“That’s a good choice,” Olla said from where she was modeling her turquoise dress. It looked stunning with her long blonde hair. She’d unraveled it from her braid to check it against the dress. “Go try it on.”
For the second time that day, I found myself behind a silk screen putting on clothing that didn’t belong to me. When I hobbled out, Artis was twirling in her green dress. Her red hair looked richer against the dullness of the green.
“That looks perfect,” Olla said. “Cream is a good color for you, Amel.”
“Maybe we can find a matching ribbon for the crutch,” Lenora said and I felt my face color once again. I wasn’t made for pretty dresses or galas.
“Oh, hush. She’s one of us now,” Artis said, her tone distracted as she turned side to side in the mirror.
“She’s a cripple,” Lenora said, as if anyone hadn’t realized that by now.
“She sits a dragon just fine,” Orra said, stripping off her orange dress, clearly as anxious as I was to get back into her leathers. “And that’s all I want from a fellow dragon rider.”
“That and responsiveness in a formation,” Olla agreed, joining her sister. “Now we just need to work on the signals.”
Lenora rolled her eyes, but I noticed that after the dresses were all hung neatly by our beds that she was the first one to sit on the edge of my bed and start demonstrating signs. They drilled me all afternoon and most of the evening, refusing to answer my questions or even pass the food at dinner if I didn’t ask with hand signals. I was still struggling with them, but I’d learned the major ones. A loop motion - rolling one forearm around the other - meant “again.” A circle made with one forefinger meant “follow.” Fingers tapped on the forearm called out the designated numbers of different group formations. The girls taught me the most popular ones but kept to just six to keep from confusing me. A tap to the forehead was a “yes.” A tap to the shoulder a “no.” And on and on and on until eventually, I was so tired that someone laughed and I blinked when I found someone else had pulled a blanket over me, but I didn’t sign a question – one finger to an ear. Instead, I simply fell into the sweet embrace of sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
“Get up! Get up!” Artis’ voice sounded panicked as she raced from one of us to the other shaking us in the pre-dawn darkness. A candle guttered in the holder she carried as she rushed between us. I sat up, massaging my leg. Spears of pain shot through my hip. I hadn’t taken care to prop it up well when I fell asleep last night. I yawned and almost laughed as Orra fended Artis off with a fluffy pillow.
“Leave me alone!” she wailed. “It’s too early!”
“They spotted a light on the horizon. It’s a ship! The Prince of Baojang arrives with the dawn and we are to fly his escort just like we were promised! We have to be up to the stables and tacking up right away.”
Lenora was already standing, washing her face with a cloth by a wash basin. How was her braid so perfect when she’d just awoken? Hastily, I combed my own hair out with my fingers, quickly braiding it into a tight, practical rope to keep it out of the way. I needed to hurry. No matter how fast I was, I wouldn’t be as fast as the others. I tied the end of my braid tightly, grabbed my crutch, and thanked the heavens I’d fallen asleep fully clothed. Even hurrying and doing only what was strictly necessary to ready myself, I was three steps behind everyone else.
Olla and Orra flew out of the room before I’d even had a turn in the washroom in the back. Lenora was only a few steps behind them looking fresh and clean as a summer daisy. Artis tucked a last strand of unruly hair into a headband as I was hobbling out. I was clean, respectable and ready to ride, but falling behind by the moment. She looked torn, glancing between me and the door.
“Just go,” I said. “I’ll catch up.”
She nodded briskly and ran. As always, I was left to bring up the rear. I hobbled through the darkness, hip twinging with the cold of the morning, leg dragging uselessly as I pulled myself along step by step. I knew the route – could see some of the others up ahead. If only I could run. If only I could speed away and show everyone how committed I was to this and that I was ambitious, too. It was just so hard to be ambitious when you knew that your all would never be as much as their average. Still, I pushed myself.
Footsteps echoed behind me. The streets were mostly clear, and I wondered who was hurrying across the cobblestones. Maybe we weren’t the only ones wrested from our beds to prepare for the coming prince.
They drew closer, but I couldn’t spare the time to spin around and look. I needed to focus every effort on getting to the stables in time. What if they flew without me? Would that mean that I didn’t pass formations and was thrown out of school?
The footsteps were just behind me and then suddenly a figure pulled up beside me, his pace matching mine. I glanced over. Who could it be? Lantern light reflected off Leng’s shaven head. He smiled at me, his eyes warm in the half-light of dawn that was creeping over the horizon.
“Ready to ride?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, feeling desperate inside at the need to hurry and yet trying not to show it to Leng. What would he think if he knew it was all I could do to pull in at the back of the line?
“I hear your knot is flying the honor escort.”
I nodded, shy of him with so much uncertainty between us.
“I’m proud of you. That’s a great honor. You will do our color very proud, Amel Leafbrought.” He seemed shy and I glanced up to see a gentle smile on his lips. He leaned towards me and then seemed to catch himself, drawing in a quick breath and then saying, “I want you to know that I will deal with matters when the prince arrives. You don’t need to say anything to him or about him – or his companions. Understand? You need to remain silent.”
Oh. He was only here to remind me not to talk. I couldn’t help the sinking feeling inside. I had hoped ... well, maybe I was reading things into the situation. I had almost thought that he was growing fond of me. I needed to stop getting my hopes up where he was concerned.
“I understand,” I said, bravely, fighting the searing disappointment inside.
“Good,” he said with a smile and then he seemed uncomfortable, like he wasn’t sure what to say next. He stopped walking, but I couldn’t stop with him. I was already well behind. He jogged up to join me again and grabbed my arm. “Amel? Can you stop for a moment?”
I stopped, frustration and anxiety warring within me at the delay.
“I don’t know how to say this,” he said, looking timid.
I wanted to make him feel better, but I really needed to get to the stable. Didn’t he realize that? Didn’t he see I was already at a disadvantage? I swallowed my selfish desire. I needed to be a good friend, not an amazing dragon rider. I drew in a deep breath. Whatever he was going to say must be important. I would pay him the respect of listening.
“Go ahead and tell me, Leng.” I forced a smile. Show kindness, Amel. Everything isn’t always about you.
“I don’t want to insult you but It’s still a long way to the stables.”
And longer by the minute! I forced myself to breathe evenly and really listen to him.
“Would you be offended if I offered to carry you? I think we could go a lot quicker.”
I almost sobbed with relief.
“Yes! Please. Oh, thank you, Leng. I’m so far behind.”
He signaled with his hand, and from the shadows, the massive form of Ahlskibi descended onto the cobbles in front of us. He motioned to his dragon. “Hop on. We’ll get you to Raolcan.”
My smile was genuine as he helped me on his dragon’s back. Maybe he just wanted to protect me. Could that be why he was acting so harsh?
Chapter Sixteen
He carried you? That’s my job!
Raolcan was far too bothered about that when we had an honor to perform. I scrambled across to his saddle, throwing it over my shoulder with one hand while my other arm worked the crutch back to where he was. I threw it over his shoulder
s and waited until he kindly lifted a leg, making space for me to crouch low and tighten his girth. Was that too tight?
Cinch it just a little tighter.
I complied, hooking the halter and reigns around his head. There was no bit and I didn’t tighten these at all, letting them hang loosely around his face so that he still had enough space to open his jaws all the way. It wasn’t like I was going to steer him, but all the other dragon riders used them and I didn’t want anyone to ask questions.
Leng doesn’t tighten Ahlskibi’s either. I bet he takes the bit out. The relationship between purples and their humans is different.
I was just mounting Raolcan, tucking my crutch into the side strap and breathing hard, when Orra peeked her head inside the alcove.
“Ready?” she asked, cheeks flushed and excitement dancing in her eyes.
I nodded.
“Great. You follow me in the formation. Lenora brings up the rear. Remember your signals and stay in tight. You’ll do great!”
She was gone in a flash, not even waiting to see if I’d acknowledged her.
Just like her dragon. All those greens are the same. It’s the feeling of flying, the joy of the chase, the excitement of the unknown – it’s all physical for them.
Well, just flying in your mind didn’t really count, did it? Of course, it was physical. I watched Artis drop from her perch, her dragon Cenieso spinning in his summersault. My belly clenched knowing my turn was coming. The twins and their emerald dragons, Nniojue and Eyemmay were next. I felt Raolcan moving into position as my breath came quicker.
For purples, flying is so much more, he said as he dropped. My stomach felt like it was dropping through my mouth and then we were hurtling forward behind Orra and her jewel-like green dragon in the glorious gold and pale blue of dawn. I thought I heard someone whoop as Artis tapped her arm with two fingers and we settled into formation.
Now that we were so high, I could finally see the ship out in the ocean, sailing toward the Ruby Isles. Surprisingly, she wasn’t alone. At least a dozen yellow-sailed ships were laid out in a formation like ours, the sea foaming and cresting wherever it met the bow of one of them. Where had those vessels been when I met Prince Rakturan on the island? He’d been on a single ship then. Had these others caught up to him later? It made seeing him there even more suspicious. What had he been doing so far south? If only I knew the kinds of things Savette did about the inner workings of the Dominion, maybe I’d have answers to these questions.
Maybe it’s a good thing that I do all the real work out here. You daydream too much to fly a dragon.
Maybe he should just be glad he didn’t have a novice rider sawing at his mouth and overriding his free will.
Oh, trust me, I am. Why do you think I picked you?
Because I’m no trouble?
Because you’re a dreamer and to me, your dreams taste like molten honey.
Imagine how that would scald your mouth!
Not my mouth. It’s my favorite treat. If you come across some, please save a little for me.
I’d have to see if there was any honey around. Perhaps I could make it hot somehow – in a pot? Would that be molten?
Good girl.
We received the signal from Artis and our formation slid into a “V” shape. When the ships were beneath us, we spread out wider and with hand signals, Artis led us into a group barrel roll. We followed it with a circular formation, spreading wide and fanning out until at the last moment Cenieso dove from his place at the apex and burst through the very center of our rotating circle. Artis’ red hair broke free of her headband, flowing through the air like a flame in the night.
Below us, on the ships, sailors waved and warriors brandished weapons in what seemed to be more celebration than a threat. They were impressive in their strange garments and solemn looks, and yet there was something about them that seemed very foreign. I’d never been very far from home. My parents had thought that best, not that they had any option with the little we had. I had already traveled further than any of them were ever likely to go. How strange that I was flying over a foreign prince on his way to marry my friend.
We continued our forms as we escorted them into port. Good thing Raolcan knew what he was doing, because Artis seemed to have forgotten that I was brand new at this as she rolled from one complicated maneuver into another. At least I knew enough of the hand signs to be able to anticipate what Raolcan was about to do so that it didn’t’ come as a shock.
On shore, a mass of people had been gathered, and even from here I could see that the streets had been strewn with flowers, the Ashevan poles wreathed with them, and people lined the narrow, winding roads all the way to the shining white palace on the hills. Tonight, we would gather in that palace in our borrowed dresses to greet the prince. I hoped that everything I believed about him wasn’t true.
Chapter Seventeen
“Tell me if anything is out of place, Amel!” Olla said, whirling in place.
She was perfect. Her hair and dress shining in the light of the candles and her shoes perfectly matching... wait. Shoes. I didn’t have shoes! My hand sprang to my mouth. Why hadn’t I thought of shoes?
“Don’t tell me it’s that bad!” She looked horrified.
“No, of course not!” I gasped. “You look perfect. I just realized that I’m wearing dragon rider boots. I don’t have shoes for this.”
I lifted the edge of my perfect cream lace and silk dress to reveal my knee-high dragon rider boots. Why hadn’t I even thought about it when I put them on? Of course, boots didn’t go with a dress! I’d just never worn a dress like this before. I hadn’t even thought about anything that I would need to go with it.
Lenora marched over and looked me up and down. We were in our quarters preparing for the gala where Savette would be presented to Prince Rakturan. I wondered how nervous she was right now, dressing and preparing just like us but with so much more at stake.
“The dress is long,” Lenora said, her expression firm. “And you can’t easily hobble on a crutch and court shoes. You’ll end up breaking the other leg and I’m certainly not going to carry you. Boots are more practical. No one will see them under the long dress. Just don’t dance with anyone.”
Well, that would be easy enough. With a crutch, I wouldn’t dare dance! I’d trip or fall or have to be carried and any of those things would be utterly humiliating.
“Are all of you ready?” Grandis Elfar bustled into the room, shocking me with her appearance. I knew, objectively, that she was a woman, despite the weathered skin, shorn hair and sturdy clothing, but it still felt very strange to see her in a dress. She had chosen a black dress that covered her from chin to toes, but even so, it felt strangely feminine for someone like her. “You did us proud today, Initiates. You held up the honor of Dragon School. Tonight, when the Reds fly and show us a fire display, you can watch them knowing that you did just as well as they and that you all passed your maneuvers. Enjoy yourselves. Keep an eye on each other. Stay out of trouble. We didn’t have nearly the time we needed to teach you etiquette, but do your best to keep up the dignity of Dragon School. We have much more to learn together.”
She smiled at us and then led the way out of our rooms and building and onto the crowded street where a steady flow of people moved toward the palace. For once, I wasn’t trailing behind everyone else. No one could go very quickly in the press of bodies. Unbidden, the memory of being carried on Ahlskibi’s back that morning came to mind. Leng had been so shy about offering, but in the end, he’d saved me. I wouldn’t have passed maneuvers if he hadn’t brought me there in time.
The excitement around us as we headed for the gala was palpable.
“Did you see him?” I heard one girl ask. She was clearly of importance, dressed in a filmy blue sky-silk dress. “I caught a glimpse as he was disembarking. So good looking!”
“And tall,” an older woman – likely her mother – agreed. “Tall and strong is good in a king. It lets people know they ca
n’t be bullied.”
If there was one adjective I would use for Rakturan, it was not ‘bullied.’ With similar positive comments and excited chatter all around us, it was hard to keep from growing nervous. What if Savette ended up changing her mind about him when she met him and saw how attractive he was? What if she disregarded my warnings? What if Leng hadn’t taken them seriously?
I was so busy worrying that we’d made it all the way to the palace gates and into the flower-filled courtyard before I realized it. Grandis Elfar disappeared into the crowd leaving us in the milling crowd. There were fires and punch in the courtyard and Artis handed out invitation cards to us.
“You’ll need these to get into the great hall. Only Castelans or High Castelans get into the inner tier, so don’t bother. Except for you, of course, Lenora.”
I took mine with good grace. I didn’t care about being in an inner tier, but Orra and Olla exchanged disappointed looks.
“Don’t worry, there is plenty of dancing in the great hall,” Artis said. “Or so Lenora tells me. I’ve never been to one of these.”
“You’ll be fine,” Lenora said absently, patting Artis on the arm before flowing gracefully into the crowd and taking the arm of a well dressed young man about our age.
“That must be High Castelan Yeerdis Huntl,” Artis said. “Lenora was waiting for him.”
“She was waiting for someone named ‘Yeerdis?’ Perhaps the Castelans should think about what names they give their children so that they don’t sound ridiculous!” Olla said.
Artis shushed her, but her heart wasn’t into it. We moved as a group to the gates where a man dressed in livery took our cards and allowed us into the gardens. Beyond them was the great hall, but here in the moonlight on the cliffs beside the sea, the gardens had more appeal for me.
Dragon School: The Dark Prince Page 5