Chapter 16
I pushed through the clearing as my breath released with true happiness; the grand castle came in to my view and the grounds of Draeos lay before me. I never thought I would be so pleased to see it. It was nearing the end of the week as La’Kera flew out towards us, landing in the east field just in front of the Combat Yards. Taking in her form with a wave of excitement as her throat released the hum of contentment. I rubbed her cheek and the side of her neck. Corbin whistled high, admiring my Bond as he stood behind me, I had to smirk. He was in awe of the white dragon.
“Hey, pearl. I missed you …” I spoke softly with voice.
“She is a pearl. So many hues to her scales.” Corbin tilted his head, “And so small. Oh, I miss when Raid’En was this small. Hey boy.” He turned to the large bull that roared from atop a high platform. His tail coiled twice around the stone as too Blade’Dur on a second dragon roost of stone. Both men nodded to their Bonds, but neither moved towards them. Strange, but interesting to watch.
You will stay here now. Where I can visit you daily, said La’Kera
I hope so. And with luck, I won’t have to go camping for some time … so happy that Corbin showed up. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here. I pressed into her, feeling the prickle of her scales and had to hold off on a wince. She wasn’t as cuddly as she was two months ago, she snorted at my discomfort. She knew how unfair it was that she couldn’t roll into me like we used to. You’re so much bigger now La’Kera.
Blade’Dur had me scale the cliffs, three times yesterday with the same statement. She was sulking, and boasting she accomplished the task.
I smiled, taking in her height. Her head was a few inches higher now, as to her shoulders. She was growing, and in the past five days, she had indeed grown.
In mind and body … as have you. She nudged.
Karson and Corbin watched from the side, ready to head off.
Guess, I better go shower. I’ll come see you later on La’Kera.
I will be watching. She nudged me gently and took to the sky. I watched her soar off, as the bulls rumbled to her, welcoming and soothing sounds. She tilted her wings, making the sunlight glisten across the membranes into dazzling rays of bright light.
You should stop showing off La’Kera. Boys are nothing but a distraction, I mused to her. She hummed and laughed mildly as she continued on her route to the dens. I turned to find both brothers staring at me.
Karson dipped his head, “You can freshen up Rehema. Take the rest of the day for yourself. I’ll meet you in the east garden around three thirty.” With an arched brow at Corbin, all three of us headed towards the Main Building and entered into the first floor.
Last time it was eerie and unsettling, now there was a bustling of people everywhere. From house elves, to teachers, to simple wizards and witches, along with common man, Croft stood by the stairs.
“You? Take those roses to the top floor and those drapes. I want the glass tables at the front, the iron ones at the back. Move the larger pot plants to the middle of the room … and make sure the benches are accessible.” She turned her gaze on me, to frown. It was seconds at most when she shifted her dark eyes to Karson and Corbin. “Finally. Corbin? I was beginning to think you were not showing. Where have you been … oh, I see. Now. Where did you want the silverware and I wasn’t sure which menu you wanted to prepare for tomorrow night …” Her brisk voice was thrilled with nerves and excitement.
Pressing my lips together, a sudden thought tugged my interest and I turned on the staircase.
“Kars—Master Karson.” I faulted on my words. “Did … was I free to sleep in my quarters now.” I had to ask. The night before we left for the camping trip, he’d stated I wouldn’t be sleeping in this part of the castle, least not until the end of the holidays.
Karson raised a brow as the puzzled look crossed his features. He nodded. “It should be fine.” He turned and headed towards Croft, as too did Corbin, who smiled a little unsure of my words.
I was free to head to my room.
Once there, I breathed in the stale scent of lily flowers, vanilla-spices and the fruity scent of sweet apples. My room was as I had left it. A few things had been tidied, nothing taken thankfully and with my pack dropped on the floor, I spotted the soil and dirt I had carried with me for the past five days. I tipped up the bag into the clothes basket. I needed to shower badly. I was alone now. No students in the school. The entire ninth level was all for me, including the shower room. I didn’t have to take my clothes with me, did I? I nibbled my lower lip with the sneakiness it stirred inside of me. It was the memory of last week I had been hit by an open wardrobe door, by Amber of all the people; and I had given her little or no thought. I reached for my towel and bath bag. I need to shower. I’ll worry about the rest when I return.
The hot water soothed my body in ways the waterhole hadn’t. And with scented soaps, it made the shower twice as relaxing. The heat was welcoming. Remembering that first morning with Corbin in our camp, I smiled at the memory.
I had gasped awake, thinking as always; the viper was after me, but when Corbin was pulled from his sleep with such ready to battle awareness, he had drawn his sword, thrust forth at the waiting shadows to attack us. I swallowed hard. The sword was impressive, flame and ruby red hilt, gems, and runic design decorated the sheath of the broad blade. He was fast, he was ready, wide eyed, tired, and shaking it off with a blink. In his state of mind, I was startled to think we were under attack. He scanned the area, sniffed the air, and slowly relaxed his sword. I didn’t stay in his view for long, taking off to the gully as quick as I could.
The first thing he said to me upon my return was: “So. Damaged is your wake up’s.”
I rolled my eyes, with a tight nod. I didn’t want to explain my problems to him. Karson showed concern, but caution. He held a look of honour in his eyes, keeping my problems to himself. He was my mentor… and friend. After I finished my breakfast, I started on a mêlée combat.
“Your tutelage doesn’t muck around does she.”
“She likes to hit me in the mornings,” Karson joked.
“Yeah, right. I can barely hit you. More like, me avoiding your hits.”
He kept to the same routine, fake hitting me, which had me wince at nothing; and to my surprise, Corbin’s comments continued.
“She is fast. You sure she is only a six month Ryder in training?”
Karson nodded. “You’re up.”
“What?” Corbin and I hissed.
“You need to get a feel for others in combat.”
“But … he’s your brother.”
“And you will fight many brothers in the lands.” He didn’t show pain, but I could only imagine it was. He tossed the branch to Corbin who caught it with a swift turn in the air.
It was here I had suddenly realised he had unleashed a sword on me this morning.
“Where is your sword?”
“Oh, that. Put it away.”
“Away?” I scanned his pack. “Where. It was huge. You had to have it with you. I don’t remember seeing it yesterday.”
Corbin shrugged with his eyes held on Karson. “She doesn’t know about the True Name,” said Corbin.
“No. I don’t.”
“Another time Rehema,” said Karson. “You need to know the basics before you can think of other mână skills.”
“But … you did have a sword?” I turned my question to Corbin.
He nodded, bashful of my demand. “Yes. All Ryders have a sword, even with no metal around. It lives in the side of ‘not seen’. That is why it’s a True Name sword.”
“True name sword? Why would you name it such? It’d be better to say, the sword of Ryders.”
“It is,” said Karson. “Our true name sword is where we need it, when we need it. But, sometimes we need only use this.” He pointed to the branch. “It’s practice. Ready?” He nodded at Corbin, who was ready.
I pressed my lips together unsure. “What is this going to teach me
?” I wanted to avoid this mêlée lesson.
“Difference.”
I rolled my eyes, which had Corbin smiling at the short answer.
“So. I’ll go slow.”
“Yeah, sure.” I started in on simple blocks and hits.
At first, Corbin stayed to his timing, and then he spun too hard and came in too fast. I hissed and dropped to my knee in pain.
“Easy Corbin. You don’t want to piss off her Bond.” Karson stood to the side, watching and waiting. “You okay?”
“I’m good.” I stood ready for another round; Corbin smiled, and kept pace.
Hmmm … Maybe Karson did learn something from me attacking him the other day.
I had to agree with La’Kera, as the mêlée increased with speed and timing, I was able to move with a sense of freedom I didn’t have with Karson. Maybe it was years of him being a mentor, or able to live in the outdoors, or Corbin being part of the Royals. I was more relaxed today. Somehow, I was able to block most of Corbin’s hits, keeping pace. Spinning around and knocking his shins, to spin, and take strikes on his back. He rolled to have his chest exposed.
“Okay, okay. You win.” Corbin was all smiles.
“Hmmm. I like mêlée with your brother Karson.”
“He needs to be put in his place once in a while.” Karson helped Corbin to his feet, both men gave each other an odd look, it was somehow heavy. And Corbin grimaced. “By a girl,” added Karson.
“I know my place and it’s in the castle.”
The sudden thunck of the pipes had me snap my attention back to here. The shower room. I had been lost in thought, I had now used a fair amount of water, and the pipes were protesting. I turned the rusted taps off and wrapped the towel around my clean body. To be home at last.
Home?
Was it my home? It had been for the past six months and part of me had thought it was a mistake, least before La’Kera hatched. I had hoped it was all wrong. Now, La’Kera was here, and I didn’t want that to change, not ever. Even with Karson, these Royals and this Kl’Ors day festive. It was as it should be, for me; it was home.
I stepped into my room, pulled on my under garments. Tossing the towel on the bed, I reached for my shirt when a knock came.
“Just a—” I didn’t finish the rest.
The door was opening, and Karson stood in the entrance. His eyes had travelled up my bare legs, stopped at my hips, taking in the soft material of my unmentionables to move up my stomach, and rest on my chest, which was covered by the basic half corset. It was an age before his eyes were torn away to take in my face. He blinked, blushed, and dropped his gaze, to turn his head away from my exposed form.
“Sorry. I thought … I wanted … we need to talk.”
“Um …” I eased a breath from my mouth, pulling on the shirt and trying my hardest to jump into the leggings before wrapping the leather skirt on my hips. As presented as I would ever be and possibly the same as I had been all week, I was now twice as aware, since he didn’t look away fast enough. Oh, crap. “What about?” I squeaked, trying not to think about the tingles on my skin.
Karson shifted the door, seeing that I was dressed; he stepped inside with a press of his lips.
“About … the ghost-girl. The rabbits.”
“Oh, right.” I turned my eyes away from him, picking up my brush. I started to comb through the tangle with haste. Keeping my hands busy and my eyes downcast was the best thing. Only I spotted several garments in view, more under garments. Damn. How many times is Karson going to see my undergarments? Last week, and now this week—moments ago on me. That was not good. I reached for them and stuffed them into the basket adding the towel in place.
“Since we are not entirely sure if the gift of soul seeing is because of your Dy’Monian link with La’Kera or because of your own bloodline, I thought against telling anyone. Including Corbin or Lady Darcia.”
“You … wish to keep it a secret.” I stopped in my cleaning, staring at him. He was a foot from me. “You think they might think I’m crazy.”
Karson swallowed. His hand came to my face, tucking a strand behind my ear; touching my cheek by the slightest, before sliding along my jaw line and away.
“I would rather they see you, not your power. And for us to have time to understand it.” He had made the action in the time he had spoken, but my mind was lost in his touch, in his … husky voice, which sounded twice as appealing.
I blushed and pulled away.
“S-Sure …” I managed.
“We have two months to work on it, I’m sure it will be ample time to come to the understanding of all that is—you.” He said, with a smile and a look I couldn’t place, it was there, on the edge of my mind what the look reminded me of, and then—
He stood, and I realised anything that was, or could, was now passing. “Are you ready for Connection lesson?” His question had me blinking at the clock.
It was already three thirty? Did we get home later? With a nod to myself, La’Kera had nothing to offer, I released a fast breath.
“Sure. Just get my boots.”