Page 39 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"Is the official training harder?"
"Different, but Master Boom is and remains the best." He winked at her and admired her dragon again. Draco had made himself comfortable on a fur on the floor. Although he looked relaxed and content, his eyes darted attentively back and forth. This didn't escape Ava's attention.
"Everything alright, little one?"
"Sure, I'm just fulfilling my duty to protect you."
She snorted grimly."Why does everyone think they need to protect me?"
"You're asking that? You're the prophesied dragon guardian, the mages and the king's soldiers are hunting you, and you're also one of the best dragon fighters. And you've already bonded with a dragon, which all the students in this room want to achieve."
Discreetly, she let her gaze sweep over the cadets. The idea that the training students could have something sinister in mind didn't fit the image she had formed of them. Ralph was far too nice, the other three boys far too young. They were sixteen years old and in the middle of their training, as she had learned over the course of the evening. Unlike Ralph, they hadn't trained with the dragon fighters before but were preparing for the entrance exams with the help of Master Clark.
"I trust them."
"You're welcome to do so, I'll keep an eye on them anyway."He blew out a cloud of smoke contentedly, as if they had only shared innocuous thoughts.
Firm footsteps were heard outside in the corridor, and moments later Magg entered the dining hall. She paused for barely a second and looked at them before taking a portion of stew and retreating alone to her usual spot.
"Do you trust her too?"Draco wanted to know.
"She's a different story."She leaned towards Ralph, her voice lowered. "What about Magg? Was she there with you with the dragon fighters?" Age-wise, it could fit. Ava estimated she was in her late twenties, maybe early thirties. Especially since her fighting technique was outstanding and certainly based on many years of training.
Ralph didn't look over his shoulder but took a deep breath. When he raised his gaze, he looked serious. "She's been through quite a lot. Believe me, she's one of the good ones, even if she doesn't seem like it."
Ava perked up. She hadn't expected such an answer, although she had already suspected that something important was driving her fellow student. She let her gaze wander to Magg, who had sat down with her back to them. Her blonde hair flowed down her back as if she were the princess herself. It practically shone gold.
"Has she been here long?"
Ralph shrugged his muscular shoulders. "I've only been training with Master Boom for three months."
"She came two years ago," Marcus chimed in. When she looked at him with raised eyebrows, he waved it off casually. "You train, I gather information." He leaned towards her. "Can I talk to you in private for a moment?"
"Sure, I need to get to bed anyway. If I want to get up somehow tomorrow, I should finally go to sleep." She turned to the dragon, who contentedly puffed out a small cloud of smoke."Are you staying with Lilly again tonight?"
"No, tonight I'm staying with you."He looked out the window into the dark sky, his eyes almost imperceptibly narrowed. Ava got goosebumps, and she also peered into the night. But she couldn't see anything outside.
"Do you sense danger?"
"I always sense dangers that concern you. Tonight they are particularly close."
Great. That statement would send her off to sleep nice and relaxed. But better for her to know about it. Maybe she shouldn't have left all the daggers in the arena but instead taken one to put under her pillow.
Heavens, how her life had changed...
"Good night." She said it loud enough for Magg to hear too, but the cadet didn't turn around. Lynn, however, stood up.
"I'm going to bed too, and you, Lilly, should do the same, because we're continuing with lessons tomorrow."
Lilly pointed behind her. "But the dragon?—"
Lynn shook her head emphatically. "He'll stay wherever Ava is anyway. So, hop to it."
Grumbling and muttering, the girl stood up and walked with them into the hallway. Draco rose as well. As he followed them, the floor trembled, and when they left the dining hall, his scalesscraped along the doorframe. He had to tuck his shimmering purple wings in tightly, otherwise he might have injured himself. Nevertheless, he was still adorable, especially with the look in his wet, round eyes that might have been because Lynn patted his head before saying goodbye. Her room was in a different hallway.
Tired, they dragged themselves up the stairs, and Lilly yawned behind her hand. They took the girl to her room, then Marcus accompanied Ava to hers. While Ava remained standing at the door, Draco hopped right onto her bed, which creaked dangerously.
"What did you want to talk to me about, Marcus?"
