Page 56 of Upon Buried Embers
Calian walks out and I follow, rubbing my fingers together as I look back into the room.
So much work to be done.
We stop outside a stall with writing on the front. Aneighcomes from inside, and then a head pops over the half-door.
Serah.
“She is always who you see first. You feed and groom her before anyone else, she’s top priority.”
My brows furrow. “Why?”
“She’s the Dragonbond’s, Elf. Anything that is his is a priority, even his dragon.” What does that mean? “After you’ve finished, you go to the dragons. Rohan will teach you how to move heat stones from there to his home, and then fill buckets for others.”
“What’s a heat stone?” I try to ignore the panic clawing at my throat, I have to go in the dragon’s den?
He looks at me curiously. “You do not have warmth where you’re from?”
“Master had me keep the fire lit at all times, but I had to leave as soon as I was done. I’m not aware of heat stones.”
He stares at me for a moment. “I see.” He begins to walk off. “Get to feeding, two scoops each, and then a large clump of hay. You can feed them using the wheelbarrow in the feed room. I’ll check up on you later.”
“Okay.”
“Oh,” he says. “Do not run, or a dragon will be sent out to bring you back.”
“I won’t.” He stares at me for a moment, and then he’s gone.
I sigh, looking down the long row of stables. A nibble at my back startles me. I whirl around and smile as Serah makes a funny face with her lips. Her ears flicking.
“Well, I guess we shall begin?” She neighs. “I’ll brush you soon, and I can check your leg?” I look down at my boot. “I have a bandage too now, we match.”
I pat her nose and make my way to the large doors at the back. Opening one with much effort, I instantly spot the rolls of hay to the right, and the wheelbarrow next to it.
Going over, I start to grab at the hay, the cold biting into my fingers, but all I’m getting is a few strands at a time.
“If you cut it down one side, it’s easier to grab,” a voice says.
“Ah!” I jump, banging into the wheelbarrow and knocking it over.
Gods, get it together.
“Look what you did, Beau.” A hand on my arm has me freezing, but when I look up, kind eyes look back at me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” the man, Beau says, looking sheepish. He has blue eyes, and blond hair in a braided ponytail.
“Hi, I’m Tofa.” It’s the woman Calian was talking to. “That’s Beau.”
“H-hi,” I reply, before turning to Beau. “It’s okay.”
His smile is kind. Much different from the scowls I’ve been getting from the other clan members.
“We help Calian take care of the animals,” Tofa says.
“He asked me to feed the horses,” I tell them, nervous about there being two of them and one of me, though I don’t feel threatened. Not really. Just unsure.
“How is that going for you?” She asks, and I point down at the wheelbarrow. She laughs. “Come on. I’ll show you the easiest way to fill it.”
“She’s the best at it,” Beau says.
