Page 21 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
The fighter narrowed her eyes to slits and gave her a cold look as she strutted out of the arena. Sheer anger was in every single one of her steps.
Lynn nodded. "That's Magg. She's the best."
With her mouth open, Ava watched her leave. "Why isn't she already fighting alongside the dragon fighters?"
"Because her training is not yet complete," replied a quiet, deep voice. Master Clark had approached them unnoticed and was examining them closely. He barely reached Ava's chest and leaned on a gnarled staff. If she interpreted his wrinkled skin and the few white hairs correctly, he was over ninety years old. His head was large and seemed too heavy for his narrow neck, and his body appeared frail and exhausted.
She looked at him in disbelief. This trainer was supposed to help her stand up to Rob and the mages?
Chapter 10
Master Clark smiled at her as if she had dropped by for tea rather than to learn how to fight from the man who was allegedly best trainer in the entire realm. "I see you're disappointed because I'm old and small. You're still at the beginning if you let such superficialities deceive you."
Ava cleared her throat. Denying it seemed more disrespectful to her than sticking to the truth. "I didn't mean to be rude, but I expected someone else."
He smiled no less serenely, as if such a thing couldn't offend him—on the contrary. He observed her as well, though not her body, but exclusively her eyes. Hopefully, he would find the fire that Lynn had immediately discovered.
Lilly stepped forward impetuously and looked at him adoringly, as if Kilian were standing before her. "I've heard everything about you, Master Boom. You're a legend. Can I learn to fight from you too? I'm quick and clever, and I never let superficialities deceive me!"
He patted her blonde head. "You'll go far one day." Then he turned to Ava and Marcus, scrutinized them again, and waited. Something told Ava that her next sentences would determine whether he accepted her as a student or not.
Although she had hesitated just moments ago, strangely enough, the prospect of being rejected made her want to get lessons from him at all costs. Or had it been Magg's convincing combat maneuvers that had persuaded her?
"I need to learn how to fight, there's no other option."
He narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, as if trying to read her soul. "There are always alternatives."
"Not for me. I'm ready to accept my destiny. But there are powerful people who want to stop me."
He nodded slowly, as if she wasn't telling him anything new. "The most powerful of them is you."
She furrowed her brow in confusion, but wouldn't give up. Judging by his expression, he didn't want to teach her. She had probably done everything wrong so far. Her heartbeat accelerated in search of a solution until she looked at Lilly and an idea came to her.
"I'm the prophesied dragon guardian."
He leaned on his gnarled staff and looked at her expectantly. He still didn't say a word.
"I'm ready to accept my destiny."
He was still waiting. Lilly nudged her in the side as if it were something obvious that she hadn't understood. Heavens, she had no idea what he wanted to hear or what the girl meant. She threw her hands in the air.
"I accept my destiny and fight against those who threaten this realm and the dragons. That's why I want to be your student!" She had gotten louder, which certainly didn't help. Now the master could add uncontrolled temper to superficiality, which was certainly not a desirable character trait for a warrior.
But the trainer nodded slowly. "The true fight doesn't take place out there, but in here." He pointed to her chest. "Win this fight, and the world will bow before you. We'll meet at sunsetat the gate." With those words, he patted Lilly's head again and walked away.
Incredulously, Ava watched him leave, while Lilly grabbed her around the waist and hugged her. She was jumping up and down. "I knew you could do it! You're ready!"
"He accepted me?"
"Of course!"
"What did I say?"
Lynn grinned mysteriously. "Didn't you notice?"
Ava shook her head. "Was it because I got loud?"
With a restrained smile on her lips, Lynn shrugged her shoulders. "You'll figure that out yourself."
