Page 50 of Ava's Legacy of the Dragons
Ava was all attention. Was he trying to separate her from the egg? "I won't part from it."
He smirked. "Where does all your mistrust come from..." he began, then nodded to himself abruptly. "I know, the dragon fighter warned you. Well, now I want to warn you too. He's making eyes at you, but why don't you ask him about his plans for the future?"
She frowned, perplexed. "What are you getting at?"
Marcus shook his head. "Just ask him, then you'll see if he's being honest with you." Since he didn't elaborate any further but just turned away to wash the dishes, she probably shouldn't expect any further explanation.
Shaking her head, she went to the bedroom to get the egg. She nestled it, wrapped up in the cloth, in her leather bag before going outside to join Lilly. There, the girl was leaning against the trunk of an elm tree, observing the inhabitants. It was a miracle that the girl had waited.
Ava briefly let her gaze wander over the people who, like Marcus, wore linen clothing and sandals. They all exuded a calmness and serenity that was reflected in their leisurely gait and relaxed facial features. She wasimmediately convinced that these people rejected violence.
"Hey, Lilly, do you know what Marcus was hinting at in the kitchen earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
"That Kilian was making eyes at me and I should ask him about his future."
Lilly laughed. "You like him, don't you? I knew it."
Ava shook her head. "That's beside the point. I'm not interested. In any man."
"All the better, then there's nothing for you to worry about. And now come on, let's go ahead. Marcus will find us anyway."
Lilly probably had no idea what Marcus had been talking about, which was a shame because she would have loved to have known. She didn't like it when people hinted at something and didn't elaborate further. Although the question arose as to whether Kilian hadn't already done the same thing...
The town had cometo life, and the majority of the inhabitants were outdoors. This wasn't surprising, given that no daylight entered the earth houses except for the faint light that came through the front door if it was left wide open. But the high mountains and numerous trees already intercepted most of the sunlight, which was why it wasn't particularly bright in the valley. Did all the inhabitants have as many candles and decorations in their houses as Marcus?
Without exception, everyone they encountered greeted them warmly and bowed respectfully. Word ofwho Ava was had apparently spread, because she kept the egg hidden in her bag.
The paths were not paved, probably so that the dragon fighters wouldn't notice the valley from the sky. They were nothing more than trodden paths interspersed with stones and blades of grass. Without exception, all the dwellings were earth mounds with front doors as the only openings. Public buildings were located under large trees, although of course it couldn't be ruled out that councils met or meetings were held in one of the earth houses or another.
The previous night, she had already recognized that all structures were made of earth and wood and richly decorated, but in the daylight, the beauty of the city presented itself in its entirety. Every column, every chair, every table leg, and every wall was adorned with carved reliefs depicting fruits, ears of grain, crowns, and cornucopias. Leafy branches were embedded in the decoration, reinforcing the impression that the settlement had grown naturally. Trees with thick trunks and massive crowns were essential elements of the urban structure, not just ornaments.
They passed a mighty beech tree, with several children sitting under the canopy at ornate wooden desks. A woman in a green linen dress stood by the trunk, explaining something. Each child had a tiny sandbox in front of them on the table, half a meter by half a meter, along with a stick to write in the sand.
"Have you ever seen the inside of a school, Lilly?" She playfully nudged the little one in the side, but she just shrugged.
"I can do math, write, and read, if that's what you want to know. My mother taught me." She casually brushed her neck.
"But what about your education?"
"Life on the streets is education enough. Want to bet I know more than most kids?"
That was quite possible, especially when it came to picking locks and other illegal activities. Not to mention the legal ones. And at the moment, they didn't have time to think about this anyway. Lilly apparently felt the same way, because she quickened her steps and excitedly pointed along the beaten path.
"That must be where Thom lives up ahead. I just heard a chicken clucking." She took off running. Had she really heard something, or was she just trying to change the subject? In a way, the girl reminded her of herself.
She followed her at a leisurely pace, looking around with interest—especially for exits, because even though the people were behaving peacefully, she hadn't forgotten Kilian's warning. Apart from the rock crevice they had used to enter the city, she hadn't discovered any portal so far.
Lilly's hearing was excellent. As soon as they rounded the next earth house, there appeared a small, fenced area under a chestnut tree, where several chickens were pecking for worms. A rooster strutted around, proudly displaying his comb and tail. Right next to the broad chestnut trunk was a small wooden shed, presumably the chicken coop. Even the boards of this simple hut were decorated with reliefs showing baskets full of flowers and crops. A man, probably around fifty, came out through the narrow door carrying a basket of fresh eggs on his arm.
Lilly waved to him. "You must be Thom."
He looked eccentric but nodded to them in a friendly manner. He came to the fence, where Lilly wasstanding on the lowest rung, and gave her an egg. "That I am, and you must be the girl who arrived with the dragon guardian last night."
"That's right. I'm Lilly and this is Ava, the first dragon guardian in hundreds of years."
Ava extended her hand. "Just Ava is fine."
