//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Moon,My Savior // by Artemis Noctem //------------------------------// The Moon, My Savior Chapter 2 The next morning I woke up around 8 am. I began to brush my fur and mane with a claw. As I got up to go greet the Princess, I though about my dream from last night. As I walked up the stairs and though the hall I couldn't help but fell like it was more like a lost memory than a dream. A lost memory….. I had arrived at the princess’ door. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, then knocked and the princess opened the door with a smile. I bowed “Good morning you highness, I hope you slept well.” “Good morning, please come in.” I did as told. When I was inside she invited me to sit at a table on the balcony. She sat across from me and said “I would like to ask you some questions, personal questions, if that’s all right with you.” “Of course princess.” She said “What did you mean when you said the king calls you “that creature” because of your species and because you don't have a name?” I said, “I meant that I was never given a name at birth. Most dragons call me by my species, drakon. Others call me a freak, creature and other degrading things.” She passed for a moment then proceeded to say “What happened to your parents?” I looked down and said “I don’t know, I was told that they’re dead.” She looked at me for a few seconds, then finally spoke up “Are you at least treated well, other than the name thing?” “Fairly well, your highness.” “Please elaborate.” “I mean, I sleep in the dungeons, on a stack of hay. I get to eat a meal once a day at night, before I sleep, and I am allowed to bathe once every 2 days and that’s just because I serve royalty and have to be somewhat presentable.” She just looked at me. I was starting to get nervous. Perhaps I misspoke. She got up and walked over to the door. She then asked a dragon guard outside to bring a menu, closed the door and walked back over. “Princess, I could bring you something to eat if you like.” She smiled and said “No, it’s all right. I was hoping you would join me for breakfast.” I looked at her in shock. “Princess, you don't have to do that, I am accustom to eating once a day. Please, don't trouble yourself.” “It’s no trouble at all. I was hoping to treat you, as my way of thanking you in advance for everything.” All I could say was “Thank you so much.” She smiled. Wow, she had a beautiful smile, “No, don't think like that, she’s royalty,” I scolded myself. Her guards joined us for breakfast. When we finished it was around 10 am. The princess wanted to hear about life in the Empire. I told her all I could. Afterwards, she wanted to take a tour of the city. Her guards came with us as we toured the city. We walked around the parks for a while. She seemed to have an appreciation of architecture. When we reached the sculpture gardens, she was intrigued by the detail in each one. She especially liked this one of a dragon rearing up, with it’s wings spread out while roaring. We proceeded to the mosaic sections of the gardens. Her guards liked one mosaic of a sliver dragon reaching up, trying to grasp a shooting star. The princess liked one of the larger mosaics. It depicted a magnificent sliver moon shining brightly, while the dark night glittered with multi-colored stars. When we arrived back at the castle it was almost time for dinner. She let me eat with her, her guards were eating with us this time as well. The princess turned to one of her two guards and said “Star Spear, what do you think of the empire so far?” The one called Star Spear replied, “ So far, it looks fairly similar to life in Canterlot, princess.” The princess nodded saying, “I agree, it has many similarity to Canterlot. What do you think Silver Comet?” Silver Comet said “ I agree with Star Spear princess. Society here has a nearly identical infrastructure to Equestria. Well, with the acceptation of Equestria having high princesses and high princes, as apposed to a single monarchy.” With a small smile, the princess nodded and looked over the balcony railing, “The city looks beautiful at night.” The guards and I followed her gaze. She was right, it was amazing. The jagged architecture proved a perfect canvas for the moon light. The silvery light bounced off the sharp colorful roofs creating an astounding light show. I had never really realized how majestic the city looks. Then again, I never had a view from this high up. I had always loved the night, it provided an escape from the people who would terrorize me during the day. Besides, how could anyone not adore the night sky. All the different constellations, the sliver light from the moon, and the peace and quite. We finished up dinner and I took the silver wear down to the kitchen on my way to my bed. As I walked my mind began to think back to my dream. Those two voices had sounded so gentle and loving, but those last words “They’re here. We have to go.” I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more than just that. What had they meant by they’re here, who was there that they had to go. I dropped off the sliver wear at the kitchen and proceeded to my bed. This time however, I didn't fall asleep right away. I laid on my back and thought about the last two days. Princess Artemis, who was respectful to everyone, even me. She is pretty, she’s so good at magic too. Then I remembered her off-handily mentioning how dragon magic and unicorn magic is similar, but she said dragons don't have enough magic to use it the way unicorns do. Too bad, it would be really cool to use magic and show all those people that I wasn't worthless. Running. All I felt was the sensation of being carried by someone sprinting. “Get them!” The cry came from somewhere behind me. Suddenly I felt an intense heat on my back. The shouting had stopped. The feminine voice said “Made a dome on fire appear?” The male voice said “Yes.” “Good thinking.” “Thanks. Okay, we’re almost to the cliff. From there we should be good. It has a view of the ocean that leads to the empire, I can teleport us once we reach there.” “Great, I hope the baby’s not hurt by this.” “He’ll be fine dear.” Flapping could be heard over head and a scream,“DIVE!” I woke up in a cold sweat. There was no way that was just a dream. It felt way too real. I walked over to the staff’s showers. While in the shower, I though about my dream, two of the voices were from my last dream but, these other ones, they were new. I got out of the shower and began to get ready to go meet the princess. Today she wanted to tour the castle, namely the library and the guard training facilities. We spent most of the day in the library, as she was reading up on draconic magic. She also read about the history of Lord Ember, and how she founded the empire. That night the four of us had dinner and she asked me about Lord Ember. I told her about the founding of the empire and how Lord Ember ruled as queen for 10 years before getting married and having a son, Inferno. As I walked back to my “room” all I could think about was that last terrible word from my dream, DIVE!