Immortal Dragon ON HOLD

Chapter IX

The fifteen-year-old girl grinned mischievously at the copper-haired boy beside her. "So," Ella said casually, "I've been practicing. I've gotten really good with my magic lately. My mother says I'm her little protégé." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "But I've been wondering... Would it work here?"

Robb smirked slightly but didn't respond. Jon, Theon, and the master-at-arms were nearby. Jon and Theon were currently sparring with wooden swords.

Ella glanced toward them. A slow smirk spread across her face. "Motus." She flicked her hand lightly. Suddenly, Theon's feet flew out from under him. He crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Ella burst into laughter. "Oh, sweet gods that worked!"

She clapped a hand over her mouth, trying to quiet herself. Robb bit his lip, already laughing. Meanwhile, Theon scrambled up, looking completely confused. "What the—"

Ella leaned closer to Robb, whispering excitedly. "Now... What else can I do to that boy without him knowing what happened?"

Robb shook his head, trying not to laugh. "You're terrible."

But Ella was already waving her hand again. Theon suddenly stumbled backward. Right into a wall. A bucket sitting on the ledge above tipped over. With a little magical encouragement from Ella.

CLANG.

The bucket landed squarely on his head. Theon stood there for a moment. Completely stunned.

Ella wheezed with laughter. "That was even better than I imagined."

Later, once the training session had ended, Robb and Ella were alone. Ella was still grinning. "Well," she said proudly, "that experiment was a success."

Robb laughed. "You just had to pick on Theon, didn't you?"

Ella blinked innocently. "Whatever do you mean, little wolf? It was simply a scientific experiment."

Robb gave her a look. "And it had to be Theon?" Ella shrugged with exaggerated innocence. Robb rolled his eyes, but he was still laughing.

Ella suddenly looked past him.

Jon was walking toward them. Her eyes lit up immediately. "How is his hair even fluffier than before?" She leaned closer to Robb. "I still want to touch it."

Robb sighed. "Ella, no."

She grinned. "Ella, yes."

Before Robb could stop her, she reached out again. Trying to touch Jon's hair. This time— Jon flinched. He glanced around suddenly. Like he felt something brush against him.

Ella froze. She turned slowly to Robb. "...Did he just feel that? That's weird, he didn't feel it the first time." She stepped in front of Jon, studying him closely.

"Can you see me?" Jon stared straight through her. Completely unaware she was there. Ella frowned. "Okay... so he can't see or hear me. But he can feel me. That's new." She paused. Then a mischievous idea crossed her mind.

Her smirk returned instantly. "I wonder... Now that I've tapped into my magic... Maybe I could make myself visible to certain people here." She glanced at Jon again. "For example... fluffy over there." Robb looked thoroughly amused. Ella shrugged. "No offense, little wolf. But his hair is just so fluffy."

Before Jon could even speak, another voice cut through the yard. "Boys." Everyone turned. Ned Stark approached. His expression was serious. "We've got a deserter."

The mood shifted immediately. Everyone understood what that meant. Faces became stern. Ella frowned. "What does that mean?"

Robb answered quietly. "Nothing." He started after his father. "Stay here. You don't need to see this."