Through the Flames: Dragon's Calling

She did not like calling attention to herself, and she did not view herself as beautiful. She cared nothing for looks—only for training, for valor, for the honor. She would rather have resembled her father, as her brothers did, the man she admired and loved more than anyone in the world, than have her dainty features. She always checked the mirror for something of himself in her eyes, yet no matter how hard she looked, she could not find it. She knew she should let it go—but she could not. Something within her would not allow her to. She sensed danger, especially on the eve of the Winter Moon. She did not trust her elder brothers; they would not harm Alston, she knew, but they were reckless and too rough. Worst of all, they were overconfident in their skills. It was a bad combination. Gwen could stand it no longer. If her father wouldn’t act, then she would. She was old enough now—she did not need to answer to anyone but herself.