Page 35 of Drakhana's Treasure
I turn my back on the boardroom, which immediately becomes drowned by phones and tablets and raised voices. As I head downstairs, I start to run. I have friends nearby that need help and my dragon won’t be held back from this fight.
Twenty-Three
Kirralee
Ihaven’t left my room much since my big day out with Rastus. I can’t talk to anyone, especially Haywin. He knows me well enough that he would know straight away that something was up.
I wander through my apartment watching the light blooming on the horizon. I’ve watched lots of movies and ordered lots of interesting food, but today I’d like to see the others. Haywin is my only true friend but Janet, Lira and Steve have all been close to me growing up. I want to see how they are going.
I get dressed quickly and head downstairs. The noise of the casino doesn’t bother me that much today. I can feel the heat in my blood singing to me, soothing me. I know beyond a doubt that if I got into a stressful situation or was exposed to too much light or noise, I’d get sick again.
Even though I shouldn’t need to replenish my power by bathing in lava if I get weakened, it can be dimmed by the modern world. I’ve thought about this carefully and its only when I’m tired by resisting sounds and light that I start to get sick. A good nap should fix me up most of the time. The lava is within me, but if I’m diminished, I need time to rest to relight the spark.
I come into the main buffet area and grab some pancakes and donuts. I see Haywin with a few others but they don’t look up from their eggs. They have their heads together and they are all whispering furiously. I sit down at the end of the table and try to get in on the conversation.
When I hear about ice dragons, skirmishes and dead fire dragons I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I can feel my body becoming heavier, as if I want to sink into the ground.
How can this be happening?
“What do we do then?” Janet asks warily. “Do we just stay in our rooms?”
“There’s a dojo attached to the Casino.” Nick says helpfully. “I’ve been asked to go over there and train. It’s well secured. We’ll be safe there, surrounded by weapons and hardened fighters. I don’t mind waiting somewhere I can brush up on my skills and arm myself.”
“Sending the details now.” Haywin says softly and everyone’s phone beeps. I’ve remembered mine for once and I pull it out, clicking on the link. When I see how much territory we’ve lost I can’t believe what I’m seeing. They progressed so fast!
Everyone is finishing up their plates or looking forlornly at the food because they can’t eat. I’m surprised by the excitement in the air. Don’t they realize that clan members are already dead? That anyone could be next?
I nearly tremble at that thought. Where is Rastus? Right on the front lines, I’ll bet.
As we head out to the dojo next door, I find Haywin and hug him, taking his hand as we walk up through the carpark to the next building.
“I don’t know what good I’ll be in a fight.” he whispers.
“Me either.” I whisper back. “But what choice do we have?”
I can see that he’s scared and I just give his hand a little squeeze. As we arrive the teachers are already waiting for us and them organize us into lines.
We start running through basic warm up moves and my thoughts settle immediately. Most of us have done some form of this growing up and it’s a routine that instantly comforts us.
For several hours we work on hand to hand technique and weapons. I handle the weapons well but I have no intention of ever using one. I don’t want to fight.
About halfway through the day we break for lunch and I can see everyone is sore from the workout. The teachers tell us to rest for the afternoon and keep our devices on for updates while we eat.
There’s a knock on the door and a very tall man comes in, roughly wrapped in a red robe. He hurries straight up to our sensei and hugs him.
“Dylan!” the newcomer exclaims.
“Luke! Here for the charge?”
“Yes I am.”
Luke turns to look at us, smiling at the people he knows. He’s an old hand warrior, skilled at teaching attack formations for dragon shape.
“I’m just passing on the information, guys. The ice dragons are still moving even though it seems we are holding. They have started to move into the desert to cover our units there. The elders tried to contact the ice dragon royalty and no answer was given. We will have to fight for territory.”
Gasps fly around the room. Some of us are excited, others are terrified. Haywin reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“I want you guys to wait for Rastus, he’s holding a meeting this afternoon.” Luke calls so he can be heard right up the back of the room. “I don’t have all the info, but he will. Things are going to start moving soon, so be ready.”
