Page 3 of Drakhana's Treasure
As I do a rough head count, I realize we are missing one. No one seems concerned so I’m guessing they weren’t harmed along the way. I move closer to them, ready to ask questions. They look up eagerly as I approach, all of them committed to learning and receptive to me.
Almost too late, I hear the choppy sound of wings right above my head. I scurry out of the way and so do the students in front of me. A small dragon thumps to the ground in front of me, a twisted mess of limbs.
It’s a female with bright gold eyes and she appears to be caught in her pack strap. I can tell by her well muscled limbs and wings she is an excellent flier, but she has no practice in shifting and landing. She’s struggling so hard with her satchel I don’t think she’s ever worn one before.
With one foot and one wing caught in the strings, she shifts. The effect is disastrous. The pack gets bound around her arms and she kicks wildly, trying to free her foot. As I stand over her, I keep myself still and impassive. The urge to roll my eyes and draw a palm over my face is almost overpowering, but I remain calm.
Up and down the line I hear a few giggles. I can’t blame them. She looks ridiculous.
Suddenly, she looks up at me. Her golden eyes are visible even in the dark. They haven’t changed color as she shifted. That’s very rare, and strange.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice is high and clear, like a child’s. “I’m really sorry. Lord Rasputin. I mean, Elder Rakish. No! Rustem! That’s it, isn’t it?”
The giggles of the others quickly turn into laughter. She panics, her face going white and her eyes wide. I raise my eyebrows just slightly, waiting for her to get untangled and put her robes on.
I can’t stop looking at her and I’m surprised at myself. I’ve seen hundreds of naked females and I became desensitized to it long before I came to the city. It doesn’t stop me admiring her long slender legs and heavy breasts. The way her dark red hair falls across her shoulders reminds me of a horse’s mane.
Wild and free.
She finally gets her clothes organized and stands up, head bowed. I can hear her making little gulping sounds and she might be about to cry. I can practically feel the waves of sorrow rolling out of her. This isn’t just new recruit nervousness. She’s very upset about something.
“Your name, dragon?” My voice cracks across the desert like a snake’s rattle.
“Kirralee.”
“I am Rastus.” I step a bit closer, forcing her to look at me. “You might want to remember that.”
I turn away from her, listening to the others laugh. Quite a few of my new students do not seem surprised by Kirralee’s clumsiness. That bothers me. If she’s so inept, they should have kept her at the peak. Special allowances can always be made if a dragon is clearly not suited for the city life.
With a wave and a sharp bark, I direct them to the limos. I take the front seat in the main one, waiting for the others to get in. As I try to turn my mind back to the important work I have to catch up on, my mental image is interrupted by Kirralee and how she looked when she fell out of the sky.
She’s just another recruit. A poor one, at that. I don’t have the time to waste on her if she will be hard to train. I look into the darkness of the desert as we pull away, thinking of the bright lights and relentless noise of the city and the work awaiting me there.
Despite my discipline, every time my thoughts falter, I see her eyes. As if they can see right through me, into parts of myself that I never knew existed.
Three
Kirralee
Isit in the back of the limo, curled into the corner. My cheeks are burning hot and I know they must be as red as my hair. I keep my arms wrapped around myself and try to disappear into the soft leather seat.
The others are happily going through the small fridges and cupboards, pulling out snacks and drinks. None of us have ever seen this stuff—small packets of chips and nuts, finely made sandwiches and bottles of sparkling liquid. I’m curious but I’m also determined not draw anymore attention to myself.
I look up and see Haywin, who gives me an encouraging smile. Even though he’s five years younger than me we have been friends for a long time. He’s the only one that has ever tolerated my strange habits.
He holds out a small bright packet, jiggling it in his hand.
“It’s called trail mix.” He says gently. “It’s fruit and nuts mixed together with honey. You would like it.”
Before I can answer there is a sharp laugh from the other side of the limo.
“Best not risk it Haywin! You never know where your nuts might end up if you hand them over to Kirralee!”
My mouth opens to respond to the barb but rich laughter fills the limo and I just curl up tighter. Kane is the undisputed leader of this group and he never misses a chance to humiliate me. His close friends Zelena and Bailey happily help out when he’s not around.
Haywin gives me a pained look but I know he doesn’t want to draw their attention either. It’s important to him to get into a good school and work on his career. He doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do yet, but he wants every opportunity that’s coming to him. He deserves that chance.
The best thing I can do for my best friend is stay the hell away from him. Especially if my opening performance is setting the stage for the rest of my stay here.
