Chapter 1 Marianna

Dragons.... a species said to be long extinct. A species some believed to have never existed at all.

I also believed that. I had a slight hope they were real but at the same time I assumed it impossible. That was until one day, I found 2 eggs. No bigger then the size of a melon. The imperial year was 476, and I was 17 years old. What could it be? I wondered as I stared at the light blue eggs. I looked around and saw no nest. If there was any chance of the creature inside them surviving, it would be best if I brought them back with me.

I picked up the eggs and began to carry them home. I was a Commoner in the small village of Hayden. My name "Marianna..." I heard it yelled from a distance. I quickly ran inside my small home and hid the eggs before loud knocking began on my door. I quickly ran and opened it.

"Miss Helen, what a surprise" i said with a smile "I called your name and you ignored me" miss Helen said obviously angry. She was an older woman in her 40s with a son around my age whom she was trying to convince me to marry. "Oh my miss Helen I was in my own little world I didn't even hear you call my name, I apologize" I said quickly, not exactly in the mood to argue.

"Hm i see, well my son has finally returned from the capital I thought it best you to finally meet" she said in a much calmer tone. "Oh, miss Helen I'm not sure I'm... very busy as of late" I said awkwardly. "Yes always out in the woods picking those herbs of yours" she said snidly. "The same herbs that cured your many colds" I replied to her. She had no retort. "Yes well Thomas will be back in 3 days time, I expect you to make time in your busy schedule to meet him at the very least" she said. "I will certainly do my best miss" I told her. "Good" she said then turned around and walked away I quickly closed the door, and sighed. It seems the drama never ends.

I turned around and pulled the eggs out of hiding. One was cracked. That wasn't like that before. Was it hatching? I didn't think this would happen so quickly. I had only just brought them inside. It wasn't showing any movement. Perhaps I had just bumped it when hiding it causing it to Crack. "I'm sorry little egg" I said as I stood up, then looked around my small home, then stopped at the cupboards. Right I need food. I thought to myself. I grabbed my small bag of coins and and a cloth bag then left the house, walking the short distance to the market.

I bought some apples and carrots. Some bread and cheese and even came by someone selling venison. It was the most common meat sold here. After all we were close to the woods so it was easy to hunt.

"Marianna!" A familiar voice called out in excitement. "Amelia!" I said happily as she ran up to me. Amelia was my only friend in this place. She was the only one who understood me. She was a year older then me and the Daughter of the baron, though she certainly didn't act like it.

"Have you heard the news Mari?" Amelia asked excitedly. "You are my source for information Amelia so I'm sure I haven't, what's this news you speak of?" I asked her. "The Duke is coming" she said in a whisper. "The dude what duke?" I asked "Duke Winchester" she said excitedly. "Isn't that the same Duke Winchester who killed his own family?" I asked "well yes but perhaps this is our chance to finally leave this place" Amelia said. "Our chance?" I questioned. My father is going to ask the Duke if he would be willing to accept my hand in marriage and if he accepts there's no way I can leave you here alone" she said as she grabbed my hands. "Amelia your far to many steps ahead of yourself. I don't mean to be impolite but the Duke will only marry for one of two reasons. That of love or that in which he gets something priceless" I told her.

"Do you not think I have nothing to offer?" She asked releasing my hands. "That isn't what I mean Amelia. Even I have heard the rumors about him. I just don't want you to get your hopes up" I told her honestly. "We shall see" she said turning and walking away. I let out a deep breath then quickly finished my shopping. Amelia was always one to run into things blindly. I thought as I began to walk home.

As I got closer to my house I noticed someone standing infront of my door. A man. He was handsome. Black hair and eyes to match I could tell immediately by his clothes he was a noble. And one of high standing at that. But what in the world would a noble want at my home. "Is there something I can help you with kind sir?" I asked as I approached the door. "Are you Marianna?" The man asked. "Who would like to know" I asked him in a serious tone, concerned at who might have sent him.

It wasn't every day a noble showed up at a commoners door. Especially one from a different region. "Answer me first" the man said simply "Are You Marianna?" He asked again. I gave a light smile. "I don't answer to nobles" I told him simply. "So you can either tell me who you are and why your looking for Marianna or you can leave and go back to where you came" I said annoyed. He let out a deep breath. Most likely realizing he wouldn't win this argument.

"I am Duke Cedric Winchester And I need Miss Mariannas help" he said politely.

To Be Continued