SWNOVELS Rescued By The Merman: Chapter 1
Fire and destruction rain down from the sky. The golden scales of the dragon glint in the sunlight as he flies overhead, releasing torrents of flame on our once proud city of Solwyck.
I watch from atop the castle as alarms blare throughout the streets, mixing with panicked screams in a cacophony of noise. The acrid smell of charred buildings and bodies chokes me. The fires of the city burn so hot, beads of perspiration cover my brow.
“Take my sword, Halla. It is made of L’omhara, the only metal that will pierce the dragon’s scales. You must save the city.”
My father’s hand wraps around mine as he places the handle of the sword in my grip.
Tears sting my eyes and blur my vision as I reach down and cup his cheek. Ash falls all around us, whirling and dancing amidst the chaos like flakes of snow on the breeze.
“Father, you have to hold on. Please, you cannot die. I’m going to save you. I’m going to save us all.”
“Where is Gerold?” he rasps. “Please, tell me he’s not—’
“He’s here, Father.” My eyes turn to my brother’s prone form nearby. “Unconscious, but alive.”
Despite his pain, relief momentarily registers on his pale features. “You and Gerold have been my greatest joy in this life,” he barely manages. “I love you both so much.”
“I love you too, Father.” A broken sob escapes me. “Please, do not die.’
His breath comes in short, clipped pants as blood pools beneath his body. His gaze grows unfocused, lifting to the sky. His grasp on my hand weakens with each passing moment.
“You must save the city, Halla,” he whispers. “Promise me.”
“I will, Father. I will.”
His head drops, and he closes his eyes. His hand slips from mine and falls to the ground beside him. Pain and devastation fill me. I lift his head into my lap and raise my voice in anguish to the sky.
Healer Althea rushes toward me. Her normally tightly woven silver hair loose from her braid and covered in flakes of gray ash. Her worried gaze darts to my father’s still form then back to me. “Princess!”
Drawing in a deep breath, I blink back my tears and steel myself. “Take care of my brother, Althea.”
“Halla!” Her gaze drops to the bloodied sword in my hand. “What are you going to do?”
I grip the sword tightly as I turn my gaze toward the city. “I’m going to slay the dragon.”