[ WP ] You have just been selected for death , which is the highest honour where you live .

`` You've been blessed with such an honor,'' The cooing maids tutted and fiddled with the laces and silks of Lia's skirt. Never before had she donned such delicate things, but her spectators proclaimed that it suited her pale skin and flashing blue eyes. It was always a girl with blue eyes. 
 
 Lia pondered on this fact, for it invariably sent the district abuzz upon the birth of a blue-eyed girl. Lia had n't noticed the attention right away. When she was herded away from other children when they played ball in the streets, or when her teacher made her sit straighter or made her wash longer after lunch. She never truly noticed the differences until she was older and realized the other children began distancing themselves quietly, respectfully, imitating the adults that guided them. In the end, she decided that this suited her just fine. Lia was much more content to read than to giggle about boys and ponder over how to earn coin the rest of her life, and the special treatment seemed to allow this. Her parents received a small monthly stipend from the monarchy for her birth, after all. Truly the envy of her neighborhood. 
 
 Upon entering the palace, a rare privilege in itself that few could brag of, Lia had her suspicions. Portraits of the family royalty, generations of blue-eyed daughters bore against the walls in heavy, ornate gold frames. A small whisper reminded her that blue eyes were n't the only qualification. It was curious that the randomly chosen name always seemed to come from one of the outer districts and never from a noble's home. 
 
 Lia was startled from her reverie as a maid pulled a veil over her face, blurring her facial features into a nameless shape, `` You're ready for the Sending, my lady.'' 
 
 No one really knew what the Sending meant, only that the chosen girl would never return. Her parents would be grossly compensated, her own name and face hailed across the kingdom until next year's Sending. A year of fame in exchange for the rest of her life. She idly speculated if there would be books where she was going. 
 
 The maids ushered her down the hallways, the morning sunlight caressing the stained glass windows into a kaleidoscope of colors against the stone walls. Lia would have liked to enjoy the artistry of it, had she not been rushed past it all in such a nervous frenzy. 
 
 The doors before her stood tall and imposing, ivory carvings of wings and beasts etched deeply into the stone. Two men heaved at each door, the carvings suddenly jumping to life as the shadows shifted and twisted as the doors parted. She shuddered a little and looked politely at her feet. 
 
 `` Come in, my child.'' She peeked up from under her lashes to see the origins of the voice sitting in a chair at the end of the room, draped in hues of purple and red with a gold crown atop his graying hair. The maids beside her shuffled backwards, and the door heaved closed with a resounding thud that heralded an abrupt silence. 
 
 He waved a hand, beckoning her forward. She obeyed. `` You have led a good life?'' Lia dared not look up at his question, but instead tried to gather her nerves. 
 
 `` Yes, your highness.'' 
 
 He grunted in approval, then stood with a majestic sweep of his arm, the flurry of his cloak following after. `` Come.'' 
 
 She did as he bid, for she was taught to be a good and obedient girl. Lifting a tapestry, he lead her through a humble wooden door, `` Our kingdom has been prosperous for 200 years, for which we can thank the Sending for. You are promising the kingdom another year of wealth and good health.'' 
 
 Down the staircase, through another door. It was dark and dank as if the hall had seen little use. `` Know that your part in this will let your family live a long and wonderful life. All your friends will be safe and happy because of you.'' 
 
 She wished she could appreciate his words. `` What happened 200 years ago?'' She finally dared to ask, her hands still clutching her skirt. 
 
 The king paused, surprised at her question, `` Brash one, are n't you.'' She did n't bother to lower her head - the veil obscured her flushed features anyways. He gave a strange expression, one that she had seen from her teachers when they thought she was n't looking. It was the same look she had given her parents when they caught her stealing an extra cookie after dinner. But surely not, for why would a king as great as he ever need look guilty? 
 
 `` Our lands were ravaged by terrible fires. Buildings would crumble where they stood, trees felled in the wind, gold never to be found.'' His voice was solemn, but his words flowed easily as if he had recited them his entire life. 
 
 They had reached another door, and this time it was the bright sunlight that greeted them. She clambered up the stairs and looked back in surprise. The door was neatly built into the side of a hill, and they had traversed a fair distance from the palace into the king's woods. It was forbidden for all but the king to enter these sacred lands, for they stood at the foot of the revered Serpent Mountain, the largest mountain that faded into the clouds and lead a treacherous chain of land that divided their kingdom from the western lands beyond. No one concerned themselves about lands across the mountain, for no one ever dared cross it. 
 
 `` How does the Sending relate to fire and wind?'' She prompted again, uneasiness settling into her voice. 
 
 `` Hm.'' His lips pursed, and she got the feeling that he would speak of it no more, `` Here we are then.'' 
 
 Her feet were sore and muscles weary, but she felt no relief in the sudden respite. They stood in a clearing, the mountain towering ominously above. Clouds danced lightly across the sky with the breeze, an utter cheeriness at odds with her emotions. One particularly arrogant cloud blotted out the sun, its shadow sweeping across them and sending chills down her spine. 
 
 `` Just remember your lessons and be a good girl.'' The king said, and the sudden gust of wind nearly sent her veil flying. Lia clutched desperately at it, suddenly not wanting her face to be seen. The shadow from above was not the fluffy cotton she had expected, but the shimmer of scales. A small dust storm had kicked up from what landed heavily before them, and the sun filtered red through its outspread wings. The creature sat before them with a proud huff, primly folding its wings as the dirt abated. 
 
 `` This is my child as promised, O' Great One.'' The king bowed. 
 
 Lia stared, his words not registering. She had read of legends of dragons, but thought they resided safely within the tales of her books. 
 
 `` May you leave our kingdom in peace.'' He continued, not rising from his bow. The dragon shifted, arching its great head down to get a closer look. 
 
 `` Go.'' The dragon breathed, its mouth only cracking open enough for a little smoke to rise with his breath. Surely a dragon did n't have the muscles for speech, yet its voice seemed to resonate all around them. Lia's books never spoke of dragon physiology, and she found herself pondering on this. 
 
 The king shuffled backwards much like the maids before, and faded among the trees. Lia wondered if he knew her name. He certainly never bothered to learn her face, perhaps so it would n't haunt him at night. Lia peered up at the dragon, its lips parted into what might be a grin. Either that or an impressive show of teeth, but she much preferred her first thought. 
 
 `` Little princess, so delicious, a gem of the kingdom indeed.'' Surely it was teasing. Lia supposed it might be difficult to discern royalty from a commoner like her, as isolated from society as the creature would be. `` No tears or pleas? No lies that you are not of the king's? A common lie, but your eyes reveal, so it is a foolish lie. Strange, to not even have the courtesy to faint. I could comfort you with tales of your upcoming knights in shining armor who seek to win your love. You would like this I'm sure.'' The dragon seemed amused by the entire thing. 
 
 Lia scrunched up her face, `` I do n't particularly want a knight.'' 
 
 `` No? I quite like a good knight. So much fun.'' The dragon opened its mouth a crack again, smoke rising once more. `` If not a knight, what would you have? I've piles of gold and rarities from lands you've never dreamt of.'' 
 
 `` I would prefer a story, I think, about the lands I've never dreamed of. And I've dreamed of much. I've no need for gold if I'm going with you.'' It was clear now that this was to be her death. She might last a few moons if she was lucky, but the Sending was always held every year, and Lia had no doubt this was for a reason. 
 
 `` A story? You would not even plead for your life?'' The dragon seemed baffled at the break of human habit. Lia already knew it would be pointless to beg, and instead she lifted the veil from her face, staring the dragon in its golden eyes. At least this creature should know her face in her year of fame before it is forgotten at the next Sending. Knowing that their entire society was built upon the deaths of 200 innocent girls and who knew how many foolish knights, being obedient and fitting the mold seemed like a waste. Or perhaps the acceptance of her fate in itself was obedience. 
 
 `` I need not plea for something that was apparently never mine. A story would be lovely.'' 
 
 The dragon considered this, twisting its head as if unsure of how to proceed, `` Well then, have you heard of a kestlau?'' Lia shook her head, and the dragon puffed with pride, `` Of course you have n't. I shall tell you of this then.'' It scooped her up in one of its massive claws, wings stretching and legs coiling into a leap as they faded into the sky.
