Chapter 2: A strange meeting

                                    

                                          
When I got all my things together and attached Blackfyre to my waist I existed my home. Father follows me and stands in the doorframe watching me leave the village I lived in for almost my entire life. The village was not large it consisted of a handful of farms located near the river Rhoyne. It may not look like much, but the people are warm and friendly. I looked once more to my father and waved him goodbye. 
                          
The first day of travel went by without running into any troubles, the weather was nice and I encountered no bandits or any other vagabonds on the road. When the sky was turning dark I started to look for an inn or tavern. It took me some time to find, but after another hour of walking I spotted one on a small hill. The inn is not large, but it looks cozy and warm. It was mainly made of wood on a stone foundation. I made my way to the inn and opened the door. As soon as I opened the door the smell of stale ale and burning wood hit my nostrils. As I walked in and closed the door every patron in the inn looked up to see who has entered. Some eying me with suspicion, others did not care much and focused on their food and drinks.  As I looked around for the owner or a staff member, I noticed a man with a beard behind the bar. The man was large and had a belly, most likely from drinking, and was cleaning some wooden mugs. I make my way over to the bar and took a seat at the bar. The large man came over to me. "Also traveling to Volantis, miss?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise "How did you know? I did not even say anything."
                          
The large man laughed. "Where else would you go? Not many interesting things in the area, and especially if you are looking for work." "I guess you are right about that. Do you have any rooms available?" I asked the man.  "I have one available, 5 silver a night. Want some food during your stay too?" the man asks. "Yes, please!" I said eagerly. Traveling and seeing new things is a nice change of pace instead of staying in the village, but it sure makes you hungry.
                          
"Coming right up!" the man said and went to the kitchen to prepare the food. As soon as he left, I hear a female voice speaking to me from behind. "Lady Blackfyre, you must protect the dragon." I almost jumped out of my seat in surprise. Not only did the person know my true family name, but also because she stood right behind me. 
                          
"Aah! What?! Who are you?" I said while turning around to face the woman. The woman that stood there wears a red robe with some kind of strange necklace around her neck. She looks like your average woman. A woman you would find anywhere. "A follower of the Lord is who I am. Follow the dragon and protect it. It will lead us to victory and you must be at the dragons' side," the woman answered. "Follow the dragon, and you will find what you need." 
                          
As if that was not strange enough, the woman turned around and started to leave. I quickly put a hand on her shoulder before she could make her way to the exit. "What are you talking about? Dragons are extinct. They are no longer part of this world." The red priestess turned her head towards me. "Really? Then why do you dream of them?" I was gobsmacked at her answer. "How...?" Instead of answering she just left the inn. "What was that about?" I whispered to myself.
                          
"Here you go, miss!" Again I almost fell out of my seat in surprise. "Are you alright? You look like you have just seen a ghost," the large man with the beard says. "Well, I might as well have, who was that? The red priestess." 
                          
"Red priestess? I have not seen one in a while. Are you sure you are alright?" the man asks "I don't know anymore... anyway thanks for the food. What do I owe you?" I said with a slightly shaky voice. "5 silver and 8 copper pieces, miss." I take out the number of coins and give it to him. "Thanks miss and do try to take it easy, yeah? Here is the key to your room. You will find it on the first floor. Third door on your left." After finishing dinner I made my way to the room and started to get ready for some much-needed rest. Gods, what a strange day this has become. When I finally lay down on the "soft" straw bed and let my head fall on the pillow sleep overtakes me quickly. 
                          
When I open my eyes I stand on a road. The road is cracked and overgrown with vegetation. On either side of the road buildings lay in ruin. When I started to look around to see where I was I heard a sound. The sound of flapping wings. I started to turn around, to see where the sound was coming from. Instead I see a dragon flying overhead. "Great, this dream again..." I say to myself while looking at the flying dragon.