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The next morning, I used what I learned to get ready and in the right place in time for breakfast. The dining hall was loud with chatter and hot clattering dishes. Steam filled the air as a serving girl pulled the silver lid off a dish of eggs and set them on the long serving table. Metal pitchers of hot teas were quickly refilled as soon as they ran dry by a series of servants arriving with cast-iron kettles. The cold air of the fresh morning fueled my appetite and smelling yeasty goodness in the air as a Dragon Rider nearby broke open a fresh-baked roll made my mouth water.
Even arriving right at the bell, I was only one among many pouring into the great hall. Dragon Riders were outdoors people and they were morning people. More people than in my entire village – than in all the five villages of my home – lived in Dragon School and they all ate together, except the servants, of course.
Off to one side of the hall, I caught a glimpse of the boy I’d met last night, Tamas, talking to a white-clad servant. His arms were crossed like he was upset about something. Should I try to help somehow? His body language suggested that he didn’t want to be interrupted.
I hurried to the trainee table, gathering up two of the hot crusty rolls from a basket and piece of fruit. I couldn’t afford to linger here if I was going to make it up to Tack and Stables in time for the morning lesson.
“Sit down, you’re blocking my view,” Starie was her usual pleasant self as she slid onto the bench beside me. Space was limited at the trainee table, or I doubted she would choose to sit near me. Perhaps she wasn’t a morning person like the other Dragon Riders.
“Trainees.” Grandis Dantriet strode up to our table. “Lesson changes this morning. Due to yesterday’s events, Tack and Stables will be abbreviated. Clean your dragon’s stable quickly and carefully. You will have only fifteen minutes to finish. After that, you will go topside to watch a display of skill by the Inducted. I shall meet you there.”
He strode off, head high and businesslike. For a school, these people certainly didn’t seem to enjoy a lot of talking or lecturing. Every single one of them was a person of action – fresh air, exercise, sharp words and good food - that was my impression of Dragon Riders.
I tore a bite out of my chunk of bread and tucked the rest in my pockets, heading for the door. I would have loved to stay and sit for a while. The cheerful bustle of the dining hall brought back memories of home, and the combination of cool morning air and steaming piles of food was hard to resist. It would be fun to sit in a corner, sipping tea and listening to all the conversations, but if I wanted to get my dragon’s stable clean in time, I would need to hurry.
I made it up the ladder just as the bell for first duty was sounding. At least I knew what the bells meant now! I’d love to see some of them ringing. There was more than one that rang, but I didn’t know where they were. With the echoing of the cliff face, they could be anywhere.
You’re back.
I smiled as I heard his voice in my mind. I was getting used to Raolcan. Did he like it here?
I’m a prisoner.
Of course. I should have remembered that.
But no more than you are. You can’t ever leave either, can you?
I couldn’t, but I was a peasant girl with a bad leg. Raolcan was a massive, powerful dragon.
We have a treaty with the Dominion. It is an old bond. Our part of the treaty is to provide you with dragons to ride.
Are you saying that you volunteered?
Who would choose a life under the rule of another? But someone had to go, and I have no mate, no children. I will not be missed as much as others would.
Do you miss your home?
I miss everything.
I missed my home, too. If he agreed to come, then why did they tie him up? It seemed needlessly cruel. He was no brute beast.
Thank you.
Why did he thank me?
For your trust. You shouldn’t trust dragons, though. I will rend and flame as much as any other.
But not me. I knew he wouldn’t try to harm me. He’d admitted as much.
We shall see. I am still a dragon.
But he was also my friend. And we were in this together. I thought I could feel him smile as I hobbled along the ledge towards his alcove. I wondered what it would be like to embark on this journey with anyone else but Raolcan. Imagine if I were Dannil whose dragon bit his arm right off? I shuddered, peering into the alcoves as I went.
There was Daedru’s golden dragon, its mane shimmering in the dawn light. He yawned, his massive mouth opening so wide that I could step inside and my head would barely brush the roof of his mouth. I shuddered and moved on.
Once I neared the Reds, I saw Savette’s Eeamdor, but I didn’t near his pen. His sleek red scales shone in the sun like polished glass, but he was gouting flames out the door of his alcove. I timed my passing carefully to avoid them.
When I reached the Green stables, I saw a chalkboard with Tamas’ name written on it beside the name ‘Ieffban.’ So, Tamas was going to be Green if he prevailed. What sort of dragon had he been given? The alcove was dark and the door had thick woolen hangings over it. Perhaps Tamas really was rich of he could afford those. They had no embroidery or fancy dye work like the other curtains. Curious, I pulled back the draping to look inside.
The moment that light filled the alcove I was slammed against the alcove wall. Sulfurous breath filled my lungs and I choked on the fumes. Something hard and sharp scraped across the wall beside my face. I steeled myself and looked. It was a massive claw. The other claw was on the other side of my face, while the webbing spread under my jaw. I was pinned against the wall, at Ieffban’s mercy. Should I scream? What would be the point? Death was only moments away. I would not lose my dignity in my last moments.
Halt. Raolcan’s voice flooded my mind like a barked order. Halt what? I was pinned here. I could go nowhere. She is mine.
The claws didn’t move. But the pressure of the webbing eased a little. Should I try to duck under his grip? Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to run fast enough to flee him – not with my leg. I drew in a wavering breath.
Touch her and I will shred you to scraps and then burn what remains of you until the fat bubbles out.
Well, that really painted a picture. Delightful, Raolcan. You should be a poet in your spare time.
I clenched my jaw in pain as the sound of fingernails on a slate – only magnified times fifty – filled my ears. The claws scraped at the wall and then I was released as quickly as I’d been caught. I fell to the floor, scrambling on hands and knee for my crutch. I found it, wobbled to my feet, and dashed out the door as quickly as a leg and crutch could carry me. I didn’t stop to look back. Who cared why the alcove was different or what Ieffban looked like?
He's not nearly as good looking as I am.
Thank you for saving me, Raolcan. Really, what would I do without you?
Die. But let’s not dwell on that.
As I rushed from the cage I smacked straight into a Dragon Rider. I stumbled, but he caught my elbows as my crutch clattered again to the floor. Light gleamed off a shaven head and dark eyes assessed me.
“Well, you’re certainly curious enough to be Purple, that’s for sure. Would you like to explain why you were in another trainee’s alcove?” The look in Leng’s eye was danger and curiosity rolled up over each other.
“I wanted to know why the curtains were so thick over his alcove.”
Leng barked a laugh. “It’s a gift from his family. Servants of Dragon School can choose at age sixteen whether to join the servant ranks or try to be a Dragon Rider themselves. Tamas chose to try the harder path. His family doesn’t have much to help him except for this – dark curtains are said to keep the dragon docile and manageable. They are trying to keep him alive.”
“Docile? I don’t think it’s working.” Still, it was incredibly sweet of them. I thought back to the servant talking so intensely with him in the dining hall. A relative, perhaps? His mother or aunt? And he knew what the bells meant, not because he was a Castelan, but because he grew up here.
Leng laughed again. Either he found everything humorous, or just everything about me.
“Don’t laugh. He nearly bit my face off. And why are all the dragons male? Where are the girl dragons?”
This time his laugh came out a snort before he calmed down enough to answer. “Female dragons are larger and extremely elusive. Our arrangement with the Ha’drazen – the Dragon Queen – is for males only. They choose which ones and send them to a specific location where we round them up and bring them here. They are all young and most of them are completely wild until we gentle them.”
“It seems like a strange thing to do to a creature that can think as clearly as we can. Shouldn’t they be free to live life as they see fit?”
His gaze wandered off into the distance and his expression grew sad. “Are you free? Am I?”
“You looked like the freest man in the world yesterday. I saw you fly high in the sky and then leap off your dragon like thistledown flying in the breeze.”
His smile had returned. “Give it a week and you’ll do the same.”
I felt a pang in my chest. I’d never leap like that, no matter how much I succeeded here.
“I’m glad that you’ll be Purple, little sister,” he said with a smile. “Your curiosity marks you as a good choice for our Color. Follow that up with some wisdom and you might go far.”
He strode off so abruptly that I had to take a moment to catch my breath. Dragon Riders sure were strange people. They were as wild and predatory as the creatures they rode. Although I was beginning to have doubts about whether we should be riding dragons at all.
At least, if I must be owned, I am owned by someone who understands she has no right to my service.
I felt a chill in my spine at Raolcan’s thoughts. They were jagged and filled with emotion. Thank you for saving me, Raolcan. I owe you a debt.
I will consider it paid if you always remember that we are equals. You do not command this dragon. We are partners together.