What's wrong with me?

"I'm stuffed," Trinity said, as she licked her fingers clean. Her plate was also spotless, that anyone could mistake it for a clean one.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," Martha said as Trinity got up to wash her hands. "Its almost 6pm, the meeting will start at 7."

They made their way outside the dining area and into another set of maze. Yes, this place was a maze, you don't know when you might come to a dead end, and have to return back, only to find yourself at another blocked passage. Martha had told her earlier that this castle was designed by the dragon lord, their leader, centuries ago, to keep everyone safe from the knights.

"So, tell me more about this meeting," Trinity said, as they took another left turn in a passage made from brick.

"Ummm, it's a month long festival, where all kinds of dragons have to come. 1st night; which is today, is an introduction night where young dragons who have undergone their first change, will be welcomed. Tomorrow is 'choose your mate night', where all unmated dragons choose their life partner. After that it's mostly parties and if someone needs to say something, they can do so."

"So, what if I don't want a mate? can I just skip tomorrow's meeting?" Trinity asked, as they took a right turn.

"It doesn't work like that. Every eligible dragon must be there. And you, my dear, are eligible." Martha turned toward Trinity and smiled her, 'awww, you're grown up' smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Anyways, what do I wear today? I can't go like this."

"Oh, don't you worry sweetheart. Everything's been taken care of. Ah, here we are!" Martha said as she opened a wall.

"Did you just open a wall?" Trinity asked, shocked.

"It's a hidden door to a hidden room," Martha replied, as they went in.

The door closed behind them immediately as they entered, making the girl jump.

"Don't worry, all doors automatically close."

"Next time give me a heads up." She looked around at her new room. It was big. The walls were painted pink, and there were random dragon pictures and painting on it. The roof had a wonderful chandelier, in the shape of a flying dragon, who's open mouth spit out fire. She guessed that the flames lit an orange light, but to her disappointment, it was white. Martha had switched the light on.

There was a single bed on one corner, a wardrobe and dresser on the other corner and she presumed that the bathroom is on the 3rd corner, as the door from which they entered was on the 4th corner.

"Well, how do you like your room?" Martha asked excitedly.

"I think the paint could be changed to green, other than that, it's great," Trinity replied, looking at Martha. She then laughed when Martha's face dropped. "I'm kidding. I love every bit of it."

Looking at how the older lady's face brightened, she knew it was designed by her.

"Well, I'll leave you to freshen up, and I'll send someone to get you to to meeting." Martha turned to leave.

"I won't be going with you?" Trinity asked, disappointedly.

"Don't worry, I'll meet you at the meeting area," Martha said, as the door opened.

Trinity looked at herself in the mirror. She was all sweaty, and really dirty. She decided to check out the bathroom and see what soaps and oil she had there. Much to her surprise, a bar of lavender soap stood on the soap stand. Oh the smell, it reminded her so much of home. She wondered if they were able to get the insurance money. If they had, than they'd already built a house.

Before she realised that she hadn't bought a towel, she had already undressed and was soaking wet. It's a good thing she's alone.

"Trinity?" She heard a voice.

"I'm in the shower," she replied, wiping away the water from her face.

"Cool. Have you chosen your dress for tonight?"

"No, not yet."

Trinity heard her closet door open. "Wow, this dress will look great on you. What's your favourite colour?"

Trinity was getting annoyed by now. She didn't even know the person who was in her room, and she was already going through her closet? But she had to toralate this, since that person was going to give her the towel. "Green and Blue. Hey, can you hand me a towel please?"

"Here you go," the girl knocked at the bathroom door, and Trinity, closing the shower, opened it a tiny bit and put her hand out. As soon as her towel touched her hand, she pulled it back in.

"Thanks." Within a few seconds, Trinity emerged from the bathroom, wrapped around the towel. She saw a tall, fit, blonde girl, setting out two gowns on the bed. She looked up, as Trinity came into view.

"I've taken out these two outfit, but personally, I like this one better," The girl who looked around her age said, picking up a red orange halter neck gown. Picking up the 2nd gown, a red long sleeve dress, she said, "this dress looks beautiful, but I think the 1st one complements your figure."

"Ok, I'll try the one you like," Trinity said, taking the dress from her. "Umm, by the way, what's your name?"

"Oh, sorry... I'm Stacey."

There was a folding partiton near the bed that Trinity used for wearing her dress. A few moments later, she came out and looked at Stacey. "So? What do you think?''

Stacey looked at her, and said, ''Wow, it looks great.'' She then proceeded to help the new girl get her hair done and Trinity helped herself with the makeup, since she loved applying makeup with her fingers.

Martha came in, just as the girls were done, and hurried them out to the meeting area. "The meeting will start any time now, hurry," she said to Trinity, as they walked. "You'll be the third to be introduced, so watch what the baby dragons do when their names are called."

***

Silence spread through the crowd, as a tall, muscular man appeared on the stage, that was in the corner of a huge hall, that was filled with men, women and children of all ages. Everyone bowed their heads in respect, so seeing this, Trinity also bowed.

"Dragons of all ages, from far and near, new and old, I welcome you all," The booming voice of the man on stage came. He looked middle aged, but only his eyes told everyone that this person, or dragon, was very old; and probably very strong. "Today, we gather to yet another year of celebrations, and mourning; celebrating our next generation of young and strong dragons, and mourning the brave dragons who couldn't make it to this years celebrations. I, the dragon lord, welcome each and every one of you to join this festival of eating, drinking, and merry making." There was a big applause, and cheering from the audience.

"Before I begin to introduce our young dragons, let me go over the rules," he continued, as the crowd settled down. "No Fighting. If you want to fight a dragon, you can always challenge him to a duel. Respect each other. Have any suggestions?, come to me. Last but not least, if you want to challenge me, you can do so.... " his eyes scanned the room, as everyone lowered their gaze. "Moving forward, it's time to introduce our new members. We will start from their ranks, from highest to lowest."

Trinity had already gotten in line with the other new dragons. They were all dressed beautifully, and were standing confidently in a single file, as if waiting for their turn in getting a prize.

Trinity felt uncomfortable. She looked through the crowd, for any signs of her father, but there were non. She knew he wouldn't miss this night, no matter what, but where was he?

".... Triyast Grove...." Her father's name immediately drew her attention towards the stage. "let me welcome, Trinity Grove, the fire dragon," The dragon lords voice rang through the crowd.

Trinity tried to swallow a lump in her throat, as she walked up the stage, towards the grey haired man. What was she suppose to do? Martha had told her to watch what the other dragons did, but she was too distracted in her own thoughts, and now, she was doomed.

'Kneel down in front of him and answer yes to anything he asks you' She heard a familiar voice in her head. She swang her head in the direction of the people, and saw Tyrone staring at her from the crowd. She nodded a 'thank you' before she found herself in front of the masculine figure. She knelt down before him, her head hung low, as he asked his question, "Do you, Trinity Grove, pledge your alliance with the dragon council?"

"Yes, I do."

"In doing so, you promise that you will always help dragons and train with them to learn the skills required to save them from the knights, even if it means giving up your life?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then I, the Dragon Lord, pronounce you, Trinity Grove, daughter of Triyast Grove, a member of the dragon council. You may rise and take your rightful place with your own kind." Trinity got up as a sudden feeling of uneasiness swept over her. What did the Dragon Lord mean when he said, 'Your own kind'? She brushed it off as she when to sit near the back of the stage, when she heard whispers amongst the crowd.

The Dragon Lord, hearing that, boomed out, "Is something wrong?"

"She's not even a full blooded dragon!" Came someone's voice. Trinity stopped in her track and looked back towards the crowd, knowing that whoever said that was talking about her.

"Who said that?" the Dragon Lord asked.

The crowd cleared away, revealing a guy about her age with green hair and eyes. His gaze fell as the Lord of dragons looked at him.

"Introduce yourself, and give us a reason for you saying that."

"I'm Greenard Earthing, an earth dragon. I mean no disrespect but I've heard rumours that her mother is a human. My question is, how can someone who isn't even a full dragon be a council member? I believe she should prove her alliance," the green eyed boy said.

Trinity felt fear and anger begin to rise in her chest as murmurs began between the people.

"SILENCE!!!" The voice of the dragon lord shook the hall. Pin-drop silence spread through the crowd Immediately. "Is there anyone else who feels the same way?, rise your hand if you do." Hands began rising one by one. Only a few hands were down. "Hmm, so Greenard, how do you suggest she prove her alliance to our kind?"

The green haired boy was silent, clearly not knowing what to say, when someone else shouted 'fight' from the back.

Trinity looked around to see the source of the voice, as did the other people. She knew she wasn't strong enough to take on any dragon, as they all were trained from birth, and she could only hope that no one would agree, but the whole universe seemed to be against her, as a chant of 'fight, fight, fight' broke through the crowd.

"Oh no," She whispered under her breath.