Azian Prince of Dragons
Chapter 10 — Guardian

Abigail's POV

I slowly followed Tar into the forest with little Edwin grasping my hand making small talk as we walked.

He kept on talking about how much he hated Davina and apparently a whole list of other watchers he had.

He claimed they were too old and boring, never failing to mention how mean they were.

I chuckled here and there as he spoke not missing every time Tar glanced back at us, raising one of his bushy eyebrows.

We walked for what seemed like fifteen minutes, before arriving at a clearing and then I saw it.

The dragon settlement in the forest.

It looked like a large village, a busy village, trees crossing paths in different ways, huts spaced in a very orderly manner. Smoke showing in the distance.

It was unlike any I had ever thought. I could have mistaken it for one of the smaller towns before Paria or past the borders of Riota. It was strange how walking into the village seemed like walking into a hometown.

It was then I realized we had been walking on higher ground and the dragon village which was really more like a large town lay before us. In the far distance I could make shape of a Large broken-down castle hidden in what seemed like thick mist surrounding it.

My mouth fell open in awe of it, though I could barely see much of the old structure through the dense fog.

Legend had it that the dragons kept a castle of leisure deep in the Ignere forest, where they would go hunting and other things. If this was truly that castle, which no doubt it was, then it must be more than ten thousand years old.

I couldn't understand how on earth it was standing after so long, then again magic had taken this forest under it spell.

Tar led me through the town, my eyes taking in everything as we treaded down the dusty road. It really seemed normal. Everybody going about their own business.

The dragon folk were tall.

Especially the men. They seemed to be every buff and the women matched their physic, looking stronger than us witches or any other supernatural creature.

It was no wonder he called me tiny.

I followed blindly till we stopped in front of a cottage which was isolated from most and seemed bigger taking up another small cottage at the back.

Walking inside, I was greeted with the warm air, the set up different from witch's homes, larger and much more spaced.

Yet it reminded me of my own cottage back at Riota, which led me to think of Anna, hoping she was alright and wasn't worrying too much about me.

"Abigail?" a small voice called, squeezing my hand. My eyes quickly snapped back to what needed the most attention, starting down at the curious eyes of the boy still holding my hand.

He frowned, "Why do you look so sad?" Edwin asked Upon hearing him speak I suddenly realized that I indeed had a sad face on and now even Tar was looking at me questionably.

"No, I'm alright. I'm fine" I quickly replied.

"I'll walk you out, if you don't want to start work today," Tar offered, his voice slow as if trying not to scare me.

"Um..." I trailed off not knowing what to say, or how to say it. That I didn't have anywhere to go? I bet he knew everyone in this village he would ask me to explain and then he would definitely know I was an outsider. Then again, if he knew everyone in this village he would know I'm an outsider by now. He didn't look suspicious well, maybe he did, but somehow I knew he didn't go as far as thinking I was from across the border.

Which leads me to wonder. Where would I go? I'll probably get lost again in this vast forest if I lied and said I had somewhere to stay.

I was cornered.

The last place any witch would like to be.

Tar folded his large arms, his eyes settled on me in the most curious yet harsh manner I had ever seen. Almost as if he was trying to read me.

I could feel my hands begin to sweat.

"I don't have anywhere to go" I said softly my eyes fixed on the floor. I tightened my fists, praying to Erania to get me out of this one. However, somehow I knew the Queen of gods would not choose a mere witch over her own race, the children she created to her own likeness.

"You mean you ran away." Was the statement like reply? I didn't have go look up to know he was now even more curious about me and way more suspicious if ever he was to begin with.

He shouldn't think too much of it though. I didn't look harmless, plus I was small. Hopefully, he would see me as too less of a threat to care about, though of course he would be death of wrong.

"I mean I don't have anyone.. I'm alone" I replied, willing myself to look up at him.

Tar's gaze met mine, a momentary look of confusion crossing his features in that statement, "I know almost every family here. What do you mean you live alo—"

"Papa!" Edwin interrupted. Both our eyes snapped at the little boy I'm sure we both forgot existed seconds ago.

He jerked his head to the other room as if motioning to his father that he would like to talk to him in private.

Tars eyes shifted to his son. He sighed, his larger shoulders falling as he dropped his hands, walking to the next room.

"I'll be back," Edwin said squeezing my hand.

I nodded watching as they left, a feeling if nervousness engulfing every inch of my body. As I waited I took the time to study every inch of the room, yet I couldn't see anything past the nervousness and fear that ripped through me. I shut my eyes breathing out.

I had already done it. Infiltrated the Dragon kind. I was halfway there. I didn't it all without an army, well on my way to replaceing the golden dragon boy.

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If he was as strong as Legend say, then it should be assumed that he had a high social standing in the Dragon community, it would be safe to say he was their lord or chief or whatever this little settlement would call him. Of course, since he was only five or six, the boy couldn't be the leader.

Tar walked out of the room with Edwin following right behind him.

He looked extremely proud as he took my hand, leading me forward "you can stay with us" he explained, with a wide and accomplished smile.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Tar staring at us, shaking his head slowly as we walked away.

2 WEEK LATER

*****

It was much easier than I had anticipated.

See I had fallen into a routine.

Clean, cook, care. It was a simple job being a watcher, I actually did it sometimes back in Riota with the street kids. Not exactly the same thing but still it was quite similar.

I took the warm milk, setting it on the wooden table that I had accompanied with some slices of freshly baked bread.

After I had finished I added a special touch of flowers from the garden. That was how I prepared breakfast every day for the last two weeks.

Edwin just loved the sweet milk, (I cast a spell on the milk to make it sweeter) and even Tar was seeming to warm up to me.

The key word was seeming.

He didn't think much of me I suppose. As long as I got my work done and stayed out of his hair, it seemed he was fine with my stay here.

I heard the door open, and I knew those two were finally awake.

These past two weeks I had spent my time learning as much as I could without coming off as suspicious. One of the things I had learned was that three years ago, Edwin's mother, Kyra, died of a strange illness that swept the dragon village, Apart from that I had also realized that the weather I Ignere was different than the rest of Paria, with more cloudy, windy, and rainy days than sunny ones.

After eating breakfast, Tar got up and my guess was that he was going to the castle as was his usual routine.

So I began to clear up the plates and poured another glass of milk for Edwin who kept begging for more. He was a sweet boy, mischievous but sweet.

"Abigail" Tar began.

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I looked up at him slowly. I still found it difficult to maintain eye contact with this giant of a man.

"Yes sir-Tar" he had told me yesterday to for the love of Erania just call him Tar.

"Get yourself ready. We're going to the castle today," he ordered.

"Castle?" I echoed, wondering why.

"The young Prince demands to see Edwin," he huffed folding his large arms, a habit he seemed to have.

Edwin's eyes sparkled, "He's okay now? You mean we can finally play?" he asked peering up at to his father who managed a short chuckle at his enthusiasm with a subtle nod.

I looked at them still confused. I wondered what that had to do with me.

Tar seemed to understand the expression on my face because he began to explain why.

"The little prince and Edwin are friends-"

"I'm his guardian," Edwin corrected.

Tar nodded, "Yes, but his highness got sick two weeks ago, now that he is well, he requests to see his little friend,"

"Guardian," Edwin muttered seeming most frustrated.

Tar ignored him, "And as his watcher, I expect you to be there,"

I nodded understandingly, as Edwin smiled at me.

"You will love the Castle Abigail," he cheered, "I know it looks gloomy and all sad but inside its actually a wonder," Edwin began, downing the last of his milk. He smacked his lips, seeming to love the after taste. Tar dismissed me, allowing me to head back to my room. I paced around for a few seconds.

This was it.

The opportunity I was awaiting. I would be able to finally end the little prince life, he must be the golden dragon.

I was sure of it.

I felt my hands shake as I decided what to wear.