The Last Prince

Prologue

Soft coos echo through the trees.

A giggle draws the attention of massive wings, flapping against the crisp autumn sky. Blazing green eyes scan the enchanted forest, listening to the breath of every animal- or creature.

They debate.

Dropping too low could put them at risk, but ignoring whatever youngster is down there doesn’t sit well with the two-ton beast. How often they had wished someone had rescued them, all those long years ago.

Silently and with a grace unbecoming of their size they swoop down, hitting the forest floor with one solid thud.

If a person was nearby they’d blame the great quakes or a tree falling.

The night air is warmer against their scales so close to the ground, and without even hurting one branch they creep towards the noise.

The giggle grows louder, turning into cries and sniffles with each step.

𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑?

The beast approaches, wings curled in, peridot eyes taking in every detail of the small child.

A human child. It is almost enough to send them in the other direction, to bring terror into their heart, but even so, they recognize an innocent when they see one.

They can’t say the same for grown humans.

As far as they can tell it’s a boy, even worse as they grow up to be men, but still, the creature asks again, 𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑?

Bright green eyes that match their look back up at them. No words form, only more tears as the toddler seems to become frightened of them.

𝑆ℎℎℎℎ. 𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒.

The tears turn into wails, a siren’s call for others of its kind. Hearing footsteps the beast hisses, looking at the boy who seems to listen to the commotion as well.

“No! No! No!”

𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘.

“No!” Shouting is now coming closer, and by the sound, it is those same vile human men approaching the source of the crying.

The beast takes a step back. They know when to fight their battles and when to give up.

“No!” The boy is still sobbing, rubbing at his face, but he runs from the sound of other humans and toward the massive creature, much to its surprise. He tries to throw his tiny arms around him but doesn’t make it halfway before he’s saying, “Bad men. Bad men. Bad men.”

It was all they needed to hear before launching themselves up into the air, the toddler cradled gently in their grip.

18 Years Later

“Vel! Where are you?” I call out to the sky, lugging the dinner I hunted in the forest behind me. The sound of enormous wings flapping in the air fills my ears as I throw the catch into the sky. They swoop down, sharp teeth snapping it up greedily. “Woah, easy there! What if you had taken my hand off?”

Vel chuckles in my head. I would never hurt you, little one. You know that.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say beast.” It’s a term of endearment coming from me, but Vel doesn’t appreciate it. They blow smoke through their nostrils at me, landing with a loud thud in the clearing behind my house. I always worry the windows will break when they land. Heaven forbid I have to collect all that glass again.

You know how I feel about that. It would be- Vel wobbles, pupils dilating as they plant their feet firmly in the ground, their talons digging deep into the earth.

“Vel!” I dash to their side, worry gnawing at my heart. “You told me you were getting better!” I begin to examine them, observing the shine of their scales, and feeling their snout. “You’re still sick! Why did you lie? So I wouldn’t go to the castle?”

We’d argued for weeks over this, but to lie about their declining health hurt the most.

You don’t need the money. I can forage for my herbs. I’ll be fine. I’m a dragon.

“A dragon who is on in their years! No offense but you’re no spring chicken! Velzia, please. If I go up to the castle and pretend to be this long-lost prince I can buy you any medicine in the world! This sickness could kill you and how-“ my voice breaks as I close my eyes and grit my teeth, “How am I supposed to survive without you?”

Oren, Oren, Oren. I am not how you said, ‘On in my years’. Dragons can live to be hundreds even thousands of years. I’m fine. If you end up at the castle they will corrupt you. You sought shelter from those men and you truly want to return?

“No, Vel. I don’t. I do not recall any of the things I went through as a tot, but I remember how you raised me. How you are my family. So I refuse to stand back and watch you be ill when there are things I can do.”

I fish in my pocket for some of the healing herbs I’d read about, handing them out slowly to Vel. “Eat these. Hopefully it helps some.” They seem to be angry still but lap the herbs out of my hand anyway.

They chew on them slowly as I look over my guardian once more. While Vel was always honest about how I ended up with them, there were still things I didn’t understand. Like why hadn’t Vel disappeared with the rest of the dragons? Indeed there had to be more.

Promise me you won’t go to the castle just yet. I will be okay.

A promise with a dragon is binding until fulfilled so I take a deep breath contemplating whether or not this is a good decision, but the sound of an incoming carriage tears my thoughts away.

“Hide!” I whisper and Vel snorts, giving me that knowing look. Our conversation isn’t over, but Vel’s scales shimmer in the summer, and then they are suddenly gone.

“Oren! Oren are you there?” Relief floods me at the familiar feminine voice, easing the tension in my shoulders as I make my way to the front of my house.

The person calling me is none other than the nearby village’s blacksmith. I’d recently asked for pieces of horse saddles, attempting to make one big enough for me to ride Vel, and this should be the last of it. The number of elk and other wild game I’d sold to afford the different sections could have paid for the now-needed fancy medicines, but it was too late.

“Lyra, thank you for bringing this to me. I appreciate it.”

“Oh, please after all you’ve tipped me with I can keep my parents fed for the next four solstices Oren, so thank you.” I chuckle taking the large leather piece out of her hands. I admire her metalwork and how her hands show how much care and dedication she puts into her work. She smiles so brightly at me, just as she has every time she’s visited and I can’t help but smile back.

She’s a beautiful woman, with bright blue eyes and raven black hair. Her curves can’t be hidden even with her blacksmith uniform and it’s tempting to think about settling down.

Then I think of Vel and the secrets I’ve been carrying since I was a child. “Oren-”

“Lyra-”

She giggles as we talk over each other, a sound that I enjoy more than I thought I did. I am well aware that my best bet is to let her know I’m not looking to court anyone but I can’t seem to get the words out.

“Well I need to get back to my folks, but come see me next time you’re in the village. Oh! I almost forgot.” She digs through the bags in her carriage and then pulls out a scabbard. “I made this for you.” My hand begins to shake as the metal inside resonates with me. “I bought some metal during that traveling market, said to have been what was left of the previous king’s sword.”

I stare in awe as I drop the saddle and reach for her gift. It almost purrs in my grip and I hate to think what that means.

Slowly I unsheathe the blade, admiring its iridescent glow before realizing that this color is not natural. With a shuddering breath, the blade slips from my hands.

“Oh!” She exclaims, bending down to grab it. “I’m sorry. Do you not like it? Did it cut you?”

I shake my head, “No, I’m sorry just shocked by its magnificence. Tell me Lyra… Where did you get the dragon’s scale?” I can’t help but stare at the blade that she’s holding. My hands want to grasp it but knowing Vel isn’t far makes it feel so wrong.

This blade is a dragon killer.

“You can tell it’s made with a dragon’s scale?” She whispers and I instantly realize my mistake. Through the villagers' tales over the years, I learned a few things about the previous royal family. The king and queen were the perfect couple. They had a son late into their marriage, a complete miracle bestowed on them by the Gods. It was said the previous king was friends with dragons. He could sense dragon scale-made items, could speak with them, and was working towards a peace treaty, but his adviser started secret witch hunts behind his back and in the King’s name, even going so far as to use his sword. When their son was a young boy the king found out and wanted to apprehend his friend, but instead fell during the fight. The queen and heir went missing.

The time Vel found me and the time of the King’s death was close in nature, but I truly didn’t think it was me. I had purposely ignored the signs, the portraits the adviser’s team had drawn to predict what the young prince would look like.

As much as I wanted to try my hand just to earn his fortune I couldn’t believe the prince was me.

“I just know,” I told her. She gave me a long look before handing the blade back.

“Well, I should be off. Ma and Pa will be wondering where I went. They ask about you. Come by for dinner sometime whenever you’re in the village again.”

“Lyra I can’t accept this it-“

“No.” Her voice is so firm and demanding. Most men would berate her for speaking that way but I can’t get enough. “You have done more than enough for my family, for the entire village. More than our king ever has. Everyone should have at least one weapon in their arsenal, besides their tongue.”

“And what do you know of my tongue?” The question slips from me before I can be stopped and her face is instantly scarlet. “Forgive me, my lady, that was inappropriate.”

“I’m off, Oren. Don’t forget to come to say hello soon.” She smiles at me again, that beautiful blush creeping up her cheeks as she dashes back to the carriage. The sword feels heavy in my hands as I head back toward my house.

Little one, our conversation is not done.

I’m exhausted Vel. Let me rest for just a moment and then I’ll promise you. Will that suffice?

Vel sighs but I can sense their resignation. Talking to them has become easier over the years I barely need to use my voice. It gives me that same uneasy feeling I had earlier when Lyra realized what I was saying.

Setting the sword to the side I dress down into just my tunic and shorts before collapsing on my bed. I have game to catch once the moon is high and a quick rest will be perfect. Plus I want to attempt to put together Vel’s saddle. Thinking of riding them before the sun rises nearly keeps me awake, but sleep finally comes as the sun starts its descent.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

I jolt awake, the pounding on my front door so unsettling and jarring.

“Hello?” I call out, “Who’s there?”

“This is the King’s guard. Oren Jameson, you are being summoned by his majesty, King Lionel the first.”

I scramble from my bed, dressing and making sure to grab my new sword. I wasn’t going to walk into the infamous ‘Unjust King’s’ territory without some kind of perfection.

They continue to bang on the door until I yell out, “I’m coming!”

What’s going on, little one?

Vel’s voice fills me with relief as I can sense they aren’t nearby. If the guard’s men catch sight of Vel they’ll have every village in the country on a manhunt.

The King is summoning me. Do not fret, Vel. I’ll be back by morning to catch your breakfast.

Be careful Oren.

I try not to open the door with a smile, keeping my face blank as I come face to face with the Head Guard. He’s a scrawny man, face shaped like a bird and all the times I've seen him around don’t do the ugliness of his face justice up close.

“Can you tell me the reason for the summoning good sir?”

His hawk eyes narrowed as they took me in up and down. “The King need not explain himself to you.” I take that as he doesn’t know but follow him anyway. I’m well aware of what happens to those who disobey the ‘King’.

The night air is freezing as I approach their carriage. I hear an unnatural rustling coming from the guards behind me but there isn’t time to turn around to see the source before I feel something crash into the back of my head. Voices whisper angrily above me as I collapse, trying to grasp onto the carriage but my consciousness is fading fast.

Oren! Vel’s voice is so faint, but I try to reach out.

Vel…

Later

My eyes flutter open into darkness. Taking in my surroundings I can make out that I’m in a windowless room and wherever I am is below ground. The air smells of deep earth, of rot. A rope binds my hands behind my back in the chair I’m seated in and I attempt to pull on the restraints but to no avail.

A door I hadn’t realized existed swings open, blinding me with the light from a lantern a tall man is holding.

“So the long-lost prince has returned.”

Oren.

I don’t recognize the voice of the man who has entered the room, but hearing Vel so clearly gives me some hope.

Vel, I’m alive. I’m okay for now. I seem to be underground.

“Who are you?” My voice is hoarse, letting me know I’ve been out for a few hours at least. I’m surprised Vel hasn’t burned the entire kingdom to the ground already.

I thought about it, little one. I’m nearby if you need me. I-

Sharp pain sears into my side as a blade pierces my skin. “I am your King, mongrel. The real question is who are you? Perhaps your mother dearest would recognize you.”

“What?” I can barely choke out the word as the door opens again. I’m bleeding now, but it’s not too terrible of a wound.

The same bird-faced man from before enters the room but he’s dragging along a dark-haired woman I’d only seen in portraits before.

She’s crying, sobbing openly as the guard throws her onto the ground in front of me. “No, no. You weren’t supposed to be found. No, no-”

“Shut up, harlot.” The guard moves to kick her, but I jump at him, causing him to fall back scared. He quickly recovers himself and moves to attack me but the King stops him.

“Leave now, Geoff.”

The man only sneers at me as he bows and exits the room. My heart beats wildly as I take in this older woman. She still has all of the grace and poise that she exhibited in the paintings this man had forced people to burn a few years ago. I hadn’t known who she was, but things were starting to make sense.

“Oh, my sweet, Draco.”

She locks eyes with me and it takes everything in me to not tell Vel to destroy the entire castle. Her eyes are the same shade of green as mine. Even in my heart of hearts, I can tell she is my mom. Which means the truth I’d been avoiding can no longer be ignored.

Oren… Are you all right?

I can’t even respond to Vel as I take in the woman in front of me.

The King suddenly grabs her, placing the same blade he’d just stabbed me with against her neck.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so many years.” My eyes widen in horror as her eyes never leave mine. His large stature seems to swallow her as she doesn't even try to struggle in his arms. Her eyes tell me she's accepting her fate, and I can't stand it. She smiles at me, through her tears and fear, as he takes her life.

I cry out, watching as she falls to the ground feeling my blood begin to boil. “How could you?”

The King only laughs. “How could I? You have no idea what it was like to sit there and watch your father rule this kingdom. It was so boring. He wanted peace. Well, I want revenge. I’ve burned every bridge he ever built and now his lineage will die with you.”

Suddenly the building begins to shake and Vel’s thunderous roars can be heard even from where we’re at.

The King looks at me and nearly growls. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you here and now!”

“If you kill me, they will know it was you.” The King slices my feet restraints and shoves me out of the room, the sword pressed firmly into my still bleeding wound. Walking as carefully as I can he leads me up to the castle grounds where guards are running back and forth screaming about the dragon in the courtyard.

Vel! What are you doing?

I saw what he did, Oren. He must be stopped.

There are too many guards! Please! I’ll be okay! Save yourself!

We cross the entryway and enter the courtyard where dozens of guards are trying to shoot arrows at Vel, but they won’t work. Even the ones that are poisoned do nothing against Vel’s thick scales.

The King shoves me down on my knees as close to Vel as possible.

“Beast! I have what you want!”

I don’t trust the King, Vel. Please, go.

“If you leave this castle I will let him go, free of harm.” Vel seems to consider both sides, assessing the situation to find the best plan of action, but that hesitation is their downfall.

Canons along the castle wall suddenly open fire, and I watch helplessly once again as Vel takes the brunt of it all, falling over. The night is still as if every person there is holding their breath to see if the dragon has truly fallen.

Vel! Vel!

No response.

Vel! Please open your eyes. Vel!

It is not the dragon these villagers needed to be worried about. Filled with rage and heartbroken sadness my sense of self snaps. White ire fills my vision until my body seems to be not my own. I spin around, tearing the sword out of the King’s hands, and twirling it to face him as I run him through.

Several gasps are heard, but none so loud as Vel’s as they begin to breathe again.

I’m alive, little one.

Tears threaten to spill but being in the process of killing the King keeps them from falling.

“You’ll regret this. You have no idea what I-“

I plunge the sword deeper through him, twisting as I ensure the light finally fades from his eyes.

Releasing him as soon as I know it’s done I’m racing to Vel’s side.

Do not fret over me.

Their voice is strained, and weak, and I can’t help but collapse to my knees in front of them.

“Tell me how I can help.” I’ve never begged before, not to any God or higher power, but I’m willing to beg now if I can. “Please.” Vel’s breathing seems to be getting better and for moments I feel things are going to be alright.

Guards are converging on me, I can hear that now, but it matters not.

I regret nothing.

I’m confused at Vel’s words until I look up, realizing all too late that one of the guards is holding my sword, the dragon killer.

A deranged scream leaves my throat as the sword hits its mark. I stand frozen for half a second before Vel whispers, I made a promise once, to myself, to raise you to be good. I hope you know, I love you. Promise me, you’ll be a good King.

Agony rips through me as Vel’s promise permeates the air. The magic of dragons was something they hardly ever elaborated on but now I can see why. “I promise.” I choke out as the courtyard explodes into light. All the guards are suddenly thrown back, the wind exploding from where my one true friend, my parent, and mentor, had fallen.

I remain on my knees for a few moments longer, not perturbed as I stare at the empty grass. Flowers are beginning to rise from the place Vel had been and I slump my head, not sure how to proceed. I had made a promise, one I felt crawling underneath my skin and eating away at my heart, but how can I move on?

Shouts suddenly fill the air as familiar faces begin to line the entryways. It’s then I hear the sounds of fighting, swords clashing as I lift my head.

The villagers are armed, familiar faces taking on the Guardsmen, and for what I didn’t know.

“Oren!” Lycra’s melodic voice catches my attention and I spot her, covered in battle armor, wielding a sword as she fights her way to me. For the first time in a while, I stand, fumbling for the sword that had taken my best friend's life, as it was now buried in the flowers. She sees an opening and jogs my way but the bird-face man is suddenly there, behind her and I see red just as my hand clasps around the hilt of my sword.

Dashing to her side I make a clean swipe, lobbying off the hand holding his sword. His screams are silent over the sound of my heart thudding in my ears as I go for the kill.

The second I pull my sword free Lyra tackles me into the grass. “I thought we’d lost you.”

Her voice is too soft and gentle, reminding me of what I’ve lost on this day but then she kisses me. Salt mixed with the metallic way she tastes has my tears blending with hers. She pulls away first. “We’re here to save you, Oren. When I came back to see you and your door was ajar I knew they’d figured you out. It was my fault for telling the villagers I thought you were the prince. We had a spy among us. As soon as I realized you were gone I rallied everyone who wanted to protect you. It doesn’t matter if you’re the prince or not, you are worth fighting for.” She kisses me again, but softly before she pulls me back up.

Guards everywhere are surrendering, realizing that the Head Guard and ‘King’ have been taken down.

I go back over to the bed of flowers, and stick my sword deep into the Earth. Lyra looks at me expectantly and yet with beautiful eyes of knowing.

“Is it true though?” She asks softly as I run my fingers over the velvet petals at my feet. Vel will live forever in my memory, and more importantly my heart. I only nod to her.

“Long live the King!” She shouts and takes a knee in front of me.

All of the villagers hear and repeat the phrase, as I let it sink into my bones.

“Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King!”

It swirls around me, Vel’s promise and power as their words echo with the chanting.

I regret nothing.

After

Days became months and months became years as I took the throne with an iron grip.

Members of my extended family came out of the woodwork to try to validate my claims and test my might, but every time I came out on top. Taking Lyra as my queen was a tough transition, but there was none other I’d rather have rule at my side.

Even as tots in the village I knew she’d grow up to be strong, level-headed, and pragmatic, and those qualities only made her a better queen, a perfect ruler.

I had a lot to learn and still do even four decades later. I think about how much time has passed as I’m sitting at my desk going over villager requests. Unlike before everyone has a voice in the kingdom now, and I’ve even got a meeting with a traveler who can possibly tell me where the dragons might be.

Word is traveling that they’ve died out on their own, but I refuse to believe it. For the sake of my children.

For Vel.

“Daddy!”

I can hear my daughter, Velzia calling my name in excitement but the doors to the throne room remain closed. Surely the nannies and guards are trying to calm her but her voice, the one so much like her mothers gives me pause.

“I have to see daddy! I found a golden rock!”

I stand from my chair, setting aside the important documents to see what it is she’s talking about. Typically my youngest daughter doesn’t bother me about trivial matters so my interest has been piqued even further.

Slowly the door creaks open as I approach and I see her bowing. “You don’t have to bow to me, Princess. Tell me what you found, honey.” Some intricate part of me begins to hum, my heart pounding without indicating why.

"It's in the garden daddy! Follow me!"

I frown but follow her nonetheless. I don't recall approving any landscape changes to the garden, but as we head outside and down the path my stomach tightens into knots. She is practically skipping as we reach Vel's flower patch and I begin to sweat. I can not tell what is going on or what is wrong with my body for it to react this way, but I know before I even lay eyes on the rounded golden shape precisely what it is.

There stuck halfway out of the earth as if they had simply been waiting to bloom like one of the nearby flowers laid a perfectly intact, beautiful, dragon’s egg.