Blue

Oath

Not going to lie, I am a bit upset by the new guidelines for the entries for the Wattys. I had hoped to enter this book or Feral. But neither meet the requirements. I've been on wattpad since I was 12, I am almost 21 for reference, and the changes that have occured on this site have been tremendous and unfortunate in some regards. I no longer appreciate the forum like I used to, but am happy that I am still able to write and share for free. I worry that soon I won't be able to do that and it concerns me as someone who wants to let others enjoy what I've given for free.

All that aside, let us continue with the story at hand

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

This was it, her chance to be something else rather than a scared woman. All new guard members had been gifted new weapons, the dragon kin had weapons with decorations that matched their scale colors. She would not have such luxury though she wished she could.

Today was the day she and her new companions took their oaths of servitude.

Her new weapon stood waist high, she had requested a longer handle because of how she utilized the weapon. It came with a strap so she could carry it on her back as well.

The weapon itself was beautiful, a dark steel imbued with magic that made it impervious to damage. She knew magic existed but never had she thought she'd own something made by it, or encounter it in her life. What a foolish thought though, she was, to some extent, alive and existing because of magic. Everyone knew the story of the creation of the dragon kind.

It had been so long since she had heard it, but it was a story of comfort that her mother would tell her when she felt like an outsider in her family.

Gods, my mother is losing it.

The thought was so random as it came into her mind that she couldn't help but make a face.

I refuse to marry anyone but my mate, and to tell my mother that I've seen her would cause her to think I jest. I should not have let her go...

Tallulah could feel the anguish in that thought and it tightened in her chest. She stared at herself in the mirror that stood in the corner of her room. This was it, she thought.

For the ceremony she was dressed in a fine fitting tunic, nearly squeezing the life out of her chest which she had to bind extra tight to make sure nothing slipped. She worried slightly about her womanly figure in this getup, because some of her curves had become more pronounced with the addition of muscle. All of the others had someone to dress them, but she had to figure out everything by herself, she refused help, arguing that she wasn't of noble upbringing and that she could dress herself just fine.

She would have to make sure that the scales on her neck were adequately covered before leaving her room. She made sure the tunic had a high neck and that the doublet matched the color of her scales with a silver thread lining.

The only thing that held protection against the curve of her hips was the overcoat, sleeveless, allowing her doublet to come through in the arms, and it fell to her knees in length. The others would be in something similar. Her trousers were black in color, and boots to match.

Per Ander's suggestion she had given herself a haircut, and now her hair was an even length on all sides, cut close to her head, making any cowlicks she could have possessed all the more present. It worked though, with the scarring on her face she appeared more man like, her cheeks had filled out because she was getting proper nutrition, and it served to make her bulkier, by no means fat. The muscles that laced her figure for the attestation to that, but she was more than she had been, and in some regards she would consider herself unrecognizable if anyone she knew from what had been home, saw her.

A sharp rap sounded on her door.

"Come in!" It was a soldier.

"I'm here to escort you to the throne room," she nodded, collecting her axe and composing herself and her resolve.

They joined the group of new members and their soldier escorts. Her nerves had caused a squirming sensation in her gut. She didn't know what to expect for the oath, no one would elaborate further than basics. She had to pledge her service to the prince, and to commit any acts of treason would mean death.

They made their way to the throne room, the halls were empty, she suspected this event was something of a spectacle.

The room was immense and she felt absolutely dwarfed as they entered. She couldn't help but to admire the glass windows that shot up from floor to ceiling, a feat only possible with magic there was no other way at least not to her mind. The glass depicted scenes of war, of peace and it was beautiful. The ceiling was a mosaic and the floor beneath mirrored it.

Then there was him. His presence held the entire room's attention hers most of all. How she hadn't seen who he was upon first meeting him was beyond her.

He proudly displayed his scales now. And she thought they were beautiful, their inky color matched with the center of hers.

Such eager faces, I pity them.

Even with a smile on his face she knew those words were his. This was what she wanted and she wasn't backing out now.

"My people, these brave men standing before you have passed their trials and are here to take their oaths to defend you, their kin, and I their prince," she knew the words were all formality and nothing else.

I feel as if I've lead them to slaughter, they could die protecting me, damn everyone else who could see this as a good thing.

She had to swallow back the emotion that suddenly clouded her mind.

"Please, slept forward my new brethren," the soldiers that had escorted them seemed to melt into the crowd around them, allowing them to move forward as requested. She felt the eyes of everyone, and all too easily she felt suddenly self conscious and worried her disguise would fall away.

"My kin, one by one you will speak your oath to me, and to the people assembled, after doing so, you will cut your palm, and I shall do the same, after we will clasps hands, sharing blood to solidify the bond as protector and leader,"

It was an odd notion for certain. She was not expecting to swap blood, surely it was for formality only?

She missed the worried looks between Ander and Mykel.

One by one they said their oaths. She was almost last, her new archer friend came dead last. She took the blade in her hand when her turn came.

She hesitated for a second, a queen feeling welled up in her gut. Taking a deep breath She dragged the blade across her palm, saying,

"I swear my fealty, my axe, and my life to protect you, my prince, and the kingdom from what dangers we may face,"

She held out her hand, Atlas clasped it and she felt the sickness in her stomach dissolve immediately before passing out...