Chapter 5
There he was. The one hundred year old Roo’Bineyes Ryder sat cross legged in the dabbled shades by a large willow tree. My heart fluttered. He had removed his leather tunic, revealing a tight shirt I had spied in this morning’s session, allowing me to take in his sculptured broad chest, toned muscled biceps, and a light sheen of sweat glazing his golden skin, which screamed for me to touch it. I shivered inwardly with a giddy smile as I approached.
“Good afternoon Rehema. We’ll start off on some relaxation techniques to help control your mind.” His voice hitched on a charm. Dipping his head, a wry smile touched his thick lips. “Please, take a seat.” He instructed.
Taking the same pose, crossing my legs, a foot from him, I heaved a nervous breath.
“Relax your mind and let your thoughts flow through your Bond …” His tone was welcoming, and definitely relaxing. Meditating. It’s what these exercises were all about.
Helping me gain better knowledge and connection with La’Kera.
I inhaled, lingering on his fragrance resembling rustic fresh leaves, and cinnamon. Turning my attention away from his aroma, I settled into the meditation with ease. I sifted through her thoughts and mine, taking on her comments and focusing on her task. She was flying, like yesterday afternoon, she was out further. A good hour’s flight to the east. She was high, though not as high as she wanted. Folding her wings, she swooped low, gaining in speed when Da’Vora called to her. La’Kera laughed, which was a rumble of emotion, amused and completely captivated in the land below her. She pulled up, to loop to the clouds. Da’Vora catching up to her fast—
Whack!
Splitting pain shot through my head, La’Kera roared as I squinted through tears of tenderness and anger. Karson was poised and unmoved, his eyebrow raised, his body neutral. He wasn’t acting as if he just hit me.
He hit me?
“What the dragon claws was that for?” I was stunned, rubbing my cheek to ease the throbbing pain, but it was the shock that it happened at all, which made it feel pulsing; knowing he’d barely tapped me.
“You need to be aware of your surroundings. Here and There. An attack can happen at any time.”
“This is meditating!” I held out my palms to the relaxing gardens. “There is no danger here!” I rubbed my cheek and glanced around the area, eyeing Karson with caution. There wasn’t even another student in sight or teacher.
“It need not matter the place. No matter where you are, you need to be aware, both for your Bond and yourself.” He closed his eyes, as I fumed in anger. “Relax your mind, breathe in … and out …” He was continuing as if nothing happened.
What in the brown dragons. I was shunned so badly. Pulling myself together, I made the nervous breath leave me. This time more aware than I wanted to be of Karson. Good looking aside, that hurt. I touched my cheek, not wanting to listen to his voice. He didn’t sound distracted as he soothed on with his mind meditation. I rolled my eyes, peeking at him to close them. I repeated my steps three more times, not going to the far off meditation I was meant to go. He didn’t move or show signs he was about to attack. Peeking for the fifth time, his voice caught me off guard.
“Do you think that will stop the attack?”
That was annoying. Waiting for it, and expecting it, was nearly as frustrating as the knowledge he could just as well do it. He was right. After today, I wasn’t going to like him. I continued with the connection class, jumping at sounds around me and missing the moment when he did attack—four more times. Each of which were on the side of my head, adding another bruise if I was lucky. Okay, so it wasn’t hard hits, just taps. I grumbled with his mocking smile and arrogant stare.
Why can’t you sense the attack La’Kera? I was missing something, and I was unsure if I was angry with her. It wasn’t her fault.
It’s because you’re too focused on me … and what might happen. Not what could. Though I am confused, I didn’t sense the attack either, maybe I’m to be aware also. That had me un-puzzle her words, which didn’t help at all. Gaining another knock on my face, I rubbed the area. Hitting students or girls in particular was frowned upon. This was to do with training.
“All Ryders get the same treatment. Regardless of size, age or gender …”
Salvador had given a similar lecture, four months ago. They all spoke some truth. We Ryders were resilient. Able to heal bruises in hours, deep cuts melted away in a day, broken bones in a week at most. We were forced to go through the pain; otherwise, we wouldn’t know how to deal with the pain when it was presented to us in the field.
“That is all for Connections.” Karson stood swiftly.
I rose awkwardly to my wobbly legs.
“Maybe tomorrow you will see me coming,” he mused.
I couldn’t see the point of me seeing him coming with my eyes shut.
“Doubt that,” I grumbled. “I think you gave me brain damage.” I rubbed my face, shaking off his attacks and his comments.
He stepped towards me. My body tensed, ready for an attack. He reached out, slowly. His fingers touched my chin; tilting me towards the light, to his view. My breath was frozen in my lungs as I stared into his handsome features so close to me. A strong face, solid, kind, no scars. The thickness of his lips was deep grape, in contrast to his skin tone of bronze. I was focused on a strand of hair as it hung to his dimpled chin. Little or no emotion was visible as his green eyes lingered on my cheek, though a splash of concern was visible for mere seconds at most.
Oh, no. It must be bad to get his reaction.
“Maybe I should stick to shoulder blows.”
His eyes held with mine, staring deeper until I pulled away from his touch, his stare, and oh, damn. I needed to breathe.
“Hah. And how will that teach me when a real delgori jumps out at me?” I went for a joke as he lowered his hand to his side.
His features resembled before, hard, well controlled with little emotion.
“You’re right. But I would hate to give you permanent damage.”
I smiled, unsure if he was complimenting my looks. “I’m a Ryder right. Bound to get plenty of bruises in flying lessons.”
He chuckled. “That is possible, but not likely. Come on. We’ll get a round in the Combat Yards and another three laps on the track.”
“What! Another workout?” I groaned.
He arched a brow. “One more won’t hurt you.”
“It might make me less likely to walk.” I smirked, seeing his smile widen a fraction.
Least I was making him smile. He had a pleasant smile, wide, filled with humour, even if it was at my own expense. He led the way to the combat ring. I was best not to argue. Besides, he was still testing me. Finding my weakness.
This afternoon was much like this morning’s lesson. Karson battled with speed and skill I had not seen before. In class, even with the misfits taking me on, it was sort of easy. No one was fast, not Master Ryder fast. Sure, we had heightened speeds, hits and strengths, but not like Karson. He was attacking my side, though not harsh in his strikes. Most times, he paused just before the hit would connect. He’d tilt his head, to turn and use another swift move that I couldn’t block, and he would pause. With a nod, it was on to the track.
My calves burned, my breathing became jagged as Karson jogged beside me, perhaps amused, and taking in the scenery with a side glance. His breath wasn’t even elevated, nothing too strenuous.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he could do ten laps and still breathe normal.
“Into stretches.” He instructed at the end of the run.
I flexed and twisted my body, which wanted desperately to fall over and not get up. It was a time when my heart rate slowed enough so my vision wasn’t as blurred.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at six. Unless you wish to change your time to five?” Karson turned to the stone stairs.
“No. Six is fine. If I wake early, I will try not to be so eager.”
“You’re always welcomed to train early Rehema.” He paused in
the lobby, taking me in with a look I couldn’t place. “I won’t stop you, and no one else will if you wish to train early.”
“After today, I don’t think I will wake up.” I rubbed my arm, since that was the last hard hit he gave me.
He nodded and waved me off with a smile. Several students in the lobby eyed me with curiosity and fear. My face must have been bad; it showed concern for an eighth year student. She was close to tears as I walked past her. She was one of the many other children under fourteen known as a potential if they didn’t become a wizard at eleven, or show other magical attributes beforehand. All people of Dangora were potential Ryders. And for a Master Ryder to cause this much damage to me must have been a big shock.
Least he didn’t hit too hard, I mused to La’Kera. He is slowly toughening me up, I added.
That is possibly true, said La’Kera.
I wouldn’t be surprised that in two months time, I will be fighting him day and night, weekends too.
And winning, La’Kera rumbled.
I stared at the dishes filled with food, knowing I would have to clean them later, wasn’t a welcoming thought. Right now, it was dinner time. My stomach grumbled with the anticipation of eating. Trying to choose between the roast potatoes with herbs, the chicken pasta’s, the beef stews, the stuffed pork with spices, was hard. The endless salads and roast vegetables, with the menu melting down to the desserts. From cream puddings, cakes, delicate dishes with fancy custards inside that I had a hard time pronouncing, but deeply enjoyed. My eyes darted from one dish to the next. There was so much this evening.
Slim hands reached across to the tongs, picking up a chicken piece and placed it on my plate. Tobias smiled.
“If you’re unsure for much longer, you’ll miss out on all the best bits. And chicken is the well known of all foods.”
“That is true. Can’t go wrong with chicken.”
“And potato,” he added, scooping a large amount onto his plate. “Where are you sitting?”
“Oh, Er …” I glanced behind me, seeing the misfits still occupying the eleventh table. “Outside.”
“Too bad. Was hoping to sit with you.” He shrugged reaching for another scoop of stew and a roast duck leg.
“You still can. Just … outside … where La’Kera will be.”
I smiled as he paused mid reach between filling his plate and staring at me. His brown eyes held mine, unsure if I was serious. Pressing my lips together, I glanced to Alyssa and Xavier walking towards us.
“You can all join me.”
“You mean … she’s outside … in the garden?”
Tobias made it sound like dragon’s sitting in the north garden was uncommon. Okay, so most didn’t sit in the garden, they perched on the high roost, but still.
“She will be.”
I turned to the door and they were on my heels. Had they even finished loading up their food trays?
I descended the steps with a flutter of nerves. Three new friends—potential friends. I wasn’t sure I was happy or annoyed it happened so late in my arrival. Maybe they would just see La’Kera … I bit back any jealousy I had, because, I wanted to see her myself. What with all the new bruises I had accumulated, she didn’t believe they were as bad as I made out, even if she was aware of the hits through me.
“She isn’t any different to your dragon,” I pointed out, as we stood at the stone benches. Placing our plate to the side, the others followed suit, peering around the area for her on the ground and the sky. “She’s just white.”
“Yeah. But a Dy’Monian,” said Tobias. “The sixth herd of dragon kin.”
“Actually,” injected Xavier. “She’s the first herd. Diamond is the highest of all gems, the most powerful of all stones, and the rarest.”
“Bless Drae’Gon,” said Alyssa, glancing to the sky above us taking in the hues of warm orange, pink, and yellow, which made the dusk light calming.
“Well, where is she?” Tobias sounded disappointed.
I peeked into La’Kera’s mind.
“She’s making her grand entrance … for such welcoming Ryders,” I teased.
She snorted and rumbled soothingly as she dipped her way around the towers and towards us, turning in a wide arc before gliding lower.
“WOW!” All three gasped.
She was beautiful. Her twelve foot wingspan spread wide, showing off her marble membranes, the pattern was pearl white with small flecks of grey-silver, blue, green, and red; all pale tones. She rolled lazily in the sky, showing off her agility as dappled sunlight danced across her pearl scales, as she landed in the small clearing.
Showing off La’Kera … that is unlike you, I mused.
It was worth it. They are most kind to meet me … the first who wish to since three weeks ago.
That is true. I stepped closer to her, rubbing her neck and snout.
“You’re so tiny La’Kera. And beautiful,” said Alyssa.
La’Kera ruffled her wings with delight of the attention. All dragons love compliments and La’Kera was no exception.
All three Ryders stepped closer.
You three are most kind. She nudged to them, amused and welcoming their compliments.
“It is such a great honour to meet you,” Tobias was in awe, unable to take his eyes off her. He stuttered for more words that didn’t come. She stretched towards him, peering up at his form from her small height. She rumbled fondly, nudging him in the chest.
I knew I liked this one, she said, playfully.
A rumble from above had us all turn and gaze to the sky, as wings of approaching dragons swooped closer from the south. A purple dam, a red bull, and a smaller blue bull slowly rumbled comments to her. She bobbed her head, watching them soar. The newcomers made her nervous, as did my friends. She watched with crystal eyes as the smaller of the dragons landed out further. She took tentative steps towards him.
“Sky’Ros is so eager to meet her … told him to wait. But he insisted on it.” Tobias slowly walked towards the bench to take a seat, he watched as La’Kera approached his Bond.
The Sapherian yearling was a good eighteen feet from chest to tail, three times the size of La’Kera. He arched his wings, held his neck up, and decorated the sky with rings of smoke. A rhythm of rings that looped, danced and dazzled around La’Kera until she snorted with excitement.
“He’s such a gentleman—gentle bull,” he chuckled at his rephrasing, making us all laugh.
“Well, it’s working.”
The rumble of the other two dragons had La’Kera eager to take to the sky.
“And I assume they are your Bonds.” I nodded to the other two dragons.
Xavier and Alyssa nodded.
“Yes. Al’Tara and Kal’Nor,” she answered for Xavier.
He nodded, taking her in, to look away just as swiftly. Something in his eyes had me frown. Was he angry with her for doing that? I shook off the action and turned to my meal as La’Kera was complimented, and then coaxed into a race around the grounds.
Seating beside Alyssa, we were all consumed with the performance. Two twenty-five foot dragons danced in the air with loops and manoeuvrers that had me gasping with surprise as they teased and graced the clouds above. The Sapherian bull was beside La’Kera, showing moves she wished to pull off and reserved herself when Da’Vora roared from the far side of the grounds. She was too young to get carried away, several more roars called in the distance. To me it was rumbles much like harmonic cows, or large beast in the wilderness. Dragons through and through. For La’Kera, it was comments, warnings, encouragement. She hummed with delight of these new found friends. They were a good three years older than her, except for Sky’Ros who was only seven months older. They were four times her size. Watching the performance of the flying dragons, I was amazed how easy they made the actions above us. They were in sequence with one another and since they had only just met La’Kera, they were clearly smiling, dancing, and celebrating her, showing off fire balls to light up her dazzling diamond scales. B
reathless.
“So. Rehema,” Tobias turned his attention to me. “They say that a dragon bonded with another is most likely to make a deep friendship with their Bonds. Are you nervous?”
“Um …” Where did that come from?
I studied the group before me. It wasn’t a riddle, or a joke. It was common knowledge. Thankfully, La’Kera didn’t bond with Bronson’s dragon, or any other dragon, other than Da’Vora and Ta’Rok. Though, that didn’t make the relationship between Darcia and Mazella any better.
“It’s a working progress,” I mused, not wanting to get into how deep a relationship any of us could or should have with one another.
Tobias nodded when Alyssa rolled her eyes and hissed.
“Boys.” She turned to me. “What he’s trying to ask is … how serious was it with you and Bronson?”
“Oh, that.” They wanted to know the truth, the whole truth. I lowered my eyes to my meal.
Alyssa spoke with haste. “Look, forget it. It’s best we don’t know.”
“No … It’s fine. It’s … probably better if you knew the truth,” I exhaled a deep breath, my cheeks flushed and I was pleased it was dusk, no light to show my face. “Bronson used me. Simple as that. And it was only that once. That’s it.”
“Oh,” Tobias was the saddest. “So the others …?”
“Definitely rumours. Bronson was just bugged because he was …” I trailed off. Best not to start another wave of rumours. “It was a long time ago now. I’m over it. And he just … never let go. It’s not like I was planning on marrying him.”
“Strange that you … Er … did bed him,” commented Xavier. “Most girls from the dangorian towns are betrothed.”
“Oh, Er … I was, sort of. But …” I bit my lip. It was just before Walt died. It was before the idea of dragon riding, before all this. And in Plumridge, if I was to be betrothed to the boy I liked, it wasn’t a problem if we did take things to the next level. My cheeks flushed thinking about my actions in the past year. So much had happened, and I’d yet to catch my breath.
“So, it wasn’t your first time?” Alyssa was shy, but curious.
“No.” I kept my eyes down. Why did this feel oddly annoying talking about sex? Okay, so I wasn’t an expert on the way it was done, and sadly, he had no idea. The emotional scars that Bronson gave me hadn’t left completely. “But it was only that once, that’s it.”
Alyssa spoke with assurance. “See, I told the guys, there’s no way the other stuff was true. It was all the final years doing, trying to make out how bad you were, when everyone was commenting on how fast you fight in mêlée and how much magic you have in class.”
“They say that about me—Whoa … back up. You thought I was sleeping with all the final year students?”
Alyssa shook her head and turned to the boys.
I narrowed my eyes. “What happened to not believing rumours?”
“We don’t believe them,” said Tobias, holding his palms up. “But come on Rehema. You’re beautiful.”
Again with the compliment, I rolled my eyes. “I’m not that pretty. Amber is prettier than me … Alyssa. You’d win a prize next to her.”
She blushed. “Maybe, but no. She’d definitely get an eye fluttering award.” We laughed as the boys chuckled.
“You’re lucky I don’t hold grudges on juniors,” I said.
“Well, like we said,” piped in Xavier. “You had all the lantern light. We want some of it.”
“So, if you know about my courting life, than I want you all to tell me yours. Are you even dating anyone here?” A shift in their moods was evident. Oh, no. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Xavier glanced at Alyssa looking away quickly before Tobias blushed and dropped his head.
“Anyone …?”
“Well.” It was Xavier, “I was with Linda, but she’s leaving me.” His voice was airy.
“You don’t seem that broken hearted.”
“No … It was on an off … it’s a little harder here at the grounds. But we managed to find some privacy.”
“Oh, is that so.” I mused, taking in Alyssa beside me. I thought she would have teased him, but she was quiet.
“Linda’s going to Kenna for her field training. It’d be better we end it anyway. Has been like that for a good few weeks …” he trailed off, taking in Alyssa’s mood. “Now that I’m single, best to wait. I want to keep to my studies at least. Don’t know if I’ll catch up with her once I leave.”
To hide her actions, Alyssa glanced to the dragons and the aerobatics that many other dragons had joined in. How odd, I wasn’t all that bothered by dragons hovering a few hundred feet above me anymore.
“Study?” scoffed Tobias. “I’m going for action and for tales.”
“You wish to be a writer?” That was strange for a Ryder of Dangora to want another task.
“Oh, yeah. History is my main area. I want to have in-depth on the past battles. You think … you could get Karson to stop off for a bit tomorrow. I’d like to have a word with him about swords.”
I glanced at them sceptically. “You mean none of you have met Karson?”
“No. He was said to be in the south of Mildura. He was said to be finishing off with a student down there, or was supposed to finish with them next year. If he is here, that means he’s interrupted his training time with them to come to you.”
“That’s not good.”
“Sure it is. Least you get him.”
“I don’t know. He … shouldn’t have half trained some one,” I said.
“Well, you can ask tomorrow when you see him,” added Tobias with a wry smile.
Was I annoyed, pissed off, or just plain confused? There wasn’t anything to worry about. Besides, I was behind. He was a good mentor and he came all this way. Why didn’t someone else come and why now? Why not six months ago? Three, or even two months ago when my grades were starting to fall.
I heaved a deep breath, lost to my thoughts when I realised Tobias had started another tale on Karson. Listening, I tried to keep up with conversation, watching both Xavier and Alyssa carefully as they added their voice to the tale, laughing and smiling to each other, to look away completely. The shimmer in my eyes told me La’Kera was distracted with that strange aura around them. Not quite white or even silver. Something … bright. I shrugged it off, and when Tobias finished off his tale, La’Kera landed in the opening to give me a farewell hug. It was always welcoming to lean on her. Oddly, the others didn’t do this to their Bonds. Though the area out here was a little smaller, they’d have to go further into the field.
You will make great words, one day young Tobias of Sapherian. She nudged into him, making Tobias smile wider with devotion.
Don’t go making Sky’Ros jealous, I teased her.
Me, I would never. Besides, I have white shimmery wings. She flexed them in the last rays of light, teasing the link of her wrist and the bones that stretched along her wings and the membranes themselves. The white of her wings were translucent in the right angle, making everyone gasp and comment on her beauty. She was a pearl.
“Are you coming to the tale’s den La’Kera …?” Asked the young bull from above. His voice came through to me. She turned her snout to him.
I didn’t know I was allowed there yet. Da’Vora said I was to wait. She turned to me, with a final nudge; she was off to Da’Vora to see if she could get permission.
“Well, looks like another tale night,” said Xavier, dryly.
“Tale Night?” I asked, taking my leave to the Dinner Hall, now that our meals were finished. I was soon to do my punishment.
“Yeah. Where the dragons give voice of the great tales. Don’t the older ones talk to La’Kera about it?”
“Sort of. She hasn’t had many tales given to her. Just the basics.”
Tobias shook his head as he walked beside me.
“Well, then. You’re best to get comfortable. Your bond with La’Kera is about to get a whole lot more interesting.” Tobi
as touched my nose playfully before waving me off. “Talk to you all about it tomorrow …” He tapped his temple with a knowing smile, as he and the others departed through the doors, I headed into the kitchen for another night of punishment.