Bonded Spirit

  ***

  I didn’t sleep for long.

  I was restless, I was uncomfortable with the bed, the room, and the knowledge Karson thinks I’m a liar. In the end, I managed a few hours of deep sleep before my dreams—nightmares of Walter took hold. The one place where my reality was the same as I was six months ago, but even this wanted to be different tonight.

  I crumbled to Walter’s body in shock, screaming out. “No … No, no, no. Walt. No. Not you Walt.”

  The fire sparked, and the screech of the viper called above, as its wings caused waves of smoke, dust and embers to rise and scatter around me. Looking up just as the villagers would rescue me. Only they were not there—she was.

  Her pale face, the sunken cheeks, large frightened eyes, stared unblinking. Her messy hair hung lifelessly across her sad tear streaked face. She reached towards me this time—now she reaches towards me? Her dirty palm in view as her fingers twitched to strain against what was air—to me, she might have been ten foot away. She acted as if she was hundred feet and the distance was growing.

  “It won’t stop,” she cried.

  I bolted upright. Awake, in the strange room and the sun had yet to break the cliffs of Stone Heart. What won’t stop? Her pain? Her sadness? Why was she there? It was just a dream—nightmare. Just a dream. I was losing my mind.

  That is not possible.

  But why was she there? In my nightmare? I sat up, spying a clean set of clothes on the settee. I was amazed the house elves were so silent. Dressing in combat clothes, I wasn’t sure what to do with my night clothes. Karson would possibly make this my room for the rest of the holiday’s now. I didn’t want that. I liked my room. Okay, so it was nine stories up, in the Main Building and a good five minute walk from the teacher’s chamber, but it was still my room. Should I tell him about the girl entering into my dream? No. Definitely not. Maybe I should at least tell him about the pain she was in, the idea she was starving was a worry.

  Perhaps it is as you thought—a nightmare, puzzled La’Kera. It made some sense, that’s what this was. I was worried about the girl and now … she was in my nightmares.

  I opened the door, peeked along the hall to Karson’s door. Should I knock? Should I wake him and say … sorry …?

  What for? I hissed. I’m not sorry.

  I wasn’t lying. I wasn’t telling untruths. I was stating it as it was—a girl was in the hall and he wants to punish me? It was just a misunderstanding. The girl was real, last night was real. He just didn’t want to find her. That’s all there was too it. I clenched my jaw and turned on my heels, leaving the Teacher’s Tower with haste. I won’t sleep here tonight. I will go to my room, prove to him, I’m not scared, not afraid and not going to stand down to his ways. I heaved a deep breath once inside the Main Building. The endless amber torches were glowing as usual. The paintings, the dummies, fake Ryders dressed in clothes, armour and all things of a time forgot. I hastened my pace to the other side and into the Combat Yards. Taking in the gargoyle statue, I headed to the weights area; starting in on my routine, which helped ease my thoughts. Karson said to meet him after breakfast, it was an hour after sunrise, and I couldn’t stop the workout. Sleeping in wasn’t going to happen, regardless if it was a rest day. It was a time before I paid attention to anything else but my own thoughts, and then I gasped in surprise. Karson stood with his arms folded, his eyes on me, and a look I couldn’t place. Had he been watching me this whole time?

  “You like scaring me don’t you.”

  “You scare easily.”

  “No. I just wasn’t expecting you for another hour or two.” I half glanced to the rising sun. “Did you not want me to be here?”

  “As I said before, you are welcomed to train early, I won’t stop you.”

  “Right.” I sucked in my lower lip, waiting for him to give orders.

  He watched me, scanned my form with a heavy sigh he spoke. “I went by the stable homes this morning.”

  Right to the point. He didn’t waste time at all.

  “And … did you find her? Was she there?” My enthusiasm was too much for him.

  He lifted his chin, smug with a glare of anger. “NO. I didn’t find her. She does not exist. None of the stable homes have a girl of ten years, or even six years; four, teens, and all are in EzRah. Two of the families only have boys, no girls at all. And they are all healthy.” The anger was visible, the annoyance was clear, and to top it off, he stared at me as if I were growing a second head.

  He thought I had lied and was still lying. Why won’t he believe me?

  “M-Maybe she’s hiding,” I stammered. “Like a slave.”

  Karson’s eyes widen in true shock of my words. “There are no slaves in the lands, none in the grounds of Stone Heart, and any one found mistreated, is given aid,” he snapped.

  “Why don’t you believe I saw her? You think I’m crazy.”

  Amusement crossed his features, as he gave a fox smile. Least it was better than disappointment. He opened his mouth ready to comment, to close it, and turned around, running a hand through his hair and releasing a harsh breath. “No, I don’t think you’re crazy. You’re lying, because you’re scared, you’re worried about staying here, and you’re hoping I will take you to EzRah.”

  “What? Please. If I wanted you to take me to EzRah, I would have come up with a better lie than this. And it’s not a lie. I saw her. Why are you arguing my sight?”

  “I have stated what is. We will not discuss this further.”

  “But … she was there. She … was in the Main Building. You can’t dismiss this as if it is nothing.”

  “I will and have. Let us move on to today’s lesson.”

  “B-But … she … this doesn’t solve anything.” I folded my arms, wanting to protest.

  “The girl is not here. She wasn’t here to start with and she isn’t here now. Either way, your training is more important. And your ability to focus is what needs the most attention.” His green eyes held with a look of joy—he was enjoying my discomfort, he was ignoring the possibility completely. Not even considering, that a young girl of ten years was running around the grounds, hidden all this time.

  “How did Blade’Dur know that there wasn’t another student in the grounds?” My question was soft.

  Karson rolled his eyes. It was too childish.

  “He can detect the minds of all in the area. Many dragons have the ability. It was how we were able to come to you last night. He was aware of your fear throughout the castle, and so, I was aware of you.”

  “So you spied on me?”

  “Spying would consist of watching you. I did not watch, nor did Blade’Dur. We tune our thoughts to others, taking in emotion. It is something you will learn in your final year. Not at present.”

  “Oh.”

  “Now, enough with this. Come on. On to weights.” He nodded and started in on my lesson.

  Working me harder.

  In combat, he took to hitting my arms and shins; he used less fake strikes today, which had me wince. I didn’t think it was fair. La’Kera was on the verge of coming to me; Blade’Dur had taken her further east than usual, and while she loved to go as far as she could, she was like me; focused on the situation.

  You saw her, didn’t you? It was the tenth thousandth time I asked her, while dodging several hits from Karson.

  Yes. I told you, she was there … sick, sad, and screaming at you to stop the pain.

  I relaxed enough to keep training. If I was going crazy, least my dragon was too. La’Kera laughed a rumble of true amusement, looping and dipping her body around to take in Draeos so far away from her.

  “Three laps,” said Karson.

  “Sure. Won’t you join me?”

  “No. I have something I need to do first. And don’t think I won’t know.” He tapped his temple, which had me frowning, how was that going to help.

  His Bond was in the east with La’Kera, but there were other dragons around the area. And dragons were truthful, h
onest, and never playing games of mind, or heart. He was out of sight before I even stepped foot on the North Track. I jogged, keeping my breathing simple and at times trying to use the Here and There as I watched through La’Kera—it was odd, at times I could talk to her while walking and eating and other times I had to concentrate on her. It was a time before I spied Karson returning. Focusing on stretching my muscles, and not watching him, I sat, and stretched my fingers to my toes when a grey bag fell into my lap.

  “What’s this?” I glanced to Karson.

  “Sleeping bag.”

  I rolled my eyes at his answer.

  “I can see that. Why did you give it to me?”

  “We are going camping.” A smile touched his lips.

  “Whoa … What.” I rose. “You mean … out there? In the woods, fire, tent … walking and sleeping?” Was I excited or annoyed by the idea?

  “And hunting,” Karson added, seeing I wasn’t angry. “I thought we could use the open meadows. I can show you how to make camp without a tent, and this way you can learn about the wilderness in Stone Heart.”

  I nodded, unsure if I should say anything. This was because of the girl, because of—my lie. I wanted to protest when he started to talk, his voice was softer.

  “You’re overwhelmed. This way, you can relax. You’re fighting with the idea of what a Ryder should be, not what you can be.”

  “But … camping?”

  “Camping is what you will do with your Bond. Most times it will be the two of you.”

  “So, La’Kera will be with us?”

  “No. Not this time around. Besides, she has her own lessons at hand.” He shuffled a bag, and handed me another. “Here. Fill it with what you need, water, clothes, food … we may be gone for the week.”

  “The week!” So long. “Can’t it just be a few days? Not a week.”

  “We will see.” He waited for me to take the bag. “Meet me here in half an hour. We’ll head off. And this way, you won’t have to worry about that girl you think you saw.”

  There it was. The comment I had been waiting for. I thinned my lips, creasing my brow in a deep frown.

  “Fine.” I snatched the bag from his grip.

  I grumbled all the way to my room. Hating him, annoyed he thought I was lying. He didn’t even try to comfort me. Okay, so I didn’t need comfort. I needed him to at least be on my side—he was just like Bronson. This was so like him. One moment it’s I want you and I’m sorry, the next it’s I said nothing of that sort. This was just great. I shoved clothes into the bag, with out care if I need them. I reached for the tissue paper, my hair brush, and insect lotion. How can I have him as a mentor if he doesn’t even believe me? He was treating me like a child. Worse, he acted as if me seeing her was a call for help. And I thought we were making progress as friends. My cheeks flushed, my eyes burned with hot tears threatening to fall. Damn it. I shouldn’t be this upset. It shouldn’t be this bad to go camping. Camping didn’t bother me. It was Karson. Not even considering the idea; that, the girl was here and in trouble.

  The roar startled me.

  You will not misjudge my Bond.

  La’Kera flew with speed and force, landing in the Combat Yards like yesterday; only this time, she lunged at Karson. Her snap of teeth were mere inches from his nose. His eyes bulged, his body tensed as he pulled away in alarm.

  There is no lie Karson Albury. My Bond tells no lies, and I know when one is being disrespectful—I see all lies, and know all truths when I see them. Unspeak your ill words. My Bond is not ill of mind, she saw the girl as I did too. She clamped her maw, rumbling on the edge of a growl. I was actually shocked she’d bite him. Thankfully she didn’t.

  Karson regained his control as Blade’Dur flew above, roaring with caution and she returned it.

  Do not distrust her again. Her voice was full fearless as she stood with her chest puffed, her twelve foot wings spread out, and her talons digging into the soil. Brave.

  “Did she put you up to this?” His smug tone had me narrow my eyes.

  Roo’Bineyes. I hissed.

  La’Kera roared furiously. She stomped the earth, arching her head higher, snapping her teeth inches from his face. The clink was heard and felt through me.

  Rehema had no idea I was coming. I told you the truth. All dragons speak truth, including a Dy’Monian. We saw the girl on the ninth floor. Her underfed form is cause for concern and you wish to punish your tutelage for having questions, for being worried. This is the second time you have spoken wrongly of her, or punished her for such actions … you cross us again; Karson Albury, and I will seek counsel. She turned with a roar to Blade’Dur, and leaped to the sky, singing out to Sky’Ros.

  Thanks girl for sticking up for me. You didn’t have to.

  I will do anything for you. He needs to know that what happened was real, not a lie. His mistrust of you is wrongly placed. And perhaps he should take his own advice and not assume anything. She took to the sky, soon joined with Sky’Ros.

  I heaved a relaxing breath. Stuffing the last of my clothes inside, pulling the strings tight, I left my room. I stopped off at the kitchen for water skins and managed to stuff several bread rolls, a wedge of cheese, and several dried strips of meat into my pack. Shouldering both bags, I went to the Combat Yards. Karson stood to the side, arms folded, staring at the sky. He didn’t turn to me. A sigh eased from his lips as he shouldered his pack, and a bow and quill set; he led the way east.

  I rolled my eyes. No apology, no eye contact, and no comment.

  Gee, this was starting to be a fun day already.

  La’Kera snorted at my sarcasm, and I smiled inwardly. She was the one thing that made my mind, less worried. La’Kera was here, watching and listening as always.