Chapter 1
For a moment I simply lay there on the ground, listening to the come and go of my breathing, and the laboured breath of the dying dragon laying beside me.
“Bless you Gods, you have saved me. You have saved us all.” I whisper into the night, and with a sigh close my eyes.
When I pull myself to my feet, tenderly clutching my broken arm, I pull my blooded sword from the body of the beast, pluck five of the dragons scales from its arm and pick up a broken tooth that has fallen not far from the body, just in time to hear the dragons breathing stop, and see the creature’s carcass disintegrate into ash; something that happens to all dragons when their hearts cease to beat. When it has, I bend down and scoop up a handful of the glittering ash and place it in the small muslin that hangs from my belt.
Then I haul my tired, aching feet towards to Academy on the outskirts of town, dragging my souvenir’s along with me. My heart is beating faster than it was when I was slaying the dragon, though now it is out of pure anxiety.
The Gods only know what the Principal, Master Rex Augustus Regulus, will do with me once I return to the Academy. Every part of his name represents leadership; I do not doubt that he will know just the right way in which to punish me.
There is the strong probability that he will threaten me with expulsion, though it is impossible for him to do so; something my peers often hold against me.
My place at the Academy, whilst one of great honour amongst young people my age, is practically mandatory for myself. Even if I wanted to be expelled, they would do everything in their power to keep me there. No one will tell me the true reason why, it has always been hidden from me. I do not pry into the matter however; not wanting to look a gift-horse in the mouth.
There are many other, rather imaginative, ways that Master Regulus could and will punish me with. For example...scrubbing every chalkboard in the citadel with my own wooden tooth-brush. Or even better, laundry duty for the rest of the year. Urgh, I hate laundry duty. In the past few terms at the Academy, I’ve been stuck with it seven times. Personally I think it’s the Masters favourite punishment; he knows I stink like horse dung at it. The list of punishments...is truly endless, but those are the worst.
“Lotta! Get your stupid arse through this gate so I can tan your reckless hide!” My informal instructor Fredrich Jameson, who is forever spouting his Irish wisdom at me, is my first official welcome.
He waits at the gate, behind the shield of magick, scanning the pitch black skies for the winged beast he suspects is on my trail, with slight fear straining his wide jaw.
Fredrich is a handsome old man, his leathery skin worn well with his age. Solidly in his early fifties, my trusted mentor is a rusty old bachelor with greying black hair and a penchant for making the extra training I have with him infinitely harder. He just loves to knock me down a fair few pegs.
“Relax comrade, have a little more faith in my godlike abilities.” I drop the tooth, as long as my leg and as sharp as an arrow point, at his feet, and resist a grin when he gasps in surprise.
“You killed it?” The twang in his Irish accent is, for once, about as lovable as the recent pile of ashes laying two miles behind me.
“Of course I did. It was a piece of dung.” I sigh tiredly, wincing as the action pains my broken arm. “Now let me pass, I need to see matron.” I move to go past Fredrich, but he stops me with a grimace.
“You have no idea what you’re in for in there.” He hisses, not allowing me an inch of space as he towers over me, his six foot two frame intimidating in the darkness.
“I’ll deal with it.” I reply, carefully meeting his eyes.
“Deal with it? Lotta, you’re not going to have the choice! The Master is furious beyond measure. You’ve been gone three days in pursuit of this creature, don’t you realise what that means? Not only did you put the Academy in danger, the town also, you risked your own life in a stupid act of defiance!” His spit lands on my face and I wipe it off moodily. I loath being admonished like a child.
“I did it for the Academy and the town, not for myself. That beast was a danger to everyone; lives have been lost, and no one was doing anything about it! It wasn’t defiance, Fred, it was bravery! Sense and bravery!” I wasn’t wrong in what I did. It may have been a reckless act but at least I was taking action; the Master was sitting around doing nothing whilst innocent town-folk were slaughtered.
“Sense? Bollocks to sense, Lotta! You were playing hero, and you know it!”
“So what? I’m not a child any more Fred, when will you see that?!” I cry, a furious heat filling my cheeks, scorching up my neck.
“When you stop acting like one! This careless act of yours shows me that you have learned nothing since your arrival here, regardless of our training together. You were out of line, something you will be reminded of every day from this moment, not just by me, but by everyone inside that citadel and beyond.”
“Child? Careless? When was the last time you took responsibility for your life Fredrich? How do you expect me to learn from you when you can’t even help yourself?!” I scream, tears of hurt stinging my eyes.
This is the confrontation that my heart was beating so fast for. I knew I would end up saying something I regret. And seeing the look on my old tutor’s face, all I wish to do is shrivel up into a wrinkled ball of guilt and shame. “Fred...” I begin, instantly wanting to take it all back.
“Lotta, this has gone too far. If your parents could see you now...” He interrupts, shaking his head in exhaustion. He appears older in that moment than he’s ever seemed to be.
“My parents are dead.” I whisper back, wiping my unbroken arm across my damp cheeks. “A fact I don’t like to be reminded of.”
We stand in tense silence for a few moments, preparing for what I face inside, and calming our hearts after our furious exchange.
“Fredrich...” I begin to apologise again, but he waves a coarse hand at me, shaking his head.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to exchange any more harsh words with you tonight.” With a resigned tone in his rough voice, he turns on his heel and marches ahead, leaving me regretting returning to the Academy at all.
Fredrich was right, I had wanted a hero’s welcome. Instead, all I got was the realisation that my mouth is no longer connected to my brain, let alone my heart.
I go to matron immediately, making my way along the dark outer walls of the citadel until I reach her door, no longer able to ignore the unnatural pain in my arm, along with the current state of my charred skin; the result of the dragons fire.
“So the hero returns, tail between her legs.” The matron, Catalina Vurdos, an attractively voluptuous Spanish lady with long dark hair pulled into a braid and a sky blue uniform, greets me with a wide smile. Her wise eyes appraise me, reprimanding. Then, with a relieved laugh, she holds out her arms for me to run into.
“Oh Chiquita, when will you learn, eh?” She kisses my forehead lovingly as I close my eyes and lay my head on her shoulder.
“Lina, I don’t know what I’m going to do this time. Master Rex will see fit to banish me forever.” I sigh, wincing at the pain in my arm as matron sits me on the hospital cot and begins to inspect the break.
“Do not feel bad for yourself mi hija. You are strong, you pull through this like always, huh?” Closing her eyes, she holds my arm and breathes softly as the magick of her healing abilities flows into my skin, fixing my bone within seconds. “The break was clean, but it needs more time to heal. May do good for you to be fragile right now, eh?” She chuckles, voice husky; emotional. I pat her arm kindly; she must have been worried, and Lina returns my affection with a kiss on my forehead.
Anyone with healing abilities like Catalina often chooses the path of a matron, doctor or free-walking healer; someone who travels the world tending to the most acclaimed and heartily worshipped warlocks.
“I need you to see to my tooth also.” I smile softly as she fastens an arm brace in position, securing it with a firm knot on my shoulder.
“Abierto.” She instructs me, and I open my mouth. Swiftly, she checks for damage to my teeth, frowning when she finds none. Pulling back, she follows the direction of my gaze to where the previously unnoticed dragon tooth lays.
“Oh my!” She gasps in horror, her small hands moving to cover her mouth. Then she laughs wildly, clutching her sides when it becomes uncontrollable.
“What so funny, Lina?” Sliding from the cot and appraising her curiously.
“See to my tooth!” She cackles, pinching my cheek softly. “Siempre el comodín.”
“I needed cheering up.” I shrug, staring at the sharpest point of the tooth with a grimace, before lifting the hem of my trousers to reveal a palm length gash that is bleeding continuously. No wonder I feel so drowsy; I must have lost a lot of blood.
Normally, dresses on females would be mandatory, but I stole this pair of trousers from my last laundry duty punishment, and wore them for the sole purpose of slaying the dragon; something not easily done in skirts.
“Chiquita! Let me heal that.” Lina gasps, and I lift my injured leg to rest it on the cot, letting her clean and heal the deep gash on my calf. The increase in the unease in my stomach warns me that soon I will have to face the Master, which I would easily wish to avoid forever.
“Lina, can I stay here for a short while? I don’t think I can face Master Rex yet.” I close my eyes momentarily as a flush of sickness washes over me. Yet another reason why I really need to stop these outlandish acts of mine; I always regret them when it comes to facing the Principal; and feel nauseous every time. He is a God in his own right; terrifying, and completely unforgiving.
“Of course Lotta. Sit, have a drink and rest.” Lina ushers me into her private quarters, that are directly connected to the hospital wing. She closes the door behind her and tells me she’ll be just a moment and to make myself comfortable.
So I take a seat in one of her worn out velvet armchairs, and watch her scuttle off to make us some lemon tea. My favourite.
Catalina is one of three people that I divide my time between. As well as Fredrich and my cat, Henry. When I’m not studying or training, I come to see Lina when she has some spare time. She is wonderful, a pure blessing in my life. She is a mother, in her own way.
Her quarters always have a certain homely feel, welcoming and warm. I have not known one person who has felt ill at ease in this small section of the Academy. Truly, it is probably the only place in the citadel that anyone can feel comfortable in. A sad fact when looked at properly.
There are so many paintings here, sketches of family that Lina left behind. She never speaks about them, says it makes her too sad and lonely. All she will say...is that she is here for them, to send money back that will keep them safe. When she told me that, half a year after I arrived here, I loved her right then in that moment. I told her so, and she has welcomed me into her life ever since.
Thinking of Lina and her family brings up unpleasant memories of my own, and I curl my feet up beneath me in desolation.
When I arrived at the Academy four years ago, I had recently lost my parents in a house fire. I do not know how it started; only that it stole everything from me, anything that I had ever loved or cared about. It took my family, my life.
The day that it happened, I had been at the house of a friend. Her name was Eliza, and she was beautiful. With long golden hair and wonderful blue eyes, she was my best friend. Until some stranger came to fetch me, telling me that my parents had died, and that I was in his care from that moment on. It had taken three hours to stop me from kicking and screaming; at least enough to lead me away from the burnt wreckage of my home.
My parents and I had no family, just us three and our happiness. So this stranger, telling me his name was Fredrich Jameson, was the closest thing I would see as a relative during that terrible time. Not long after my arrival at the Academy, I met Catalina; and the two of them became my symbolic family.
Fredrich told me all that I needed to know about the Academy and it’s history. I had only heard stories, up until that moment, but the reality was a whole world away.
Only people with the ability to conjure magick could be accepted to the Academy, and somehow...without knowing it, I was one of those people. One of the chosen.
I suppose my parents just never had the need to tell me; I think they knew that I would resent it. Even now, when my tutors try to persuade me to use magick, I refuse in the hope that it will merely go away.
The frustrating fact is...they just do not give up, they insist that I must use my powers, that I must hone my skills before...
That is when they stop speaking, at before...
It is such a mystery, but I suppose I am just too afraid of what is to come after the before, and what it has to do with me.
One night, when Fred and I were huddled around a roaring fireplace, and he had just finished recalling the story of how he came to acquire a grizzly scar running down the entire length of his left arm, he said...
“You know Lotta, most people didn’t even think you existed. If I hadn’t been in Sancra that day, you’d still be a little secret.”
He hiccupped, reached for the rum decanter, then resumed drinking to his hearts content. I never got to ask him what he meant, but over the years I have begun to investigate the matter myself. In my search so far, I have found...nothing. The only clue is the suspicious way that I am almost...tip-toed around. Like hot coals, or broken glass. I will never be expelled, and often my punishments are forgotten before they even start.
For some unknown reason, the Academy needs me...only me. I am different from the rest of the students; something I have always found obvious; I share no interests, aspirations or hobbies with them. It isn’t that I do not like them, they are fascinating people. But usually, friendships that I have simply wither, like a dying flame.
I am okay though, I manage to move through my life slowly, counting the days before I can leave here. Just two more years to go; then I will be eighteen years of age, and ready to become my own person.
At least...that is what I tell myself. Because, no matter how much I insist on persuading myself that it is true, my heart tells me that I will never be free. I will never be allowed to walk my own path; I will be made to take the one that the Gods have laid out for me.
And where will it lead me? Straight into the hands of the Gods of Death. Passed from God to God, merely a tool, toy...slave.
“Mi querido, what is on your mind?” When Lina returns with two piping hot china tea-cups of lemon tea, I sit up as she places one in my free hand and takes the chair opposite me, sinking into it tiredly whilst watching me with a concerned look in her warm hazel eyes.
“Nothing Lina, I’m just tired.” I lie swiftly, not wanting her to worry herself with my concerns. She knows this, but she lets it go none the less.
“If you say so.” She smiles, sipping her tea carefully, burning her tongue a little. She heals it instantly. “Now then, I am just bursting to know how you killed that demonio.”
I chuckle at her jovial expression, nursing my tea against my chest. I will not be long in this arm brace, but already it is a bother.
“It was not easy.” Pausing, I rest my head against the tall back of the chair and close my eyes. “In fact, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.” Apart from walking away from my home, but I do not say that aloud.
“Tell me what happened Chiquita.” Lina whispers softly, intrigue lacing her voice.
“The first day that I was searching I hiked up Mount Bellator. The hike took me well into the second day, by which time I was exhausted, my feet ached for your healing hands.” I smile, inhaling the refreshing scent of my tea slowly. As if persuaded, Lina reaches down and hauls my feet onto her lap, kneading them firmly with her tiny hands. Relaxing further into my chair I continue with my story.
“After I had rested a moment, I heard the call of the beast not fifty feet from where I sat. I had found its nest.” I recall seeing no dragon eggs, something that would have willed me against killing the thing. “I waited until the creature began to take flight, on the afternoon of the third today, this afternoon, before I shot a handful of arrows towards it. Each one hit, and I had been aiming for its wing.”
“Bellísimo!” Lina grins, happy that my training has aided me so well. I wouldn’t have set out to kill such a creature without first believing that I had the skills to achieve it.
“It fell...fell far to the ground. When I made my way back down I found it at the base of the mountain, unconscious beneath a cluster of chestnut trees. It stirred as I approached with my spear ready to pierce its skull.” I pause as Lina gasps in concern, making me smile. Even though I am right before her very eyes, safe and sound, she still worries.
“It saw me, poised to kill it, and dragged itself from the ground to begin its pursuit of me. I ran for hours, until I could run no longer. I was lucky, if I had not had the cover of darkness, or the convenience of a broken tree, I would be dead.” I finish my lemon tea, and pull my feet from Lina’s lap, standing to embrace her warmly. I need it.
“You are the bravest chica I have ever known, and I will always love you for that.” I pull back to notice that she has tears on her cheeks, which I wipe away with my thumb. “You saved us all Charlotte, I am so proud, so glad you are safe.”
- - -
I finally leave Lina’s, after letting her hold me in her arms from a long time, to walk through the courtyard of the citadel towards the main doors. When I reach them the guard steps in my way.
“Lotta, you’re alive!” The guard’s name is William, not long into his twenties, with light blonde hair and a rugged face. He embraces me tightly before setting me firmly back on the ground. I grin in welcome.
“It offends me that you doubt my ability to slay a dragon. Especially after I beat you at fencing not two months ago.” I chuckle slyly. He let me win.
“Beat me? I let you, you rascal!” He booms, tussling my hair affectionately.
“Next time, you won’t need to.” I laugh in return, happy that at least someone outside my trusted circle of three is glad to see me living. I wonder where my beloved cat is right now...
“Indeed, now that you’ve slain a dragon. Fire-claw no less. That thing was a demon from hell, no doubt!” Fire-claw was the name given to the beast when it began to destroy the towns. Everyone feared the creature.
William engulfs me in a his strong arms once more, laughing loudly with glee.
“The Gods have blessed you fully! For you to have killed that thing, you must be sent from above.” Grinning, he peeks around me to look at the leg-length tooth I insist on dragging with me. With a mischievous look, he bends down to run his fingers along it, marvelling at its smooth texture.
Glancing up he looks at my arm brace carefully, as if noticing it for the first time.
“Battle scars.” He approves, checking for other damage. “You have officially joined the ranks of Militibus Deos everywhere.” He says proudly.
“You mean it?” I gasp, jumping at the title eagerly. For me to be a Warrior of the Gods...a dream come true. William and I grin at each other happily, mulling over the title.
“What an honour.” My happiness falls short, my heart thumping heavily, as I turn slowly to face Master Regulus.
“Master...I was just on my way-” I stammer like a fool, blushing.
“Follow me.” The Master turns sharply to stride away, teeth gritted in impatience as I hesitate at the door. My feet are willing me to run for all I am worth, but I just cannot move.
Bidding William a tense farewell, him wishing me good luck, and my dragons tooth in tow, I follow Master Rex through the heavy wooden doors towards the centre of the citadel. I am surprised when I see that the halls are empty.
Usually, when I do something stupid, the Master makes me parade in front of the whole Academy; in an attempt to cease further brash behaviour. As you can guess, it hasn’t worked.
The Master is a stern looking, tall and well built man, with black hair and a tendency to frown constantly, marring his good looks. He always wears things of undeniable worth, but he is noble enough that he does not parade about in it. Most of the time what he wears is dark and understated, but when looked at carefully is extremely well made with the finest fabric money can buy. As Master, I suspect this is a necessary thing.
In the halls of the North wing, where the more important parts of the citadel are, there are many, many portraits of former Masters. If seen, you would realise just how understated Master Rex’s attire is; a lot of the former Masters wore their title, jewel encrusted and ostentatious.
Master Rex does not exchange one word with me whilst I follow him in the direction of the banquet hall, though why we are going in that direction I do not know.
Maybe everyone is gathered there so they can all laugh at me together. Master Rex will probably make me stand on a podium whilst students and tutors alike throw squashy fruit at me. This vision in my mind feels all too much of a possibility.
My heart beats faster at the thought, and the uncomfortable nausea that my body is so familiar with engulfs me once more.
“Prepare yourself, dragon slayer.” Master Rex says carefully, his gruff voice low and vigilant, without turning to face me. Then he opens the doors to the hall, and my stomach drops completely.
For within the elegant confines of the banquet hall, lies a cheering crowd so large it causes me draw back in surprise. Cheering? For my arrival?
“Master...I do not understand.” I whisper, in awe at the mass crowding the room.
“For your victory. You are a hero, and this...is your hero’s welcome.” The Master says, spreading his arms as a show of enormity.
“Thank you.” I say, a smile forming on my lips.
Leisurely he leads me through the crowd of fellow students and tutors, who smile and clap their hands as I pass. When we reach the raised platform at the end of the hall, Master Rex motions for me to stand beside him as he steps forward to address the crowd.
“Students, fellow administrators, welcome back your dragon slayer!” The echo of his voice bounces around the high walls of the hall, causing more cheering to commence. Never did I expect this, not from the Master. It is a blessing, and an honour. For a long while he lets me enjoy the moment. Then it is over.
Slowly the crowd’s cheers give way to silence, and Master Rex turns with a smirk on his lips. The smile on my own fades in question. My heart falters, nausea returning.
“Is it what you expected?” He asks, with only silence to greet his words. I look to the familiar faces of the Academy curiously, before shaking my head.
“No. It is not.” Again the strange silence greets me as the Master nods thoughtfully. Then he turns to the crowd once more and gives a loud, booming laugh. The crowd joins in, watching me with bright, sparkling eyes.
At the back of the room, I catch the eyes of Lina and Fredrich, standing side by side with disconcerting looks on both of their faces. I frown slowly, a feeling of dread creeping across my skin. Lina looks down at her feet, and touches her fingertips to her mouth. In Fred’s eyes, I see a clear, distinct message. I tried to warn you.
“Not what you expected? Oh dear, now why is that?” The Master laughs again, looking down at me with a cruel grin on his lips. “Maybe, Charlotte, it is because in truth a hero’s welcome is not quite fitting for the occasion.” He chortles again, his laugh raising above all other in the room. There are a few faces that remain still, determined to see the truth in the situation, but only a few among the sea of mocking ones.
Abruptly, the reality of the moment dawns on me. I know why he brought me here; so that he could make a fool out of me, so that everyone would look back on the moment with cruelty and disdain. He is taking all my pride from slaying the dragon, and turning it into something pitiful, and dishonourable. So I was right; they were just going to laugh at me. If I’d known...I would have run.
The Master must have known that, and the cheering was a way to lure me into the hall; with no escape once in here. Behind my back...they must have organised this.
Tears sting my eyes painfully, but I bite them back with a grimace, turning to face the crowd.
“A token. From Fire-claw.” I say, chin raised high in defiance. I lift the tooth as high as I can, and drop it into the space below the platform, where it lands at the feet of the students. A few stagger back in surprise, their faces stripped of laughter. But my victory is short, and soon they are laughing at me again.
“Oh look, she found a tooth!” The Master laughs again, holding his arms out to welcome the laughter of the horde of students.
Swiftly, I clutch the muslin containing the dragons ashes in my hand, meeting Fredrich’s eyes across the room. When he shakes his head firmly, his eyes widening, I drop my head and heave a sigh.
As the crowd continue to laugh, my cheeks redden in embarrassment. Good for you Master, you managed to ruin my moment of glory.
“Congratulations, Rex. You must be so proud.” I say to him, fighting to portray a calm facade. If he wants to play this game, let us see just how far he can take it.
“Proud? Pray tell, foolish slayer.” He chuckles, ignoring my informal use of his name, raising his thin black brows in question. I do not overlook the way that his jaw tightens.
“To lead such a...collection of followers. Your students not only look to you for guidance, but wisdom also. And what a way to direct them, in such a...public fashion. We could not have you discussing this matter within a private conference, no. This sort of thing needs to be displayed, don’t you think?” I smile at him, watching as frowns of confusion are passed swiftly amongst the students. “I truly envy your ability to influence a young crowd such as this, a difficult task.” Waving a hand towards the gathering of students, I see some of them smirk in mocking towards the Master, and some of then look at me with awe and respect. How quickly they change their alliance.
“Well yes, your impertinence for such things has always been something of a tolerance.”
Master Rex says, his eyes screaming fury. Carefully, he turns to address the crowd.
“And I especially respect your aptitude for keeping those of us with more specific talents humble. Someone such as myself, in respect.” I say as he opens his mouth to dismiss the gossiping crowd, who are talking excitedly in hushed whispers. They all stop when I finish my concluding speech, eyes wide as they go.
Master Regulus turns his head slowly to look at me, something in his eyes that I cannot fathom the meaning to. Eventually, after holding his gaze for what seems like an eternity, he turns stiffly to address the students and faculty.
“Dismissed.”
- - -
“Did you truly think that you would be deemed a hero?” The sound of the Master’s footfalls as he paces along the shiny wooden floor of his headquarters, vaguely reminds me of the tolls of a clock as it tick...tick...tick’s away. Each one carefully leading to the next, like an elaborate dance being demonstrated step by step, slowly as a snail travels along the earth. It makes me anxious.
I think carefully about my answer before I reply to him, knowing that it is wise that I do not anger him any more than I have already. After running from the Academy, putting more than my own life in danger, I returned only to embarrass him in front of the entire student-body.
He should not have dealt with me the way that he did; humiliating me like that. But he is the Master, one of only seven in the country, he deserves more respect than that. I undermined him in front of everyone, because I felt ridiculous. Maybe I am still a child, like Fredrich seems to think.
“No Master, I did not. I wished it, but...I did not expect it.” I whisper, looking down at my injured arm whilst he surveys me with arms folded.
“Do you regret what you have done? Do you admit that it was wrong?” Looking up I see that he is quite certain that he knows my answer. So sure in fact, that I may as well not speak at all. But his certainty makes me angry, and so I cannot remain silent.
“No. I do not regret what I did, I felt it was the right action me to take. I knew before I set out that...I wanted to be recognised for my strength. For that reason, I was foolish. But as for slaying the dragon...I don’t think I was wrong, but next time...I’ll leave a note.”
The night before I left to hunt for the dragon, I had been restless in my bed, tossing and turning and praying for sleep to come soon. The reason being an image that had come to me a few nights before; me...slaying the dragon, my sword biting into its heart. I had wanted that, thirsted for it. But I had felt uncomfortable with myself for wanting to inflict death so eagerly, and had fought inwardly with myself for the next two days; thinking only of the dragon. Then it killed again, a young family from the village, and I had made up my mind as soon as the news of their death had been delivered. The next morning, before first light, I had set out. And now...here I was, being punished for saving lives.
“This is no time for petty comments Charlotte, this matter is simply...” Flustered, the Master throws up his hands and abandons my admonishment. I take advantage of his speechlessness.
“Master, I truly think this is better looked at with simpler approach. I killed the dragon, and we are safe. Please...isn’t that the more important element?” I bid, standing from my uncomfortable chair and facing him directly. For a moment, he simply stares carefully.
“You are clever, I’ll say that much to your credit.” He gives a hard chuckle, shaking his head at me. “But do not for one second think you are worming your way out of this so easily! What you have just mentioned are the better facts, the ones that make you appear unparalleled.” The tone that the Master uses makes the word ‘unparalleled’ seem ridiculous, almost foreign on his tongue. “Yes, you are quite able to accept any sort of praise for yourself, though when it is time for you to face up to your faults, you run away. You run away!” He laughs again, breathless. “Pathetic.”
“I am not pathetic!” I do not care if I sound like a child now, or if I am being rude. Insult after insult is too far, and now I am irritated. No more apologies for the Master. “I am not weak, or spineless! Not stupid or ignorant! If anyone is these things then I have to say Master it is you, and only you! You could have killed that creature when it first arrived, you certainly have the power, but instead you hid like a child and let lives and homes be taken, and fear struck into innocent hearts! After all of this Master, between the two of us I will be the one to finally sleep at night!” With a huff, I land back on the wooden chair, exhausted and upset. Tears prick at my eyes, but I will be damned if I let them fall in front of Master Rex. Slowly, the Master turns and makes his way around the wide expanse of his grand oak desk and takes a seat. After a moment, he rubs a hand over the stubble on his jaw and blinks a few times. Then he sighs, his shoulders hunching from exhaustion. Abruptly he looks far older than he really is.
“I want to say something to you, very clearly, and I want you be silent throughout.” Pausing, he waits for me to nod in understanding. Reluctantly, I comply. “Firstly, you will have a punishment, one that I see fitting, and it will be for the duration of the next two moons. Second, killing that dragon cannot have been easy and I...applaud you.” My eyes widen in surprise, but my lips remain shut and silent. His praise falls short however; I still feel the hazy red of humiliation on my skin.
“Lastly, this matter is deeper than a simple dragon. For reasons that I cannot reveal to you, I myself could not kill the beast. Honestly, I am glad you did, but I am furious with the execution of your so-called plan.” The Master takes a breath, shaky and uncertain. In my head, the words For reasons that I cannot reveal to you keep circling around. Reasons?
“Go to bed now, you seem on the edge of death.” Sighing, Master Rex stands and comes to the dragon tooth that I insisted on bringing with me.
“This...will be displayed in the Halls of Victory, so all may see your triumph.”
