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  “She got lucky, that’s all.” Jasper scowled and threw his armor onto the ground along with the old sword.

  “Lucky? You have more blue on you than the Parvanian Ocean.” I couldn’t help but gloat.

  Jasper’s scowl got meaner and he stormed off into the house, leaving Papa and me to clean up.

  “Should I take his sword back to him?” I asked as I grabbed his jet sword off the ground.

  “No, give him some space. You embarrassed him out there. I’m so proud of you. I just didn’t think...I mean I didn’t expect...”

  “It’s fine Papa. I surprised myself too if I’m honest.”

  “I feel bad for underestimating you. It’s not something you will have to worry about again. I’m taking you out tomorrow.”

  “Out?” I asked, picking up the armor that Jasper had thrown down.

  “Into the mountains. You’re going to fill up that sword of yours. It needs the soul of a dragon and you’re going to be the one to put it there.”

  I looked at my father incredulously. It had taken Jasper nine months from getting his sword to having his first kill.

  “I’m not ready, Papa!”

  “Twenty minutes ago, I’d have agreed with that statement. You’ve shown me how wrong I can be and I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sure?”

  He put his arm around my shoulder and handed me my fire diamond sword. The final rays of the sun glinted for the last time that day.

  “My love, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

  Chapter Two

  Dawn sent rays of sunshine filtering through the ragged curtains in my bedroom. I jumped out of bed with an air of trepidation. Fear mingled with excitement as I pondered the day ahead. Today was my first hunt, the most important day for any dragon slayer. It was the most important job anyone in our village could have. The job all younglings yearned for. The one I was destined to have since the day of my birth, thanks to my slayer parents.

  I checked my reflection in the mirror. Long wavy hair cascading around my shoulders was completely inappropriate for any slayer. I was going on a hunt, not to a party. I tied it on top of my head in a messy bun and turned my attention to the clothes that I’d left out the night before. They were actually pretty basic—khaki colored leggings with a similar colored tunic and a thick, brown leather belt that my mother had bought me for my birthday. The shield of our family was engraved on the buckle, complete with the requisite silver dragon. It had the same fire diamond eyes as my sword so I knew to keep it away from Jasper.

  The floor shook as Jasper stomped around his room next door, no doubt still being the sore loser he was yesterday. Thunderous footsteps on the stairs followed by a slamming door told me he had left the house. I peeked out and sure enough, Jasper was stalking across the training ground towards the road that would take him to the village less than a quarter mile up the road. He was already covered in armor with his sword sheathed neatly at his hip, and I’d not even had breakfast yet. As if on cue, there was a knock at my door and my mother’s small voice came through.

  “Julianna. Honey, I’ve brought you some breakfast. I thought you might need it today.”

  I opened the door and kissed my mother on the cheek before taking the plate of bacon and eggs from her and setting it on my vanity desk.

  At just under four feet, she was the smallest person in the village and the most unlikely dragon slayer my family had produced. I couldn’t imagine her out of her flowery dresses and the white apron she always wore.

  “I’m not sure I can eat anything, Mom, I’m too nervous!”

  “I was watching you out there yesterday. You put your brother to shame, not that I’d ever tell him that. I have faith you’ll be an excellent dragon slayer just like the generations of Slayers before you.”

  “How did you do it, Mom?” With her small size and gentle personality, I doubted she’d be able to pick up my sword, let alone wield it at a dragon.

  “Oh, I was hopeless,” she said with a grin. “The sword was almost as big as I was and I was a complete bag of nerves. I honestly thought I was going to cause an avalanche with all the quivering I was doing walking up that mountain with your grandfather. And then we saw it. It was the biggest, ugliest mountain dragon you ever saw in your life and it was angry. Your grandfather charged at it, sword blazing, but tripped over a stone and knocked himself out.” She giggled as she replayed the memory.

  “So, it was just you and the dragon?” I’d never heard this story before. My father told us stories all the time about his escapades but my mother was usually quiet on the subject.

  She nodded her head. “I almost turned and ran down the mountain but I couldn’t leave my father.”

  My eyes widened at the thought. “So, what did you do?”

  “I pulled out a slingshot I’d borrowed from your uncle. He was eight years old at the time and had given it to me for good luck. I found a stone and shot it right at the dragon’s eye.” She chuckled quietly. “I got a clear shot and half-blinded the thing. He must have been disorientated because he began to rampage, spewing flames everywhere. I managed to pull my father into a crevice and the stupid dragon ended up setting himself on fire.

  “When the flames died down a bit and it looked like my father was stirring, I picked up my sword and plunged it into the dragon. My father opened his eyes and thought I’d fought with the dragon. I wasn’t about to dispel the notion. I told him that night that I couldn’t bring myself to do it again. He was just so proud of his dragon-slaying daughter that he let me be.” She took my hand and stroked it. “I’ve never told another soul that story so I’m hoping you’ll see fit to keep it to yourself. Your grandfather will never forgive me if he knew the truth.”

  I couldn’t help it. I laughed loudly then flung my arms around my mother.

  “Just so you know there is more than one way to skin a cat, or kill a dragon in this case. Now eat up, they’ll be waiting for you in the village.”

  I wolfed down the breakfast and my nerves dissipated. If my mother could do it, then I surely could. So what if she cheated a little? The end result was the same. Maybe I’d take some of her luck onto the mountain with me today.

  The armor was much trickier than the clothes had been. Every piece weighed me down, heavy with flame repellent magic. There were buckles to fasten and ties to knot and as each piece was put on, my ability to actually move became more and more impaired. I had no idea how I was going to manage to walk down the stairs, let alone climb a mountain. When my father came to see if I was ready and then kindly told me I’d put it all on backward, I was relieved to find that it was much easier to wear correctly. He handed me the weapons that would fasten to my belt—an 8-inch dagger and a water-logged grenade. Finally, he passed me my sword so I could fit it into its sheath. In a few hours’ time, after it was weighed down with the soul of a dragon, it would be the heaviest piece of equipment I possessed.

  My mother kissed my cheek and I felt her slip something into my pocket. I had a pretty good idea what. She winked and I left the house, ready for my adventure to begin. The walk to the village was a slow one. My father showed endless patience as I kept stopping to adjust something. Getting used to this armor was going to be tricky.

  Dust on the road swirled around my feet, dry from months of sunshine. It would have been so much easier if I’d been born in Spring or Autumn when the air was cooler, but no, I was born at the peak of the year, when the sun was at its hottest. I reminded myself that it was a day much like today, not too long ago, when Jasper had done his first kill and I’d already proved I could do better than him. I only hoped I didn’t let my father down. I understood my mother’s reluctance to tell her story. I needed to prove myself at all costs.

  Music met my ears as signs of a celebration began at the very outer reaches of the village. Red and gold bunting was strung from post to post. Excitement flooded through me at the thought of what lay ahead. I knew that when I got further into the town center, there
would be banners hung from windows and lamp posts with my name on them. All the villagers would come out to greet me, to wish me well for my big day. It was a small village so it wasn’t often someone turned eighteen. Before Jasper, it had been three years since they had been able to put on a party like this. And what parties they were.

  The newer slayers who had already acquired their dragon soul would go up into the mountains with the birthday boy or girl, but they were only there for back up. It was up to the person whose birthday it was to make the first kill. Of course, the village never knew when the festivities would begin since it depended on when during their eighteenth year they were ready for their first kill. Those left behind would spend the day baking and preparing for the celebration that was to come. A huge space on the village green was always left for the body of the dragon, and around the edges would be tables full of delicious food. Musicians would perform on the small stage and everyone would dance late into the night.

  A sudden thought hit me and memories of celebrations drifted away.

  “What happens if we don’t find a dragon?” I actually wanted to ask what would happen if I didn’t kill one but I didn’t want to appear weak.

  “You can always find a dragon, as long as you know where to look,” he replied heartily.

  “But what if—”

  “Julianna, I’ve lived in this village for forty-eight years. I’ve been to so many of these celebrations, I’ve lost count I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been one or two injuries along the way, but I’ve never—not once—seen a new slayer come back down from those mountains without a dragon. Hell, your mother managed it with her kid brother’s slingshot!”

  “She told me that this morning. She said you didn’t know.”

  “Honey, everyone knows. I personally think it’s the best dragon killing story I’ve ever heard, God bless her.”

  I smiled. There had never been a single new hunt without a dragon. It made me feel better until a niggling thought bored its way into my brain. What if I was the first?

  “Don’t you worry about a thing,” Papa said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “After today, you will know everything there is to know about being a slayer. Today, you will learn our secrets.” He winked and strolled to the center of the square.

  It seemed everyone had come out to greet me. I could barely move for the shouts of “Good luck!” and claps on the back. Smiles were aplenty as I shook hands and nodded graciously to the excited crowd. I breathed deeply and tried to hold back my nerves as words of congratulations were thrown at me. As the crowd thinned, I made out Jasper sitting on an old marker stone sharpening his already sharp sword. He still had the same grouchy look on his face that he’d had when I beat him yesterday.

  I scanned the other villagers, looking for the slayers who would be accompanying me up the mountain. There were so many people milling around it was difficult to see them all, but the tell-tale armor that slayers wore was visible here and there between all the other people.

  “It’s time, slayers!” someone shouted, and as if by magic, the crowd parted and the slayers congregated on the small patch of scorched grass that surrounded Jasper’s stone.

  I walked forward to join them, knowing all eyes would be on me. There was no need for introductions. I’d grown up with them, but it didn’t stop each and every one of them coming up to me and shaking my hand. Well, all except for Jasper who just looked at me moodily.

  I gazed up at the Triad Mountains. They looked spectacular in the bright morning sunshine. The middle of the three had snow on its peak, even in the summer sun. I’d never been allowed to climb higher than the village border before, marked by a fence that had been dug into the hard earth before I was born. I’d spent so much time looking up to these mountains, dreaming of the day I’d finally be able to conquer them, and now that day was here at last. I gulped at the thought of what lie ahead but a couple of deep breaths calmed my nerves. I was ready.

  I put my best foot forward and took the lead to the sounds of cheering behind me. The wonderful energy provided by the remaining villagers buoyed me.

  The fence beckoned to me in the distance and so I marched purposely forward toward my destiny.

  “You might have beaten me, little sister,” Jasper hissed into my ear. “But fighting me doesn’t compare to fighting a dragon. You’re not ready; you will fail.”

  I ignored him. He might be known as the strongest newbie slayer in the village, but as I looked up to the sun-bathed mountains, I knew that I’d prove him wrong yet.

  Chapter Three

  The hike up the mountain was more taxing than I thought it would be. I was fit but I hadn’t been given time to get used to the weight of all the armor. To take my mind off the struggle, I admired the view around me. At the other side of the village border was a thick band of giant evergreen fir trees that appeared to give the mountain a skirt. It was cooler under the shade of them which I was thankful for, but it wouldn’t last. I unhooked a canteen of water from my belt and took a deep swig.

  “Not so fast, Julianna!” said Marcus, one of the boys from the village. “We have a long way to go yet and dehydration will kill you faster than an angry dragon if you aren’t careful.”

  I slipped the lid back on and put the canteen away. I knew to listen to the more experienced members of the group. At twenty-three, Marcus was one of the younger ones but he’d been on enough of these expeditions to know what he was talking about. Brown pine needles carpeted the ground beneath us, making it soft and springy. Sounds of wildlife filled the air, birds in the trees and hidden animals scurrying in the undergrowth.

  I turned to Marcus. “Why is the village border below the tree line? It’s beautiful in here. Surely dragons don’t come into the woods.”

  “They don’t, but once we get out of the trees the terrain changes dramatically and that’s when you know you need to keep your wits about you. It’s rare that they come so low down the mountain but it’s not unheard of. You’ll see one or two scorched trees at the upper border. That’s the work of dragons!”

  Light filtered through the dense copse of trees much more freely now as we neared the upper edge of the woods. In a couple of minutes, I might be coming face to face with a dragon for the first time. Fear whipped through me and adrenaline pumped through my body. Scorched trees? I knew how to wield a sword but what good did that do against flames?

  “What if the dragon breathes fire in my direction?” I asked him, feeling woefully under-educated.

  “You duck!” he replied. “Quickly!”

  Great! I could barely stand up straight in the armor, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to duck, and I was positive that even if I managed it, I wouldn’t be able to do it quickly.

  I didn’t have time to panic as the trees gave way to a rocky gray terrain. Occasional weeds and the odd hardy flower grew between the cracks in the stones but that was the only sign of life. I tried to ignore the black marks on some of the rocks. Burn marks.

  The air turned from the sweet-smelling fragrance of pine to a faint acrid smell.

  “What’s that smell?” I asked, turning my nose up.

  “You’d better get used to it. It’s the smell of sulfur. It gets stronger the higher up you go. It’s the smell of dragons.” I turned to see Marcus grinning. He was enjoying this a lot more than I was.

  If I ignored the smell and immediate barren terrain, it was actually pretty beautiful up here. Once we’d cleared the treeline, I could see far into the distance. Looking back, I picked out our house with smoke coming out of the chimney, no doubt thanks to my mother’s baking. The village was tiny from this high but I could still make out the colors of all of the banners and decorations for the party tonight.

  I couldn’t look behind me for too long, because like Marcus had told me, I needed to keep my wits about me. The last thing I needed was to be flame-grilled when I was too busy admiring the view.

  The skies above me were clear except for the odd wispy cloud that scudded a
cross the sky. It was perfect slaying weather. Occasionally, from the village, I had seen dragons flying around the peaks but they were often so far away, they looked like birds, but there were none flying about today. I’d only ever seen dragons from such a distance that they were no more than dots in the sky, or the dead ones brought back to the village. I’d grown up surrounded by lore of dragons and I knew everything about them except anything practical.

  Three hours later and the terrain had become even more difficult to climb. Rocky outcrops and caves were everywhere so, although Marcus had told me to keep my wits about me, I didn’t really know where to look. It seemed like a dragon could be hiding waiting to pounce from anywhere, and there was evidence of them dotted all around us in the form of the discarded bones and carcasses of small mammals. The heat and the smell of sulfur intensified, and it was all I could do not to pass out. The trek was so much more grueling than I had expected and I’d already guzzled my way through half my water rations.

  My father who had been walking ahead stopped suddenly and raised his arm as a signal for us to follow suit.

  “There is a well-known dragon roost just round those rocks there,” whispered Marcus. “It’s where I got my first kill. Good luck!”

  For the first time, the fear that had been plaguing me throughout the entire trek turned into full-on terror. My time was nearly here. Just another fifty or so more steps and I’d be face to face with my first dragon. My father beckoned me forward. I’d be expected to go in there first.

  I put one foot in front of the other and began to walk forward.

  “Good luck, little sister,” hissed my brother as I passed him. “Don’t let the dragon burn you on the butt!” He laughed lightly but I held my head up and ignored him. I might be quivering on the inside but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

  “Julianna,” my father said, clapping me on the shoulder with his huge hands and nearly shaking some of my armor off in the process. “Whatever happens up there, I just want you to know I’m proud of you. I’ll be behind you the whole time and you’ve got the others as back up. If we see you struggling, we’ll step in but I want you to do everything to get that dragon without our help. Only that way will you capture his soul. You don’t want to fight him almost to the death and then have someone else come in to finish the job. You have to be the one. Do you understand me?”