Chapter 9
I headed towards the southeast buildings, and into the Animal Study Room. Enchanted, and mystical, from indoor wilderness, to tanks of marine life with all kinds of animals in cages, and all sizes of jars had specimens of some kind; both living and dead were gathered here.
“We don’t need to spend time with the animals,” Karson stated.
“As long as it’s not the crawly type, I’m happy to read.”
He laughed as we took a seat in the eighth room of the animal study building, which held a hint of musky odour. He handed me a large volume of the Animal Kingdom, which I grudgingly read. Hearing the odd chirp, tweet, or chorus of noise from the animals in the other rooms; had me relaxing completely as I read about the dangorian animals. The great Armikin of Em’Adels the third. A mighty Ryder, who became a studier of all things animal, plant like and earth, sea or sky related. His forefather lived eight hundred years ago and in that time, he had gathered millions of samples, naming most everything in the lands. And in honour of his great work, a river and lake were named after him. His sons continued the work until a third generation son became a Ryder not long after the first five. Armikin had a way with words, since his family came from the land beyond the seven realms; he was part of the first settlers to the land. He named most all animals similar to the animals from the old place. Though, as a Ryder, he was able to translate all the words that dragons used, to make sense of the anagram names. Since dragons were the ones responsible for placing a comer in the middle of words, reading over an argument, Greyer Armikin had with his dragon about the very subject had me and La’Kera tickled with laughter for a length, before I focused on my task.
“So why do I understand the animal kingdom better than history?” I pointed out to Karson when he didn’t laugh at my answers for the nine cow kin and seven goat kin of the lands.
“It is because you were raised in a farming town, you witnessed such beast, and you may have even farmed them from time to time. And you have grown in the open, seen and heard about the animals since your birth.”
“But I’ve seen and heard about dragons since my birth, does that make me bad at … understanding.”
“You would have known of the dragons, accepted that they were there. But you did not question them, ask of them, speak with them, and, so you knew little about them. The nine bal’horns are something your father would have told you about, correct.”
“Yeah.” There was no point arguing the facts. Walt had given me lectures on the farming ways, the animals to avoid at the market, and even the ones at the butcher for meat sale. Dragons or Ryders; they were strictly off topic. Even my school teacher, Miss Tilly didn’t talk much about the Ryders, even if she was known to have relationships with the odd one from time to time. I may have grown up knowing about the Ryders. Seeing the dragons fly around the township, keeping us safe, protected from the impending attack of vipers, vragons and delgori. Plumridge was in the north west of the Roo’Bineyes region. Over fifty leagues from sea or mountain, the vipers managed to sneak through, burning crops and bushland at their will. Some Ryders stayed on for several months at a time. The dragons themselves were intimidating and frightening as they lay their three ton forms in the open meadow, watching with eyes as large as Karson’s fist, with teeth six inches or more, and horns as long as my arm. It sent even the best behaved children to bed early; with fear, they would be eaten if they didn’t. Thanks to La’Kera, I was able to understand dragon tongue. Though speaking dragon aloud wasn’t possible, since I didn’t actually have to learn a new language, just knowing her voice allowed me to understand others.
Turning my attention to the book, I was soon consumed with the animals around Dangora. Taking in the different kin, reading about the different species, the names dragons gave them and the habitats in which they lived. The re’de was deer, bit’rab was rabbit and the bol’tons where another kin of cow, the most common, since it had horns as long as my body on each side of its head. They were smaller than the saur’asus, large beast that were flightless, but came from the dragon family, living in large herds in open meadows.
After Animal Studies, I was given a break. But with everyone now gone from the grounds, I stayed in the south-east garden, waiting patiently for him to arrive thirty minutes later. Like yesterday he wanted me to practice my Here and There, and just like yesterday, he would hit me. Thankfully he changed from attacking my head to striking my shoulder, not too hard, just enough to say, I wasn’t paying attention to here.
I flinched from each attack, and he trick attacked too. I tensed and peeked with one eye, only to have him growl for not seeing him coming, and not paying attention to La’Kera. Though he said it with such softness, I wouldn’t even consider it a growling.
Grumbling mildly from the attacks, I was able to slip into La’Kera’s mind easily. To live through her, to feel, see and tumble in the air with her as if I was there, was rewarding. It was blissful at times, and my mind wasn’t too clouded or fogged as I once thought. She was an extra thought, without thinking, like fingers I could feel, though I had no control over her thoughts. For her, she was seeing my closed eyes, and that did make her frown. A suction of air caught me off guard. In my defences, I raised my hand too late to stop the attack, but it was enough to pull away just as Karson’s hand touched my shoulder. Peering through one eye, I smiled timidly to his position. I had almost blocked him. He beamed wide with pride. I was improving. I smiled and close my eyes to focus on La’Kera.
She was in the sky, Da’Vora and Blade’Dur were near by, and to my surprise Sky’Ros was singing to her from a tree branch—Whoa. Dragons were larger than normal trees. La’Kera roared and turned her eyes to the location she was in. A grand tree. She was a thousand feet high or more, and the tree—it was a tree. Branches, bark, leaves, just ten times the size of any I had seen and La’Kera was slowly humming with the discovery of the magnificent size and beauty. She latched on to the tree trunk. The idea she was a lizard to a simple tree, became a thought in my mind, and she snorted. She was no lizard. Resting and slinging her wing-claws around to get a better hold. She swivelled her head, as Da’Vora and Blade’Dur landed beside her. Both dragons were forty five feet or more, making La’Kera one fifth of their size.
“Climb with your wing-claws La’Kera,” ordered Da’Vora.
She nodded, and spied Blade’Dur showing her how, his ruby scales glistened in the dappled leaf of sunlight as she climbed higher, working her muscles, her body heaving with each movement. It wasn’t that she never did climb like this. She just never climbed so high up and on a tree ten times larger than all trees. Over-hold, over-hold, over-hold, over—
Then she slipped.
Her wing cut through loose bark, scraping and sliding down without getting a hold. Her body lurched, fear rippled her thoughts, and instantly—
“La’Kera!” I snapped my eyes open in shock, taking in Karson seeing his wide eyes on me. I was forcing my thoughts to her. She was gone. What the—I touched her mind. She was there … she was falling … La’Kera. La’Kera! I stood suddenly, looking around the sky trying to will my thoughts to find her. No no no. Nononono!
“Rehema, relax. She’s fine.” Karson was soft in answering.
“What … she’s—” Blinking several times, trying to still my racing heart, my panicked thoughts and the image of her falling. Her wing slipping on the bark, the sudden sight of the ground, thousands of feet below, moments from her crashing into thick branches, and then—“She went blank.”
“She closed you off … your fear became her fear, and the last thing she wanted was to panic you.”
I closed my eyes. La’Kera! La’Kera! I screamed in my head. Pushing on our walls, our connection, our minds—hers.
I am here. Her voice had never felt so full of sorrow. I was but a moment. I am fine now. She sounded sad, annoyed she caused more pain than she realised, and it was harder to think.
Don’t ever do that again La’Kera. I thought something happened and I had no
idea. Don’t shut me out. Not like that.
It was not my intention, or as much as I had. I didn’t know I could. She turned her question to Blade’Dur, which had me turn my attention to Karson.
“Well, explain? I thought our bond is unlimited, linked eternally.” I wanted to scream, and with a harsh exhale, I stilled my panic.
“She is your link, and she can remove her thoughts from you, it takes practice and usually not discovered, least for another twelve months. For La’Kera to show this kind of ability … is something we can look into. Later on.”
“Later on! That’s what this comes down to. Later on? I didn’t know she could do that.”
“You believe your Bond is with you every moment as you are with them?”
“Yes.”
Karson lowered his head, less ready for a fight, and to my relief, not returning to my meditation.
“There are times when you will not require each other so fondly, times when privacy will be required. Later on, you will notice she will have conversation’s you didn’t know about, though it is not a secret, it is easier to keep your lives separate at times.
“And to keep in mind, she is a wild creature, no matter your link. She will protect you, but in the end, you must accept she is a creature as are all the dragons. They are not people, they do not bother with our ways, and our lives are complicated to them. To her, you will become her one true link of what is. But in the end, she will do as a dragon does. And no one can stop a dragon doing what a dragon wants.” He sighed heavily, glanced around the garden area with a nod; he ran a hand through his black hair. “We can head to the Combat Yards.”
I followed him into the weights ring, continuing with the routine from this morning, adding archery to my list of improvements. He stood to the side giving me pointers to my bow and string positioning, how to kiss the string correctly just before the shot.
“Breathe it in, and release it out … slowly …”
My target in question got a direct hit, I smiled. My first bullseye in three months. Karson was patient, amused, and clearly willing to help; from my sloppy feet, to my body positioning or slack elbows. I couldn’t shake my crush on him with each passing class, and for today, that was a pretty big crush. La’Kera was forcing images of Bronson into my mind. Reminding me how nice he was in the beginning, how he was helpful, kind, considerate and so on. Karson was a Roo’Bineyes sign. Suggesting he was another hot-headed person. The smugness was there somewhere; I just hadn’t seen it completely. I didn’t want to hate him. I just needed to find middle ground where he didn’t seem so tempting, or annoying.
Karson made the mêlée combat much like yesterday. Strike. Block. Turn. Twist. Strike. Block. Turn. Lunge. Strike. Block. Flip.
I missed most my attacks, and blocking his was impossible, though something I was becoming more accustomed too. As it was, Karson continued with his triple-strike attack and his fake hit, had me flinch and block something that wasn’t there. He commented on how I should be able to see when one is truly ready to strike. Following his movements is not what I should do, but his eyes. Watch the eyes. Watch the eyes, the eyes … the ey—
“Sahh—” The wooden sword came down hard on my right wrist, making my knees buckle and dust was in my face, coughing and blinking the sand away as Karson helped me to my feet with a gentle touch.
“Sorry Rehema.” He was cautious, concerned and to my shock, La’Kera was roaring in anger.
Her speed was so swift; I didn’t have time to tell her to stop. She swooped towards him, passing the high poles and statues by mere inches as she flicked her tail towards Karson.
It’s alright La’Kera. I’m fine, I called to her. Hissing at my throbbing hand.
She roared, turning, this time she landed between the combat yard and the equipment shed. She stormed her way towards Karson. Small as she was, she was angered, ready to bite him. The taste was on her tongue, in her body. She wasn’t stopping. She pushed her way past him and wedge her way to my side, standing protectively. She hummed, brightening my smile, though wincing through the pain.
I’m okay girl. It’s fine. You didn’t have to do this. I glanced at Karson who was waiting somewhat patiently.
Her twelve foot wing span spread out, shielding me from Karson and anyone else.
Your arm is not fine. He is purposefully harming you.
No, he isn’t, he’s … just teaching me.
“La’Kera?” Karson’s voice was muffled on the other side of her wings, though oddly, he could see me; peering over her six foot form wasn’t that hard for him.
She—I swear—rolled her eyes, and stomped her foot.
He didn’t take offence to her actions, nor was he bothered by the anger she was showing. “I can help her. Please, let me pass.”
She turned on him, roaring, with a slap of her tail.
She wouldn’t need help if you didn’t push her so hard. She is not a trained dangorian in this. She is my Bond and I will not have you harm her. She shook her body, easing her tension, and built up adrenaline. She turned, rubbing her head side closer to me, reaching out with my left hand; I rested my hand on her snout. She was so much bigger now, and less cuddly.
It’s my fault La’Kera. I should be able to block his attacks.
It’s not about what you should or shouldn’t do. He should know better. She nudged my chin. If I have to, I will bring Sky’Ros into this.
Oh, so you’re going to get the dragon herds on to my trainer … La’Kera? This is not the answer. It’s okay. See. I held my wrist up, suppressing the scream that wanted out, which didn’t help, since she could feel my pain. She snorted at my attempt to be brave. It’s not broken; it’s just badly swollen.
“La’Kera …?” Karson had stepped around her. “You know I will help her … let me pass.” He was asking, though I didn’t doubt he wouldn’t get through.
She snorted in annoyance and stepped aside. Karson took the steps to me and placed his hand on my wrist, which was a bit much. It wasn’t that bad. The tingle of magic was warm, the sensation welcoming and instantly it was healed.
“Sorry Rehema. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt so severely.”
“It’s no big. I know I should be able to block your attacks by now, it’s just … taking a while.”
La’Kera snorted.
“It’s fine La’Kera,” I added steam to my voice, since I spoke aloud to her.
She rumbled, narrowed her eyes at Karson with a look of true anger.
I will be watching. She heaved and took off to the sky.
Turning to Karson with a sheepish look, I shrugged at her actions. He showed no emotion to her comment.
“Bet your other students didn’t cause this much grief.” I stood, holding the wooden sword ready.
Karson shook his head, held up his hand and took the sword from me. Great—he was going soft on me.
“My other students were all male,” he said, dropping the weapons into the barrel as we headed towards the stairs. “So, it would appear I am treating you a lot harder than I should, and I need to remind myself that you are only six months in.”
“Well, it’s not like the delgori will go soft on me, girl or not. You know that.”
The half smile crossed his lips, which had me glancing at the gargoyle statue on our way to the Main Building.
“Look, I’m fine, La’Kera is … fine. Just a little over protective.”
“It is expected, all Bonds will show great worry over their chosen.”
“Yeah, good thing you have healing power,” I boasted.
“At a great cost to Blade’Dur. The mânã is strong, though we use it sparingly. He is resting as we speak.”
“Oh. Sorry. Can you teach me the spell?”
“We’ll stick to the four elements at the moment. I would hate to think what you could do with mânã from the O’Pulsans line. If you can blow up a bruise potion, you will definitely blow up half the academy with electricity.”
I laughed, completely amused
at his comment. Okay, so he was having a go at my bad potion. But it was bad, so it didn’t make me feel that ill about it.
“That is my lesson for today. I will see you tomorrow after morning fast this time, since it is the end of the week.”
“Have you tutored many other students?” I blurted out, remembering his comment from yesterday. Don’t assume—ask.
Karson wasn’t all that surprised by my outburst. He smiled, “Seven others, Why?”
“I was wondering if you get a choice in whom to train?”
“Yes. As a mentor I can choose who I wish to train with more precision.”
“Oh, so you’re not bummed that you got stuck with me.”
His lips pulled into the side of his cheek, completely amused. “There are few things that can hold my attention, and keep me interested. As for your comment yesterday, I will inform you. I was in the south, yes, Lyndale as it so happens. I was there visiting an old friend. My last student was seven years ago. I had in fact considered not mentoring for a time, due to changes in my situation and in the line of Roo’Bineyes. When you came to the headlines of discovery, I thought many other Ryders would have taken you on. It was only last month I discovered you were still without a personal mentor, so I sought out approval.”
“But … you had yet to meet me until yesterday.”
“Actually, we have met before. I was in Plumridge two years ago.”
My mouth gaped at his words. Two years ago? I was fifteen. Milton was just starting to court me and, a red Ryder was there. He was all Sally talked about for three full weeks, and to my amazement left me and Milton alone.
“You were walking from the bakery and ran into me … do you remember.”
My mind flashed to that day. I was late, I had just had my first kiss with Milton and forgot to get the fresh bread for Evelyn, and I had exited the bakery so fast, I ran into a man—broad shouldered, black hair and eyes as green and intense as the mint leaves I’d plucked from Milton’s vest not minutes ago.
“That was you?” I was shocked.
Karson smiled.
“But … I don’t even remember it that well. Wow. You?”
“It’s fare to say, as a Ryder, I and Blade’Dur have a strong memory, one you will learn to hold to also. But in the end, we did not speak and perhaps we have not met until this week. But I see potential in you.”
“How so?” I questioned as we took the stone stairs to the Main Building.
“You have no grasp on who I am, or any Ryder. In fact, you seem unbothered with the knowledge of us. While that can be a problem. I see it as … potential. To train one so innocent is a treat, a real reward.” His smile was full of pride and clearly, he was proud to teach me.
Pushing through the large oak doors, I paused in the middle of the lobby floor, taking in the silence and Karson, standing beside me. He was a great mentor, and I had only met him two days ago. That is something.
“So you’re not bothered that I suck at everything.”
“You don’t suck. You’re learning. Rule two. Don’t doubt yourself.” He walked towards the entrance of the courtyard and paused at the doors. “If there is anything you need, my room is on the twelfth floor, number four of the north-west tower. You will be allowed to stay on in your room for the holidays.”
“Is anyone else staying here … apart from the two of us?”
“There may be Ryders from EzRah and Mildura joining us, later in the month. For now, you are the only student in Draeos; there are several other teachers at present. You will be safe. There is nothing here to harm you.” With a final dip of his head, he left.
A strange eeriness filtered through me as I glanced around the shadowy first floor taking in the paintings, the watchful eyes of Fallen Ryders and dragons. A shudder shivered through my body. The hall was empty of the loud, annoying, and crowding students I had fought to avoid all this time. Now it was silent.
Still.
Cold.
I breathed deep and walked towards the staircase, the echo of my footfalls on the marble floor became a scary thought that was sneaking up behind me, making my hair stand on end. I’m alone. There is no one here, I’m safe. Hello. Castle. Grounds. Normal. With a dragon that can talk to me in my thoughts. Hello. You’re a Ryder now. It wasn’t working, my agitation became too much. I left for the courtyard, just as quickly. Did I have to stay on the ninth floor all by myself? That would suck. Alone, with no one around.
You have me, La’Kera soothed.
I don’t think I’m allowed to stay with you in the dens La’Kera.
Course you are … they have Bond dens here and you are my Bond … you should go and ask Karson.
Um … I don’t know. I pushed off to the Dinner Hall, wanting to still my nerves and my thoughts. To go to Karson now would look childish, foolish even, and to ask if I could stay in a den with dragons, rather than my room; would most likely question my insanity.