Page 49 of Wild Bond

Rake gave me an apologetic look. “You likely won’t see any. As long as we don’t get too close and don't draw attention to ourselves, they should stay in the trees. Most riders try to avoid this area altogether. Caravans go days out of their way to avoid the southern road this time of year, but it is the quickest way to Itrain. If we fly high enough, we should be fine.”

I nodded again, disappointed, but I supposed not seeing one of the creatures up close was a good thing.

Part of me wondered who would win in a skirmish between three dragons and a pride of griffins, but then again, I didn’t really want to find out.

AswearrivedinItrain, I marveled at the city. It wasn’t quite as large as Dessin, but the wooden and stone structures lining either side of the curved streets still spread out in all directions, as far as the eye could see. As we flew overhead, beginning to drop lower, I noticed a Nest at the center of this city. The familiar white stone of the arena surrounding the black obsidian floor offered a stark contrast to the rest of the buildings around it.

In my class with Gemma, I had learned that most of the major cities in Palasia had been built purposely around these deposits of black stone, because the dragons answered The Call each year to those locations. The great arenas were built around the obsidian and became known as the Nests. It had been that way ever since Lethara bonded her dragon.

Our dragons circled as we lowered even further, coming to land on one of the several cleared, elevated stone platforms that dotted the city for this very purpose. Skye touched down gently so as not to jostle me too much.

A man approached for the purpose of storing our saddles until we returned. Zade tossed him a few copper lads for his trouble.

I dismounted as gracefully as possible from Skye’s back. I had never ridden for such a long length of time and found my legs and especially my thighs were quite sore. It was hard for me to stand up straight without wincing.

“You’ll get used to it,” Zade said with sympathy. Then he added with a teasing light in his eyes, “But do straighten up. We have a reputation to uphold.”

I glared at him, and he just laughed as Skye’s large head leaned down and nuzzled mine.

“I’m all right, girl,” I murmured, rubbing her pale green nose affectionately.

“Who is the rider assigned to this city?” Zade asked Rake.

“Leah,” Rake answered, his voice stiff. Had he sounded reluctant to answer?

Zade’s eyes gleamed. “Ah, yes, the lovely Leah. And how is your lady love doing these days?”

It seemed like Rake was now the one purposely not looking at me as he replied, “There hasn’t been anything between us for years, and you know it.”

I fought hard to suppress a totally unfounded flare of jealousy at the thought of Rake with another woman. I had no right to the feeling whatsoever. He wasn’t mine. Rake and I had only kissed once, and based on the way he was acting like it hadn’t happened, I doubted there would be a repeat anytime soon.

Zade shrugged. “No matter. I’m sure she’ll come greet us at some point. She’ll no doubt be informed of our arrival. We’ve caused quite a stir.” He looked around, and I knew his eyes missed nothing as he took in the small crowd that had gathered. Most likely to admire the dragons.

“That was kind of the point,” Rake patted Naasir’s side as the dragon shrank down to his minor form, his scaled head coming to just above Rake’s waist.

Skye and Valla did the same, and I stroked Skye’s head, feeling a wave of affection and protectiveness from her as we descended the steps of the platform. She glanced around eagerly as I did, but she was feeling a bit more wary.

“Follow me,” Rake ordered, making his way out of the little square we currently found ourselves in, anyone in his way quickly moving out of his path.

Zade shook his head with a grin and followed after his friend. Valla walked primly at his side; her minor form just slightly larger than Skye’s. I did the same and tried my best to ignore the stares and whispers. I knew that even here people would have heard of the Jade Dragon, and Skye’s coloring was too unique not to be recognized. Not to mention the fact that everyone knew who Naasir was—there was only one black dragon in Palasia—and by extension, who his rider must be.

After a few minutes of walking, we found our way to one of the city’s main thoroughfares and finally, the markets.

I was amazed at the sheer size of it all. Dessin had a bustling market, but I had never seen anything like this before. Rows and rows of stalls selling goods and services of every kind lined the space. The market was humming with people and my senses were bombarded with the noises, colors, and many conflicting scents. I caught hints of lavender, spice, and freshly baked bread, as well as the more unpleasant scents of livestock and unwashed bodies.

As we made our way down one of the pathways between stalls, I took in everything around me. One vendor yelled prices to passersby, leaning over a table displaying magical items such as precious stones and amulets. Another stall sold potions, salves, and spices, while still another sold colorful scarfs and jewelry. There were maps, tapestries and paintings, spicy meats and baked goods, chocolates, a stall selling colorful beetles and insects, and even a roofed pen of pixies. There was a table with a display of bones and teeth from different magical creatures, perfumes, soaps and candles, jars of organs and things I couldn’t even begin to name.

I caught myself before I nearly took something from a stall with a distracted merchant out of pure habit. I no longer felt right about stealing. Before, I stole out of necessity, but now I had food, clothing, shelter, and everything I could need. It felt wrong to steal when I could be taking from someone who needed it more. Skye was also having a hard time keeping herself from darting off after everyshinything she saw. I was proud of her, sending her encouraging thoughts, empathizing with her on fighting an urge that was so instinctual.

We were almost to our destination, or so Rake said, when a particular stall caught my eye. I couldn’t help but come to a halt. The two men noticed my diversion, and both stopped as well.

The table before me was laden with finely crafted weaponry, from blades and short swords to bows and arrows.

The daggers were what had grabbed my attention—one set of daggers in particular. The pair of blades gleamed in the sunlight. Marbled jade with the darker green and lighter, near-white tones swirled together to make up the beautifully polished handles. The mix of colors were a near perfect match for Skye’s scales.

The stall keeper, noticing our interest, finished up with a customer and made his way over to us. He was a tall, dark-skinned man with a broad smile and a shrewd gaze. He wore a long, colorful cloak and dark turban on his head. He bowed to both Rake and Zade. “Riders,” he murmured respectfully. Then his eyes fell on me. “Trainee.” He bowed again, and his eyes widened slightly as he noted Skye at my side. “Welcome to the Itrain markets. How can I help you today? Are you looking for anything in particular?”

I stroked my fingers lovingly over the blade of one dagger and down to the slightly rounded pommel.

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