Fenni slipped the leather thong over his head, the crystal resting against his chest. Jael pounded his shoulder, his turquoise, jade and garnet earrings flashing.
“Hang on, those are your wizard crystals.”
Jael nodded as the crowd cheered and Master Giddi raised both of his infamous eyebrows in approval.
§
The sun sank behind the trees, shadows chasing its fiery rays from the sky. Wizard fires burned on stakes around the clearing, the makeshift torches casting a green hue on the snow and the onlookers’ faces as they huddled near the cabins. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
In the clearing, Master Giddi and Master Starrus were poised like dragons about to pounce.
The horn blew and the whispers died.
Fire arced from both of Master Starrus’ hands. Master Giddi twitched a finger. It sputtered out before it hit him.
Face red, Starrus aimed a firebolt at Giddi’s chest. The dragon mage caught it, extinguishing it.
Using both hands, Starrus drove a wall of fire at Giddi, then lifted it, arcing the crackling green blaze through the sky.
Dragon’s Eggs, Starrus had lost control. People screamed and ducked. Fenni’s heart hammered like a smith at an anvil.
“No.” Master Giddi’s strangled cry ripped across the clearing. A plume of fire shot from his hands, illuminating everyone’s faces in a blinding flash.
The two fires slammed together, forming a molten green ball bigger than Master Giddi’s cabin. Heat pressed down on Fenni. The onlookers fled. The fire erupted into a geyser of flame, shooting skyward, lighting up the entire clearing and surrounding forest.
“You fool,” Master Giddi cried, waving his hands. In another flash of light, the fire disappeared.
Master Starrus was flat on his back in the churned-up snow, jaw slack.
What had that dragon rider, Marlies said? Leave Starrus some vestige of pride. Although Giddi had won, he’d definitely lost her challenge.
Giddi strode over to Starrus. “You’d risk the entire Spanglewood forest, the spangles and every mage in Dragons’ Realm just to prove yourself? You’re more of an idiot than I’d suspected.” He spat in the snow near Starrus’ face and stalked off into the forest.
Rumors
Adelina was sewing an old pair of breeches, when someone knocked on the door.
Linaia, napping in the den adjoining her, melded instantly. “Do you want me to eavesdrop and ensure you’re safe?”
Adelina smiled. “No, I’ve managed this far without a guardian. I’ll be all right.”
“Up until now Roberto has protected you. He’s not here, so it’s my turn.” Linaia stayed melded.
Adelina opened the door to Mara and Leah.
“Can we see your dragon?” Mara asked.
“Your dragon?” Linaia huffed. “I’m not your dragon. You’re my rider.”
“Sure, come and meet Linaia,” Adelina showed the girls through her cavern out to Linaia’s den.
“Dragons’ tails. She’s huge,” exclaimed Mara.
Linaia preened her sapphire scales.
“Not as large as Erob,” said Leah knowingly. “He’s staying on the infirmary ledge, and he’s huge.”
Linaia stuck her snout in the air. “Size isn’t everything.”
“You’re so lucky.” Mara stretched her hand toward Linaia. “May I?”
“Yes, I’m sure Linaia won’t mind you petting her.”
“I’m not a dog, you know,” melded Linaia, woofing in Adelina’s mind.
Adelina stifled a chuckle as Mara rubbed Linaia’s nose. Linaia snorted. Mara jumped back.
“Come on, I’ll get you a drink.” Adelina fetched three cups of goat milk, adding dollops of honey. Linaia warmed them. “These may be a bit hot.” Adelina passed them their cups. “Linaia is still learning.”
“Huh. What about you, new rider?”
She bit back a smile. “And I’m still learning too. Come on, it’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
The girls went in and sat in comfy chairs, sipping their drinks.
“We came to tell you something, Adelina.” Mara nudged Leah. “Go on, tell her.”
Leah leaned forward. “It’s a little awkward. It concerns your brother.”
Adelina dropped her cup. It shattered on the stone, milk splattering her boots. “Sorry, I—”
“Thought it might be true,” said Mara, eying Adelina and the shattered crockery. “The council haven’t announced anything, but people are saying he’s working with Zens.”
Anger surged through Adelina. “Roberto would never work for that murderer.” Again. She hoped. No one was supposed to know where Roberto was. Had word got out? Or was this just another lie spread by Snake-tongue?
“We know he wouldn’t,” said Mara. “He’s a good man …” She blushed.
Adelina wanted to roll her eyes. Not another girl who admired her good-looking brother.
“We don’t believe he’s with Zens,” Leah said, “but we think we know where he is.”
“Where?” Adelina blurted. Shards, first dropping her cup, then thinking out loud like a littling. Where was her usual composure?
“Seppi, head of the blue guards, came to the infirmary earlier today, and told Marlies he’d seen a Naobian in the northern end of Spanglewood Forest, near Dragons’ Hold.”
A Naobian. So, it could be anyone. Tomaaz had said Roberto had been captured by Zens. Adelina’s hopes deflated. “Thanks.”
“There’s more,” said Leah. “He has long hair, like Roberto.”
Maybe he’d escaped. How could he have gotten across half the realm? Probably not by dragon or he would’ve come straight to Dragons’ Hold. “What was this Naobian doing?”
“The guard saw him in the forest.”
“Why was he telling Marlies?”
Leah blushed again. “Well, I shouldn’t really have been listening, but a while ago she told him to keep an eye out for Naobians in that part of the forest. And after she found out, she left on dragonback. She only just returned. I was on duty in the infirmary, so I couldn’t tell you earlier.”
Why? Why was the master healer looking out for Naobians? Unless Roberto had escaped. It was possible. They were trying to keep morale up, so no one was supposed to know
