Page 59 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"You must understand one thing, Ava. Our past shapes us, but it doesn't define us. It's the starting point of your journey, not the destination. But that's not what this is about. Not yet. You must continue to focus on your strengths. You must no longer fight your feelings to prepare for the final battle."
"I'm trying, really, but —"
"No, no buts. You must face them. Only when you have the courage to feel everything that lies within you, when you find the courage to explore your heart in all its strength and vulnerability, will you find the necessary power to turn all our fates for the better."
She shook her head. "But I'm not brave when it comes to feelings. You should have noticed that by now. I'm terribly afraid of them."
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the realization that something is more important than fear."
"Stop speaking in riddles! What are you getting at?"
The Master smiled. "Stay close to the dragon leader. He will help you."
"But we're not allowed to —"
The door was flung open and slammed against the wall. Marcus and Lilly were standing in the frame, the girl staring at them wide-eyed. "Is Master Boom with you? I heard you talking!"
"And I saw him from the courtyard! Where is he hiding?" Marcus leaped across the room and clenched his fists as if he were the one who had been engaged in combat training over the past few days.
Ava turned around quickly. She was agitated, but she wouldn't allow him to attack the master. However, as soon as she turned back to the window, there was no trace of him.
Chapter 27
Less than half an hour later, they were sitting on the dragons and flying westward. Ava had taken Lilly, Lynn, and Marcus with her, while Magg and Ralph were riding with Kilian and Allan had taken charge of the three other cadets. The sweeping student had been nowhere to be found, but Kilian was convinced that Master Clark had taken care of him.
No one said anything, so Ava was lost in her thoughts. For hours, she had been wondering what awaited them at the official training facility. The idea of being under the king's supervision filled her with fear.
"I don't feel comfortable going to Moonville."
Draco snorted softly, as if she were worrying about trifles."You'll be able to continue your training there."
"But..."She didn't know how to broach the topic of Lilly, since he was a dragon after all, and she had witnessed the mountain dragons' reaction to the mages. The dragons considered magic evil.
"I'll look after her."
Hesitantly, she stroked his scales."You're not afraid of her, even though you know what she can do?"
He laughed in her thoughts."How could I be? She's the most amazing girl I know."
"She's the only girl you know."
"So what? A dragon's judgment is beyond question."
She smiled as she stroked his scales. The girl was sitting in front of her, and as she pet the dragon she brushed up against her leg. Lilly was clutching her backpack as if it were full of butter crunchies. But it wasn't food that she was hoarding, but rather three books.
"Look, Ava, there's the training facility up ahead. The best in the whole kingdom." Lilly pointed towards the horizon, where a tall tower pierced the clouds.
Ava leaned forward so that Lynn and Marcus couldn't hear her words. "Are you sure we'll be safe in Moonville?"
The little one just nodded. Either she didn't understand what Ava was hinting at, or she didn't want to. Then again, risk had never been something that kept Lilly from doing what she pleased.
The area was at least four times as large as Master Clark's, and four arenas were spread across the grounds. The largest was almost twice the size of the one Ava had trained in over the past few days. It was framed by gigantic spectator stands. In the eastern area stood numerous buildings that looked like plain barracks, and to the south stretched a vast forest that extended to within a few meters of the high enclosing wall.
"How many students train here?" she asked Lilly.
"More than there are dragons available. But there are even more trainers and soldiers."
Mentally, she turned to Draco."And you're still sure we want to go there?"
