dragons, Part 1 (complete)

He sat in front of their little house, sword in hand, eyes on the small dirt path.

He had not expected her to run away. Verrine did grow to be strong willed, but… He never thought to the point she would dare face the world by herself. It was not a kind world to a woman. Where he had hit her, they would have instead killed her. Their father had let her be too free, and it was dangerous.

The image of Verrine, small, petite, wearing a dirty dress as she played and made mud pies almost always played in his mind. She was so small back then, and so shy. She rarely spoke, mostly because of her stutter. The other kids teased her about it, and she would whine. The Finch’s boy was the only one whom looked past it. She clung to him too, and they ended up becoming good friends. Things were different back then, and simpler. When he left to gain wealth for their family, she had grown.

When did she become so strong willed? When did she become entranced with swords and fighting? When did she stop being the shy child he once knew? When he returned, she was akin to a man, and held herself with more regard than any woman should. How could their father, and the Finch’s not see that it was wrong? That if she was going to act so blazingly, they would kill her? Or worst, they would name her a Landborn! Death would be kind compared to how Landborn were treated.

He needed to quench that fire within her. She needed to be protected, even if it was from herself. Each time his hand came across her flesh, he would die a bit more on the inside. The lashing broke him. He had drunk himself into a stupor, trying to forget the crimson that stained him.

Protect. He had to protect her.

The Lord of their city wanted her.

He had heard whispers of a woman, fierce and battle hungry. No human woman could be so vile, they decided. She had to be Landborn, and had to be tamed. He would take her to be one of his pets, the decree said. They would give them time to clean her and prep her for him to take. Verrine was out at the time, hunting. Thank the gods she was away.

But the news... It killed their father.

“Protect the family.” The last words from his father. Protect? How was he supposed to protect her?

Woman were supposed to be quiet, gentle, and subservient. Woman were not supposed to be marred, and always radiate elegance.

Marred.

Could he? Could he be so repulsive to whip his own flesh and blood?

Protect.

How else would he be able to protect them? He was one man. He could not fight a whole fucking city of guards.

Protect.

They could sell their things, and run away.

They did not have enough money, and it was possible that Lily would not handle the transition well. Lily was not like Verrine, whom was like fire. Instead, Lily was more like water; she was soft, gentle, and but a small quiet presence. They also did not have the connections to forge another identity, nor the ability to hide if the Lord decided to set a warrant out. Moving was not an option.

What if the Lord still wanted her, marred and all?

Well... It was not like they had many choices.

Then... She ran.

He never expected her to run. But, she was strong. A lot more then he had thought. Even after he savagely beat her, she had the energy to pull herself together and formulate a plan.

Perhaps... A part of him was glad she ran. Now, the Lord would not be able to take her right as a human away.

“Stay safe.” He whispered as the Lord’s soldiers appeared in the distance. There had to be at least 40 of them.

He had already wrote to Mr. Finch, asking him to care for Lily when she returned. Verrine, the one of fire and might, was free.

Protect.

Did he protect them?

He stood, sword in his hands, and eyes on the approaching troops.

He would not take the punishment for her disappearance quietly. He after all, was a Locke.

The small house blazed behind him, burning away the secrets he dare not tell. Hopefully, they would die with him.

“Run, Verrine. Keep running.”