Chapter 3: Dragon Spirit

I don't understand. Every element knows how to recognize their masters, and so does fire. What did that mean?

The palace will collapse anytime soon. You should be out by that time. Hurry now, Ophelia.

I have so many questions but the voice was right. I should leave the palace first before I get buried alive.

"Is this really true? Fire won't burn me?" Though I can see it in my own eyes, I found it strangely fascinating that I couldn't believe it. It's too surreal and impossible. I mean, no one in Eravia can do this kind of sorcery—if this can be classified as one.

Move now, Ophelia, the voice demanded.

Without further ado, I leaped towards the blazing stairs. I was doubtful at first, scared that the spell or whatever magic is happening to me has a time limit or something like that. But all the uncertainties were washed away when I felt something different in my body. The heat coming from the fire brought me the kind of warmth I never thought I'd feel in this kind of situation. It was as if I was embraced by something I unconsciously anticipated for a long time. The feeling was new but strangely familiar at the same time.

I ran through the stairs, recalling all the exits in the palace. I decided to go to the nearest, at the back of the kitchen. That way, no one would see me leaving the palace. It would even be better if they assume that I died—that is if they'd notice my disappearance which I doubt would happen.

The whole kitchen was blazing so I'm a hundred percent sure no one could follow me in any case. My heart racing in adrenaline rush, I closed my eyes as I went through the blazing room until I reached the right door. I had lived in this palace for quiet a long time so I memorized all its corners. Well, except from the royalties' chambers of course. It is forbidden for us slaves to enter the personal spaces of our superiors without any command.

I sighed in relief when I was finally out of the blazing palace. My wrist stopped glowing now but the birthmark remained. I breathed for a few seconds before running toward the secret exit in the garden—the one that court ladies usually use every time they receive a command to do something outside the palace.

"You mentioned about my father. Where is he? And do you have any idea where I can go?" I asked the voice, assuming that it can somewhat connect to me through my mind. But I didn't receive any response.

I held my breath for seconds when for the first time in seventeen years, I've got to experience how it feels to finally leave the palace.

For almost two decades, my life revolved around the palace, serving my superiors, entertaining them in the best way I could. I was raised with the belief that I'd never get to see the outside world even just for once. But now I'm here, standing beyond the palace's barricades... without chains finally... free at last.

You have to leave this kingdom, Ophelia. Your life isn't here.

My thoughts stopped.

"I thought you already vanished?"

There was a low growl. To simplify it, let's just say I'm part of you. So I can't leave you.

"Wait. Part of me? What are you anyway? You don't sound like a person to me."

Yes, I'm part of you, the voice replied, ignoring the latter.

"I doubt that. I don't have any twin or sibling. How do you do this communication thing by the way? Is this your ability?"

There are palace guards approaching. They're out to find the one who started the fire. They'd suspect you if they see you here.

"Where should I go?" Now I'm back to being anxious.

Face left and run to the west side. I could smell a lot of different spices and horses, so there must be caravans there.

I didn't really know what I was about to do but I just followed the voice's instruction and ran to the west side. Being caught by the palace guards is the least thing I want to happen.

I tasted hope when I saw three carriages. It must be the merchants’ caravans the voice mentioned. But what exactly should I do? Should I ask for a free ride? I doubt the merchants would let me considering my financial capability. All my jewels and silvers were left in the my chamber, so as of the moment, I have nothing but a nightdress. I don't even have any footwear.

Should I offer them a dance instead?

No, a bad idea. That's kind of indecent. It's either they would find it offending or they would take advantage of me.

The smell in the third caravan is not that strong compared to the other two, so I guess it's not fully loaded. See if you can hitch a ride. It's the only way to get out from here.

"But we don't know the merchant's destination."

It's a gamble, Ophelia. You decide. The carriage will leave anytime soon.

I'm new to taking risks, but if that’s what it takes to get away and live freely, I am willing to gamble at any cost.

So I decided to follow what the voice suggested. A lot of things might happen along the way but I know what I want now. There's no turning back.

"Do you have any idea where this carriage is heading?" I asked silently after I went inside the third caravan. It was only partially loaded so I had enough space for myself.

I don't, but in another kingdom I guess. Merchants selling spices usually travels from one kingdom to another.

"What a detailed information. Good. If he would go to the werewolves' kingdom, then I'd be doomed. Thank you very much for that."

The werewolves are the mortal enemy of mages. The dispute between the two sides has been going on for ages and the werewolves forbid any mage to step on their borders, the same as how mages forbids any werewolf to enter Eravia.

You're welcome, the voice retorted more sarcastic than I was.

"Why don't you just tell me who you are? I'm ready to listen now."

You may call me Raja.

"Raja? Are you a king or prince, perhaps?"

I have no ranks.

"If you have no rank, how is it possible that you have this kind of ability? How can you link yourself to others?"

I don't have the ability to link myself to others. It just happened that I'm linked to you.

My forehead creased. "I'm confused. How exactly is that possible? And why would you be linked to me?"

Your existence is my existence. I'm bind to you in that way. I'm not a person, Ophelia. I'm a dragon spirit and you are my master. The moment you were born, my soul was part of yours.

I shook my head defiantly. "You must be kidding... I mean, that's not true, right? It's not possible since..."

I didn't go through a proper education, but if I categorize my knowledge, I'm far from illiterate. I know it's very impossible for a mage to have the ability to summon dragons. Even the spirit mages—the ones considered as the most powerful in Eravia, has considered that ability beyond their power. So how could a mere slave like me do that?

Since you're a mage? Then maybe you're not a pure-blooded mage like what you believe.

"But my mother said my father was a mage. What you're saying is impossible."

I don't know everything about you since I was just awakened recently, but if you were able to summon me, then one thing is for sure, you are not a pure-blooded mage.

"Just a minute. I... summoned... you? I didn't summon you."

Yes, you did. Unconsciously. Usually, people who has that ability can summon their dragon spirits as early as five years old. But since you weren't aware that you have the ability, I woke up late. You facing death and life situation was the trigger.

"I still don't understand."

It's hard to believe. As what I've heard, that ability is very rare among all kinds. Why would I be chosen? My mother was just a slave.

But was it the truth, though? Or just what she wanted you to believe?

I got more confused. He's talking riddles and I couldn't cope up.

"You can read minds, or is that only applicable to me?"

Only exclusive for my lady.

"You're a dragon, right? Can you show yourself?"

You haven't mastered your ability yet. Once you do, that's when you can summon me out physically.

"Ability? I don't have any ability..."

Of course you do.

Then I remembered about the fire. My lips parted. When he said every element knows how to recognize its master, did he mean the fire recognized me as its master? How did that happen?

Yes, Ophelia. You can summon a fire dragon and you have the ability to manipulate fire.