SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 1

THREE YEARS LATER...

The first years were standing on the assembly line wearing attires according to their Orders while the rest of the ongoing trainees were wearing their normal usual attires to their liking.

Most of the Hawk's eye leaned to white-to-cream chiffons and laces for the female and soft fabric for the male. The Fox's ear were in casual attires, any color as long as it was comfortable to run into, and most especially their leather-to-wool boots for both males and females. The Cat's claws were in their mesh outfit with a little elegant fur to throw on. They somehow matched the Lion's roar. The Phoenix's Order were in black leather for the male and beautiful velvet maroon-to-dark elegant dresses for the female. The snake's fangs were in dark blue shimmering gowns for females...well, there were only females this year.

Then there are the rest of the past years who wore whatever they liked. A mixture of anything they craved that day.

The Masters were standing in front of the gathered trainees too, wearing attires according to their orders, just to be acquainted with their new trainees.

The Supreme Master was making a welcoming speech all the while.

“Huh! I love first years.” Janine's eyes sparkled with excitement as her smile widened. She swung on her heels. She was in one of her Hawk’s eye dresses, her golden brown hair braided on one shoulder, a belt with one knife on it, and her boots, each with knives on them too. She also wore her wings out that day, brown feathered, and huge, neatly spread out.

Show off. Caldor had told her that morning when he saw the feathery things, as he usually called them.

Caldor, a tall, dangerously muscled male in his normal elegant Dragon’s flame Order attire, full high-quality leather with a pinch of orange in that dark color of his trench jacket. The color highlighted the orange in his long wavy hair that was neatly tied back with one of his leather bands, stubborn strands pushing their way on his face. Whether stubborn or his way of making himself look even more devastatingly attractive than he already was. Neatly groomed...

Show off. Janine had also told him earlier.

The Dragon fire in him always seemed to reflect on his skin, making it tan, and lips, making them a bit orange.

He too had a sword on his side.
And yes, the beard was all gone, leaving a gorgeous, attention-catching face of a god.

“I don’t think it’s wise to start talking right now, Jenny.” He whispered a warning to her as the Supreme Master kept up with her speech.

“I mean look at them... all determined and all...”

Some trainees looked delighted to be there, some tired of standing, some sleepy from their short nights after travel and some just wanted to leave the boring speech.

“I see.” Caldor whispered back with a ridiculous smirk.

Of course, Janine was reminded of herself. She had been excited to be in Greyenvir when she arrived as a first year. A girl with a high spirit.

“It reminds me of our first year...”

Caldor cut her off, “Jenny...”

“...I was standing in front of the line...”

“Mhh...” Was the only sound he could make, not to answer her verbally, since every eye was now turning to them and he didn’t want to look like he too was encouraging this conversation. His head held high, he just stared at the assembly of trainees.

“...and I looked at some back corner and spotted you, all bored and all, and I knew...”

He spoke in his teeth, fake smiling and nodding towards the Supreme Master’s speech. “You tell me that every year.” There was sarcasm in his tone, to stop her from talking.