by Martha Carr
Henry pulled Maxwell closer, watching some familiars tugging at their leashes to get away and others cowering in their owners’ arms. “It’s like a living food chain being played out in front of us. I think I’m gonna sit over here by the door, away from everyone.”
“Suits me.” Raven took a seat on the bottom row nearest the exit, scanning the crowd for Bella. She spotted Murphy and Jenny on the far bottom row, Murphy’s cat peeking out from between her feet under the bleachers.
“Where’s the dragon?”
Raven looked up, startled, even though she recognized the demanding voice. Bella Chase was standing over her, the firedrake perched on her shoulder. “In my pocket, Bella. I’ve mastered making everything tiny. Hold still for a second, and I’ll demonstrate.”
Bella quivered a little, but Raven still noticed and smiled, arching an eyebrow. “Time’s not up yet, Bella. Don’t count me out.”
Bella stood back and looked Raven up and down. “That’s the last thing I’d do. I meant what I said. You’re a badass kind of mage. You remind me of me, but there can only be one queen on campus, and I’m filling the slot.”
“Take it, Bella. Consider it yours. It’s not why I’m at Fowler.”
Bella stood back, one hand on her hip, and struggled to find something to say.
A tall, burly professor in a black robe barely able to cover his arms came striding into the barn, walked to the center of the room, and clapped his meaty hands, causing an echo in the room. Julia Knowles came up to him, cuddling her furry gray wombat and held it up for inspection. She came to his waist, even though she was one of the taller students.
He crouched to her eye level and stroked the fur on the wombat’s head.
“He’s the size of a tree.” Raven tried not to stare as the professor stood back up, towering over Julia.
“That’s Professor Worley. He’s new to Fowler. Rumor has it he used to live in the forest with the animals,” said Henry. Bella and Raven turned to take another look at him. “It’s true! Or at least it’s true that it’s a rumor.”
“Take your seats. Chop-chop. We’re wasting time.” His voice rolled out in a low boom. “Come on, Rodney, don’t sit with your rabbit near Mr. Davidian’s owl. Sit over there. Thank you. Bella Chase, take your seat. You can show everyone just how smart you are in a little while.”
Bella’s eyes widened. She turned on her heel without a word, marched to the middle of the bleachers, and started climbing, glancing back at the teacher. The firedrake was flapping his wings and letting out short screeches as he bounced on her shoulder.
A smile spread across Raven’s face as Henry elbowed her in the ribs. “We’ve found two things that can render her speechless.”
“I didn’t even think one was possible. Proof of magic,” Raven said with a laugh.
“Henry Derks!” boomed the professor. “Let’s start with you and your toad. Step up front and center, young man.
The color drained from Henry’s face, and he stood up, scooping Maxwell out of his pocket. He set his shoulders and blew out a short breath, marching to the center of the barn.
“All right, young Derks, do you know what a toad can do as a familiar?” Professor Worley crossed an arm over his chest, the other one rubbing his chin.
Henry stood up straighter, holding out Maxwell, whose tongue was darting in and out, grabbing at gnats. He took a deep breath as a hush came over the barn, and a few students leaned closer to catch every word. “Professor Worley, sir, no, I do not.”
The bleachers broke into laughter, and Henry pressed his lips together, looking at Raven, who shrugged, holding up her hands. “I got nothing, including no familiar of my own.”
Professor Worley held up an arm, gaining silence in the room. “That’s a perfect answer, young Mister Derks. You will always do well among animals and magic if you can admit when you don’t know something. I happen to like toads as familiars. A wise choice, and it says many good things about your character.”
Henry relaxed his shoulders, a smile coming across his face. Raven gave him a thumbs-up even as Bella rolled her eyes. Raven noticed that Murphy was the only one clapping her hands and cheering.
The professor put his arm around Henry, pulling him neatly underneath. “Toads are healing spirits. With a toad as your familiar, you can strengthen any healing spell and fix more serious wounds, heal more dangerous diseases. Just takes one good lick.”
Groans and laughter erupted from the crowd, but Henry never lost his smile. He held Maxwell up and kissed the toad’s head as the professor patted him on the back, shaking him enough to make his teeth rattle. “Back to your seat with you.”
Henry came back and sat down next to Raven. “Well done, Maxwell. We showed them.”
Raven suppressed a giggle, watching the frog flick his tongue.
One by one, each student came up with their familiar and found out a new power about the animal. Some even got to practice mixing in a spell. Bella and her firedrake came and stood in the center and Raven watched, doing her best not to scowl.
“Hang onto your familiars, please.” Professor Worley waved his arm, closing all the windows and the barn doors, leaving everyone in the darkness. Growls and yips and screeches rumbled across the bleachers.
“Okay, like you practiced it, Miss Chase. When you’re ready.” His voice could still be heard above the din.
“Et erit lux!” Bella lifted her arm, and the firedrake took flight, spreading its wings and sailing just under the rafters. Everywhere it flew, it left in its wake a stream of twinkling stars that lit the barn with a soft, shimmering glow.
Henry and Raven gazed up, their eyes wide. “Wow, that is a good one,” said Henry. “You think your dragon can do something like that?”
“Not a clue. There will be no living with Bella now.”
“Especially since you have bupkis.”
She looked at Henry in the twinkling light. “You’ve been hanging out with the wizard in the apothecary shop again, haven’t you?”
“Maybe. He knows a lot of weird spells.”
Raven glanced around and noticed everyone was distracted, including Bella. “I can’t take it. I’m sneaking out while I can.”
“Bella will bust you.”
“I’ll take a chance this victory is enough for her today. Catch you later.”
Raven got up and kept close to the wall, opening the tall door enough to slide through into the afternoon light. “Leander, we have to figure this out,” she said, determined as she headed across the campus toward the iron gates.
Raven stood inside Leander’s pen, her hands holding tight to the leather leaders. “What if I say please?”
“Then I’ll reconsider toasting you like a sausage.”
“You’re not very good at bargaining.”
“I’m a dragon bargaining with a girl at close range. I’d say I’m very good at it. You might want to reconsider.”
The wind picked up, blowing across Raven’s neck—a welcome relief from the hot air inside the pen. Leander lifted his head to smell the air, his heavy lids closing halfway as his large head turned in different directions. “The other dragons are in the next field. They’ve caught a few deer. Lunch is almost ready.”
“That’s an amazing and accurate sense of smell. Is that typical of dragons? Come on, don’t ignore me. Every day we don’t practice, we lose valuable time. Can I try putting the saddle on you?”
“Trying is always an option.”
“Can I do it without you throwing me into a wall?”
“No.”
Raven shook her head. “I appreciate the clarity.” She put her hands on her hips. “I’m going to sit here until you give in to something.”
“Then get comfortable. Here, let me make you a little room.”
Raven turned in a circle, frustrated, as if she expected to come up with something better. But she threw up her hands and stepped closer, sitting down cross-legged, leaning her back against the dragon.
“Hop
e you like dragon kibble. It’s what’s on the menu tonight.”
“I’ve had worse,” said Raven, shutting her eyes for a moment. She fell asleep, curled up against the dragon.
Leander watched her for a few moments and curled his tail around her, laying his head down and shutting his eyes.
William passed the pen and looked in, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. “Just when I think I’ve seen everything,” he muttered, walking away scratching his head. “Raven Alby, mage or not, you are meant to be around dragons.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The last sliver of sun was dropping below the horizon when Raven walked up the steps of the house and opened the screen door. Loud grunting could be heard coming from the stairs to the root cellar, followed by a heavy thud.
“Grandpa!” Raven dropped her satchel and ran for the stairs, her mind racing with the dark possibilities.
“What? You’re home! For the love of…” The trunk slid down a step with another heavy thunk. “Grab on! I could use the help. Damn thing is a lot heavier than I remember. What’s that look for? You look like you’ve seen an elf.” Connor Alby was dragging a large trunk. He was halfway up the stairs, and sweat dribbled down his nose while he gasped for breath.
“Let me get in there, Grandpa.”
“Yes, please. I’m kind of stuck here.” His arms were shaking from the effort. “And I’m losing my grip.”
She stepped down and grabbed one end of the long metal handle on the side of the trunk. “One, two, three, heave!”
Raven strained under the effort, her sore shoulder making it more difficult as she leaned back and pulled as hard as she could. The trunk slowly bumped up the steps until it reached the top. Connor gave it one last shove, moving it away from the opening.
“What’s in there that’s so heavy?” Raven sat on the floor, panting.
Her grandfather ran his arm across his brow, wiping away sweat. “I’ll show you in a minute.” Connor grabbed the railing on the stairs and held himself up while he caught his breath. “Let’s take it into the front room.”
He came up the rest of the steps and grabbed an end of the trunk. Raven wiggled her fingers and grabbed the handle as they half-dragged, half-lifted it into the front room of the house. “Let’s get it near the couch.”
“It’s gonna have to be our new coffee table. I don’t think it’s ever leaving this room again.”
“Perfect, right there. Hang on, I need a drink of water.”
Raven examined the trunk. It was brown and plain with tarnished brass trim, and a large lock hung across the latch. She ran her finger across the ‘A’ painted on the top in gold leaf. “You don’t have any bodies in here, do you?”
Connor Alby snorted and made his way to the kitchen. He poured a glass of water, gulping it down. “No. Not in this one, anyway. Stay out of the far side of the basement,” he joked.
Her grandfather came and sat on the couch in front of the trunk. He bent over to get a better look at the case, feeling the seams and smiling. He glanced at Raven, her hands on her knees. “Your knee feeling better?”
Raven looked down at her knee and rolled up the pant leg to get a better look. Purple and green splotches were already fading to yellow. “Yeah, just another bruise to add to the road map across my body. William said I’d survive it.”
Connor grunted while he jiggled the key in the lock. “Smart boy.”
She sat down next to him, furrowing her brow. “Where has this thing been? I’ve poked around that entire basement.”
“Aha! Victory!” The lock popped up, freeing the top. “My dear, I have hidden it in the recesses of the basement for a long time, and I should have told you about it. Now that you’re getting older and are in the academy, it’s time you learned more about my past.”
He lifted the lid of the trunk, releasing a cloud of dust that filled the air. Raven watched in amazement as her grandfather pulled out a pale green uniform with a shiny lapel pin depicting a dragon. Raven reached out to touch the pin. “What’s that for?”
“Hang on, I’ll get to that. All in good time.” He brushed his hand across the front, smoothing a wrinkle. “Boy, this brings back memories.” His eyes shone as he held it up. “Amazing.”
“Wait! There are two patches.” On each shoulder was the navy-blue patch given to the wizards who had protected the city. Raven got up and went to her room, digging out the box where she kept her most prized possessions. She held up the green patch and looked at it, puzzled.
She then noticed the orb.
The pink is creeping up into it. She shook her head and scooped it up.
Raven returned to the living room with the faded patch held out in her open palm. “This one looks almost the same, but the color is different. Where did this one come from?”
Her grandfather looked startled and sorrow flashed across his face, replaced by a faint smile. “You have investigated every corner of this house. Where did you find that? I thought I’d lost it.”
“It was stuck in the back of the dresser drawer. Was it yours?”
Connor Alby let out a sigh and took the patch from her, running his thumb over the stitching. “No, no, it’s not mine.” He hesitated and looked at the details, blinking hard. “It was your mother’s, and she earned it.”
Raven sat down hard, dropping onto the couch, her mouth hanging open. “What do you mean, my mother’s? She was a mage.”
“One of the best, and someone to be proud of.” He arched an eyebrow and leveled his gaze at her.
Raven bit her bottom lip and felt her face redden. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
Connor’s expression softened, and he patted her hand. “Sometimes when things come easily to us, we forget to treasure them.”
“Henry said the same thing.”
“Really?” Connor let out a laugh.
Raven smiled and held out her hand for the patch. “He says a lot of smart things if you listen long enough. You rarely talk about her. About Mom. What was she like?”
Connor handed over the patch. “Fiery and quick. She could figure things out from five different angles in just a minute. She valued being a mage. Thought it was a privilege and a necessary tool in her arsenal.”
Raven tilted her head to the side. “Arsenal?” She held up the patch, the orb still hidden in her other hand. “The wars were before Mom. How did she earn a patch?”
“The Swarm was only one pest we’ve had through the years. Raiders have attacked us time and again, hired by rogue kingdoms or seeking easy pickings. A mistake the same group never makes twice. When your mother was just barely twenty years old, three tribes came together and tried to overrun the city.”
He shook his head, remembering. “They were hardened warriors. Most folks in Brighton had never seen a single battle. There were days where it looked like all was lost. The raids went on for weeks. Your mother and others like her turned the tide and saved Brighton.”
“Others like her?”
“Mages who wielded a weapon. That’s part of the reason I’ve taught you what I can about using them. I’m glad that school can teach you more. In many ways, a good weapon is every bit as valuable as magic.”
“Or a dragon.”
Connor shook his head. “You and dragons. The band of powerful women became known as the Order of War Mages, and they earned their own patches. Your mother led the group. Aren’t you in school with another of their children? What’s that child’s name? Something Chase?”
The smile faded from Raven’s face. She did her best not to roll her eyes. “Bella Chase. We’ve met.”
“That’s it! Her mother was a war mage.” He jabbed the air with his finger. “You should have seen them ride side by side! And now their daughters are at Fowler together.”
“Funny how that happened.”
Her grandfather moved the uniform out of the way and pulled out several old journals, a sharp dagger, and a small, well-worn book with a deep-burgundy cover.
“Raven,
the things in here. There’s not much left to commemorate them in Brighton. This is just about all that’s left of them.”
“Of what?”
“Of the wizard riders.”
Raven grew excited, her face lighting up. “The Wizard Riders! You rode dragons into the war?”
He nodded at the pile of memories. “I did. We did. There was a legion of us at one time, gathered from the entire kingdom. This is proof of it.” He picked up an old piece of rolled parchment, the corners bent and worn. He spread it out to reveal a color sketch of a group of young men in green uniforms and tall leather lace-up boots, smiling in front of two enormous dragons. “These men were my friends, my brothers.” He pointed at a young face, his jaw set, staring straight ahead. “That’s supposed to be me on the left.”
“Red hair! Like mine.” Raven bounced on her seat, smiling.
“It’s been a long time since it was anything but gray.”
Raven shook her head in disbelief. “Those dragons look fierce. Like they’re ready to bite your heads off.”
He laughed. “Well, they took quite a few heads in their day, but not ours. They trusted us, and we trusted them. It took a lot of work, but we each had a strong bond.”
He pointed to the drawing of the tall silver dragon looming behind him. “That was Apollo,” he said, tapping the picture. “Hell of a dragon. He was an ice dragon, which is uncommon but not truly rare. He was the fastest dragon in the fleet.” He waved his hands in the air, excited. “I tell you, when I was on his back and we were flying, I felt unstoppable.”
He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Nobody had ever seen a faster or more agile dragon, and I could ride him anywhere. He could unleash a wintry blast of freezing air while ducking under a curtain of arrows. I haven’t felt freedom like that in a long time.”
“I could listen to your old war stories every night.”
“War stories are hard to tell. Even the victors come out with deep wounds that don’t heal well.” He stared straight ahead, not saying anything for a moment while Raven patiently waited. She had seen that look before.