I felt my scales were being dragged over a rough surface. It felt like stone and not grass and dirt. Not the kind of surface I'm usually around. The aching pain at the back of my head was nearly killing me, but I slowly opened my eyes as I slowly came to. I at first saw a stone wall, passing by a burning torch casting off this bright but eerie glow to my surroundings.

Where...Where am I? I...I don't think I'm in a forest anymore. When I noticed I was moving, my back scraping across the floor, and that I wasn't doing anything, I had my eyes roll to what's making me do it.

I found I was chained to two dragons. Their brute strength was pulling me by my rear feet as the chains were wrapped over their chests. I narrowed my eyes at their backs, then I tried to move. But then I noticed that my forelegs were wrapped together in chains too, and found when concentrating directly on my snout that it was muzzled. I let out an angry snort, flicking my tail on the ground while I got pulled some more. Oh yes...Now I remember. I was fighting another dragon...Protecting Dart. But then more showed up...

That's the last thing I remember. I must've got knocked out. They didn't bother to kill me.

I was starting to feel infuriated under my scales. Oh, fantastic...Now I'm being held captive by dragons I don't know. This definitely isn't what I want in my life. I've already spent a lot of my time in one place, I don't want to stay in another for the unforseable future! I curiously eyed around this corridor I'm in, spotting these rooms that are behind these bars. They seem to be dungeons, where I assume, based off what I know about dungeons, prisoners are being kept. But where am I? This doesn't seem like an ordinary dragon's home. It doesn't appear I'm in a cave.

Where are we?

One black dragon that was dragging me shot a look over his shoulder. He reported, "Hey. Your bitch is awake." I gave him a glare. I ain't anybody's bitch, you prick.

The other one that was red chuckled, "Great. Maybe I can have a nice chat with her instead of fighting with her." I recognized the voice of the drake. He was the one I was battling alone with earlier. I even saw the wound I have given him on his wing. Now he looks proud and accomplished by his victory. That, of course, made me very angry. He went on, "I should ask her out for dinner. I got things to do, but I'm pretty sure we can both fit in our schedules. I am a little bitter about what she did to me, but I think all can be forgiven." His snout showed me a toothy, devilish smirk.

I growled through my closed snout with fire in my eyes. Get mounted.

On second thought...I want to continue our 'little chat' we left off.

If ONLY I could've said that!

The other drake said when he saw my emotion, "Looks like she's still mad at you."

The red scaled dragon carlessly responded, "Ah, who cares? She's not gonna do anything now. She's perfectly restrained." I began showing him that I wasn't gonna do this quietly, by thrashing furiously, my tail flopping up and down on the floor. I grumbled loudly when I tried to shout through the muzzle. The drake yelled, "Hey! Hey!" My so called escorts both whirled around and planted their paws on my form to stop me. With one paw pressing the side of my head against the floor, he leered toward my face. He said, "Knock that crap off. You already lost your battle. Be glad you'll actually live longer, and became the queen's prisoner." He grinned, "Then again, you may not live very long considering you are her prisoner. She can be rather unpredictable."

I growled at him again with my eyes shooting daggers. I'm not afraid. You may win this fight, thanks to your cheating with your pals, but I don't go down very easily. After that, those two got off me and went back to dragging me. Finally, about a minute later, my form was within one of the cells after one of them opened up a large gate that gave off a loud creak. It was a rather large rectangular room, built to keep a lot of prisoners inside. A couple torches were lit up to provide light in there as well so it wouldn't be so gloomy in here.

The two drakes settled me over at a wall across the gate. While I was still lying on my back, watching intently, the red scaled one I fought with before closed a shackle around my neck. Meanwhile his pal unwrapped the chains around my forelimbs and finally removed the muzzle off my snout. I took a deep breath as those two backed away from me. I rolled to my fours, stretching my wings out since they felt a little stiff.

Glad I can finally BREATHE again. But after I took another breath, I realized the air felt different. It seems like there was a whole lot of fire going on around here, and it smells smoky. But I chose to forget about that. I chose to rage at my captors with my tail lashed and bumping against the wall, "This is an outrage! You can't do this to me! I DEMAND FREEDOM RIGHT NOW!"

My red adversary declined while my rage echoed down the hall, holding a serious frown, "You don't get the right to walk freely like us. After what you pulled with us, you're an enemy to the queen, and be treated as such. She's going to LOVE to hear about you. You'll be seeing her soon."

I snarled, "I shall meet no one, you bastards! I'm gonna- Rrrrrrgh!!!" I tried to breathe fire at them, but for some reason my throat couldn't produce any flames. I was coughing and hacking. What?! The dragons laughed in front of me. I coughed once more before demanding, "What's the meaning of this?! This hasn't happened before!"

"Obviously not." The black drake answered, pointing his claw at my neck, "That shackle is behind your predicament. The queen wouldn't want any of her dragon prisoners getting any funny ideas. Like melting their chains and running off to play. Call that extra precaution, more than what the humans get." I frowned. Humans...Are humans held captive here too? The drake continued, "And don't think about pulling the chain off the wall either, it won't work. You're grounded here, until the queen says otherwise."

The red dragon giggled, swishing his tail. He said, bringing his snout closer to me, "You know, if you be on your good behavior, you'll probably impress the queen so much that she'll probably set you free. We can all be friends."

I growled, then my jaws snapped at his nose. He yelped and yanked himself back so fast to get away from my sharp teeth. I yelled, "I'm not your friend! And I serve NO ONE! NEVER!" I ended that with a defiant snort.

He just glared at me for a bit before nodding. While his black comrade, carrying the chains in their shoulder and my muzzle in his paw, padded for the exit, the red drake said, "Whatever, I didn't like you very much anyway. You gave me quite a beating earlier. This is your punishment, and I like it." He spun, with his tail slapping me across the face. I grunted and hissed in frustration. I heard his voice say while leaving the cell with a swishing tail, "Love to see how long your pride lasts here before it wilters. Have a good night."

With that, the gate was slammed shut, leaving me stranded alone. Right away, I tried breathing fire on my chain, but I still couldn't do it. I groaned sharply. What is this?! Is it made of...Magic? That can't be possible. I clawed at the shackle on my neck, but couldn't pry it open. It was locked up tightly. Then I backed away from the wall and tried pulling the chain off the wall, but it wouldn't budge. I repeated over and over, but it was no use.

I hissed as another idea came to me. Should I use my invisible scales? Try to trick someone into thinking I escaped and have them come in here and check it out, so I can try to take the key off them? I'm not even sure if they could get me out of this. I know if I tried being invisible the shackle wouldn't disappear with me. It would float in the air. I could lie down, make someone think no one is wearing it and it's lying on the floor, and that might bring them right in, but then I'd also have to fight for the key, and who knows if I can win like this? But then, they might catch on to the ruse anyway. It isn't like invisible scales is not a known thing among dragons.

Arrgh, I can barely think up waterfalls, peaceful winds and rolling clouds with this damn thing on my neck! And who knows if this damn thing will even let me become invisible!

What kind of shackle is it?! Is...Is it really...Enchanted with magic?

Is magic actually...Real? How is it possible...?

I softened up my expression with a sigh, dipping my chin. I was most definitely a prisoner.

I tried protecting this human who I never spoke to, and probably had no business with...And this is what I get.

I've never been a prisoner to anyone before. I never knew what it felt like...But I do now.

This is the most humiliating thing that's happened to me. It's worse than losing that fight earlier.

The gate flew open behind me. I shot a glance at the sudden appearence of a dragon. He was a big black drake, a whole lot BIGGER and TALLER than the last one I met. My eyes went wide a bit. Huh, what has HE been eating? The drake rumbled in his deep voice, "You, new prisoner, you got yourself a cellmate. Hope you two get along." I saw him turn to the side, then pointing his claw through the gate, silently ordering the other prisoner to enter.

I rolled my eyes. Oh great. Now I got company to witness my humiliation.

My ears flicked to the sound of talons clicking on stone outside the bars. Another figure appeared with the larger one.

I sighed. This is SO not what I wanted in my life.

*****

My eyelids cracked open as I lied on my back. My vision slowly slid into focus. I didn't see the moon, no sky, but I was surrounded a bit in darkness with only some shred of light.

I blinked a few times. I...Am I...Dead?

I must be...

But...Shouldn't things be MUCH brighter than dimmer? I know I don't believe in life after death all that much, but I don't think that's how things work.

When I moved a bit, my side ached. I groaned. Ow...All right...I don't think I'm dead. I can still feel. I wrinkled my brow in confusion. But where am I? Then I actually started to notice I was feeling a little...Wobbly. And I can hear footsteps on the floor too.

And I ain't even moving.

Huh? What in the-? I sat up, then let out a startled yelp when I suddenly slid off something. I landed hard on my feet a moment later, relieved that it wasn't a high fall, but my sore side did kinda give me some pain upon landing.

But I ignored it, since I was basically confused now. What's going on here? I turned a bit to my right, seeing torches lined up on a wall in some stone corridor...And then I caught a big, scaly flank and a tail in my sights. My eyes went wide. I whirled around, seeing more scales in a pale yellow color with a wing on the side. I found I was facing a dragon, the daggers in their eyes staring right at me.

I sucked in a breath, backing away and planted my back against a wall. I realized now that I was carried by a dragon on its back while I was unconscious. That's why I slid off. Then I tried dashing down the path away from the monster, but the dragon blocked my way. He spread his wings out for good measure. I stopped forth with a skid, gazing at it with wide eyes.

The dragon growled, "Don't think about running away, boy."

I stared at him in disbelief. I stated, wiping my eyes, "What's going on here? Am I...Dead?" I know I'm very much alive, but it all feels like a dream anyways.

"No, you're not dead." Then the drake said, "And since you've finally woken up...I don't have to be dealing with dead weight. And you better do what I say, or you will be...For real."

Is he serious? I demanded with an angry look, "Hey, you're a dragon! Why should I do what you say?!" The thing hissed, but I ignored that since I swept my gaze all over the corridor, firing more questions at him, "Where am I? What's going on? Why have you brought me here?!"

After folding his wings against his back, the only response he gave me was this, "You'll know soon enough." The huge creature raised his forepaw and pointed a claw down the corridor the other way, "Walk, and keep yourself in front of me. If I hadn't made it clear, I'll say this. Try anything stupid or continue arguing with me and I'll kill you. Let's go, human."

I flat out refused, "Screw you." The dragon only gave out a little snarl, flicking his tail. My eyes went wide again. I probably shouldn't have said that to him, but I couldn't help it. I wasn't planning on letting a giant lizard tell me what to do. But then I realized I didn't have my dad's sword anymore...And I was given a second chance at life...For now....For some reason.

I wanted to demand an answer from him as to why, but then I gave in with a sigh, "Alright...Fine." I thumbed behind me for clarification, "Down this way?"

"Yes." The dragon ordered, still looking disgruntled but growing impatient, "And stop asking dumb questions from now on. I hate when your kind always asks them more than they argue. Move it." I dipped my chin and turned around and strode down this dim path. I can hear the dragon following me, and I can feel his eyes solely placed on my back while I led the way. Confusing thoughts were flowing through my head. I don't get it. I thought dragons would always kill first and never bother to ask questions.

Apparently that isn't the case with me. But why am I still alive? The dragons seemed to have brought me to this...Lair of theirs. Why didn't they just kill me? Are they just saving me for a later snack? That doesn't surprise me. No wonder that thing won't answer my questions.

Then Clear Sight crossed my mind. What happened to the village? All destroyed I'm certain. What about all the villagers? Did everyone die there? Did anyone make it out of there alive?

Am I...The only survivor?

Did...My mom and dad actually die? Did Heather perish too?

I furrowed my brow. No, wait...This dragon mentioned that he hates when my kind always asks questions, are there other humans here too? Perhaps kept alive too so they can be eaten later?

But that doesn't make sense. Shouldn't we all be dead already to be eaten?

Maybe they like their food fresh, not decaying and filled with maggots. I honestly didn't believe that, even if that was a fact. I kinda figured I wasn't being kept alive to be eaten, but I've been kidnapped for another reason. And other humans, who knows how many, have been kidnapped by dragons too for a reason. Perhaps the same one as me.

Something else is going on...But what? I couldn't figure out why yet, but one thing I do know is I didn't like this bad feeling I was having, besides the dragon behind me and watching me and making sure I wouldn't do something brave. The fact of not knowing what's going on is giving me this unsettling feeling.

While strolling in the tunnel still, I noticed the air I was breathing felt...Different. I never breathed in something like this before. It didn't feel clean. The air felt so smokey, ashey. I'm definitely not at home, and this most definitely feels like a dragon's lair, although I never been in one obviously. But where am I exactly? How long have I been unconscious? How far am I away from home?

Maybe I didn't have to wait long to have my questions answered. I can tell we were getting to the end of the corridor. I can also hear some voices down that way too getting closer. Questioning, scared voices. I think there were people down there. When I reached the opening, I found I ended up in a huge circular room with stone pillars around the circle holding up the ceiling of the massive room. Bright torches were placed at different spots to help illuminate the area. There was also a big crack across the middle of the ceiling, big enough for a dragon to fly through. I think I can see the sky to the outside world through there. It must still be night.

It turned out I was right a second ago. There were people in here, standing in the middle of the place, with a few dragons surrounding them, guarding them's more like it. Like what was happening to me. By my count there were probably about a bit over twenty humans in here. From where I stood I recognized all of them. They all came from my village. Turned out I wasn't the only one that was kidnapped from home.

I saw Gunther's buddy that was knocked away by a dragon earlier was alive and well. He didn't looked pleased. Probably in a bad mood from taking commands from a scaly monster like I was. Or maybe he was sore like I am. Or maybe both. I also saw the twin ladies themselves, Rose and Lily, were here too. And the apple vendor. A couple members of the village council my dad mingles with. I didn't see Heather, Gunther, the new handsome villager Kay, and my family though. It makes me wonder what all that meant.

But the thing that shocked me more than anything else...Was that there were a few children in here too. One of them was hugging close to their mother's leg, and the other two were huddled together in fright with tears rolling down their faces.

I was feeling disgusted by this. First they destroy their home, their childhood, and now they're being held against their will too like the adults. What did they want from the children?

What did they want from ALL of us?

And at the other side of this area, I can see a big stone chair just sitting there. Like it was ROYALLY sitting there. I know stories of my dad wandering in a couple castles in the past and walking inside throne rooms to meet any kingdom's royal family, to meet their majesty and highness.

Was this...A throne room?

I was taken out of my thoughts by a bump from behind me. I grunted, shooting daggers at the dragon still with me. He ordered, "Keep going. Your allies are waiting for you."

Don't have to tell me. I did as he told, strolling ahead without question. But he urged me onward with his snout, as if I wasn't doing what he ordered. I staggered a bit but didn't complain. I finally wandered near the group of chattering people, talking amongst themselves, confused as hell like I am. The dragon that kept ordering me around finally got off my back, and joined his troop that was guarding us.

I heard the child that was with their mother asking her, 'Mommy, when can we go home?'. That sort of innocent question. I wished I can answer it. But I have a feeling whatever situation we're in...It's probably never. Rose and Lily noticed me along with a few other people. One of the villagers cried 'Dart!' happily. The twins looked genuinely surprised at my appearence, but they appeared to have been crying as well. Probably scared out of their minds.

"Fancy seeing you guys." I looked around the place with a confused brow, asking, "What's going on here?"

Rose replied confusingly, "We're not sure. We woke up just like everyone else."

Lily sounded depressed with a glum look, "We tried begging them to take us home but they won't budge. They keep telling us to wait here for their queen."

Rose said in a sad tone, "I wish Kay was here."

I pressed, "Queen?"

Rose nodded, "Yeah."

Lily said, "We didn't know dragons have a queen. They can't have a queen...Can they?"

Heck, I didn't know they can. My dad probably never heard of that. I asked, "What about my family? Did you see them here too?"

They both shook their heads. Shortly, Lily answered herself, "I don't think so." I nodded in acklowedgement. I figured as much.

Rose sobbed as fresh tears came brimming in her eyes, "But our parents are dead! They didn't make it."

My heart broke for those two. Oh god. Lily went on with a depressed tone, her eyes starting to water too, "Heinrich tried to get us away, but we watched him die in front of us. And then...Everything went dark and we woke up here."

Rose balled, "What are we gonna do?! They've kidnapped us! We're trapped!"

That's when Gunther's lackey scoffed, "We thought our village would stay safe from dragons, how did they find us? We were well hidden!"

The apple vendor concurred, "It's impossible." I looked away as something came to mind. I was at the edge of the forest when they showed up. Maybe they saw me, after I just stood out there feeling nervous about leaving home and pondering a bit, and that was why they started attacking.

Crap...Maybe it's MY fault. I probably started this. I was beginning to regret ever wanting to leave my home. All my dreams of having an adventure had costed everyone their lives.

Then the bully went on, "Hell, we thought Mr. Fucking Legend himself would protect us from them, but he buggered out like a chicken wuss he always was! No wonder we lost our village! He didn't do a damn thing!"

Wait, so my dad's really alive? Did he make it out of there after all? I didn't ask him that. I doubted he knows anyway. Instead I gave that guy a glare. I strode up to him and told him, "You better shut your mouth right now. We're still alive, aren't we?"

But the dude mouthed off, "Yeah, till we're dragon food. And what are you going to do about this in the meantime? Juggling balls like a jester? They'll eat you up in one chomp if they disapprove! I might've if I was them!"

I wanted to slug him right in the teeth for doubting my father and insulting me again. But I made a snide remark, "You complain about my dad, fine whatever. But what about Gunther? I didn't see him risking his neck out for you."

He only narrowed his eyes.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I consoled everybody around me with my hands held out in a whisper, "Look, listen, everyone...If my father's alive, he will come rescue us."

One little girl walked up and asked her desperate question, "He will?"

I nodded at her with a tiny hopeful smile, "Of course he will. He knows how to deal with dragons better than anybody. He'll know what to do. I know he can rescue us. I know he'll get us out of here." I gazed at everyone else to finish with this small sentence, "Just TRY to calm down, all of you." I looked up through the crack in the ceiling. If he can risk his neck out for us against a tribe of dragons. And IF he ever gets here. Let's hope he is alive.

Then suddenly, Rose ran out of the circle to a nearby dragon. I think that was the same one that was pushing me around. I gasped, rushing out to get her. So much for being calm! The dragon hissed at her when she got up close. I was right behind her, trying to pull her away. I tried telling her, "Rose, stop!"

But she begged the creature, "Please! Let us go!"

The dragon growled, trying to shove her away with the back of his forepaw, "Go on! Back in the circle, you maiden!"

Lily cried from within the circle, "ROSE COME BACK!"

But Rose didn't listen to her either. She screamed again, "LET US GO!" Then all the other people came up to us like they were a bunch of cows and joined the fray, all disobeying the order, all demanding to take us all back home. I was, to say the least, a little surprised by this. Huh...So much for listening to me.

The pale scaled drake flared his wings and lashed his tail as his pals that were with him joined at his side. He shouted over the chorus of voices to keep us in check, "Hey! ENOUGH! All of you shut up and get back to your-"

A earth shattering roar reverberating the walls around the area made us all be quiet. I sucked in a breath. The roar went on through an echo till it was drown out by silence.

Yike. It sounded like it came from above. Me and everyone else all turned our attention to the ceiling. There was another dragon up there, peeking at us all through that huge crack. The dragon's form flew down, circled around the big room for a second, smoothly gliding past a few pillars without ever hitting them, and landed their fours in front of the throne chair. The dragon stood tall, looking regal with their majestic wings curling on their back. It was covered in bright ruby scales, with some jewels embedded at different spots on their body. It was wearing a big, sapphire necklace around its neck. More jewels were layered along the edges of their wings.

I took by how glamorous it looked, even though I never thought a dragon could look that way, that it must have been the queen the twins were talking about.

When she had her attention to us humans, I let out a quiet gasp. Sheesh! The queen may have jewels on her and may look regal and faboulous, I certainly did not think so, but her face was another story. Apparently she lost her left eye, with a bad scar that ran downward over where the eye used to be. It made her look scary. It's probably the scariest thing I've seen tonight, other than seeing everything in my life being torn apart again.

God...What happened to her?

The red queen announced herself with a grin on her snout, "Well...I have your upmost attention. Splendid! I LOVE gaining people's attention. It's so amazing when everyone pays mind to me." She held up her head, her tail swishing behind her, "Do you all know who I am?"

I frowned. Uhhhh...No? I know she's the queen, but other than that, no. All the people with me were just mumbling in their questioning tones.

"Now really, this is insulting." She had her paws to her chest with a mocking wide eyed look, "How do you NOT recognize the MWAH standing before you all? How do you not recognize ME?"

Gunther's lackey apparently had enough of this. He got in front of the circle of people and shouted in annoyance, "We don't know who you are! We don't keep up with dragon queens!" One dragon padded up and hissed him to shut up.

"Oh, that's such a shame." She chuckled, flicking her forepaw, "You're missing out on seeing the GLORINESS of my reign. Then again...I did hear you were living in a forest. That explains it all. Don't get out much, huh?"

After I pushed through some people, I stood at the edge of the circle at the front facing the queen bitch. I demanded with daggers in my eyes, balling my fist, "What do you want?"

The queen barked out a laugh, "HA HA HA! And here come the questions! Just as I always expected! 'What do you want?', 'Why am I here?', 'Why are you doing this?', 'Why did you kidnap me from my home?', 'Why didn't you kill me?'" She rolled her only eye that still worked, "I swear, it all gets pretty redundant when you hear them enough times."

I bet it does. Sounds like she's done this sort of thing before. How many times has she kidnapped humans? How many exactly does she have?

I can imagine...A LOT.

Gunther's pal made another impatient outburst, "Will you quit playing around with us and just tell us why you brought us to this god forsaken hole and who the hell you are already!!"

The dragon that told him to be quiet earlier heatedly commanded, "Be quiet! You don't talk like that to the queen!" The lackey just glared up at him.

The ruby scaled queen didn't look mad. She merely started off, "Like getting straight to the point. I do too. I'm not the most patient one, I admit." She introduced herself with a flutter of her wings and her head held high, "I am Messina! And as you may figure...I am the matriach of this...Heh heh, well...FINE, GRUELING, DARK, AMAZING estasblishment." I just stared at her with hatred. I knew from father that dragons can have names for themselves, like people, but even I wouldn't care what her name was. She was just another dragon in my eyes.

Messina declared, "As for what I want from you...You're all going to be my slaves. From now on, all of you are going to do as I say and have no questions asked."

I blinked with surprise. Her words sent a shiver down everyone. They were talking nervously to each other. Slavery...So that's what this is about...By gods. I heard of dragons from dad that love hoarding treasure, cause they like shiny things I guess, but this takes the cake.

The children were sniveling. Rose cried out, "We can't stay here! Let us go!"

Another villager argued as well, "She's right! Let us go!"

Messina shook her head at their pleas, "Sorry, can't do that. Because then you'd have to end up like the others that suffered a painful death before you. You can't go back to where you came from. None of you have a home anymore. Your home is HERE now! And don't worry...Your job as BITTER slaves will not be a hard one. I don't make anyone scrub my stone floors clean to make them spotless, or fluff my pillows, or fan me...Unless they want the special privledge in doing so. I wouldn't mind it." She growled in twisted satisfaction, "No, no, it's VERY simple, and VERY endearing...All you have to do is DIG...Dig for all the jewels I want!"

The mother of one of the children protested, holding her kid close, "You can't do this to us! This is heinous! We have a right to live a free life!"

Messina giggled deviously, "Ohhh, yes I can. I can do whatever I want. You have no say in anything." She added after making a scoff, "They never do."

The mother argued, desperation shone in her eyes, "But what about the children? You can't have them do force labor! They don't deserve this travesty!"

"But what's a hatchling to learn about life if they don't do the hard things?" I still held my glare for the dragon queen. I think they already have learned things the hard way, you bitch. Messina strode up to the group. When she got close to everyone, she snaked her head down to the children's levels. She said with her eye solely onto them, "Then again, they don't have to do anything. I always wanted a hatchling...It's just too bad I'm always busy to have one. Hey, if I cannot have one, what gives another mother the right?"

The mother gasped, her hand on her lips. I think I heard her mutter 'you wouldn't dare'. I didn't like what she implied either. As she was bringing her snout closer to the children and scaring them more, I immediately stepped in between her and them. I said in a protective manner, looking her dead in the eye, "You leave them be."

Messina praised, smirking, "Aw, how touching." She brought her head back up and I never took my eyes off her. She deflected, "You think I was going to HARM the children? Who do you take me for, a hatchling smasher? I never smashed one egg in my life!" The queen shrugged her shoulders before she added, "I'd probably find that entertaining. It'll be like cracking a coconut from a very long height! But we all got to keep growing our numbers don't we? Boring, but what can you do? And who am I to murder a little one if they can live longer than their mommies and daddies, hmmmm? Think about that."

Honestly, she made a point, but I didn't like what she had in mind either way. Messina took a deep breath, then said, "All right. I think I've said all there is to be said. No more introductions needed. And remember this...If any of you try to defy me, or disobey anyone that gives you an order...Then there will be SEVERE CONSEQUENCES." A evil giggle welled up in her throat, "Something which I SHALL ENJOY." Then she locked her eye on to the other dragons in the room. She ordered, "Guards! Take them to the dungeons!"

The dragons bowed, and they began ushering us away from her and the throne with their wings, barking orders at us. Messina went to the throne chair, sat in it, and watched her faithful subjects take their newly found slaves away.

Along the way, I eyed at the same corridor I came out of. I didn't see any other dragon inside there, nor spotted one guarding it. Then I eyed a rock on the stone floor....Then to the pillars at one side of the room closest to me.

That gave me an idea.

I made a defiant face. Huh...Endearing my ass. I'm not going to be anyone's slave. Especially not to a dragon! I never had this in mind before I attempted to leave home. Even my dad would never agree to this!

This may not be the BEST idea in the world...But it's all I've got.

I don't care if I am risking severe consequences, I'm getting the hell out of here!

When I was over the rock, I quickly picked it up. I glanced at the guarding dragons. Nobody saw me pick it up. Not even Messina, who was now busy cleaning her foreclaws with her tongue. Good. Then, without any scalies looking, I chucked the object towards behind one of the pillars. It made a loud noise. Apparently it was loud enough for the dragons ears to pick up.

I turned and watched Messina get up from her chair and say in alarm, "What was that?"

The pale yellowed dragon responded, "I don't know. It sounded like it came from over there." His talon pointed at the spot.

Messina commanded, "Check it out. Someone may have snuck over there." A few of her dragons went over there to check, while one of them stayed behind with us humans. Messina decided to go see too, joining her subjects. I eyed at the one closest to us. He wasn't entirely concentrating on us. He was interested in seeing what was going on. I looked at the other prisoners beside me. I think a few of them did notice, and their eyes figured what I was up to, and pleaded me not to do it. But I ignored them and checked on the other giant lizards, and saw their backs were turned.

Now's my chance!

While they were searching that part of the area, I was sneaking away from the group and headed for the corridor. I know I probably won't make it to the tunnel like this, but if they search around there long enough and if I do make it, maybe just right at the entrance, I may get a bit of a head start from them if they do spot me. I continued to tiptoe across the room for that entrance, trying to steady my breathing as sweat threatened to form on my forehead. Just be calm...Don't make any sudden noises.

I looked back at the villagers, seeing they didn't move away and join me in my escape. That was perfectly fine. I figured they wouldn't wanna try this out. But if I did escape this place, I did plan on finding help and bringing it back to rescue them. It's the least I can do for them, to partly atone for my mistake I caused for our home. I hope I can do this. I tried darting my eyes to one dragon that was supposed to watch me and the other people then back to the others that were still busy looking around.

But when I was about a few feet away from the group of people, while I checked behind me, my foot kicked another loose rock I didn't see, and it made a slight noise. I jumped, sucking a sharp gasp. Crap!

The dragon behind the captured villagers heard me and shouted, "Hey! One of them's escaping!"

I yelped, dashing fast for the corridor. I heard Messina scream, feeling she spotted me too, "Damn it, it was a trick!"

My form quickly dove through the entrance, my eyes wide with my arms pumping madly away. Several words of adrenaline laced with fright leaped out of my lips, "Oh god, oh god, oh god!"

The queen's commanding voice carried with me down the corridor, "Don't just stand there, you idiots! AFTER HIM!!!"

I shot a quick glance behind me, seeing the dragons were after me now. They were all running with their wings tucked in their sides. Crap, here they come! I tried speeding up, each burning torch I pass by almost a blur. My side that was still sore brought me some waves of pain when I was running so fast, but I flat out ignored them. I was vastly determined to make my escape. I quickly realized I didn't know where I was going. After all I never been here before. But I didn't let that stop me either. It's like I always thought before I tried leaving home...I let where the road takes me.

Although this hall was going on a bit longer than I thought. It made me wonder if there was ever an end.

But it turned out there was. I saw from a distance that there was a two way end. I didn't know which path to take out of here, but I had to make a quick decision. I looked over my shoulder again. The giant lizards were still after me, and they were kinda gaining on me.

Yep, no time to think now. I decided to take a right uppon reaching, but when I turned the corner, another big dragon was in the way. I cried, skidding a bit before turning back. The dragon yelled upon coming across me, "Hey! Hold it!" Like that, he too began to give chase. I quickly found the other dragons that were already chasing me were about to reach the two-way start before I was on the left path.

I heard one of them cry out, "Look out!" I took notice that the group of dragons that were after me accidentally ran into that lone drake. Almost all collided and fell in heaps with only one still standing. He was barking at them to hurry up and get up. I wasn't letting them get that chance.

I found another right soon after and took it. Other than my heart pounding in my chest, my head was already sweating arrows. I was hoping other than what I saw that by taking corners maybe it'd slow them down a bit. When I got down maybe several feet, I was seeing if they were on their way now. I didn't see them yet, but I can see their huge shadows on the wall thanks to a torch and their voices. They were close to reaching this new corridor I'm currently on. Figures since they ain't the types to give up, they're dragons after all, but I've already gotten a huge head start.

I gazed ahead, confused expression on my face. Ok, is this the path to take me out of this place? I saw a entryway from a distance. Should I go through there? I quickly ducked through it, but then I stopped short with a gasp. I came across a HUGE, square room that was filled with four great mounds of colorful jewels. The light from the torches in here made some of the wealth sparkle.

I realized this was a treasure room. Apparently Messina has amassed such a load off her slaves. This is where she keeps it all, besides wearing some herself. I narrowed my eyes at the spectacle. I hadn't imagined how much she's gotten, but this was ridiculous. I vowed that she'd pay dearly for using innocent humans for her own gain.

I snapped myself out of this little trance since I can hear the voices of my pursuers. I quickly made up the plan to hide from them. I dove into one of the jewel mounds, burying myself in the jewels as quietly as I could. I peeked through a little opening through the treasure, watching in time for all the dragons to go by the treasure room entrance in the hallway. Their raging voices droned on down further away till I couldn't hear them anymore.

I waited for a second, then realized they didn't turn around to search this room. I let out a sigh of relief. Glad that worked. I crawled my way out of the treasure. Now time for me to get out of here without someone pursuing me. I jogged to the opening, peeking around the corner. I saw no one was there and took down the same way those bastards did. I wandered through this place a little bit, taking peeks through openings I come by to see if there was a dragon anywhere, or a way out. I really wondered what this sort of place was...Or even how huge this place actually was.

Then I finally found a big opening to my left. I figured this was the entrance to this place. I beamed at the sight. A way out. I ran for it as fast as I could, ready to get the heck out of here. Ideas rushed through my head. I don't know where I am at exactly, since I never seen the world before. I gotta figure out where. But first I have to get as far away from here as possible. When I do, I'll try to figure things out.

And if I can find someone that'll tell me where Clear Sight is, that would certainly help me out.

I gotta get home. I gotta find my family. I gotta find Heather. I gotta make sure they're all okay. And I gotta get dad and anyone else that's willing to help rescue all those poor people and put an end to this treachery.

When I rushed outside, the air still smokey as the inside, I gasped loudly as I slowed to a stop.

I found I couldn't get out of here.

A wide river of molten lava was slithering in front of me. From afar where I stand, the lava flow poured into a gorge I think. I can see land on the other side of the hot river, a forest that was black as the dirt beneath my feet. Some trees were bare while others were not. I looked around, and saw a volcano from far away, the top spewing black air into the sky. I threw my eyes upward, the sky just super cloudy with smoke. It was so thick that not even the sun could possibly break through it. I couldn't tell if it was day or night around here.

So, the dragons are living near a volcano. No wonder the air doesn't feel clean! I eyed back at the river of lava again. A worrying look appeared on my face. This is a way out...But there's no way I can get across that. It's too far for me to jump over it. I'm stuck here!

What am I gonna do?!

Before I knew it, I heard some footsteps planting in a rush. But before I could look, I was suddenly swiftly off the ground. I cried, squirming and kicking my feet, "Hey!"

I was grunting when I realized I was held captive by a dragon. His tail had snuck up behind me and coiled tightly around my form, and it brought me above a couple feet off the ground. I knew dragon tails were prehensile...But I didn't want to be held by one!

Several other dragons, most likely the ones that were chasing me before, appeared before me besides the one that got me. I tried thrashing in the tail's grip as it brought me close to the dragon's side, even trying to pry it off with my hands, but I couldn't get free. I shouted angrily at them, "Put me down you bastards!"

One dragon with black scales taunted, tapping a pointy talon on the top of my head, "Thought you could escape, huh? No one does."

The green drake that held me by the tail said, "You should give up now. You ain't going nowhere. Unless you want me to toss you in the lava."

"I'm not letting you win!" I went back to wriggling, bouncing my head back and forth, kicking my feet some more, grunting loudly in total defiance.

The green scaled dragon groaned as I continued to struggle, "Argh, he's not cooperating." He turned to one of his allies, "You'll have to knock him out."

The black dragon volunteered with a grin, "My pleasure."

Then his paw swiped down and knocked me off the tail. I hit the earth hard and just laid there. I was kinda hurt by the impact.

But that didn't matter. I was feeling dizzy, and everything quickly went black.