The face emerged, his blade drawn; she could see it as it reflected the light. She could not, not for the life of her, see his face, just his light hair and darkening eyes. Erneis was first to attack but the man was faster, stronger. With a blow to shoulder, Erneis was knocked back; still he tried to defend her, to the death as he promised. Athelisa drew her sword, holding it to the man, her hand barely shaking even as anger and adrenaline coursed through her veins.

"Come with me willingly, unharmed or be led away in chains, your choice" the man warned.

"I will not be chained!" Athelisa warned aggressively. 

"Then come with me, I will patch up your companion and take you to my king. You will have food, water and a chance to bathe" the man offered.

"You threatened me, how do I know this is not a ruse?"

"Because I am a man of honour, as is the man I serve. No harm shall come to you on the journey, during it or after while on his lands. I merely defended his lands from your companion however I would not have struck had I not been struck first"

"I will go with you, willingly if my companion, Sir Erneis is seen to. I want him looked after" she ordered despite being in no place to make demands. The man merely bowed, his face no longer hidden. His black eyes looked upwards, tracing a large mountain before leading the pair up it. He helped Erneis up the mountain, taking his weight as they walked up the steps slowly just taking it one step at a time. 

"How is your wound?" she asked as he reached the top.

"Sore, not very deep" Erneis replied softly as he held it.

"I was not going for the kill" the man snapped as he opened the large stone double doors.

"What is this place?" Athelisa asked.

"Dragon Mountain, home of the once great Mountain King" the man explained as he almost carried Erneis inside.

The great walls of stone sung to her, natural light allowed in, allowed to be as bright as it wanted to be. The large throne of black stone, natural gems hidden within it stood tall and proud in the centre of the room, bookshelves of books, candles that burnt brightly like stars. She wanted to ask but Erneis's wound was being tended to by the man that inflicted it. 

"Do excuse me" the man asked as a candle's flame died.

He grabbed another but a deep voice, almost roaring said "leave it be, I shall sort it"

"Your Majesty, with company, do you think it wise?"

"I am the last of my kind. Everything the king wants, he already has. He keeps me alive to torment me, to allow me to live with my shame. Showing a couple of strangers what amounts in their eyes as no more than a mere magic trick, is nothing in comparison"

"My lord, forgive me. I meant no offence"

"Get some wine for our guests, food on the table and have Lydia warm the waters and offer the lady a change of clothes" he ordered as he walked down the large stone steps, an older man with a large beard, beautiful sea blue eyes with sadness set in them. Athelisa and Erneis both bowed respectfully to the man with no crown on his head, no smile on his face. He took his seat on the throne, allowing the pair to rise. "Why have you been taken to me?"

"You would have to ask your steward that" Erneis replied as politely as his tongue would allow him.

It appeared as if he had forgotten about the candle. He looked over at it, his eyes squinting as it roared, the wick suddenly touched by flame, flame roaring, dancing on it. "You were seen by the ruins of the Battle of the Dragons, why would two young people go to ancient grounds?"

"We were... I was... we are... interested in... the history" Erneis lied.

"SILENCE YOUR LYING TONGUE!" he ordered as his hand stretched towards Erneis.

"Please, Your Majesty, he was protecting me!" Athelisa cried, almost begging for his life.

"Why would a man lie for you?" the king asked cruelly.

"Because you are not the last of your kind, I suspect. If you are a Dragon Spirit, you are not the last, merely one of the last. I did not come to better my powers, if that is even possible. However I did come to learn about the past and try and stop the extinction of my race"

She stood tall, almost face to face as she removed her cloak. Her tattoo shone brightly as he looked into her eyes. She stood very still, almost like a statue as a bolt of flame hit her. Her body absorbed it, accepting it as it flew through her, growing until she could throw it back, her aim terribly off as she hit the throne. She blushed before falling back, landing on her backside.

"I... I am sorry" she whispered, a little flustered.

"That should have killed you" the king commented.

"You were planning to kill her?" Erneis snapped.

"Because you are her protector, I will let that slide. I knew if she was as she claimed, it would not harm her, if however she was lying, it would have burnt her alive"

"I understand your logic, Your Majesty" Athelisa replied bravely as he offered her his hand. He put her cloak back on her before he turned away from her.

"It seems the gods really are cruel" he whispered. "For a moment... I thought I heard her voice"

"Who was it?" Athelisa asked.

He said nothing, not a word, just looked at a beautiful stone statue, silent, her dragon spirit sat behind her. Just caved in stone, beautifully pleasing to the eye, so well carved, it was impossible to not love it.

"Who was she?" Athelisa asked.

"My wife... I lost her along with our unborn"

"I am so sorry" Athelisa whispered gently.

"Do not tiptoe around me. It has been so long, I have almost gotten used to my existence, alone. I am the last Dragon Spirit of my bloodline, the last king. If it were safe, I would name you Queen of the Dragon Mountain however, the king of Evithas will not turn a blind eye"

"It is fine, I do not think I would much suit the role" Athelisa admitted.

"Perhaps, perhaps not and although I cannot name you queen, I can offer you another form of a title, one that those around me can and shall accept. What is your name?"

"Athelisa, my name is Athelisa" she replied boldly. 

"Then as by my right as King of Dragon Mountain, I name you Dame Athelisa the Fierce, Knight of the Dragon Mountains"

"I will fight for your kingdom when called to" she promised.

"That is not something I will force you to do. You are a knight, however in my eyes you are my heir. Go if you wish, do as you wish but remember, if you fight, you do so with honour, honour to your bloodline, to your king"

"I, Athelisa Dun Raven do promise to fulfil your wishes, Your Majesty"

"I Erneis of Enanor promise to help her fulfil her duty"

"What did you just say?" the king asked.

"That I promise to help her?" Erneis replied.

"Not you... her, Athelisa, what name did you just give?"

"Athelisa Dun Raven" she replied politely with confusion written on her face.